A09402:356
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.
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.
Lastly, if the party examined be unconstant, or contrary to himself in his deliberate answers, it argueth a guilty mind and conscience, which stoppeth the freedom of speech and utterance, and may give just occasion to the Magistrate to make further enquiry. I say nor if he or she be timorous and fearful: for a good man may be fearful in a good cause, sometimes by nature, sometimes in regard of the presence of the Judge, and the greatness of the audience. Again, some may be suddenly taken, and others naturally want the liberty of speech, which other men have. And these are the causes of fear & astonishment, which may befall the good, as well as the bad.
Lastly, if the partie examined be vnconstant, or contrarie to himselfe in his deliberate answers, it argueth a guiltie minde and conscience, which stoppeth the freedome of speech and vtterance, and may giue iust occasion to the Magistrate to make further enquirie. I say nor if he or shee be timorous and fearefull: for a good man may be fearefull in a good cause, sometimes by nature, sometimes in regard of the presence of the Iudge, and the greatnes of the andience. Againe, some may be suddenly taken, and others naturally want the libertie of speech, which other men haue. And these are the causes of feare & astonishment, which may befall the good, as well as the bad.