The Mystery of Witchcraft Discovering the Truth of Nature, Book 2 – Half title 2

The Mystery of Witchcraft Discovering the Truth of Nature · Book 2 – Half title 2

p. 237THE MYSTERIE OF WITC. H-CRAFT. The second Booke.

CHAP. I.

Of the Power of Witches, what they are able to doe, and of Satans cunning sleights and stratagems herein.

THe maine thing whereby Sathan fetcheth ouer Of the power of witches.these monsters, and holdes them in his obeisance: is that great power which he deuolueth vntounto thē. Whereby being able, in shew, to do p. 238what they list, they are so transported with Pride, and wholy blinded therewith, that either they are hereby secured in their estates, seeing they can do such Feates, or else carelesse altogether thereof, for the intending and prosecuting of wonderfull things.

It shall not therefore be amisse in the next place, hauing proued

1 That there are Witches.

2 How they attayne to this high mysterie; and,

3 What seuerall kindes there are of them.

To adde now somewhat concerning this their extraordinary power.

That so we may be rightly informed how farre they are able to preuaile: and withal, may discerne how notably they are abused by Satan making them beleeue that their power is farre greater then indeed it is.

To this purpose consider we these two things.

First, wherein this power of Witches is restrained: and,

p. 239Secondly, wherein it is enlarged, and particularly aduaunceth it selfe.

Concerning the first.

SECTIO I.

That the Witches Power is lesse then it seemeth, as appeareth;

FIrst, because she is restrained by The power of wiches restrained, 1 By the Lord. In regard of the Elect.the Lord, that shee can not hurt when she would.

As, not the children of God alwayes whom she maliceth.

Neyther these so farre as she would: as not at all to hurt their soules finally:

No not vsually to take away life.

Nor vponupon each occasion, as shee is prouoked: The Lord restraining her in louelove vntounto his Children, and for the glorie of his great name: Defending his Seruants by the attendance of his holie Angells, Psalme 91. That the euill one shall not doe them any violence.

p. 240Neither wicked men, so farre as she In respect of the wic ked.would, and intendeth.

As, not all, at all times, whom she maliceth: The Lord in his Iustice brideling her, 1 for the further confusion of the Witch: 2 for the aduancement of his patience to the wicked: 3 for the fatting of them vp heereby to the day of slaughter, and to harden them in their Atheisme, that there are no Witches, no Diuels, no Hell, no Heauen, but what is in this life.

Neyther to take life from those whom shee afflicteth, at all times: that so they may still enioy greater Patience, and thereby, eyther bee brought to repentance, by the distemper of the chasticement, or be made inexcusable.

And this, so is disposed:

1 Both for the encrease of her malice, and so ripening of her sinne, being disappoynted, and restrained, it raging more within, the more it is outwardly curbed, and so fretting against God, when she cannot hauehave her will of men: yea raging, and many p. 241times tearing her selfe, when she is brideled from hurting others.

2 As also for the confusion of her skill and conceited kingdome, as being now enthralled, and iustly brideled, that so horrour of conscience hereby increasing, she may hauehave her condē nation sealed vp, and hereby be prouoked to renue her couenant with Satan to obtain a greter measure of power, to make him more seruiceable to hir.

3 And the Lord hath an especiall aime heerein, for the more orderly and comely gouernement of the world; which is thus graciously preserued and aduaunced: whereas, if Witches might hauehave their wills to hurt whom and how far they list: neither good Magistrate nor Minister should stand, none should be mightier then they to controule them, none holier to confound thē: their rage, enuy, & couetousnesse would make confusion & desolation eueryevery where, and so the prouidence of God would be hardned, and the workes of his gouernment hindered and disgraced in the world.

p. 242SECTIO. II.

Her Power is lesse then it seemeth.

1 Because Satan doth many things by diuine dispēsatiō imediatly, which Sathan doth many things without the witch.yet notwithstanding he fathereth on the Witch: and seemeth to doe at her sending, which yet he doth by his skill, in Naturall Temperatures of the bodies of Creatures, and their diseased estates; And so being able Note. Gifford by his skil.to guesse at the times, when they will come to their Crisis, and are like to speed: then speeds he to the witch, prouoks her to malice the parties, & so offers to be sent to execute that malice, which falling out at the time when the Witch sendeth, shee thereupon conceiues, that shee is the Authour of the hurt. Shee confesseth it a often on the gallowes; whereas all this is but Sathans immediate worke: and yet she iustly punished, for dealing Note.with Sathan, who thus deceiues.

1 To hasten her to iudgement.

p. 2432 To satisfie the rage of the world against her, & thereby either to make them guiltie of shedding innocent bloud, and so to increase their sinne.

3 To obtaine his prey of her soule more speedily.

4 And so to seeke a new maister, or dame, to increase his kingdome.

5 But his especiall policie herein is: by fathering it on the Witch, to make worke for the good Witch. Now they must runne to her; help must be had, and what more ready then the cunning woman, especially seeing she doth it with so little cost? and doth it with so good prayers, at the least, procures ease, which Nature is satisfied with, though it is bought at a deare rate, euen with horrible and blasphemous abuses of Gods name, cursed confidence in Satan, &c.

6 And seeing we are many times conceited & suspitious of our neighbors, ready to iudge vncharitably & rashly Note.of them: doth not Sathan further the conceit by deluding the Witch, as to thinke that Sathan did such things p. 244at her sending, which also Sathan in his policy must hauehave published, to confirme Deluding the Witches senses.vsus in our vncharitable and cruell conceit, and so thereby prouoke vsus further to shed innocent bloud.

Secondly, Sathan doth also many things by deluding her senses: making her to beleeue that which is not, and so deceiueth her in the conceit of her power: As that shee is transformed into a Cat and Hare, and so can enter into places the doores being fast, which is contrary to a naturall bodie, &c.

For though Peter came out of prison How Peter came out of the prison, the doors being shut.and the doores all locked, yet was this done; First, by the mightie power of God: Secondly, nothing was done, but what might stand with the condition of a naturall body. The doores by the power of God were opened, and so gaue place to the bodie. The bodie was not contracted and exininated to pierce the same: neyther could the qualitie of the bodie endure the paine, neyther the quantitie be dispoyled of it dimensions.

As for that Dreame of the spirites p. 245transporting the bodie lying dead in the Refutatiō of that cō ceit, that the soule returnes to the dead bodybed, and returning to it againe afterward. This being contrary to the diuine decree, That the soule being separated from the bodie, should returne to it againe, till the Resurrection: it must needes be a delusion and forgerie of Sathan.

Thirdly, the Witches power is restrained 3 restraint by compo sition.by Composition and Couenant with the Diuell, as the Good Witch must onelyonly helpe, and the Bad Witch she must onelyonly hurt: the one must be accounted the binding Witch, that other the vnbinding: The Policie of Sathan heerein hath beene partly discouered before. As also the iustice of God in confounding this couenant, and enlarging this power is layd downe hereafter.

Fourthly, the power at least of the good Witch, is restrained to the faith 4 restraint by the faith of the Patients.of the party whom she intends to help: Either hee must beleeue, shee can help him, or else, he shall receiue no good from her; Of the reason and vse heereof elsewhere.

p. 246Fiftly, the power of all Witches is Fiftly, restraint by the magistrat.restrained by the authoritie of the Magistrate. For though, if a priuate person detain them, they may either hurt or escape, yet if once the magistrate hath arrested them, Satans power ceaseth, in being not now able to hinder and defraud the Iustice of the Almightie: And lastly, it is also restrained to the good of the Church. To this end examine we

SECTIO III.

Whether seeing Sathan hath power from First quereGod, to afflict mā, that he doth the rather more hurt, by the means of witches

NO question, seeing wee are apt to distrust God, and depend vponupon those, and to forsake Gods word; therefore it is iust with God, to giuegive vsus vp to be deceiued by them: so that, it is not for the Witches sake, but for the wickednes of man, that Satans power is enlarged: both for the Witches further condemnation, whose sinne is hereby increased,

p. 247And also, for the punishment of mans Note.horrible and strange sinnes: by those strange and fearefull plagues, especially to condemne the infidelitie of men, in fearing or seeking to these.

