worship detaine men in wil-worship and all profanenesse to the ruine of soule and body CHAP. II. A second generall vse is for Instruction That first wee would leaue to auoyd the Causes of Witch-craft Which are 1. Ignoraunce 2. Infidelitie 3. Malice 4. Couetousnesse 5. Curiositie c. 6. Pride c. Concerning Ignorance of GOD. THat this is a cause of Witch-craft appeareth Because through the Ignorance that is in vs we are led captiue by Sathan at his pleasure as being subiect iustly to his strong delusions because we haue not receiued the Loue of the Truth because wee know not whom to worship how to worship God a right therefore doth the God of this world blind vsbecause the Gospel is hid from vs. 2. Cor. 4. 5 6. And doth not Witch-craft vsually preuaile when either there is no meanes for knowledge or else the Truth of God is detayned in vnrighteousnesse and so for our disobedience wee are iustly giuen vp to such Delusions remember what hath formerly beene obserued to this end The Remedie thereof is 1. To haue the word of God dwell plentifully among vs both in the Publike ordinances of the Preaching and Expounding thereof as also in the Priuate Reading conferring of the same in our Families 2. To haue the Power thereof to Rule vs in all our wayes To yeelde obedience thereunto to hearken to this voyce alone and to cleaue therevnto constantly Endeuouring so to walke as we haue receiued Christ Iesus Col. 2. 4. And to be daily cast into the mould thereof 2. Cor. 3. CHAP. III. Touching Infidelitie THat this is also a Cause of this fearefull Iudgement appeareth 1. Because by vnbeliefe we lye open to Satans power 1. Pet. 5. 8 9. 2. Through vnbeliefe in God we are brought to beleeue in him to embrace and adore him as the God of this world 2. Cor. 4 5 6. 3. Hereby wee prouoke the Iust Lord to leaue vs to his power to be insnared of him in all deceiueablenes of Error and damnable Impietie 4. This is the speciall bond whereby Satan tyes his Proselites vnto him and they that seeke help from them they must beleeue that they can helpe them c. And therefore the Remedie thereof is 1. As to learne to know God in Iesus Christ. Ioh. 17. 2. 2. To labour aboue all things to be found in Christ Iesus Psal. 3. 10. 1. By seeing our selues in our selues to be vtterly lost by the Law Rom. 7. 2. And feeling our state to be most desperate and irrecouerable 3. Groane we earnestly vnder the burden thereof Matth. 11. 28. 4. And hunger wee after Iâ—sus Christ to be eased thereof Matth. 5. 5. Seeking vnto him in his blessed and precious promises to bee eased of our sinnes 6. Meditating seriously on the power and vertue of his Sacrifice which he hath offered for our sinne 7. And applying the same to our particular soares and diseases 8. Resting in Iesus Christ alone as our onely and sufficient Sauiour 9. And reioycing in him aboue all the treasures in the world as in the most precious Pearle Matth. 13. 10. Labouring to approue our loue vnto Iesus Christ. 1. By forsaking all things for his sake our beloued sâ—nne yea if it be required euen life and all Matth. 19. 2. Being ready to take vp his Crosse and follow him Matth. 16. 2â— 3. Denying still our owne wisedome and righteousnesse that wee may bee found in him 1. Cor. 3. 18. 4. And for thy sake louing the brethren 1. Plucking them out of the fire 2. And exhorting each other daily waiting with great patience their Conuersion and maintaining the Fellowship with all meekenesse of wisedome and holinesse of Conuersation 2. Tim. 2. 2. In all Constancie and Patience working out our saluation Phi. 2. 12. CHAP. 4. As for Malice THat this is an occasion of Witchcraft Apppeareth 1. Because 1. Depriueth vs of the Loue of God and so causing the Lord to hate vs wee are giuen vp to this damnable practise The rather because it is both a present and effectuall meanes as wee thinke to execute the vtmost of our reuenge and it is also a most daungegerous meanes to colour our Malice while it so bringeth it about that partly for Feare wee are forced to relieue such Instruments that they may doe vs no harme and wee are drawne to seeke helpe from them in our extremities whereby their Malice being concealed is more increased and beeing often disappoynted by Satan is more inflamed sealing vp to these cursed Captiues their eternall damnation and hastning hereby the vengeaunce of the LORD vpon them both in the Pining of their bodyes by this their confounded Malice and prouoaking them to maligne GOD the more the more they are disappoynted whereby his wrath is more kindled against them they are hereby more eager vpon Satan to execute their rage more deepely obliged vnto them by new imployments and at length more desperately confounded by him in their detection and punishments Learne wee therefore to remedie this sinne Thus 1. Labour wee to haue the loue of Christ shed abroad in our hearts that so for his sake wee may loue one another 2. And consider we That vengeanee belongeth vnto God hee is able to right our wrongs he is onely for to doe it 3. Consider wee not so much what hurt may arise from the Creature as what good may redound vnto vs thereby and whether wee receiue not daily good from the hands of our God sufficiently to counteruaile the euill of the Creature Whether our GOD â—ee not able to recompence any euill from the Creature whatsoeuer Whither hee cannot turne it to our great good 4. Giue we not way to the least passion of anger or discontent least our yeelding to these passions draw our confirmed malice 5. And be we wise to set bounds to our vnreasonable desires least being not satisfied therein we breake out to enuie and so to malice others 6. Especially labour wee to apprehend the fauour of God in Iesus Christ that so being at peace with his Maiestie and gayning true content 〈◊〉 in our estates we may possesse our sâ—â—les in patience and maintaine the Vâ—… of the Spirit in the bond of peace 7. And Practise wee especially the Loue of our enemies striue we to ouercome euill with good to forgiue our enemies to pray for them c 8. Enuring our selues to beare afflictions 9. And weauing our soules from the loue of the world 10. Still endeauouring to make euen with our God and to be prepared against the comming of Iesus Christ. CHAP. V. A fourth Cause of Witch-craft is Couetousnesse 1 A As excluding through distrustfull and insatiable desires the protection of the Almighty 2. Exposing to desperate contempt of the Word in all fearefull impietie 3. Hereby enraging and prouoking the Conscience to iust reuenge 4. Whereby despayre seasing on the soule is become hereby a praye vnto Satan vpon hope of present release 5. Being forced by
