A09402:97
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.
First therefore God permits these wicked Arts in the Church, to prove whether his children will steadfastly believe in him, and seek unto his word, or cleave unto the devil, by seeking to his wicked instruments. This Moses plainly forewarned the Church of God of, in his time, Deuter. 13. v. 1. If there arise among you a Prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and give thee a sign or wonder, v. 2. and the sign and wonder which he hath told thee, come to pass, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and serve them, v. 3. thou shalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet, &c.
First therefore God permits these wicked Arts in the Church, to prooue whether his children wil steadfastly beleeue in him, and seeke vnto his word, or cleaue vnto the deuill, by seeking to his wicked instruments. This Moses plainely forewarned the Church of God of, in his time, Deuter. 13. v. 1. If there arise among you a Prophet, or a dreamer of dreames, and giue thee a signe or wonder, v. 2. and the signe and wonder which he hath told thee, come to passe, saying, Let vs goe after other gods, which thou hast not knowne, and serue them, v. 3. thou shalt not hearken to the words of that Prophet, &c.
Again, God suffereth them for the ⟨p. 39⟩punishment of unbelievers and wicked men: for oftentimes God punisheth one sin by an other, as the antecedent sins by the consequent. This Paul plainly showeth (speaking of the days of Antichrist) that because men received not the love of the truth, 1therefore God would send upon them strong illusions, that they should believe lies. And we may resolve our selves, that for this very cause, God suffereth the practises of Witchcraft, to be so rise in these our days, to punish the ingratitude of men, who have the truth revealed unto them, and yet will not believe and obey the same, but tread it under their feet,