THE BLACK ART, Or, Nicromancery Inchantments, Sorcerers, lying Divinations, Wizards, and Conjurations, Magicians, and Witchcrafts discovered, to be of the Devill, and to be acted out of the power of darknesse, in the mistery of iniquity, according to the workings of the prince of darknesse, the prince of the power of the aire, the spirit that ruleth in the children of disobedience, the familiar spirit, that acteth in the Divels Instruments according as it is written, and proved by Scripture, &c.
THe Witchcrafts is acted in that nature which is accursed from God, and in the seat of darknesse, is wickednesse and mischief invented: and the witches and sorcerers, Inchanters, and devisers of lyes, and wizards were in that seed, that was cast out and accursed from God, and they were of the power of darknesse, and were acted by the spirit of the Devill, according to the working of the prince of darknesse, and king of the bottomlesse pit, in the working of the mistery of iniquity, with signs and lying wonders, and all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse, in the sorcery, witchcraft, and the abominations which God was and is against, and all those that act in those sorceries and abominations shall not enter into the kingdom of God, but be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death: Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Rev. 22. 15. Rev. 20. 10, 15. Rev. 21. 8, 27.
At the meeting at Tamworth, upon the 2. day of the ninth moneth. 1654. one Nicholas Greaton, which came to resist the truth, with much violence that day, and once before, who taketh upon him to be a teacher of a company of people towards Lichfeild side, was proved to be one that telleth destinies, and useth lying divinations for mony, and took their mony for telling them lyes, about goods that were gone, and thy divinations were false, they came not to passe, according to the Inchantments Greaton, and severall [Page 2] witnessed against thee openly that day for it, when the power of darkness was discovered, with thy lying wonders, also, at which discovery, the Devill in thee was in great rage, who set thee in wilfull opposition against the truth at two severall meetings, to oppose the truth that discovered deceits, and thy deeds of darkness, and deceiveableness of unrighteousness, with thy lying wonders, and false prophesies, that were acted and declared, and devived for mony, and were false, in that thou said, as it were proved against thee, and thy sorceries, and lying divinations, by severall that day, wherein thou wast discovered, and the power of darkness, by which thou art acted: and thou labouredst by the power of darkness, to have cast out the truth, that opposed thy deceits: but truth being raised up in the power of the holy Ghost, thou couldst not, but wert further laid open, and discovered by it, that the Scriptures thereby might be fulfilled, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, or what union hath light with darkness, 2. Cor. 6. 14, 15. which darkness acted thee forth in violence against the truth to resist it, as Sorcerers, Diviners, Magicians, Astrologers, and Star-gazers aforetime in all ages, because truth declares against the deeds of darkness, and lying divinations, as it did that day at Tamworth, against thine Greaton, who like Jannes and Jambres, and also the Inchanters and Sorcerers, and Diviners, and Conjurers, Wizards and Magicians of Pharaoh withstood Moses, when he went hy the true power of the Lord into Egypt for the accomplishing the work that God was about; then the Devils instruments, Sorcerers, Inchanters and Wizards, that were acted by the power of darkness, and used witchcraft and lying wonders, they withstood Moses, and Pharaohs heart was hardened against him, because he hearkened not to the messengers of God, that were in the light, and endued with the power of God, but he took counsell of the Wizards, black Artists, and Magicians of Egypt, that wrought signs and lying wonders, by the power of darkness, to deceive withall, as it is written, and when Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them by his power, the Magicians and Wizards by their sorceries, cast a mist to blind the eyes of people withall, that were in darkness, as they were, and by their witchcrafts wrought their lying wonders, to deceive withall, and resisted the truth of God, and the power of God acted, by his servants. Exod. 7. 19, 20, 21, 22.
And that wicked spirit in thee Nicholas Greaton, sought to harden the peoples heart against the truth, at Tamworth, who was there discovered to be a fortune teller, or an Inchanter, a Wizard that tells people lyes for mony, when their goods are wanting, and other things in thy Inchantments and lying divinations, which did not prove true, as severall did witness against thee, and thy lying divinations that day, after that thou stoodst up a while to have maintained thy craft, sorcery, or lying divination by Scripture, till truth cut thee out of them, and thy folly was laid open, and that Scripture was fulfilled by thee, that day, who came of set purpose, to resist the truth: and withstood it, as Janne, and Jambres withstood Moses, but thy folly was made manifest to men, as theirs was, that withstood the truth [Page 3] that day at Tamworth, till thy folly was made manifest, as theirs was made manifest, as it is written, and witnessed also. Read 2. Tim. 3. 8, 9.
