3. There should be no seeking to familiar Spirits, or consulting of Conjurers and cunning Men; as they would be thought to be, who converse with Satan, sith we are called to the Law and to the Testimonies. If any pretenders to new lights, or discoveries from the other World, which speak not according to this Rule, that is already revealed and sealed, 'tis because there is no light in them19, some expound it; If they be otherwise minded than they have from God been advised; and will resolve to run after Witches and Wizards, there shall no day-light of prosperity befall them; but all darkness of affliction and misery shall betide them. God allows not a going to the Witch at Endor, having written Laws by which he will Rule and Judge the World. His people of old were not to hearken unto the word of those false Prophets that gave a sign or a wonder20, tho' God permitted it to come to pass, for their trial, when pretended to be an attestation to that which God abhorred. But they were to hearken unto the Prophet whom God would send, even Jesus Christ,21 unto whom the true Prophets under the Old Testament did refer, and who hath silenced all lying Oracles. Which the true Oracles do caution us to take heed we be not deceived with22. Christs Apostles brought the Conjurers, by the power of Gods Word, to confess their delusions, and bring their Books to be ⟨p. 222⟩burned openly, 23which were of the same kind in effect with some Prognostications about future contingencies, that there can be no true foundation for, in genuine Astrology, though that be pretended, to the prejudice of the Divine Oracles. To which, who ever refuseth to give entire credit, upon due deliberation, he gives ground of suspicion that he hath none of the Spir•• of Christ24, neither would he ever believe Christ himself returning in the flesh, and all the Angels, or those from the dead. Hence we may take notice how the wonderful boldness of Satan bewrays it self;7 as well as the incredulity of Men in receiving the Truth, and their credulity in embracing of Fables. For how many are there who account for such, those things concerning eternal punishment, which are declared by the Son of God? And on the other hand, how many, partly by mere fictions, partly by true nocturnal Apparitions of unclean Spirits assuming dead corps? but to deceive miserable Men, have on purpose given themselves occasion to be deceived.
3. There should be no seeking to familiar Spirits, or consulting of Conjurers and cunning Men; as they would be thought to be, who converse with Satan, sith we are called to the Law and to the Testimonies. If any pretenders to new lights, or discoveries from the other World, which speak not according to this Rule, that is already revealed and sealed, 'tis because there is no light in them19, some expound it; If they be otherwise minded than they have from God been advised; and will resolve to run after Witches and Wizards, there shall no day-light of prosperity befal them; but all darkness of affliction and misery shall betide them. God allows not a going to the Witch at Endor, having written Laws by which he will Rule and Judge the World. His people of old were not to hearken unto the word of those false Prophets that gave a sign or a wonder20, tho' God permitted it to come to pass, for their trial, when pretended to be an attestation to that which God abhorr'd. But they were to harken unto the Prophet whom God would send, even Jesus Christ,21 unto whom the true Prophets under the Old Testament did refer, and who hath silenc'd all lying Oracles. Which the true Oracles do caution us to take heed we be not deceived with22. Christs Apostles brought the Conjurers, by the power of Gods Word, to confess their delusions, and bring their Books to be ⟨p. 222⟩burned openly, 23which were of the same kind in effect with some Prognostications about future contingencies, that there can be no true foundation for, in genuine Astrology, though that be pretended, to the prejudice of the Divine Oracles. To which, who ever refuseth to give entire credit, upon due deliberation, he gives ground of suspicion that he hath none of the Spir•• of Christ24, neither would he ever believe Christ himself returning in the flesh, and all the Angels, or those from the dead. Hence we may take notice how the wonderful boldness of Satan bewrays it self;7 as well as the incredulity of Men in receiving the Truth, and their credulity in embracing of Fables. For how many are there who account for such, those things concerning eternal punishment, which are declared by the Son of God? And on the other hand, how many, partly by meer fictions, partly by true nocturnal Apparitions of unclean Spirits assuming dead corps? but to deceive miserable Men, have on purpose given themselves occasion to be deceived.
- 19Isa. 8.20. See Engl. Annotat.
- 20Deut. 13.1, 2, 3. 2 Thes. 2.9.
- 21Deut 18.15, 22. Matth. 17.5.
- 22Mat. 10.16. — 24.23, 24 1 Tim. 4.1, 2. 2 Thes. 2.9, 10
- 23Acts 19.18, 19.
- 241 Cor. 12.3.
- 7Beza.
