A09402:256
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.
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 ⟨p. 147⟩of a Spell, nothing will be effected, unless the devil either by confederacy, or superstitious conceit be drawn to confer his help in the point, for his own advantage.
Now, though the word of God be in it selfe pure, and serue to excellent purpose, as hath beene saide, yet by the way we may remember; That as it is with all things that are most pretious, nothing is so excellent in it kind, which may not be abused; so it is with this heauenly word: for it is and may be made a Charme two waies. First, when some part of it, is indeede vsed for a charme. Thus many Texts of Scripture, both in Latin and other languages, haue beene abused by Inchanters, as might easily be shewed. Secondly, when it is heard, read, recited, or made a matter of praier without vnderstanding. And thus the ignorant man, as much as in him lyeth, makes it a Charme. For in his ordinarie vse thereof, he neither conceiueth, nor taketh care to vnderstand it, as lamentable experience teacheth. Yet in neither of these is the very bare repeating of the word effectuall. For as when a man heares or reades it, vnlesse the Spirit of God inlighteneth his heart, it is to no purpose; so when it is made the matter ⟨p. 147⟩of a Spell, nothing will be effected, vnlesse the deuill either by conf•deracie, or superstitious conceit be drawne to conferre his helpe in the point, for his owne aduantage.