Witches power Doth not this exalt her in the place of God prouoke the people to feare and loue her c 2 And seeing the hurt appeareth onely by his cunning to be done to the bodie doth not this nourish the people in this Atheisme that either their soules are in no danger all is well with them or they neede not trouble themselues thereabout seeing the diuel doth not trouble them nay doth not this nourish this conceit in their mindes that they haue no soules or else that they are mortall they end with this life and therefore vse all meanes for the maintenance hereof and then care is taken sufficiently 3 Doth not this conuince the Atheist that dreames of Generall Grace All shall be saued seeing by this Doctrine and Practise of Witch-craft It is now apparant That not onely naturally we are the bondstaâ—es of Satan but that many purposely yeelde vp themselues to his cursed will renounce their saluation to become his slaues binde themselues to eternall damnation and so are made oft-times fearefull spectacles of the Diuine vengeance being carried away by the diuell and haled violently to destruction 4 Doth not this iustly confound that common delusion That there is no hell but to be in debt in prison c. Doth not this conuince such as liue in that profane and fearefull manner as if there were no God to Iudge them no diuell to torment them Do not their desperate courses plainely discouer to whom they doe belong Are they not of their father the Diuell because his workes they doe are they not running headlong to Hell by their desperate impenitencie doth their damnation sleepe that so turne the grace of God into wantonnesse Hath not the god of this world blinded them that they cannot obey the truth Are they not appoynted to perdition that thâ—s crucifie the Lord of 〈◊〉 Is there any more sacrifice left for sinne for such but euen violent 〈◊〉 to consume the aduersaries Heâ—… cha 10. 26. 27. Iude verse 4. Iohn chap. 8. 44. SECTIO VIII It is a plaine conuiction of the contempt of the Word FOr as the Lord when Pharaoh would not beleeue his seruant Moses did therefore giue him vp to be deluded by his Sorcerers and Enchanters who dooing such wonders in shew as Moses did in trueth did thereby harden Pharaohs heart and so ripened his sinne and iniquity euen so it is iust with God because we despise his Word and contemne his true Prophets therefore to leaue the common people generally to bee hardned by such fained wonders as the prophets of Sathan make shew of in the world that they might bee effectuall to encrease transgressions against the Lord and so to ripen them to the day of vengeance Thus did the Lord giue vp Saul for his disobedience and contempt of the Word to seeke vnto Witchcraft 1. Sam. 28. Whereby hee ripened his sinne and drew on speedy vengeance vpon himselfe and Gods People for his sake 2. Sam. 29. Thus was Ahaziah left to seeke helpe of the god of Ekron that so he might receiue of the Lord the Sentence of his destruction 〈◊〉 Reg. 2. SECTIO III. Of Reproofe IT reprooueth the Idolatrie and false worship of the Times conuincing the falshoode and abomination of Poperâ—â— and iustifying the truth and vertue of the Gospel of Iesus Christ. As that first where superstitâ—… raignes and is not yet weeded out there wee see Witch-craft to be magnified and so to abound as in the Orcades among the Heathen But where the Gospel hath got foâ—ting there all vncleane spirites depart grosse Witch-craft is banished Authoritie preuaileth to the rooting out thereof the Word preuaileth to heale our infidelitie and so secure vs from their dangerous snares And yet which is to be lamented wee see the Good Witch still to get ground euen because she helpes and satisfies the flesh doth not this argue plainely what God we worship principally euen our pleasure our riches our health Is not the Good Witch respected because she supplies these And is not our belly then our god the wedge of golde our hope Doe wee not for our owne sakes respect the Blesser Is it not a plaine worship yea Idolatrie which we commit with her SECTIO IIII. It condemneth the grosse profanenesse and disobedience of the Ages present 1 IN that the Infernall spirites are more obseruant and diligent for the hurt of the soule then we are for the saluation thereof they are compassing continually omitting no base offices to serue their Mistresse turnes 2 The aboundance of Witches the horrible sottishnesse and wilfulnesse of the people which runne to these Blessers that are giuen vp by God the Lord to forsake the true meanes of their saluation and fly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 helpes doth not this plainely argâ—e the general disobedience of the people and therefore because they 〈◊〉 ceiue not the loue of the truth therefore God hath left them to these strong delusions to beleeue lies as in the second epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians in the second chapter and eleuen verse Surely as the Lord gaue vp Saul to a spirite of Errour to bee tormented and mis-guyded thereby because hee forsooke the euerliuing Lord and disobeyed his Prophets So is it iust with Almightie GOD to giue vp the people to be besotted with this iudgement euen because they haue detayned the trueth of God in vnrighteousnesse and reproached the same by their profane and most abhominable conuersation SECTIO V. Reproofe of Hypocrisie IT reprooueth the Hypocrisie and fearefull Dissâ—…ulation that raignes euen among professors And that first as Sathan pretends subiection to the Coniurer and Sorcerer when indeede his purpose is to bee Maisten of all Euen so the Hypocrite howsoeuer he pretend subiection to the Lord yet his purpose is to serue his owne lusts to aduaunce himselfe aboue all that is called God to bring men into bondage to smite them 〈◊〉 the face 〈◊〉 Cor. 11. 