CHAP. I.
The Hebrew word Habar expounded, where also the supposed secret force of Charms and Inchantments is shewed, and the Efficacy of Words is divers wayes declared.
THe Hebrew word Habar, being in Greek Epathin, and in La∣tine Incantare, is in English to Inchant, or (if you had ra∣ther have it so) to Bewitch. In these Inchantments, certain Words, Verses, or Charms, &c. are secretly uttered, wherein there is thought to be miraculous efficacy. There is great variety hereof: but whether it be by Charms, Voices, Images, Characters, Stones, Plants, Metals, Herbs, &c. there must herewithal a special form of words be al∣ways used, either Divine, Diabolical, Insensible, or Papisti∣cal, whereupon all the vertue of the work is supposed to depend. This word is spe∣cially used in the 58. Psalm; which place though it be taken up for mine Adver∣saries strongest argument against me, yet me thinks it maketh so with me,* 1.1 as they can never be able to answer it: For there it plainly appeareth, That the Adder heareth not the voice of the Charmer, charm he never so cunningly: contrary to the Poets fabling,
Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis.* 1.2Englished by Araham Fleming:
The coldish Snake in Meadows green, With Charms is burst in pieces clean.
But hereof more shall be said hereafter in due place.
I grant that words sometimes have singular vertue and efficacy, either in per∣swasion or disswasion, as also divers other wayes; so as thereby some are con∣verted from the way of perdition, to the estate of Salvation: and so contrariwise, according to the saying of Solomon,* 1.3 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.