The True Catholic, Tract · Section 3 · Chapter 19
19. Of Charming and enchanting.
AS concerning charmes and exorciſmes, Ferus writes thus: The Iewes ſaid,Fer. in 19. c. act that Salomon ordained charmes or exorciſmes, but ſome denie that: becauſe no man of himſelfe can ordaine any thing, by which the deuill may be put to flight; for he is ſo mad, that he feareth no man. This victorie belongs only to God: as Ezech. ſaith in the 28. chap. vnderunder the name of Tyrus. And although there be no power vponupon earth which may be compared to the power of the Diuel, as we read in Iob the 41. chap. yet in Chriſts preſence, all their power is cowardlineſſe. But that the Diuels ſometimes yeelde at the words of Coniurers, that plainly they doe to beguile men. If Salomon ordained exorciſmes, ſurely they were ſuch, wherein Gods praiſes and works and promiſes were recited, which the Diuell being not able to abide, was caſt out by the power of the word of God. So Dauid plaied on his harpe before Saul, and he was better in his minde: but theſe did no ſuch things, but vſed certaine words and magicall characters, and formes. And he verie excellently deſcribes them. They were Iewes (ſaith he) who had a ſpeciall commandement giuen them, that they ſhould not abuſe the name of God, and that they ſhould make no account of their magicall artes. Then they were the ſonnes of a prieſt, who ought to hauehave been furtheſt off from ſuperſtitions; but the more learned, the more wicked they were. (I coniure thee by Ieſus) marke heere that the wicked vſe good words, againſt thoſe that heereof excuſe themſelues of their ſuperſtitions, becauſe they ſay, that they vſe none but good and holy words; yea, ſo much the more they ſinne the more grieuouſly, becauſe they abuſe Gods word. They vſed the ſame wordes which the Apoſtles vſed; but they could doe nothing by them, becauſe they vſed exorciſmes and charmes, not of faith, vntounto the glorie of God; but onelyonly of curioſitie vntounto their owne gaine.
Ieſus I know] A notable teſtimonie of Chriſt and of his Apoſtles, the Diuell knewe truely the power of Chriſt, and he was affraid of the power of the Apoſtles granted to them by Chriſt, for of Chriſt himſelfe the prince of the world the Diuell was ouercomed, and caſt out of doores: ſee the 12. chap. of Iohn. But you, who are you? That is to ſay, you are my bondſlaues. I would that all prieſts and cleargie men, would marke this one word well.
And leaping on them] Marke here, how Chriſt is good to the Godly: but verie terrible to the wicked and deſperate. Ferus here giues an Item or priuie nippe, to all prieſts and cleargie men. Theſe are like thoſe prieſts ſonnes, they ſhould be furtheſt off from this ſinne, and they are the chiefe practiſers of it. This is their gaine, this is their phyſicke. In our Church we hauehave found this true by experience. And after he addes: Learne out of this hiſtorie, the vertue and power of the name of Chriſt, that thou maieſt truſt in it. Secondly, take heede leaſt thou thinke or go about to driue away the Diuell, by thy owne ſtrength. For thou canſt not doe that; vnleſſe thou beeſt holpen with a ſtronger then thy ſelfe, that is, through faith in Chriſt. Thirdly, be verie carefull, leaſt thou take in vaine the moſt holy name of God, abuſing it to thine owne gaine or curioſitie. By this example alſo he would declare, how grieuouſly he would puniſh, and be reuenged vponupon the contemners and prophaners of his name. Faith in Chriſt only vanquiſheth the diuell: and in déed, no other mans deuiſe els whatſoeuer. And this, euen the verie witches hauehave confeſſed, that they hauehave not been able to hurt manie, whome they meant to hauehave done harme vntounto: becauſe they had ſuch a ſtrong faith in Chriſt. The Papiſts in their darke and blinde kingdome, hauehave had manie externall things: which as they ſuppoſed were of force to driue awaie the Diuell. But Ferus tels all true Catholikes, that it is onlie faith in Chriſt, that in truth hath that force, and nothing elſe: though he ſéeme to ſhun and flie from many other things. This he doth but to beguile men.