2. Thess. 〈◊〉 12. 2 As Satan pretends many things to be done by the Witch which indeede are done by himselfe that he may bring the Witch into danger abuse others by her and conceale his wickednesse more cunningly euen so doth the Hypocrite father much vpon God which is but the deuice of his owne braine And doth not this plainely conuince the hypocrisie of the Tâ—â—es that whereas the Good Witch is farre more dangerous then the Bad yet because the Blesser helpes and serues turne to maintayne life c. therefore shee must escape whereas the Bad Witch because she is hurtfull therefore she must bee punished Doth not this argue that not for conscience sake but for our owne respects Iustice is executed Sathans power is oppugned And doth not Sathan when hee pretends to doe most good then doe most hurt surely so doth the hypocrite vnder colour of long prayers denoure widowes houses Euen as the Blesser vnder pretence of Good prayers enthralleth the soule so doth the hypocrite by pretence of formall prayers and bodily
not contenting it selfe with Common knowledge is prouoked hereby to taste of the forbidden fruit euen to diâ—e into secrets belonging onely vnto God to foreknow things to come and so to gaine some high and diuine esteeme in declaring of them And doth not Art giue some colour and shew heerevnto as yeelding out of generall precedences of the coniunctions and motions of heauenly Bodies some probable coniectures concerning the motion successe of these inferiour things And doth not Satan most cunningly and dangerously shroud himselfe vnder this Art as concluding particular certainties out of generall probabilities and coniectures which the curious Student coueting after as being ashamed to stagger in his skill while he cannot therefore finde this in his Art is therefore the-rather baited by Satan to seeke this skill from him who will not now faile to tender his helpe for the satisfying of proud curiositie and that by such meanes as are not likely to bee refused For whereas flesh and bloud would bee afraid to encounter Satan in his owne likenesse at the first vnlesse it were further deluded and hardned in the Trade therefore behold the dangerous cunning of Satan to entice these nouices to his lure and that by the appearance of contrarie semblance To this end he appeares first transformed into an Angell of Light pretending his willing subiection to certaine idle and worthlesse Characters and Names of God whereby he deceiues his nouices two waies First in making them beleeuethat this Art is approued of God in that it goes vnder his name 2 That it is also performed by the power of God as whose name is the ground of the charmes and therefore shall haue good successe 3 And that not onely in the thing attempted but also to the party attempting the same as hauing speciall fauor with God hauing the Lord as it were at his becke being made of Gods secret counsell being as God knowing things to come For the further confirmation of this delusion behold in this point another pollicie of Satan that whereas man through pride desires Soueraignety Dominion therfore now in the second Place Satan offers himselfe vnto this Nouice as a Slaue and Vassaile seeming to be commanded by him whom he now labours to enthrall for euer And therein notably gulling the ambitious spirit with this conceited Emperie What canst thou desire more then to preuaile with God then to leade hell captiue in this triumphant manner then by these meanes to preuaile with men Thus are Yong Schollers puffed vp with knowledge and the Pride of knowledge exalts them aboue that which is meete that so their fall may be more fearefull and irrecouerable And was not my Yonger Studies subiect to this tentation Surely blessed bee God in Iesus Christ that hath lent mee life to acknowledge his mercie in this behalfe Was there not a time when I admired some in the Vniuersitie famâ—zed in that skill Did not the Lord so dispose of mee that my Chamber-fellow was exceedingly bewitched with these faire shewes and hauing gotten diuers bookes to that end was earnest in the pursuit of that glorie which might redound thereby Did not wee communicate our Studies together was not this skill proposed and canuased in common And did not the Lord so arme his vnworthy seruant that not onely the snare was gratiously espied but by the great mercie of my God the Lord vsed mee as a meanes to diuert my Chamber-fellow from these dangerous Studies And shall not this mercie of our God bee had in euerlasting remembrance Surely the mercies of God are euerlasting worthie to bee sought out of all that feare him How are they renued euery morning so great is his faithfulnesse For did not my God exercise mee vsually with continuall buffetings of Satan that so I might be better enabled to discouer his sleights to others Witnesse my diurnall Records to this end which if God continue life and health may serue the common Good Hath not the Lord since wheresoeuer it hath pleased him to pitch my Tent euen there to follow mee with this Tentation to bee assaulted with this pestilent-brood and Deuillish Generation Hath not hee vsed mee as an instrument though most vnworthy to comfort others according to the comforts that haue abounded vnto mee Hath not my gracious God wonderfully deliuered mee from their cursed Traines and made mee able in some poore measure to