A discovery of the impostures of witches and astrologers by John Brinley.

CHAP. VII.

Of the ground of Witchcraft, and of all the Practices thereof.

ALthough some persons, who have not altogether denied that there is a certain kind of Magick, will not yet be perswaded, that there is any Contract with the Devil; we shall en∣deavour to prove that there are Leagues and Covenants made betwixt wicked persons and the Devil.

1. The word Chabor, which is an Inchanter, signifies one joyned to another in League and Society; now we cannot suppose this League to be with any other than the Prince of Darkness, who Cooperates with these his Vassals, in their black and ungod∣ly Actions.

2. From the Confessions of some of these miserable Creatures, may be

confirmed what we here go about to Demonstrate. One Cyprian (whether the Ancient Father, or some other I am not certain) avouches it from his own experience, who was himself once ensnared in an actual and expli∣cit Obligation with this black Angel; but afterward through Gods mercy, was unloosed from thsoe destructive Ties. So that as his Experience in the practice of Magick, rendred him a sufficient Witness, his Conversion to Christian Principles should engage us to Credit what he says, to be unfeigned.

And lastly, the privy marks and brands of the Beast, found in several parts of Witches bodies do confirm it; as also the very Copies of the Bonds, wherein Witches have confirmed their League and Familiarity with their Lord and Master, of such an one speaketh Mr. Fox, where the Bond was thrown amongst an Assembly ga∣thered together in Prayer and Fasting,

for the Deliverance of a Young-Man thus engaged to Satan. But it may be objected, that such Leagues and Con∣tracts are not needful, forasmuch as the renouncing of God, and giving ones self over to work uncleanness with greediness, is an implicit Cove∣nant with the Devil; and that therefore no such express Ceremonies are ne∣cessary, for the Holy Scriptures say, That his Servant a man is whose work he doeth, whether of unrighteousness un∣to Death, or of Righteousness unto Salvation. To this I answer, that the Devil, who has ever since his Fall from his glorious Dignity into the Regions and power of Darkness, and Confusion, made it his business to bring Mankind into the same State of Damnation; and in that he could not violate the most Sacred Deity in his own nature, he has gone about to deface his Image engraven in the Soul of man; does delight to imitate God, yet so as thereby to oppose him: so

that as God makes a Covenant with his, so will the Devil with his; as God hath his Seal of Covenant, so will the Devil have his mark; as God confirmeth his by Blood, so will the Devil have blood to ratifie the Cove∣nant, which he and his do make. Hence the Learned have observed, that in the times of ignorance, when the Devil had Dominion in the world, and through Gods permission led Cap∣tive mens minds in the dark mazes, and Maeanders of Superstition and Idolatry; those Devil-Idols in their names, had some resemblance to the Divine attributes; and also most of the Rites and Ceremonies used in the So∣lemnities of those Pagan gods, were in some measure (though not obvious to each capacity) conformable to the Divine Institutions injoyned to his people the Iews.

A second reason of such Contracts may be, thereby to aggravate the sins of Witches, and thereby to engage

them deeplier to do him Service. For having led them on beyond hopes of mercy (though that, as the rest of his principles, be but a Fallacy) they will be apt to wallow in all manner of Beastial and Sensual delights, and without con∣sideration plunge themselves into a desperate confusion; which conceit is increased and confirmed in them, when they remember how they have renounced God, and given themselves to the Devil; who by this means holds them fast, and animates them to rush on, as a Horse into the Battel, to their utter ruin and destruction.

And though it is sadly apparent to all those, not wholly given over to a reprobate sense, that this malicious enemy of our Souls, goes about seek∣ing all opportunities to hurt us; yet so sadly are these poor Creatures stu∣pified, that they do, Festinanti Equo calcaria adhibere, lay an obligation upon him that is ready at any time to attend them. Hence is it that they

need not much soliciting to a Con∣tract, forasmuch as they think there∣by to secure themselves of his Service, and have him always ready to prose∣cute their commands. This is that which disposes them to the reception of such agreements, giving them (as they fondly conceit) Superiority over that mighty Spirit that rules in dark∣ness, though on the Devils part it ex∣tends no further, than to a short com∣pliance with their humours in order to his detaining them from works of re∣pentance, and a retrospection into their own wicked and wretched con∣dition.

Now although upon consideration of the infinite loss accruing to men from such actions, it may seem strange, nay almost incredible, that they should be wheedled into such pernicious ex∣travagancies; yet if we have respect to the lamentable propension of hu∣mane nature, to that which is con∣trary to the heavenly Injunctions; and

to the sinful follies proceeding from such propension, it may be sufficient Demonstration to enforce us believe this assertion; that there are such per∣sons as (besides that indirect and un∣willing Homage which is paid ever since the loss of integrity) do tie them∣selves in Spontaneous Indentures to the grand Master of Confusion.

No wonder then if the Devil catch those that greedily come unto his bait, since his Wiles and Devices are oft too powerful over the most Righteous and holy; does he not many times lie at lurch, and ensnare those who make it their business to watch a∣gainst him, and if he dares come into the most Sacred places of Devo∣tion and Piety, to molest, no wonder if he Domineers amongst such Debau∣cheries and impiety as is usually found in these Covenanters, who are such as are involved and swallowed up in Earthly thoughts and Meditations, having lost the Sense and Knowledge

of Divine Mysteries; being given o∣ver of God unto Satans Temptation. How can they then resist? Man is weak; Satan is strong and subtle, of great experience in serching out and prying into the several humours and inclinations of men, and by his great skill enabled to make his approaches to 'em in such a manner, as is most agreeable to their humours.

He can insinuate himself into their very thoughts, filling them with Con∣ceits and high Imaginations; making them grow excessively Proud, Luxu∣rious, and Ambitious, desirous of vain knowledge; tickling them with Pride of having Spirits at their beck, to tell them strange and curious things; acquaint them with the nature of Diseases; and work miraculous and unusual Feats, not practicable by others; as also to supply them with what is satisfactory and pleasant to their unruly exorbitant Passions.

There is one thing especially, which

has caused many to give themselves over to the Devil; that is, the desire of revenge. Many Examples may be had in Authors of this kind; where∣fore I thought it needless to trouble my self about setting them down.

No wonder then if such disorderly, violent, inconsiderate persons, so gree∣dy of attaining their ends, so wholly estranged from all goodness (as these who are the subject of our Discourse usually are) should seek for means to the Devil, to enjoy their inordinate de∣sires, as regarding more the satisfacti∣on of their present will, then respecting their future state after death.

All these things duly considered, it is not strange to think, that a man or woman may be so seduced as to revolt from God, and make a Solemn Covenant with his, and their utter and profest enemy.