euenire vbi non tantum Idololatriae verum diuinationes ficta miracula statim facessunt We see also saith hee this to come to passe in those countries which receiue the Gospell where not onely Idolatrie but all diuinations also or inchauntments and fayned miracles are presently packing away Aretius also that learned divine of Berne hee writeth thus after his knowledge and experience Nullibi enim efficatiùs hic spiritus erroris dominatur quam vbi fidem non reperit vbi carent homines Christivera cognitione vt apud septentrionales populos quod certissimum est argumentum Christianismum vehementer esse passim in 〈◊〉 corruptum cum tot magi incantat ores reperiantur apud nos similiter licet ex doctis nemo reperiatur tameâ— in plebe inter medicos non rara sunt quae arguunt non satis firmiter eos Christo credere Idem dici poterat de his qui tales consulunt c. rogandus est sedulo dominus vt talia scandala aliqâ— ando exterpet ab Ecclesia sua This spirit of errour saith he speaking of magicke and witchcraft beareth rule no where with greater efficacie then where he findeth no faith and where men want the true knowledge of Christ as among the people of the north parts which is a sure argument that Christianitie is euerie where corrupted in popery for that so many magitians and forcerers are found among them and with vs also albeit of the learned there is none such yet of the people and of the Phisitians there are not a few which is a true token that they beleeue not truely in Christ. The like may be said of those men also which consult with such divmers c. wee must therefore earnestly call vpon God to roote out in time such scandals out of his Châ—rch Conclusion I Conclude then of all the former premisses that seeing God hath so ordained his holy ministerie as our best refuge against these euills so opposite to Sathans arts and promised to be of greate strength vnder the Gospell for the confusion of these most detestable enormities The promise also performed in the great fall of Sathans temples oracles by this holy worke of God Againe for that natural men are thus purged freed from Sathan restored to grace in Christ that the deuil hath euermore resisted this holy ordinance with all his might lastly that the common experience of the reformed Churches round about vs testifie the same I conclude therefore I say that Gods pure ministerie is one principall meanes good gift of God for the discouerie confusion and extirpation of the most horrible and detestable sinnes of witchcraft and sorcerie CHAP. II. How carefully wisely and discreetly the godly minister of the Gospel is to vse and bend all his strength labour and wisdome for the discouery of witchcraft and the conuersion of such fearefull sinners if God giue grace vnto true repentance IF the kingdom of Satha â— be so mightie as the holy word of God testifieth vnto vs in sundrie places then it stands men in hand which vndertake to warfare against him that they be welprouided of armour wisdom courage experience many good graces of Gods spirit And as for Sathans streÌ„gth first what reasons may better perswade vs therof then for that the lord calleth him sometimes the god of this world the prince of this world the princes of the darknes of this world him his ministers the prince that ruleth in the ayer angels gouernours c. for certenly hee wants no might courage or wil to destroy any thing in this world when the hedge of God his prouidence is broken before him Secondly his knowledge is woonderfull as the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth vnto vs for he hath now 5000. yeeres experience more Againe he is seene into the causes of most naturall things his ministers are most swift can in a moment descry things farre distant hee is placed in the ayer whence hee hath a most free prospect to viewe most things here vpon earth Again he is singulerly seen in the historie of the holy Scripture Lastly hee is often called for the execution of Gods iustice wherefore it is certen that this old serpent is most strong also in respect of his knowledge as for his arts they are infinite in number haue varied in all ages of this worlde as they might best serue his purpose as these which follow Pyromantiam aeromantiam hydromantiam geomantiam necromantiam coscinomantiam alectryomantiam axinomantiam dactuliomantiam pagomantiam alphitomantiaÌ„ alenromantiam lithomantiaÌ„ daphnomantiam kephaleonomantiaÌ„ kipnomantiaÌ„ rabdomantiam xulomantiam lekanomantiaÌ„ gastromantiam omimanteia such like among the Egyptians Chaldees Babilonians Archadians Indians c. of late yeres they commonly leaue the most of the former specials and practise their ChristolomantiaÌ„ by christall Catoptromantiam by glasses such like inuentions If Sathan then be so mighty so strong so full of knowledge so full of artes then haue the ministers of Gods word that will encounter with him great need of many good graces great strength of Gods spirit if they will worke the confusion of Sathan the discouerie of his artes and the conuersion of such sinners vnto true repentance My poore aduise counsell according to Gods word I humbly offer vnto them on this manner 〈◊〉 that in their pastorall charge and Church of God they be most diligent to publish and preach the word of God as the Apostle teacheth 2. Tim. 4. 