And when thy sotcery, and lying divinations, and witchcrafts were discovered that day, thou wouldst have justified it by Scripture, but couldst not, for they that spake forth the Scriptures, were not Sorcerers nor Inchanters, (nor diuiners of lyes like thee,) but declared and witnessed against such practises, and the plagues is due to all Witches and Wizards, and diviners of lyes, and those that join with them, as it was with them that joined to Baal Peor, to serve other Gods, Numb. 15. 1. to the 10. And the Lord drave out the nations, that did use such Inchantments, Sorceries, and Witchcrafts, and it was and is an abomination to the Lord, and they that do such things, shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of God, but be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, as it is written and witnessed. Gal. 5. 19, 20. 21 Rev. 22. 15. Rev. 20. 10, 15. Rev. 21. 8, 27.
Thou broughrst in a place of Scripture to have proved thy sorceries and lying divinations, which was this: And God said, let there be lights in the firmament of heaven, to divide the night from the day, and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for daies and years. Gen. 1. 24.
That was nothing at all to prove Sorcery and Inchantments (thou Beast) God did never say that by them they should use Inchantments, and lying divinations, and cast figures, and tell fortunes, as Sorcerers and Witches, and black Artists, Nicromancers, Wizards, that do divine lyes, which thing God abhorres; and all lyars and diviners for mony, like thee. Read Deut. 18. 10, 11. But God set the Stars in the firmament of heaven, to praise him, and to be for lights upon the earth, and God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, he made the Stars also, and God set them in the firmament of heaven, to give light upon the earth, and not for Witches to cast figures, and Iyars to divine for mony by them, but he set them to rule over the day, and over the night, and to divide the light from the darknesse, and God saw that it was good, as it is written and witnessed. Gen. 1. 15, 16, 17, 18.
Secondly, the Sun, Moon and Stars were set in the firmament of heaven, to know the regiment or government thereof, and to hold forth the wisdom of God, to praise him in the host of heaven, in his wonderous works, above the earth, and not for fortune-tellers and Inchanters to divine for mony by them, as Wizards, (and thou diviner of lies,) wouldst have them: let the Scriptures be witnesse against thee, and the Star-gazers, Wizards, and all that divine for mony thereby: who would have the Scriptures to bear thee out in that which they witnesse against thee, for acting contrary to them.
Thirdly, the Stars were not set in the firmament for such as thou art, to tell destinies or fortunes by, nor to divine lyes for mony by, nor to cast figures by, to cast a mist before peoples eyes, to deceive them by Witchcrafts as Wizards do, that take peoples mony for false dreams, and lying divinations: [Page 4] and as thou sorcerer and perverter of the Scripture wouldst have them, but the Stars were set, to give light, and to know the noble works of God in them, and by them in their covenant, as they stand and keep their course, and to hold forth the wisdom of God in the firmament of heaven, and also that man might praise him for his noble acts, and as it is written in the book of Psalms, Oh, give thanks unto the Lord of Lords, for his mercy endureth forever, (to his own host) Oh, give thanks to him that by wisdome made the heavens, for his mercy endureth for ever; Oh, give thanks to him that made the great lights, for his mercy (to his) endureth for ever, the Sun to rule the day, and the Moon and the Stars to rule the night, for his mercy endureth for ever, and they were not set to divine lyes by, and cast figures, to tell fortunes, so called, and speak lying divinations by, as thou (sorcerer and diviner of lyes) wouldst have them; the Scriptures witnesse against thee and all Wizards, and all that truly feares God will witnesse with me and the Scriptures, against thee and all diviners of lyes, such as thou art, that perverts the Scriptures. Psal. 136. 1, 2, 3. to the 10. 2. Pet. 3.
Again, the Stars were not set in the firmament to inchant and divine lyes to get mony by, to make a trade of them, by using divinations as thou (Star gazer and Wizard) wouldst have them, who thy self art a perverter of Scripture to thy own destruction, 2. Pet. 3, 16. But they were set there for the praise of God, and to hold forth his wisdome in the firmament of heaven, to cause men to praise the Lord, as it is written, praise the Lord, praise ye the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the highest, praise ye him all his Angels, and praise ye him all his hosts, praise him Sun and Moon, praise him all ye Stars of light. Psal. 147. 1, 2, 3.
