First, wee must haue no commerce or dealing with the diuell, eyther
directly and immediately, or mediately and indirectly; for we ought to
haue our recourse to God alone in all distresses, and this is that which
_Eliah_ spake with great indignation vnto the messengers of _Ahaziah_,
who went to enquire of _Baal-zelub_, for the recouerie of their Lords
health, _2. King. 1. 3_.[d] So that wee must not seeke to Sathan, or any
of his ministers. For none can serue two maisters, _Matt. 6. 24_. But as
religious _Iehosaphat_, when we know not what to doe, then lift vp our
eyes to heauen, _2 Chron. 20. 12_.
[Footnote d: _Martinus de Arles in tractatu de superstitionibus.
Iohannes Gerson de erroribus circa artem magicam articulo 5._]
Secondly, that help which any receiue from them bringeth destructon of
our soules, for such as seeke for relief this way, make a[e] separation
& departing from God, which is the death of the soule. And though it may
be obiected, that some haue receiued benefite hereby, yet these are not
one of tenne. And further, wee are not to iudge heerein of the
lawfulnesse of these actions by the successe, but rest vpon the
commaundement, for it falleth out sometime, that a thiefe and common
robber by the high way, may liue in more aboundance, then those who with
a lawfull and honest trade painefully maintaine themeelues, yet
therefore hee is not iustified. And when wee haue recourse vnto others
beside God, we bewray herein our [f]distrust, infidelitie, contempt and
rebellion against him, which grieuous sinnes bring his wrath and
eternall destruction. But let it be taken for granted, that wee may
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._]
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