protect vs nor our owne houses can shield vs but Sathan wil be closing to rob God of his glorie and vs of the comfort of any publique duety shall not this send vs to the searching of the heart shall it not teach vs to worship God in spirit that so Sathan may not bee acquainted with what we are about and so may not interrupt vs or if hee guesse at our purposes may be yet confounded in that our hearts are best knowne to the Lord It is our comfort vnspeakable before our God that hereby wee desire to worship him in truth because as our hearts witnesse with the truth of our endeuours so doe they also witnesse for God against vs the imperfection of them that the Lord may be iustified when he iudgeth Psal. 51. 4. 5. That Sathan may be preuented and confounded by this iudging of our selues that heereby wee may be daily prouoked to perfection by labouring to be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse and so may grow vppe in him to perfect holinesse Philip. 3. 13. Shall not this teach vs to trie our publike worship by this touch-stone of the heart and not the place Shall it not weane vs from the loue of this world seeing no place so holy no meanes so sacred but by Sathans policie they may be abused Shall it not prouoke vs to hunger after our dissolution that so we may freely and continually glorifie our GOD in his blessed kingdome Doeth not this condemne that pompous and carnall decking of the house of God rather to please the eie then affect the heart rather as a Pallace for the god of this world to reuel in and prey vpon new-fangled and silly soules then a place of spirituall worship for the great GOD of Heauen and Earth Certainely when I obserue some occupying the place of Gods worshippe and thence deliuering vnto Gods people Chaffe in stead of Wheat nay sometimes poyson in lieu of wholesome foode making merchandise of the word of God c. may I not conclude that these are the diuells factors bartering their owne and their peoples soules vnto him for alitle vaine credite and for a few shekells of siluer and morsels of bread heerein farre worse then the diuell himselfe that whereas he meanes plaine dealing to drawe them to damnation these notwithstanding pretend to shew them a nearer way to Heauen promising libertie when themselues are slaues to corruption and so nouzling in securitie and excluding repentance do thereby cary their people in a dreame vnto hell 2. Pet. 2. 19. 20. And when I consider on the other side that faithfull teachers who labour by enforcing the Lawe to bring the people to a sight of their sinnes and so to a denyall of themselues that they may hunger after Christ Iesus being loaden with the burthen of their sinnes That such I say are not withstanding traduced as Preachers of domnation no better then Satans harbengers to driue silly soules through despaire into the very snare and pitte of destruction Me thinks I obserue heere a farre more dangerous practise of Sathan then this with these Nouices to renownce their Baptisme euen to cause the people of God vtterly to reiect the true means of their saluation namely Christ Iesus In that he will not suffer them to see what neede they haue of him by humbling them with the Law that so they might bee forced out of themselues to relie wholie on his sacrifice for the pardon of their sinnes Is there not more hope of the saluation euen of these Witches that are thus kept sensible of their wofull estate either by the smart of their priuie match or by such continuall tampering with them sometimes by vgly apparitions to terrifie them eftsoones to keepe them watchfull by continuall employments Is there not I say more hope euen of the recouerie of such then of many thousands in the world who are lulled asleepe in securitie and fatted vp without all sense of danger euen to vtter destruction Oh that we were wise to vnderstand these things to Trie the spirites and choose the good and perfect way Is not the Prophet a snare vpon Mispath and profound to deceiue Is it not iust with God that because wee haue not receiued the trueth therefore to giue vs vp to strong delusions to beleeue lies 2. Thess. 2. 11. 12. Well this we may learne by this impudencie of Sathan in abusing the place of Gods worship and drawing his Proselites hither for their further confirmation in their subiection vnto him And are we not yet further taught hereby to make a profession to our God of our subiection to him and that publikely when wee shall be called hereunto furtherby the magistrate to giue an account of our hope or by the Minister to approue ourprofiting by the word or by our Christian brother to confirme him therein nay ought we not to stop the mouthes of the wicked by acknowledging our soueraigne Lord the great God of heauen and earth seeing the wicked are not ashamed to honour their master the diuel glorying in this that they are the damned crue c. shall not euen these silly deceiued soules rise vp in iudgement against such monsters that are drawne to that through feare or ignorance or hope of present release seeing these wittingly and malitiously as it were defie God with an high hand blaspheme and treade vnder foot the blood of the couenant acknowledging willingly and with great applause their subiection to Satan Nay shall not our Politike and State-christians bee condemned by these poore and base creatures who vpon necessitie and through faire promises onely are brought to this subiection Surely when I obserue the wisedome of the flesh in many great migh tie of the world that eyther come to the house of God only to receiue honor to maintaine credit and outward esteem or else to hedge in some profit and suck some aduantage hereby or else rather to honour the word by their presence for this is vsually the best end then to be humbled and reformed thereby rather I say to controule the ordinaunces of the mightie God then to be brought in subiection vnder the power thereof may I not conclude that heerein they rather publish their homage unto Sathan then testifie any obedience vnto the Lord Are not these the very stratagems of Satan to ensnare vnstable soules by causing them thus to abase the word thus to peruert the holie ends therof are not the wicked hereby iustly giuen vp to the illusions of Satan for the profaning of Gods ordinance do they not by these abuses testifie their obeisance vnto the Diuell while they pretēd the honor of god doe they not in seeking their owne honor abase that which belongs to the Lord approue themselues to be imps of that king of Feare who in all things seeketh to robbe God of his glorie And what else may wee deeme of that
