A09402:307
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.
For matter of practise; Hence we learn our duty, to abhor the wizard, as the most pernicious enemy of our salvation, the most effectual instrument of destroying our souls, and of building up the devils kingdom; yea, as the greatest enemy to Gods name, ⟨p. 178⟩worship, and glory, that is in the world, next to Satan himself. Of this sort was Simon Magus, who by doing strange cures and works, made the people of Samaria to take him for some great man, who wrought by the mighty power of God, whereas he did all by the devil. He therefore being a good Witch, did more hurt in seducing the people of God, then Balaam a bad one could with all his curses. And we must remember that the Lord hath set a law upon the witches head, he must not live, and if death be due to any, then a thousand deaths of right belong to the good Witch.
For matter of practise; Hence wee learne our duetie, to abhorre the wizzard, as the most pernicious enemie of our saluation, the most effectuall instrument of destroying our soules, and of building vp the deuills kingdome; yea, as the greatest enemie to Gods name, ⟨p. 178⟩worship, and glorie, that is in the world, next to Satan himselfe. Of this sort was Simon Magus, who by doing strange cures and workes, made the people of Samaria to take him for some great man, who wrought by the mightie power of God, whereas he did all by the deuill. He therefore beeing a good Witch, did more hurt in seducing the people of God, then Balaam a bad one could with all his curses. And we must remember that the Lord hath set a lawe vpon the witches head, he must not liue, and if death be due to any, then a thousand deaths of right belong to the good Witch.
But the patrons of Witches endeavour to delude the true interpretation of that law. For by a Witch (say they) we must understand a poisoner, and they allege for that purpose the 70. Interpreters, who translate the original word [Mecashephah] by [Greek or Hebrew], which signifieth a poisoner.