Narration of the Strange and Grievous Vexation by the Devil, Part 3 · Subpart 3

Narration of the Strange and Grievous Vexation by the Devil · Part 3 · Subpart 3

p. 67OF THFVSE THAT EVERY ONE IS TO MAKE OF THESE WORKES OF GOD.

Wee hauehave manifeſtly proued that theſe perſons we ſpeake of, were poſſeſſed with deuils: and that they were diſpoſſeſſed by prayer & faſting. Now leſt all this ſhould be to vsus in vaine, (which God forbid:) It remaineth that we conſider of the fruite, and profite which we may and ought to make to our ſelues thereof. For as in the ordinarie workes of God, yf we only looke and gaze vponupon them with out making any further vſe of the ſame, and doe not withall: behold & conſider the inviſible things of God, as his power, wiſdom Iuſtice, mercye, our beholding of them is in vaine to vsus: and not onlye ſo, but wee theirby alſo take the Lordes name in vaine:Roman… 1. …. even ſo ſhall it goe with vsus, yf in this extraordinarie worke of God, we looke onlye vponupon it, as ſome new and ſtrange thing, without any further proceeding to profite theirby. Yea if we be bound by the lawe of God: to profite and receiue good by eueryevery ordinarie worke of the Lord, much more by that which is extraordinarie: for an extraordinarie worke calleth for an extraordinarie vſe, and it is adouble ſinne to faile therein. p. 68The vſe we are to make of this extraordinarie worke either concern…th the glorie of God and the ſtirring of vsus vp to magnifie his great name, or the benefit of man, and good he may receiue thereby Firſt herein as in a glaſſe wee may beholde the iuſtice of god in pu nniſhing or correctinge ſinne,This work … the glory of God and … of the ſame for … are to be … the … of God. wherby the Lorde teacheth vsus to take heed of ſinninge againſt him, leaſt either the ſame or a worſe thinge come vntounto vsus.

Secondly we ſee the omnipotencie and power of God 1 in the powere and ſtrength of the deuil which God permitteth him to exerciſe a ga inſt ſinners 2 in ſubduing thoſe principalities and powers Satan I mea ne,the power of God. treading him vnderunder his feet: yea vnderunder the feet of his ſeruants. who then that is wiſe, will ſerue the Lord in feare and trembling.

Thirdly▪ the mercye of God is to be ſeene in this worke in deliuering them,the mercy of God, and that at the humble intreatie of others in there behalfe, they being diſabled by ſatan to ſupplicate for themſelues. This being well conſidred magniſieth greatly the merciemercy and compaſſion of the Lorde. vvho can chuſe but louelove him becauſe of his mercies? and why ſhould any diſpaire of his merciemercy ſeinge he is ſo ready to ſhew merciemercy euen at the intreatie of others. How much more when man ſhall ſup plycatt for himſelfe. This vſe Chriſt Ieſus him ſelfe maketh in ſaying to the man whom he had diſpoſſeſſed:marke 3. 29, goe ſhew how the Lorde hath had compaſſion on thee.

Fourthly,the wiſdome, & immutabil…tie of God, acts 4. 13, 1 cor 1: 27: wee maye here beholde the wiſdom & immutabilite of God as being the ſame who neuer changeth: In that (as he hath bene allwa yes accuſtomed to doe) he brought this rare & great worke to paſſe by ſmalle and weake meanes, baſe and contemptible men, yea ſuch as be vile and odious in the eyes of the world. That thereby the power of God might be the better ſeene: man in his wiſdom be confounded and the name of God the better prayſed: In a word that he which re ioyceth in the behalfe of this worke,the fidelitie of God, marke, 9, 29, might not reiovce in man but in the Lord. To him therfore to whom of right it belongeth, be the prayſe and glory of this worke aſcribed.

Fiftly, The ſaitthfulneſſ of God in the performance of his promyſe offereth it ſelfe here to our conſideration. Theſe wordes this kind goeth not out, but by praier & faſting: ſecretly containe in them this promiſe, that if any be poſſ…ſſed & we in the humiliti of our ſouls by faſt ing, will intreate the Lord to caſt the ſperit out, he will doe it for vsus and deliuer the partie from beinge any further vexed by Satan, This the Lord hath promiſed, the accompliſhmente wherof we hauehave ſeene with our eies let vsus▪ herby learne to truſt to the leaſt and moſt cloſe & ſecret promiſe God …ath made vsus in his worde: and ſave in our harts, and with our toungs: God is not as man that he ſhould lye & be vnfaithfull: p. 69neither as the ſonne of man that he ſhould repent, and not performe that he hath promiſed.Nomb. 23. 19. Rom 3, 3. 4.Rom 3:3Rom 3:4 Hath he ſaid and ſhall he not doe it? and hath he ſp…ken, and ſhall he not accompliſh it? Hath he promiſed and will he not performe it? And thus much breifly concerning the glory of God de cleared in this worke now followe the ſeuerall vſes concerning man, and the profite he otherwiſe is to make hereof.1 It ſerueth to com…ince the papiſts, touchinge of the power they only hau in there church to caſt forth de…les.

Firſt, this great and wonderfull worke of the lord ſerueth to conuince and ſtope the mouthes of the papiſtes, who as they are alwayes boaſtinge of their miracles, and vpbraiding vsus with the ſame: ſo eſpetially with this miracle of theirs, (as they terme it) of caſting out of diuils whervpon it hath come to paſſe, that ſome of this bragging generation in Staffordſhire in the time of Th. Darlinge his poſſeſſion, as alſo in Lanca ſhire in the time of the poſſeſſion of thoſe 7. there, hauehave broken forth into theſe and ſuch like wordes of challenge: Let vsus ſee one of your miniſters caſt out theſe diuils: If we might bring a preiſt, wee are ſure he could doe it.

And in a booke latelye written by one of their ſide, wherin ſome of there exorciſts and preiſts pretend to hauehave diſpoſſeſſed 3. here in England, I read theſe wordes: Now (ſaith the authour) let me ſee wether they proteſtants can avouch any ſuch thing to be done in their congregations. And in another place thus: they proteſtants hauehave ſmale meanes to make triall, whether ther be any poſſeſſed among them or no: leſſe iudgment to diſcerne ther caſe, and much leſſe remidie (yf any ſuch be found) other then to bind, beate, & ſend them to Bedlem if the be poore,vponupon mathew 17, 19. or to begg their liuings if they hauehave any. And in theire annotationes of the Rhomes teſtament, vponupon theſe words of they diſciples to Chriſt, why could not wee caſt him out? they gyue this note. Noe mareuill yf they exorciſtes of the Catholicke Church which hauehave power to caſt out Deuiles, yet doe it not allwayes when they will, and many times with much adoe: wheras they Apoſtles hauing receiu ed this power before ouer vncleane ſpirites, yet here could not caſt them out. But as for heritickes they can neuer doe it, nor any true myracle, to confirme their falſe faith.

Thus wee ſee they doe not only deny that Deuilles are ſo vſuallye caſt out by vsus, as it is with them: but which is more, moſt peremptorilye they affirme, that wee (whom they terme heritickes) can neuer doe it, ſpetiallye to confirme our falſe faith.

To paſſe by the diſpoſſeſſiones of others: even of late veares, which might fitly be here obiected againſt them: what ſay they to the … ſſeſſion of Kath. Wright, of Tho, Darling, & finally of they other … perſons wee hauehave ſo largly intreated off? That they were all … vncleane ſpirits, and that the ſame were caſt out of them, I … p. 70die bene ſo evedentlye ſheewed and confirmed: by reaſon out of the ſcriptures, that neither papiſt, nor athiſt, can without bluſhing gaynſay the ſame. And that thoſe whom they call heritickes, were the inſtruments the Lord vſed therin, it is alſo moſt manifeſt. How then ſay they Rhemiſts, that heretickes can neuer caſt out diuils. But (to examine the truth of this their annotation a li…tle further) be that granted which they papiſtes ſo much contend for, viz. That their Exorciſts only hauehave power to driue out diuils, & that we are to weake thervnto: yet why doe they challenge an equall power herein with the Apoſtles, as is plaine by this their gloſſe,Thyr. de Doem. …p. 33. ſect. 5 if it be well conſidered of? yet leaſt I ſhould be thought to… miſtake or ſlaunder them, I will ſet downe Thyreus his wordes concerning this poynt. Speaking of the power to caſt out diuils which was giuegive by Chriſt, & to whom it was giuen, he ſaith thus: Docent ſacrae literae omnibus fidelibus to. the holy ſcriptures teach, that the power ouer vnclean ſpirits was comunicated to al bel…uers but yet cheif ly to the Apoſtls and diſciples of chriſt, …ct. 8. Mark. 16. 17.Mark 16:17and a litle after he adeth. this power which was geuen to the Apoſtles died not with the Apoſtles but rema…ned in the ages followinge, for it doth not appertaine to the Apoſtles onelyonly, that which is ſayd. theſe ſigns ſhal followe them which beleue. in my name they ſhall caſt out diuills, ſect. 10. cap. 35. ſect. 4.this ſpeache of Chriſt comprehendeth all beleuers, this authoritie giuen by Chriſt ſhal continue ſo longe as ther ſhae be any which profeſſe the faith of Chriſt. and againe in the ende of the ſame chapiter he hath theſe wordes in our times alſo in tie church of Chriſt amouge the Cath …licks this power is, & the very ſame which at the firſt was giuen by chriſt to his diſciples and cotinued in the ages followinge. And not much after he ſaith: But Chriſts power ouer vncleane ſpitits, although in the beginning it was communicated cheifly to the Apoſtles, yet notwithſtanding wholly to all beleeuers: and ſuch only are they, if you will beleeue them.