It is not said inchant, by the Stars, cast figures by the Stars, nor tell destinies or fortunes by the Stars, neither is it said, when goods are stolne or strayed, go to Wizards, they shall tell you of them by the Stars, as thou wouldst have it, that art an Inchanter, that usest lying wonders, and divine lyes for mony, and tell people of those things which never come to passe, and taketh their mony for thy lying divinations, as it was proved against thee that day at Tamworth, thou Inchanter, Star-gazer, and diviner of lyes, whose rage was great after thy deceit was discovered, and thy evill practise declared against, which the Devill in thee would have alledged for by Scripture, when the Scriptures turn edge against thee, and cut the off thereby, as David cut off Goliah's head with his own sword, that defied the armies of the living God, as thou wert in enmity against the truth, and cryed fie upon the servant of the only true God. Therefore thus saith the Lord my God, and the redeemer of Israel his chosen, he that formed him from the womb, I, saith he, am the Lord, that maketh all things, that stretcheth forth the heavens alone, that spreadeth abroad the earth by my power, that frustrateth the tokens of lyars & maketh diviners mad, (like thee Greaton) read Isai. 44. 24, 25. also to be witnesse against thee, and such as thou art, and see what shall come upon all Inchanters and Sorcerers like [Page 5] thee, read Isai. 47. 9. For Inchanters and Sorcerers trust in their wickednesses as thou dost; and saies, none seeth them, thy wisdom which is earthly, sensuall and divelish. It hath perverted thee, as it did those that turned after Sorceries, that went from the Lord, and turned into the power of darknesse, as thou hast done, that professest God in words, and serves the Divell in thy actions, and art ready to say in thy heart, I am, and none else, besides me, as such in thy nature did: read, Isai. 47. 11.
Stand now with thy Inchantments, and with the multitude of thy Sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured and all that are deceived by thee, or any such. Let now the Astrologers, the Star-gazers, (like thee) stand up, and see if they can save them from those things that shall come upon them; I lament for those that are turned to Wizards, Astrologers, Star-gazers, and to a diviner of lyes, like thee for counsell; Thus saith the Lord by Isaiah the Prophet, and I witnesse with him, where he saith, you shall be as stubble Inchanters, Sorcerers, and Star-gazers, and all that trust in you, and take counsell of you; the fire shall burn you, and you shall not deliver your selves from the power of the flame, read Isai. 47. 10. 11, 12, 13, 14.
Pharaoh, he had his Magicians (or the Divel's Wise men or Wizards) that were in familiarity with the Divell, and black Artists to enquire of, when he was troubled in Spirit, but they could not tell him of the things that God was about to do, as it is in Gen. the 41. And it came to passe, that in the morning after Pharaoh had dreamed, that his Spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the Magicians of Egypt, (and all the Divel's Wise men) or Wizards thereof, black Artists or Necromancers, that were in the Witchcrafts, Inchantments or Sorceries, and Pharaoh told them▪ his dream, but there was none of the black Artists, Magicians, or Wizards that could interprete it, because it was concerning the things of God and stood in the counsell of the only true God. Take notice of this; therefore all that are black Artists, the Divel's Wise men, Witches or Wizards, you are but in Nicromancery, or the Devil's counsell and familiarity only, and knoweth not the counsell of God, nor the things that stands in his counsell, no more then Pharaoh's Magicians, Witches, Nicromancers or black Artists, Inchanters, Charmers, Consulters with familiar Spirits, Sorcerers or Wizards did, that were (and all such are) in the Divel's familiarity and counsell only, and not in the counsell of the living God, and woe to them that (are in the light, and) go out to take counsell of the Prince of darknesse, and woe, woe, woe to all that go to Wizards, to take counsell, and woe to the rebellious children, that take counsell, but not of me saith the Lord: vengence is the reward of such that do it knowingly, such are rebellious children, and in unity with the Prince of darknesse, and the King of the bottomlesse pit, and guided by the Divel's Spirit, that go to take counsell of the black Artists▪ Nicromancers, or the Divel's Wise men, Inchanters, Wizards, Sorcerers, and Witches, that are in the lying divinations, and in the mistery of iniquity, and know the Divel's counsell only, as Pharaoh's Magicians and Wizards did, (and not the counsell of God,) and woe to all that go to Wizards, or [Page 6] the Divell for counsell, for the things of God that stands in his counsell are hid from them, and all Witches and Wizards as they were hid from Pharaoh's Magicians, who knew the Divel's counsell only, and not the counsell of God. Gen, 41. from the 1. to the 9 Read Isai 30. 1. &c. Rev. 9. 1. 2, to the 13 Rev. 9. 20, 21. Rev. 21. 8, 27. Rev. 10. 1, 2, 3. and 7. 8, 9, 10. &c. Jud. 6, 7. 2. Pet. 2. [...], 2, &c. Rev. 22. 14, 15.
And Joseph's interpretations of Pharaoh's dreams is no ground for Sorcerers, Inchanters, and black Artists or Nicromancers, and Wizards to divine for mony by; Joseph was not in the power of darkness, but in the power of God, and he did not inchant nor cast figures as Wizards do but Joseph he knew the counsell of God by revelation, and nor by divination, for God is against that, and against those that divine for mony, and cause the people to erre by their lyes, and lying divinations, as thou Greaton didst, and were openly witnessed against for it, wo to thee and all such, for the Lord will frustrate the tokens of lyars like thee, and make Diviners mad, such as thou art, read Jer. 23. 19, 20. Mic. 3. 11. Mic. 5. 12, 15. Isai. 44 24, 25.
