all such evil workers as deceivers of his people and learn to know God and his Prophets who teach people the right way of God and these are the terms of expressions that are used in the Old Testament to demonstrate false Prophets according to which expressions wee use the general word Witch or Sorcerer in the English Tongue and do finde no other sort of Witches spoken of in the Scriptures What sort of Witches soever are spoken of in the New Testament are all taken in the same sense that they are in the Old Testament and are sufficiently glossed at the beginning of this Book upon the Definition of a Witch and Witchcraft but yet in Revel 22.15 there is found a word that is used as a general expression for all sorts of Witches which word because it hath been abused by some Popish Expositors and blinde interpreters disputing upon the same word used by the Septuagint it may not be omitted to speak somewhat of it the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying by Etimology a Poysoner or a compounder of Poysons and is translated veneficus signifying also a Poysoner and yet both words both in Greek and Latine are used commonly for a Witch in general of all sorts and is so taken in that place of the Revelations and from hence some that are willing to uphold fond Opinions do draw this fond conclusion That a Witch is such a one as killeth people by Poysons and can infect the Air and bring many mortal Diseases by Witchcraft and by the same craft can kill any particular Man or Beast with looks by poysoning the Air in a direct line as some feign of the Cockatrice But what Logician will not say it is an absurdity to draw a Conclusion and ground an opinion from the bare signification of words and yet for the words it is easily conceived that a Witch was first called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Veneficus in Latine by a Metaphor taken from the deceitfulness of a Poysoner that giveth a man Poysons by deceit to betray his life or from a deceitful Apothecary or Mountebank that selleth Poyson sophisticated Medicines instead of wholsome Physick as a Witch is taken in no other sense in all the foregoing places of Scripture than for a Deceiver or Impostor yet because as I have said before that bare significations of words do prove nothing directly therefore let us but expound Scripture by Scripture and we may easily finde that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Veneficus is taken for a Deceiver or Impostor and not for a Poysoner or Murtherer and for that look Revel 18.23 With thy Witchcrafts all Nations were deceived there the conjugal word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 veneficiis tuis as much as to say with thy poysoned Medicines or Poysons all Nations were deceived there is the same Metaphor used again and such words as might signifie Poysons are used for deceiving Witchcrafts with thy Witchcrafts all Nations were deceived not killed So then to conclude with Revelations we read not in all the Old or New Testament of a Killing Witch or Murthering Witch but only of deceiving Witches Impostors or false Prophets seducing people to Idolatry by their delusions and impostures He that will have any further description of a Witch let him take this description A Witch is as like a Prophet as can be and yet a deceiving false Prophet Dan. 2.13 A Decree went forth from the King that the Magicians should be slain and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain there the Executioners knew no difference between the Magicians and Daniel that was a Prophet for the word Magician or Wise men being properly taken in a good sense was equivocally given to South-sayers and all sorts of deceiving Witches as well as to those that were termed Wise men and as to the Prophets themselves and under that Decree Daniel himself had been slain if it had not been stayed by Gods providence The blasphemous Priests and Pharisees called Christ a Deceiver or Impostor or as Beza expoundeth a Jugler and a Seducer Matth. 27.63 when as he was the great Prophet of the world Plutarch saith De defect Orac. That he which first began the Oracle of Apollo was Coreta who set up the Oracle in a pretence of being Divinely inspired with the spirit of Prophecie Mr. Scot in his Discovery who was a Student in the Laws and learned in the Roman Laws sheweth Lib. 11. Cap. 5. 6. that certain Colleges were erected at Rome in time of Heathenish ignorance for Diviners and South-sayers to be instituted to expound the mindes and admonishments of the gods and by their Law young Princes were to be sent to Hetruria to learn and bring home the cunning of that Art it being the only Divinity the poor Heathen knew to seek to such as pretended they could know the mindes and wills of the gods and in process of time these Colleges increased to a great University in which were brought up such as learned the practice of Divination or Augury by several impostures described in the text who notwithstanding they were accounted Prophets among the Heathen yet are all aimed at and described in the text for Witches and South-sayers and such as the people of Israel being a chosen people to be taught by God and his Prophets were commanded to destroy that no such bewitching false Prophets should be found among them such a one was Elimas the Sorcerer called both a Sorcerer and a false Prophet Acts 12.6 and these were such as were sometimes great Scholars yet abusing their learning Some may object and say If Witches were only false Prophets then all false Teachers are Witches Answ A Witch and a false Prophet are reciprocal terms but not a Witch and a false Teacher for all the Nine terms of description in the text are plainly describing Witches and false Prophets as one and the same and having one of these two properties First He setteth up an Idol which is the first main Witchcraft being the first description in the text or Secondly He useth some or all of the eight following Witchcrafts described in the text either to confirm and uphold his Idol by seducing the people or else to make the people beleeve that he is a true Prophet of God as did Simon Magus in the Acts and as is rehearsed in the same Chapter in the text Deut. 18.20 for the more full and general description of a Witch or false Prophet which was described in the text by Nine specifical descriptions specifying the Nine Witchcrafts of such seducing false Prophets but yet it doth not follow that all false Teachers are Witches for a man may be a false Teacher through weakness of understanding and error of judgement as were the Scribes and Pharises in some things and yet not a Witch but he that is a wilful upholder of Heresies or any vain unprofitable Doctrin only to draw people to a head to uphold his own gain and so
pasture to the admiration of the beholders Take a peece of paper and rub one part of it with fresh Lemmon peele and dry it again a little and then dip your Pen in Inke that is made of stone blew steeped two or three days in cold water and write upon the place that had the tincture of the Lemmon peele and it will write a pure bright red and then with the same Pen and Inke write upon another place of the paper and it writeth blew whereby there is caused great admiration in the beholders to see a man with one Pen and one and the same Inke write red and blew Albartus Magnus and also Misaldus do write of many wonderful things that may be done by the knowledge of Natural causes or the secrets of Nature which although many of them be false yet for such as are true they may bee lawfully done and therein we may glorifie God in beholding the wonderful Works of his hands in the secret causes of things But now for the abuse of these things as namely by the doing of these things to seduce the people by making silly people beleeve we do them by a miraculous power thereby pretending our selves to be Prophets as did Simon Magus in the Acts this is right Jugling Witchcraft or to make the people beleeve that they are done by the power of some Idol thereby to seduce the people or any way to affront the Prophets by comparing them with true Miracles to withstand the truth as Pharaohs Magicians did were right Witchcraft So likewise for the Oyntment called Unguentum armaxisum or Weapon salve that is an Oyntment made of such ingredients as by anointing the Weapon wherewith a man or beast is wounded it healeth the Wound if it be true by certain experience as many Phisitians and Chyrurgions do affirm it may lawfully be used and we may glorifie God in the use of it who hath given such excellent secret qualities to the Creatures which are made for the use of man Also Jacob used the peeled rods which by their secret operation being set before the sheep in the heat of their Generation caused them by beholding them in their conceiving to conceive and bring forth party coloured Lambs but if any man shall use these secrets to this end to make the people beleeve they are Prophets and do them by a miraculous power that so they may seduce the people to errour under a colour of working Miracles such men are seducing Witches Thus a Planetarian abusing the lawful