A09402:266
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.
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, ⟨p. 154⟩to repent of this their sin, and to take a better course. Let them rightly consider, that they have hither to depended upon Satan for help, and consequently have dishonoured God, and renounced lawful means sanctified by him, which should not have been done in case of the greatest worldly gain. For no man may do evil, that good may come of it.
The vse. Now considering that all kinds of Charmes are the deuills watchwords to cause him to worke the wonder, and haue no vertue in them, be the words wherein they are conceiued neuer so good: hereby we must be admo••shed, to take heede of the vse of them, and all other vnlawful ceremonies, both in respect of their formes, be they praises or praiers, or imprecations; as also in regard of their endes, be they neuer so good in outward appearance. But alas! the more lamentable is the case, Charming is in as great request as Physicke, and Charmers more sought vnto then Physicians in time of neede. There be charmes for all conditions and ages of men, for diuers kinds of creatures, yea for euery disease; as for head-ach, tooth-ach, stitches, and such like. Neuerthelesse, howsoeuer some haue subiected themselues to such base and vngodly meanes, yet the vse hereof by the mercie of God, hath not beene vniuersall. And those that haue sought for helpe, are to be aduised in the feare of God, ⟨p. 154⟩to repent of this their sinne, and to take a better course. Let them rightly consider, that they haue hither to depended vpon Satan for helpe, and consequently haue dishonoured God, and renounced lawfull meanes sanctified by him, which should not haue beene done in case of the greatest worldly gaine. For no man may doe euill, that good may come of it.