2. for this is that light that this enimie most dreadeth as is before shewed instructing with patience and proouing if God will at any time giue this vile kinde of men also repentance that they may know the truth and that they may come to amendment out of the snare of the deuill which are taken of him at his will Secondly they must take beed that the same Worde the same Christ and holy Spirit whose graces they labour to minister and giue vnto others be found also working in themselues For he that hath experience of his owne regeneration can best tell what things are most needfull for the conuersion of others Thirdly they must be carefullie bent to beautifie and adorne their profession with a godly sober and innocent life and heedfullie watch that they fall not into any presumptuous sinnes of disobedience For such men Satan hath entrance into them and if they be possessed of Sathan themselues in soule or body or both then haue they but small streÌ„gth to cast forth the vnclean spirits out of others Here may that sweete martyr of God M. Tindall giue vs a most worthie president for our imitation for that religious and holy man of God with his presence discouered and confounded a famous magitian in Antwerpe in his time
haue often the name of Iesus and of the holy Trinitie they crosse themselues at each worde they vse also certain words of the Cannon of the masse Gloria in excelsis omnis spiritus laudet Dominum à porta inferi credo videre bona Domini c. so farre Bodin They haue vsed also exorcists scratchings many other meanes c. but all in vaine for it is most certen that so seeking to scare away the deuill and his artes from their bodies and their goods he had greater hold and possession of their soules for so doing they prooued his vassals themselues and instruments for the execution of his owne will and pleasure 2. Proposition or Minor That the holy ministerie of Gods word is ordained of God for this purpose wee may see it if aduisedly we consider the Lordes words Deut. 18. 10 11 19 c. Let none be among you that maketh his sonne or his daughter to go through the fire c. thē he addeth the Lord God will raise thee vp a Prophet like vnto me from among you euen of thy brethren vnto him shall yee hearken vers 19. Whosoeuer will not hearken vnto my wordes which hee shall speake in my name I will require it of him Here I say the Lord hath appointed a remedie for the sinnes of witchcraft and sorcerie the ordinarie ministerie of Gods worde published by his Prophets whereunto as many as did hearken that is receiued it with true faith and obedience they were freed from those Sathanicall inuentions named in that place for Sathans rotten mist is so scattered and discouered by the bright beaines and glorious light of Gods word that hee can not long lurke or abide the light of that place and therefore we read that in the darke countries where his arts were professed there did inhabite the most idolatrous nations of al the Gentiles as the Egiptians Chaldeans Indians Persians Cananites as prophane histories together with the booke of God plentifully doe testifie and record vnto vs. 2 Esay maketh the ministerie of Gods word of Sathans arts two professions so opposite that he that forsaketh the one and leaneth vnto the other forsaketh God embraceth the deuill refuseth the liuing seeking the dead reiecteth the law testimonie of god resteth vpon sathanical inuētions lastly hath no light in him but is ful of darknes his words are these When they shal say vnto you enquire at them that haue a spirit of diuination and at the soothsayers which whisper murmure should not a people enquire at their God frō the liuing to the dead to the law and to the testimonie or rather as another saith against the law and the testimonie if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them 3 The Lord God promiseth his Church by the Prophet Zacharie that assoone as the glorious ministerie of the gospell should shine forth among men he wold therby dispel the clouds of ignorance and cut off the names of Idols out of the land that they should no more be remembred and cause the false prophets and the vncleane spirit to depart out of the land And that this was performed generally in all places wheresoeuer the powerfull ministerie of the glorious Gospel was purely receiued Ecclesiasticall histories doe testifie for times past and common experience can prooue for time present as afterward shal be shewed 2. Argument Looke by what meanes all vncleane spirits are driuen out of naturall men by the same good meanes may the spirits of sorcerie be descried confounded and cast foorth But Iesus Christ the great Lord that is stronger then that strong man worketh the first by his blessed word and spirit Ergo the second 2. Proposition or Assumption THe Apostle cōfirming the Authority of his ministery against false teachers in Corinth sheweth it to be glorious First from the efficient cause therof which was God himselfe 2. from the effects thereof which were these First for that it was able to cast down holdes meaning all the munitions of Sathan and carnall men 2. all carnall wisdome 3. all high thinges that are exalted against the knowledge of God 4 for that it is able to bring into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ. 