darknesse which especially preuailes by these deuillish charmes And that not onely in the Ignorant multitude and wilfully seduced Papist But euen in the Carnall Protestant and Grosse Hypocrite though they haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth For do wee not generally detaine the truth of God in vnrighteousnesse making a shew of Religion and yet denying the power thereof making our belly our God and the wedge of Gold our hope turning the graces of God vnto wantonnesse and so giuing vp our members as weapons to the seruice of sin do thereby plainely discouer whose seruants wee are euen the bondslaues of Satan who ruleth in the children of disobedience And doth not the Lord very wonderfully discouer our shifts and confound our painted shewes euen by these euill Angels which hee sends amongst vs Doth not our Atheisme on the one side convince our heartlesse and deceitfull worship while wee Plead for Satan and maintaine his Kingdome concluding his preuailings to bee but Counterâ—…tings his Contracts with Witches to bee but Delusions ascribing his power in afflicting to Naturall Diseases And yet doth not the Lord on the other side reiect our confidenâ—â— that so our owne tongues and waies may fall vpon vs For doe wee yet feare those Withes whom wee conclude to bee harmelesse hurting rather by our infidelitie then any power of satan or in themselues Do wee not close with them desperately releeuing them with our Almes and so binding them by our charitie and euen Tying them by the Teeth that they may not hurt vs Nay though wee make profession to seeke to GOD alone in our troubles yet when it comes to the Pinch doe wee not runne vnto the Deuill Hath not the Blesser more Proselites and Patients then the Physition yea then the conscionable Preacher The Lord giue vs vnderstanding in these things Where is our Faith in God Is there not a God in Israel that wee must runne to Beelzebub the Prince of darkenesse for helpe Nay where are our Wits and common sence do wee say that Witches haue no power to hurt by Satan And yet doe wee runne to those for helpe Which seeing they haue no calling from God nor vse any such meanes as are Warrantable by the Word it must needs follow that they proceed from the Father of Lies who then hurts most dangerously when hee pretends to helpe And must needes hurt desperately when hee is exalted and adored aboue all that is called God requiring that homage which is onely due vnto God Thus though light bee come into the world though it bee entertained for a season yet men loue darknesse more then the light because their workes are euill and so are iustly giuen vp for their disobedience to this Strong Delusion euen to worship Satan and so to become two-fold more the children of hell then they were before And doth not their example harden the Papist in their Idolatry And yet surely the Iustice of God doth still gloriously appeare in these Children of wilfull ignorance that still stoppe their eaires against the voyce of the charmer charme hee neuer so wiselie That seeing they will not bee conuerted by that milde voyce from Heauen they may bee confounded by this fearefull voyce from hell That they may now discerne their true estate to bee no better then the Deuils slaues led captiue by him at his will by these Good and Bad Witches these hurters and helpers As Trusting to these for helpe for the body and so renouncing the soueraigne and safe remedie of the light of the Gospell for the saluation of soules As fearing the other more then the liuing God and his Vicegerent the Magistrate and so by this slauish feare as with a strong cord being faster bound vnder the power of darkenesse binding hereby iniquitie as with Cart-ropes while they adde drunkennesse vnto thirst confirming Ignorance and Infidelitie by this palpable Idolatry in seeking helpe of Satan And so being confounded in their vaine confidence of will-worship vnto God As now being iustly convinced to offer sacrifice to the deuill might either by this shame bee brought to repentance or else being made vtterly inexcusable might so bee giuen ouer to the fearefull expectation of the vengeance to come Certainely if these accursed people yet seeke for signes and shadowes to confirme them in their superstition or reforme them to the Truth Haue they not a signe from heauen euen the signe of the Sonne of Man Daily crucified vnto them in the powerfull Preaching of the Gospell And yet behold their fearefull obstinacie Doe they not still dote after stockes and stones Doe they not runne from the liuing to the dead Doe not they renue their Idolatrous Crosses to encrease their stony hearts Do they not say vnto the stockes thou art my Sauiour and to the stone thou hast redeemed mee Oh Adulterous and faithlesse Generation how long will they prouoke the Lord Shall not his iealousie burne like fire to consume them and all their stubble with vnquenchable torments And seeing they boast that they haue made a Couenant with hell and are at an agreement with death as pretending that by their Keyes they haue the power to open and shut hell at their pleasure and yet intending and discouering plainely heerein their horrible Athiesme that they