that should presumptuously take upon them to speak any thing in Gods name which God had not commanded or to speak in the name of other Gods that such should be slain and these nine appellations in the tenth and eleventh verses are not tearms of distinction but several terms of description whereby to discern false Prophets or Witches whom the Lord would have cut off from among his people and therefore the Lord describeth them in the tenth and eleventh verses sheweth the destruction of the Nations that hearkened to them in the 12 13 14. verses where also he commandeth his people to be holy and not like those Nations promiseth that his people should always have a true Prophet amongst them to hearken unto in the 15 16 17 18. verses which although it was fulfilled in Christ chiefly Acts 3.23 yet it is meant and also verified of all the rest of the Prophets that were successively Messengers of Christ from Moses till the coming of Christ in the Flesh commandeth them to hearken to such a Prophet in the nineteenth verse but for all false Prophets the Lord will have them cut off in the twentieth verse and setteth down a trial and a discerning rule between a true Prophet and a false Prophet that speaketh in Gods Name in the one and twentieth and two and twentieth verses as appeareth orderly in the chapter who so pleaseth to read it And now to come to the Exposition or Interpretation of these two verses Deut. 18.10 11. and of the nine appellations or descriptions therein contained And first for the first Let there not be found among you any that maketh his Son or his Daughter to pass through the fire this is the first description whereby God describeth a Witch or a false Prophet and in what manner this should be a description of a Witch or false Prophet that we may the better understand I must first define what a Witch is and then come to the matter The Definition of a Witch or a certain Demonstration what a Witch is for the vulgar capacity A Witch is a Man or Woman that practiseth Devillish crafts of seducing the people for gain from the knowledge and worship of God and from the truth to vain credulity or beleeving of lyes or to the Worshipping of Idols So likewise for the definition of Witchcraft WItchcraft is a Devillish craft of seducing the people for gain from the knowledge and worship of God and from his Truth to vain credulity or beleeving of lyes or to the worshipping of Idols That it is a Craft truly so called and likewise that it is for gain is proved Acts 16.16 19. the Maid that followed Paul crying brought in her Master much gain and that it is a craft of perverting the people or seducing them from God and his Truth is proved Acts 13.6 7 8. â—limas the Sorcerer laboured to pervert the Deputy from the Faith So likewise Acts 8.9 10 11. verses it doth more plainly prove all in these words And there was a man before in the City called Simon which used Witchcraft and bewitched the people of Samaria saying that he himself was some great man to whom they gave heed from the least to the greatest saying This man is the great power of God and gave heed unto him because that of long time he had bewitched them with Sorceries How bewitched them with Sorceries That is seduced them with Devillish crafts as the Greek and also Tremelius Latine Translation do more plainly illustrate in this sense speaketh Paul to the Galathians 3.1 O foolish Galathians who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth and that a Witch or Witchcraft is taken in no other sense in all the Scripture it appeareth by the whole current of the Scriptures as you may see in this Book But now to return to the Text. Deâ—â— 18.10 11. THe first description of a Witch in the Text is Let there not bee found among you any that maketh his Son or his Daughter to pass through the fire Here we must uote that there was in those days a great Idol of great request among the Heathen the name of which Idol was Molech and was first set up by the Ammonites 1 King 11.5 and by them called Milcom and from thence grew in request and defiled a great part of the world who were generally led after it to Idolatry insomuch that the Kings and Nobles of the earth did sometimes make their Sons and their Daughters pass through the fire in honour to that Idol as Manasses did 2 Chron. 33.6 and how that passing through the fire was or in what manner is questionable Some think they burnt them in the fire as Burnt-offerings to that Idol because it is said Deut. 12.31 they burnt their Sons and their Daughters in the fire to their gods and also in Psal. 106.38 But although that was one Grand Abomination amongst the Heathen sometimes to burn their Children in Sacrifice to their Idols upon some extraordinary request or Petition made to their Idols for the obtaining of some great matter which was also forbidden the people of Israel in that place of Deuteronomy 12.31 yet that is not the meaning of this place in Deut. 18.10 but only that they made them pass through the fire as an Idolatrous Ceremony whereby they dedicated them to their Idol Molech And this is the most allowable Exposition for otherwise they must have bereaved themselves of Children but we read that Manasses was not left childless for Ammon his Son reigned in his stead 2 Chron. 33.20 but yet in what manner soever it was that they made their Children to pass through the fire the scope and meaning of the text Deut. 18.10 is That they should not be Ring-leaders to Idolatry as in Levit. 20.5 whosoever did give his Children to Molech was to be slain with all that followed him in his Idolatry they that followed him to Idolatry were to be slain as Idolaters but he that gave his Children to Molech to make them pass through the fire is chiefly named here to be slain as a Ring-leader of other men to Idolatry and is in Deut. 18.10 reckoned amongst Witches according to the definition of a Witch afore-shewed Witches being in all the Scripture-sence only Seducers or inticers of the people to Spiritual Whoredom and here in the Text Moses speaketh Per Synecdocen of one Idol for all all one as if he had said Let none be found among you that is an inticer or ring-leader of the people to Idolatry in which sence all Idol Priests are Witches and are stiled so in common Scripture phrase 1 Sam. 6.2 the Philistims called their Priests and South-sayers together for the setting up or upholding of any Idol is the Grand Witch-craft of all and the very Mother of all other Witch-craft and it is most probable the Priests of Molech were first devoted to that service by using that Ceremony of passing through the fire and all that did in like
