A09402:292
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.
Again, in this general term, I comprehend both sexes or kinds of persons, men and women, excluding neither from being Witches. A point the rather to be remembered, because Moses in this place setting down a Judicial •awe against Witches, useth a word of the feminine gender [••ecasbephah] which in English properly signifieth, a woman Wicth: whereupon some might gather, that women only were Witches. Howbeit Moses in this word exempteth not the male, but only useth a notion referring to the female, for good causes; principally for these two.
Againe, in this generall tearme, I comprehend both sexes or kindes of persons, men and women, excluding neither from beeing Witches. A point the rather to be remembred, because Moses in this place setting downe a Iudiciall •awe against Witches, vseth a word of the feminine gender [••ecasbephah] which in English properly signisieth, a woman Wicth: whereupon some might gather, that women onely were Witches. Howbeit Moses in this word exempteth not the male, but onely vseth a notion referring to the female, for good causes; principally for these two.
First, to give us to understand, that the woman being the weaker sex, is sooner entangled by the devils illusions with this damnable art, then the man. And in all ages it is found true by experience, that the devil hath more easily and oftener prevailed with women, then with men. Hence it was, that the Hebrews ⟨p. 169⟩of ancient times, used it for a proverb, The more women, the more witches: His first temptation in the beginning, was with Eve a woman, and since he pursueth his practise accordingly, as making most for his advantage. For where he findeth easiest entrance, and best entertainment, thither will he oftenest resort.
First, to giue vs to vnderstand, that the woman beeing the weaker sexe, is sooner intangled by the deuills illusions with this damnable art, then the man. And in all ages it is found true by experience, that the deuill hath more easily and oftner preuailed with women, then with men. Hence it was, that the Hebrues