A09402:357
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.
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.
Touching the manner of Examination, ⟨p. 204⟩there be two kinds of proceeding; either by a single Question, or by some Torture. A single question is, when the Magistrate himself only maketh enquiry, what was done or not done, by bare and naked interrogations. A torture is, when besides the enquiry in words, he useth also the rack, or some other violent means to urge confession. This course hath been taken in some countries, and may no doubt lawfully and with good conscience be used, howbeit not in every case, but only upon strong and great presumptions going before, and when the party is obstinate. And thus much for Examination: now followeth Conviction.
Touching the manner of Examination, ⟨p. 204⟩