Joseph said that it was God that should give Pharaoh his answer, and he did not cast a figure, nor enter into the inchantments as (Star-gazers, and) Wizards, that divine lyes for mony, but Joseph he spake by revelation of God in him, to him, and by him, and not by lying divination or Witchcraft, God doth utterly abhorre that, and he is against it, and against all Diviners or Conjurers, and will make them mad, as he hath said. Therefore Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream by revelation without Inchantment, or casting figures, is no ground for Star-gazers to cast figures, nor for Nicromancers to conjure and use Witchcraft, and raise up the forms of living things by Witchcraft, as Pharaoh's Magicians, Sorcerers, Wizards did, to deceive by their lying wonders, as the Divel's instruments do, neither was Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams any ground for the Divel's Wise men or Wizards, to tell destinies or fortunes by, as they call it in darkness: for the Magicians, Sorcerers and Wizards could not tell Pharaoh what God was about to do by all their Inchantments which was revealed by the Lord to Joseph, without casting figures, and without Inchantments that are acted by the power of darkness, in the mistery of iniquity. Therefore silent Wizards, consulters with familiar Spirits, Charmers, black Artists or Nicromancers, that are in the Divel's counsell, and all diviners of lyes, silent Witchcraft, the Lord is against it, and you that act in the mistery of iniquity, (by the power of darkness) God will be avenged of you; take not the Scriptures for your cloak or cover, that acteth in such wickedness, you Wizards and diviner of lyes, God is against you, and all that take counsell of you: wo, wo, wo to you all, and your partakers: Gen. 41. Exod. 7. 12, 22. Rev. 9. Isai. 44. 24, 25. Isai. 30. Deut. 18. 10, 11, 12. &c. Rev. 20. 10, 15.
Samuel's telling of Saul of the asses that were gone astray, for which thing God caused Saul to come to Samuel, for the fulfilling of his word that he had spoken to Samuel, concerning the kingdom which was true, and fulfilled according to the word of the Lord, is no ground for that wicked Spirit [Page 7] in thee Nich. Greaton, to use Inchantment and Sorcery, to divine lyes, and tell people of goods that are stolne by the Divel's servants, for theft is of the Divell and Witchcraft, and Sorcery, and Whoredom and lying divinations, and they that do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God▪ Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Rev. 20. And thou (Sorcerer) tookst peoples mony for thy lying divinations, and thy sayings proved false, as it was witnessed against thee at that meeting at Tamworth that day, and thou wouldst have made this of Saul's coming to Samuel thy cloak or cover for thy Sorcery and lying divinations, which will be witnesse against thee (and all Wizards, Inchanters,) and diviners of lyes, as thou art, wo, plagues and vengence from the Lord is your reward. Thus saith the Lord, ah, I will ease me of mine enemies, and avenge me of mine adversaries. Isai. 1. 24.
The Lord had told Samuel all the things concerning Saul, and it came to passe, and was fulfilled according to the word of the Lord. (But Samuel did not cast figures, and inchant, and divine lyes for mony as Wizards do) but it was revealed to Samuel by the word of the Lord, that which he told Saul, and was fulfilled according to the word of the Lord: and no ground (for you Wizards) to divine lyes by for mony, as thou Greaton wouldst have it, but thou art discovered, and found to be out of the counsell of God, and in the counsell of the Devill, and the mistery of Iniquity (as all Wizards) and diviners of lyes and lyars are. Joh. 8. 44. 2. Thes. 2. 9, 10, 11, 12. And art for the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, and all Sorcerers. Rev. 21. 8. that divine lyes for mony, and are in their Inchantments, and lying divinations, and wouldst have had that of Samuel for thy cloak, which doth uncover thee, and leaves the bare, and witnesseth against thee, and such as thou art, and against all Wizards, and diviners of lyes for mony. Now the Lord had told Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, to morrow I will send thee a man, and thou shalt anoint him to be Captain over my people: and the Lord told Samuel those thing that he told Saul, and he did not cast figures, nor inchant to know them, as Wizards do cast figures, and inchant to divine lyes for mony (and all things came to passe) as Samuel told Saul, according to the word of the Lord. 1. Sam. 9. 15. to the end 1. Sam. 10 chap.