OnelyOnly herein obserue the policie of Sathan, who though hee hauehave power Sathans policie heerein.from God, yet he will not execute it, but as sent from the Witch, or at least, seeming so; that so he may both diuert the mind of man from God, and so nourish him in ignorance and Atheisme, as fearing and respecting the Witch more then God;

As also, that hee may carrie the mind from home, from the consideration of our owne vilenes, and wickednesse, to looke abroad to the Witch, to obserue her malice, and so to encrease our rage against her, and thereby encrease our sinne, and yeeld her more power ouer vsus; and thereby still to send the minde from God, and his true meanes of helpe, to the cunning woman, &c.

p. 248SECTIO IIII.

Whether Witches may hauehave power ouer Gods children.Second quere.

NO doubt they may hauehave it, so farre as to afflict the body, because these outward crosses are common to all, Eccles. 9. 1.

And we are subiect to Infidelitie, Gods chidren may be afflicted byand so to Sathans power.

Yea wee are ignorant who are Witches, and so many times are chastized for our foolish charity in relieuing them.

3 Yea, wee may rashly condemne and censure them: and therefore bee liable to the hand of Almighty God witches … In bodie. In soule.by them.

1 And so by sympathy with the bodie, the soule may be afflicted: yea Sathan 2 may further afflict the soule, by reason that it cannot brooke so well the bodily misery, by working vponupon the impatiencie thereof, and so p. 249forcing it to murmuring; yea to a kinde of despaire: the rather, because the children of God, through ignorance or extremitie of paines, may by themselues, or others vse such vnlawfull meanes, or though they vse Phisicke, and some such subordinate lawfull helpes; yet the principall is neglected, Repentance for sinne, and Prayer vntounto God.

And seeing all things are alike to all Eccl. 9. 1. 2Eccl 9:1Eccl 9:2men; may not Sathan worke so vponupon the minde, as by such or the like disposition to bring it to many, and such like raging fittes, eyther tampering with the complexion, as melancholie, &c. or furthering those passions of discontent and despaire, by leading them heereto.

And the Prouidence of God in vsing Why gods children may be chastized by witchesSathan as an instrument, to inflict by Witch-craft, these chast cements vponupon his children, is manifold.

As first, to humble his children: that they shall not escape this scourge, as well as others: so I remember the Lady Hales complained; What could p. 250I hauehave no other affliction but this, I could hauehave endured any, so it had not beene by this, &c.

2 To comfort his seruants, that seeing they shall in this greatest affliction hauehave a comfortable issue to conquer Satan, therefore heerevpon they may build the certainety of their saluation: As also,

3 To instruct them, that seeing Satan may hauehave power to take away life, and yet not to hurt the soule finally, therefore heere is the triall of their Faith, though the Lord should kill them yet to trust in him; heere the Iob. 13. 15.Job 13:15triall of their obedience, to yeeld vp life into Gods hands; heere also their Wisedome tried, not to measure Gods Actes 20.Acts 20fauour by outward things, not to set by this life, which Satan may preuaile against.

And hath not the Lord in this affliction of his Saints, some further vse for the stumbling blocke of an vnbeleeuing The wicked heereby stumbled.Generation?

Yea surely, and that many waies:

1 Both to flatter them, that their p. 251estate is good, seeing the godly fare as Note.bad as they do.

2 And also to stagger them, that their estate is euill; seeing, if Gods children are thus afflicted, for al their knowledge, and holinesse in this life, what shall become of them, that hauehave no knowledge, hate holinesse, &c.

3 And heerein yet most dangerously to stumble them, that seeing the knowledge and holinesse of the Saints cannot free them from the power of Satan, therefore away with knowledge, wel-fare ignorance; what boots Note.it to bee precise? Let vsus liue as wee list.

Nay seeing these meanes, cannot preserue, Why may we not seeke to other? and so a gap is open to all vnlawfull meanes.

Especially, if wee obserue Satans policie heerein, who vsually being sent to afflict some holy one, Note Satans policie in the affliction of the Saints.returnes as confounded, he cannot doe it, because they hauehave Faith, thereby intending, that none that hauehave Faith, are subiect to his p. 252power: and so puffing vp euen the best with securitie, and thereby preparing them through vaine confidence to his malice: So perswading the world, that he can touch any that hath not faith, and so still robbing God of his glorie; as if the let were not in his free prouidence, but in the goodnesse of man: As if the Lord did not freely execute his prouidence, but was bounded therein by somewhat in man. And then he must be sent to the childe of the faithfull father, and preuaile there, as if the Faith of the Parents did not hold Gods protection ouer their tender Infants, aswell as ouer themselues: or the Childe, because he hath power ouer him, is excluded Gods protection, hath not Faith, is not of the faithfull seed.

And if now at the length it shall appeare, that Sathan, though hee hauehave returned as disappoynted by the Faith of the Saints, yet shall preuaile ouer anie, to afflict and torment them: Beholde then the dangerous delusions: Eyther this matter p. 253of Faith is but a mockerie, seeing it cannot resist Sathan: why should it not repell him on the one side, as well as on the other, If there were any such thing, or it had anie such power?

Or else, the Saints may loose their Faith: and so, if Sathan preuayle against life, he must then also preuaile against Faith, for the vtter abolishing of the power thereof.

And what difference then between the wicked and godlie?

Thus may the Saints be subiect to this affliction: and thus may the world stumble thereat.

SECTIO V.

And yet in all these afflictions much differ from the wicked.Diffrence betweene the godly & the wicked in their afflictions. Math. 25.Matt 25

1 AS both in the cause of the affliction.

2 In the measure of it.

3 In the issue thereof,

p. 254For the cause, If the Lord afflict his children with this scourge, neither is it in anger, or simply as a punishment Psal. 6. 1.Ps 6:1of sin, though the Lord may intend the chasticement of the sinner 1 Difference in the cause.heereby: But especially, 1. To Try their faith: 2. To prouoke to repentance… 3. And so to take them heereby out of this miserable world.

But in the wicked it is otherwise: The Lord is angry when hee leaues them to Satan, hee entends the discouerie of their Infidelitie, and vnmasking of their hypocrisie: By this sharpe affliction hee awakens heereby their drowsie conscience, and so in the horror thereof, seales vp vntounto them eternall vengeance, and leauing them to be releiued by carnall meanes, subiects them thereby more surely to the power of Satan, by whom, making vp, in this Note.renuing of their daies, the measure of their sin, they are ripened and hastened to the day of vengeance.2 Difference in the measure.

Thus they differ in the cause.

2 As for the measure, the affliction either reacheth onelyonly to touch p. 255the bodie, or else if the soule beare a part, still the hand of the Lord is put vnderunder, Psal. 37. 24. comforts are supplyed according to the affliction: or the sharper affliction, prepares to more sound and heauenly consolation.

But for the wicked it is not so with them: The soule is especially aimed at by the malice of Satan, and therefore, either the body is so smitten to driue the soule to despaire, or else by sending it to vnlawfull meanes, the soule is more fearefully ensnared by confidence in Satan, and so hastened to it iust & vnauoidable confusion: And thus they differ in regard of the measure.

3 For the Issue, The Saints, If they 3 Difference in the issue.escape out this affliction, 1 are more experienced in Satans subtiltie, 2 more enabled to comfort, and relieue others, 3 more purged of carnall confidence, 4 more humbled and cast vponupon the mightie power of God, 5 more quickned in Faith, 6 more weaned from the louelove of p. 256the world, 7 more warie to keepe themselues within Gods protection, more patient vnderunder the crosse, 8 more prepared to death, 9 more readie for the Lord. And therefore,

If they are translated heereby, they make an happie exchange of sinne; for perfect holinesse, of miserie for eternitie, of transitorie for eternall happinesse, of deceitfull friends for the fellowship and eternall communion of the thrice blessed God, that innumerable company of heauenly spirites and soules of the righteous; the vnseparable vnion with Iesus Christ their Sauiour.

