A09402:72
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.
Secondly, he is an ancient spirit, whose skill hath been confirmed by experience of the course of nature, for the space almost of six thousand years. Hence he hath attainted to the knowledge of many secrets, and by long observation of the effects, is able to discern and judge of hidden causes in nature, which man in likelihood cannot come unto by ordinary means, for want of that opportunity both of understanding ⟨p. 20⟩and experience. Hereupon it is, that whereas in nature there be some properties, causes, and effects, which man never imagined to be; others, that men did once know, but are now forgot; some, which men knew not, but might know; and thousands which can hardly, or not at all be known: all these are most familiar unto him, because in themselves they be no wonders, but only mysteries and secrets, the virtue and effect whereof he hath sometime observed since his creation.
Secondly, he is an auncient spirit, whose skil hath beene confirmed by experience of the course of nature, for the space almost of sixe thousand yeares. Hence he hath attainted to the knowledge of many secrets, and by long obseruation of the effects, is able to discern and iudge of hidden causes in nature, which man in likelyhood cannot come vnto by ordinarie meanes, for want of that opportunitie both of vnderstāding ⟨p. 20⟩and experience. Hereupon it is, that whereas in nature there be some properties, causes, and effects, which man neuer imagined to be; others, that men did once know, but are now forgot; some, which men knewe not, but might know; and thousands which can hardly, or not at all be known: all these are most familiar vnto him, because in themselus they be no wonders, but only misteries and secrets, the vertue and effect whereof he hath sometime obserued since his creation.
Thirdly, he is a spirit of wonderful power and might, able to shake the earth, and to confound the creatures inferior to him in nature and condition, if he were not restrained by the omnipotent power of God. And this power, as it was great by his creation, so it is not impaired by his fall, but rather increased and made more forcible by his irreconcilable malice he beareth to mankind, specially the seed of the woman.