A09402:313
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.
Of the punishment of Witches.
Hitherto I have treated of the nature of witchcraft, both in general, & particular, and have also showed what witches are, both good and bad. And now I proceed to the second point considered in this Text, the Punishment of a Witch, and that is Death.
HItherto I haue treated of the nature of witchcraft, both in generall, & particular, and haue also shewed what witches are, both good and badde. And now I proceede to the second point considered in this Text, the Punishment of a Witch, and that is Death.
In the Judicial laws of Moses (whereof this is one) the Lord appointed sundry penalties, which in quality and degree differed one from another, so as according to the nature of the offence, was the proportion and measure of the punishment ordained. And of all sins, as those were the most heinous in account, which tended directly to the dishonour of God, so to them was assigned death, the greatest and highest degree of punishment. He that despised ⟨p. 182⟩the Law of Moses, died without mercy under two or three witnesses, Hebr. 10. 28. the punishment of the thief, was restitution four-fold, Exod. 22. 1. but the murderer must be put to death, Numb. 35. 31. the Idolater and Seducer were commanded to be slain, Exod. 22. 20.