p.006Chap. II.
ARGUMENT.
What kynde of sin the practizers of these unlawfull artes com-mittes. The division of these artes. And what are the meanes that allures any to practize them.
PHILOMATHES.
But I thinke it very strange, that God should permit anie man-kynde (since they beare his owne Image) to fall in so grosse and filthie a defection.
EPI. Although man in his Creation was made to the Image of the Creator,Gen.1 yet through his fall having once lost it, it is but restored againe in a part by grace onelie to the elect: So all the rest falling away from God, are given over in the handes of the Devill that enemie, to beare his Image: and being once so given over, the greatest and the grossest impietie, is the pleasantest, and most delytefull unto them.
PHI. But may it not suffice him to have indirectly the rule, and procure the perdition of so manie soules by alluring them to vices, and to the following of their own appetites, suppose he abuse not so many simple soules, in making hem directlie acknowledge him for their maister.
EPI. No surelie, for hee uses everie man, whom of he hath the rule, according to their complexion and knowledge: And so whome he findes most simple, he plaineliest discovers himselfe unto them. For hee beeing the enemie of mans Salvation, uses al the meanes he can to entrappe them so farre in his snares,p.007 as it may be unable to them thereafter (suppose they would) to rid themselves out of the same.
PHI. Then this sinne is a sinne against the holie Ghost.
EPI. It is in some, but not in all.
PHI. How that? Are not all these that runnes directlie to the Devill in one Categorie.
EPI. God forbid, for the sin against the holie Ghost hath two branches: The one a falling backe from the whole service of GOD, and a refusall of all his preceptes. The other is the doing of the first with knowledge, knowing that they doe wrong against their own conscience, and the testimonie of the holie Spirit, having once had a tast of the sweetnes of Gods mercies.Heb.6. 10 Now in the first of these two, all sortes of Necromancers, Enchanters or Witches, ar comprehended: but in the last, none but such as erres with this knowledge that I have spoken of.
PHI. Then it appeares that there are more sortes nor one, that are directlie professors of his service: and if so be, I pray you tell me how manie, and what are they?
EPI. There are principallie two sortes, whereunto all the partes of that unhappie arte are redacted; whereof the one is called Magie or Necromancie, the other Sorcerie or Witch-craft.
PHI. What I pray you? and how manie are the meanes, whereby the Devill allures persones in anie of these snares?p.008
EPI. Even by these three passiones that are within our selves: Curiositie in great ingines: thrist of revenge, for some tortes deeply apprehended: or greedie appetite of geare, caused through great pouerty. As to the first of these, Curiosity, it is onelie the inticement of Magiciens, or Necromanciers: and the other two are the allureres of the Sorcerers, or Witches, for that olde and craftie Serpent, being a spirite, hee easilie spyes our affections, and so conformes himselfe thereto, to deceaue us to our wracke.