A09402:91
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.
But it is further said, that king Nebuchadnezzar was turned in•o a beast, and did eat grass with the beasts of the field, Dan. 4. 30. Ans. There is no such matter: his substance was not changed, so as his body became the body of a beast indeed, but his conditions only were altered by the judgement of God upon his mind, whereby he was so far forth bereaved of humane sense and understanding. Again, for his behaviour and kind of life, he became altogether brutish for the time, and excepting only his outward form and shape, no part of humanity could appear in him: but that he retained his humane body still, it is evident by his own words, vers. 31. when he saith, And mine understanding was restored to me: which argueth plainly, that the hand of God was upon him in some kind of madness and fury, and therefore that ⟨p. 35⟩there was not a change of his body and substance, but a strange and fearful alteration in his mind and outward behaviour. And though such a transmutation should be granted, yet it makes nothing for the purpose, considering it was the work of God only, and not of the devil. And thus we see what kind of wonders the devil can bring to pass. The meditation of which point may teach us two things.
But it is further said, that king Nabuchadnezzar was turned in•o a beast, and did eate grasse with the beasts of the field, Dan. 4. 30. Ans. There is no such matter: his substance was not changed, so as his bodie became the bodie of a beast indeede, but his condicions onely were altered by the iudgement of God vpon his minde, whereby he was so farre forth bereaued of humane sense and vnderstanding. Againe, for his behauiour and kinde of life, he became altogether bruitish for the time, and excepting onely his outward forme and shape, no part of humanitie could appeare in him: but that he retained his humane bodie still, it is euident by his owne words, vers. 31. when he saith, And mine vnderstanding was restored to me: which argueth plainly, that the hand of God was vpon him in some kind of madnesse and furie, and therefore that ⟨p. 35⟩there was not a change of his bodie and substance, but a strange and fearefull alteration in his minde and outward behauiour. And though such a transmutation should be granted, yet it makes nothing for the purpose, considering it was the worke of God onely, and not of the deull. And thus we see what kind of wonders the deuil can bring to passe. The meditation of which point may teach vs tvvo things.