Letters on demonology and witchcraft. Addressed to J. G. Lockhart, Esq / by Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
- Walter Scott
- Date:
- 1831
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Letters on demonology and witchcraft. Addressed to J. G. Lockhart, Esq / by Sir Walter Scott, Bart. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![and much more doubtful class of offences, which, however odious, are nevertheless to he proved possible before they can be received as a criminal charge. Whatever may be thought of other occasional expressions in the Old Testament, it cannot be said, that, in any part of that sacred volume, a text occurs, indicating the existence of a system of witchcraft, under the Jewish dispensation, in any respect similar to that against which the law-books of so many European nations have, till very lately, denounced punishment; far less under the Christian dispensation—a system under which the emanci- pation of the human race from the Le^dtical Law was happily and miraculously perfected. This latter crime is supposed to infer a compact implying reverence and adoration on the part of the natch who comes under the fatal bond, and 2>atronage, support, and assistance, on the part of the diaboheal ]oatron. Indeed, in the foiu’ Gospels, the word, under any sense, does not occur; although, had the 2)ossibility of so enormous a sin been admitted, it was not likely to escajje the warning censure of the Divine Person who came to take away the sins of the world. Saint Paul, indeed, mentions the sin of witchcraft in a cursory manner, as superior in gaiilt to that of ingratitude; and in the offences of the flesh, it is ranked immediately after idolatry; which juxtaposition inclines iis to beheve that the wdtchcraft mentioned by the Apostle must have been analogous to that of the Old Testament, and equivalent to resorting to the assistance of sooth- sayers, or similar forbidden arts, to acquire know- lei^e of futui’ity. Sorcerers are also joined with](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22029667_0088.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