Truly it was not poſſible for them thus palpably to erre, yf the god of this world had not blinded their eyes. They ſay, that in theire church only, theris power to caſt forth diuils, and out of it non, which if no other way, yet by experience is knowne to be falfe. But to lett this paſſe, what can be more falſe and abſurd then that which this Ieſuiticall Doctor addeth, that they hauehave the ſame power and authoritie ouer wicked ſpirits that the Apoſtles had, that the ſame is committed and giuen to them now by Chriſt, which ſomtimes he gaue to they Apoſtles? we hauehave alreadie hard out of the holy ſcriptures, that Chriſt did giuegive and com mit vntounto his Apoſtls, ſuch authoritie ouer all diuils, as by vertue ther of they no ſooner ſpake,…, 19, 12. but they ſpirits went out of men: they noe ſooner commaunded, but forthwith they departed: yea ſomtimes be fore and without ſo much as their commaund, as by the kerchiſes and handkercheifes: which were caried from Paules body.

p. 71yf now the papiſts or there Exorciſts hauehave the ſame authoritie ouer vndeane ſpirits with the Apoſtles how cometh it to paſſe that hauing among them ſome daylie poſſeſſed: they ſhew not forth the ſame power, and with a word cauſe the ſpirits immediatly to goe out: and that the deuils are no more ſubdued vntounto them? they commaund the wicked ſpirits inde…d being in men to goe forth of them as the apoſtles did, & therein take a litle too much vponupon them: but they all of them eyther doe or maye know that the deuil goeth out at his beſt leaſure And hereof as they hauehave experience daylie among themſelues, ſo the ſame was lately ſeene in ſome of there diſpoſſeſſiōs in England: as may appear by the ſame booke lately written by a great clarke of their fact ion and copied out by one M. Rober: Barens now priſoner in the Kings Bench, for notwithſtanding there was one of there Ezor…iſtes buſied about that worthy worke,the exorciſts conten…ed themſelues with theſe names as if without all doubt they we… ſo cal'ed iudce… and no maruil… they beinge of this mind as it ſ…ould …, that the p…rite… being … da…e …ot he to them yf this … of ther… which is ſo carfully written from hand to hand were in the handes of all men I am perſwaded that nothing which the will of man could deuiſe, would make their exorciſing of ſpirits redicus lous & odious as it would. and to aſſiſt him 3 preiſts: and that they did not onlye adiure and commaund the ſpirites in the name of Ieſus as the Apoſtles alſo did (and namely amonge many other thinges) to tell them how longe they had bene in the partie which was in one of them, iuſt two… yeares, and how many there were of them which were in the ſame perſon, iuſt two thouſand: likwiſe what were their names, which were Hoberdi-Dance, Luſti Iolly-Ionkin, Luſti-Dicke, &…t. luſtie companions I warant you euerye one, the like wherto wee read not of the Apoſtles: but had beſids their ſacrifice of maſſe, their B. Sacra ment of the aulter, with many other things applyed to they poſſeſſed parties, giuyng them hallowed bread, drincke, ſiguinge them with the ſigne of the croſſe, applyinge holy relickes, as the b…nes of S. Brian, S. Campian, putting one the partie poſſeſſed holye garments (all which are according to Thyr…us his direction) with more of this kind, which they Apoſtles neuer vſed: yet notwithſtandinge all theſe helpes aboue the Apoſtles, and their equall authoritie to theres, they commaunding from day today, & from time to time, …very ſtubbornly the diuil diſobeyed them and their authoritie, and went out (happelie) at his owne leaſure caryinge himſelfe in the meane ſeaſon very ſaucilie towards them, beingmen of ſuch authoritie telling them that they were traitors, &ct. as appeareth by their ſaid ſtorie.

And leſt any ſhould take exception againſt the diſpoſſeſſion I ſpeake of, we muſt knowe that by all their bookes written of this Argument, and namlye Mengus his fuga Doemonum it doth plainlye appeare, that vſually they are a day or rather daies,Mengur exorcizing, adiurige charming, againe and againe, and performinge the worthy rites and Ceremonies (wherof we ſhall by and by heare) before the deuill will be pleaſed to g…e out. Yea this no papiſt, who herein vnderſtandeth any thinge, can or will deny. which beinge ſo, it ſhould even hereby p. 72ſeeme that they hauehave no ſuch authorytie ouer ſpirits as the Apoſtles had, and that the Deuils are not in any ſuch ſubiection vntounto them, as they were to the Apoſtles. Agayne, yf they hauehave, eaudem illam poteſtatem, the very ſame power ouer deuills which was by Chriſt giuen to his diſ ciples, as they affirme wherby they worke this miracle dayly. how cometh it to paſſe that they doe not ordinarilie (for extraordina…ilie as they ſay ſo it may be they doe in their lyinge wonders, wrought by the effectual workinge of Satan) as well worke other miracles as that▪ reſtore ſight to the blind: ſpeach to the dumb, heale the ſick and raiſe vp the deade? For theſe were ioyned together in the ſame commiſſion, as is expreſlye noted by 3 Euangeliſtes Ieſus (it is ſayd) called his twelue diſciples vntounto him, 2 theſſ▪ 2. 9,and gaue them power againſt vncleane ſpirites to caſt them out, m…th 10. 1. 8. mark 3. 15. …uk. 9, 1▪and to heale eueryevery ſickneſſe and eueryevery diſeaſe. And againe a litle after he ſaith vntounto them: heale the ſicke, clens the leapers, raiſe vp the dead, caſt out the deuils. wherby it appeareth that Chriſt hath coupled and inſeperably ioyned theſe thinges together. ſo as whoſoeuer ſhall hauehave the ſame power with the Apoſtles to caſt out deuils, that is with a worde, ſhall alſo hauehave power with a worde to heale diſeaſes and raiſ vp the dead. yea who can be ſo deuoide of reaſon as to doubt thereof if withal he remember, that to caſt out deuils is of miracles the greateſt: as appeareth by that ſpeach of the 70 Diſciples, Lorde, euen the De uills are ſubdued vntounto vsus through thy name. Luk. 10. 17.Luke 10:17as if they had ſaide Lord by vertue of that power which thou haſt giuen vsus, wee hauehave not onlye healed the ſicke made the blinde to ſee, raiſed vp the deade, and done other great workes. but that alſo which is aboue and ſurpaſſeth them all: wee hauehave caſt the Deuills out of men whereby we ſee that they are ſubiect vntounto vsus. This conſydered, who ſeeth not, that foraſmuch as ne ther their exorciſts, preiſts nor any other in the popiſh church, hauehave the ſame power with the Apoſtles, by their anoyntinge to make the ſicke whole, to make the halt to goe, the blinde to ſee, the deafe to heare the dumbe to ſpeake to raiſe vp they dead &c, that therfore alſo they hauehave not the ſame power, with them to caſt out Deuils.

And where the Ieſuite▪ affirmeth that, al beleuers hauehave the ſame power ouer wicked ſpirits with the Apoſtles, yf it be ſo: why doe not eueryevery one of ther beleuers exerciſ that power whē occaſiō: is offred, but only ther exor ciſtes agayn,1 cor, 12, 29, were this ſo, all the faithful ſhold hauehave power alſo to work othere miracls, as appeareth by the premiſes. Now I thinke Thyreus will not ſaye,de Doemo, cap 33. ſect. 5. that eueryevery beleuer hath power to worke miracles, conſidering that of S Paule are all doers of miracle? hauehave all the giftes of heal inge? The which if he graunt, then muſt he lykwiſe confeſſe, that all beleeuers hauehave not the ſame power to caſt out deuills with the Apoſtles. But ſaith he, ſacrae litera docent omnibus fidelibus t…. the holy ſcrip turs teach this, for it is written: Signa eos qui crediderint, haec ſequen tur ct. theſe ſignes ſhal follow them which beleue, in my name they ſhall caſt outdeuils. If this ſcripture comprehend al beleuers. and the power here giuen ſhal continve, as long as there ſhal be any to profeſſe the faith of chriſt as the Ieſuit affirmeth: then ſhall eueryevery beleuer hauehave likwiſe the gifte of tongues, and be able without ſtudie to vnderſtand & ſpeake any language,marke 16. 17. and power alſo to worke miracles: for it is not only ſaid of theſe beleuers, that in Chriſtes name they ſhal caſt out Deuills: but beſides, that they ſhal ſpeake with newe tongus, and ſhal take away ſerpents and if they ſhal drincke any deadly thinge, it ſhal not hurt them▪ they ſhall laye there handes on the ſicke, and they ſhall recouer: but this latter is falſe as the Ieſuit himſelfe muſt needs confeſſe, and is euidentalſo by the a foreſaid place of ſcripture (doe al ſpeake with tongus?) and therfore the firſt alſo. wee are not then to take thoſe wordes, them that beleue ſo ge nerally: and to vnderſtand therby al them which hauehave fayth in Chriſt as this Doctor doth, but more ſtrightly of thoſe only which were indewed with the miraculous faith: which gift & number of beleuers cō tinued in the church but for a time, vntill the goſpell and doctrine of Chriſt crucified,act. 17. 18, 19 20. 32: 1 cor. 1, 23, which was to the Gentils both a new and fooliſh doctrine, had got among them intertainment.

