A09402:275
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 second thing required in Juggling, is a Sleight done above the order ⟨p. 159⟩and course of nature. This is the point which maketh those conveyances to be Witchcraft. For if they were within the compass of nature, they could not be rightly •earmed and reputed Sorceries; considering that diverse men, by reason of the agility of their bodies, & sleight of their hands, are able to work divers feats, which seem strange to the beholders, and yet not meddle with Witchcraft. Again, some by the lawful art of the Optics, may show strange & admirable things, by means of light and darkness, and yet may be free from imputation of Magical worke•; because they keep themselves wholly within the power and practise of nature. But sleights done […] over and above delusion, must pass the ordinary bounds and precincts of nature, and so are made points of Witchcraft. One memorable example, for the clearer manifestation of this point, we have in the Scripture, by name in the 7, 8, and 9, Chapters of Exodus, where Moses and Aaron wrought wonders before Pharaoh, turning the rod into a serpent, and ⟨p. 160⟩water into blood, with many other such like. Now Jannes and Jambres (for so Paul calleth them, 2. Tim▪ 3. 8.) the Magicians of Egypt, did work the same miracles which Moses and Aaron had done: But here was the difference• Moses made true creatures, and wrought true miracles, whereas they did all in appearance and outward show. For theirs were not true real actions, but only Magical illusions, wrought by the sleight & subtlety of the devil, in the practise of lugling.
The second thing required in Iugling, is a Sleight done aboue the order ⟨p. 159⟩and course of nature. This is the point which maketh those conueiances to be Witchcraft. For if they were within the compasse of nature, they could not be rightly •earmed and reputed Sorceries; considering that diuerse men, by reason of the agilitie of their bodies, & sleight of their hands, are able to worke diuers feats, which seeme strange to the beholders, and yet not meddle with Witchcraft. Againe, some by the lawfull art of the Optiks, may shew strange & admirable things, by meanes of light and darknesso, and yet may be free from impution of Magicall worke; because they keepe themselues wholly within the power and practise of nature. But sleights done ouer and aboue delusiō, must passe the ordinarie bounds and precincts of nature, and so are made points of Witchcraft. One memorable example, for the clearer manifestation of this point, we haue in the Scripture, by name in the 7, 8, and 9, Chapters of Exodus, where Moses and Aaron wrought wonders before Pharaoh, turning the rodde into a serpent, and