haue made Falsehood their Refuge and are Hid vnder Vanitie making the Pleasures of sinne their chiefe God and happines and resting in their Visible Monarchie as their Soueraigne and supreme Kingdome Hath not the Lord mightily reiected their confidence by giuing them another Signe euen from the bowels of the earth By letting Satan loose to torment and delude them to vexe their bodies and yet also to deceiue their soules Surely the Iustice of GOD is admirable heerein to bee laid to heart of all those that doe hate the Where and desire her desolation that so they may lift vp their heads because their saluation draweth neere in that they may discerne in this glasse of his prouidence the confusion of Anti-christs approachings And so may take the oportunity to hasten the same in their seuerall places and meanes which yet the Lord in mercy affoords vnto them And blessed bee God that giues some measure of wisedome to redeeme the time and declare the wonders of the Lord to the Generation to come Shall not this make for the confirmation of our faith that the Lord will tread Satan vtterly ynder our feete CHAP. II. First prooueth that there are Witches and that 1 By testimonie from the Word 2 By testimony from all antiquitie 3 By sound Reason and that drawne First from the Power Iustice and Wisedome of the Lord. Secondly from the Pride and Policie of Satan Thirdly from the damnable estate and desperate condition and corruption of man Secondly it reprooueth 1 Those that impute this to melancholy 2 The Atheist that denies Witchcraft 3 That would haue all to be but Illusion 4 That iustifie bad Witches 5 And so answereth to all obiections that
ruleth in the children of disobedience hath once entangled this Nouice within his snares and set his Priuie Marke vpon her thereby to bind her vnto him more surely That she may bee yet further giuen vp by the fierce wrath of the Almightie to his power he hath yet many other Policies to effect the same As first She must bee conuented solemnly into the house of God there to make open testimony of her subiection vnto him by renouncing all former couenants with the Lord. And heere Vsually these things are performed in their order First Satan blasphemously occupying the Place whence the holy Oracles are deliuered doth thence First require of his Proselite an acknowledgement of her couenant causing her vsually in her owne person to repeate the forme thereof As IN. do here acknowledge that vpon such condition I haue giuen my selfe vnto Satan to bee disposed of him at his pleasure And Secondly when this acknowledgement is made in testimoniall of this subiection Satan offers his back-parts to bee kissed of his vassall Thirdly this being done he then deliuers vnto his Proselite and so to the rest for many are conuened at this meeting the Rules of his Art instructing them in the manner of hurting and helping acquainting them with such medicines and poysons as are vsuall herevnto Fourthly Taking also account of the proceedings of his other Schollers and so approuing or condemning accordingly Fifthly for their further confirmation he yet enioynes them another ceremonie Namely to compasse about the Fount diuers times there solemnely to Renounce the Trinitie especially their saluation by Iesus Christ and in token thereof to disclaims their Baptisme Sixthly and in further token of their subiection vnto Satan in yeelding vp themselues wholy vnto his deuotion behold yet another ceremony heere vsually is performed namely to let themselues bloud in some apparant place of the body yeelding the same to be sucked by Satan as a sacrifice vnto him and testifying thereby the full subiection of their liues and soules to his deuotion Lastly to gratifie them somewhat for this their dutifull seruice it pleaseth their new Maister oftentimes to offer himselfe familiarly vnto them to dally and lye with them in token of their more neere coniunction and as it were marriage vnto him These are vsually the ceremonies wherby Satan binds his Proselites to keep couenant with him And his Policies heerein are manifold both in regard of the Witches themselues as also in regard of others that shall take notice thereof Concerning the Witches His Policie in conuening them into the Church is 1 Partly to procure in them a conceit of the lawfulnesse of the businesse as being done in so holy a place thereby to make them secure in continuing therein 2 As also to encourage theÌ„ the rather to hold out by reason of the companie where-with they meete ready to hearten by presence and example 3 And doth not Satan by this convening them into the house of God and there presenting himselfe vnto them procure in their minds a conceit of his Deitie and soueraigne Power that so they may yet better conceiue of their dealing with him and more willingly performe all couenants seeing as God he requires nothing but his due as God he will performe with them to the full and therfore they must not flinch from him 4 And surely if wee shall looke vp vnto the ouer-ruling hand of God heerein in giuing Satan his enemie leaue to Prophane the place of his worship and thus to appeare there vnto his Proselites for their further condemnation May not the Lord haue these ends herein in respect of these Witches 1 That here they may receiue the punishment of â—heir grosse hypocrisie and prophanenesse for their former abuse of Gods holy ordinances and bodily seruice lip-labour c. where they committed the sin 2 That here they may be hastened to the participating of this punishment by being prouoked to fearefull blasphemy and renouncing of that God whom formerly they serued and so might bee more iustly subiected to the power of Satan SECTIO II. And may wee not heere learne many profitable things Doth not our gracious God tender some light vnto vs out of this darknesse Yea surely 1 Our Prophanenes is reproued that abuse and defile the house of God with