But to returne to the Rhemiſts former gloſſe. It is there to be obſer ued alſo, that they accounte there caſtinge forth of deuills for a miracle. and why ſo I praye you, ſeeinge by their own confeſſion their Ex…rciſts caſt them out by the meane of faſting & praier,eyther in the ſame page, or in theire annotations vponupon marke 9. beſides ſundrie toyes & fooleries of their own coyning they add therunto. Are you that ſtand ſo much vponupon your miracles, building as it were your faith and religion thereon, ignorante herein: that it is no miracle, be the worke neuer ſo wonderfull, which is done by an ordinarie meanes ap pointed of God therto? If hetherto you hauehave bene ignorant hereof, diſdaine not to learne it nowe at the length, out of that hath bene ſaid before in this behalfe

Yf it ſhould be granted, that to diſpoſſeſſe deuills by the meanes of praier and faſtinge is a miracle: and that you only hauehave power as to worke other miracles, ſo to caſt forth deuils: yet why affirme you ſo confidently, that hereticks can neuer doe any miracle (you meane I am ſure ſuch as yours are) to confirme there falſe faith? is it not plain by the 13 of Deut. that falſe Prophets may and ſhal worke miracles, and that to the ende to bringe men from the true worſhipe of God to Idolatrie, and therfore to confirme there falſe faith and religion? If there ariſe among you (ſaith Moſes) a Prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and giuegive thee a ſigne or wonder 2 and the ſign and the wonder which he hath told thee com to paſſe, ſaing, let vsus go after other Gods, which thou haſt not know p. 74on & let vsus ſerue them: 3 thou ſhalt not harken vntounto the wordes of the Prophet but that prophet or that dremer of dreams ſhalbe ſlaine, becauſe he hath ſpoken (and giuen his ſignes and wonders) to turne you awaye from the Lord your God, to thruſt thee out of the way, wherin the Lord thy God commannded thee to walke. And Chriſt doth foretell vsus, that before his comming to iudgment, their ſhal ariſe falſe Chriſts, & falſe prophets and ſhal ſhew ſignes and wonders, marke, 13. 22. math, 7. 22, math, 24, 27,or as Mathew ſaith great ſigns & wonders. And that they ſhould worke theſe miracles to cofirme ther falſe & antichrſtian ſaith appeareth by the wordes following. to deceiue (ſaith Chriſt) yf it were poſſible the very elect. As it he had ſaid: great miracles ſhal falſe Chriſts and falſe prophets worke before the laſt day that ſo they maye confirme their falſe and antichriſtian doctrine and make ſemblance that they are true & of God, therby to perſwad men to be leue the ſame, & ſo deceiue them, euen the very electe if it could be. Yea in the 2 epiſtle to the Theſſaloniās it is ſett downe for a marke to knowe & diſcerne Antichriſt by that his comminge is with all power,chap, 2, …. and ſignes and lying wonders: and that this he ſhould doe to confirme his falſe faith appeareth by the wordes followinge. where it is ſayde that he ſhould doe theſe miracles in al deceiuablenes of vnrighteouſnes: and againe God ſhal ſend them ſtrong deluſions that they ſhould beleue lies that is, lying & falſe doctrine. the very ſame with this we reade in the 13 of the reuel, where the beaſt which came out of the earth meaninge antichriſt is ſaid to do great wonders ſo that he made fier to come downe from heauen on the earth in the ſight of men & deceiued them that dwel on the earth by the ſigns which were permitted him to doe. How then ſay …he Romaniſts and with what truth that hereticks to confirme their falſe faith can neuer doe any miracle? that falſe prophets & falſe Chriſts are heriticks, that I knowe you wil not denye: that Moſes in the law, and Chriſt in the goſpell ſpeaketh of ſuch true miracles as you doe, & ſuch it is cleare, you by theſe wordes meane, it is moſt ſure.

And here by the waye what cauſe hath the church of Rome thus to vaunt of the miracles wrought in her aledging the ſame as a migh tie confirmation of the truth of her doctrine and ſome ſinguler priui ledge beſtowed vponupon her? ſurelv no more then the roge hath cauſe to bragg of the hole in his eare, or the theife of his burnt hande. For as theſe be certaine and infallible ſignes of a rogue and thefe: ſo miracles wrought by ſatan and ſuch are the papiſts miracles) are a moſt certame and infallible marke of the aduerſarie to Chriſt, whom wee call Antichriſt. As he then is rather out of his witts, thē in his right mind, that beinge for his theft burnt in the hande, will boaſt therof: ſo had not Sathan bewytched that whore of Rome, and depriued her of her iudgmente and vnderſtandinge, ſhee woulde neuer boaſt of her miracles: p. 75conſidering they make much againſt her: euen to wytneſe that their Pope is that Antichriſt which ſhoulde come, and their religion falſe and Antichriſtian.Rhem. teſt, vponupon marke. 9▪ 38. And where you intimate here, and els where affirme, that howſoeuer hereticks may happely be able, to worke mira cles to ſome other ende as to confirme ſome article of the faith, or truth of God wherin they agree with you: yet not to confirme their falſe faith therby, that you ſee will not availe you: conſideringe that the former teſtimonies of ſcripture, directlye in expreſſe wordes (as wee hauehave heard) affirme and teach the contrarye.

Howſoeuer then heritickes can not proue their falſe and erronious doctrines by the ſcriptures, yet they may worke miracles to confirme the ſame. wherby it is euident, that whileſt they papiſtes ſtand and contend for the priuiledg of diſpoſſeſſing of vncleane ſpirits, the which they arrogate to themſelues as pecularly belonging vntounto them, and denye to all others: they ſhewe themſelues in the meane ſeaſon to be poſſeſſed with a foule ſpirit of error.

And how ſoeuer Thyerus hath likwiſe this aforſaide addition ſaying, nunquam ab hominum corporibus …t. heriticks ſhall neuer be able to expell diuils out of the bodies of men, whenſoeuer and as often as euer they ſhall aſſay it, to confirme their doctrine which they profeſſe: yet by the, argument he preſently addeth, he ſeemeth to proue the generall without any ſuch reſtraint.Thyreus de Doe mon. cap, 40, ſect. 4. For firſt ſaith he, Signa cos, qui crediderint ct. Theſe ſigns ſhall followe them which beleue: In my name they ſhall caſt out diuiles. But heriticks are not in the number of beleuers therfore they are not able to driue awaye deuills, by any power of Chriſt communicated vntounto them. a ſecond argument is, we neuer read them to hauehave expelled deuils. And a third is, It is reported in hiſtories that they hauehave often bene deluded when they hauehave gone about to caſte out deuills. wherby it is cleare that they denye to vsus, all expulſion of deuils to what end ſoeuer and meane that if at any time in our church ſpirites be caſt out of ſome, it is by the power of Sathan: as appeareth in the end of the ſaide chapter.

Theſe thinges well conſidered, who ſeeth not that they mighttilye freind the papiſtes, and ſtrengthen them in this groſſe error and brage of theirs, which contend for the counterfeitinge of Somers, Dar ling, K. Wright, & confidently deny the 7. in Lancaſhire, to hauehave bene eyther diſpoſſeſt, or yet poſſeſt with deuils? doe not ſuch doe them as great apleaſure theirin as poſible men can?de Doemon, cap 40. ſect. 6, and giuegive them occaſion to ſport themſelues about our diſpoſſeſſion of deuils, as Thyreus doth full ſwetly concerning Luthers dipoſſeſſing? may not they with ſome face of honeſtie and truth, publiſhe in their writings, that our former poſſeſſed perſons did meerlie counterfeite apoſſeſſion, and were not p. 76poſſeſſed, much leſſe diſpoſſeſſed? ſeeing the ſame is openlye mayntained amonge VsUs, euen in our Courts, and that by great Prelats, one of the perſones poſſeſſed (I meane Th. Darling) impr…oned, and ſuch as god vſed in the diſpoſſeſſing of them, ſuſpended, impriſoned along time, theere alſo vſed more ſtrightlye then other pri…oners: then felons, murtherers, trators in a worde ſo handled and dealt with as no table deceiuers and malefactors. wheras on the other ſide, had wee acknowledged this worke of God wrought diuers times, and vponupon ſundrie perſons amonge vsus, and laboured withall to hauehave manifeſted the truth therof, inſteade of obſcuring it, as in deutye we ought. then would vndoubtedlie the papiſtes hauehave herein bene aſhamed and confounded in themſelues, for the greate vauntes and arrogant bragges they hauehave here about in many o… their books, giuen out & ſcatte…ed.

But ſeeinge the Romaniſts glory ſo much in the diſpoſſeſſing of deuils, let us a litle examine the ſame, and ſee whether it be altogether with them, as they beare the world in hand it is. wher they muſt firſt knowe that it is not denied or doubted off by vsus, but graunted, that by their exorciſts & exorciſing the poſſeſſed, among them hauehave eaſe and deliuerance from the evill ſpirits formerlie vexing and poſſeſſing them: but the doubt and queſtion is, whether the caſt and driue out Sathan. For my owne parte I will not denye, but that a true deliuerance of the poſſeſſed may in the papacie. For whē I conſider that poſſeſſion with Deuiles is a temporall Iudgment, And that the humiliation of Ahab an Idolater,1 king. 21, 29. a man alſo that had ſould himſelfe to worke wickednes, preuailed ſo farr with the Lord, to ſpare him and his ſonne concerninge the temporall Iudgment, which the Lord had be fore threatned and pronounced by his prophet to bringe vponupon him and his poſteriſtie: I cannot ſee why the like humiliation performed by a papiſtes an Idolater, may not obtaine the like, I meane a corporall bleſſinge of the Lord, or the remouing of a temporall Iudgment. Yet notwithſtanding, when on the other ſide I turne my eve to the meanes they vſe, I cannot but thinke, that when their poſſeſſed are helped, they ſpirites are not caſt out, but of themſelues goe forth, as ſeruinge greatly for their owne advantage, and vpholdinge of there kingdome of darknes amongſt them. But what are the meanes they vſe in the diſpoſſeſſinge of euill ſpirites? even theſe as appeareth by Thyreus. Thyreus de Doe mon. cap, 41. 42Firſt, the Inu…cation of the name of Ieſus: wherby he doth not meaine Inuocation or pra…er, but the often mentioninge of the name Chriſt, ſpecially Ieſus. which bare name is greuious to the diuil, and hath great power in it ſaith he. 2. the vſe of holy r…licks. 3. vſing the ſigne of the croſſe. 4. the vſe of conſecrat things, as holy water, hallowed ſalt, bread, drinke ct. 5. exorciſmes. Now how can one imagine that theſe or any of p. 77them ſhould be of force to expell Sathan, ſeeinge they are not onlye ſuch as weare not appoynted of God theirvnto, but alſo in his worde condemned, as offenſiue to his maieſtie, and vnlawfull at all to be vſed, and are beſides in themſelues moſt vaine, and ſuch as in the vſinge wherof the deuill cannot but take pleaſure, As touchinge the 4. Firſt meaines here ſpecified, I doubt not but that all men of found Iudgment will with one conſent and voice ſaye with me, that they cannot poſſible be effectuall to driue out Sathan, howſoeuer they may (peraduenture) ſerue to intiſe him out. The queſtion then is of the Fyſte, their exorciſmes, which is alſo the cheife, & that which they moſt truſt vntounto, and relye vponupon.

