A09402:329
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.
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 ⟨p. 190⟩understanding, to conceive of things, as the devil doth, and hath also will to yield consent, and approbation thereunto, though in a corrupt and wicked manner, there may pass a confederacy, and a covenant may be made, and stand in force between them.
II. Satan and the Witch are of diuers natures: he is spirituall, they are corporall substances: therefore there can be no league made betweene them. Ans. The reason is not good. For euen God himselfe, who is of nature most simple and spirituall, made a couenant with Adam, renued the same vnto Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob: and continueth it with his Church on earth, from age to age. Hence it appeareth, that diuersitie of nature in the parties, can not hinder the making of a couenant. And therefore if man may make couenant with God himselfe, who is most spirituall; then may he likewise come in league with the deuill, whose substance is not so pure and sp•rituall. Againe, we must remember, that in making of a couenant, it is sufficient, that the parties consent and agree in will & vnderstanding, though other circumstances and rites, which are but signes of confirmation, be wanting. Be it then, that Satan hath not a bodily substance, as man hath, yet considering that man is indued with ⟨p. 190⟩vnderstanding, to coceiue of things, as the deuill doth, and hath also will to yeeld consent, and approbation thereunto, though in a corrupt and wicked manner, there may passe a confederacie, and a couenant may be made, and stand in force betweene them.