our bodily seruice vaine thoughts and speeches rather like a company of deuils then the Saints of God 2 Our superstition is condemned in ascribing holinesse and perfection to the place of Gods Worship as if the place did sanctifie our seruice or sheild vs from danger as if we were free from Satan when once wee haue got the Church ouer our backes As if no prayers were auaileable but what were offered vp here Doth not Satan hereby take away the benefite of priuate prayer which indeed is the life and touch-stone of the publike Doth he not prouoke vs hereby to rob God of his glorie in ascribing that vnto the place which is proper onely to his Maiesty Doth he not vtterly frustrate preuent all spirituall worship of the heart as if the performing of a little lip-labour in the house of God would serue the turne wee need not stand vpoÌ„ any inward touch or feeling it shal suffice that we haue offered vp the sacrifice of our lips before the Lord. Surely when I coÌ„sider the practise of the time namely when we come to the house of God which is appointed for publicke prayer to be performed iointly by the whole Congregation we then fall to â—â—â—bling our priuate deuotions yea when the publick Exercises are in hand so that for the preseÌ„t we neither can ioine with theÌ„ nay rather indeed do disturbe giue offence to the Congregation in not consenting with them mee thinkes euen Satans Proselites may heere condemne vs who cary themselues more regularly in the house of God to serue the deuill then wee here to the seruice of God These wretches I warrant you are kept from sleeping they spare not their bloud to please the deuill they are contented to submit themselues to any base office heerevnto Nothing can keep vs waking not though Iesus Christ bee crucified among vs daily though we are partakers of his bloud yet wee will not kisse the Son of Righteousnesse we cannot so much as shed a teare in testimony of our renouncing of sinne and Satan whereas these wretches spare not their deerest bloud to shew their homage vnto Satan 4 And are we not hereby taught now to feare our selues most when we are before the Lord in his Sanctuarie because Satan will now be one with vs both to hinder vs in the seruice of God that we shall not profite or else to puffe vs with Pride as if wee had deserued much heereby and then to accuse vs of presumption that so hee may driue vs to despaire Surely seeing wee cannot be free from Sathans snares neither the house of God will
so in these respects vsually the Male sex haue beene trained to this Art By this they haue attained the reputation of Wisedome and Impery Succeeding Ages gaue occasion to Satan to work more closely yet to weaue his Idolatry with a finer threed For together with the knowledge of humane Arts and Sciences which resembled some sparks of diuine light brake out also at length the day Star of Righteousnesse Iesus Christ bringing with him sauing knowledge and dispelling the more grosser mystes of Heathenish Idolatrie as being no way sit to encounter therewith or at least in Policie not thinking it meete openly to oppose the same but rather by a more secret and colourable meanes by closing therewith to obscure and so by degrees to banish the same Thus became Sathan transformed into an Angell of Light and taking aduantage of the pride of Nature and vnthankefâ—lnesse of men that would not obey the Gospel but rather peruert it to iustifie the flesh As they were therefore giuen vp iustly by the Lord to strong delusions so is Sathan still ready at a pinch to beguile vnstable soules and insteade of the puritie and simplicitie of the Gospell to draw them by degrees into a Mysterie of Iniquitie and so in the end to most grosse and palpable Idolatrie iustifying and exceeding the most barbarous Heathens therein To this end euen so soone as the good Housholder had sowen his Seede the enuious man was readie to sowe his Tares raysing vp false apostles to withdraw the people from the Siâ—plicitie of the Gospell and so to prepare them by giuing libertie to the flesh to that corruption of doctrine which afterwards ouer-spread the face of the Churches And at the first assault Sathan so preuayled as that how soeuer as yet the light of Iudgement remayned with the Church as being able to disâ—… of Spirites euen to discouer such as said they were Apostles yet in truth were no better then Sathans Ministers yet by reason that the flesh was willing to cast off the yoake and apt to turne the graces of God into wantonnesse heereupon zeale beganne to decay euen with the best first loue was left the bond of Perfection and so way hereby made to carnall liberty and for the maintenance thereof Corrupt doctrine by degrees was hatched and embraced whereof as the Purest times were not altogether free as may appeare by the Nicolaitans and others that went out euen from amongst the Apostles both to grosse prophanenesse and also to Doctrines of diuels for the iustifying therof So appeared heereupon the great mercie of God in casting this Iezabel into a bed of affliction and encreasing his Church graciously with those ten bloudie and desperate persecutions for the purging out of her drosse and renuing of her first loue Whereby as she wanne vnto her the hearts of her enemies so by this means she gained great friends euen the kings of the earth beganne to worship the Lord and the mightiest became nursing Fathers and foster Mothers Esay chapter 49. chapter to the distressed Church of God And now behold the great harâ—â—st of the Gentiles being wel-neare in so the man-childe beeing borne vnto God the time was come for the further reuelation of Gods iustice for the former affliction of his Church And also to manifest yet further his great mercies vnto his Church in exercising the same with new afflictions for the preuenting of that securitie and purging out the carnallnesse which by the fauour and arme of flesh