Therefore silence Witches, Sorcerers, Inchanters, black Artists or Nicromancers, Charmers, and consulters with familiar Spirits, and Wizards that are acted and guided by the Spirit of the Divell, and are in the power of darknesse, mistery of iniquity, and Witchcrafts. Let the Scriptures alone, and pervert them not with your mucky, dirty, fil thy minds: plagues upon you all that are in Witchcrafts, the burning lake is prepared for you, who are under the king of the bottomlesse pit, vengence upon you all; you shall curse your King and your God, and look upward and be driven to darkness, and be fewell for the fire, Rev. 9. Rev. 20. Mal. 4. 1. Isa. 8. 19, 20, 21. Rev. 16. You shall gnaw your tongues for pain, as the vialls of wrath are poured forth, vengence is your reward, read Rev. 16. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Rev. 20. 10. And thou Greaton that art in the Sorceries and lying divinations, [Page 8] as it was proved against thee at Tamworth, who art also a Teacher to a company of seduced people about Liechfield, or in those parts; let the Scriptures alone, I warn thee and charge thee in the presence of the Lord, and make not them thy cloak for thy Inchantments, Sorceries, and lying divinations, plagues upon the wicked in flames of fire, that trust in lying vanities also, as well as thee: (Silence all Wizards, let the Scriptures alone, and make not them your covers for Sorcery) you have no part in any thing spoken of in them, but the plagues and the burning lake. Reu. 21. 8. Let the Scriptures alone, Wizards and Inchanters, I warn you and charge you in the presence of the Lord, vengence is your reward in flames of fire, and wo to all that are seduced (by you) and that go to take counsell of a Wizard, and an Inchanter, or a Witch, or a Charmer, or a consulter with familiar Spirits, or a black Artist, or Nicromancer: the living, dreadfull, powerfull, mighty God of heaven and earth, he is utterly against that Nicromancy, or black Art, plagues upon it all, wo and vengence upon all that hold it up, and that go to take counsell of it, and Wizards, the law of the dreadfull God forbids it, and the almighty God doth utterly abhor it, and it is commanded to be avoided by the Israel of God, for such Witchcrafts were practised amongst those nations that knew not God, and it was and is an abomination unto the Lord: therefore the Lord spake to Moses to speak to the children of Israel, to command them to avoid it; And saith he, when thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after those abominations of those nations: there shall not be found amongst you any that useth divinations, which thou Greaton dost, that divinest lyes for mony (as Wizards do) plagues upon thee, thou art to be holden accursed, that art in the abominations, and out of the doctrine of God and of Christ. Gal. 1. 8, 9. 1. Cor. 16. 22. And again saith the Lord by Moses to Israel, in the command to avoid Nicromancy, or black Art, or Witchcraft, saith he there shall not be found amongst you an Inchanter nor Witch, plagues in flames of fire upon such. 2. Thes. 2. 12. Rev. 16. 9, 10, &c. Neither shall there be amongst you saith the Lord a Charmer, nor a consulter with familiar Spirits, nor a Wizard, nor a Nicromancer, for all that do these things are an abomination unto me saith the Lord, and because of those abominations the Lord drove out the nations that used those things: for saith the Lord unto Israel, those nations which thou shalt possesse, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners, and Wizards, and such like, but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do, and thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live, but thou shalt walk before me, and be perfect (speaking to his own people, that were in covenant with him) for saith he I am the Lord thy God, as may be read. Deut. 18. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Also read, Exod. 22. 18 Mic. 5. 12. &c.
Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, and the heathen, that knew not the only true God, had their Magicians, Sorceries, Inchanters, or Wizards, to enquire at, and plagues was the portion of such: wo unto all you that go to Wizards [Page 9] or Charmers, or consulters with familiar Spirits, or Diviners, and Inchanters, or Sorcerers, or Conjurers, or Witches, or (the Divels Wise men) Wizards to take counsell, you are one with them, in the upholding of them, you ought to have no fellowship with unfruitfull works of darknesse, but rather to reprove them, and declare against them: for it is light that discovers darknesse: and the children of light are commanded to declare against the works of darknesse: read Ephes. 5. 11, 12, 13. You that go to Wizards, you hold them up, and so are upholders of the Divels kingdom (and except you come out from them, and declare against them, you shall partake of the plagues with them) you that go to take counsell of Wizards, you go from God to the Divell, and the light of God in your consciences will tell you the same, and reprove you for it in secret, and wo to all that do so, read, Isa. 30. &c. Pharaoh he had his Magicians, Sorcerers, Inchanters, or Wizards, to take counsell of and by their black Art, or the power of darknesse, and Nicromancy, or Witchcraft, they could by their Inchantments or Conjurations raise up the formes of living things, and they were in the Inchantments and in the Witchcrafts, of whom Pharaoh took counsell, and so of the Divell, and plagues was his portion, and vengence from God and utter destruction. Exod▪ 7. 11, 22. Exod. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 chap.
And Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him, and he commanded to call the Magicians, and the Astrologers, and the Sorcerers (and Wizards) which he had to take counsell of, Dan. 2. 1, 2.