To paſſe by the vnlawfulnes of their adiuringe the ſpirits, in that they hauehave no ſuch giufte nor authoritie ouer vncleane ſpirites giuen them, as the Apoſtles had, (from whom they fetch it,) as hath bene ſhewed, and alſo the vnlawfulnes of the continual ſpeach or communication which with the diuils they hauehave when they exorcize: contrarie to the practiſe of the * holy Apoſtle,act. 16, 18. marke, 1. 25. Luk. 4. 35, 41.Luke 4:35Luke 4:41 yea of Chriſt Ieſus himſelfe, who when the diuill ſpeake, bad him * hold his peace, and com out of him. To paſſe by theſe I ſay, and not to alledg them aginſt their exorcizinge: I affirme that there exorciſmes are ſo palpable impious, vaine, fooliſh, and ridiculous, that it cannot be imagined that theirby, the diuils are, or cannot be compelled to goe out of men. And that euerye on may be the better aſſured hereof, I will ſett downe the titles of ſundrie of their adiurations in there Exorciſmes, eueryevery of which conteineth the ſumme or effect of the whole adiuration following and therfore muſt nedes be ſutable to theſe, yea nothing but the ſame ſet downe at large and in more wordes.Mengus fug… Do…monum 103. etc.

Hic Exorciſta ponat manum ſacram ſuper caput vexati, ect.

Hic aſpergatur aqua benedicta ſuper obſeſſum. etc.

Here let the exorciſt lay his holy hand of the head of the poſſſſeed, and when he hath tied the stole to the necke of the poſſeſſed with 3. knottes ſay, etc.

Here let holy water be ſprinkled vponupon the poſſeſſed.

Here let him ſay certaine goſpelles, with his handes vponupon the head of the poſſeſſed.

Here let the exorciſt commaund the diuils, that with their knees bowed, & head, they worſhipe the holy trinitie, thrice, ſmiting the footſtoole or ground with their head, without hurting the poſſeſſed. which beinge done, let him begine to adiure them. And wherſoeuer in the exorciſmes he ſhall find the ſigne of the croſſe he muſt alwayes ſigne the poſſeſſd in the forhead.

Here let him aſke their proper names, ct. yf he will nor anſwere, or refuſe to obay, let the exorciſt with very ſharpe wordes, commaund…ments, and adiurations iterated, require obedience: threatninge to thruſt him downe into p. 78hell, preſently vponupon his goeing forth of the body.

Here muſt the exorciſt anger the diuils as much as he can with reproches, iniuries, all which with greife the indure.

Here let the Exor. compell the diuils to goe out, but if they will not obay, let him write their names, and their fellowes in alike ſcroule of paper, & burne them in fier that is bleſſed, For theſe things are very greuous vntounto them: becauſe the are to their ſhame, and to put them in mind of hell fier.

Here yf the ſpirit will not obay, take fier & brimſtone being both bleſſed & halowed, and cauſe the poſſeſſed will he, nil he, to beheld in the ſmoake ouer the ſaid fire & brimſtonc vntil he tell you the truth in all things which are nedfull for the deliuerance of the poſſeſſed.

Here let the Exor. goe about to knowe their names, and the properties of the diuils which are in the body poſſeſſed.

Here why or for what cauſe they doe not depart.

Here demaund for what cauſe the did enter in.

Here if they will not goeout, put rue into the noſtrels of the poſſeſſed.

Here let the Exor. indeuour to get out the truth from the diuill poſſeſſing, as well by an oath, as by ſeuere threats.

Here let the Exor. learne of them, with what words they are moſt tormented, that ſo he may the better knowe to apply fit remedies againſt them.

Here let the Exor aſke the proper names of the diuils. yf ſo be that he can not know them, let him giuegive them ſcornfull names, which are moſt greuous to the diuils.

Here mocke them with reuilinges,…hey wil ſmoak …he deuill forth, …ut they will …aue him out. Iniuries, and the remembrance of thire ſaluation.

Here demaund how the diuils may thence be expelled by the power of God. and if they will not tell the truth, make a * ſmoake of ſtinking thinges.

Here let him put ſalt into water in the forme of a croſſe, ſayinge.

He that thinketh that by the aforeſaid rites and ceremonies ſatan can be expelled: as by burning thir names in hallowed fier, by houlding the poſſeſſed in the ſmok ouer fyer and brimſton b…ing bleſſed & the reſt of thoſe we hauehave hearde, and ſuch others. He I ſay that thus thinketh and is ſo ignorante and ſottiſhe or brutiſh in his vnderſtandinge, lett him be ſo ſtill,…e 2. vſe teach…h vsus, how wee …ay know yf … be poſſeſſed. neither will any thinge auaile with him. and to the reſt who ſee the vnſpeakable follye and vanitie of them, it is needleſſe to ſay any thinge more. I will therfore leaue the Papiſts, and proceed to ſome other vſe.

For a ſeconde vſe, we hauehave here to informe our iudgment in the diſcerning of the poſſeſſed If we deſier to knowe whether ſuch a on whom we ſuſpecte to be poſſeſſed, be ſo or not: we hauehave before in the reporte and handlinge of this worke, to ſatſfie vsus therin. For giuegive me a man of whoſe poſſeſſion you doubt, and if it be ſo with him that he is greuoſly p. 79vexed, and often times and that on the ſudden, by fits, or at certain times, and yet not hurt therby, thoughe he offer much violence vntounto himſelfe: and doe that which in reaſon and nature ſhould greatly hurt him, but is as wel preſently after as before the fitt: ſpeaking in his ſaid fytts (yf he vſe any ſpeache at all) he knoweth not what, nor can after wards cal to minde, and vtteringe ſome times ſuch ſpeaches as ſauour not of the ſpirit of man, but excellently ſute and agre with the nature of a wicked ſpirite: who gnaſheth alſo ſometimes with his teeth, walloweth, fometh, is oft caſt into fier, and water: and ſheweth in ſome of his fits extraordinarie and ſupernatural ſtrength, and knowledg: then in ſuch caſe you hauehave not ſo much man, as the ſcriptur & God him ſelf who can not deceiue you, reſoluinge your doubte, and pronouncinge him poſſeſſed with an vnclean ſpirit. But if it go not thus for the moſt parte (though not altogether) with your ſuſpected partie, then iudge you otherwiſe, and free him of the ſuſpition therof.

Beſids if the parttie be troubled with ſtrange ſightes and viſions, yf in his fits he hauehave in his belly very ſtrange and ſupernaturall ſwellings▪ yfſom times his armes and legs be as ſtiffe, inflexible & heauie as iron. his body as heauie as ſo much leade: his mouth drawen awrye to his eareth is tounge thruſt ſtrangly out: or retorted backward ſpeakinge ſo, or at leaſt without that inſtrument of ſpeache or lippes, with his mouth wide open. yf his eyes ſtare fearefully his face ſett behinde his bones thruſt out and into their proper ioynts: yf he be depriued of his ſences, now ſeinge now blynde. now hearinge nowe deaſe: yf he be ordinary in his fits without feeling: alſo ſom times ſpeachleſſe ſom times likewiſe eating and drinkinge vnſatiably, at other times takinge no foode at all for certaine da…es together, and yf other ſuch ſtrange accidents beſides and againſt nature fall out, wherof we hauehave heard at large. Then foraſmuch as in experience theſe thinges hauehave bene ſeene in thoſe which were poſſeſſed, you may therby be further confirmed in his poſſeſſion.the 3. vſe to inſtructe vsus, concerninge the meanes of diſpoſſeſſion.

Thirdly out of the premiſes, we are to learne what to do in caſe we ſeon poſſeſſed what counſell & aduiſe to giuegive when any ſuch thing ſhal fall out, that for the curinge of this vnnaturall or rather ſupernaturall diſeaſe: for it cometh not from nature, but ſomthinge els, euen aſuper naturall power within on, I meane the diuill, no herbes, potions, or other naturall medicins muſt be vſed or applied, which God hath appointed for diſeaſes of another kind, but the ſupernatural medcine of praier. and if that preuail not for the curinge of the partie thus diſeaſed, we muſt tak another of the fam kind, but more ſoueraigne, which is faſting & praier: and therby we doubt not but that the patient ſhall be healed, yf God hath appoynted that the partie ſo diſeaſed ſhall recouer: p. 80as certainly as one ſick of a natural diſeaſe by the applyinge of the beſt medicine: Becauſe it is the meanes or medicyne which the Lorde himſelfe the beſt phiſition hath ordayned therunto.