Science of Astrologie may become a Witch not only under the notion of 2 Planetarian but of a Jugler as for instance Pedro Mexiâ— a Spanish Historian writeth of one Columbus who coming to an Island in the new-found World called Hispaniola desired Traffick with the Natives for Victuals which they denying he told them they should all dye of the Plague and for a sign hereof they should see the Moon as red as bloud at such a time and contrary to her former condition afterward they beholding the Moon eclipsed at the same time fore-told by Columbus and knowing no rules of Astrologie they beleeved his words and craved pardon and brought him supply of Victuals This was but a remiss degree of deceiving Witch-craft or rather a Cheat because it tended not to Idolatry but yet in the act it self pretending falsly a miraculous power it was Jugling Witch-craft It is now fully demonstrated what a Jugler is in the Scripture sence but yet Moses mentioneth both Sexes in the Scriptures for it is written Exod. 22.18 Praestigiatricem ne sinito vivere suffer not a Jugling Woman to live This is not any thing different in Nature from Praestigiator a Jugling man but only in Sex as if he had said As you ought not to suffer Jugling seducing men to live so likewise if there be a Woman found among you that useth this craft of working false Miracles to delude and seduce the people to Idolatry although she be the weaker Sex to whom mercy might seem to be due yet suffer her not to live all one in sence with that Levit. 20.27 where Witches of both Sexes are mentioned in one verse If man or woman be a giver of Oracles or Divinations or a South-sayer they shall be put to death yet whereas Moses in all the Law speaketh more fully of Witches in the Masculine than in the female Sex it confuteth that common tradition of people that Witches are most of the female Sex Here I am compelled for the satisfaction of some that are so weak in capacity that they will rather stand to cavil in a disputative way than to understand things that are not in themselves disputative but demonstrative to demonstrate some few of the most admired Tricks of common Jugling First A Jugler knowing the common tradition and fooliâ—â— opinion that a familiar Spirit in some bodily shape must be had for the doing of strange things beyond the Vulgar capacity he therefore carrieth about him the skin of a Mouse stopped with feathers or some like Artificial thing and in the hinder part thereof sticketh a small springing Wire of about a foot long or longer and when he begins to act his part in a Fayr or a Market before Vulgar people he bringeth forth his Impe and maketh it spring from him once or twice upon the Table and then catcheth it up saying would you be gone I will make you stay and play some Tricks for me before you go and then he nimbly sticketh one end of the Wire upon his waste and maketh his Impe spring up three or four times to his shoulder and nimbly catcheth it and pulleth it down again every time saying Would you be gone in troth if you be gone I can play no Tricks or Feats of Activity to day and then holdeth it fast in one hand and beateth it with the other and slily maketh a squeeking noyse with his lips as if his Impe cried and then putteth his Impe in his breeches or in his pocket saying I will make you stay would you be gone Then begin the silly people to wonder and whisper then he sheweth many slights of activity as if he did them by the help of his Familiar which the silliest sort of beholders do verily beleeve amongst which he espyeth one or other young Boy or Wench and layeth a tester or shilling in his hand wetted and biddeth him hold it fast but whilst the said Boy or silly Wench thinketh to enclose the peece of silver fast in the hand he nimbly taketh it away with his finger and hasteneth the holder of it to close his hand saying Hold fast or it will be gone and then mumbleth certain words and crieth by the vertue of Hocus Pocus hay passe prestor be gone now open your hand and the silly Boy or Wench and the beholders stand amazed to see that there is nothing left in the hand and then for the confirmation of the wonder a Confederate with the Jugler standeth
all Israel knew it and what was more probable than that the time was at hand when so mighty an Host of his enemies were come against him when his heart and spirit failed him and when God had forsaken him and if it had not come to pass such Oraclers did use to have evasions the fault might have been laid upon Samuels Ghost and further cousenage might still have been wrought to blinde Sauls eyes and had it happened how it could so that the Witch had come off blewly and her imposture been afterward known to Saul yet she had the Oath of the King to save her harmless Further it is the opinion of some learned men that there was no certainty at all in the answer given to Saul and that it was meerly conjectural and though happening some way true yet it failed in the day prefixed for whereas it was said To morrow shalt thou and thy Sons be with me vers 9. it was very false for when the Philistims went up to Battel David returning was three days marching back to Ziglag 1 Sam. 30.1 and one day pursuing his enemies vers 17. and the third day after that tidings was brought to David from the Camp of Saul that Saul and his Sons were dead 2 Sam. 1 2 3 4. which made in all seven days and therefore it was not likely that Saul and his Sons were slain upon the morrow which was the scope of the Oracle or answer that was given to Saul this I say is the opinion of a learned Writer So much by the way Further if it had not been a meer delusion to blinde the eyes of Saul why must Samuel bee described an old man cloathed in a mantle That indeed was the fashion of living Samuel but after he was dead and buried had Samuel appeared as she pretended or had the Devil appeared in his likeness as some fond Readers suppose he did it must have been like Samuel in a Winding-sheet but indeed had she described him by his Winding-sheet that might have been any man else as well as Samuel and Saul had not been so easily deluded in his fond credulity and Idolatrous way If you think it an incredible thing that Saul should be so easily deluded look Isaiah 8.20 in the Latine translation which carrieth the true sense of the Original how odly soever our English Translators run where the Prophet speaking of such as would counsel men to seek to Oraclers and South-sayers he faith in Tremelius An non loquuntur in sententiam illam cuicunque nulla est lucis scintilla do they not give this counsel to such as have not the least spark of light or understanding and this was Sauls case Saul indeed had been a wise man formerly when the Spirit of God was upon him when it was said Is Saul also among the Prophets but then when God had forsaken him his wisdom his courage and his victoriousness went all away together and then and never till then was he deceived by a Witch And however many erroneous Readers when they read this History of the Witch of Endor do suppose she did such things really as are set down only according to the apprehension of the Spectators namely Saul and his Servants yet let them but consider the nature of impostures and they may easily conceive how such a cheating imposture might easily and still may be brought to pass to delude fools by an ordinary Jugling confederacy according to the manner afore described as well and as really as ever she did it and that without a familiar Devil as is foolishly supposed she had only a Devil ruling in the heart of them that do it to the like end to delude and lead people from God as she did the Devil being the Father of all lying delusions and ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience Such a Devil was in the heart of Ahabs Prophets 1 King 22.23 But for such as will not allow of that exposition that the Witch of Endor did all by a confederate I say she might do it also by the imposture of Hariolating as may be seen in the latter end of the Eighth term of description following And truly for such as will still beleeve the common foolish errour that Python was such a Witch as had a familiar spirit except they mean such a lying spirit of Oracling Divination I wonder how farre they will stretch the sense and coherence of the Scriptures to make any such interpretation Look but T 〈…〉 us Translation 2 Chron 33.6 it is said of Manasseh among the Witchcrafts which he used or rather that the Idolatrous Priests under him used Instituitque Pythonem What is that Did he set up a familiar Spirit one that had a familiar Spirit or did be set up an Oracle Which is best sense but the common conceit of Readers is because their Dictionary saith Python signifieth a Devillish spirit of Divination or one that hath such a Spirit therefore that must needs be a familiar Spirit and indeed the common abuse of words may make words signifie any thing but let such as trust only to their Latine Dictionaries or Greek Lexicon shew me in them or any authentique Writer but especially in the Scriptures where Python is taken in any such sense as a familiar Spirit especially where it is taken for a