But because the thing stood in the counsell of God, they could not tell him of it, that were but in the Divels counsell only, as Sorcerers (and Wizards) are, for which he was wrath with them. Dan. 2. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
And Daniels interpretations of the dreams, and reading and interpreting the writing by the Spirit of the Lord. Dan. 2. 19, 20. to the 24. Dan. 4. which was hid from the black Artists and Astrologers, Star-gazers, and Wizards, Sorcerers, and Inchanters, and Diviners of lyes (like thee) that tels people of things which are wanting, and destinies, and such like, and take their mony for it, and were lying divinations, wo to such (Wizards and diviners of lyes as thou art) that would have the Scriptures for thy cloak, silent deceit, Daniels Interpretations by Revelation is no ground for Nicromancy, plagues upon all Nicromancers, black Artists, Witches, Sorcerers, Inchanters and Wizards, and diviners of lyes; the Devill and his angells are for the lake; go ye cursed into hell, and all that forget God, to take counsell of you, Psal. 9. 17. Isai. 30, 33. Math. 25. 41. Rev. 20. 10.
Then thou Greaton and diviner of lyes, thou seemedst to have had that prophecy of Christ for thy cover, and to prove thy Art, till I cut thee out of that, where he prophesied and said, Imediately after those dayes, the Sun shall be darkened, and the Moon shall not give her light, and the Stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken, which is as I said, a prophecy of the coming of Christ to gather his elect from the [Page 10] four windes, Mat. 24. 29, 30, 31. which thou knowest nothing of, by thy Sorceries and lying divinations, that art in the reprobation, professing, God in words, but to every good work abominable and reprobate, who art an Inventour of evil things, and filled with wickednesse in the reprobation. Tit. 1. 16. Rom. 1. 28. to the end, and that of Joel, the 2. 30, 31, 32. is also no cover for thee, but a Witnesse against thee, which is a prophecy of the great day of the Lord, wherein thou and all such shall cry bitterly. Zeph. 1. 14. &c. and shalt be rewarded with flames of fire. 2. Thes. 1. 8, 9. Thou Sorcerer and perverter of Scripture, and as Elimas the Sorcerer was, thou full of all subtilty, and child of the Divell, and enemy of all righteousnesse, that perverts the right waies of the Lord, as he did. Act 13. 6. 7, 8, 9, 10. 2. Thes. 1. 12.
Wo to thee thou Sorcerer and perverter of the right waies of the Lord, thou false prophet, that divines (or conjures) for mony, and art found amongst the Inchanters (or Wizards and Star-gazers) that tels destinies and fortunes, (and casts figures,) and thou tellest of things that are gone, and such like practises, by a spirit of divination, that brings thee in gain, and thou wast witnessed against for it, at thee meeting at Tamworth, and proved to be a diviner of lyes for mony, and those things came not to passe according to thy Inchantments neither, but proved lying divinations, and when thou couldst not maintain by Scripture, which thou labouredst to have done, thou saidst thou wouldst give him his mony, again (thou Beast and Wizard) thou art naked and bare, thy covers will not hide thee, wo to thee, and wo to all Wizards, and (such as thou art) plagues is your portion, truth clears it self of you) and of thee, who saidst thou wouldst follow the servants of the Lord, and weary them out, &c. But thy lying divinations fails thee, who art of thy father the Divell, as those were, spoken of in John, 8. 44. And the lake is prepared for such. Read, Rev. 21. 8. And all lyars and Sorcerers are for the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death: with the light which changeth not art thou seen and discovered, and comprehended, and from God and from Christ condemned, and all Witches, Sorcerers, Inchanters, Charmers, Black Artists, or Nicromancers, evil Inventours, Conjurers, and Wizards, that are in the power of Witchcrafts, and in the mistery of Iniquity, the Beast and the false prophet also, and the Divell that deceived them are all for the lake; howle, howle Witches, Wizards, that peep and mutter plagues upon all such in flames of fire for ever and ever, and the Divell that deceived them, where the Beast and the false prophet are, thither must they go, into the lake of fire and brimstone, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever: wo, wo, wo to all such, read Rev. 20. 9, 10.
All people every where, that desires to fear the living God, and serve him, take heed of that wicked spirit in Nicholas Greaton, (and all Wizards) I warn you and charge you in the presence of the Lord, as you will answer it before the judgement seat of Christ, in the terrible day of the [Page 11] Lord, read Joel, 2. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. and Zeph. 1. 14, 15. read also Levit. 20 26, 27. and take heed of going to those that have familiar spirits, or to those that are Wizards, as you will answer it before the Lord: now you are warned also, read 18. 10, 11, 12. Thus saith the Lord, regard not them that have familiar spirit, neither seek after Wizards, to be defiled by them, I am the Lord, read Levit. 19. 31. You that seek after Wizards disobey the Lord, and turn from him, to enter into fellowship with the Divell, and take counsell of him in a Wizard, and are defiled thereby, and the wo is to such that regard not the counsell of God, where he forbids going to Wizards.
