A09402:305
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.
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, ⟨p. 177⟩this showeth the blindness of natural corruption, specially in ignorant and superstitious people. It is their nature to abhor hurtful persons, such as bad Witches be, and to count them execrable; but those that do, them good, they honour and reverence as wise men and woman, yea seek and […] unto them in times of extremity, though of all persons in the world they be most odious: and Satan in them […] the greatest friend, when he is most like himself, and intendeth greatest mischief. Let all ignorant persons be advised hereof in time, to take heed to themselves, and learn to know, God and his word, that by light from thence they may better discern of the subtle practises of Satan and his instruments.
Of instruction, in that it shewes the cunning and craftie dealing of Satan, who afficteth and tormenteth the body for the gaine of the soule. And for that purpose hath so ordered his instrumēts, that the bad Witch giues the occasion, by annoying the body or goods; and the good immediatly accomplisheth his desire, by intangling the soule in the bands of errour, ignorance, and false faith. Againe, ⟨p. 177⟩this sheweth the blindnes of naturall corruption, specially in •gnorant and superstitious people. It is their nature to abhorte hurtfull persos, such as bad Witches be, and to count them execrable; but those that doe, them good, they honour and reuerence as wise men and woman, yea secke and vnto thē in times of extremitie, though of all persons in the world they be most odious: and Satan in them the greatest friend, when he is most like himselfe, and intendeth greatest mischiefe. Let all ignorant persons be aduised hereof in time, to take heede to themselues, and learne to knowe, God and his word, that by light from thence they may better discerne of the subtile practises of Satan and his instruments.