A09402:77
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.
Thirdly, as he can apply and move, so by his spiritual nature he is able, if God permit, to convey himself into the substance of the creature, without any penetration of dimensions: and being in the creature, although it be never so solid, he can work therein, not only according to the principles of the nature thereof, but as far as the strength and ability of those principles will possibly reach and extend themselves. Thus it appeareth, that the devil can in general work wonders.
Thirdly, as he can apply and mooue, so by his spirituall nature he is able, if God permit, to conuey himselfe into the substance of the creature, without any penetration of dimensions: and beeing in the creature, although it be neuer so solide, he can worke therein, not onely according to the principles of the nature thereof, but as farre as the strength and abilitie of those principles will possibly reach and extend themselues. Thus it appeareth, that the deuill can in generall worke wonders.
§ 3. Now more particularly, the devils wonders are of two sorts. Illusions, or real actions.
§ 3. Now more particularly, the deuills wonders are of two sorts. Illusions, or reall actions.
An illusion is a work of Satan, whereby he deludeth or deceiveth man. And it is two-fold; either of the outward senses, or of the mind. An illusion of the outward senses,1 is a work of the devil, whereby he makes a man to think that he heareth, seeth, feeleth or toucheth such things as indeed he doth not. ⟨p. 23⟩This the devil can easily do divers ways, even by the strength of nature. For example, by corrupting the instruments of sense, as the humour of the eye, &c. or by altering and changing the air, which is the means whereby we see, and such like.