Therefore a warning to you all from the Lord, for hearkening to Wizards, least you be slain, and dye not the common death of men, and least the plagues come upon you, for joining with them, as they came upon those that joined to Baal Peor, (and the Wizards were amongst those curst people, whom thy Lord drove out) Deut. 18. 11, 12. And those that went out of the counsell of God, joined to Baal Peor, and the anger of the Lord was kindled against them for it, and the Lord said unto Moses, take all the heads of the people that joined to Baal Peor, that serve other Gods, and hang them up before the Lord against the Sun, that the fie [...]ce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel, then Moses gave a command to the judges of Israel to slay the men that joined to Baal Peor, and they that went out of the counsell of God, that joined to Baal Peor, were cut off from amongst the Israel of God, and those that dyed in the plague before it was staied, for joining unto Baal Peor, were twenty and four thousand, as may be read in Numb. the 15. from the 1. to the 10. And those that rebelled, and took not counsell of the Lord, the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up quick, and their houses, and all their goods, they and all that appertained unto them went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from amongst the Congregation, and their cry was great when they went down quick into the pit, for their rebellion against the Lord, and there came a fire from the Lord, and consumed 200. and 50. men, for offering incense, that were disobedient to rhe word of the Lord, and there was 14. thousand and 700 dyed of the plague for their rebellion, Numb. 16. which were sinners against the Lord, and also against their own souls. Now that you are warned, if you go to Wizards, take what followeth, for you sin wilfully against the Lord, and also against your own souls, and the light of God in all your consciences will witnesse with me, and the Scriptures, if you go any more to Witches or Wizards you are in danger of loosing soul and body goods, and all, by the righteous judgements and plagues that may follow you for your rebellion, as those examples that are instanced before you; read also Jude. 5, 6, 7. 2. Pet. 2. 4, 5, 6. And when any shall counsell you contrary to the counsell of God that saith regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after Wizards, least ye be defiled by them. Levit. 19. 31. If any say unto you, seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto Wizads [Page 12] that peep and mutter, take not their counsell that would have you to do so, as you will answer it, for should not a people seek unto their God; and wo to them that take counsell, but not of me saith the Lord, therefore a warning to all that go from God to the Divell, by seeking after Wizards for counsell, also read, Isa. 8. 19. Isa. 30. 1.
When God was departed from Saul, he went to the Divell (in the Witch of Endor) for counsell, and then was conjuration used to raise the dead, Sam. 28. And Saul died not the common death of men, for he slew himself upon his own sword. 1. Sam. 31. Wo, wo, wo to the Wizards, and all that go to take counsell at them, for they go from God to take counsell of the Divell, and of Sorcerers, Witches, that are in the power of darknesse and Witchcraft, and in the mistery of iniquity, and those who are under the command of the prince of the power of the air, and the king of the bottomlesse pit, read Rev. 9. even of him whose coming is after the workings of Satan, (with all the power of darknesse) and with signs and lying wonders, and with all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish, that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse. 2. Thes. 29. 10, 11, 12.
All you that turn from the light of Christ Jesus in your consciences, which sheweth you sin and evill, you turn from the counsell of God, and from the holy command, as Cain did, and err'd from the spirit of truth, and turned into the seat of darknesse, where Witchcraft is hatched, and all evil is invented, and so you entering into union with the prince of darknesse, the spirit that ruleth in the children of disobedience, that turn from the light, into the sear of darknesse, you become inventours of evil things, and follow that which is evil, and are filled with wickednesse, some with Inchantments and Sorceries and theft, and some with whoredome and drunkenesse, and some with Witchcraft and lying divinations (and lies and Sorceries arise) and Witchcraft is of the Divell, acted by the seed of the serpent that is in union with the Divell, and is given over to work wickednesses, and those creatures also, that are in familiarity with the seed of the serpent, and so captivated by the Divell, (that old Sorcerer and Witch) at his will, and see the cause how it enters, and you into the mistery of iniquity, whereby you become inventours of evill things, by disobeying the light of God in your consciences, is the cause of entering into wickednesse and Witchcraft, and because they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, therefore he gave them over to a reprobate mind, whereby they become evil inventours, and are filled with deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse and Wickednesse, working uncleanesse with greadinesse. Romans, 1. 28, 29, 30. &c.