But for the wicked; if they escape, that which they seemed to hauehave, is taken away; they grow worse and worse, filled with all vnrighteousnesse, seuen worse spirits seising vponupon them. And if they are taken away, then is the end of all their vaine happinesse, and a full powring out of Gods wrath vponupon them.

p. 257SECTIO VI.

THus we hauehave heard wherein and by Wherein the witches power is enlarged.what meanes the Witches power is restrained.

Now let vsus consider on the other side wherein it appeareth.

This may be discerned.

1. If we consider the Actions proper to their owne persons.

2. As also in their Actions towards others.

Concerning their owne persons.

First, it cannot be denied, but that more speedily, then may stand with Actions cōcerning their persons. Speedy motion.the ordinarie course of nature, they may assemble themselues to their meetings, or trudge to do any mischiefe; as being carried by Satans power aboue the earth, or sea, speedily, for some short space, not being seene Inuisible.of any: which is not hard for Sathan to do, by thickning the Ayre vnderunder and about them.

As for any further means, whereby they may transport themselues in the likenes of an Hare, &c. this we hauehave p. 258shewed before to be but a meere delusion, notwithstanding any tokens they bring for the proofe thereof.

But that they may abuse the bodies Note.of such, whom they malice to ride vponupon them, in the night: this howsoeuer it bee not impossible, yet I take it, it may rather prooue a delusion of the parties sence that is thus pretended to be abused, then any such reall taking vp of his body out of bed, and laying him there againe, because this may bee doone with lesse adoe, and yet deceiue more effectually.

Thus of the actions of the Witches towards themselues.

Touching his Actions towards others.

Heere consider we these things.What the Witch can dotowards others.

1 Their maner of consulting thereon, which is vsually in the Church, where they meet, to worship their maister:

Heere,

1 the Diuell enquireth what each would hauehave done.

2 They returne their particular occasions and businesses.

3 Their demaund by Sathan is graunted, and meanes propounded p. 259and tendred to the execution therof.

As giuing them powders and poysons, cōposed by his skill, in the secrets of Nature to take away life, to inflict diseases, & cure the same; and especially, Note.to cloake his demnable conueiance heerewith. Teaching them to make Pictures in Wax or Clay; that by the rosting therof, the persons wherof they beare the name, may continually melt & dry away by sickenes: And this, in a blasphemous imitation of the diuine power (who vsed such means to accomplish his miracles,) the better to colour his diuelish coueiances, which vsually are these.

1 To make men and women louelove and hate one another: a matter possible for him to doe, by perswading the corrupt affections.

2 To lay the sickenesse of one vponupon an t…er, as vponupon Iob, yea to take away life, Iob. 1.Job 1&c. by such Pictures, though they are no cause thereof. It being easie for Satan, being a spirit, to weaken and scatter the spirits of life, whereby through faintnesse the party shall p. 260Note.sweate out naturall moisture. And so also by weakening the spirits, the stomacke shalbe weakened: whereby not being able to breed new nourishment, the old must needs in short time be spent.

3 He can raise tempests, as hath beene proued before: and,

4 So to breed madnesse, and,

5 To haunt men and places with spirits, and so by a kinde of obsession to vexe and torment them.

6 Yea, he can hinder the operations of nature, and so may be a means to hinder copulation, and so procreation, and that not onelyonly in general: 1 As corrupting naturall heate, that the generating member may not execute accordingly.

2 That though it should pierce into the wombe, yet the seede being colde, may take no effect.

Or else, he may steale away the seed, that it shal not passe into the womb.

But particularly also, though the party may hauehave ability to others, yet to serue one, for the like reasons, he p. 261may be impotent, not able to performe the worke of Generation, and Note.so deny that duety of marriage, and so happily produce a nullity thereof; vnlesse by Phisicke, or some spirituall means his power may be ouerruled, for which some time is to be graunted, and meanes vsed.

7 Lastly, it cannot be denyed, Possessionhowsoeuer the world wold obscure the worke of God herein: that euen by the meanes of witch-craft, Sathan may be sent euen into bodies of men, really to possesse them. As of olde it was vsuall in the Primitiue Church, and the like punishment continuing for sinne, the like meanes remayning to remoue the scourge. I see not but now it is vsuall in these later times; as hath appeared euidently by many instances: the Papists themselues acknowledging as much, and the Gospel herein powerfull to confound Poperie, and to iustifie the truth hereof.

p. 264SECTIO VII.

Of Sathans Policies in the execution of this Power.

ANd first, that he vseth Naturall medicines, both for helping, and hurting, giuing the Badde Witches Of naturall medicines.secret powders, and poysons to doe mischiefe withall, and directing his White Diuells (I meane the Blessers) to salues and such like medicines, to helpe their Patients withall.

This he doth,

Partly, to make the Blesser beleeue that it is not Sathans power, but rather Sathans policie heerein.some vertue in these things, that accomplish such rare euents, and that so they may be more secure, and forget the couenant, and thereby accomplish their mischiefes with more delight, and greedinesse.

Partly also, to deceiue such as seeke vntounto the Witches. And that by securing them in the lawfulnesse of p. 263this businesse, seeing they receiue nothing but lawfull meanes.

2 By causing them to put confidence in the meanes: seeing through their infidelitie, they proue vsually effectuall.

3 Thereby to deiect them from lawfull meanes, as Phisicke, &c.

4 And so to nourish them in blasphemie, contempt of God, and all diuine assistance, to abolish all trust in GOD, and dependancie vppon him.

SECTIO VIII.

He vseth also Prayers for the helping of diseases.

ANd this, as to colour the secret Of praierscompact more dangerously:

So,

To countenance the vaine bablings, and repetitions of profane and ignorant persons.

As also to shew his high malice, p. 264and derision of these diuine ordinances: and so also,

To mocke and confound the lip-labor, and bodily seruice of the carnal christian.

And so, to inferre, that all second meanes, as Phisicke, &c. are needlesse, and vnprofitable, seeing it may bee done by good prayers: and this is a maine Ground in the ignorant people, Note.to reiect all lawfull helps: hence that speech of theirs; God hath sent it, and he can take it away. Wherein Satans meaning is, to aduaunce himselfe in their hearts, to draw them to his deuotiō, by the vse of such praiers, &c. as being pretended to be from God, are therefore, in this respect, more greedily intertained.

Especially heerein to coosin the Blesser the more desperately, eyther Note.by prouoking her to robbe GOD of his glorie, and so to ascribe these Prayers vntounto Sathan, conceiting heereby some Diuine power, not so much in Sathan, who instructs her, as, in her selfe, that by these p. 265meanes is able to doe such wonderfull things; especially seeing, to the doing thereof, a more strong and certaine Faith is arrogated. As being yeelded for the reason, why the Blesser can doe that by prayer, which another, vsing the same prayer, cannot doe, because he cannot beleeue. And so by this presumption of Faith, deluding her in the safetie of her estate, that shee is at least in high fauour with God, in no danger of damnation, whereby she is confirmed in her Practise, and so makes sure her condemnation.

SECTIO. IX.

¶ Satan shrowds his power vnderunder naturall diseases.

ANd doth not Satan also shrowd his power sometimes verie cunningly and dangerously vnderunder naturall diseases. As both, being able to iudge of the nature and criseis of them, and so to adioine his power thereto, p. 266to the hastening of death, by preuenting the helpe of Physicke, or infatuating the same.

As also hereby, being able to assimilate his malicious and desperate afflictions of the bodies and soules of Note.men, to some such like naturall diseases, that so his power may bee shrowded vnderunder Natures distempers.

Certainely, Experience makes this manifest vntounto vsus, And the Policie of Satan herein is manifold.