Fourthly, The bates Satan ordinarily vſeth to catch men with, are here to be obſerued by the way: which eyther are ſome fare promis, or feareful ther at. To Evah he ſaid,… are here to make the … wherby the do… vſually catcheth vsus, that ſo wee may the better auoide them. gen. 3. 5. …. h, 4. 10. * eate, and your eys ſhall be opend, & yee ſhalbe as gods, knowing good and euill. and hereby was Evah ſnared, as appear eth by verſe 6. And to Chriſt he ſaid,” All theſe will I gine thee, if thou wilt fall downe, and worſhipe me. One the other ſide to Cain he ſugeſted, that his puniſhment was greater, then he could beare. And to Iudas, that he had ſinned ſo greuiouſlye in betrayinge innocent bloud, that it coulde not be pardoned, wherupon he went and * hanged himſelfe.

Thus he delt with theſe poſſeſſed perſons, making them faire promiſes of ſiluer,gen. 4. 13. math. 27. 4. 5. gould, &c. ſo that he might enter, and threatninge to to deſtroy them yf they woulde not conſente: and after this manner he dealeth with vsus all in the temptatiōs wherwith he continually aſſalt eth vsus: ſomtimes yea vſually ſettinge before our eyes the pleaſure of that ſinne he intiſeth vsus vntounto: yf that will not ſerue his turne, (as for the moſt partit doth) then goeth he another waye to worke, by callinge to our remembrance our ſinnes paſt, aggrauating them euerye waye he poſſiblye can: as by the innumerable multitude of them, the greatnes of them, in that thei hauehave bene committed againſt God ſo greate and worthy a perſon. after knowledge. yea after ſome repentanc and vowes made to God to the contrary, and by other ſuch like circumſtances. of theſe baites let vsus in the feare of God, and louelove of our owne ſoules take heede: for as theſe children yf they had giuē their conſente vponupon the perſwaſion of the ſpirits, vndoubtedly they had entred into them, and poſſeſſed them corporally: ſo ſureli if Satan thus aſſaltinge vsus, we yeelde and giuegive aſſente vntounto him, he then entereth into vsus and poſſeſſeth vsus ſpiritually for marke what is ſayd of Iudas: the Deuill put in the hart of Iudas to betraye Chriſt there is Sathans ſuggeſtion,Iohn, 13. 2. and that this motion might the rather preuaille, together withall (no doubt) he ſet before him (beinge couetous) the rewarde woulde be gyuen him for the ſame: alſo, how acceptable a thing yet woulde be to the ſcribes and Phariſees, who were the cheife amonge the Iewes and there gouernors. and what great fauour and grace he ſhoulde therby obtaine at thire hands: and the pleaſure of both theſe. Iudas conſidered of theſe things, and in the ende (beinge alured by theſe baites) reſolued to betrave Chriſt Ieſus. and there it is ſayd Satan entred into him. Iohn 13. 27.John 13:27And th…s as it is a more common, ſo it is a worſſe kinde of poſſeſſion, then this, of the childrens, and not ſo eaſely and quicklie cured: Let vsus therfore ſo much the more beware of it, and of p. 81giuinge conſent to Satans tempting, wherby only it is compaſſed. for let Satan tempt neuer ſo much and often, yet if we yelde not to his temptations,math 4. 4. Iames, 4. 7 but as Chriſt did, by the word reſiſt them, he can not enter. For beinge reſiſted as ſaith Iames * he will flee. This alſo is ſhadowed out vntounto vsus, and to be ſeene in this worke of God. for the ſpirits bejnge reſiſted and not conſented vntounto, they after a while gaue place and vaniſhed away.

And here not vnfitly we may remember the lyinge and deceit of the deuill.here is the ſubteltie of the deuill to be obſerued. he bare the aboue named poſſeſſed perſons in hande, a litle after there diſpoſſeſſion, that if they would conſente vntounto him in that he deſired, he would giuegive them what they coulde deſire. ſiluer, gould, &c. in abundanc: and made as it were a tender therof, vntounto them. On the other ſide, yf they denied him his requeſt, he woulde then ſurely deſtroye them. Now who ſeeth not that Satan herein did but lye & deceiue? for thoughe in appearance, yet in truth there was neyther ſiluer nor gold ſilkes nor veluet, and hath a bone of any of them ſince that time bene broken? or ſo much as an heare of, one of there heades periſhed? no verely. Thus he Lyed vntounto and cozened our Grandmother Euah makinge her beleue,gen, 3. 4, 9 that * ſhee ſhould not die at all and that if ſhe did eate of the forbidden fruite, ſhe ſhoulde be equall with god and of as greate knowledge and vnderſtandinge as he. In like manner he lyed to our bleſſed Sauiour, and would therby hauehave deceiued him,Iohn, 14. 1… Luk, 4. 5. if it had layen in his power, but he had nought in him, VVhen he had ſhewed I…ſus all the kingdomes of the worlde in the twinkeling of an eye, he ſayd vntounto him: all this power will I giuegive the, and the glori of theſ for that is deliuered vntounto me, Iohn, 12. 13. 2 cor, 4. 4.and to whom ſoeuer I will, I giuegive it. If thou ther fore wilt worſhip me they ſhall be all thine. wherin the Deuill lyed: for though he be * priuce and ”God of this world, eph. 2. 2. heb, 1. 2. 1 cor. 3, 22, 23. Tit. 3. 3.Titus 3:3becaus the greateſt part of this world, yea all the worlde, a lyttle flocke excepted, are ruled by him, and as his ſubiects doe homage vntounto him, being the children of diſobedience: yet hath he not of his owne ſo much as a pile of graſſe for Chriſt is * heire of the world. In lyke ſorte he dealeth conty…ually with vsus, alwayes lyinge and cogging vntounto vsus tellinge vsus” this pleaſure will come by this ſinne and this pleaſure by that ſinne, therby entiſing vsus to commit that ſinne, wherin he doth nothing but lye and deceiue for oftentimes when a man hath comitted the ſinne, he is fruſtrated and diſapoynted of the pleaſure he ſett before him, and wher by he was drawen vntounto that ſinne: as Abſolom went without the pleaſures … a kingdom,Rom, 6. 21, 23. which Satan had tickled him with, and promiſed vponupon … againſt his father. & all the theifes which vponupon their … apprehended & han ed, but if he be not, yet the fruit … will be death. In that pleaſure the harte eyther is or p. 82hath cauſe to be ſorowfull, becauſe *the end of that mirth is heauineſſe. So that ſtil he dealeth craftely with vsus and like a cozener and” deceauour as he is,Prou. 14, 12, 13 Reuel, 12, 9. and 20, 23 Rom, 7. 11.Prov 14:12Prov 14:13 S Paull ſaith of himſelfe. that * ſinne deceued him: & therby ſlew him the ſame may be as fitly and truly ſaide of the Diuill, that by his ſubtilti he deceiueth and enticeth vsus to the commitinge of ſine and therby ſlayeth vsus. Seinge then it is ſo, let vsus beware of Satan his intiſments, and labour to ſpie out his deceite in the ſinne he perſwadeth vsus vntounto, let vsus neither be inticed with his vaine alurements, nor terrified with his threats: ſo ſhall we together with the ſinne, eſcape the deuouringe and deſtruction,Pet. 5, 8: he therin meerlye intendeth and aymeth at.

Fiftly, here is ſhadowed out vntounto vsus the greate diligence ſatan vſeth to recouer ſuch as be once deliuered out of his power. ffor preſently a…ter his eiection out of thoſe in Lancyſhire and their delyuerie out of his handes,wee are to obſerue the great diligence ſatan vſeth to recouer vsus beinge ſnatched our of his hands therby to ptouoke vsus to vſe the like for our defence againſt him. he was ſo eger and buſie about them, that fot a time we (that then lay in the howſe where they were) could neither eate without interruption, nor ſcant take our reſt, and no dilligence day nor night, (ſaue that he ſtayed ſome tims for his beſt oportunitie) nor yet meanes was wantinge, vntill he had recoured Somers. The reaſon why he did ſo for a litle ſeaſon only, and hath not continued his ſolycitinge them in that manner vntill this day, and ſo forwarde: is not through any ſlougthfulnes in him, or for wante of any will or deſire in him as though he regarded not greatly the inhabitinge and vexinge of man in his bodye ſpetially them out of whome he hath bene caſt, for the contrary is euident by “holy ſcripture but becauſe the time of his returning in that manner & ſencible moleſtinge of them out of whom he hath bene caſt, is limmited and ſet downe vntounto him, which he may not paſſ, If Satan ſo diligent (all the time arotted vntounto him) in compaſſinge an entrance into the body: and will he vſe no diligence and take no paines, for the winedinge of himſelfe into the ſoules of men? yes verily, yea by howe much more he deſyreth the tormentinge of the bodie and ſoule of man in hell for euer,…ath 12: 43, then the vexinge of him in his body in this preſent life for a litle ſeaſon, which is more then I can expreſſe: by ſo much more deſyreth he the poſſeſſinge of mans ſoule and continuance therin, which leadeth thervnto, aboue the corporall poſſeſſion. how frequent then and dilligent, is he in temptinge or mouinge of vsus to euill al the time graunted vntounto him of God to that end which is duringe our lyfe? Can his dilligence and watchfulnes be expreſſed,peter. or the manifold aſſaltes and times wher in he ſo ſalteth vsus be reckoned vp? no verly. And this the worde of God leth vsus a lytle more plainly, when it ſaith, *the Deuill our adu… a roaringe Lyon walketh about, ſeeking whom he may deuour… p. 83he walketh about vsus, yea as the Lyon after his pray. The Lorde ſayd ſomtime vntounto Satan” whenc comeſt thou? from compaſſinge the earth (ſaid he) to & fro, Iob. 1, 7.Job 1:7and from walking in it. V…herſoeuer then we are whileſt we remaine vponupon earth, Satan compaſſeth vsus, and beſetteth vsus on eue ry ſide, that he may wounde vsus when and where he ſeeth vsus naked and vnarmed and as thus he doth with all men, ſo ſpetially with thoſe he hath loſt, and hauehave bene taken out of his poſſeſſion, whether corpo rall or ſpiritual: on them he rageth, & fometh, againſt them he is ſtark mad, to recouer them he will brynge out al his packe of ſubtilties. Si mon Simon ſaid our Sauiour Satan hath deſired you: Iuke. 22. 31.to winowe you as wheate. And we be once diſciples, eſpetially if we be of the Apoſtles ſuceſſors, though not Apoſtles, then Satan putte…h vp his requeſt vntounto Gods that he may hauehave the ſiftinge of vsus. Thus we ſee what the de uill our aduerſarie doth for his parte what care what watchfulnes what dilligence, what paines he taketh to bringe vsus to deſtruction, & will not we indeuour the like to preſerue our ſelues from the ſame? Is Satan continually aſlalting vsus (which is ſhadowed out vntounto vsus in this worke of God) and will not we continoally reſiſt, seeinge * reſiſted he will flie? when Peter telleth vsus of the dilligence and nature of this our aduarſarie,Iam, 4, 7. 1 pet. 5. 8: he therupon inferreth this, *be ſober the fore and watch. By how much more malitious, ſtrong cruell, ſubtle, and watchfull to take vsus at advantage the enimy is: by ſo much the more had we neede to be circumſpect and watchfull, that the enimy gett no advantage. All men had need day and nikht to watch and praye,math, 26, 41, …pet. 5. 9. …ph, 4, 26, 27. act. 26, 18, 2 Tim 2, 26.2 Tim 2:26 leſt they enter into tentation, *euer reſiſtinge ſtronge in the faith, and neuer conſenting, no not in hart, for then *we giuegive place to the diuill but eſpetially and aboue others, they who hauehave bene deliuered out of the power and poſſeſſion of Sathan: and tranſlated into the kingdome of God, and Chriſt Ieſus.