declare his great mercies to the generations to come And haue I not often Vowed to glorifie God in this behalfe Haue not my meditations and experience beene faithfully stored vp to this end Was I not purposed vpon a speciall occasion of the death of the Ladie HALES procured by Witchcraft to commend such obseruations to Posteritie but that the good knight her husband for reuiuing and continuing of his griefe by that memoriall ouer-ruled that opportunity But is not the Lord mercifull to offer another seasonable and worthie occasion to Pay my Vowes Surely the Lord bee blessed that awakens this secure age daily by renued tokens of his power and displeasure And seeing wee will not obey his Word but reiect the power of it vouchsafeth yet to Preach vnto vs by his wonderfull workes And seeing ordinary iudgements will not awaken vs euen from the belly of Hell hee cries vnto vs and sends forth his euill Angels to vexe and torment vs. Blessed bee his Name that giues vs warning of the great and spirituall plague vpon our soules by these torments vpon our bodies That lets vs see the plague of grosse and palpable darkenesse threatned against vs by these common and fearefull delusions of the Prince of darkenesse Doth not euery Assise almost throughoutthe Land resound of the arraignement and conuiction of notorious Witches either where grosse ignorance and Popery most aboundeth or where the truth of God is with-held and prophaned by vnrighteousnesse and hypocrisie Can wee forget the late Assise at Lancaster where no lesse then fifteene were endited and twelue condemned of that horrible crime a Countrie abounding on that part thereof with grosse ignorance and Popery Hath not Couâ—ntrie beene vâ—… haunted by these hellish Soâ—… where it was confessed by oâ—… them that no lesse then three-â—… were of that confedracie And 〈◊〉 this a place famous for the 〈◊〉 and glorie of the Holy Mountaiâ—… And was I not there enioyned 〈◊〉 a necessity to the discouerie of 〈◊〉 Brood These are the occasions of 〈◊〉 ensuing Treatise this is the scope and end thereof And is it not then a word in 〈◊〉 season for our present edification Surely seeing the Word and the Sword do verie gratiously sort together the one to authorize and confirme the other Seeing now the sword of the Magistrate is seasonably brandished against these offenders is not the Word encouraged to iustifie that Authoritie which vsually is too fearefull and charitable in rooting out such euils Ought not the Word to encourage the Sword to this glorious worke 〈◊〉 detecting and confounding the kingdome of
darknesse which especially preuailes by these deuillish charmes And that not onely in the Ignorant multitude and wilfully seduced Papist But euen in the Carnall Protestant and Grosse Hypocrite though they haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth For do wee not generally detaine the truth of God in vnrighteousnesse making a shew of Religion and yet denying the power thereof making our belly our God and the wedge of Gold our hope turning the graces of God vnto wantonnesse and so giuing vp our members as weapons to the seruice of sin do thereby plainely discouer whose seruants wee are euen the bondslaues of Satan who ruleth in the children of disobedience And doth not the Lord very wonderfully discouer our shifts and confound our painted shewes euen by these euill Angels which hee sends amongst vs Doth not our Atheisme on the one side convince our heartlesse and deceitfull worship while wee Plead for Satan and maintaine his Kingdome concluding his preuailings to bee but Counterâ—…tings his Contracts with Witches to bee but Delusions ascribing his power in afflicting to Naturall Diseases And yet doth not the Lord on the other side reiect our confidenâ—â— that so our owne tongues and waies may fall vpon vs For doe wee yet feare those Withes whom wee conclude to bee harmelesse hurting rather by our infidelitie then any power of satan or in themselues Do wee not close with them desperately releeuing them with our Almes and so binding them by our charitie and euen Tying them by the Teeth that they may not hurt vs Nay though wee make profession to seeke to GOD alone in our troubles yet when it comes to the Pinch doe wee not runne vnto the Deuill Hath not the Blesser more Proselites and Patients then the Physition yea then the conscionable Preacher The Lord giue vs vnderstanding in these things Where is our Faith in God Is there not a God in Israel that wee must runne to Beelzebub the Prince of darkenesse for helpe Nay where are our Wits and common sence do wee say that Witches haue no power to hurt by Satan And yet doe wee runne to those for helpe Which seeing they haue no calling from God nor vse any such meanes as are Warrantable by the Word it must needs follow that they proceed from the Father of Lies who then hurts most dangerously when hee pretends to helpe And must needes hurt desperately when hee is exalted and adored aboue all that is called God requiring that homage which is onely due vnto God Thus though light bee come into the world though it bee entertained for a season yet men loue darknesse more then the light because their workes are euill and so are iustly giuen vp for their disobedience to this Strong Delusion euen to worship Satan and so to become two-fold more the children of hell then they were before And doth not their example harden the Papist in their Idolatry And yet surely the Iustice of God doth still gloriously appeare in these Children of wilfull ignorance that still stoppe their eaires against the voyce of the charmer charme hee neuer so wiselie That seeing they will not bee conuerted by that milde voyce from Heauen they may bee confounded by this fearefull voyce from hell That they may now discerne their true estate to bee no better then the Deuils slaues led captiue by him at his will by these Good and Bad Witches these hurters and helpers As Trusting to these for helpe