And that first to hide his owne secret Note Saanspolicy heerein.compact vnderunder such naturall infirmitie, that so he may both deceiue the Witch, as imagining, that by her naturall medicines she cures only a naturall disease, and so, that her compact with Satan was either conceited onelyonly, or else is now dissolued. But especially, that he may deceiue others hereby; and that both the parties afflicted; Note.as detayning them by this meanes from the searching of their hearts, and yeelding themselues vnderunder the mightie hand of God, by vnfained p. 267repentance, laboring to make peace with him, that so they may be soundly cured: and so sending onelyonly to naturall meanes, as if it were but some ordinarie and common infirmitie, incident to nature: and so, if it be cured by such meanes, (as many times the Lord giues successe to the meanes to punish our security, and satisfie carnall wisedome) then Satans power is lesse feared, lesse regarded, whereby he preuailes yet further on the soule, by nouzeling it in selfe-conceit of the goodnesse of it estate, and so the meanes are aduanced, Gods holy, and ouer-ruling hand abased, and reiected; And the Witch set in the place of God, and so heereby she preuailes more fearefully: not onelyonly in the hearts of those that are holpen, to put confidence in her, but in others also, who are desirous to bee holpen at so easie a rate.

And so the skilfull Physition (That Note.Ordinance of God appointed hereto) is neglected and despised; and so in p. 268the issue, the whole glorie and Crowne redounds to the Diuell: His power is aduanced, his kingdome enlarged, the Gospell and Scepter of Iesus Christ condemned or neglected, and Atheisme, yea grosse Idolatrie, encreased and confirmed.

But if these seeming naturall diseases Note this.be not cured by these meanes; yet the Credit of the Witch, and Satans in her, is yet notwithstanding saued.

1. Either, they sought too late.

2. Or, else they did not apply the medicine well.

3. Or, else they did not beleeue it could doe good.

4. Or, it hath holpen manie others.

5. Or, yet it may doe good: And therefore seeke for more: Goe to some other Blesser, that hath better skill: Make peace, with more confidence.

6. Or now, goe to the Physitian at last, to consume their estate, and so breed discontent and despaire.

p. 2697. Or, languish in despaire, seeing God is forsaken, or sought too late vntounto.

And so Satan triumphes in his Vses. 1. Satans Triumph.spoyles, confounds the vnbeleeuing generation, that liues securely, notwithstanding such a Messenger from Hell, might rowse it out, thereof.

And so God is glorified, in making 2. Gods glorie.the world without excuse, that still will liue in Ignorance, and desperate Atheisme, in horrible prophanenesse, and workes of the Diuell, and hastening hereby the comming of his holy Sonne IESVS, with his reward with him, to recompence to euerie one according to his workes.

p. 270CHAP. II.

Of the detection of Witches, and meanes thereto.

OF the detection and punishment of Witches: That they are to bee punished with death, especially the Blesser and good Witch, as they terme her.

SECT. I.

Of vnlawfull meanes of detection.

HAuing discouered the power of W…tches, and so followed them to the vtmost of their glorie and aduancement: Seeing now Pride goeth before destruction, and the glorie of the wicked is their shame: Let vsus now consider of their Fall and confusion, and of such meanes as further the same.

Wherein we may behold the adm…rable Gods wisedom herein.wisedome and power of God, who as hee leaues them to their owne lusts, to embrace Satan, and submit p. 271vntounto him, for the obtaining of their desires; so hath hee so disposed in his wonderfull Iustice, that the God whom they worship, when he hath them sure his owne, seeing he is greedy of his Prey, and would gladly hauehave other imployment to doe more mischiefe, therefore he cares not how soone the bargaine be performed, and rather then faile, though all other meanes of detection should cease, himselfe will bee the instrument to bring his Beare to the Stake: And this he doth,

By Being an instrument for the detection Satan the Authour of discouerie.of the Witch, and yet in such dangerous policie, as that heerein also he hunts after vnstable soules, while he seekes to giuegive them content Note.in the discouerie of the Witch which hath done them so much mischiefe.

To this is it, that he hath not onelyonly By vsing the Blesser to discouerie.The Blesser readie to discouer and detect the Bad Witch, that so he might thereby encrease the poore peoples rage against the Witch, whereas indeed they should be angry at their sins.

p. 272But whereas in their affliction they should seeke vntounto the Lord that smites Os. 6. 1.them, by this discouery of the Bad Witch, he encreaseth the reputation of the Blesser, and so prouoketh the people more eagerly to runne after her.

And now the Good Witch vttereth easily all her deceitfull wares, to the deluding of the parties that are thus inquisitiue, and many times to the condemning of innocent bloud.

And to this purpose, because people will bee loath to credit her word, concerning the supposed harmer and Bad Witch, therefore she hath vsually either some glasse wherein to shew the partie offending: or else hath certaine deceitfull and Satanicall experiments, to confirme her former detection of the Witch; As namely, by casting her into the water, sticking of needles, or bodkins, vnderunder the stoole where she sits, burning of the thing bewitched, &c. By which, either she confirmes the superstitious people in a wrong conceit, it being easie for Satan p. 273to further these signes heereto; or if they conceiue aright, yet by vsing these indirect meanes for discouerie, they shall yet deeplier engage their soules vntounto the power and malice of Satan.

And therefore though the Bad Witch may bee detected by these meanes: yet neither is the wise Christian to vse these meanes for the discouery of this Monster; neither is the Magistrate to admit of this detection, as a sufficient euidence for the certaine discerning and iudging of the Witch.

It will then be demanded, What detections and presumptions lawful wee may hauehave to discouer a Witch?

To which wee answere, That as the Lord hath ordained the Punishment of these offenders, so no doubt hee hath also disposed the meanes whereby they may be detected, that so they may be iustly punished.

p. 274SECTIO. II.

Of lawfull meanes of detection, And 1 of Presumptions.

THe meanes of these Detections are Principally Two.Of lawfull meanes of detection: and first of presumption.

Examination, and Conuiction.

Touching Examination; This is, when the Magistrate makes enquiry concerning this crime, and that not vponupon eueryevery corrupt passion, o… sleight occasion, but vponupon weightie Presumptions, probably con…ecturing of the Witch.

These are:

1 Notorious defamation of this crime, by the most of neighbours which are of the best report.

2 The Accusation of a fellow Witch, either at examination, or at the day of death is not to bee neglected, because now Authoritie hauing seized on hi…, though she may lie before she be discouered, yet now hauing …nfessed herselfe, she is an Instrument of the Lords Iustice, to satisfie Authoritie, Note.and cleare the innocent, by speaking p. 275truth, &c. (though otherwise shee would not) to accuse the delinquent.

3 A third presumption is from the effect of cursing: For when a bad tongued woman shall curse a partie, and death shortly follow, this is a shrewd token that shee is a Witch, because Witches are accustomed to execute their mischeuous practises by cursing and banning, & this may be sufficient for examinatiō, thogh not of cōuiction.

4 If after Enmity, quarreling, or threatning, a present mischief do follow.

5 If the partie suspected be anie kin, or of special acquaintance with a cō nicted Witch, because it is the manner of them to conuey their Trades and Spirits one to another, and especially to those that are nearest about, and most familiar with them.

6 It is obserued, that the Witch receiues som mark from Satan to owne her by, in some priuy place, which is vsually raw, whence the spirit draws bloud, &c. and this, if there be no other reason in Nature, is a shrewd presumption, to examine at least.

p. 2767 And so if in examination wee find the partie contrarie and in … Tales: not onelyonly Fearefull, for this may be in a good case; but Doubtfull and Different, this may bee a Pres…ption to argue a guiltie conscience:

Thus of Presumptions.

2 Of Examination.

Now concerning Examination, this may either be made by Question fro… the Magistrate, by certaine wise and crosse Interrogations to this end:

Or else by Torture, when together with words, some violent meanes are vsed, by paine, to extort confession, which may hauehave necessarie place when the partie is obstinate.

3 Of Conuiction.

Hauing vsed the best meanes by Examination, the next is Conuiction, whereby after iust examination, the Witch is discouered; To this must concurre, not bare presumptions, but sufficient Proofes: Not such as heeretofore hauehave beene reckoned, or like to those; As scratching the suspected p. 277party, &c. The confession of a partie dying, that such a one hath bewitched him. But for manifest conviction, these Proofes are to be esteemed sufficient.

1 The Free confession of the crime Proofes hereunto.by the party suspected, after due examination, being found in diuers tales.

