A09402:264
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.
Fifthly, The crossing of the body, to ⟨p. 152⟩this end, that we may be blessed from the devil. A thing usual even of latter times, specially in Popery; wherein the cross carrieth the very nature of a Charm, and the use of it in this manner, a practise of Enchantment. For God hath given no such virtue to a cross, either by creation, or special privilege and appointment.
Fiftly, The crossing of the bodie, to ⟨p. 152⟩this ende, that we may be blessed from the deuill. A thing vsuall euen of latter times, specially in Popery; wherein the crosse carrieth the very nature of a Charme, and the vse of it in this māner, a practise of Inchantment. For God hath giuen no such vertue to a crosse, either by creation, or speciall priuiledge and appointment.
Sixthly, the Scratching •f a Witch to discover the Witch. For it is a means which hath no warrant or power thereunto, either by the word of God, or from nature, but only from the devil; who if he yieldeth either at crossing, or scratching, he doth it willingly, and not by compulsion, that he may feed his instrument with a false faith and a superstitious conceit, to the dishonour of God, and their own overthrow. In a word, look whatsoever actions, gestures, signs, rites, and ceremonies are used by men or women to work wonders, having no power to effect the same, either by creation and nature, or by special appointment from God, they must all be referred to this head, and reckoned ⟨p. 153⟩for Charms.
Six•ly, the Scratching •f a Witch to discouer the Witch. For it is a means which hath no warrant or power thereunto, either by the word of God, or frō nature, but onely from the deuill; who if he yeeldeth either at crossing, or scrathing, he doth it willingly, and not by compulsion, that he may feede his instrument with a false faith and a superstitious cōceit, to the dishonor of God, and their owne ouerthrowe. In a word, looke whatsoeuer actions, gestures, signes, rites, and ceremonies are vsed by men or women to worke wonders, hauing no power to effect the same, either by creation and nature, or by speciall appointment from God, they must all be referred to this head, and reckoned