for the body and so renouncing the soueraigne and safe remedie of the light of the Gospell for the saluation of soules As fearing the other more then the liuing God and his Vicegerent the Magistrate and so by this slauish feare as with a strong cord being faster bound vnder the power of darkenesse binding hereby iniquitie as with Cart-ropes while they adde drunkennesse vnto thirst confirming Ignorance and Infidelitie by this palpable Idolatry in seeking helpe of Satan And so being confounded in their vaine confidence of will-worship vnto God As now being iustly convinced to offer sacrifice to the deuill might either by this shame bee brought to repentance or else being made vtterly inexcusable might so bee giuen ouer to the fearefull expectation of the vengeance to come Certainely if these accursed people yet seeke for signes and shadowes to confirme them in their superstition or reforme them to the Truth Haue they not a signe from heauen euen the signe of the Sonne of Man Daily crucified vnto them in the powerfull Preaching of the Gospell And yet behold their fearefull obstinacie Doe they not still dote after stockes and stones Doe they not runne from the liuing to the dead Doe not they renue their Idolatrous Crosses to encrease their stony hearts Do they not say vnto the stockes thou art my Sauiour and to the stone thou hast redeemed mee Oh Adulterous and faithlesse Generation how long will they prouoke the Lord Shall not his iealousie burne like fire to consume them and all their stubble with vnquenchable torments And seeing they boast that they haue made a Couenant with hell and are at an agreement with death as pretending that by their Keyes they haue the power to open and shut hell at their pleasure and yet intending and discouering plainely heerein their horrible Athiesme that they haue made Falsehood their Refuge and are Hid vnder Vanitie making the Pleasures of sinne their chiefe God and happines and resting in their Visible Monarchie as their Soueraigne and supreme Kingdome Hath not the Lord mightily reiected their confidence by giuing them another Signe euen from the bowels of the earth By letting Satan loose to torment and delude them to vexe their bodies and yet also to deceiue their soules Surely the Iustice of GOD is admirable heerein to bee laid to heart of all those that doe hate the Where and desire her desolation that so they may lift vp their heads because their saluation draweth neere in that they may discerne in this glasse of his prouidence the confusion of Anti-christs approachings And so may take the oportunity to hasten the same in their seuerall places and meanes which yet the Lord in mercy affoords vnto them And blessed bee God that giues some measure of wisedome to redeeme the time and declare the wonders of the Lord to the Generation to come Shall not this make for the confirmation of our faith that the Lord will tread Satan vtterly ynder our feete CHAP. II. First prooueth that there are Witches and that 1 By testimonie from the Word 2 By testimony from all antiquitie 3 By sound Reason and that drawne First from the Power Iustice and Wisedome of the Lord. Secondly from the Pride and Policie of Satan Thirdly from the damnable estate and desperate condition and corruption of man Secondly it reprooueth 1 Those that impute this to melancholy 2 The Atheist that denies Witchcraft 3 That would haue all to be but Illusion 4 That iustifie bad Witches 5 And so answereth to all obiections that
may bee iustly made against this Doctrine THat there are Witches first this appeareth by the testimonie of the Word which witnesseth 1 That there were such Sorcerers that preached this skill as 1. Sam. 19. The Witch of Endor Simon Magus Acts 8. and Pythonesse in the Acts 19. c. 2 The Iudgements of God are denounced against such by the Prophets as Esay 44. 25. 47. 12. 3 The Magistrates by seuere Lawes interdicted the practize of Witchcraft as Saul 1. Sam. 10. 3. 9. 4 The sentence of death is pronounced against this by the Law of God as Exodus 22. 18. Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to liue Secondly the whole streame of Antiquity also auoucheth the same As appeareth by that which is declared heereafter concerning the entertainement and practize of Sorcerie By all nations 2 By the Lawes of each nation against this Mysterie 3 By the generall experience of all Ages wherein eyther through ignorance this wickednesse hath appeared in open face among the Gentiles or else for abuse of knowledge euen hypocrites haue beene giuen vp to this Iudgement of Witchcraft because they detaine the truth of God in vnrighteousnesse and sacrifice to their Art yea to Sathan himselfe euen wherein they pretend to serue God as appeareth afterward in the vse heereof This also is manifest by sound Reason and Induction And that from the Power Wisedome and Iustice of God Gods Power is manifest as his yeelding vp the mightiest to the power of Sathan as Gods executioner so in brideling Satan to hurt cut where it pleaseth him Iob 1 2. 2. Corin. 4. Matth. 8. His Wisedome admirable in this That giuing the wicked their desire for the satisfying of the flesh 1 They are willingly giuen vp to submit their soules to the power of Satan and so to be the executioners of their owne damnation 2 And whereas Satan if he should appeare in his owne likenes would not so easily be intertained could not do so conueniently the will of God in deceiuing the wicked yet beeing now disposed by the Lord of glory in this wise and glorious manner that by the ministerie of men women subiect to our infirmities and therefore more likelie by reason of natures bonds to preuaile with their like Satan shal tender his seruice vnto vs doth hee not conuey his poyson into our soules more easily doth hee not preuaile more effectually to our ensnaring and destruction The Iustice of God shineth also most gloriously in this mysterie of Witchcraft As first In making it a