I but say the Partie will not confesse, Here then the testimonie of two sufficient witnesses is currant, prouing one of these two things: either,

That the party accused hath made a league with Satan; or hath done some knowne practise of Witch-craft, producing likely arguments for the confirmation thereof: As

1 That the Witch hath called vponupon the deuill for helpe.

2 That she entertaines a familiar spirit, and had conference with it in any Forme, or likenesse.

3 That she hath shewed ones face in a glasse being absent.

4 That they hauehave fore-told things to come.

5 Holpen to things lost, whereof they hauehave had no ordinary meanes p. 278of knowledge.

6 That they hauehave healed by Prayers, Spells, Amulets.

And so, howsoeuer the Leag… with Satan be secret, and therefore not able to be discouered, yet is both Satan willing to hauehave it knowne by effects, for the increase of his kingdom, Note.& hastning the cōfusion of his slaues, and so by such like effects hee doth discouer them: 1 To hauehave speedier possession of them, lest afterward by remorce they might bee brought to repentance, 2 as hating so detestably euen all mankinde, that he cannot endure they should inioy the world, or the benefits thereof, no not an houre: 3 but especially, the Policie of Satan Note Satans policie hereinin this discouerie is, 1 to satisfie the rage of the people, who now hauing found the Witch, instead of being auenged of their sinnes, doe intend nothing more then the satisfying of their malice in destruction of the Witch, … and so therein to procure credite and estimation to the good Witch, to make more worke for her, by whose p. 279meanes, this enemy to mankind, this badde Witch hath beene discouered.

And yet we may obserue the ouerruling Gods ouer-ruling hand here in.hand of God herein, that though Satan do hasten the speedie discouerie of the Witch: yet the Lord in his holy wisedome, oft-times disposeth, that such shall liue long, yea die vndetected: Eyther because some of them, may belong to the Election, and therefore may repent of this great sinne by holy meanes, and so bee freed both from temporall and eternall punishment.

Or some remaine longer vndisclosed, to execute greater mischiefe in the world: as they are more cruelly bent thereto.

Or else, there may be some Co…enant with Sathan by the Witch for some terme of yeares, which hee is contented to binde himselfe to, to hauehave her more sure, and secure thereby.

And thus of the proofes to discouer the Witch, without which shee may not safely be condemned.

p. 280CHAP. III.

Of the True Remedies against Witchcraft.

HItherto of the meanes to Discouer Witch-craft: Now let vsus consider of the meanes whereby we may preuent, and be deliuered from the same.

SECTIO I.

VVHEREVNTO, seeing the Lord hath gratiously Authoritie of the magistrate.afforded the blessing of Gouernement as a speciall means to discouer witchcraft: and so by cutting off the offender by the Law, very mercifully also to preuent the same: Therefore let vsus acknowledge vnfainedly the goodnesse of God heerein. Pray we for the Magistrate, that the Lord may giuegive him a discerning spirit herein: and yeeld we al conscionable obedience to him vnderunder God, that for our sins he may not be giuen vp to security & p. 288such strong delusiós, as either to neglect the prosecuting of this sin, or to iustifie the same.

Surely, as we hauehave great cause to be thankefull to our God for that which our Gracious Soueraigne hath commended for the perpetuall good of the Church to this end: so are we also to blesse his Maiestie for that further Courage and Conscience of In Demonologia.our true Christian and renowned King, that hath also iustified the kingdome of Christ against that vsurped Hierarchie of the Roman A…tichrist, being that Arch-coni…er, & deceiuer of the world: O how hath he bin displayed and liuely painted out by the Pen of a ready Writer! And shall not the Lord preserue his Anoynted to burne the whore with fire, and make her desolate? O that the Lord would make vsus▪ worthy of such a blessing; that our eyes might beholde the falt of Antichrist! That the Kingdome of Iesus Christ may be set vp in full beautie, that the First-borne may come in, Iew.and Iesus Christ may come to iudgement: p. 282Euen so blessed Father, hasten this thine eternall Word, and let all the people say, Amen.

Now let vsus further consider of the Remedies of Witch-craft.

These consist eyther in preuenting of the euils and dangers thereof, or,

In the Recouerie and Release from the same.

That these may be preuented, it is manifest:

First, because otherwise, All should That Sorcery may bee preuented.be afflicted: For Sathan maliceth all, would hauehave none free, and therefore the Lord that hindereth his malice heerein, hath also ordayned meanes heereunto.

Secondly, the very Witches themselues hauehave confessed, that they could not preuayle against some: And we see (by Gods merciemercy) the most freed from them.

What may be the meanes heereto?

p. 283SECTIO. II.

Of the particular Remedies against Witch-craft.

These are either,

1 Deceitfull and dangerous.

And these are of two sorts.

1 Eyther such as seeme to helpe, and yet doe nothing in truth.

2 Or else, if they yeelde helpe to the bodie for the present.

1 They both leaue it hereafter to further mischiefe.

2 And especially do hurt the soule, both: first, for the present: but, 2 chiefly for the time to come.

2 These Remedies are sincere and safe. And these are Generall, or Particular.

Naturall or Spirituall.

And these eyther,

Preseruatiue or Restoratiue:

Or, Priuate or Publike.

p. 284SECTIO III.

PReseruatiue Remedies, are such, whereby men are kept from the power & hurts of Witches: and these are such

1 As concerne the persons of men,

2 Or, the places of their abode.

1 To preserue the persons of men, the chiefe & onelyonly soueraigne means Preseruatiues for persons.is, that whereas by nature, wee are all the Diuells slaues, led captiue by him at his will, subiect to all sorts of his delusions and torments, vponupon anie occasion: Therefore we would discerne this naturall condition out of the Word.

2 Discerning of it, wee would not How to re nounce nature.rest therein: but rather be brought to a deniall thereof, to renounce the same by true sorrow and repentance, and so labour to attaine vntounto the glorious libertie of the Sonnes of God.

And this, by embracing Iesus Christ, How to be in Christ.and so be partakers of the Couenant of Grace, in his bloud, 1 by receiuing p. 285the Gospell, 2 beleeuing the precious promises therein contained, 3 applying the same to our particular conditions, 4 and so returning thankefulnesse vntounto our GOD. For these …his rich mercies in the pardon of our sinnes, by yeelding vp our soules and bodies as a liuing sacrifice vntounto our God, in obedience to his blessed will, euen with all sinceritie, and readinesse of minde, and purpose of heart, together with conformitie of the outward man in our reasonable seruice of God all the dayes of our life.

As heereby, hauing the promise, 1 to be kept by the mighty power of God to saluation, 2 to bee alwayes within the speciall protection of the Lord to bee kept in all our wayes: 3 To this end to hauehave the …nistring of the blessed Angells, to p…serue vsus from the euill one, that there may no Witch-craft preuayle against Iacob, nor sorcery against Israel, otherwise then before hath beene layd downe: not that the Elect may be altogether p. 286free from this affliction, but that it shall turne to their good, their soules shall be safe, and they are nothing so often subiect thereto as the wicked and reprobate.

And therefore, laboring to walke honestly as in the presence of God; remembring that his Angells attend for our protection and comfort, and so being carefull not to grieue those heauenly souldiers, but to encourage them in their watch and guard ouer vsus, 1. Corinthians chap. 11. and verse 10.

This soueraigne Remedie subordinates also many speciall, prouisoes and caueats, according to our seuerall occasions in the world: As next to renue our right in Christ daily by vn… ned repentance. To arme our selues daily by conscionable meditation in the Word, and the prouidence of the Almighty in the protection of his children, Psal. 91. To feare our selues continually, in respect of our owne worth or sufficiencie, and so to renounce carnall confidence, and policie, &c. p. 287wholy to resigne vp our selues into the sole protection of the Almighty. To maintaine our Christian libertie and humility with all wisedome, not being seruants vntounto men, but to bring them to Christ, not to entangle our selues with the world, though wee must vse it: to auoide as much as may be euen lawfull pleasures, and recreations, especially, if they be doubtfull & of euill report, as carding &c. wherin vsually Satan hath a cast. To be choise of our company, especially, of Papi…s, profane persons, cursers, swearers, &c. because by these instruments God tries our sincerity, and Satan if we grow indifferent, eyther prepareth to the Trade, or preuayles to afflict vsus by them.