had growne in the Church For euen thus it befell with the deare Spouse of CHRIST that as her former afflictions had now fitted her to some rest which shee attayned by the meanes of Constantine so this rest and ease accompanied with outward honour and acceptance with the greatest instead of Godlie simplicitie brought in carnall pompe and wisedome of the flesh And the wisedome of the flesh being once aduaunced and grounded in the hearts of men banished pre sently all godlie seueritie of life and zeale for the honour of Almightie God And instead thereof brought in wil-worship and prophanenesse And did not carnall wisedome strike the chiefe stroake heerein Yea surely the Church being now taken into the Court of the Emperour and warming her selfe well by his fire as she forgets her former affliction so is she not vnwilling to remit also of her sinceritio as not being so sutable to the place and persons that now shee hath to deale withall now shee must a little become all vnto all that so shee may eyther winne others or holde her owne somewhat must be yeelded to her Patrons to shew her thankefulnesse and some Corruption must be swallowed vp to maintayne credite Now â—histian liberty must be strained to be an occasion to the flesh and Authority must be deified to maintaine the same Thus the poore Church of Christ being freed from the malice of heathenish Idolatrie is corrupted by prosperitie to set vp spirituall Idolatrie Not onlie aduauncing her Patrons and Benefactours aboue what was meete but aduauncing also her selfe by their helpe aboue all that was called God and so by degrees hauing well feathered her neast and strengthned her selfe by the arme of flesh ouerthroweth cunningly the same euen with it owne weapons and aduanceth it selfe gloriously vpon the ruines and wrecke thereof And thus the Church flies into the wildernesse vpon Eagles wings by the fauour of earthly Princes being first highly aduaunced and so thereby growing to loosenes and profanenes and so iustly left to grosse errors both for the conceiuing as also for the iustifying thereof whereby it cometh to passe that corrupters of doctrine in the end preuailing sincerity is banished and so Antichrist by degrees exalted aboue all that is called God not onely in wilworship and bodily seruice tyrannizing ouer the consciences of the faithlesse and rebellious generation but aduancing himselfe by lying signes and wonders thereby to maintaine the opinion of that arrogated trueth and so to subdue and hold in captiuitie the deceiued world And so as profane pompe succeeded godly simplicity so barbarous ignorance also came in place of pure and sauing knowledge that not onelie the third part of the earth was killed therewith but euen the verie Sea of Doctrine was so corrupted by that mountaine of worldly pompe and glorie cast into the same that euen the third part also of all things therein were vtterly destroyed yea Heauen it selfe euen the church of God escaped not this infection but that the Taile of the Dragon euen drew downe the Starres from Heauen Reuelation chapter 12. verse 1. Yea the Dragon himselfe set vp his very throne of darkenesse in the Temple of the Lord. That his darling the whore of Babylon might bee aduaunced thereupon aboue all that is called God and did not Satan furnish his minion at all affaies that so shee might prosper and preuaile ouer the children of vnbeliefe yea certainely it was
them occasion now to conceiue That seeing he couenanted with them onely to hurt or helpes If now it shall appeare that the Bad Witch can also helpe Is not this a notable delusion to flatter her that she hath some extraordinarie power aboue what Satan can conferre vnto her and so that the League betweene them is disanulled and broken She is now free as she thinkes and rather by some Diuine Assistance can vndo and helpe what is fore-spoken as they vse to speake And seeing Satan in all these Couenants with the Witch is no Free Agent but the Lords Executioner to run and stay at his pleasure As the Lord therefore hath speciall ends in the disposing of this Couenant to hurt or helpe so may he not haue speciall purpose in this exceeding therein that the same that hurteth may also helpe and the same that helpeth may also hurt Yea certainely The Lords purpose in permitting and wisely ordering these Compacts betweene Satan and the Witch to hurt or helpe vsing the Deuill herein as the instrument of his Diuine Iustice vpon the children of disobedience hath beene in some poore measure manifested heretofore And hereby Doth Hee wisely and gloriously make manifest that Satan is but his Vassall that all Couenants betweene the Witch and him for onely hurting and helping are subordinate to his power alterable at his pleasure that though Satan agree with the one Witch to helpe and with the other onely to hurt yet shall the hurting Witch also helpe and the helping Witch hurt that it may appeare also that these Couenants are but Iugling Trickes betweene Satan and the Witch to draw fooles to the stockes and so on eyther side to beguile more fearefully That seeing the Blesser pretendeth to helpe as she doth heereby draw more Proselites after her for good so shall she haue power to hurt them both to keepe them the more in awe and so to seeke vnto her more slauishly and depend the more constantly on her power as also when their sinne is heereby ripened to confound them more fearefully and so to execute the wrath of God vpon them And the Badde Witch also though the Couenant bee That shee must onelie hurt that so shee may execute her malice vppon the bodies of vnbeleeuers and so send them to the Blesser for the further destruction of their soules yet to spare this labour and make the delusion more effectuall to deceiue may not the GOD of Wisedome deuolue both these Faculties of hurting and helping to one person May hee not heereby giue way to Sathan to aduaunce himselfe