Page:Saducismus Triumphatus.djvu/26

12 which is, to know. So that a Witch, thus far, is no more than a knowing Woman; which answers exactly to the Latine word Saga, according to that of Festus, Sagæ dictæ anus quæ multa sciunt. Thus in general: But Use questionless had appropriated the Word to such a kind of skill and knowledge as was out of the common road, or extraordinary. Nor did this peculiarity imply in it any unlawfulness. But there was after a further restriction and most proper of all, and in which alone now adays the words Witch and Wizzard are used. And that is, for one that has the knowledge or skill of doing or telling things in an extraordinary way, and that in vertue of either an express or implicite sociation or confederacy with some Evil Spirit. This is a true and adequate definition of a Witch or Wizzard, which to whomsoever it belongs, is such, & vice versa. But to prove or defend, that there neither are, nor ever were any such, is, as I said, the main scope of Webster's Book: In order to which, he endeavours in his sixth and eighth Chapters to evacuate all the Testimonies of Scripture; which how weakly and impertinently he has done, I shall now shew with all possible brevity and perspicuity.

The Words that he descants upon, are Deut, 18. 10, 11. There shall not be found among you any one that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an Enchanter, or a Witch, or a Charmer, or a consulter with familiar Spirits, or a Wizzard, or a Necromancer. The first Word or Name in the Hebrew is קיסם קסמים [Kosem Kesamim] a Diviner. Here because קסם sometimes has an indifferent sence, and signifies to divine by natural Knowledge or humane Prudence or Sagacity; therefore nothing of such a Witch as is imagined to make a visible League with the Devil, or to have her Body fuck'd by him, or have carnal copulation with him, or is really turned into a Cat, Hare, Wolf or Dog, can be deduced from this Word. A goodly inference indeed, and hugely to the purpose, as is apparent from the foregoing definition. But though that cannot be deduced, yet in that, this Divination that is here forbidden, is plainly declared abominable and execrable, as it is v. 12. it is manifest that such a Divination is understood that really is so; which cannot well be conceived to be, unless it imply either an express or implicite inveaglement with some evil invisible Powers who assist any kind of those Divinations that may be comprehended under this general Term. So that this is plainly one Name of Witchcraft according to the genuine definition thereof. And the very Words of Saul to the Witch of Endor, are, קםומי נא לי באוב that is to say, Divine to me I pray thee