To the first, refer all using of the help of an unclean spirit, wherewith one is possessed, or of some Familiar; As the Maiden, which in the cActs having a spirit of divination, got her Masters much advantage with divining. Of these the fProphet speaketh, Thy voice shall be out of the ground, like him that hath a spirit of divination, and thy talking shall whisper out of the dust. Secondly, Sorcery and Necromancy, where the Devil is sought unto in the form of some dead man, as in the Story of the Witch gof Endor, who raised up the Devil in the likeness of Samuel, like an old man lapped in a Mantel: for that it was not the true Samuel, but a mere illusion of Satan; beside many other, this one reason doth evince, for that God had hrefused to answer Saul by Prophets, such as Samuel was. To the second belong Sooth-saying, and Divination; by flying of Birds, looking into beasts entrails, as the King of Babel did, Ezech. 21. 21. who consulted with Idols, and looked into the liver. Star-gazing, Charms, Mumbling of words, casting of Figures, &c. MOSES, Deut. 18. 10, 11. hath all these together, Let none be found among you that useth Witchcraft, or is a regarder of times, or a marker of the flying of Fowls, or a Sorcerer, or a Charmer, or that consulteth with spirits, or a Soothsayer, or that asketh counsel at the dead. Where the pretence of doing good, which some Object, doth no whit lessen the sin, seeing the glory ⟨p. 156⟩of God is alike impeached in them both. And therefore the good Witch no less then the other Witch is abominable in his sight. And here all going to Witches, Conjurers, and Soothsayers, and such like, is also condemned: If iany turn after such as work with spirits, and after Sooth-sayers, to go a whoring after them, then will I set my face against that person, & cut him off from among his people, 1. Chro. 10. 13. SAUL is said to have dyed for his transgression principally, in that he sought, and asked counsel of a Familiar Spirit.
To the first, referre all vsing of the helpe of an vncleane spirit, wherewith one is possessed, or of some Familiar; As the Mayden, which in the cActs hauing a spirit of diuination, got her Masters much aduantage with diuining. Of these the fProphet speaketh, Thy voyce shall be out of the ground, like him that hath a spirit of diuination, and thy talking shall whisper out of the dust. Secondly, Sorcerie and Necromancie, where the Deuill is sought vnto in the forme of some dead man, as in the Storie of the Witch gof Endor, who raysed vp the Deuill in the likenesse of Samuel, like an old man lapped in a Mantell: for that it was not the true Samuel, but a meere illusion of Satan; beside many other, this one reason doth euince, for that God had hrefused to answere Saul by Prophets, such as Samuel was. To the second belong Sooth-saying, and Diuination; by flying of Birds, looking into beasts entrayles, as the King of Babel did, Ezech. 21. 21. who consulted with Idols, and looked into the liuer. Star-gazing, Charmes, Mumbling of words, casting of Figures, &c. MOSES, Deut. 18. 10, 11. hath all these together, Let none be found among you that vseth Witchcraft, or is a regarder of times, or a marker of the flying of Fowles, or a Sorcerer, or a Charmer, or that consulteth with spirits, or a Soothsayer, or that asketh counsell at the dead. Where the pretence of doing good, which some Obiect, doth no whit lessen the sinne, seeing the glorie ⟨p. 156⟩of God is alike impeached in them both. And therefore the good Witch no lesse then the other Witch is abominable in his sight. And heere all going to Witches, Coniurers, and Soothsayers, and such like, is also condemned: If iany turne after such as worke with spirits, and after Sooth-sayers, to goe a whoring after them, then will I set my face against that person, & cut him off from among his people, 1. Chro. 10. 13. SAVL is said to haue dyed for his transgression principally, in that hee sought, and asked counsell of a Familiar Spirit.
- cActs 16. 16.
- fIsaiah 29. 4.Esay 29. 4.
- g1. Sam. 28. 11 13, 14.
- hVerse 6.
- iLevit. 20. 6.Leuit. 20. 6.