5. and lastly from a vengeance that is an ordinarie consequent foreuer vnto the contempt of that ministerie If that ministerie be so powerfull therfore to cast out Sathan out of naturall men and to worke in them the greatest worke vnder heauen the work of regeneration by the immortall seede that it soweth abroad into mens hearts it is most certen that it may confound all artes and delusions of deuills in all sorts of men but some will not beleeue what the Scripture speaketh most clearely that Sathan so possesseth naturally men and worketh in them as Paule speaketh let such therefore listen what an auncient learned man speaketh of this point on this manner Daemonibus est super omnia genera tormentorum super omnes poenas si quem videant verbo Die operam dare scientiam diuinae legis mysteria Scripturarum intentis studijs per quirentem in hoc eorum omnis flamma est in hoc vruntur incendio possident enim omnes qui versantur in ignorantia Vnto the deuills it is a torment aboue all kindes of torments and a paine aboue all paines if they see any man reading the worde of God and with feruent studie searching the knowledge of Gods lawe and the mysteries and secrets of Scriptures herein standeth all the flame of the deuills in this fire they are tormented for they are seased and possessed of all them that remaine in ignorance 3. Argument That thing which Sathan most dreadeth most repugneth most persecuteth with all his artes and instruments worketh no dout most his ouerthrow discouerie and confusion in all this worlde Sathan hath euer withstood and feared the ministerie of the Gospel and persecuted all the ministers and professors thereof with all his might c. Therefore this is an especiall meanes and gift of God for to discouer his artes to cast downe his kingdome and to confound him all his practises The 2. Proposition or Assumption LVke 22. 31 32. Our Sauiour saith to his Apostles before his Passion Sathan desireth to winnow you as wheat this he did because the saw they were called and ordained for the great work of the Gospel the ouerthrow of his kingdome and the enlarging of Christes kingdome 1. Thess. 2. 18. We would haue come vnto you I Paule at least once or twise but Sathan hindred vs. Wherefore did Sathan hinder Paule Syluanus and Tymotheus from comming to Thessalonica by the Iewes his Limmes and those wicked vagabonds of that citie because hee feared by their ministerie some ouerthrowe of his kingdome and some grouth of Christes Church And wherefore doeth Sathan suffer naturall men to be so
of God put vnder a bushell and contemned immediately Sathan thrust into the kingdome idolatrie and witchcraft which continued in that land vnto Hosheas time vnder whome these sinnes brought destruction vnto the kingdome of Israel as it is written 2. King 17. where the holy Ghost rehearsing the sinnes of Ieroboam and his successors vnto Hosheas time and shewing the iust causes of the destruction of that kingdome he concludeth on this manner 1. Finally they left all the commaundements of the Lord their God 2. they made them molten images euen two calues and made a groue and worshipped all the host of heauen and serued Baal 3. They made their sonnes and daughters passe through the fire and vsed witchcraft and inchauntments yea sould them selues to doe euill in the sight of the Lord to anger him The same euills came in like manner vpon the kingdome of Iudah for the contempt of Gods word his religion his Prophets and his ministerie as vnder Manasseh of whome it is saide hee went backe that is from all good thinges which his father did and then followeth this sinne vers 6. Hee caused his sonnes to passe through fire and gaue him selfe to witchcrafte and â—orcerie and hee vsed them that bad familiar spirites and were soothsaiers did much euill in the sight of the Lord to anger him And the lord assureth vs that these sinnes of this maÌ„ were the cause of the destruction also of this kingdom of Iudah for thus it is written Surely by the commandement of the Lord came vpon this Iudah that he might put them out of his sight for the sinnes of Manasseth according to all that hee did And thus like as we haue seene that when good kings Iudges and Magistrates gouerned the Church of the Iewes were carefull to preserue a pure ministerie pure religion the sacred Scriptures