Punishment to such as will not obey the truth that they might be deluded and ensnared thereby And so in sealing vp in this strange terrible affliction by Witchcraft the desperate couenant that is therein euen eternall vengeance and those intolerable paines of the damned that the Atheist may be vtterly confounded and the desperate sinner may be vtterly without excuse As preaching to the rebellious world by these prophets of Satan the certaintie of their damnation who refuse to embrace the glad tydings of their saluation from the Messengers of the Lord. And is not the Iustice of God admirable heerein that the wicked are now the choosers and executioners of their owne damnation in beeing willingly ignorant of the trueth In their best wisedome heaping vp teachers according to their owne lusts purposely submitting themselues to these prophets of the diuell that so they may be turned to their ineuitable condemnation Secondly It is manifest from the Pride and Cunning of Satan Who although hee naturally hate God yet in the Pride of his heart he seekes to imitate him in all his actions that so he may more desperately execute his malice both against God in disgracing his prouidence and against man in furthering his destruction And therefore as God Satan his couenant with man so will Satan haue a speciall couenant also with his seruants As the Lord hath his Ministers to exeeute his wrath vpon the disobedient namely the Magistrate so Sathan will haue his badde Witches to execute against the sonnes of men Yea As the Lord hath his Prophets and faithfull ministers to relieue and comfort his distressed people so Sathan will haue his good Witches to minister helpe to such as seeke vnto him c. And as the wise and mercifull God because wee are not able to heare him if he should himself speak vnto vs doeth therefore conuey his will into earthen vessells 2. Corinthians 4. 7. causing men like our selues subiect to the same infirmities with vs to deliuer his councell and prepare vs to the obedience thereof euen so dealeth Sathan the god of this world with the children of disobedience That whereas by reason of Natures guilt and infirmitie they could not endure his terrible and personall presence therefore hee tendereth his will vnto them by certaine delightfull and Familias charmes yea by Witches his vassales insinuateth himselfe into vs colouring his presence and sleights by some shew of outward holinesse as by abusing of holie Names Prayers Reliques c. that so hee may the better winne from vs an approbation of his help and so the more dangerously ensnare vs in his cruell pawes Thirdly also this is manifest from the consideration of our owne cursed nature And that not onely because wee are Sathans slaues naturally and so are led captiue at his will euen to further our owne condemnation and the condemnation of others But especially in regard of those Remaynders of originall goodnesse As some naturall light some conâ—… ence of good and euill c. wherâ—… wee being vsually puffed vp and 〈◊〉 laboring to encrease these gifts â—…ing wee know not the right meâ—… heereunto namely to seeke them 〈◊〉 the Lord Is it any maruell if we fâ—ll to chaffer with Satan for the obtaining thereof especially seeing hee will not faile to offer his helpe and that vpon very faire and seemingly equal termes Now if wee consider on the other side that corruption wherewith we are infected euen from the mothers wombe Two things there are herein that further this compact with Satan The one is The earnest and vnsatiable desire to accomplish our lusts which seeing we cannot compasse by lawfull meanes will we sticke at any thing though it be the hazard of the soule to attaine our desires Math. 16. 25. Especially seeing as wee desire to commit sinne with greedinesse so either for credite wee would not be seene therein and indeed it is Satans polity to blind the eies of our minds that so walking in darkenes we may not know whither we go but euen like fooles be led to the Stockes and oxen to the shambles And hath not this Practise of Witch-craft many cunning sleights and colours to hide and cloke sin to illude and peruert our iudgemeÌ„ts that we may not discern whereabout we are CoÌ„sider to this end that which follows God giue vs vnderstanding in all things Adde we hereunto That as sin encreaseth and ripeneth to vengeance so naturall
soules but bodies onely that were in danger May wee not hence learne the deepenesse of Sathan Doth not this teach that Sathan playes the hypocrite making shew to helpe when he intends most hurt and pretending onlie to hurt the body when he intends the hurt of the soule should not this teach vs lesse to regard the flesh and to haue more care for the soule to arme it especially by prayer and repentance to watch ouer our thoughts c. secret corruptions c. whereas we vsually pray for our cattell which was but a policie of Witches to make vs beleeue that by prayer they were preserued from Witch-craft whereas indeed that blinde and ignorant prayer was but a colour of Satans help shrowding his assistance vnder that pretence of Diuine worshippe Had wee not now more need to pray for our selues not crossing and Blessing c. as the manner was in Poperie but rather crossing our corruptions and mortifying our lustes whereby wee shall best preuent the power of Sathan CHAP. XIIII And haue we not hence matter of Triall both for our priuate and generally for the Church of Christ YEa certainly for our selues we may discerne whether wee haue sauing grace or no. For seeing as you haue heard Sathan and his instruments may doe wonderfull things Therefore let not this content vs though we had euen a miraculous faith seeing to such it shall be said Depart from me I know you not Mat. 7. 22. 23. but rather let vs get better euidence of sauing grace labouring that our names may be written in Heauen Luke 10. 