Sixtly, Hereby we may perceiue whervnto they diuils are naturally ginen: 6. we may hereby p…tly know the nature of she … and therw…h whether we be his children.or caried by the inſtinct of their nature now corrupted, euen to blaſphemie againſt God, to ſwareyng, lyiuge, vncleannes, deceit, and generally to all manner of iniquity: which accordeth excellently with that is ſaid of them in holy ſcripture, and the titles giuen them their: where they are tearmed blaſphemous ſpirits, *lying ſpirits, *vncleane ſpirits,Reuel. 2. 9. Iohn 8, 4. math 12. 43. mark 5, 2. 8. 13, Re…el, 12. 9. and 20. 2, 3, 19. act 19, 12. 13. eph, 2, 2.Rev 2:9John 8:4 *ſubtle ſpirits, (in that the deuil is called the old ſerpent) and *wicked ſpirits. 1 And this, becauſe they are thervnto giuen, & whol … caried of themſelues by there nature. 2. becauſe of the effect and eration they worke in men, ſturringe vp and temptinge them to and all other ſinnes continually, and bringing them daily forth …hildren of diſobedience. And hereby we may eaſilye knowe …e belonge, and whoſe children we are, whether we be the p. 84ſonnes of God, or the children of the diuill. For doth not nature it ſelfe teach vsus, that theiris a certaine ſimilitude & liknes betwene the the father and the child? and this is not onlye true of the naturall father & child, but much more true of the ſpirituall father & his child, as appeareth by the holy ſcripture. And therfore it is that this ſpeach is ſo often vſed by the Lord himſelfe: * be yee holy for I am holy. And that S. Iohn ſaith, Lev. 11, 44, & 19. 2. & 20. 7. 1 pet, 1, 16. 1 Iohn. 1. 7. & 2. 29: & 4, 7: 8. 16: math 5, 44. 45. 48.Lev 11:44Lev 19:2Lev 20:7Lev 20:11 John 1:71 John 2:291 John 4:71 John 4:81 John 4:16* If ye knowe that he is righteous, knowe ye that he which doth righteouſly, is borne of him. And again * God is light. If then we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we hauehave felowſhip with the father, & with his ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, and againe, * eueryevery on that loueth, is borne of God, & knoweth God. for God is louelove. And Chriſt ſaith, * louelove your enimies, doe good to them that hate you, that ye may be the children of your father that is in heuen: for he maketh his ſunne to wiſe on the euill, and the good, and ſendeth raine on the iuſt and vniuſt. And preſently after, ye ſhalbe perfite as your father which is in heven is perfite. And on ther ſide, concerninge the other ſpirituall father. It was to this purpoſe to ſome of his children, ſaid ſomtimes by our ſauiour Chriſt: ye doe the workes of your father: ye are (therefore) of your father the diuil, and the luſt of your father ye will doe, Iohn 8. 41, 44. 1 Iohn, 3, 8. Iohn. 8: 38:John 8:41John 8:44John 8:38becauſe alſo of this Iohn ſaith: * he that commiteth ſinne is of the Deuill: and why? for the Deuill ſinneth from the beginning. Both theſe our Saiour teacheth in twoo wordes: I ſpeake that which I hauehave ſene with my father, and ye doe that which ye hauehave ſene with your father intimatinge this for the reaſon therof, that ſo it is & otherwiſe can not be:2 pet, 1. 41 Becaus the ſpirituall childe followeth and can not but followe the diſpoſition of the ſpirituall father ſo as looke how the father is affected and giuen, whether it be God or the Deuill, euen ſo is the childe and muſt nedes be: becauſe beinge a childe he is partaker of his fathers nature, whether it be diuine or diuiliſh? and otherewiſe he is no child: and therefore beinge of the ſelfeſame nature, they muſt needes be affected alike: ſo as what and whom the one loueth, hateth &c. the other will doe ſo likwiſe. Here vponupon it neceſſarily and ineuitably foloweth, that as they are the ſonnes of God, who as God (infinitely) ſo they (accordinge to there meaſure) are holy, righteous: in the lighte: in louelove, yea louinge there enemies, and doinge good to them which hate them ct. ſtriuinge alſo dayly to be more holy, righteous ct, that ſo they might be perfecte, as is there heauenly father: As ſuch I ſaye which hauehave this image: ſimilitud and ſtampe of God ſet vponupon them and ſhininge in all there ſpeaches: actions and thoughts▪ are the ch…dren of God: yea all ſuch: and none but ſuch: becaus of his chil… onl… he beſtoweth this ſpirit:Rom. 8: 14. Rom. 8. 1. 2. 5: 9 10: 11: 13.Rom 8:14Rom 8:1Rom 8:2Rom 8:5Rom 8:9 that is theſe gifts of the ſpirit: a… to that of the Apoſtle * as many as are led by the ſpirit of … the ſonnes of God. ſo as they deceiue them ſelues: which … p. 85ſpirit of god and Chriſt to lead them into the holy and righteous waies of God: are yet notwithſtandinge perſwaded that God is there father: & they his children: euen ſo they who in there ſpeaches: actions and thougths repreſent the diuil and hauehave his ſtompe orimage vponupon them, beinge together with him giuen to blaſphemie, ſwearinge: lyinge. vncleannes: deceite in a worde to the commiting of ſine are the children of the deuil:eph, 2, …. & hauehave him for their father: & they doe greatly deceiue themſeues which doinge the ſame works with the deuill. and being ruied by his ſpirit: do neuertheles hope that god is their father.

Let every on of vsus then compare our ſelues with another, and ſeriouſlie examine our ſelues and conſider whom wee are moſt like, whom in our workes we moſt reſemble, God, or the diuill: for certain lye to him we belong to whom we are likeſt, and he is our father.

But here you muſt not ſo take me, as though I ment that whoſouer maketh a lye, vſeth an oath, commiteth any vncleanes, at any time deceiueth his neighbour in bargainning, is the child of the diuill. God forbid. For Noah, Lot, Dauid, and Peter ſinned greuouſly againſt God and yet were his children▪ and there are amongſt vsus no doubte which hauehave there ſ…ppes, and falles, and yet are Gods children. It is not then the commitinge of a ſinne, although it be a hainous ſinne, which argueth the child of the Deuill: But the * ſcruing of ſinne and obaying it in the luſts thereof. Rom. 4, 14, 16, 2. pet: 2, 19, Rom 9. 12.Rom 4:14Rom 4:16Rom 4:2Rom 9:12when ſathan ſtirreth vp in man a luſt after lying, ſwearing, adultery, deceipt, and other tranſgreſſions of the lawe: and hee forthwith willingly and very readily falleth to put the ſame in practiſe and thus not only once or twice, but vſually doth the workes of the diuel ſuch a one ſaith chriſt, is of hi… father the diuell. And yet howſoeuer the fallinge into ſome haynous tranſgreſſion, prooueth not one to be the child of the diuill,Iohn 8, 41.John 8:41 yet ſuch ſlipe or fall giueth the child of God iuſt cauſe not only of weeping, but with Peter * to weepe bitterly. In that he after ſo great grace receiued. (even the ſpirit of God, I meane the ſpirit of adoption, and ſanctification, *which God beſtoweth vponupon his children only) ſhall ſo highly offend him,Luk 22. 62▪ gal: 4 6. Rom. 8. 14. 15Luke 22:62Rom 8:14Rom 8:15 who hath bene ſo good and gratious vntounto him: recompencing him with euill, for his vnſpeakable good, and therby alſo greatly diſhoneringe God, and cauſinge his holy name to be blaſphemed and euill ſpoken off.

