A09402:417
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.
I. First, for the name Jesus: Thus much we grant, that any Christian may lawfully call upon the name of Jesus in prayer, for the help and deliverance of those that are possessed and bewitched, but yet with the caveat and condition before specified, If it be the will of God, and if their recovery may make for his glory, the benefit of the Church, and the good of the parties diseased.
I. First, for the name Iesus: Thus much we grant, that any Christian may lawfully call vpon the name of Iesus in prayer, for the helpe and deliuerance of those that are possessed and bewitched, but yet with the caueat and conditi•n before specified, If it be the wil of God, and if their recouerie may make for his glorie, the benefit of the Church, and the good of the parties diseased.
But the Papist by the use of this name, intendeth a further m••ter, to wit, that the very name uttered in so many letters and syllables, is powerful to cast out Devils, and to help those that are bewitched. For when it is uttered, then (say they) the authority of Christ is present, that the work may be done. A flat untruth, and a practise full of danger. For let this be well considered, whatsoever any man doth in this case, he must do it by virtue of his calling, and have also his warrant for the doing thereof out of the word; which if he want, and yet will undertake such a work, he may justly fear the like event that befell the vagabond Jews that were Exorcists, Act. 19. 13. Now the Church of Christ hath no warrant in the word, to use this name of Christ for any such purpose; neither hath any ordinary Christian a special calling from God so to do. Therefore he may not do it.
But the Papist by the vse of this name, intendeth a further m••ter, to wit, that the very name vttered in so many letters and sillables, is powerfull to cast out Deuills, and to helpe those that are bewitched. For when it is vttered, then (say they) the authoritie of Christ is present, that the worke may be done. A flat vntruth, and a practise full of daunger. For let this be well considered, whatsoeuer any man doth in this case, he must doe it by vertue of his calling, and haue also his warrant for the doing threof out of the word; which if he want, and yet will vndertake such a worke, he may iustly feare the like euent that befell the vagabond Iewes that were Exorcists,