fully in the hearts of the children of disobedience as God of this world to saue and destroy at his pleasure And as the Lord in restraining Sathan to hurt or helpe in those diuerse Instruments would giue an vnderstanding heart to consider the limited power of Sathan and so to depend vppon an higher Power of the Diuine Maiestie so seeing the naturall and desperate sinner as hee is fast bound to the power of Sathan euen so willingly would hee serue none other maister therefore that hee may serue him the more cheerefully it is the Iustice of GOD so to giue vp to Sathans delusions as that hee shall thinke hee needes serue no other maister And hence it proceedeth that the miserable soule affecting a sufficiencie in that God whom it subiects it selfe vnto able to steed at all affaies Therefore seeing Satan by these Witches labours to erect his Throne in the hearts of the disobedient It stands with great policie that this power of hurting and helping shall appeare in one and the same both to resemble an Vnitie in this Fayned Deitie As also to confirme the conceited Omnipotencie and sufficiency thereof And seeing wee are fallen into these euill daies wherein iniquitie aboundeth and ripeneth to the Haruest 2. Tim. 3. 2 3. Doth not therefore the admirable Wisedome and Iustice of God heerein gloriously shine that whereas vsually the Good Witch hath escaped and beene aduanced of man and therefore puffed vp with pride and so prouoked to doe mischeife it now pleaseth the Lord to giue her her desire that she which helpeth may also hurt thereby 1 To flatter her with a conceipt of her Soueraigne Power 2 To nurse her heereby in desperate securitie 3 So by this meanes to ripen her sin and so to take her napping in her owne counsels 4 Exposing her to the Sword of the Magistrate as hauing done such mischiefes and so confounding not onely her owne confidence but the repose of the world in her who esteemes her the onely Goddesse seekes to her for helpe c. Shall not this lesson the vnbeleeuing Generation not to tamper with her least though they regard not their soules in seeking helpe from her yet they may secure their liues and estates in not medling with her Oh that wee could obserue the waies of God heerein May wee not hence learne wonderfull things Shal not all Idolatry come to the blocke Shall not Anti-christ that great Coniurer likewise be confounded And shal not his open and desperate practises of murthering Princes and bringing desolation in the world iustified and taught now hasten him to his confusion who heretofore hath beene esteemed the common Papa the father and giuer of life and saluation to the sonnes of men SECT VIII BY this which hath beene said it appeareth now plainely That the Blesser or good Witch as we terme her is farre more dangerous then the Badde or hurting Witch And 1 That because first shee is lesse suspected and feared then the other and therefore is like to do more mischeife 2 Nay she is magnified and adored among men as a Demy Goddesse c. and so causeth men to commit Idolatrie to her by putting confidence in her 3 She yeeldeth helpe for the satisfying of the flesh and so hardnesse in sinne procureth hope of longer life excludeth Repentance withdraweth from the loue of the Word and lawfull meanes nourisheth in ignorance prophanenesse c. 4 The badde Witch vsually is haled to punishment and so is preuented of much euill doing and happily by this meanes brought to repentance But the Blesser is spared and so permitted to doe more mischiefe vnder pretence of well-doing and thereby ripeneth her selfe more fearefully to vengeance 5 Shee yeeldeth helpe at a verie desperate rate namely the endangering of the soule and What will it profite a man to winne the whole world and loose the same Math. 16. 26 And so also is her estate most dangerous and fearefull in regard of herselfe as by requiring this condition of faith euen despiting the spirite of grace making a mocke of the Sonne of God so vsually committing that vnpardonable sinne Hebr. 6. 4. 10. 16. 17. And therefore this serueth 1 For the reproofe of the Times wherein these Darlings of Satan are so embraced and adored 2 It is an Instruction to the Magistrate to bend the edge of his sword against these most
Proofes are to be esteemed sufficient 1 The Free confession of the crime by the party suspected after due examination being found in diuers tales I but say the Partie will not confesse Here then the testimonie of two sufficient witnesses is currant prouing one of these two things either That the party accused hath made a league with Satan or hath done some knowne practise of Witch-craft producing likely arguments for the confirmation thereof As 1 That the Witch hath called vpon the deuill for helpe 2 That she entertaines a familiar spirit and had conference with it in any Forme or likenesse 3 That she hath shewed ones face in a glasse being absent 4 That they haue fore-told things to come 5 Holpen to things lost whereof they haue had no ordinary meanes of knowledge 6 That they haue healed by Prayers Spells Amulets And so howsoeuer the Leagâ—â— with Satan be secret and therefore not able to be discouered yet is both Satan willing to haue it knowne by effects for the increase of his kingdom hastning the coÌ„fusion of his slaues and so by such like effects hee doth discouer them 1 To haue speedier possession of them lest afterward by remorce they might bee brought to repentance 2 as hating so detestably euen all mankinde that he cannot endure they should inioy the world or the benefits thereof no not an houre 3 but especially the Policie of Satan in this discouerie is 1 to satisfie the rage of the people who now hauing found the Witch instead of being auenged of their sinnes doe intend nothing more then the satisfying of their malice in destruction of the Witch 〈◊〉 and so therein to procure credite and estimation to the good Witch to