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VVItches and wizards can do nothing, as appeareth in that wizard Balaam, Num. 23. who saith, that God must first be displeased, or euer he could preuaile against Is∣rael by his witchcraft; therefore must we not seeke for helpe of them, they haue
not power to hurt nor to helpe vs. Ford God is almighty, and he must helpe thee, therfore turne to him by faith and repentance, and doe not flie to them. Meanes may stay Gods children for a time, that they looke not to God, nor to their sin: yet if the punishment be long vpon them, then they lift vp their eyes vnto God, Psal. 30.
2 As when a man brought into the iayle, conueying him out by bribing the iaylour,* 1.1 purchaseth to himselfe greater punishment, if after he be taken, yet suing to the prince for pardon, getteth it and scapeth cleerely: so if a man be healed by a witch or wizard, which* 1.2 is vnlawfull, he deserueth a greater euill, if the Lord visit him: wherefore let such speedily repent: but if we be healed by the Lord, and the meanes he hath ordained, then wee freely escape and may be thankfull.
3 The wise men of Aegypt could not doe as Moses and Aaron in the small creatures, where we shall note, that witches cannot hurt, further than the Lord wil, as the diuels paces are also limited, and they cannot hurt, when, nor where they wil, but as the Lord is displea∣sed, as Balaam confessed. And Ahab was not deceiued, before the Lord gaue the spirit leaue, that so the hypocrisie of men, which receiue not the truth in loue, may bee detected, yea the Lord may afflict his children for a time hereby, for to let them see their vnbeliefe, and to stay their faith.
4 Many not knowing their owne infirmities, rashly vow, and promise liberally, as* 1.3 whores and theeues, and therefore anon after returne to their vomit. But the children of God, knowing their owne weakenes, are afraid to make large promises, and yet stand more strongly afterwards against sinne.
Simile.
The cure of Witches▪
Vowe••.