For this cause the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, for disobedience, and against all unrighteousnesse, and the unrighteous ones, who hold the truth in unrighteousnesse, and against all ungodlinesse of men, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Rom. 1. 18, 19. And they received not the counsell of [Page 13] it, after manifestation therefore followeth their condemnation, & the condemnation of the world, Joh. 3. 19, 20, 21. And the condemnation of all that love the deeds of darknesse, rather then the light, which light is the condemnation of all that hate it, and act contrary to it, and the condemnation of all the wicked, and all that are seated in the power of darknesse, and in the mistery of iniquity, and it is also the condemnation of all Sorcerers, and Inchanters, and Conjurers, Witches, Wizards, Black Artists, and Nicromancers, false prophets, Seducers, and Antechrists, that are in the Witchcrafts, and in the abominations, Howl all Witches, the fire and the lake is prepared for you, and all in your craft, Howl, vengence upon you all that are Wizards, the fire and the lake is for you all, and wo to all that take counsell at you, and at Wizards, with the light that changeth not are you all seen, to be in the power of darknesse, Witchcrafts, mistery of iniquity, with the light that comprehends all the world are you comprehended, and from God, and from Christ are you condemned, the sword is drawn, the fire burns, you are all compassed, and the chain is upon your necks, reserved for the judgement of the great day: and for the burning fire, that burneth for ever and ever, Rev. 9. 1, 2. to the 13. Rev, 22. 15. Rev. 21. 8. Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Rev. 20. 9, 10.
Some of thy lying divinations that proved false, which thou tookst mony for, thou diviner of lyes. and perverter of the right waies of the Lord, as is proved by Scripture, and now followes more proofe against thee by witnesse, against thy wicked practise.
First, that William Newway of Tamworth went to Nicholas Greaton, to know where he might buy some wood for his trade, and he told him he might have some Southward, in Warwickshire, about Hounby, and the said William Newway sent John Greenwood to the place where Greaton told Newway he might have some, but when Greenwood came at the place he was sent to for that purpose, there was none to be had, and this proved a lying divination, for which the said Greaton took Newways mony: this John Greenwood of Tamworth witnesse against thee, thou Inchanter and diviner of lyes; John Greenwood
The second lying divination witnessed against is this: Thomas Taylor of Austrey went to the said Nicholas Greaton, abont a mare that was stoln from his father, and Greaton said it was impossible for him to have her again, and one of Tho. Taylors of Austrey neighbours had a mare stoln the same night, and Greaton said, it was impossible for them to have them again, for he said they were gone Notthward, but that proved false, for they were gone Westward, and they had them both again, and when Taylor went to Greaton about them, he demanded 12 a Piece, because they were 2 severall things: but afterwards he would have taken 18 but he would not given him so much, therefore Greaton was very angry with him, because the said Tho-Taylor that went to him to enquire about the mares that were stolne, would give him no more, and Greaton flung it away, and the man took it up, and (the man,) told him he should get it before he had it, and this John Greenwood [Page 14] can witness from Thomas Taylors mouth: and also Rice Healey of Tamworth, he can witness this business of Thomas Taylors, for he was by at that time:
- John Greenwood
- Rice Healey
- witnesses.
The third lying divination is this; Robert Healey of Grindon, did send Rice Healey to the said Greaton, to know whether he should have some goods again that were stolne, or no; and he said he should and withall, Greaton told him that the theeves house stood Southward from the mans house that did send to enquire, and the doores opened not into a Lane, but into a Backside, Northward: And he took money for that, and [...] he should have his goods again; but he had not, and that proved a lying divination also. This is witnessed against by
- Rice Healey and Robert Healey.
More lying divinations witnessed against, for which the said Nicholas Greaton tooke money for his deceiveableness of unrighteousness; John Farmer having great use for money, and having kindred in the North-Wales, that had much spare money; he went to Nicholas Greaton, to know whether he should borrow any of them, and he told him that he might, upon which account he went: It was above one hundred miles and he spent above twenty shillings, and could borrow none.
Also two Maids, sisters to the said John Farmer declared, that Nicholas Greaton had told them severall things, for which he took money of them, and they complained of him to Iohn Farmer, that they were all lies: And the said Iohn Farmer asked him severall other questions, for which he demanded four shillings, and railed against him because he had not so much to give him; saying, that he was so badly payed by those that professed themselves friends, that he thought he should be undone, unless that he left that Art: but Iohn Farmer gave him two shillings. These lying wonders, and false practices, and lying divinations, are witnessed against, by
- Iohn Farmer.
Written from the Spirit of the Lord, by a servant of the Lord; known and beloved of the Lord, yet hated of the World as unknown, yet well known; as dying, and yet behold I live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowfull, yet alwaies rejoycing; as poot, yet making many rich; [...] as having nothing, and yet possessing all things, 2 Cor. [...] chap.
[Page 15] The New Man, the new name; yet known to the world by one, whom they in scorn call Quaker, but of the Divine Nature made partaker. Behold, what manner of love is this, that the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the Sonnes of God, and now we are the Sonnes of God, Therefore the World knoweth us not, because it knew him not: as it is written, 1 Iohn 3. 1. [According as his Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godlyness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to Glory and Vertue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises.] Therefore can we have no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darkness, but openly declare against them, as it is required and done in Obedience to the Command of the Spirit of Truth, 2 Pet. 1. 3, 4. Ephes. 5. 11, 12, 13. verses.