among them these Sathanical artes of magick sorcerie and such like abhominations were soone banished that lande so likewise in all Christendom both before poperie began to darken the face of Gods Church after that rotten mist in sundrie places had vanished was scattered by the beams of the Gospel this Sathanicall kinigdome was cast down his ministers confounded his delusions were continually discouered Wherfore I conclude thus with Bodin Beatus est populus cui sapientes moderatores boni magistratus bonipastores pâ—aesunt qui benè institunnt ipsum non sunt in eomalignâ— spiritus diu habituri sedem Blessedis that people ouer whom wise gouernours good magistrates and godly pastors are placed which doe well instruct and gouerne them euill spirits are not like to haue any long aboad or continuance in that place CHAP. IIII. What the Christian Iudges and Magistrates haue done and may doe for the discouerie and extirpation of Witchcraft FIrst if any man doe imagine that I purpose in this place to frame any speech counsell or direction for the Honourable wise Iudges and Magistrates of the land how to proceede in iustice against these abhominations let such vnderstand that I meane no such thing for their Honours c. are wise I know right well to see into these euills willing with all diligence to discouer them God I trust will more and more inflame their hearts with such measure of the loue of his glorie and the saluation of his Saints that they will most carefully redresse them where when they finde them Againe I confesse my selfe to be moste vnexpert and vnacquainted with their profession Notwithstanding it may be in some sort lawfull for me and most expedient for this cause in haÌ„d to teach others in sober maner rudely as I can what magistrates are wherefore ordained of God how they haue done may do to preuent discouer confound these abominations wherfore I hope I shal giue no iust cause of offence vnto any but an occasion rather vnto some to remember in what place the Lord hath set ouer vs these honourable iudges and magistrates to batter and beat downe our common enemy his kingdome and all his Inuentions and munition which he daily practiseth for the destruction of our bodies soules and therefore I offer to al men good cause to coÌ„mend theÌ„ to God most earnestly in their praiers The magistrates saith the Lord must be men of courage men fearing god men dealing truly meÌ„ hating couetousnes for they supply after a sort Gods own place resemble his maiestie therfore are often called Gods in scripture a name of great importaÌ„ce Fathers Pastors in the Prophets in sundry places And Solomon saith that when kings raigne counsellers decree righteouslie when Princes beare principality the iudges of the earth execute iudgement it is Gods good will his own worke good pleasure And for this cause Moses Iehosaphat said to the iudges whom they appointed in euery seuerall city that they shoulde sit in iudgement not for man but for God Againe all authours ecclesiasticall prophane agree with the word of God affirming that their office is extended to both the tables of the law most ecclesiasticall writers call them cust odes vtriusque tabulae preseruers keepers of hoth the tables of Gods law the very heathens for nulla gens sine lege sine rege sine Deo all nations haue their king their law their God the heathens I say in making lawes they haue alway begon at religion and the worship of god so proceed to politick lawes and lastly commend all their lawes and religion to the care and custody of their Princes Iudges magistrates and gouernours And the good gouerners kings princes magistrates in the Church of God haue euer had their first principal care to maintaine defend the laws of the first table of God that is the religioÌ„ the seruice the word the honor glorie of God for so God coÌ„mandeth the forenamed holy princes Moses Dauid Hezekiah Iosiah lehosaphat and others haue so done as we haue partly before shewed for they accounted themselues Gods vicegerents here on earth and thereefore they were most mindfull of his glorie Among al other sinnes of the first table there is none more horrible more fearfull that more dishonoureth God impareth his glory then the most detestable sins of magike and sorcerie wherfore I may conclude that it is the duty of al Christian princes iudges and magistrates to bend all the powers of their mindes most religiousâ—ie and carefully for the discouerie seuere punishment of all the practisioners and fauoures of all Sathanicall magick and deuilish diuinations Such men therfore as forbid the honourable iudges magistrates c. to intermeddle or comber themselues in the behalfe of Gods glorie the good state of Gods Church in the discouerie of these deuilish practises of Satan and his ministers they do as much as in them lyeth resist Gods glory prophane his seruice set vp Satan
