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What is forbidden in Scriptures concerning witchcraft, of the ope∣ration of words, the superstition of the Cabalists and Papists, who createth substances, to imitate God in some cases is presumption, words of sanctification.
THat which is forbidden in the Scriptures touching inchantment or witch craft, is not the wonderfull working with words. For where
words have had miraculous operation, there hath been alwaies the special providence, power and grace of God uttered to the strengthening of the faith of Gods people,* 1.1 and to the furtherance of the gospel: as when the apostle with a word slue Ananias and Saphira. But the prophanation of Gods name, the seducing, abusing, and cosening of the people and mans presumption is hereby prohibited, as whereby many take upon them after the recital of such names, as God in the scripture seemeth to ap∣propriate to himselfe, to foreshew things to come, to worke miracles, to detect fellonies, &c. as the Cabalists in times past tooke upon them, by the ten names of God, and his angels, expressed in the scri∣ptures, to worke wonders: and as the papists at this day by the like names, by crosses, by gospels hanged about their necks, by masses, by exorcismes, by holy water, and a thousand consecrated or rather execra∣ted things, promise unto themselves and others, both health of body and soul.
But as herein we are not to imitate the papists, so in such things, as are the peculiar actions of God,* 1.2 we ought not to take upon us to counterfeit or resemble him, which with his word created all things. For we, nei∣ther all the conjurors, Cabalists, papists, soothsayers, inchanters, witches, nor charmers in the world, neither any other humane or yet diabolicall cunning can adde any such strength to Gods workmanship, as to make any thing anew, or else to exchange one thing into another. New qualities may be added by humane art, but no new substance can be made or created by man. And seeing that art faileth herein, doubtlesse neither the illusions of devils, nor the cunning of witches, can bring any such thing truly to passe. For by the sound of the words nothing cometh, nothing goeth, otherwise than God in nature hath ordained to be done by ordinary speech,* 1.3 or else by his speciall ordinance. Indeed words of sanctification are necessary and commendable, according to S. Pauls rule; Let your meat be sanctified with the word of God, and by prayer. But sanctification doth not here signi∣fie either change of substance of the meate, or the adding of any new strength thereunto: but it is sanctified, in that it is received with thanks∣giving and prayer; that our bodies may be refreshed, and our souls there∣by made the apter to glorifie God.
Acts 5.
Ionas 1.
Words of san∣ctification, & wherein they consist.