To be wise in our Liberalitie, and Almesdeedes, not distributing to each sort of poore, because many times Witches go vnderunder this habite, as being left to this miserie, for the confusion of their conceited soueraignetie, and prouocation of their Enuie and Malice, to doe further p. 288mischiefe: especially, to take … … any such suspected … vntounto … … bee straight-handed towards the…, not to entertaine them in our houses, not to relieue them with … morsels: Especially, if wee dis… them as their nature and neede is … be free mouthed, and light fingered, … Note.craue of the best, and not to be satisfied, and to be bold & impudent, &c.

And therefore heere it standeth … vponupon to vse a Christian co…age i… … our▪ Actions, not to feare their c… ▪ nor seeke for their blessings, for after these things …o the Gentiles seeke, &c. yet not with ratings or reuilings, Iude 8.Jude 1:8but, The Lord rebuke thee Sathan. If wee do good to any, let it be especially to the houshold of Faith: and so to examine such of their beliefe, of their experiment all knowledge concerning s… uation, Gala. 6. 10Gal 6:10and so we may by Gods merciemercy, both preuent our selues from being Witches will not indurethi▪ vsually.hurt by them, and happily discouer them, and hasten their confusion.

And therefore if we hauehave got any inkling of their leagues or spirites, or p. 289prayers, &c. we are in no case to conceale this, left wee bee confederate Be liable to his malice.with Satan: or at least, for our infidelitie, and carnall wisedome, but in the name of God let vsus manifest what wee know (if occasion se…ue) to the Magistrate: especially if there be any hurt done, wee are bound in conscience to iustifie God; to bring his Iudgements to light, to hasten his enemies to their confusion, and procure any lawful case to his poore afflicted seruants.

Thus may we preserue our persons from the malice of Sathans Instruments.

SECTIO IIII.

Preseruatiues for houses.

COncerning our houses, because it is the policie of Sathan to worke by degrees, and so by shaking our faith, and distracting, or hindering vsus in holy dueties, to disquiet or feare vsus; and thereby to worke vponupon our Infidelities, p. 290and distempers, bringing vsus thereby to neglect of holy means, and prouoking to impatiency, wherby wee may giuegive the Lord occasion to leaue vsus to his snares: Therefore hath he vsed to haunt and molest our dwelling places, with Apparitions and strange annoyances of noise &c.

And therefore it is very fit to preuent him heerein by holy meanes.First by an holie dedication.

And these are, First, the dedication of our houses: and this is done,

1 Not onelyonly by conscionable prayer vntounto God, when wee come vntounto them: 2 but also by solemne vowing and consecrating them to the seruice of God, as in the first epistle of Paul to Timothy chap. 4. verse 5.

3 To make choice of our habitations where wee may enioy the powerfull ordinances of God. And,

4 If we come to any houses where any monuments of Idolatrie hauehave remayned, thence to remoue them.

5 Yea, if (as the manner was in Poperie) for the verie building of their houses, to fashion them according p. 291to the Idolatrous temples: If in such cases we alter so much, as may take away the resemblance of Sathans Throne: I thinke it (sauing better Iudgements) though for the publique, in indifferent things, wee are to leaue things to the Magistrate, to bee ordered and disposed of by him: yet in our priuate affaires, where wee hauehave power in our hands, I say, I thinke it may stand with Christian wisedome and courage.

6 But howsoeuer, wee may not be ouer-curious in these things, I doe speake as a foole: I take it, nay, I dare auouch (by the grace of Almightie God) that wee shall vndoubtedly much sanctifie them by holie order, and discipline in the Familie, by holie Exercises of Prayer and Meditation in the Word, catechizing of the Families, purging out incarnate diuells thence, I meane prophane and rebellious seruants, Psalme 101. that hate to be reprooued, not buying their seruice so p. 292deare, as to giuegive them libertie to profane the Sabaoths, to let them liue in ignorance, profanenesse, &c. lest for these things the wrath of GOD come vppon vsus, and the Lord leaue vsus to be afflicted by euill Angells.

This in generall hath beene the practise of the Saints, and out of the particulars of their practise these particulars may be auouched, as Deuter. 20. 5. Wee hauehave runne for the dedication of the house, wherein was acknowledged, that wee receiued it as the free gift of God: not that great Babel which we hauehave builded for the honour of our name, Dan. 4. Psalme 49. &c. But that which God of his merciemercy hath giuen vntounto vsus, 1. Chron. 29. and therefore we should giuegive it vntounto him againe, in consecrating it to his seruice. Examples we hauehave of Abraham building an altar where hee dwelt, to worship God, Genes. 12. 8. of Noah when hee came out of the Arke to inhabite the earth, that great possession which then the Lord restored, and enfranchised him withaall, p. 293Genes. 8. 20. of Iacob, when hee came to Bethel, which he consecrates as an house vntounto God, though otherwise it was the house of his habitation.

So did Hezekiah sanctifie the people, when they came to receiue the Passeouer, fearing lest they had not glorified him in their families and habitations, 2. Chron. 31.

So did Iacob purge his familie of Idolatrie, casting out all the Idolls of his wife Rebecca, &c. Genesis chap. 35. vers. 1. 2.

Thus of the remedies preseruatiue.

SECTIO. V.

Restoratiue Remedies generall.

NOw the Restoratiue means follow, and these are either 1 Generall concerning whole Countries.

Or else, Speciall, respecting particular persons.

The Generall remedies to dissolue the workes of Sathan are.

p. 2941 The free libertie of the Gospell, Luke 10. v. 18. Sathan like Lightning falles downe thereat: So doth Moses to this end commend the reuerend and obedient hearing of the Lords Prophets, Deut. 8. 18.

2 Conscionable execution of Iustice, against all other offenders, but especially against these, and among these against the Good Witch: she is the meanes of encreasing the other: and▪ yet it is lamentable to obserue, that the Good Witch is spared, and accepted vsually of all, because shee helpeth at a pinch, holdeth life and present hopes, though the Badde Witch now and then, because wee would not loose our present happinesse, we cannot endure afflictions, is haled to iudgement.

Thus of Generall Restoratiues.

p. 295SECTIO VI.

Particular follow for priuate persons.

THough not absolute and necessarily effectuall, as was the gift of casting out of Diuells which ceased with the Apostles and Prime Churches: yet profitable and conuenient to be vsed, euen vntounto the worlds end of all Christians, very comfortable in the issue and successe thereof.

These are,

1 To search out the true cause of this affliction, namely their sinnes, Lam. 3. 39. 40. 1. Sam. 5. 15.

2 To approoue our faith in the free merciemercy of God by heartie Prayer and Fasting, for pardon especially of sinne, and remouall of the affliction, as may stand with Gods glorie, submitting heerein to the will of God, 1. Sam. 16.

p. 2963 Submitting patiently to the affliction, and comforting our selues with the speciall protection of our God, and faithfull promise that this shall turne to our good, assuring our selues that the Lord wil not suffer vsus to bee tempted aboue our strength, but wil grant in his good time a ioyfull issue: not measuring our estate in Gods fauor simply by the successe heerein, much lesse by the affliction it selfe, which is common to all, but resoluing, though hee kill vsus, yet to trust in him, and trying our selues by the different bearing and qualifying of the affliction that it hath

1 More weaned vsus from the world:

2 More humbled vsus in a hatred of sinne.

3 More prouoked vsus to hunger after heauen.

4 More purged and prepared vsus thereunto.

And thus of the true Remedies.

p. 297CHAP. IIII.

Of False Remedies.

SHall wee now take some view of the False and superstitious Remedies, vsed by the Gentiles, and encreased by the Papists, to release and preuent these mischiefes?

Surely, neuer more need to display and confound these practises, and yet to name them, is sufficient to confute them:Apostolike power herein.

Which are they?

Examine we the Foundation.

First, in Imitation of Apostolike callings, there is also presumed Apostolike power, to worke miracles, to cast out diuels, and so by a miraculous gift, to heale such mischiefes as do proceede from Witches.