reade and vnderstand them the Law of God is this You shall not regard them that worke with spirits neither soothsayers yea shal not seeke them to be defiled by them I am the Lord the God Againe anon after to make the greatnes of this sinne the better to appeare he repeateth the same wordes in more fearefull manner If any turne after such as worke with spirites and after soothsayers to goe a whoaring after them then will I set my face against that person and will cut him of from his people And againe that God people might be sufficiently warned they haue a third charge against this sinne in Deut. 18. where they are commaunded in all there necessities to seeke vnto God and the ministerie of his worde which place Es. commendeth to the Church of his time on this manner VVhen they shall say vnto you enquire at them that haue a spirite of diuination and at the soothsaiers which whisper and murmur should not a people enquire at their God from the liuing to the dead to the law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this worde it is because there is no light in them And thus Mysodaemon the Lord hath most louingly warned and most sharply charged his people to auoyde this sinne Mysodaemon But some vnderstand the Law of God Theophilus as the Emperours ciuill Law expoundeth it Eorum est scientia punienda c. qui magicis artibus contra salutem hominum c. nullis verò criminibus implicanda suntremedia humanis quaesita corporibus Hereby it is manifest that hurtfull magitians and witches which kill and hurt mens bodies and goods are onely to be auoyded and so they doe amongst vs but such of these practitioners as can and will cure the sicke finde thinges loste haue a good neere gesse in praedictions are not in any wise to be blamed saieth this Lawe and therefore these are often sought after in necessities vnto this day and they seeme to doe no man harme but much good and they speake the very truth often and men will doe much Theophilus in extremities Theophilus First for that Lawe it is a moste wicked and prophane law and if it be one of Constantines constitutions it was published no doubt before his conuersion to the faith and as for the good that miserable men receiue of the sorcerers assure thy selfe Mysodaemon the more they seeme to benefite mens bodies the more harme they doe both soule and bodie for who would receiue gold at an enemies hande without feare and good assurance for his safetie and is not Sathan the bloodiest enemie that man hath liuing and lastly where as they would be credited for their trueth one counselleth vs in these wordes Si vera quandoque dixerint non ideo credendum eis sed imitare Christum qui reprehendebat damones quamvis vocitarent ipsum filium Dei Albeit witches speake trueth nowe and then wee must not therefore beleeve them but followe thou Christ saith he who reprehended the deuills when they named him often the very Sonne of God And because wee be impatient in extremities he addeth St non illico sentis auxilium divinum quid tum patientia opus est If in thy great necessities thou findest not present helpe from God what then thou muste vse patience Mysodaemon And how doeth God wame vs of this sinne by examples Theophilus Thou maiest finde a multitude of examples which God layeth before vs in the Scripture by them to reclaime vs from this sinne but I will here name but Saule onely hee alone can teach all men vvith vvhat coardes of sinne all these witchmakers are fettered aboute and howe that they are in trueth most prophane in life and Athistes in religion for first hee had reiected the worde of God in heart and all sincere obedience thereunto 1. Sam. 15. 23. Againe hee was a very murderer for howe often sought hee to murder David and rested not till hee had slaine a great number of the moste religious and innocent Priestes of the lande 1. Sam. 22. 18. And hee was also a verie hypocrite in profession 1. Sam. 26. 21. Vnto all these sinnes hee added this fearefull contempt of GOD 1. Chron. 10. 13. Hee asked counsell of a familiar spirite and in the ende in great desperation he murdered him selfe 1. Sam. 31. 4. Mysodaemon But thinke you that al these sinners are as wicked or any thing like that desperate Saule Theophilus I will not say that the measure of their sinnes is growne to that height that his was but that they be most blinde in their mindes and wicked in their liues experience deilie tellethvs For who but Papistes and rebellious Athistes ride and goe dailie to this market And vnto such God doeth iustly sende strong delusions that they should beleeue lyes that they might be damned because they beleeued not the trueth but had such pleasure in vnrighteousnes Mysodaemon Surely the greater part of them which make this trafficke with witches haue in deede but a small deale of any good religion but these were Gentiles and therefore were worthelie plagued for infinite more sinnes let me heare howe God punished this sinne among his owne people Theophilus Farre more fearefully for whereas the Lorde loued them aboue all nations vnder heauen this sinne was one of the principall causes of that long diuorcement which was betweene him and that people for the Prophet saith Surely thou hast for saken thy people the house of Iacob because they are full of the East manners and are sorcerers as the Philistines and abound with strange children And of the destruction of both the kingdoms of Israel and Iudah 1. Of Israel 2. King 17. 