make more worke for her by whose meanes this enemy to mankind this badde Witch hath beene discouered And yet we may obserue the ouer-ruling hand of God herein that though Satan do hasten the speedie discouerie of the Witch yet the Lord in his holy wisedome oft-times disposeth that such shall liue long yea die vndetected Eyther because some of them may belong to the Election and therefore may repent of this great sinne by holy meanes and so bee freed both from temporall and eternall punishment Or some remaine longer vndisclosed to execute greater mischiefe in the world as they are more cruelly bent thereto Or else there may be some Coâ—enant with Sathan by the Witch for some terme of yeares which hee is contented to binde himselfe to to haue her more sure and secure thereby And thus of the proofes to discouer the Witch without which shee may not safely be condemned CHAP. III. Of the True Remedies against Witchcraft HItherto of the meanes to Discouer Witch-craft Now let vs consider of the meanes whereby we may preuent and be deliuered from the same SECTIO I. VVHEREVNTO seeing the Lord hath gratiously afforded the blessing of Gouernement as a speciall means to discouer witchcraft and so by cutting off the offender by the Law very mercifully also to preuent the same Therefore let vs acknowledge vnfainedly the goodnesse of God heerein Pray we for the Magistrate that the Lord may giue him a discerning spirit herein and yeeld we al conscionable obedience to him vnder God that for our sins he may not be giuen vp to security such strong delusiós as either to neglect the prosecuting of this sin or to iustifie the same Surely as we haue great cause to be thankefull to our God for that which our Gracious Soueraigne hath commended for the perpetuall good of the Church to this end so are we also to blesse his Maiestie for that further Courage and Conscience of our true Christian and renowned King that hath also iustified the kingdome of Christ against that vsurped Hierarchie of the Roman Aâ—tichrist being that Arch-coniâ—â—er deceiuer of the world O how hath he bin displayed and liuely painted out by the Pen of a ready Writer And shall not the Lord preserue his Anoynted to burne the whore with fire and make her desolate O that the Lord would make vs worthy of such a blessing that our eyes might beholde the falt of Antichrist That the Kingdome of Iesus Christ may be set vp in full beautie that the First-borne may come in and Iesus Christ may come to iudgement Euen so blessed Father hasten this thine eternall Word and let all the people say Amen Now let vs further consider of the Remedies of Witch-craft These consist eyther in preuenting of the euils and dangers thereof or In the Recouerie and Release from the same That these may be preuented it is manifest First because otherwise All should be afflicted For Sathan maliceth all would haue none free and therefore the Lord that hindereth his malice heerein hath also ordayned meanes heereunto Secondly the very Witches themselues haue confessed that they could not preuayle against some And we see by Gods mercie the most freed from them What may be the meanes heereto SECTIO II. Of the particular Remedies against Witch-craft These are either 1 Deceitfull and dangerous And these are of two sorts 1 Eyther such as seeme to helpe and yet doe nothing in truth 2 Or else if they yeelde helpe to the bodie for the present 1 They both leaue it hereafter to further mischiefe 2 And especially do hurt the soule both first for the present but 2 chiefly for the time to come 2 These Remedies are sincere and safe And these are Generall or Particular Naturall or Spirituall And these eyther Preseruatiue or Restoratiue Or Priuate or Publike SECTIO III. PReseruatiue Remedies are such whereby men are kept from the power hurts of Witches and these are such 1 As concerne the persons of men 2 Or the places of their abode 1 To preserue the persons of men the chiefe onely soueraigne means is that whereas by nature wee are all the Diuells slaues led captiue by him at his will subiect to all sorts of his delusions and torments vpon anie occasion Therefore we would discerne this naturall condition out of the Word 2 Discerning of it wee would not rest therein but rather be brought to a deniall thereof to renounce the same by true sorrow and repentance and so labour to attaine vnto the glorious libertie of the Sonnes of God And this by embracing Iesus Christ and so be partakers of the Couenant of Grace in his bloud 1 by receiuing the Gospell 2 beleeuing the precious promises therein contained 3 applying the same to our particular conditions 4 and so returning thankefulnesse vnto our GOD. For these â—his rich mercies in the pardon of our sinnes by yeelding vp our soules and bodies as a liuing sacrifice vnto our God in obedience to his blessed will euen with all sinceritie and readinesse of minde and purpose of heart together with conformitie of the outward man in our reasonable seruice of God all the dayes of our life As heereby hauing the promise 1 to