VntoUnto which we reply, that that extraordinarie Refuted.calling ceasing, the effect ceaseth withall:

As 1 being not necessary for these Times, seeing they were ordayned p. 298onelyonly for the Confirmation of the Doctrine of the Gospel, newly planted and to bee rooted in the hearts of Infidels, or to bee iustified thereby against their forged miracles; which being now approoued and acknowledged of the Christian Churches, and hauing a constant and ordinary Ordinance of the Word, to instruct the same sufficiently.

There is no neede of such extraordinary Signes, so witnesseth the Spirit, 1. Cor. 14. 22. That change of tongs, and some generall Miracles, are for a Signe not to them that beleeue, but to them which beleeue not: as if the holy Ghost should say, that the Gospel in the first preaching thereof, was accompained with strange and miraculous operations, as a Signe to manifest the power thereof to the confusion of all the fayned miracles of the Gentiles, wherein they vaunting, might bee detained from embracing the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ, as being offered to the world without Efficacie, from base and contemptible p. 299meanes: but that the power of the Lord being manifest in the weakenesse of his seruants by these miraculous operations, as it was sufficient to make knowne vntounto them, that the Gospel was nothing inferiour to the Oracles of the Deuil, seeing it was honoured with such excellent and supernaturall workes: so by the inward working thereof in their conscience, in discouering the secretes of their hearts, and meeting with their hidden, false and secret corruptions, which of all others was the greatest Miracle:

It might thereby gaine the true Esteeme among them, that GOD was in, and with the meanes: 1. Cor. 14. 25. 26. and thereby might prooue effectuall to conuert the vnbeleeuing, as the Lord had ordained him vntounto saluation. Actes Chap. 13. Verse 46, 47, &c.

Secondly, As it is not necessarie 2 Reason.that these giftes should nowe remaine: so if they did remaine, they might then challendge the effectualnesse p. 300of the Apostles preaching, as if that the Gospel were not sufficiently confirmed by them, seeing still it needs to be confirmed by miracles.

3 And seeing the Promise and the Gift goe together, therefore, in that 3 Reason.the Promise was onelyonly made to the Apostles, concerning those times, to doe those things, and not to the generations of the churches succeeding▪ therfore seeing the Promise was only in force vntounto them, it followeth also Marke 16.Mark 16necessarily, that the gift was limited accordingly.

And therefore, though it be pretended, that the Church of the Ie…es 1. Obiection from the Iewes answered.had this power, and why not then the Church of the Gentils, vnderunder Christ, seeing Christ was nothing inferiou… to Moses? yet seeing no certainetie can be gathered out of the Word, of any such Iewish power, but that rather they are condemned heerein, as doing it by the helpe of Sathan, and so our Sauiour in that reply, driues out one naile with another; and when they accused him to cast out Diuells, by p. 301Mat. 12. 27Matt 12:27helpe of Beelzebub, returnes it vponupon them, By whom then doe your children cast them out? As if he had said, Cast the Beame out of your owne eyes. It is you that cast out diuells by the help of Beelzebub, and would you excuse your selues by condemning of me? or do you measure me by them? Therefore they shall be your Iudges, they shall iustifie mee whom you condemne, Acts 19. 13Acts 19:13their maister hath acknowledged me to be the Sonne of God, though they worke by Satan, and therefore shall rise vp in iudgement against you, that condemne me to worke by Sathan, who by them hath iustified me, to be the mightie power of God.

As for that they alleadge, That Obiection from the Promise answered.such tokens shall follow them that beleeue: In my name they shall cast out d…uels, &c. Marke 16. 17. This is to be vnderstood concerning the church immediatly after Christ, to be fulfilled onelie vntounto them, and their immediate Successours; for some short time, so long as the Church continued vnderunder Heathen Gouernors and▪ Persecutors, which p. 302were to bee conuinced and bridled by these mightie workes. And therefore, 3 Obiection from experience answered.though in all Ages of the Church, there hauehave appeared alwayes some, that hauehave cast out deuils; yet hath this beene, not by the Power of God, which ceased in the decay of zeale and synceritie, with the Primitiues; but by the Power of Delusion, through the efficacy of Satan, whereby Antichrist then 2. Thess. 2. 9.2 Thess 2:9rising, and aduancing himselfe in the heartes of Gods people, as being giuen vp thereto for their disobedience to the Gospel, by meanes of these fained and diuellish wonders, confirmed in the hearts of the vnstable people, his voluntary Worship, and Doctrine of Diuels; Colloss. 2. …3. 1. Tim. 4 2.1 Tim 4:2and so enabled himselfe thereby aboue all that is called God.

And that these are but lying wonders and deceiuable may appeare yet further by the meanes whereby they are wrought.

The first whereof, Is the Name of Iesus, by the vertue whereof the Diuell 2 Proued false by the means imployed in them.is pretended to giuegive place, and against his will to bee thrust out of p. 303possession. Wherein, though wee denie not, that it is lawfull to call Note. An Obiection answered.vponupon The Name of Iesus in Prayer, for the deliuerance of any, that are possessed, and bewitched, yet that wee may presume, that our prayer shall take effect, otherwise then may stand with GODS glorie, and the good of the Church: this is contrarie to the Nature of the thing wee pray for, which being a Temporall, ought to be begged, but with Condition onelyonly, if God will, as may stand with his glorie, as in the sixe and twentie chapter of Saint Mathews Gospell: and also, contrarie to our duetie and allegeance, which doe pray, That the will of GOD may bee done in all things, that our wills may be subiect vntounto his.

And seeing the Papists wil hauehave this Name of Iesus effectuall, not so much, Note. The error of Papists.because it is inuocated by a Beleeuer, hauing Faith and vnderstanding to call on GOD aright; As onelyonly, by the very Name vttered in so many p. 304letters and syllables; though with… Faith, yea without Vnderstanding, which by vertue heereof, shall bee able, being repeated, to cast out Sathan without exception or resistance. This certainely can bee no Miracle, but a Satanicall delusion.

1 Because the Name of Christ, thus barely pronounced without faith and vnderstanding, hath no warrant from the Word.

2 Neither doth it allow vntounto any ordinarie Christian any such speciall calling heereunto.

3 Nay, it is flat contrary to the nature of the Word, which is onelyonly effectuall, not when it is spoken, and barely pronounced, but when it is vnderstood and beleeued both of the Deliuerer, and the Receiuer also, as that and other like Scriptures are to be vnderstood, Philip. chap. 2. vers. 10. Hebr. 4. 2.

Much like may be answered concerning the reliques of Saints: another Reliques of Saints reiected.Remedie which they hauehave, to cast out diuells. For howsoeuer they alledge, p. 305that a dead man was raised at the Graue 2. Reg. 13. 21.2 Kgs 13:21of Elizeus, that Peters shadow and Pauls handcherchiefs did many strange things: yet doth not this proue, that their Reliques may doe the like.Act. 19. 21. Act. 5. 15.Acts 19:21Acts 5:15

First because the times are now different, there is no need of such meanes, as was in those dayes.

Secondly, The Gift is therefore ceased, as seruing for necessary times, and the Reliques, are for the most part counterfait, and therefore they can produce but counterfait Miracles.

Touching the Signe of the Crosse, Signe of the Crosse disclaimed herein.howsoeuer this bee applyed to cure in these cases;

Yet, this is blasphemous impietie, to ascribe to the Creature, what is proper to the Creator. Namely to doe Miracles.

Neither the Apostles, nor the Sonne of Man himselfe, his Godhead being set apart, beeing able to doe these things, but onelyonly the Finger of GOD. Exod. 8. Matth. 12.

As for the vse of Holy water, Graines, Salt, Images, Agnus Dei, &c. To this p. 306purpose the Truth is, these are prophane superstitions, because they are Other Remedies reiected, as Holy Water, Graines, &c.not sanctified by the Word, to that end: That which Elisha did by casting in Salt, being not from the vertue of the Salt, which was not hallowed but by an extraordinary calling, and gift enabling there vntounto.

Lastly, whereas also it was ordinary among the Papists, to vse Ex… cismes Exorcisme refuted.to this end; Namely, to ad…re and command the Diuell in the Name of God, to goe from the Partis. This is now ceased, because the Gift of Miracles, as also the promise annexed to the Gift is ceased withall.