killing spirit of a Witch according to the common doctrin of Devils that hath defiled the Nations but only for a spirit of lying Prophecie or one that hath such a Spirit or Devil in his heart and in the text it is taken for the Oracle of the Devil and if any carp at words yet they must examine as well the sense of the Original and the sense and coherence of the Scriptures from place to place as where words may by abuse and ill custom signifie yet I say where do we read of a Familiar Spirit in all the Scriptures if they be truly translated especially where do we read of a killing spirit of a Witch So much for the Seventh term of description Requirens Pythonem The Eighth term of Description THe Eighth term of Description of a Witch in the text is Ariolus for the most part written Hariolus and is by all men taken for a South-sayer but a South-sayer differeth not from Utens Divinationibus being the Second term of description for what difference is there between South-saying and using of Divinations or lying Prophecies so then it might seem to be a Tautologie in the text but as it hath been said before that these Nine terms of appellation in the text are not terms of distinction but several terms of description so if Moses had set here down hundred several terms of description signifying one and the same thing it had not been a tautologie in the worst sense but a more full expression of the same thing for illustration of the matter in hand but yet as most of the rest of the terms of description in the text did all tend
for gain maketh the people to miss of the sincerity of Religion although he be no Impostor nor bringeth himself within the compass of the punishment due to a Witch from the Civil Magistrate because he doth not use impostures or any of the Nine Witchcrafts described in the text yet in his intent he maketh gain his end and perverteth souls in a smooth pretence of holiness I know not how his final intention differeth from the final intention of a Witch that is gain by seducing the people nor whether he or a Witch shall have the greatest condemnation at the last day Acts 20.30 for it appeareth in vers 20. following the text that a false Prophet considered distinctly from the foresaid impostors is in the same Condemnation and the same with a Witch and ought to be censured by the Civil Magistrate to dye as a Witch meerly quatenus a false Prophet for although he bee described by his several impostures before in the text yet the bare using of impostures maketh not a Witch unless by them he be a false Prophet as is demonstrated more fully in the Fifth description so then the Formalis ratio of a Witch or that which maketh him to be a Witch is because he is a false Prophet so that it followeth that as every wilful false teacher or wilful upholder of Heresie or any vain unprofitable Doctrin to seduce the people for gain differeth not in his final intention from a false Prophet so by the same reason he differeth not from a Witch and although he cannot always be convicted by the Magistrate yet in Gods sight he is a very Witch Our English Translators not knowing the difference of the terms of description in the text by the several impostures therein implied according to the intent and meaning of the Scriptures have used words promiscuously one for another without expressing the true and full meaning of the Original so well as is exprest by Junius and Tremelius in Latine as in Deut. 18.10 11. they call a Diviner a Witch and a South-sayer a Wizard expressing specifical descriptions by general words that may be as well given to any of the nine and in Exod. 22.18 they call a Jugler a Witch using the same general expression that they used before for one that useth Divination or a Diviner they call a Planetarian an observer of times a phrase more obscure than can imply the original meaning of the Scriptures they call a Conjecturer an Inchanter and they call an Inchanter a Charmer whereas in the Original and Latine Translations an Inchanter and a Charmer is all one term of description they call an Oracler one that hath a familiar Spirit and that may be as well given to any of the Nine terms in the text by the same reason that all Witches have a familiar spirit according to the common tenent though it cannot be proved that any had any otherwise than the spirit of error ruling in their hearts And 2 Chron. 33.6 there they call using Divinations observing of times which phrase they used before for a Planetarian and if we compare several English Translations wee may finde them much varying one from another in translating of those terms not but that they were good and able Linguists but not knowing the several impostures implyed in these original terms of description could not express them in such apt words in English as if they had known the mystery of iniquity according to the original sense and meaning Gen. 44.5 they translate it Is not this the cup by which my Master divineth Here they would make Witchcraft lawful for Divination is Witchcraft but the original sense is nothing so as they translate it look Tremellius All this argueth that these our ancient Bishops and great Clerks knew not what Witchcraft was in the Scripture sense THE SECOND BOOK IT is manifest that the Scriptures were given by God for a rule for man in this depraved nature to walk by That whereas all Mankinde since the fall of Adam are naturally darkned in their understandings and averse from the truth of God the Scriptures might be a light unto us to lead us in the righteous way of Gods truth And now Christ Jesus the Light of the World in whom are fulfilled all the Divine Mysteries of the Scriptures is come into the world to enlighten the world and whereas before his coming the world sate in darkness and were wholly given to run after Idols and to be seduced by Idol-Priests who practised the several Witchcrafts described in the text Deut. 18.10 11. to seduce the people to Idolatry yet then at the coming and by the power of the coming of Christ who was manifested by Miracles and taught the people by his Spirit of Truth were all those ways of darkness discovered to the whole Word to be lying delusions tending to destruction as is prophesied by the Prophet Isa Chap. 8. hee speaking of Witches and their delusions and the darksome errours and evils accompanying them from the nineteenth Verse to the end of the Chapter immediately in the two first Verses of the next Chapter he prophesieth of Christ the light of whose coming should destroy the ways of darkness in these words In the way of the Sea beyond Jordan Galile of the Gentiles the people that sate in darkness shall see great light and upon them that dwell in the Land of the shadow of death shall light shine forth and thus it was fulfilled at his coming The Nations that were given to Idolatry and seduced by false Prophets being Idol-Priests and deluding Witches were so enlightned that all Idolatrous delusions were discovered the Oracle of Apollo and of all Idols drew dumb Simon Magus and Elimas the Sorcerer and all bewitching false Prophets were confounded and all these Instruments of darkness grew out of request among the people being clearly discovered that they were all Lyars and used lying delusions to deceive the Nations And notwithstanding this perfect rule of righteousness in the Old and New Testament written by the Prophets before the coming of Christ and at his coming finished by him and his Apostles yet such is the obstinacy of mans darksome nature that men will carry a Candle of their own in their hands even at Noon-day imagining they can by their own wisdom finde out truths that are not written in the Scriptures and that their Candle will enlighten them more than the beams of the Sun when it shineth forth in its full strength Like a silly Labourer that counting the day by a Pocket Watch whose Wheels being out of Kilter went too fast he had such a conceit of his Watch that he affirmed That the Sun in the skie went too slow for his Watch was known to be true Thus do men play with the Scriptures preferring Human traditions beyond the truth of God contained in the Scripture and this is the cause why men a long time have been deceived by the Man of Sin who still prevaileth to lead the World
