A09402:304
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.
Here observe, that both have a stroke ⟨p. 176⟩in this action: the bad Witch hurt him, the good healeth him; but the truth is, the latter hath done him a thousand fold more harm then the former. For the one did only hurt the body, but the devil by means of the other, though he have left the body in good plight, yet he hath laid fast hold on the soul, and by curing the body, hath killed that. And the party thus cured, cannot say with David: The Lord is my helper; but the Devil is my helper; for by him he is cured. Of both these kinds of witches the present Law of Moses must be understood.
Here obserue, that both haue a stroke ⟨p. 176⟩in this action: the bad Witch hurt him, the good healeth him; but the truth is, the latter hath done him a thousand fold more harme then the former. For the one did onely hurt the bodie, but the deuill by meanes of the other, though he haue left the bodie in good plight, yet he hath laid fast hold on the soule, and by curing the body, hath killed that. And the partie thus cured, cannot say with Dauid: The Lord is my helper; but the Deuill is my helper; for by him he is cured. Of both these kinds of witches the present Law of Moses must be vnderstood.
This point well considered, yieldeth matter both of instruction and practise.
This point well considered, yeeldeth matter both of instruction and practise.
Of instruction, in that it shows the cunning and crafty dealing of Satan, who afflicteth and tormenteth the body for the gain of the soul. And for that purpose hath so ordered his instruments, that the bad Witch gives the occasion, by annoying the body or goods; and the good immediately accomplisheth his desire, by entangling the soul in the bands of error, ignorance, and false faith. Again,