A09402:45
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.
If it be demanded, what these rules be, and whence they had their beginning, considering that every Art hath reference to some author, by whom it was originally taught and delivered? I answer, that they were devised first by Satan, and by him revealed to wicked and ungodly persons of ancient times, as occasion served: who receiving them from him, became afterward, in the just judgement of God, his instruments to ⟨p. 5⟩report and convey them to others from hand to hand.
If it be demaunded, what these rules be, and whence they had their beginning, considering that euery Arte hath reference to some author, by whom it was originally taught and deliuered? I answer, that they weare deuised first by Satan, and by him reuealed to wicked and vngodly persons of auncient times, as occasion serued: who receiuing them from him, became afterward, in the iust iudgement of God, his instruments to ⟨p. 5⟩report and conuey them to others from hand to hand.
For manifestation whereof, it is to be considered, that God is not only in general a Sovereign Lord and King over all his creatures, whether in heaven or earth, none excepted, no not the devils themselves; but that he exerciseth also a special kingdom, partly of grace in the Church militant upon earth, and partly of glory over the Saints and Angels, members of the Church triumphant in heaven. Now in like manner the Devil hath a kingdom, called in Scripture the kingdom of darkness, whereof himself is the head and governor, for which cause he is termeda the Prince of darkness, bthe God of this world, ruling and effectually working in the hearts of the children of disobedience.
For manifestation whereof, it is to be considered, that God is not onely in generall a Soueraigne Lord and King ouer all his creatures, whether in heauen or earth, none excepted, no not the deuills themselues; but that he exerciseth also a speciall kingdome, partly of grace in the Church militant vpon earth, and partly of glorie ouer the Saints and Angels, members of the Church triumphant in heauen. Now in like manner the Deuill hath a kingdome, called in Scripture the kingdom of darknes, whereof himselfe is the head and gouernour, for which cause he is tearmed