A09402:293
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, 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 ⟨p. 169⟩of ancient times, vsed it for a prouerb, The more women, the more witches: His first temptation in the beginning, was with Eue a woman, and since he pursueth his practise accordingly, as making most for his aduantage. For where he findeth easiest entrance, and best entertainement, thither will he oftnest resert.
Secondly, to take away all exception of punishment from any party that shall practise this trade, and to show that weakness cannot exempt the Witch from death. For in all reason, if any might allege infirmity, and plead for favour, it were the woman, who is weaker then the man. But the Lord saith, if any person of either sex among his people, be found to have entered covenant with Satan, and become a practiser of Sorcery, though it be a woman and the weaker vessel, she shall not escape, she shall not be suffered to live, she must die the death. And though weakness in other cases, may lessen both the crime and the punishment, yet in this it shall take no place.