Neither muſt any ſo vnderſtand me as though I ment, that all thoſe which are now the children, and vnderunder the power of the deuill, ſhould certainly goe vntounto the deuil, and hauehave the lake which burneth with fire and brimſtone for their portion, and by conſequent all ſuch as are before deſcribed: For he who is the diuils child, and captiue vntounto Sathan to day, may be to morrowe the ſonne of God, and deliuered out of that ſprituall bondage: yea very ſure it is, that in his inwarde p. 86and ſpirituall eſtate and condition this happie chaunge ſhall be, if he chaunge and alter his conditions, and * be a newe creature, ſo as olde thinges being paſſed away, 2 cor. 15, 17.all things become new with him: hauinge a new minde, and a new hart, (which is when he hath new thoughtes & new affection.) which will carry with them the body, & all the members thereof: and make them newe likewiſe: ſo as hee ſhall hauehave newe eyes: new eares: a new tongue: new hands &c: eueryevery one of theſe and the reſt of the members, according to his ſeueral office or duty performing newe: that is other and better thinges then in former tymes hee did: man chaunging or being thus changed: he is therwith tranſlated from ſathan vntounto God & from being his child to be adopted into the nomber of the ſonnes of god: hauing * this priuiledge and dignity beſtowed vppon him in Chriſt: whome by faith he hath receaued: or as S. Paul ſaith he is turned from darknes into light & from the power of ſathan (vnderunder which we are all by nature and vntil this turning be) vntounto god: Iohn, 1, 12: act: 26. 18: 2: tum. 2. 26,and elſwhere to the ſame effect deliuered * out of the ſnare of the diuell of whom wee are taken priſoners to do his will: into the glorious liberty of the ſonnes of god. So as henceforward he is no more a bondeſlaue vntounto ſathan: & a ſtranger and forriner vntounto god▪ & aliant from the common wealth of Iſrael: but one of the houſhold of god: & a citizen with the ſaincts: euen of the greate & holy City newe Ieruſalem: into the which entreth none but theſe newe and holy creatures for whome only god the builder & maker thereof hath prepared it.

If any obiect: All the children of god ſhall certainly be ſaued accordig to that ſcripture: If we be children we are alſo heires enen the heires of god and heirs annexed with Chriſt: therefore whoſoeuer be the diuels children (and ſo they before deſcribed to be ſuch) ſhall certainlye be damed I anſwer:ephe. 2: 12, 19. Reuel. 21, 2 10. Reuel. 21: 5: 27: heb. 11: 10: 16: Rom. 8: 18.Rev 21:2Rev 21:5Rev 21:27Rom 8:18 that if man being the child of the diuel, could not poſſibly become the child of god, as he who is once the ſonne or daughter of god, can neuer after be the child of the diuel: then the reaſon followed: and whoſoeuer is the childe of the diuel ſhould be condemned: but that being moſt falſe the other followeth not thereof at all. This then I affirme: that whoſoeuer are the diuels children (which are all they who are giuen to blaſphemy: ſwearing: lying: curſing: filthy comunication: to ſpeake euill of them which are: in aucthority: to raylinge: ſlaundering: to hatred eſpecially of the brethren: to adultery: fornication: vncleannes: deceipt defrauding one an other in bargayning: and other workes of the diuell: and continue therein: liuinge and dyinge ſuch) ſhall indeede goe to the diuel their father: and with him inherite hell fyer prepared for the diuel & his angels.herein we may behold how e…till minded the deuill is towardes man.

Furthermore in obſeruing the nature of the diuel we are to conſider how he ſtandeth affected towards men. how in his nature he is who p. 87ly carryed to hate man▪ (for when he hath loſt him▪ he is not at quye… vntil he he hauehave recouered him if it be poſſible) to torment him and to deſtroy him. Now who that is wiſe will not be afraid to fall into the handes of ſuch as one or rather of god whoſe executioner the diuel is.

If the diuel deale thus with man being ſent forth of god to chaſtice him for his amendment: How wil he intreat him when be ſhall fall vpō him to execute the vengeance to come? that is the puniſhment which in iuſtice is due vntounto man, and anſwerable to all the diſhonor he hath donne vponupon earth to the lord of glory. If in the former caſe he cauſe ſuch crying, gnaſhing of teeth, and tormenting as we hauehave heard: what crying, what gnaſhing of teeth, what tormenting ſhall there bee in the latter?

Thus we ſee what an agrement there is betwixt the word & worke of god,hed. 10. 11: as comming both from the ſame author▪ and tendinge to the ſame end, euen to make men afraid to fall into the hands of the liu…go God. They both teach the ſame thing, the one more obſcurely, the other more plainly. VVhy now will not wee rather take forth this and ſuch like leſſons out of this work, and ſo make our vſe & profit therof: then impugne and deny the worke, as many of vsus doe? when the lord knowing mans dulnes and backwardnes to learne, ſhall in regard thereof be content to inſtruct him not only by his word, but alſo by his worke (which ſometime preuayleth a little with man when his word will not) and that man is ſo farr from being taught and inſtructed thereby, that he reiecteth ſuch kind of inſtruction: wil the lorde or can he poſſibly take that in good part?

Seauenthly it ſerueth excellently to confound our athieſts, This. worke is of ſingular vſe to confound the atheiſt. pſal. 14. 1.whoſe ſay not only with the foole in their hart, that there is no god. but go ſomwhat further, affirming with their blaſphemous mouthes out of that vnſpeakable folly and brvtiſhnes of theirs, as Kinge Pharaoh their praedeceſſor did:Exod. 5. 2…Exod 5:2 who is the lorde. that I ſhould obey him? Theſe luſty gallāts who will hauehave no heauen, nor hell, no god, nor diuel what ſay they to this work of that god whome they deny? That there is a diuel. howe can they deny it ſeing the worke and effects of the diuell in and vponupon the bodye of Somers: (to let the 7. in Lancaſhire and other goe) the running lumpes, his ſupernaturall ſtrength knowledge, wayght in his body and members thereof, his ſpeaking without the inſtrumentes of ſpeach, throwing into the fyer without beinge burnt, his lying as dead could as yee, his face and hands blacke: no breath comming frō him, and thus ſometime by the ſpace of an houre with many more of this kynde, will infore them to confeſſe the worke of the diuel and by conſequent that there is a diuell, conſidering that theſe things can not poſibly come either from nature, or be donne by art, and that ſom cauſe p. 88of theſe effects there muſt needes bee, when they hauehave donne what they can, except they will leaue this matter vndecided: (wherevnto the diuel and the corruption of their nature will be ready to perſwad them) they muſt in the ende ſay will they, nill they, and others alſo with them: that the ſaid ſtrange accidents and ympoſſible to be donne by man, came and were donne by the dyuel: there being no other cauſe to be found, and that Somers therein was a mere patient.

For to deny the matter of fact, that theſe things were done or rather ſuffered by Somers, It is a moſt ſhamfull and odious thinge to the the matter eff…ct.is plaine engliſhe to ſay, that the 17 perſons which hauehave depoſed the ſame are periuered. and not only they, but about 13 more depoſed after, in the whole about 30 wherof 7 be preachers: the which if ſome ſhamles body ſhoulde not ſpare to affirme yet that wil not helpe. ſeeinge there are hundreds more redy to auouche the ſame vponupon there othes, and to be ſo for ſworne as are the former. remember alſo that I deliuered to the commiſſioners a bill of about 60 Perſons, who were redy to be depoſed A…udicient number (I thinke) for the prouinge of any cauſe. concerninge eyther, God or man. yf inoughe hauehave not witneſſed this matter vponupon their oathes there are yet good ſtore remaininge: yf they were but called therevnto: and in the meane ſeaſon ſom credit would be giuen, to the bare affirmation of chriſtians. or els it goeth amiſſe with all our hiſtoriographers, and there bookes. yt is then a moſt ſhamfull & odious thing for man to call the matter of facte into queſtion, eſpetially conſyderige the ſame hath ben done in our own land & in the midſt of vsus: ſo as we need not goe beyonde the ſeaes for full inquirie into it, & the circumſtances therof, as time, place, perſons poſſeſſed others dealing in ther diſpoſſeſſion. and priuat chriſtians witneſſinge the ſame, the commiſſioners alſo at. Nottīgham: with whom or ſom of them. who liſt when he pleaſe may conferr: which are able to conſtraine a man to receiue this for a truth-yf reaſon can preuaile with him. neither do I doubte but that other nations and kingdoms about vsus. wil not only giuegive credite to the mater of facte, when they ſhall heare therof: and that the ſame hath ben witneſſed vponupon the othes of ſo many: but alſo receiue the poſſeſſion and diſpoſſeſſion we ſo much gaynfaye. Bluſhe then O England and be thou aſhamed of this thy incredulitie, which is ſuch as the like therof hath not ben redd or hearde of before. for others hauehave yet acknowledged the work which hauehave ben done in them. but thou haſt not gone ſo farr, but denied the ſame.

In theſe ſtraits whither wil the Athiſts turne him? muſt he not nedes be cōfounded in himſelfe? or can it be otherwiſe but that the diuil is entred into him and he ſpiritualy poſſeſſed with the deuil, if now he perceiue not that there is a deuil? As herby we may ſentibly and p. 89palpablie perceiue that there is a Deuill ſo as wee may in a manner grope him:as this proueth there is a d…uill ſo th…t che…o is a pod ſtron … then he. euen ſo we may looke vponupon and beholde the Lord himſelfe in this worke, deliueringe the partie or parties from there moſt greuous vexation, & torments by Satan, vponupon requeſt firſt made vntounto him by his ſeruants, accordynge to his owne appoyntment in this behalfe.