17. and taking the true and only path of holinesse thereunto euen true faith in Iesus Christ working by loue and keeping vs to the end constant and vnmoueable vnto the day of Christ 1. Cor. 15. vers vlt. And seeing diuells and false prophets may do such woÌ„derfull things therefore learne we hence to discerne of GODS truth and his holie Spouse namely the true Church not that that is confirmed by wonders and signes for such is the synagogue of Antichrist but that which continues in the Apostles 1 Doctrine and 2 Fellowshippe 3 in breaking of Bread and 4 Prayer Act. 2. 44. 45. 46. c. CHAP. XV. And may not the Saints of God thereby learne how to behaue themselues vnder afflictions NAmely as not to presume but that it may befall them no faith can simply priuiledge from the correction of the Almightie so if the Lord shal exercise them herewith They are 1 to examine the speciall cause thereof And so 2 By Repentance to make their peace with God 3 Begging instantly the sanctifying of the affliction And 4 So the Remouall of it as may stand with Gods glorie 5 Not measuring either the fauor of God simply by the remouall therof or his anger by the continuance thereof or their remouall thereby But comforting themselues though it take away the miserable life yet liuing and dying wee are the Lords Happy if we go to heauen though in a fierie chariot CHAP. XVI How to preuent Sorcerie SEeing there is naturally in euerie Christian the seeds grounds of such euills which may draw as by these degrees 1 to the approbation of this trade 2 to vse thogh ignoraÌ„tly the very spells and charmes hereof 3 to retaine vnder pretence of Charitie these cursed instruments and so to grow familiar with them to conceiue well of their prayers c. Seeing I say by these degrees such like vnstable soules may easily be ensnared and drawne on to this diuellish compact therefore let vs learne also to preuent this fearefull league To this end Let vs take heed of liuing in grosse and wilfull ignorance And while wee haue the light let vs embrace it conscionably lest we be giuen vp for our disobedience to these strong delusions 2 Let vs be thorowly perswaded of the prouidence of God not onely in generall ruling and disposing all things so that euery creature is at his coÌ„mand not so much as aâ— haire of our heads can be touched vnlesse the Lord dispose 3 But specially apprehend we that prouidence of the Almightie whereby he hath taken the soule of man into his especiall protection as hauing elected vs to saluation before the foundations of the world were laid and that in Iesus Christ to the praise of his glorious grace that so we may neither thinke our soules to bee at our owne dispose much lesse may giue way vnto Sathans suggestion as to haue them disposed at his pleasure especially seeing hee hath no right thereto nay is the maine enemie and murtherer thereof from the beginning chap. 8. of Saint Iohn 4 And so let vs learne to resigne vp our soules daily into the hands of our God by casting our â—are vpon him and 1. Pet. 5. Daily making euen with him by vnfained repentance Submitting daily to his blessed will in all things and Making our requests daily manifest vnto him Contenting our selues with his gracious dispensation and yet still hungring continually after his glorious presence Psalme 42. Philip. 1. 23. 24. 2. Corint 5. 1. 2. And so committing our selues in well-doing into the hands of our faithful Creator 1. Pet. 4. 5 Make we conscience especially of holie duties as to do them 1 of knowledge 2 with all holie preparation 3 with all reuerence and intention 4 with all humilitie and obedience 5 especially being well perswaded of what we doe 6 and principally of the acceptance of our persons therein c. aboue the same Seeing as whatsoeuer is done ignorantly or prophanely is no better then a sacrifice to the diuell so it is iust with God for this prophaning of his ordinance to yeelde vs vp to strong delusions euen 1 to rest in the worke done 2 to flatter our selues that the doing thereof may excuse vs for any grose filthinesse 3 to thinke that God will be pleased with any Idoll seruice 4 so to make a mocke of God and his ordinances 5 and therefore iustly to be giuen vp to the power of Satan to the satisfying of our lusts 6 to abuse holy titles and prayers to the effecting hereof and so by degrees to be brought to this execrable skill in steed of seruing God to submit wholy to Satan intertaining any colourable and accursed meanes for the compassing hereof And thus of the Vses for Instruction CHAP. XVII A third generall vse is for consolation And that Eyther in generall to the Church of God 1 THat Sathans power is limited by the Lord for the Triall of the Elect and purging out of hypocrites and prophane persons out of the Church and therfore comfort we our selues in the supreame Power of our God Tread wee Satan vnder our feete as a Captiue layd bound to our hands by our Captaine Iesus Christ. 2. Assure we our selues that the power that is now so curbed shall once for euer bee destroyed The Lord shall tread Satan vnder our feet Rom. 16. 1. Cor. 15. 54 55 e. Secondly here is exceeding
comfort That Satan cannot preuaile effectually vpon any to their condemnation vnlesse with full consent they yeelde themselues wholy to his subiectioÌ„ And if Otherwise he afflict them against their wils it shall howsoeuer turne to their good Christ wil be vnto them both in life death an aduantage and therfore here is matter of exceeding comfort vnto the Saints that seeing they are not their owne but are bought with a price therefore none can take them out of the handes of Christ. If Satan therefore shall mooue them to close with him to giue way to him their answere is ready They are not their owne let him aske their master leaue they cannot giue way to him he comes too late they haue couenanted with Christ Iesus already he hath deserued all seruice at their handes hee is sufficient to requite them nay hee hath prouided their wages alreadie no lesse then a Kingdom is prepared