17. They made their sonnes and daughters to passe through the fire and vsed witchcraft and inchauntments c. therefore the Lord was wroth with Israel and put them out of his sight 2. Of Iudah 2. King 24. 3. Surely the commaundement of the Lord came vpon Iudah that he might put them out of his sight Propter peccata similia ijs quae fecerat Manasche For sinnes like vnto those which Manasses committed and his sinnes are numbred 2. King 21. 6. He caused his sonnes to passe through the fire he gaue him selfe to witchcraft and vsed them that had familiar spirites and were soothsayers c. Achaziah would not enquire of Gods word but sought after the god of Ekron in his extremities 2. King 13. 16. Maxentius in like manner the Romane Emperour consulted with his witches before his destruction and so did the vnhappie Iulian and they had both an vnhappie end Mysodaemon Surely the Lord I see hath giuen vs in these daies more testimonies of his hatred against this sinne then hee did the old Church for all these examples iudgements are written as the Apostle speaketh for our learning therfore such in these times as commit spirituall whoredom with Sathan are worthie to drinke more deepely of the cup of the
there M. Foxe hath recorded it as followeth There was at Answerpe on a time amongst a companie of marchants as they were at supper a certaine Iugler which through his diabolicall inchantments or arte magicall would fetch all kindes of viands and wine from any place they would and set it vpon the table incontinent before them with many other such like things the fame of this Iuggler being much talked of it chanced that as M. Tindall heard of it he desired certaine of the marchants that he might be also present at supper to see him play his partes to be breefe the supper was appointed and the marchants with Tyndall were there present Then the Iuggler being required to play his feates and to shewe his cunning after his wonted boldnes began to vtter all that he could doe but all was in vaine at the last with his labour sweating and toyling when he saw that nothing would go forward but that all his inchantments were voide he was compelled openly to confesse that there was some man present which disturbed and letted all his doings So farre Master Foxe Fourthly they must also be such men as can speake wisely can mightely and talke familiarlie as men well acquainted with God in their praiers For praier is an especiall meanes appointed of Christ for this purpose And S. Iames saith that the prayer of a righteous man such as the minister of god must be auaileth much if it be feruent By praier Astirius a noble Christian at Caesarea Philippi bewraied and confounded Satan with all his magicall delusions Anno Christi 261. And to the end that their praier may be the more serueÌ„t peirce the verie heauens and the cloudes vnto God and effectuall for this purpose our Sauiour commandeth to ioyne true fasting vnto praier Mat. 17. 21. the same say the Apostles where they mention our conflict with Satan and S. Paul chargeth ministers by his example that they beat down their bodies and bring them to subiection least by any meanes after they haue preached to others they themselues should be reprooued They must be carefull with as great reuerence to minister the holy sacraments of Iesus Christ according to our Lords own most holy institution here they must not without choise or regard hand ouer head confusedly suffer impenitent knowne sinners to be partakers with the saints of God of the holy misteries M. Calvin teacheth this in these words for it is most true saith he that he to whome the distribution of it meaning the holy supper is committed if he wittinglie and willingly admit an vnworthie man whome he might lawfullie put back is as guiltie of sacriledge as if he did giue abroad the Lords bodie to dogs Wherefore Chrysostom griuouslie inuâ—ieth against those Pastors which while they feare the power of great men dare debarre no man The blood saieth hee shall bee required at your handes if yee feare man ye shall be laughed to scrorne but if ye feare God yee shall be reuerenced also among men let vs not fearemaces nor purple nor crownes we haue here a greater power In putting back offenders they must remember the distinction betweene publique and priuate sinnes publique are those that haue not onely one or two witnesses but are committed openly and with the offence of the whole Church priuate or secret are these not which are altogether hidden from men as the sinnes of hipocrites for these come not into the iudgement of the Church but those