the Scriptures such a word as Striges lamiae Incubus and Succubus or any word of such signification or importance what were Pharaoh his Magicians but deluders of Pharaoh and the People could they by the help of Satan do any thing truly were they real Miracles did not their madness come to light 2 Tim. 3.9 what spirit had the Maid that followed Paul Act. 16.16 which is said to have the spirit of Python was it more than a cousening spirit of Divination for gain yet still you will say the word Python hath been interpreted by many one that had a familiar spirit imagine they had a familiar spirit although it is but a weak Argument to ground an opinion upon the bare signification of a word except you will have it a seducing lying spirit such a one as was in Ahabs Prophets yet I say answer me these Four Questions First Tell we where a Witch did or could kill a man in Scripture What did Saul go to the Pythonist of Endor for was it that she might help him kill the Philistians or meerly for Augury or Divination what did Pharaoh call his Witches the Magicians before him for was it to kill any Man or Beast by their cunning or meerly to work lying Wonders and dissemble the Miracles that God wrought by Moses so that they might withstand Moses and the truth and blinde Pharaohs eyes because God would harden his heart tell me where you finde in all the Scriptures that a Witch did or could kill a man by Witchcraft shew me in all the Law of Moses concerning the condemning of men or women for Murther that a Murtherer was called a Witch or a Witch a Murtherer Deut. 19. and other places of Scripture are there not several Rules set down for the trying of Murther shew me one that intimateth the Witching of Men or Cattel to death Secondly Shew me in all the Scriptures where Witches are spoken of that a Witch was a secret person or unknown to the World that should need to be tried by blinde circumstances and presumptions and superstitions or by privie Marks or by Teats or Biggs by sinking or swimming or by confessions were not Pharaohs Witches called Prastigiatores magi openly known did not Pharaoh call them together without privie search or inquiry did not Saul banish all the Witches as people openly known and professing the Art of Augury and their several cousening practices when Saul inquired for a Witch did not his servants presently tell him there was one at Endor was she not known without privie search or prime marks Did not the Maid in the Acts that was said to have the spirit of Python or to be a Pythonist follow Paul crying openly did not Simon Magus act his Delusions openly to seduce the people as likewise Eliâ—as the Sorcerer were not the Witchcrafts of Jezabel known to be her delusions that she wrought by the Priests of Baal to seduce the people were not the Witchcrafts of Manasses open actions that made Juda and Jerusalem to go astray where then do we read of a Witch by suspicion or to be tried by presumptions or suspicions or privie marks or other signs that are mans invention whence came this darkness and blinde errour but from the Pope that grand Witch that hath bewitched all Nations we search for Witchcrafts and abominations in a poor womans wooden dish and Christ telleth us they are all in a cup of Gold in the hand of the great Whore Revel 17.4 Thirdly Shew me in all the Scriptures where Witchcraft went without Idolatry Isa 19.3 and had not a necessary dependance on Idolatry Nahum 3.4 Look again Deut. 18.10 11. where all sorts of Witches are spoken of why were they to be cut off and destroyed the reason is immediatly given vers 14. because they defiled the Nations in seducing them unto Spiritual VVhoredom and the Nations were destroyed for seeking and making inquiry after their Divinations or South-sayings or Oracles whereas inquiries ought to be to Gods Prophets vers 15. Was not this Sauls Idolatry when he sought to the Witch of Endor 1 Chro. 10.13 14. was not this the sin of Manasses where he is blamed for using Witchcrafts when he made Juda and Jerusalem go astray to Idols 2 Chron. 33.9 were not the Witchcrafts and VVhoredoms of Jesabel set down as two inseparable companions her Witchcraft being the upholding of the Idol Priests of Baal that by Witchcraft seduced the people to Idolatry were not Pharaohs Magicians seducers of Pharaoh and the people from God was not Simon Magus the like but alas how and where have those poor souls that are commonly hanged for Witches seduced the people to Idolatry who hath been led after them for Divinations and Southsayings many indeed have been led after Southsayers but they are termed good Witches and whereas they as Witches ought to dye many have been put to death by their devillish false accusations and if the Witch of Endor were now living amongst us we should call her a good VVitch so blinde are the times Fourthly Shew me in all the Law of God against Adulterous uncleaneness where Moses writeth of several kindes of uncleaneness as man with man man with beast woman with beast and many more the least intimation of uncleanness by Incubus or Succubus what did Moses forget this Yet because this opinion hath been so upheld by reports and imaginations and by the extorted confession or people that have been condemned in that kinde and sometime by the voluntary confession of despairing melancholly people that have been troubled in minde and wish rather to dye than to live although Volenti mori non est adhibenda fides Yet I intreat you to run over these several places of Scripture with me a little and see how this opinion of VVitches power agreeth with the Scriptures yea how flat contrary it is to Gods Word and the grounds of our Christian faith Yet first because some men will not understand the Scriptures in any other sense than as their own Expositors have done be it right or wrong therefore I refer them that will seek farther than the Scriptures to the words of a general Counsel which Mr. Scot in his Discovery hath alleged as followeth Concil Acqui in decret 26. the words of the Council It may not be omitted that certain wicked VVomen following Satans provocations being seduced by the illusion of the Devil beleeve and profess that in the night time they ride abroad with Diana the Goddess of the Pagans or else with Herodias with an innumerable multitude upon certain Beasts and pass over many Countries and Nations in the silence of the night and do whatsoever these Ladies or Fairies command c. let all Ministers therefore in their several Cures preach to Gods people so as they may know all those things to be false and whosoever beleeveth that any Creature can be made by them or changed into better or worse or be any way transformed into any other kinde or
equalize the Devils power with the power of God by his Angel And what consequence is here If the Angel did so transport therefore the Devil doth transport and yet this is the whole scope of his fourth Chapter In the fifth Chapter his whole scope is That VVitches can make pictures of VVax or Clay and rost them and so consume the party whom they intend and can receive from the Devil stones and powders and by them cast on can Cure diseases that they can raise Storms and Tempests and do many strange things and that no man is sure to escape their VVitchcraft which as I have shewed in my second Book are not only inventions and fictions of Antichrist without ground in Scripture but flat against Scripture and the faith of Christians to beleeve And whereas he saith further The Devil can send VVitches to poyson people I answer so he may teach any man else that will undertake it for that is not any whit more essential to a VVitch than to any other murthering-minded man or woman no more than stabbing with a Knife or Dagger The scope of the sixth Chapter is That the Devil appears to VVitches and teacheth them to do mischief but yet they have not power to hurt a Magistrate but sure if VVitchcraft consisted any whit in the Art of poysoning why then is the Magistrate free for certainly many Magistrates yea Judges and Kings themselves have been poysoned hath a VVitch then less faculty in poysoning Magistrates then other men have had why then is their Craft counted so dangerous The scope of his seventh and last Chapter is that Spirits did more commonly appear in time of Popery than now and the reason thereof he giveth before he proveth it to be true that is that the Gospel hath dispelled those Spirits that were wont to appear This reason hath a smooth pretence if it were given of a true thing but the thing which he argueth upon is not true for there were no more Spirits seen in time of Popery than now and that is just none at all but there were more lyes reported by papists and in time of Popish ignorance than now and the Gospel indeed hath dispelled those Popish Errours which were wont to deceive the people more than now and who so denyeth that Spirits appear he saith they are Sadduces whereas yet there was never any such dispute among Sadduces whether Spirits did appear visible or not neither were the Pharisees that opposed the Sadduces so silly as to affirm any such thing but if any such thing were as visible apparition of Spirits doubtless at had been no Controversie for the Sadduces might have seen them as well as the Pharisoes this is the scope of his First and Second Book And here I am compelled to go back again to the third Chapter of the First Book to answer one of his Tenents which I think very material to be answered out of order because if I had taken it in order it would have spoyled my method in answering so curtly as I have done his writing being somewhat immethodical Look in his first Book the third Chapter and see how he by the bare signification of a word laboureth to ground an absurdity saying Necromancy is one that Prophesieth by the dead and that is saith he one that consulteth with the Devil assuming the body of the dead party but as I have said what Logician doth not know that it is not a legal manner of arguing but most absurd to draw a Conclusion from the bare signification of words or from what words may signifie but he that argueth truly must argue as the words are taken and not as they may signifie and also search the Original sence of the Hebrew and yet for the word it self it hath not the least signification of the Devil or that the Devil can assume a dead Body or the least signification of Prophecying by the Devil but only by the dead according to the vain Tenent of the Heathen that the Souls of the dead by reason of their perfect estate after this life could inspire men living upon the earth with knowledge of things to come in which pretence these Witches called Necromancers used Divinations or lying Prophecies as manifestly appeareth in Plutarch de defect Orac. and by Scripture as I have shewed more fully in the Ninth description in my first Book and as for that Tenent that the Devil can assume and raise a dead Body it is most absurd and blasphemous for it was by the divine miraculous power of Christ upon the Cross that the bodies of the dead were raised for a time and appeared unto many Matth. 