A09402:366
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.
To go yet further, an other insufficient proof, is the testimony of some wizard. It hath been the ordinary custom of some men, when they have had any thing ill at ease, presently to go or send to some wise man, or wise woman, by whom they have been informed, that the thing is bewitched; and to win credit to their answer, some of them have offered to show the Witches face in a glass: whereof the party having taken notice, returns home, and detecteth the man of woman of witchcraft. This I grant may be a good presumption to cause strait examination: but a sufficient proof of conviction it can not be. For put the case the grand-Jury at the Assizes goeth on a party suspected, and in their consultation the Devil, comes in the likeness of some known man, and tells them the person in question is indeed a Witch, and offers withal to confirm the same by ⟨p. 209⟩oath: should the Inquest receive: his oath or accusation to condemn the man? Assuredly no: and yet that is as much as the testimony of another wizard, who only by the Devils help revealeth the Witch. If this should be taken for a sufficient proof; the Devil would not leave one good man alive in the world.
To goe yet further, an other insufficient proofe, is the testimonie of some wizzard. It hath beene the ordinarie custome of some men, when they haue had any thing ill at ease, presently to go or send to some wise man, or wise woman, by whome they haue beene informed, that the thing is bewitched; and to winne credit to their answer, some of them haue offred to shew the Witches face in a glasse: whereof the partie hauing taken notice, returnes home, and detecteth the man of woman of witchcraft. This I graunt may be a good presumption to cause strait examination: but a sufficient proofe of conuiction it can not be. For put the case the grand-Iurie at the Assises goeth on a partie suspected, and in their consultation the Deuill, comes in the likenesse of some knowne man, and tells them the person in question is indeede a Witch, and offers withall to confirme the same by ⟨p. 209⟩oath: should the Inquest receiue: his oath or accusation to condemne the man? Assuredly no: and yet that is as much as the testimonie of another wizzard, who onely by the Deuils helpe reuealeth the Witch. If this should be taken for a sufficient proofe; the Deuill would not leaue one good man aliue in the world.