CHAP. I.
The Hebrew word Habar expounded, where also the supposed secret force of charmes and inchantments is shewed, and the efficacy of words is diverse waies declared.
THis Hebrew word Habar, being in Greeke Epathin, and in Latine Incantare, is in English, To inchant, or (if you had rather have it so) to bewitch. In these in∣chantments, certain words, verses, or charmes, &c. are secretly uttered, wherein there is thought to be mi∣raculous efficacie. There is great variety hereof: but whe∣ther it be by charmes, voices, images, characters, stones, plans, metals, herbes, &c there must herewithall a speciall form of words be alwaies used, either divine, diabolicall, insensible, or papistical, where∣upon all the vertue of the work is supposed to depend. This word is spe∣cially used in the 58. Psalm,* 1.1 which place though it be taken up for mine adversaries strongest argument against me; yet me thinks it maketh so with me, as they can never be able to answer it. For there it plainly ap∣peareth, that the adder heareth not the voice of the charmer,* 1.2 charm he never so cunningly: contrary to the poets fabling,
* 1.3Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis.* 1.4The coldish snake in meadowes green, With charmes is burst in pieces clean.
But here of more shall be said hereafter in due place.
I grant that words sometimes have singular vertue and efficacy, either in perwasion or disswasion, as also diverse other waies; so as thereby some are converted from the waie of perdition,* 1.5 to the estate of salvation: and so contrariwise, according to the saying of Solomon; Death and life are in the instrument of the tongue: but even therein God worketh all in all, as well in framing the heart of the one, as in directing the tongue of the other: as appeareth in many places of the holy scriptures.