G Gyfford

A Discourse of the Subtill Practises of Devills by Witches and Sorcerers G Gyfford

Publisher Marketing: THE sacred Scriptures (right worshipful) both of the olde and new Testament, do speake in sundrie places of Witches, Conjurers, and Sorcerers, and that such doings are in high detestation before God: but what these can do few of the vulgar sort do rightly understand. For the most part do ascribe unto them very foolishly, such power and efficacie in working, as in deede the devil is not able to perform, though God should enlarge his chaine and give him full scope, to doe all that he desireth. Againe, some few are of the minde that what soever is spoken in the holy Scriptures, or in other writers concerning things wrought by such kinds of people, it was not done by the devill, but was a mere craft and cozenage of the deceiptfull men and women, which have taken upon them such matters. That the holy scriptures have no meaning to teach that devils ever did any thing that way. And that all other writers have erred which maintaine the same power of devils. The opinion of these latter is grosse, and in some sort contumelious, being against the direct testimonies of Gods word. The vaine conceipt of those former, that is to say, of the multitude, which imagine that Witches can worke at their pleasure, and so are the common plague of the earth, breedeth so innumerable sins, that it is as a monster with many heads.