of the meane kind which are not without witnesses and yet are not publique In this dutifull vigilancie and examination if he find out in his Church or congregation anie of the forenamed sinners witches wizardes sorcerers or fauourers of such abomination or that seek helpe at such in their necessities he is to deale most circumspectly and faithfully most warily and wisely least he admit any such to prophane the holie table and supper of our Lord Iesus Christ. And among this sort of sinners hee must also wisely distinguish first betweene such as are onely suspected to be such sinners and those which are manifestly knowne practisioners of such arts and sciences 2. betweene those which practise there artes for the benefit and good of othert as they pretend and those which vse their in chantments for the hurt and dammage of others as they professe and confesse The weaker sort and the first kind the Pastors must labour with all exhortations prayers c. for their conuersion and for that they pretend loue they must vnderstand that this is an Apostolicall canon we must not doe euill that good may come of it and that no action that wanteth the warrant of Gods worde can haue anie godlines or goodnes in it and that nothing can profite the bodie that killeth or destroieth the soule so as all these execrable artes doe and they must be tolde also what a horrible abhomination their sinne is before god what a prophanation of his blessed name what an Apostacie from God and how they haue vtterly renounced God and betaken themselues slaues and vassals to the deuil how lightly soeuer they doe regard it If any such be sory and begin to shew any tokens of true repentance which either haue sought vnto or practised any sorcerie or the worship of deuils as Iohn saith they must be wisely informed and comforted for that Iesus Christ can and will cast forth the vncleane spirit if in trueth of heart with weeping fasting mourning he be sought vnto by repentance And such must bee also by the vigilant pastor warchfullie ouerseene for if he fall againe to his olde vomite let him remember the wordes of our Lord Iesus the ende of that man is worse then the beginning And of the holie Apostle for if they after they haue escaped from the filthines of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and of the Sauiour Iesus Christ are yet intangled againe therein and ouercome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning And as for the other open practisioners of these Sathanicall sciences assoone as the good minister by his godly and watchfull diligence and by the holy ministerie of Gods worde sacraments hath detected descried and discouered them he must vse no lesse care and labour that his congregation may be purged of such impes of Satan and that his ministrie be not hindred his people infected c. to bring them to the publique censures of the Church and so to the ciuill magistrate that these wretched men may with some greater torments if God so please â—ome to repentance that so they may be saued Thus doing and labouring faithfully and vigilantly in this holy function such godly Pastors shall make their ministrie fullie known as the Apostle commaÌ„deth and shall be seene that they profit among all men and continuing in this blessed state shall so doing both saue themselues and them that heare them And so much for
for their God his arts for Gods word would haue Athisme to come in place of pure religion Wherfore if they erre of ignorance they erre dangerously against the very foundation of Christian religion if they erre of malice they are the very imps limmes of Satan and seeing that they seeme to turne such honourable personages from faith and religion and from true obedience vnto the worde of the Lord as Elimas the sorcerer sought to turne Sergius Paulus that prudent man when he desired to heare the word of God from the faith let them vnderstand that Paul may thunder more iustly against them professing Christianity in the Church as he did against that vile Pagan sorcerer in this maner O full of all subtiltie all mischiefe the child of the deuill and enimy of all righteousnes wilt thou not cease to peruert the straight waies of the Lord The ground and the mother of all good lawes is the law of god and all other lawes do giue attendance therupon and haue their being to this end to keep and preserue the holy lawes of God inuiolable and if they want this scope as the learned say they are vnnecessary in the Church or common wealth The lawes of god are most sharp against this sinne and punish it with death as all other sinnes of the first table were punished the words of the lawe are these Exod. 20. 18. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to liue Againe Lev. 20. 27. if a man or a woman haue a spirit of diuination or sooth saying in them they shall dye the death they shall stone them to death their blood shall be vpon them Againe Deut. 18. 