27.52 53. from whence the Centuirion acknowledged Christ to be the Son of God knowing that such things could not be done but by the mighty Power of God yet if this absurdity were true That the Devil could assume the bodies of the dead it makes nothing to prove their common main Tenent that Witches are such people as can kill by Witchcraft for a Necromancer is only one that taketh in hand to Prophesie by the dead or to give divinations and not one that killeth or witcheth people to death neither doth it agree with this Authors distinctions to hold any such Tenent that a Necromancer is one that consulteth with the Devil assuming a dead body for he saith in his Sixth Chapter of his Second Book and also in the third Chapter of the Third Book that the Devil appeareth to Witches and they consult with him having assumed a dead body why then doth he in his former distinctions make a difference betwixt a Necromancer and a Witch And now to proceed to the Third Book as followeth He laboureth to prove in his Third Book That the Devil can appear bodily and doth commonly haunt Houses and Fields in shape of men departed this life and sometimes as Fairies sometime in manner of Browning as he calleth it that is it that by our old Wives Fables is called Robin Good-fellow and that these are true and not false Fables and for that in his first Chapter he allegeth Isa 13.21 where it is said That Zim and Ohim shall dwell in their houses and Jim shall cry in their Palaces which saith he are in the Hebrew the proper names of Devils but how erroneous this exposition is let them that can read the Hebrew text see and for them that cannot read the Hebrew text let them read the Latine translation of Junius and Tremellius which is thus Et recubabunt ferae illic implebunt domos eorum noxia animalia habitabuntque illic ululae scopes saltabunt illic clamitabitque terrificum animal in viduatis palatiis ipsius serpens in templis voluptariis That is Wilde Beasts shall lodge there and hurtful Beasts shall fill their Houses and Owls shall dwell there and Night-birds shall hop there and a Dragon shall cry in their desolate Palaces and the Serpent in their pleasant Temples Tremellius in his Marginal
A Perfect Discovery OF WITCHES SHEWING The Divine Cause of the Distractions of this Kingdome and also of the Christian WORLD Justitia Thronum firmat PROV 29.14 The King that faithfully judgeth the poor his Throne shall bee established Very profitable to bee read by all sorts of People especially JUDGES of Assizes Sheriffes Justices of the Peace and Grand-Jury-men before they passe sentence on those that are condemned for WITCH-CRAFT By THOMAS ADY M.A. London Printed for R. I. to bee sold by H. Brome at the Gun in Ivy-Lane 1661. The Reason of the Book THe Grand Errour of these latter Ages is ascribing power to Witches and by foolish imagination of mens brains without grounds in the Scriptures wrongfull killing of the innocent under the name of Witches unto which Idolatry and bloud-guiltiness being as bad or worse than the Idolatry of the ancient Heathen men are led as violently by fond imagination as were the Ephesians to the worshipping of Diana and of the Image which as they blindly thought fell down from Jupiter Acts 19.35 It is reported by Travellers that some People in America do worship for a day the first living Creature they see in the morning be it but a Bird or a Worm this Idolatry is like the Idolatry of this part of the World who when they are afflicted in Body or Goods by Gods hand they have an eye to some Mouse or Bugg or Frog or other living Creature saying It is some Witches Impe that is sent to afflict them ascribing the Work of God to a Witch or any mean Creature rather than to God Mr. Scot published a Book called his Discovery of Witchcraft in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth for the instruction of all Judges and Justices of those times which Book did for a time take great impression in the Magistracy and also in the Clergy but since that time England hath shamefully fallen from the Truth which they began to receive wherefore here is again a necessary and illustrious discourse for the Magistracy and other People of this Age where I intreat all to take notice that many do falsly report of Mr. Scot that he held an Opinion that Witches are not for it was neither his Tenent neither is it mine but that Witches are not such as are commonly executed for Witches A Candle in the Dark The First Book shewing what Witches are in the Scripture-sence throughout the Old and New Testament The Second Book shewing how grosly the Scriptures have been mis-interpreted by Antichrist concerning Witches by which interpretation he hath made the Nations go astray With a confutation of those Errours The Third Book touching some erroneous English Writers who have upheld the same Errours which Antichrist hath broached to the world Also the Works of a Scotch-man called The VVorks of King James With an addition of fifteen Causes also a reference to Scot and also the opinion of Luther concerning Devils Also an instruction to Lawyers Errata PAge 11. line 3. for Magnus read Magus p. 15. l. 21 for 6 Chron. r. 2 Chro. p. 22. l. 1. for Prophets r. Prophetess p. 28. l. 23. for magis r. magi p. 30. l. 11. for inchantation r. incantation p. 38 l. 15. for little r. liche l. 19. for tax r. tap thrice in the same page in p 48. l. 8. for Charms r. Charmer p. 76. l. 33. for equivocately r. equivocally p. 77. l. 8. for Scopula r. Scapula over p. 79. for Oracle giver r. South sayer so over p. 87. Necromancer should not be The Second Book Pag. 92. l. 5. for drew r. grew p. 96. l. 10 for inquisitions r. inquisitors p. 106 l. 8. tor superstitions r. suspicions p. 122. l. 35 for quem r. quum p. 124. l. 15. for an r. and p 129 l. 15. or preternatural r preternatural p. 136. l. 28. for any sort r. every other sort p. 145. l. 30 for discovered r. discoursed p. 146. l. 36. for and by them cast on can cure r. and by them can cast on or inflict and cure diseases p. 147. l. 4. for send r. teach p. 170. l 17 for endicat r. indicat Reader take notice that most of these faults are mended with Pen and Inke already TO THE Prince of the Kings of the Earth IT is the manner of men O heavenly King to dedicate their Books to some great men thereby to have their Works protected and countenanced among men but thou only art able by thy holy Spirit of Truth to defend thy Truth and to make it take impression in the heart and understanding of men Unto thee alone do I dedicate this Work intreating thy most High Majesty to grant That whoever shall open this Book thy holy Spirit may so possess their understanding as that the spirit of errour may depart from them and that they may read and try thy Truth by the touchstone of thy Truth the holy Scriptures and finding that Truth may embrace it and forsake these darksome inventions of Antichrist that have deluded and defiled the Nations now and in former Ages Enlighten the World thou that art the Light of the World and let Darkness be no more in the World now or in any future Age but make all people to walk as Children of the Light for ever and destroy Antichrist that hath deceived the Nations and save us the residue by thy self alone and let not Satan any more delude us for the Truth is thine for ever To the Reader SIR IF you be a courteous Reader I intreat you that what weaknesse and imperfections you shall think you espie in this Book from the Author thereof you passe them by for the Truths sake whereupon this Book treateth Secondly if you be so discourteous as to carp and censure then I intreat you to carp only at me and not at the Truth lest you resist the truth Thirdly I intreat you to Read my Book thorow before you cast it by for otherwise Sir it may argue weaknesse in your self to slight the Book before you see the Argument It is one of the vanities of the World to write many Books and when a man hath taken pains to write few men will take the pains to read which Solomon intimateth Eccle. 12.12 but Sir if you find no leasure to read and consider then I pray find no leasure to gainsay or to argue against Fourthly for all places of Scripture alledged in this Book if you shall search our English Translations and not find them to carry the sense which I drive at in my discourse I intreat you either to search the Originall or else to look upon the Latin Translations of Junius and Tremellius which carry the true sense of the Originall as it was written by the Spirit of God Your Friend T. A. Non quis sed quid To the more Judicious and Wise and Discreet part of the Clergie of ENGLAND Joshua 7.11 THese words Israel hath sinned are not so to be understood as if Israel had been free from
