A09402:398
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.
The second kind of Remedies are Restorative, which serve to deliver men from Witchcraft, by curing the hurts of Witches in the bodies of men, or other creatures. In the handling whereof, first we will consider, how whole countries, and then how every private man may be cured and delivered. Whole Countries and Kingdoms are freed and cured specially by one means; The publishing and embracing of the Gospel. When our Saviour Christ had sent the seventy Disciples to preach in Jury, at their return he gave this testimony of the effect of their ministry, That he saw Satan fall down from heaven like lightening, Luk. 10. 18. his meaning was this; As lightning is suddenly and violently sent out of the cloud, and (as it were) cast down to the earth by the ⟨p. 228⟩crack of the thunders; even so Satan the prince of the world, that ruleth in the hearts of the disobedient, was cast down, and his kingdom ruinated by the power of the Gospel preached. In the times of ignorance the devil triumpheth freely without controlment, but the mist and darkness of his delusions cannot possibly abide the bright beams of Gods glorious will revealed by preaching. The Lord of ancient times commanded his people not to do according to those nations, among whom they dwelt in Canaan, by practising Witchcraft, or following after Sorcery, Deut. 18. 9. &c. And that they might be able to obey this commandment, Moses prescribeth unto them this Restorative, the reverent and obedient hearing of the Lords Prophets, v. 18. In this our Church, if we would be healed of our wounds, and banish Satan from among us, who greatly annoyeth a great number of our people by his delusions and damnable practises of Sorcery: the only way to bring it to pass, is the maintaining of a learned Ministry, the ⟨p. 229⟩advancing of Prophets, by whose labours the Gospel may flourish. For the faithful dispensation thereof, is the Lords own arm and sceptre, whereby he beateth down the kingdom of darkness, and confoundeth the works and enterprises of the devil.
The second kinde of Remedies are Restoratiue, which serue to deliuer men from Witchcraft, by curing the hurts of Witches in the bodies of men, or other creatures. In the handling whereof, first we will consider, how whole countries, and then how euery priuate man may be cured and deliuered. Whole Countries and Kingdomes are freed and cured specially by one meanes; The publishing and embracing of the Gospel. When our Sauiour Christ had sent the seauentie Disciples to preach in Iurie, at their returne he gaue this testimonie of the effect of their ministerie, That he saw Satan fall downe from heauen like lightening,