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It is a Tempting of Providence, to use unlawful, or suspected Means to accomplish our Desires, or supply our Wants.
Fifthly. IT is another Instance of Tempting God as to his Providence, when we make use of unlawful or suspected Methods to accomplish that which we desire. Many sick People, by reason of Im∣patience
under Pain, from the Fear of Death, or over-eager Desires of a speedy Recovery, will venture to make use of such things in order to it, as have no natural Virtue or Influence towards such an Effect: As the pronouncing of such or such hard words, to charm away the Disease, the carrying such or such things about them, using Talisma∣nical Figures, &c. and many other such Methods, whereof no tolerable Account can be given, but that the Effect, when there is any, must proceed from a very ill Cause, or what we have reason to suspect to be so.
I could mention Instances of sad Effects of using such Methods of Cure: Among others there is one * 1.1 printed, of a Gentlewoman ha∣ving an Ague, a Beggar gave her a Charm to hang about her Neck,
bid her not read it, but when she was cured, burn it. The Minister of the Parish (being a sober, learn∣ed, and pious Conformable Divine) came casually to visit her: She tel∣ling him the Medicine, and the Cure which had attended it, threw it into the Fire in his Presence; but he catching it, read it; the words were, Ague, farewel, till you and I meet in Hell. Upon hearing of which she fell into her Ague again, with greater Violence than ever; and also into a deep Melancholy, which occasion'd her to lay violent Hands on her self.
THE like may be said for Amu∣lets, and things used to preserve from Infection in a time of Pesti∣lence, or for Security of Mens Per∣sons in a time of War; or of Herbs and Plants to preserve from Witch∣crafts, and Power of Evil Spirits. Such things, I mean, which can have no natural Efficacy to produce the desired Effect; as Charms, and
Spells, and Magical Arts, and many insignificant Forms of Words, with their several Modes and Manners of Pronunciation, used to avert Evils from themselves, or their Substance, their Fruits, &c. which many, a∣mongst the * 1.2 Romanists, do com∣monly make use of, with great shew of Devotion.
THESE things are granted by all to have no natural Aptitude for these Effects; and therefore must receive their Force, either from God, or from the Ʋser, or from the Devil. Not from God, for there is no Divine Revelation on which to bottom such a Faith, which the Apostles had in the Miracles they wrought. If we expect it, either from our Selves, or from the Devil; it is to give the Glory that is due to
God, either to Satan, or to our Selves When we use any such Means with the expectation of Success, it is a kind of Magick which the Devil himself owns, and gives Life to: So is i•• to use any Arts, Rites, or Ceremo∣nies, not understood, of which we can give no Rational or Divine Ac∣count: Tho he may not be visibly and corporally present, or require presently any farther Covenants from the Users of them.
THE Devil, no question, is pre∣sent at his own Rites and Ceremo∣nies, tho Men discern him not; and may, upon the use of them, secret∣ly produce those Effects, which may gain Credit to them. They fence themselves, as one saith, with the Devil's Shield, against the Devil's Sword: Tho the Persons have no Intention of making Application to the Devil; yet if they make use of such Means for their Preservation from Diseases or Dangers, or for the attaining of other Purposes,
they are chargeable with this Guilt, because the Success cannot reasona∣bly be expected from any other, but Satan. Especially if we will con∣tinue in such a Practice, after the express Cautions given by God a∣gainst the use of such things, and his Detestation of them, declared by casting out the * 1.3 Nations that possessed the Land of Canaan, be∣fore the Israelites, upon this very Account.
By my Respected Friend Mr. J M, Letters to a sick Friend, 8o, Letter 15.
See Dr. Towerson on the First Commandment, Part 8. And Mr. Incr. Mather's Essay for recording of Illustrious Providences, 8o. Chap. 8. p. 248, 254. and 264, 284. at large.
Levit. 19. & 20.6, 23. & Deut. 18.10, 11, 12.