A09402:302
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 good Witch, is he or she that by consent in a league with the devil, doth use his help, for the doing of good only. This cannot hurt, torment, curse, or kill, but only heal and cure the hurts inflicted upon men or cattle, by bad Witches. For as they can do no good, but only hurt; so this can do no hurt, but good only. And this is that order which the Devil hath set in his kingdom, appointing to several persons their several offices and charges. And the good Witch is commonly termed the unbinding Witch.
The good Witch, is he or shee that by consent in a league with the deuill, doth vse his help, for the doing of good onely. This cannot hurt, torment, curse, or kill, but onely heale and cure the hurts inflicted vpon men or cattell, by badde Witches. For as they can doe no good, but onely hurt; so this can doe no hurt, but good onely. And this is that order which the Deuill hath set in his kingdome, appointing to seuerall persons their seuerall offices and charges. And the good Witch is commonly tearmed the vnbinding Witch.
Now howsoever both these be evil, yet of the two, the more horrible & detestable Monster is the good Witch: for look in what place soever there be any bad Witches that hurt only, there also ⟨p. 175⟩the Devil hath his good ones, who are better known then the bad, being commonly called Wise-men, or Wise-women. This will appear by experience in most places in these countries. For let a mans child, friend, or cattle be taken with some sore sickness, or strangely tormented with some rare and unknown disease, the first thing he doth, is to bethink himself and inquire after some Wise man or wise-woman, & thither he sends and goes for help. When he comes, he first tells him the state of the sick man: the Witch then being certified of the disease, prescribeth either Charms of words to be used over him, or other such counterfeit means, wherein there is no virtue; being nothing else but the devils Sacraments, to cause him to do the cure, if it come by Witchcraft. Well, the means are received, applied, and used, the sick party accordingly recovereth, and the conclusion of all is, the usual acclamation; Oh happy is the day, that ever I met with such a man or woman to help me!