A09402:257
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.
Howbeit, of all Enchantments these are the most dishonourable to God, most acceptable to Satan, and most hurtful to the charmer, which are made of the Scriptures. For beside the sin of Witchcraft in the Charming, this inconvenience […], that Satan procureth more credit to one of th•se, then to twenty other, because the words are Scripture; hereby clo•ing his mischievous practises under the colour of holiness, and so confirming the truth of that which the holy Ghost saith, that when he worketh most deceitfully, he transforms himself into an Angel of l•hgt,• Cor. 11. 14. He knoweth well, that ordinary words seem nothing to some men, therefore he teacheth and suggesteth phrases and sentences out of the word, for such ungodly ends, that even the grace of them fetched from the Scriptures, may make them shameful. ⟨p. 148⟩Wherefore let every one that is endued with grace and knowledge, d•ely consider this with himself. Cannot Gods word be effectual, when it is used to edification, unless the work of his own Spirit accompany the same? then surely it is impossible, that the same which is holy, being used to an evil end, should be powerful, except the devil affordeth his help for the effecting thereof. To conclude therefore, let men say what they will, the truth is this, that words of Enchantment, be they never so holy or profane, either by way of cursing or blessing, have no power of themselves to the producing of strange works: but are (as hath been said) only diabolical signs, admonishing the Devil of some wickedness intended and desired, which he through his power must cause to be done.
Howbeit, of all Inchantments these are the most dishonorable to God, most acceptable to Satan, and most hurtfull to the charmer, which are made of the Scriptures. For beside the sinne of Witchcraft in the Charming, this inconuenience 〈…〉, that Satan procureth more credite to one of th•se, then to twentie other, because the words are Scripture; hereby clo•ing his mischie•ous practises vnder the colour of holynes, and so confirming the truth of that which the holy Ghost saith, that when he worketh most deceitfully, he transformes himselfe into an Angell of lhgt, Cor. 11. 14. He knoweth well, that ordinarie words seeme nothing to some men, therfore he teacheth and suggesteth phrases and sentences out of the word, for such vngodly ends, that euen the grace of them fethed from the Scriptures, may make them smefull.