10 11. many kinds of magitians are numbred which the Lorde straightly chargeth should not be left to liue in the land These lawes of God did the forenamed godly kings their iudges rulers and magistrates most religiousllie and zealouslie obey and put in practise and wherfore Christian princes iudges c. ought not with greater care loue zeale religion do the same vnder the gospel no man liuing shal euer be able with any sensible reason to prooue vnto vs. Wherfore such iudges as are so sharp sighted in the lighter sinnes of the 2. table and as it were blind in the disobedience of the first are as M. Beza Danaeus Bodin say truly great conteÌ„ners of God theÌ„selues therefore the greater account shall they make Bodin coÌ„plaineth in these wordes Equidem saepe miratus sum cur à multis principib quaestiones institutae iudices extra ordinem dati delegatique fierent in fures quaestores aerarios faeneratores viaruÌ„ obsessores per quos tamen turpissima summè horrenda impiaque magoruÌ„ facta manserunt impunita This lawyer as you see wondreth at the custome of some countries where he knoweth the iudges and magistrates are very sharp against theeues robbers vsurers and such like common sinnes but to passe ouer the most horrible sinnes of sorcerie vnpunished M. Beza also complaineth against this negligence in magistrates as we haue before shewed Danaeus saith that to make lawes doth belong appertain to kings princes notwithstanding he wisheth albeit lawes might seem to be waÌ„ting that the honourable iudges magistrates c. would punish magitians sorcerers for sundry other sorts of sin which they do impiously commit Bodin numbreth their sinnes in this order First they renounce God and all true religion 2. they blaspheme prouoke his diuine maiesty with vnspeakable contempt 3. they beleeue in the deuill adore him sacrifice vnto him 4. they offer their children vnto deuils 5. they sweare vnto Satan promise to bring as many as they can vnto his seruice professioÌ„ 6. they inuocate Satan in their praiers sweare by his name 7. they commit incestuous adulteries for Satan telleth theÌ„ that none can proue a perfect magitian or sorcerer but such a one as is of the father the daughter or the mother the son whereupon Catullus wrote these verses Nam magus ex matre gnato gignatur oportet Si vera est Persarum impia religio The right magitian by the sonne of mother is begotte Sayth Persian faith if that be true t is Satans birde I wotte 8. They coÌ„mit horrible murders kil yong infants 9. al sorcerers for the most part exercise poison to kill with poison is far more heinous then simple murder for so the law speaketh grauius est occidere veneno quam ferro 10. they kill mens cattel c. 11. lastly the witches as themselues confesse coÌ„mit abominatioÌ„s filthines with their deuils when they ly with their husbands Aug. saith that to denie this is great impudency These sinnes here named euery one eueÌ„ the lest deserueth a most exquisite death as can be deuised for all such sinners are coÌ„manded to be stoned to death which kinde of death was a most dreadful death among the Iews And surely it is well known by common experience that al professed sorcerers c. are guiltie of many most monstrous impieties for this cause the law saith simply Mechasephath Lo tichieth let not a witch liue expressing vnto vs how expedient it is that iustice be speedily exercised against these vile kind of men And thus far I thought good to shew how wise and religious magistrates haue doe and may proceed against the discouery of the most horrible and detestable sinnes of witchcraft or â—â—â—ery not for that I can or would teach any our honourable wise learneâ— magistrates their duties in this pointe but to let the common sort of Christians see what the lawe of God commandeth and what diligence good Magistrates haue vsed in elder times against these euils Wherefore if we which professe Christ Iesus in this cleare Sunne shine of the gospell be found more remisse colde backward in performing these duties to God and his Church that I may say more we seeme to come to farre behind those noble presidents in the loue of 〈◊〉 hatred of sinne and behinde I feare if wee so persist shall wee come â—nto the kingdome efheauen To conclude therefore let vs all as many as haue the place of inferiours in this Christian common wealth pray mightely vnto God so to illuminate our superiours the wise and honourable magistrates our godly learned ministers with his holy word to know his will and so to enflame their hearts with his holy spirit that they may moste diligently put the same in practise as for the discouery confusion extirpation of al sinnes so more particularly most carefully of these most horrible dreadfull detestable sinnes of witchcraft and sorcery c. that so God may be purely worshipped his saints comforted his greatest enemies either conuerted to their good or confounded with their deuills to their endlesse shame and confusion So be it Vnto the King euerlasting immortall inuisible vnto