A09402:325
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.
Ans. If we do well consider the quality, and condition of the Witches of our days, we shall easily see that they be the same. For experience showeth, that whether they be men or women, but especially aged women, they be such persons, as do renounce God, and their Baptism, and make a league with the devil, either secretly or openly; in which the devil bindeth himself to teach them certain rites and ceremonies, whereby they may be able to work wonders, as to stir up tempests, to reveal secrets, to kill or hurt men, and cattle, or to cure and do good, according to the tenor of their covenant.
Ans. If we doe well consider the qualitie, and condition of the Witches of our daies, we shall easily see that they be the same. For experience sheweth, that whether they be men or women, but especially aged women, they be such persons, as doe renounce God, and their Baptisme, and make a league with the deuil, either secretly or openly; in which the deuill bindeth himselfe to teach them certaine rites and ceremonies, whereby they may be able to worke wonders, as to stirre vp tempests, to reueale secrets, to kill or hurt men, and cattell, or to cure and doe good, according to the tenour of their couenant.
The* confessions of Witches recorded in the Chronicles of countries through all Europe,2 do with common consent declare and manifest this point. So that howsoever our Witches may differ in some circumstances from those in the time of Moses, as either in the instruments, and means used, or in the manner and form, or in some particular ends of their practises; yet in the substance and foundation of Witchcraft, they agree with them. For both of them have made a covenant with the Devil one way or other, and by virtue thereof have wrought wonders above the order of nature. Agreeing therefore in the very foundation and form of Witchcraft, which is the league, and in the proper end, the working of wonders: they must needs be in substance and effect the same with the Witches mentioned by Moses. And yet this point is denied by some, and the Witches of these days have their patrons, who use reasons to prove, that now we have none such as we speak of. Their reasons are specially three.