A09402:333
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.
a felon is apprehended for robbery or murder, and is brought before the Judge: Upon examination he confesseth the fact, being convicted the law proceeds to condemnation. The same mans friends come in, and allege before the Judge in this manner: This man hath a crazy brain, and is troubled with melancholy, and though he hath confessed the fact, yet the truth is, it was not he, but the devil, who himself committed the murder, and made him think he did it, when he did it not, & hereupon he hath confessed. Would any man think, that this were a reasonable ⟨p. 194⟩allegation, and a sufficient mean to move the Judge to acquit him? Assuredly if it were, upon the same ground might any sin be laid upon the devils back, and all good laws and judicial proceedings be made void.
a fellon is apprehended for robberie or murther, and is brought before the Iudge: Vpon examination he confesseth the fact, beeing conuicted the law proceeds to condemnation. The same mans freinds come in, and alledge before the Iudge in this māner: This man hath a crazie braine, and is troubled with melancholy, and though he hath confessed the fact, yet the truth is, it was not he, but the deuill, who himselfe committed the murther, and made him thinke he did it, when he did it not, & hereupon he hath confessed. Would any man thinke, that this were a reasonable ⟨p. 194⟩allegation, and a sufficient meane to mooue the Iudge to acquite him? Assuredly if it were, vpon the same ground might any sinne be laid vpon the deuils backe, and all good lawes and iudiciall proceedings be made voide.
Therefore howsoever the patrons of Witches be learned men, yet they are greatly deceived in fathering the practises of Sorcery upon a melancholic humour.
Therefore howsoeuer the patrons of Witches be learned men, yet they are greatly deceiued in fathering the practises of Sorcerie vpon a melancholike humour.