as are there described Deut. 18.10 11. 11 Where do we read of a he devill or a she devill called incubus or succubus that useth generation or copulation with Witches or VVitches with them 12 It is written Woe unto such as devour widdows houses and in a pretence make long prayers Matth. 23.14 13 It is written the Lord hateth the hand that sheddeth innocent blood and the fals witness that speaketh lies and the feet that are swift to do mischeif and a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations Pro. 6. 17 18 19. 14 It is written shall there be evill in a City and the Lord hath not done it Amos. 3.6 15 It is written there is no God with me I kill and I make alive I wound and heal Deut. 32.39 and again the Lord killeth and maketh alive hee bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up the Lord maketh poore and maketh rich 1 Sam. 2.6 7. 16 It is written If ye were blind yee had had no sinne but now ye say ye see therefore your sinne remaineth Iohn 9.41 17 It is written Because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved therefore God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve lies that they might be damned that beleeved not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. 18 It is written Thou shalt not raise a false report put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witnesse Exodus 23.1 19 It is written If ye any way afflict the widdow or the fatherlesse and they cry at all unto me I will surely hear their cry and my wrath shal wax hot and I will kill you with the sword and your wives shall be widdows and your children fatherlesse Exodus 22.23 24. 20 It is written God saw that the imaginations of the thoughts of mens hearts were only evill continually it repented the Lord that he had made man therefore he destroyed the old world Gen. 6.5 6 7 Therefore you that are of the sacred order of the ministry that do use to cry to the people give ear with fear and reverence to the word of God as it is written in the text how dare ye teach for doctrin the traditions of Antichrist that are not written in the Book of God Whether do not some preferre the mad imaginations of Cornelius Agrippa and others before the Scriptures for the defending their opinions So much for my Dilemma now for the Text. A Candle in the Dark SHEVVING The Divine Cause of the distractions of the whole Nation of ENGLAND and of the Christian World Deuteronomy 18.10 11. LEt the Reader take notice that in all the Scriptures there is not any kind of Witch spoken of but such as are mentioned in these two verses which that every one may understand I will expound punctually not according to our English obscure translations but according to the true meaning and signification of the originall text as it was written by Moses in the Hebrew tongue and as it is truely translated for the better and easier satisfaction of many that have not knowledge in the Hebrew tongue by Junius and Tremellius in their Latin Bible whether also I referre the Reader for all places of Scripture alledged in this Book and here I do in Gods name and in Zeal for his truth desire and intreat him that thinketh himself the learnedst Clerk to shew mee in all the Scriptures such a word as Striges or lamiae or any word of that signification importing such doctrins as have a long time defiled the Nations Deut. 18.10 11. Let there not be found among you any that maketh his sonne or his daughter to passe thorow the fire a user of divinations a planetarian or a Conjecturer or a Jugler Also a user of charmes or one that seeketh an Oracle or a South-sayer or one that asketh counsell of the dead The Latin translation is this Ne invenitor in te qui traducat filium suum aut filiam suam per ignem utens divinationibus planetarius aut conjector aut praestigiator Item utens incantatione aut requirens pythonem aut ariolus aut necromantis The Hebrew Text. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And here is the Hebrew Text written in the Roman character with the construction of every word Lo jimatzae ne invenitor beca in te magnabir qui traducat beno filium suum uubitto aut filiam suam baese per ignem kosem kesamim divinans divinationes megnonen planetarius uumenachese aut conjector umechascscph aut praestigiator vechobhir chabber incantans incantatione vessoel ob requirens pythonem vejiddegnoni aut ariolus vedhorese el hamethim aut consulens mortuos so much for the Text. Exodus 22.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mechascscepha lo thechajek praestigiatricem non sines vivere There is also another word Hartumim in Exodus 4.17 Gen. 41 8. and in other places which is taken in the generall sense for Magnus a Magician that hath one or all these crafts or impostures yet by many it is restrained to the particular and often translated Ariolus being the most allowed signification for Arioli were called Magi being counted wise men and therefore the word is used for all sorts of Magicians these and all other words in the Scriptures concerning Witches are consonant to the words in the Text. The Text opened THe Text is verbatim according to the Originall as it was written by Moses in the Hebrew tongue which I will expound orderly and here is to be noted that in these two verses are nine sorts of Witches nominated by God unto Moses and the people to this end and purpose that whereas God hath chosen the people of Israel to be a peculiar church and people to himself he would be their only Counsellor to keep them in the way of wisdome and holinesse and therefore commandeth them in no wise to aske counsell of any but the true prophets and messengers of God as appeareth in the 14. and 15. verses of this chapter and because there were so many sorts of people in the world that did commonly abuse and usurp the office of Gods Prophets God describeth them in the 10. and 11. verses of this chapter by nine severall nominations or descriptions commanding them to shun and avoyd them as false Prophets and deceivers of the people for it was the manner of the heathen to seek unto such for counsell the Lord having cast out those heathen people for such abominable ways giveth his own people warning of all such ways to avoid them not to hearken to them namely to those nine sorts of witches or deceivers or false prophets or seducers of the people from God and his prophets to lying Idolatrous waies giveth them warning in the three last verses of the same chapter of all false Prophets whatsoever that should presumptuously take upon them to speak any thing in Gods name which God had not commanded or to speak in the name
in the text Conjector a Conjecturer The Fifth Description The Fifth Appellation or term of description of a Witch in the Text is Prestigiator that is a Jugler THe interpretation of this word is plain in the Scriptures that is one that worketh false or lying Wonders or lying Miracles in opposition of the true Miracles that were wrought by God by his Prophets such were Jannes and Jambres 2 Tim. 3.8 9. As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so also do these resist the truth now how Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses it appeareth Exod. 7.5.8.9 God would have his Prophets Moses and Aaron to be known by their Miracles that the people might beleeve that God had sent them they wrought the Miracles that God had commanded them Exod. 7.13 but it appeareth in vers 14. that these Juglers withstood them and when the Messengers of God wrought true Miracles those Witches wrought lying Miracles in opposition of them Fecerunt similiter they did the like The Latin translation is thus Tum vocavit Pharo sapientes Prestigiatores ut facerent ipsi quoque magi Aegyptii suis incantation bus similiter and Pharoah called the Wise men and Juglers that the Magicians of Aegypt might also do the like with their inchantments so likewise vers 25. Fecerunt similtier magis suis incantationibus the Magicians did the like with their Inchantments this word Similiter the like or in like manner is of great importance least some ignorant reader of the Scriptures should suppose that the Magicians did the same Miracles that the Prophets did whereas those acts of the Magicians were only delusions although enough to blind Pharaohs eyes because God would harden his heart And as it appeareth in 2 Tim. 3.9 their actions were only mad fooleries that came to light and were proved ridiculous as the words import for the craft of Jugling to them that are not acquainted with it breedeth great admiration in the