A09402:34
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.
First, because Witchcraft is arife and common sin in these our days, and very many are entangled with it, being either practitioners thereof in their own persons, or at the least, yielding to seek for help and counsel of such as practise it.
First, because Witchcraft is arife and common sinne in these our daies, and very many are intangled with it, beeing either practitioners thereof in their owne persons, or at the least, yeilding to seeke for helpe and counsell of such as practise it.
Again, there be sundry men who ⟨p. 2⟩receive it for a truth, that Witchcraft is nothing else but a mere illusion, and Witches nothing but persons deluded by the Devil: and this opinion takes place not only with the ignorant, but is holden and maintained by such as are learned, who do avouch it by word and writing, that there be no witches, but as I said before.
Againe, there be sundrie men who ⟨p. 2⟩receiue it for a truth, that Witchcraft is nothing else but a meere illusion, and Witches nothing but persons deluded by the Deuill: and this opinion takes place not onely with the ignorant, but is holden and maintained by such as are learned, who doe auouch it by word and writing, that there be no witches, but as I said before.
Upon these and such like considerations, I have been moved to undertake the Interpretation of this Judicial law, as a sufficient ground of the doctrine which shall be delivered. In handling whereof, two things are distinctly to be considered. The first, what is a Witch. The second, what is her due and deserved punishment. And both these being opened and handled, the whole meaning of the law will the better appear.