A09402:433
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.
II. Every Judicial law, that hath in it the equity of the law of nature, is perpetual; but the Law of punishing the Witch by death, is such. For it is a principle of the law of nature, holden for a grounded truth in all countries & kingdoms, among all people in every age; that the traitor, who is an enemy to the State, and rebelleth against his lawful Prince, should be put to death: now the most notorious traitor and rebel that can be, is the Witch. For she renounceth God himself, the King of kings, she leaves the society of his Church and people, she bindeth her self in league with the Devil: and therefore if any offender among men, ought to suffer death for his fact, much more ought she, and that of due desert.
II. Euery Iudiciall law, that hath in it the equitie of the law of nature, is perpetuall; but the Law of punishing the Witch by death, is such. For it is a principle of the law of nature, holden for a grounded truth in all countries & kingdomes, among all people in euery age; that the traytour, who is an enemie to the State, and rebelleth against his lawfull Prince, should be put to death: now the most notorious traytour and rebell that can be, is the Witch. For shee renounceth God himselfe, the King of kings, shee leaues the societie of his Church and people, shee bindeth her selfe in league with the Deuill: and therfore if any offender among men, ought to suffer death for his fact, much more ought shee, and that of due desert.
The second reason for the proof of the point in hand, is this; According to Moses law every Idolater was to be ⟨p. 249⟩stoned to death: Deut. 17. 3, 4, 5. If there be found any among you, that hath gone and served other gods, as the Sun, the Moon, or any of the host of heaven: if the thing upon enquiry be found to be true and certain, thou shalt bring them forth unto thy gates, whether it be man or woman, and shalt stone them with stones till they die. Now this is the very case of a Witch, she renounceth the true God, and maketh choice to serve the Devil, she is therefore a gross Idolater, and her punishment must be suitable. It is alleged by the favourers of the contrary part, that Peter denied Christ, and yet was not put to death: I answer, there is great difference between Peters denial of Christ, and Witches denying of God. Peters denial was upon infirmity, and in hast: the Witch denieth God upon knowledge, and deliberation, wittingly and willingly. Again, Peter did not upon the denial betake himself to the Devil, but turned unto Christ again, which he testified by his hearty and speedy repentance: but Witches deny God, and betake themselves to the Devil, of their