For the better vnderstanding hereof obserue wee farther herein; That howsoeuer by these deceitfull Remedies afflicted parties seeme to be relieued, and deliuered from Satans power: yet indeede it is nothing so.

This appeareth:

Because, though the torments may cease, yet the Diuell leaueth not the Parties, but onelyonly ceaseth for a time willingly, to establish men in Errour, p. 307and in worshipping of himselfe, and so entreth deeper into them.

And this is the Effect of all such Remedies as are procured by Coniuration, and the Charmes and spels thereof: wherby though the Diuel seeme to be bound from hurting, yet the party thereby indeed is more bound to his power & malice, & though he seeme by the vertue of such holy Names of Iesus, &c. to be cast out, yet doth he only cease to afflict the bodie for a time, that so he may procure greater confidence in this his Trade: And thereby take possession both of body and soule.

It may bee heere then demaunded, Quaere. Concerning the releeuing of witches.Whether seeking acquaintance with the Witch, and vsing of her to our houses bee daungerous, and whither (I say) It bee lawfull to relieue them, or no: If wee suspect them to bee such, seeing it is conceiued that they hauehave power ouer vsus by the same?

To which wee answere, that in our Beliefe we are first bound by the Law of GOD to doe good to the Houshold of p. 308Faith, Gal. 6. 10. and so after these, to relieue where there is most corporall Esay. 58.Isa 58need, As for the releiuing of these Witches, seeing suspition may deceine; therefore we may not simply neglect these, If they be onelyonly suspected; so wee doe it from a good ground: Namely, obedience to Gods Comman… ment; and a compassion to them, especially to doe their soules good: Adioyning some spirituall Exhortatio… withall, to instruct them if they bee ignorant, to dete…e them from such damnable and odious courses. Auoiding wisely

Vaine glory to bee seene of men, as Matth. 6. 5, 6, 7. Especially taking heed, that we relieue them not, as the Gentiles were woont to worshippe their gods; that they may not hurt vsus, Tull. Ne noceant.in carnal policy, seeking to bind thē to vsus: as knowing that Feare in this case, as it may giuegive iust cause to the Lord, to leaue vsus into their hands, for the punishment of our infidelitie: so if our bodyes escape, yet a worse thing may certainely follow; Namely, the p. 309stealing away of your heartes from God by this meanes, and so the enthralling of our soules vnderunder the power of Satan.

And being wise also, in the manner of our reliefe, whereby we may happily try them:

1. Namely to giuegive them onelyonly for necessitie, of the meanest, seeing these being puffed vp▪ with their con…orted Note.powers, thinke nothing to good for them. As I hauehave obserued, they must fare of the best, &c,

2. And to keepe our selues within the bounds of mans authoritie, to see them releiued at their houses, and that by setting them a worke, and so paying them an ouer-plus for it, that they may prouide for themselues: For hereby happily you may also discerne thē, As being an idle & vagrant generatiō, alwaies gadding: their own house is a Wild-cat, they must needs be stirring whom the Diuel driues.

3. And lastly, to relieue their bodyes as vponupon any iust occasion not to conceale their wretchednesse, but to accuse p. 310and draw them to the Iudgement Seates, for the saluation (if it may bee) of their poore soules.

And though Iudgement may sease vponupon them: yet so long as they liue they may be relieued, onelyonly with the coursest, and that for necessitie, especially heere an Interpreter, one of a thousand prooue their best Purueyo… to minister a word in due season, for the comfort of the soule.

CHAP. V.

Of a Principall Remedie against Witchcraft: Namely, the due Execution of Iustice vponupon the Offenders.

THus hauehave we shewed both what deceitfull and daungerous Remedies hauehave and may be vsed, to case this affliction.

As also what Lawfull Remedies are to be applyed hereto.

It now remaineth, that wee adioyne A speciall publicke Remedie, for the preuenting and rooting out of p. 311this mischiefe; Namely, Execution of Iustice.

And here first, Let vsus determine, what measure of punishment is due to this Sinne.

Secondly, we wil adde some Motiues to encourage the godly Magistrate, to the Execution of the Punishment.

SECT. I.

Of the punishment of Witches with death.

What Punishment is due to Witchcraft.

The Word of GOD doth clearely prooue, That thou shalt not suffer a Witch to liue. Exod. 21. 18.

And so the practise of Holy men, hath been agreeable thereunto in the due Execution of this sentence against them in all ages. As appeareth:

Not onelyonly among the Heathen, who euen by the Light of Nature were endued for the very safety of Life, to punish this Sinne with Death.

p. 312But especially among Christions where generally such Malefactors are condignely punished.

And that this practice ought to stand Prooued.in force, appeareth.

1. Because, this being a Iudiciall Law whose penaltie is death, seeing they hauehave in them a perpetuall equitic, and doe seeme to maintaine some morall precept, is Perpetuall: As seruing to maintaine the Equitie of the three first Morall Precepts of the first Table; which cannot be kept, vnlesse this Law be put in execution.

2. This Iudiciall Lawe, hath in it the Equitie of the Lawe of Nature, and therefore is perpetuall: It beeing naturall that an Enemie to the State, a Traitour, &c. Should die the death.

And such is a Witch, vntounto God, the King of Kings.

3. The Witch is an Idolater, wilfully and in a most presumptuous maner, as renouncing God willingly, and chosing Satan to bee her Soueraigne Lord, therefore according to p. 313that Lawe, shee is to be stoned to death, Deut. 17. 3. 4. 5.

4 The Witch is a seducer of others to Idolatrie, as appeareth by their common practise both vponupon their friends to whom they vsually bequeath their spirits, and vppon all whom they instruct, to rest in charmes, &c. And therefore to be put to death, Deuter. 13. 6. 9.

5 Nay, shee is a murtherer both of soules and bodies; and therefore, in this respect, doth also deserue death.

SECTIO. II.

Answer to Obiections against this Execution.

1 ANd therefore, though the diuell doe the mischiefe, yet is the Witch confederate and accessarie thereto: nay (in her owne conceit) Principall and Mistris: and therefore by the Lawe of Accessories, is to die the death.

p. 3142 Therefore, though they should repent, yet die they must, to iustifie God, and preuent further ensnaring: that though their body perish, yet the soule may be saued, 1. Cor. 5.

3 Though she repent not, yet seeing shee must hauehave some time of repentance; though she do not, yet is Iustice to proceede without respect of persons. In zeale to Gods glory, and louelove of sinceritie, so Moses, Exo. 32. 28. and Phinehas, &c. Num. 25. 8.

And this sincerity of Iustice doth require: That though death and such hurts ensue not, yet for the offence done to God, in combining with Sathan, Note.&c. the parties are to be executed accordingly. For so the word doth plainely imply: and heretofore the Law hath been defectiue in this case: yet blessed be God, for a further Mans Law reformed herein. Anno 1. Iacobiperfection heerein: and will not the Lord daily perfect his worke? If wee beleeue, shall wee not see greater things then these? Well,

1 Let this instruct the godly magistrate to hauehave an eie, especially to p. 315the Blesser, that raigneth among vsus: And to draw the people to the true and lawfull meanes of helping soule and bodie, by rooting out of these Good Witches, which are ri…e almost in euerie parish, and placing in stead thereof a conscionable Minister, as that the people may require the Lawe at his mouth, that he may pray to the Lord for them, that they may bee healed.

2 Let this teach him to punish sinne, of conscience, not for by respects, meeting with the Witch, as an Idolator offending against God, not so much as a murtherer sinning against man.

3 Let his owne safetie mooue him heereunto, who as hee hath beene, euen so still by the execution of Iustice, may be free from these Monsters.

4 And lastly, Let the glorie of God (in aduauncing the Gospel) especially heere preuayle, which is by no kind of thing more vndermined then by Witches.

p. 316Is glorious in nothing more then in rooting out Antichrist the great Coniurer and deceiuer of Gods people, and banishing superstition the very bedde and nursery of witchcraft.

The end of the second Booke.

THE MYSTERIE OF WITCH-CRAFT.

The third Booke.

Discouering. The seuerall Vses of this Doctrine of WITCH-CRAFT.

LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes.

1617.