try their Prophets by who notwithstanding were Impostors and false Prophets So much for the Fourth term of description of a Witch 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 Iannes and Iambres 2 Tim. 3.8 9. As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so also do these resist the truth now how Iannes and Iambres 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 incantationâ—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 bâ— 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 Iames 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 Hocâ—â— 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 wise 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 〈◊〉 water into bloud Focerunt 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 Gosheâ— 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
same thing over again before the said Magistrates and many other Gentlemen and Gentlewomen to the shame of those Ministers who had taken the testimony of the Devil against poor people in writing and were credulous therein beleeving and teaching such Doctrins that a Witch can send a Devil to possesse and torment people and another Witch can cast him out but if they and all Ministers were led by the Spirit of truth they should know that this deluding Hagge was the Witch and not they whom she accused for what difference was there between her imposture and a spirit of Divination like the Maid in Acts 16.16 formerly mentioned whose spirit of Divination or Oracling was only a Devillish cousening imposture saith Beza and such ought to be put to death by the Law of Moses because they use Divinations pretending the discovery of Witches it being manifest therein that they are the Witches and because they by false accusâ—tion murther others such a Maid was lately at Brantree in Essex who practised the same imposture to the astonishment of many and gained mony from the deceived beholders until the report thereof grew stale and fools had done wondering and the concourse of people ceased and her gains came not in and then the Devil did easily leave her and the business almost forgotten and yet no men so ready to put in execution the Law of God against her or any such as against poor people that are accused by such and by fools and hanged up without ground or warrant or possibility of truth This imposture hath wrought strange delusions among the ancient Heathen and the actors thereof did by this imposture delude the people one way very notable was by their speaking in the Belly in the manâ—â—r aforesaid they would make it seem to the standers by that a voyce came from afar off or from some secret place that that voyce was the voyce of some of the gods and then they would report abroad that in such a place a voyce was heard declaring or commanding such and such matters and the poor deluded standers by would witness and report the same to be true whereas the voyce came only from the deluding Witch that was among them when they heard the voyce as we may read in Plutarch de defec Orac. A certain ship sayling by the Island of Paxis in which ship were some Aegyptians the manner of which Nation was to practise the several impostures of Witchcraft for their advantage and fame among the people there was heard from the shore of Paxis a voyce calling thrice to Thamus by name he being an Aegyptian in the ship Thamus when thou comest to Palos report that great Pan is dead which thing he did When he came near Palos he looked toward the shore and cryed aloud Great Pan is dead then there was heard a terrible sighing and groaning which much affrighted the people in the ship the report of this was speedily testified at Rome in so much that this Thamus was sent for by Tyberius Caesar and so was much taken notice of in the Emperours Court and although many were deluded by that voyce which was so heard by the men in the ship and did much dispute about it what it should signifie yet they that do rightly understand the imposture of Hariolating or speaking in the belly may easily conceive that Thamus himself was the man or some confederate with him that spake the voyce and made that mighty groaning at the last thereby to delude the people and to make himself famous as some great Man to whom some of the gods had spoken and whereas it was about the time that Christ was Crucified And some would have it that that voyce was really spoken by some strange Spirit and might signifie Christ I yeeld thus farre that Thamus himself might have heard the fame of the passages of the Life and Death and Resurrection of Christ and might speak of and concerning Christ not that he beleeved in Christ but would tell some notable thing in his own deluding way for the magnifying of himself among the people implying that he was the man to whom such a voyce should come from the gods and whereas he said Great Pan is dead it was because the Iews were the â—osterity of Shepherds and the Heathen had feigned Pan to be the god of Shephâ—â—ds thus might he mean Christ as the Maid in the Acts ch 16.16 acknowledged Paul and his Doctrin not by belief but thereby to uphold and countenance her imposture among the people for her own fame and gain so might this Impostor mean Christ although nor he nor any other did ever conclude any thing fully concerning the meaning of that voyce but lest it doubtful as all Oracles of the Heathen were insomuch that some told Tiberius that it was spoken from the gods of one that was risen up between Mercury and Penelopa Thus did Thamus by his imposture get himself fame at the Emperours Court which was the thing he aimed at and left superstitious fools disputing of an ambiguous Oracle It hath been credibly reported that there was a man in the Court in King Iames his days that could act this imposture so lively that he could call the King by name and cause the King to look round about him wondring who it was that called him whereas he that called him stood before him in his presence with his face toward him but after this imposture was known the King in his merriment would sometimes take occasion by this Impostor to make sport upon some of his Courtiers as for instance There was a Knight belonging to the Court whom the King caused to come before him in his private room where no man was but the King and this Knight and the Impostor and feigned some occasion of serious discourse with the Knight but when the King began to speak and the Knight bending his attention to the King suddenly there came a voyce as out of another room calling the Knight by name Sir Iohn Sir Iohn come away Sir Iohn at which the Knight began to frown that any man should be so unmannerly as to molest the King and him and still listning to the Kings discourse the voyce came again Sir Iohn Sir Iohn come away and drink off your Sack at that Sir Iohn began to swell with anger and looked into the next rooms to see who it was that dared to call him so importunately and could not finde out who it was and having chid 〈◊〉 whomsoever he found he returned again to the King the King again had no sooner began to speak as formerly but the voyce came again Sir Iohn come away your Sack stayeth for you at that Sir Iohn begun to stamp with madness and looked out and returned several times to the King but could not be quiet in his discourse with the King because of the voyce that so often troubled him till the King had sported enough So much for this Eighth term of