EPI. As to the first of your reasones, grounded vpon custome: I saie, an
euill custome can neuer be accepted for a good law, for the ouer great
ignorance of the worde in some Princes and Magistrates, and the contempt
thereof in others, moues them to sinne heavelie against their office in
that poynt. As to the other reasone, which seemes to be of greater weight,
if it were formed in a Syllogisme; it behooued to be in manie termes, and
full of fallacies (to speake in termes of _Logicque_) for first, that that
generall proposition; affirming _Moyses_ to be taught _in all the sciences
of the AEgyptians_, should conclude that he was taught in _Magie_, I see no
necessity. For we must vnderstand that the spirit of God there, speaking
of sciences, vnderstandes them that are lawfull; for except they be
lawfull, they are but _abusiue_ called sciences, & are but ignorances
indeede: _Nam homo pictus, non est homo_. Secondlie, giuing that he had
bene taught in it, there is great difference, betwixt knowledge and
practising of a thing (as I said before). For God knoweth all thinges,
being alwaies good, and of our sinne & our infirmitie proceedeth our
ignorance. Thirdlie, giuing that he had both studied and practised the
same (which is more nor monstruous to be beleeued by any Christian) yet we
know well inough, that before that euer the spirite of God began to call
_Moyses_, he was fled out of _AEgypt_, being fourtie yeares of age, for the
slaughter of an _AEgyptian_, and in his good-father _Iethroes_ lande, first
called at the firie bushe, hauing remained there other fourtie yeares in
exile: so that suppose he had beene the wickeddest man in the worlde
before, he then became a changed and regenerat man, and very litle of olde
_Moyses_ remained in him. _Abraham_ was an Idolater in _Vr_ of
_ChaldA|aea_, before he was called: And _Paule_ being called _Saule_, was a
most sharp persecutor of the Saintes of God, while that name was changed.

PHI. What punishment then thinke ye merites these _Magicians_ and
_Necromancers_?

EPI. The like no doubt, that _Sorcerers_ and _Witches_ merites; and rather
so much greater, as their error proceedes of the greater knowledge, and so
drawes nerer to the sin against the holy Ghost. And as I saye of them, so
saye I the like of all such as consults, enquires, entertaines, & ouersees
them, which is seene by the miserable endes of many that askes councell of
them: For the Deuill hath neuer better tydings