The displaying of supposed witchcraft : $b Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of deceivers and impostors, and divers persons under a passive delusion of melancholy and fancy. But that there is a corporeal league made betwixt the devil and the witch, or that he sucks on the witches body, has carnal copulation, or that witches are turned into cats, dogs, raise tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also is handled, the existence of angels and spirits, the truth Webster, John
Religion
The displaying of supposed witchcraft : $b Wherein is affirmed that there are many sorts of deceivers and impostors, and divers persons under a passive delusion of melancholy and fancy. But that there is a corporeal league made betwixt the devil and the witch, or that he sucks on the witches body, has carnal copulation, or that witches are turned into cats, dogs, raise tempests, or the like, is utterly denied and disproved. Wherein also is handled, the existence of angels and spirits, the truth
Webster, John
Witchcraft; Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800
3. But though faln Angels in respect of their malice, wicked wills, and
envious desires whereby they seek (as much as in them lies) the ruine of
all mankind both in Soul and Body, may in that particular end and
regard, be said to be like roaring Lions going about and seeking whom
they may devour, and compassing the earth and walking to and fro in it:
yet we must affirm that in respect of executing their wicked, envious
and malicious wills and desires, they are restrained, nay kept in the
chains of everlasting darkness, from which fetters and chains they go
not out, but when and so far as they are sent, ordered, licensed (or as
some would have it worded) permitted, by the purpose and decree of the
Divine and Almighties providence. So that it is most certain, that the
faln Spirits cannot go forth of their chains, when they list, to act
what mischief they would, contrary to the will of the Almighty, who hath
fettered, and still keeps them in those chains: but when they are at any
time let loose, it is only by the will, decree, licence and order of
Jehovah, who sends them forth to accomplish his will, either for
punishment to the wicked to inflict upon them his just judgments, for
which they are the appointed ministers and executioners, and in the
performance of these offices of his wrath, they are limited and bounded
how far they shall proceed, and no further; or else they are sent forth
to tempt, or afflict the godly for the trial of their faith, and herein
they are so restrained and bounded by the power of the Almighty as they
cannot act one jot beyond the limit of his commands or Commissions, as
is manifest in the case of _David_, who was tempted by Satan to number
the people, and in the affliction of _Job_, wherein he was bounded how
far he should act, and no further. And when the evil Angels are thus
sent forth, and limited by God, what, and how far they shall act, it is
always for just and righteous ends, as in the case of _Ahab_, when a
lying Spirit was sent by God into the mouths of his Prophets, that he
might be persuaded to go up to _Ramath Gilead_ that he might be slain
there, or as it was for a judgment and destruction upon _Sennacheribs_
Army, that _Jerusalem_ might be saved and freed, and he sent back with
shame and confusion into his own countrey, or it is to manifest his
glory, goodness and mercy to his Saints, so _David_ was moved to number
the people, that falling under that temptation, and he and the people
therefore plagued, might be brought to a greater degree of repentance,
and to know that their defence stood not in the multitude of men, but in
the benignity of Jehovah, who was their strength and their defender, and
so _Job_ was so sore afflicted, that his Faith and Patience might be
made manifest, and remain for an example to all succeeding posterities.
But it is utterly irrational and incredible that God would send the
Devil (without whose mission he could not have done it) to appear in the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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