A09402:277
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.
First then, if the frogs and serpents caused by Jannes and Jambres were true creatures indeed, and their other sleights true and real works; then they were made and caused either by the devil, or by God himself: (for no man ⟨p. 161⟩of himself can make a rod to become a true serpent.) But this was done neither by the devil, nor by God, as shall appea•e in the sequel•.
First then, if the frogs and serpents caused by Iannes and Iambres were true creatures indeede, and their other sleights true and reall works; then they were made and caused either by the deuill, or by God himselfe: (for no man ⟨p. 161⟩of himselfe can make a rod to become a true serpent.) But this was done neither by the deuill, nor by God, as shall appea•e in the sequel•.
They were not done by the Devil; because the devil cannot make a true creature, either serpent or frog.
They were not done by the Deuill; because the deuill cannot make a true creature, either serpent or frogge.
How doth that appear? Ans. To make a true creature of any sort, by producing the same out of the causes, is a work serving to continue the creation, and is indeed a kind of creation. Now the devil as he cannot create a thing at the first, so he is not able to continue the same by a new creation: that being a property belonging to God only. For better conceiving hereof, we must know, that God creaeth two ways: either primarily in the beginning, when he made all things of nothing,