A09402:332
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. This reason is a mere melancholic conceit, without ground. And the contrary is a manifest truth, that they are not so, as is affirmed, parties deceived by reason of their humours. For first, our Witches are as wise and politic, yea as crafty and cunning in all other matters, as other men be; whereas brainsick persons troubled with melancholy, if their understanding be distempered in one action, it will be faulty likewise in others, more or less. Again, our Witches know that they sin in their practises of Witchcraft, and therefore they use subtle means to cover them, and he that would convict them, must have great dexterity to go beyond them. Now if they were persons deluded, through corruption of any humours; look what humour caused them to do a thing, the same would urge them to disclose it. Thirdly, they ⟨p. 192⟩are also of the same stamp, they take the same courses in all their practises, their consent in word and action is universal. Men of learning have observed, that all Witches through Europe, are of like carriage and behaviour in their examinations, and convictions: they use the same answers, refuges, defences, protestations. In a word, look what be the practises and courses of the Witches in England, in any of these particulars, the same be the practises of the Witches in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, &c. Wherefore the case is clear, they are not deluded by Satan, through the force of humour▪ •s is avouched: for such persons, according as they are diversly •ake•, would show themselves diversly affected, and vary in their speeches, actions, and conceits, both public and private. Fourthly, our Witches are wont to communicate their skill to others by tradition, to teach and instruct their children and posterity, and to initiate them in the grounds and practises of their own •rade, while they live, as may appear ⟨p. 193⟩by the confessions recorded in the Courts of all countries. But if they were persons troubled with melancholy, their conceits would die with them. For conceits, and imaginary fancies, which rise of any humour, cannot be conveyed from party to party, no more then the humour it self. Lastly, if this slight might serve to defend Witches under pretence of delusion through corrupted humours, then here were a cover for all manner of sins. For example: