A09402:348
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. The discovery of a Witch is a matter Judicial, as is also the discovery of a thief and a murderer, and belongeth not to every man, but is to be done Judicially by the Magistrate according to the form and order of Law; who therefore is set apart for such ends, and hath authority both to discover, ⟨p. 200⟩and to punish the enemies of God and his Church. Now for the Magistrates direction in this business, we are to know, that in the discovery of a Witch, two things are required, Examination, and Conviction.
Ans. The discouerie of a Witch is a matter Iudiciall, as is also the discouerie of a theefe and a murtherer, and belongeth not to euerie man, but is to be done Iudicially by the Magistrate according to the forme and order of Law; who therefore is set apart for such ends, and hath authoritie both to discouer, ⟨p. 200⟩and to punish the enemies of God and his Church. Now for the Magistrates directiō in this busines, we are to know, that in the discouerie of a VVitch, two things are required, Examination, and Conuiction.
§ 1. Examination is an action of the Magistrate, making special enquiry of the crime of Witchcraft. This action must have the beginning from occasions, and presumptions. For the Magistrate though he be a public person, and stand in the room of God, for the execution of justice, yet he may not take upon him to examine whom, and how himself willeth, of any crime; neither ought he to proceed upon sleight causes, as to show his authority over others, or upon sinister respects, as to revenge his malice, or to bring parties into danger or suspicion; but he must proceed upon special presumptions.
§ 1. Examination is an action of the Magistrate, making speciall enquirie of the crime of Witchcraft. This action must haue the beginning from occasions, and presumptions. For the Magistrate though he be a publike person, and stand in the roome of God, for the execution of iustice, yet he may not take vpon him to examine whom, and how himselfe willeth, of any crime; neither ought he to proceed vpon sleight causes, as to shewe his authoritie ouer others, or vpon sinister respects, as to renenge his malice, or to bring parties into danger or suspition; but he must proceede vpon speciall presumptions.