beholders and seemeth to silly people to be miraculous and yet being known is but deceit and foolery so that the beholder himself cannot but blush and be ashamed to think he was so easily cousened and did so much admire a ridiculous Imposture that craft of Jugling consisteth First In slight of hand or cleanly conveyance Secondly In confederacy and Thirdly In the abuse of Natural Magick The first is profitably seen in our common Juglers that go up and down to play their Tricks in Fayrs and Markets I will speak of one man more excelling in that craft than others that went about in King James his time and long since who called himself The Kings Majesties most excellent Hocus Pocus and so was he called because that at the playing of every Trick he used to say Hocus pocus tontus talontus vade celeriter jubeo a dark composure of words to blinde the eyes of the beholders to make his Trick pass the more currantly without discovery because when the eye and the ear of the beholder are both earnestly busied the Trick is not so easily discovered nor the Imposture discerned the going about of this Fellow was very useful to the wife to see how easily people among the ancient Heathen were deceived in times and places of ignorance for in these times many silly people yea and some also that think themselves wise will stand like Pharaoh and his Servants and admire a Jugling Imposture or like the silly Samaritans Acts 8.10 who did so much admire a seducing Jugler as they said He was the great power of God until they saw the true and real Miracles of Philip vers 6. And others again on the contrary will stand affrighted or run out of the room scared like fools saying The Devil is in the room and helpeth him to do such Tricks and some saying absolutely He is a Witch and ought to be hanged when as he did only act the part of a Witch to enlighten and not to deceive that people might see and discern the Impostures by which the Idols of the Heathen were made famous by their jugling Priests and might laugh at their vanities they that would see the manner of this part of Jugling or cleanly conveyance more fully may read Master Scots discovery of Witchcraft where it is set down at large to the satisfaction of all those that are not wilfully ignorant as also briefly afterward in this Fifth description after pag. 34. And now for illustrating of the History of Pharaohs Magicians I will parallel this Hocus Pocus or English Jugler a little with them they are called Prestigiatores Juglers Exod. 7.14 and yet in the same verse and also in vers 25. it is said they did in like manner by their inchantments Why with their Inchantments Not that Jugling and Inchanting are one and the same imposture but the reason is because when they wrought a Jugling Trick or lying Miracle they always spake a Charm or Inchantation immediately before it like to that of our English Jugler aforesaid to make the delusion the stronger by busying the senses of Hearing and Seeing in the Spectator both at once for a Charm or Inchantation was only a composure of words to delude people who thought that words spoken in a strange manner had vertue and efficacy in them as may be seen more fully in the Sixth description following therefore are they said to work their false Miracles by their Inchantments because they seemed to silly beholders to do them by their inchantations or words when as indeed they did them only by slight of hand or cleanly conveyance called Legerdemain and they that are well acquainted with this craft of Jugling may easily conceive how these Magicians did their Feats without so much admiring them when they read the History as if they had done great Wonders which were only delusions The second and third Miracle that they dissembled do plainly appear in the letter of the History Exod. 7.2 they seemed to turn water into bloud Fecerunt similiter and yet mark well the History and yee shall see there was no water in Aegypt for Moses had turned it all into bloud before vers 20.21.24.25 so then they could finde no River or Pond to do that feat in it must needs follow then that they sent for water where it was to be had which was no nearer than Goshen and so shewed a petty Jugling Trick before Pharaoh in a room with a Bowl or Tray of water setting it upon the ground and by slight of hand conveying bloud into it to colour it so likewise for the Third Miracle which they dissembled Chap. 8.7 it was necessarily done by a such vessel of water for they could not finde any other water free in all Aegypt which were not already full of the abundance of Frogs vers 3.5 and what common Jugler might not easily dissemble that Miracle by setting a bowl of water down before Pharaoh and his Servants and by slight of hand conveying in three or four Frogs and so holding up their staffe and speaking
blest is to keep the Commandements of God and from vers 15. to the end of the Chapter the only way to be accurst is to disobey God and break his Commandements And whereas Balaam was blamed and afterward slain for teaching this Doctrin so plain to Balak who abused it to insnare Israel yet God hath taught us the same Doctrin that we might know with Israel and by Israels example that nothing can hurt us but sin So we may conclude of Balaam that he was a Prophet and yet acted the part of a Prophet and a Witch both at once at least a Prophet in that his Doctrine was true a Witch in that hee taught Balak to play the Witch that is to draw the people to Idolatry according to the First description which is the very essence of Witchcraft and although God would have this thing come to pass for our instruction yet this was the errour of Balaam That hee had laid open to Balak the way to bewitch he people and in this only he transgressed he did that which God had not commanded him as some other Prophets did besides him 1 King 13.18 19 22. To this Sixth description of a Witch in the text is referred that place in Jerem. 23.10 so commonly falsly interpreted as falsly translated Because of Oathes the Land mourneth as if it were meant of common Swearing which although Swearing be a wicked thing yet what room is there in that place for Swearing unless yee will bring it in abruptly by head and shoulders what coherence is there Tremelius ttanslateth it thus The Land is full of Adulterers and because of Execrations the Land mourneth Execrations is there taken for Incantations being by a Synechdoche put for all kind of Witchcraft being an inseparable companion of Idolatry Adulterers are taken for Idolaters in a Spiritual sense and the false Prophets that used these Incantations to seduce the people are spoken of vers 1 11 13. who being false Prophets or Witches had defiled the Land with their several seducing Witchcrafts leading the people to Idolatry and in this practice of Charming Execrations they were seducers of the people to repose confidence in ungrounded and unwarranted composures of words to bring things to pass which words so composed are meer Incantations or Charms In this Sixth description of a Witch in the text or under the term of a Charmer is contained Conjurers who are Witches only in this sense That they pretend that by vertue of words they can do many things and amongst the rest that they can by vertue of words command the Devil which yet is but a meer cheating delusion to deceive poor Idolatrous people who do more credit the vertue of words than they credit the truth of Gods Word which foolish practice is sufficiently confuted Acts 19.13 certain Exorcists or Conjurers did take upon them to name over them that had evil Spirits the name of the Lord Jesus saying I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth and the Evil Spirits answered and said Jesus I acknowledge and Paul I know but who are yee Paul and the rest of the Apostles did indeed cast out Devils in the Name of Jesus but not by the bare naming of Jesus but by the spirit and power of Jesus but if words could have done it then those Conjurers might as well have done it and then every one that could but imitate the Apostles and the Prophets and speak the same words or the like might work Miracles but God will have it known otherwise as appeareth in this place of the Acts aforesaid That no words spoken but the power of God bringeth things to pass This was the manner of Idolatrous Heathen to repose great confidence in Charms and they that studied this practice of making and composing of Charms to seduce the people to this kinde of Idolatry were Witches according to this Sixth description in the text Utens incantatione If we do but read of the Heathen we may see in many places how they Idolized Charms or Incantations Plutarch saith That Aganice the Daughter of Hegetoris Thesali being skilful in the course of the Planets fore-told to certain credulous people an Eclipse of the Moon and they had such confidence in Charms that when they saw it came to pass they beleeved that Aganice had with Charms plucked the Moon from heaven Like to that in Virgil Eclog. 