here can be
such a thing as witch-craft, & witches, there are manie mo places in the
Scriptures then this (as I said before). As first in the law of God, it is
plainely prohibited: (M4) But certaine it is, that the Law of God speakes
nothing in vaine, nether doth it lay curses, or injoyne punishmentes vpon
shaddowes, condemning that to be il, which is not in essence or being as
we call it. Secondlie it is plaine, where wicked _Pharaohs_ wise-men
imitated ane number of _Moses_ miracles, (M5) to harden the tyrants heart
there by. Thirdly, said not _Samuell_ to _Saull_, (M6) that _disobedience
is as the sinne of Witch-craft_? To compare to a thing that were not, it
were too too absurd. Fourthlie, was not _Simon Magus_, a man of that
craft? (M7) And fiftlie, what was she that had the spirit of _Python_?
(M8) beside innumerable other places that were irkesom to recite.

Chap. II.

ARGVMENT.

_What kynde of sin the practizers of these vnlawfull artes committes. The
division of these artes. And what are the meanes that allures any to
practize them._

PHILOMATHES.

Bvt 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 (M9) made to the Image of the
Creator, 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 vnto them.

PHI. But may it not suffice him to haue 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 them directlie acknowledge him for their maister.

EPI. No surelie, for hee vses 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 vnto them. For hee beeing the
enemie of mans Salvation, vses al the meanes he can to entrappe them so
farre in his snares, as it may be vnable to them thereafter (suppose they
would) to rid themselues 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? Ar