William PerkinsThe Damned Art of WitchcraftWorks IX, pp. 389-399. Question. Whether a man may prevent the danger of witchcraft, and if he may, then what remedies may he lawfully and effectually use against it? Answer. To this question we answer affirmatively that a man may. And for the manifestation of this point, the remedies of… Read More Lawful & Unlawful Remedies Against Witchcraft
The ground of all the practices of witchcraft is a league or covenant made between the witch and the devil, wherein they do mutually bind themselves to each other. More particularly, the league between the devil and a witch is (1) expressed and open, or (2) secret and close. The express and manifest compact is so termed because it is made by solemn words on both parties. The secret and close league between the witch and Satan is that wherein they mutually give consent each to other, but yet without a sworn covenant conceived in express words and conference. A witch is a magician who either by open or secret league, wittingly and willingly, consents to use the aid and assistance of the devil in the working of wonders. Now howsoever both bad and good witches are evil, yet of the two the more horrible and detestable monster is the good witch. For look in whatsoever place there are any bad witches who only hurt, there also the devil has his good ones, who are better known than the bad, being commonly called wise men or wise women.… Read More Of Explicit & Implicit Satanic Covenanting and Good & Bad Witches
Now Jannes and Jambres (for so Paul calls them in 2 Timothy 3:8), the magicians of Egypt, did work the same miracles which Moses and Aaron had done. But here was the difference: Moses made true creatures and wrought true miracles, whereas they did all in appearance and outward show. For theirs were not truly real actions, but only magical illusions, wrought by the sleight and subtlety of the devil in the practice of juggling. And because some think that the serpents and frogs, caused by the magicians, were true creatures, and all their other works as really and truly done as those which Moses and Aaron did, I will here stand a little to show and prove the contrary, that they were only in show and appearance, and not in deed and truth.… Read More Pharaoh’s Magicians Were Incapable Of True Miracles
Necromancy is when Satan is consulted within the form of a dead man. A memorable example hereof is recorded in 1 Samuel 28. First, I prove that the opinion which says that true Samuel appeared unto Saul is a flat untruth by four reasons. Response to four objections. Observations about Witchcraft from 1 Samuel 28: First, that there is a league between the witch and the devil. Second, the devil will be ready at the call and command of witches and sorcerers when they are intending any mischief. Third, by this, the great power of the devil in the behalf of the sorcerer is made manifest.… Read More Four Reasons Samuel Did Not Return From The Dead
Having seen that the devil can in general work wonders, yet not true miracles, we continue to the types of wonders he can do, and the practical uses of understanding this doctrine. Now more particularly, the devil’s wonders are of two sorts: illusions or real actions. Application: 1. The working of wonders in itself is no consolation. 2. Scripture alone is the rule, not things confirmed by wonders. 3. God permits evil wonders and witchcraft. 4. God holds Satan’s leash.… Read More Satan’s Evil Wonders
A true wonder is a rare work, done by the power of God simply, either above or against the power of nature, and it is properly called a miracle. Now the effecting of a miracle in this kind is a work proper to God only. And no creature (man or angel) can do anything either above or contrary to nature, but He alone who is the Creator. For as God in the beginning made all things of nothing, so He has reserved to Himself, as a peculiar work of His almighty power, to change or abolish the substance, property, motion, and use of any creature. The second sort of wonders are lying and deceitful, which also are extraordinary works in regard of man, because they proceed not from the usual and ordinary course of nature. And yet, they are not miracles, because they are done by the virtue of nature, and not above or against nature simply, but above and against the ordinary course thereof. And these are properly such wonders as are done by Satan and his instruments.… Read More Satan is Incapable of True Miracles
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