A09402:265
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.
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 scrat•hing, 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 ⟨p. 153⟩for Charmes.
The use. Now considering that all kinds of Charms are the devils watchwords to cause him to work the wonder, and have no virtue in them, be the words wherein they are conceived never so good: hereby we must be admonished, to take heed of the use of them, and all other unlawful ceremonies, both in respect of their forms, be they praises or prayers, or imprecations; as also in regard of their ends, be they never so good in outward appearance. But alas! the more lamentable is the case, Charming is in as great request as Physic, and Charmers more sought unto then Physicians in time of need. There be charms for all conditions and ages of men, for divers kinds of creatures, yea for every disease; as for head-ache, tooth-ache, stitches, and such like. Nevertheless, howsoever some have subjected themselves to such base and ungodly means, yet the use hereof by the mercy of God, hath not been universal. And those that have sought for help, are to be advised in the fear of God,