8. Carmina vel Coelo possunt deducere Lunam Carminibus Circe socios mutavit Ulyssis Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis Inchantments pluck out of the Skie The Moon though she be placed high Dame Circes with her Charms so fine Ulysses Mates did turn to Swine The Snake with Charms is burst in twain In meadows where she doth remain Notwithstanding the Prophet David telleth us That the deaf Adder heareth not or regardeth not the voyce of the most skilful user of Charms Psal 58.5 where he alludeth with deriding to the vain conceit of the Heathen who reposed such confidence in Charms and imputed such power to words This Heathenish Witchcraft to cause people thus to Idolize Charms is still practised by the Pope and his Train their whole form of Religion both in publike worship and common practice consisting of Charms of all sorts and of that very specifical difference of Incantation or Charming which is called Conjuring and if we look in the Masse-book and if you search Durandus you may finde Charms abundance and he that is loath to take so much paines let him but look Mr. Scots discovery of Witchcraft the twelfth Book the ninth Chapter and so forwards where he hath neatly set forth the Witchcraft of the Pope and his Train in the manner of their several Charms though not exemplifying the tenth part of them I will also shew you three or four of them which Master Scot hath also rehearsed with many more The first shall be the Amulet that Pope Leo said he had from an Angel who did bid him take it to a certain King going to Battel and the Angel said that whosoever carried that Writing about him and said every day three Pater nosters three Avies and one Creed shall not that day bee conquered of his enemies nor be in any other danger ghostly or bodily but shall be protected by vertue of these holy Names of Jesus Christ written with the four Evangelists and the Crosses between them ✚ Jesus ✚ Christus ✚ Messias ✚ Soter ✚ Emanuel ✚ Sabbaoth ✚ Adonai ✚ Unigenitus ✚ Majestas ✚ Paracletus ✚ Salvator noster ✚ Agiros Iskiros ✚ Agios ✚ Athanatos ✚ Gasper ✚ Melchior ✚ Balthasar ✚ Matthaeus ✚ Marcus ✚ Lucas ✚ Johannes Another Charm of Pope Leo sent to a King having the like vertues in it being read or carried about a man being in an Epistle written by St. Saviour in these words The Cross of Christ is a wonderful defence ✚ The Cross of Christ be always with me ✚ The Cross is it which I do always worship ✚ The Cross of Christ
yea this is the only Witchcraft that is summarily included in all the Nine tearms of Description Deut. 18.10 11. being the discourse of my first Book and to shew any proof of any sort of Witches in the Scriptures I challenge all Witchmongers yet some will forsake the Scriptures and confute me strongly with a repetition of some of Bodins lyes or the like Stories telling them for truth But for all such as do still labour by Objections Cavils Inventions and Imaginations to uphold the old Traditions and Errours of that grand Witch the Pope and his Train concerning Witches and their Power and not rather to cleanse the world from these Doctrins of Devils let them take heed that the saying belongeth not to them that Stephen spake to the Jews Acts 7.51 Yee stif-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears yee do always resist the Holy Ghost as your fathers did so do yee As it is written 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. because yee received not the love of the truth that yee might be saved for this cause God hath sent you strong delusions that you should beleeve a lye that they all might be damned who beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness A Conclusion HE that groundeth his Opinion upon Phansie and Human traditions and reports without light and rule of the Scriptures is like a man groping in the dark who for want of light rusheth his face against the door But if any man will forsake blinde imaginations and be guided by the light and rule of the Scriptures he shall finde by them that Witches are only false Prophets who used several deluding impostures to deceive the people according to the whole Discourse of the first Book of this Treatise and these were not poor men and women such as are commonly executed for that falsly-imputed Crime of Witchcraft but were open practicers of their several Witchcrafts to delude and seduce and those had not their Craft from a Familiar or by making a League with the Devil as hath been commonly imagined but were in a manner learned and used Books written for that purpose to teach them their manifold impostures whereby to gain a maintenance among the people by making them beleeve they were Prophets as wee may read Acts 19.19 many of them being converted by the powerfull preaching of the Gospel brought their Books and burnt them before the people these Books containing such subtile devices as were practised then by the false Prophets or Witches of the time to deceive the people and now adays by the Popish Rout and by our common Wizzards But now for the thousands of people that have been executed for Witches in several parts of the World by the common manner of fond false accusations at whose hands will God require their bloud but at the hands of the Whore of Rome and of those that have joyned with her in her abominations Revel 18.24 In her was found the bloud not only of Saints but of all that were slain upon the earth This doubtless must be understood of those that are unjustly slain and who are they but such as are slain by wrongful accusations which wrongful accusations are occasioned by the devillish Doctrins wherewith she hath defiled the Nations Further I say That this Doctrin of Witches power is the main strength of Antichristian policy for whereas that Romish Whore knoweth that in all Nations the Civil Magistrate will hold his power and not resign it to her to have absolute power to kill for Religion she maintaineth this damnable Doctrin to this end that under the name of Witches she may melt away all whom she feareth or suspecteth will be opposers of her Antichristian pride and herein she ingageth the Civil Magistrate by her subtill Doctrin to cut off whom she pleaseth and how can that be said to be a Government for the defence of peoples Lives and Estates where contrary to all Law these Villains can steal away both life and estate from whom they please except from such as are in places of Dignity or so well esteemed in Common-wealths or have such friendship among the potent of the Land that thereby they are able to withstand their Adversaries and these poor accused people have no redress or help at the hands of the Magistrate but he who ought to be their Defender is bewitched and ingaged against them he is taught indeed not to suffer a Witch to live but never truly taught who and what are Witches and that many times they that ingage him by their lying Doctrin are the very Witches themselves aimed at in the Scriptures that ought not to be suffered to live THE THIRD BOOK SHEWING The vanity of some English VVriters concerning VVitches BOdinus Hyperius Hemingius and other Popish Bloud-suckers mentioned before in the Second Book of this little Treatise having defiled the World with their abominable inventions contrary to the sense and truth of Gods Word their devillish Doctrins being already declared sufficiently to be wholly dissonant to the Word of God yet some of our English Writers who otherwise might seem to have been wise and learned men have defiled their Pens with these groundless Phantastical Doctrins which VVriters are briefly these The first is James Bishop of Winton setting forth three Books called Daemonology in the name and title of the Works of King James and whether the Bishop or the King were the Composer of that Work I stand not to argue which VVorks are collected out of these Popish Writers before mentioned which the Author acknowledgeth in the Preface to his Book where he alledgeth Bodinus Hyperius and Hemingius for confirmation of the truth of the matter contained in his VVorks but not a jot of Scripture is produced in all the VVork if rightly interpreted to prove it to be truth and yet the Author himself confesseth of Bodinus that his Book of Daemonomanie is collected with greater diligence than composed with judgement and truly I wish every wise man that desireth to be resolved in his judgement concerning these Opinions to observe that passage or if he be such a one as can read and search the severall Writers of this subject of Witchcraft let him observe the variety of their Opinions how few of them do agree in one tenent or in their manner of writing by which it is easily concluded that all their traditions are but Phantsies contrary to the sound of Gods Word even as a wise Judge examining several Witnesses of one thing if he findeth not their testimony to agree he concludeth that they compacted together to witness a thing false and truly although wise and learned men have been deluded by these lying inventions yet compare but their Opinions one with another and also with Holy Writ and you shall finde that all their Opinions are but one monstrous Devil striving to get the mastery of the Spirit of truth and whether this Work was either composed by King James or by the Bishop may be very well suspected