for them yea a Kingdom immortall and vndefiled which fadeth not And if Satan should take aduantage of our weakenesse and corruption and therupon challenge vs to belong vnto him to yeelde subiection to him our answere is ready We are not our owne It is not I but sinne dwelleth in me Let Satan therefore take my sinne for that indeed is of him yea he shal answere for my infirmitie because his malice prouoked it his cunning allured me to it As for me wherein I am now my selfe I delight in the Law of God concerning my Inward man I hate the euill that I do euen worse then the Diuel and I shall desire to be found in Iesus Christ that my sinne may bee pardoned and my corrupt Nature healed That Satans power may bee abolished and corruption may bee swallowed vp of glory CHAP. XVIII Conclusion to the Wise and Humble Reader THus hast thou at length Deare Chrâ—stiaÌ„ some Part of my poore Obseruations concerning this Mysterie of Witch craft Wherein for thy better satisfaction and mine owne greater humiliation As I am not ashamed to acknowledge that which thou canst not but discerne That I haue borrowed most of my Grounds For the Proofe Discouerie of the Doctrine of Witch-craft from the Painefull and profitable Labours of the Worthies of our Times that haue waded before mee heerein to confirme the Authoritie thereof against the Atheisme of these euill dayes that so each might haue the perfect honour of their owne Paines So haue I thought good to ad such experiences and collections of mine owne partly gathered out of such Treatises as to this purpose haue bene published froÌ„ time to time touching the Discouery and Conuiction of Witches And partly digested from particular obseruation of the hand of God vpon Parties afflicted that so the Doctrine may be made more profitable for the edification of the Church Wherein I haue spared the seueral Allegations and particular testimonies herein least the Volume might swell too much and so proue tedious triuial Referring thee and my selfe for warrant herein vnto those manifold Treatises which haue bin frequently published to this purpose and are vsually to be had vpon the Stationers Stalles And if any thing ouer besides hath bene added out of my particular obseruations from such generall Passages and priuate Meditations for the further fastning of this Doctrine vpon the conscience of the wise Christian that he may not dwel in the generall speculation thereof to increase curiosity so nourish Atheisme but rather may bee prouoked to a more holy vse of the same by obseruing the generall Methode and deepnesse of Satan herein to ensnare vnstable soules As I desire theÌ„ herein with me to magnifie the free grace of God So I entreat them in the bowels of Iesus Christ to make the vse thereof That whereas the speculation of Truth without conscience of profiting thereby is the means to depriue vs eueÌ„ of the knowledge thereof which I take to bee a maine reason why this Doctrine so generally acknowledged both by Heathen Christians is notwithstanding questioned and opposed because it meeteth with particular corruptions and crosseth carnal and politike designes that therefore thou wouldest still conioyne the Spirituall vse thereof with the knowledge of the same Obseruing herein not so much what Witches may doe for the hurt of the bodie but what snares in the harme of the body they lay for the soule By withdrawing the mind froÌ„ the knowledge and loue of the glorious gospel of Iesus Chrisâ—… anâ— bewitching the fame with the loue of superstition that would faine and by this means as hath bin obserued is very likely to preuaile among vs obseruing wisely that such oppositions as haue been made against this manifest Truth haue not bin so much in regard of The Literall Truth it selfe as in respect of such Spirituall consequence of more sacred and necessarie Trueths which depend thereupon As the power of the Gospel in preuailing against Witchcraft and so therein confounding all formall worship Popery The effect of the Gospel following necessarily vpon the doctrine Namely The day of Iudgement the punishment of the wicked in hell c The authority of the Magistrate in punishing these Hel-hounds c. Wherein as thou mayest obserue the wonderfull wisâ—dome of God in confounding the craftinesse of Idolaters that while with one breath they are glad to beg this testimony from hell for the iustifying of their hellish idolatry worship in aduancing of their lying miracles and so do approue to this end of this doctrine of Witchcraft yet euen with another they would faine blow away this truth againe because it makes to the coÌ„firmation of the Power of the Gospel as discouering the Iuglings and treacheries therin so let this aduice thee not to rest in the Forme of Religion but to labour to embrace the power therof to make vse of these spirituall Obseruations to this end Promising thee that as I haue endeuoured to discouer some part of Satans deepnesse heerein so if the Lord spare health liberty shalt thou be shortly furnished with a more plentifull discouery of Satans Delusions against the whole practise of sanctification to settle thy conscience wherof thou hast for the Information of thy iudgement the some formerly deliuered vnto thee And so I heartily commend thee to the grace of GOD which is able to builde thee further in the power of Godlinesse and so to present thee blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Praying thee to passe by such faults of Forme and Complement as my manifold infirmities and want of leasure may giue occasion of and to amend such other of Impression as thou shalt hereby be furnished And so againe crauing thy hearty Prayers for the continuance both of Publicke and Priuate Libertie I commend thee vnfainedly to the blessing of our good God who will for his glorie reserue Light in Israel for the full demolishing of the Kingdom of Antichrist and for the glorious and more perfit aduauncement of his holy