A Treatise of Witchcraft by Alexander Roberts
page 74 of 100 (74%)
page 74 of 100 (74%)
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receiue good by them, yet this maxime is sure, & a truth vnrepealeable,
which no distinction can elude; we must not doe euill that good may come thereof, _Rom. 3. 8._[g] yea, it were better to end our dayes in any extremitie whatsoeuer, then to vse these for our helpers. [Footnote e: In curing diseases the diuell respecteth two ends: the one, that he might seeme to keep the promise he hath made with those his slaues, and retaine them in their malicious practises and infidelity: the other, that hee might draw their faith and trust from God, who are thus healed by witches and wisards his instruments, and cast them downe headlong into destruction of their soules: or if they misse of hoped reliefe which often times so commeth to passe, God withstanding their attempts, then to wound their consciences, and driue them to despaire.] [Footnote f: _Nauarrus in Enchiridio siue manuali confessariorum cap 11._] [Footnote g: _Chrysost. cont. Iud[e,]os hom 6._] Thirdly, they[h] cure not diseases but in shew, except such as themselues haue inflicted, otherwise those doe returne, as is reported of _Adrianus_ the[i] Emperour, who troubled with a dropsie, by magicall charmes did oftentimes empty the water thereof, but in a short space increased againe; and perceiuing the same to grow worse & worse, sought to dispatch and rid himselfe of life, by poyson, or the sword, or some other desperate attempts. Or a worse malady (the first being abated) followeth: as I haue knowne one, who vsing the help of a wisard for the cure of a sore in his breast, prescribed in this sort: crossed the place affected with his thumb, and mumbled to himself some words in secret, |
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