A09402:328
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.
I. In every league and contract the parties must be mur•ally bound each to other: now between man or woman, and the devil, there can be no bond made, and though there could, yet man is bound in conscience to God, to renounce the bond of obedience to Satan, and to break the covenant. Ans. There be two sorts of leagues; lawful, and unlawful: in all lawful leagues it is true, that there must be a mutual bond of both parties, each to other, which may not be dissolved; but in unlawful compacts it is otherwise. And no man can say that this league between a Witch and the Devil is lawful, but wicked, and damnable, yet being once made, howsoever unlawfully, it is a league and compact. This therefore proveth not, that there can be no covenant at all, but that there can be no lawful covenant betwixt them, which ⟨p. 189⟩no man will deny.
I. In euery league and contract the parties must be mur•ally bound each to other: now betweene man or woman, and the deuill, there can be no bond made, and though there could, yet man is bound in conscience to God, to renounce the bond of obedience to Satan, and to breake the couenant. Ans. There be two sorts of leagues; lawfull, and vnlawfull: in all lawfull leagues it is true, that there must be a mutuall bond of both parties, each to other, which may not be dissolued; but in vnlawfull compacts it is otherwise. And no man can say that this league betweene a Witch and the Deuill is lawfull, but wicked, and damnable, yet beeing once made, howsoeuer vnlawfully, it is a league and compact. This therefore prooueth not, that there can be no couenant at all, but that there can be no lawfull couenant betwixt them, which ⟨p. 189⟩no man will denie.
II. Satan and the Witch are of divers natures: he is spiritual, they are corporal substances: therefore there can be no league made between them. Ans. The reason is not good. For even God himself, who is of nature most simple and spiritual, made a covenant with Adam, renewed the same unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: and continueth it with his Church on earth, from age to age. Hence it appeareth, that diversity of nature in the parties, can not hinder the making of a covenant. And therefore if man may make covenant with God himself, who is most spiritual; then may he likewise come in league with the devil, whose substance is not so pure and spiritual. Again, we must remember, that in making of a covenant, it is sufficient, that the parties consent and agree in will & understanding, though other circumstances and rites, which are but signs of confirmation, be wanting. Be it then, that Satan hath not a bodily substance, as man hath, yet considering that man is endued with