A09402:355
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.
Fifthly, if the party suspected be the son or daughter, the manservant or maidservant, the familiar friend, •eere neighbour, or old companion of a known and convicted witch. This may be likewise a presumption. For witchcraft is an art that may be learned, and conveyed from man to man, and often it falleth out, that a Witch dying leaveth some of the forenamed, heirs of her witchcraft.
Fiftly, if the partie suspected be the sonne or daughter, the manseruant or maidseruant, the familiar friend, •eere neighbour, or old cōpanion of a known and conuicted witch. This may be likewise a presumption. For witchcraft is an art that may be learned, and conueied from man to man, and often it falleth out, that a VVitch dying leaueth some of the forenamed, heires of her witchcraft.
Sixthly, some do add this for a presumption, If the party suspected be found to have the devils mark: for it is commonly thought, when the Devil maketh his covenant with then, he always leaveth his mark behind him, ⟨p. 203⟩whereby he knows them for his own. Now if by some casual means, such a mark be descried on the body of the party suspected, whereof no evident reason in nature can be given, the Magistrate in this case may cause such to be examined, or take the matter into his own hand, that the truth may appear.
Sixtly, some doe adde this for a presumption, If the partie suspected be found to haue the deuills marke: for it is commonly thought, when the Deuill maketh his couenant with then, he alwaies leaueth his marke behinde him, ⟨p. 203⟩whereby he knowes them for his owne. Now if by some casuall meanes, such a marke be descried on the bodie of the partie suspected, whereof no euident reason in nature can be giuen, the Magistrate in this case may cause such to be examined, or take the matter into his owne hand, that the truth may appeare.