be kept by the mighty power of God to saluation 2 to bee alwayes within the speciall protection of the Lord to bee kept in all our wayes 3 To this end to haue the â—…nistring of the blessed Angells to pâ—…serue vs from the euill one that there may no Witch-craft preuayle against Iacob nor sorcery against Israel otherwise then before hath beene layd downe not that the Elect may be altogether free from this affliction but that it shall turne to their good their soules shall be safe and they are nothing so often subiect thereto as the wicked and reprobate And therefore laboring to walke honestly as in the presence of God remembring that his Angells attend for our protection and comfort and so being carefull not to grieue those heauenly souldiers but to encourage them in their watch and guard ouer vs 1. Corinthians chap. 11. and verse 10. This soueraigne Remedie subordinates also many speciall prouisoes and caueats according to our seuerall occasions in the world As next to renue our right in Christ daily by vnâ—…ned repentance To arme our selues daily by conscionable meditation in the Word and the prouidence of the Almighty in the protection of his children Psal. 91. To feare our selues continually in respect of our owne worth or sufficiencie and so to renounce carnall confidence and policie c. wholy to resigne vp our selues into the sole protection of the Almighty To maintaine our Christian libertie and humility with all wisedome not being seruants vnto men but to bring them to Christ not to entangle our selues with the world though wee must vse it to auoide as much as may be euen lawfull pleasures and recreations especially if they be doubtfull of euill report as carding c. wherin vsually Satan hath a cast To be choise of our company especially of Papiâ—â—s profane persons cursers swearers c. because by these instruments God tries our sincerity and Satan if we grow indifferent eyther prepareth to the Trade or preuayles to afflict vs by them To be wise in our Liberalitie and Almesdeedes not distributing to each sort of poore because many times Witches go vnder this habite as being left to this miserie for the confusion of their conceited soueraignetie and prouocation of their Enuie and Malice to doe further mischiefe especially to take 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any such suspected 〈◊〉 vnto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bee straight-handed towards theâ— not to entertaine them in our houses not to relieue them with 〈◊〉 morsels Especially if wee disâ—… them as their nature and neede is 〈◊〉 be free mouthed and light fingered 〈◊〉 craue of the best and not to be satisfied and to be bold impudent c. And therefore heere it standeth 〈◊〉 vpon to vse a Christian coâ—â—age i◠〈◊〉 our Actions not to feare their câ—… nor seeke for their blessings for after these things â—o the Gentiles seeke c. yet not with ratings or reuilings but The Lord rebuke thee Sathan If wee do good to any let it be especially to the houshold of Faith and so to examine such of their beliefe of their experiment all knowledge concerning sâ—â—uation and so we may by Gods mercie both preuent our selues from being hurt by them and happily discouer them and hasten their confusion And therefore if we haue got any inkling of their leagues or spirites or prayers c. we are in no case to conceale this left wee bee confederate with Satan or at least for our infidelitie and carnall wisedome but in the name of God let vs manifest what wee know if occasion seâ—ue to the Magistrate especially if there be any hurt done wee are bound in conscience to iustifie God to bring his Iudgements to light to hasten his enemies to their confusion and procure any lawful case to his poore afflicted seruants Thus may we preserue our persons from the malice of Sathans Instruments SECTIO IIII. Preseruatiues for houses COncerning our houses because it is the policie of Sathan to worke by degrees and so by shaking our faith and distracting or hindering vs in holy dueties to disquiet or feare vs and thereby to worke vpon our Infidelities and distempers bringing vs thereby to neglect of holy means and prouoking to impatiency wherby wee may giue the Lord occasion to leaue vs to his snares Therefore hath he vsed to haunt and molest our dwelling places with Apparitions and strange annoyances of noise c. And therefore it is very fit to preuent him heerein by holy meanes And these are First the dedication of our houses and this is done 1 Not onely by conscionable prayer vnto God when wee come vnto them 2 but also by solemne vowing and consecrating them to the seruice of God as in the first epistle of Paul to Timothy chap. 4. verse 5. 3 To make choice of our habitations where wee may enioy the powerfull ordinances of God And 4 If we come to any houses where any monuments of Idolatrie haue remayned thence to remoue them 5 Yea if as the manner was in Poperie for the verie building of their houses to fashion them according to the Idolatrous temples If in such cases we alter so much as may take away the resemblance of Sathans Throne I thinke it sauing better Iudgements though for the publique in indifferent things wee are to leaue things to the Magistrate to bee ordered and disposed of by him yet in our priuate affaires where wee haue power in our hands I say I thinke it may stand with Christian wisedome and courage 6 But howsoeuer wee may not be ouer-curious in these things I doe speake as a foole I take it nay I dare auouch by the grace of Almightie God that wee shall vndoubtedly much sanctifie them by holie order and discipline in the Familie by holie Exercises of Prayer and Meditation in the Word catechizing of the Families purging out incarnate diuells thence I meane prophane and rebellious seruants Psalme 101. that hate to be reprooued not buying their seruice so deare as to giue them libertie to profane the Sabaoths to let them liue in ignorance profanenesse c. lest for these things the wrath of GOD come vppon vs and the Lord leaue vs to be afflicted by euill Angells This in generall hath beene the practise of the Saints and out of the particulars of their practise these particulars may be auouched as Deuter. 20. 5. Wee haue runne for the dedication of the house wherein was acknowledged that wee receiued it as the free gift of God not that great Babel which we haue builded for the honour of our name Dan. 4. Psalme 49. c. But that which God of his mercie hath giuen vnto vs 1. Chron. 29. and therefore we should giue it vnto him againe in consecrating it to his seruice Examples we haue of Abraham building an altar where hee dwelt to worship God Genes 12. 8. of Noah when hee came out of the Arke to inhabite the earth that great possession which then the Lord restored and