An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Hence 2. Men and Women have by such practices as these mentioned, black commerce and communion with the Devil. They do (though ignorantly) concern and involve themselves in that Covenant which the Devil has made with his devoted and accursed Vassals. For, whereas it is pleaded, that if the thing bewitched be thrown into the fire, or the Urine of the sick stopped in a Bottle, or an Horse-shoe nailed before the door, then by virtue of the compact which is between the Devil and his Witches, their power of doing more hurt ceaseth; they that shall for such an end so practise, have fellowship with ⟨p. 267⟩that Hellish Covenant. The Excellent Sennertus argueth solidly, in saying, they that force another to do that which he cannot possibly do, but by virtue of a compact with the Devil, have themselves implicitly communion with the Diabolical Covenant. And so is the case here. Who was this A•t of unbewitching Persons in such a way […] learned of? If due enquiry be made, it will be found that Magicians and Devils were the first discoverers. Porphyry saith, it was by the revelation of the Daemons themselves that Men came to know by what things they would be restrained from, and constrained to this or that: Eus•b. praep.Evan. L.5. C.7. Dr. Willet in Ex.7. Quest.9. To use any Ceremonies invented by Satan, to attain a supernatural end, implies too great a concernment with him. Yea, such persons do honour and worship the Devil by hoping in this Salvation. They use means to obtain Health which is not natural, no• was ever appointed by God, but is wholly of the Devils Institution; which he is much pleased with, as being highly honoured thereby. Nay such practices do imply an invocation of the Devil for relief, and a pleading with him the Covenant which he hath made with the Witch, and a declaration of confidence that the Father of Lies will be as good as his ⟨p. 268⟩word. For the nefandous Language of such a practice, is this: Thou O Devil, hast made a Covenant with such an one, that if such a Ceremony be used, thou wilt then cease to torment a poor creature that is now afflicted by thee. We have used that Ceremony, and therefore now O Satan we expect that thou shouldest be as good as thy word which thou hast covenanted with that Servant of thine, and cease tormenting the Creature that has been so afflicted by thee. Should Men in words speak thus, What horrid Impiety were it?