VVhen that cruel decree of Haman was gone forth for the deſtroyinge of the lewes. Mordecar giuinge Queene Heſter to vnderſtande thereof. and withall vſinge dyuers reaſons to perſwade her to doe what lay in her according to her place for the preſeruatiō of her people, the church of God: Amongeſt and after others, vſeth one in theſe wordes.Eſt. 4, 13. 1…Esth 4:13Esth 4:1 who knoweth whether thou art com to the kyngdom for ſuch a time? As yf he had ſayd, who knoweth whether the Lord hath therfore lyfted the up ſo highe, euen into the throne and ſeate of the kingdom that ſo thou might be a fitt meanes. for the deliuerance of the church from the affliction & danger it is in at this time? And did not he geſſe well as apeareth by the ſtories? yes verily. for therby it is euiden that God had therfore, and for no other cauſe exalted her from baſe and lowe degre. into the royall ſeate of A Queene. euen ſo ſaye I concerning this our preſent caſe. who knoweth whether God hath therfore ſent a euill ſpirits into ſundry Engliſh perſons to vexe them in ther bodyes, that therby he might confounde the. Atheyſts in England? And eyther make them more inexcuſable, or els brynge them to a better minde? wherof in dede there is ſmall hope. For they whych can not be led (as it were by the hande) from the creatures to the creator. which will not heare neyther the workes of creation & adminiſtration. nor yet Moſes the Prophets & Apoſtles tellinge them that there is a god ſuerly neither wil they be perſwaded ther of,It is very liklie that in theſe dayes of athiſme, the lord hath…ent deuills into men thereby to comoun… ath…me. though a Deuill be ſente from hell to preach the ſame vntounto them. This I ſaye may well be that which god principally reſpected herein. For ſom ſpetial thinge no doubt there is mouynge the Lorde more at this tyme, then in former times, to ſende deuils into men, yea into diuers▪ Is it not likely to? be cauſe at this time him ſelfe is denyed, called into queſtion whether he is,Luk. 16. 31.Luke 16:31 and hath any beinge: which in the time of our forefathers hath not bene or at the leaſt not by ſo many, and with ſo high a hande as euen now and at this daye, May we not well therefore ſay: who knoweth whether God hath ſent this ſtrange iudgment for this time? that is. the ſinne of this time? ther by himſelfe reprouing this ſinne (as ſuch as he can not endure) when man holdeth his peace.The 8 vſe is, to commend vntounto …: & faſt in g…, & …e eby to … therevnto.

Eyghtly it commendeth the holy exerciſe of faſting & prayer, & ſe… rueth to prouoke vsus to a diligent practiſe thereof: Is prayer and faſtinge of force to caſt out diuels: though they be principalityes and powers. p. 90and ſhall not the ſame if it be vndertaken in the faith and obedyence of god be auayleable, if not to remoue yet to ſanctify and bleſſe what ſoeuer iudgment of god is vponupon vsus in generalty, or any of vsus in parti… culer?Lev. 23, 27. Iſa 22, 12. Toel. 1, 14. & 2. 15. 16, math. 6. 16, & 2. 16Lev 23:27Isa 22:12 If wee looke into the booke of god, beſides that weſt al finde a neceſſity of faſting and prayinge to ly vppon vsus, when any iudgmēt of god is eyther preſent or imynent and ready to ouertake vsus: in that wee are then in ſuch a caſe commaunded to faſt and pray and humble our ſoules: for our further incouragement to the performance of this dvty and part of gods worſhip, wee ſhal there reade that not onlye the people of god from time to time hauehave in al theire afflictions taken this courſe and vſed this as a meanes for their good and deliuerance alſo from theirs affliction if ſo it ſhould ſeeme good in the eyes of the lorde: but alſo that the ſame hath vſualy preuayled ſo fair with god, as that thereby they hauehave obteyned deliuerance from ther praeſent affliction. The Philiſtims hauing entered the Iſraelytes coaſtes: and inhabitinge the ſame:1 Sam. 7. 5, 6. 10. 13. 14.1 Sam 7:51 Sam 7:61 Sam 7:101 Sam 7:131 Sam 7:14 the children of Iſrael for remooual of that iudgment and recouery of their citties through the counſel of Samuel gathered themſelues to Mizpeh, and then faſted and prayed for a day. The effect and fruit thereof was, that the lorde fought for them, from heauen: for it is ſaid, that the lord thundred with a greate thunder that day, vponupon the Philiſtims, and ſcattered them: ſo as they were ſlayne before Iſrael: and that the philiſtins were brought ſo vnderunder, that they came no more agayne into the coaſts of Iſrael. In the 20. Chap. of the 2. booke of Chron. we reade of a great multitude of the children of Moab. Amon, and mount Seir, comminge againſt the Iſraelites with purpoſe (no doubt) to hauehave ſpoyled and deſtroyed them therevpon Iehoſhaphat the kinge proclaymed a faſt throughout all Iudah: which was ſo bleſſed vntounto them and praeuayled ſo mightely with god that euen in the ſame faſte when they were all aſſembled togither, the lorde ſent his ſpirit vppon one Iehazael to comfort and aſſure them of their ſafety & deliueranc from their enemies, Thus ſaith the lord vntounto you (ſaid he) feare you not neyther be afraid, for this great multitude: for the battle is not youres but gods. ye ſhall not neede to fight in this battle: ſtand ſtil moue not, neither be afraid to morrowe goe out againſt them and the lord be with you. And ſo it fel out after, for god ſent ſuch a ſpirit of diſcord amonge them, that they ſlew one an other, ſo as none eſcaped. Yea further it is ſaide that the feare of god was vponupon all the kingdomes of the earth, when they had heard that the lorde had fought againſt the enemyes of Iſrael, So the kingdome of Iehoſhaphat was quiet, and his god gaue him reſt on eueryevery ſ…de, Looke in the 8. of Ezra and there you ſhal finde, that thoſe which retourned from the captiuity in Babylon with Ezra, being in great danger leaſte they, their wiuſs & children ſhould be deſtroyed of the enemy which p. 91laye in wayte for them in theire way to Ieruſalem: did there vppon betake themſelues to this exerciſe, as the onlye way and meanes for their ſafety, as appeareth by the ſpeach of Ezra: At the riuer (ſaith he) I proclaymed a faſt that we might humble our ſelues before our god, Eſt. 3, 13. Eſt. 4. 3. 16. and 5. 2. 3. 4. & chap. 7. & 8 9.Esth 3:13Esth 4:3Esth 4:16Esth 5:2Esth 5:3Esth 5:4and ſeeke of him a right way for vsus and our children, and for all our ſubſtance: for I was aſhamed to require of the king an armye and korſmen to helpe vsus against the enemy in the way▪ and ſo indeede it proued: and a ſafer meanes then an army and horſmen: for it is ſaid, that this faſt beinge proclaymed, they faſted and beſought their god for this: and he was intreted of them. And in the 31. ver. it followeth, and the hand of our god was vponupon vsus and deliuered vsus from the hand of the enemy, and of ſuch as layde wayte by the way. VVhen proude and enuious Hamman had obteyned of Ahaſhueroſh that wicked decree, to kill deſtroy and roote out all the Iewes vponupon ſuch a day: it is ſaid that not only Eſther the Queene with her maides did faſt: but that in eueryevery prouince & place whither the kings charge and commiſſion came, there was among the Iewes faſting wepinge, and mourning: and many lay in ſack cloath & in aſhes which humily a…ion of theirs preuailed ſo farr with the lord as that thereby they did not only eſcape the execution of that bloudy decre. but alſo vponupon the day appoynted thereto, tooke vengeance themſelues vppon theire enemyes, and had Hamman hanged with his 10. ſonnes. And that they vſed faſting and prayer was the meanes of the reuerſing of that cruell decree and preuentinge of that feareful iudgmente of god which was ready to breake out againſt them it appeareth by the ſpeach of Eſ…her Chap. 4. 16. The Niuiuites alſo we al knowe eſcaped the deſtruction that was thteatned within 40. dayes to hauehave come vponupon them,Ionah, 3… 4. by the true faſt they kept vntounto the lord.

And as thus the people of god in al ages hauehave in the day of theire aduerſity aſſembled themſelues in prayer and faſtinge, and god hath greatly bleſſed the faſtes which they hauehave in publique and in common kept togither in their ſolemne and open aſſemblyes. So and in lyke manner the ſeruants of of god hauehave in ſecret, and apart from others faſted and pra…ed, & god hath likewiſe greatly bleſſed the ſame vntounto them: whither they humbled themſelues before his maieſty for and becauſe of ſome common calamity, either preſent vponupon the church or imminent and hanging ouer it: or priuate affliction or want of ſome good thinge publike or priuate: which alſo is a kinde of miſery. Thus N…hemyah vnderſtan…ng that the lewes which were in Ieruſal…m & in Iudah were in greate affliction and reproch and that the wall of Ieruſalem was broken downe, Nehe. 3, 4. 11. and 2. 4. 5.and the gates thereof burnt with fier: faſted and prayed becauſe thereof▪ which was ſo bleſſed vntounto him & that people that by his meanes ſhortly after the walles and gates of Ieruſalem were p. 92built vp and the Iewes deliuered from that great affliction & reproch they were in.Dan. 9 3. 4. 20.Dan 9:3Dan 9:4Dan 9:20 I wil not ſtand here to ſpeake of Danyels afflictinge his ſoule in prayer and faſting for himſelfe and his people, and to ſhewe how that his humiliation was bleſſed of god vntounto him farr aboue that he deſired and expected: but refer you to the 9. of his prophecy, wher that is ſet downe at large: Neither wil I vſe many wordes about Cornelius. who praying and faſting had (as Danyel in the like caſe had before) an angell ſent vntounto him to aſſure him that his prayer was heard and come vp into remembrance before god: and to direct him to ſuch a one (Peter by name) who when he was come,act 10 30. 31 32 act. 11, 14. ſhould not only reſolue him of that doubt he was in concerning the Meſſias, whether he were come or no) as it ſhould ſeeme, and for which cauſe it is probable hee then faſted: but alſo ſpeake ſuch wordes, as whereby both he & his houſe ſhould be ſaued. Only this I wil giuegive an inſtance or example, (the better to prouoke vsus hereto) where prayer with faſting hath praeuayled with god, when prayer without faſting would not priuaile: and it is in the 20. of Iudges where we reade that when the children of Iſrael had ſuſteyned an ouerthrowe by the Beniamytes 22. thouſand of them being ſlayne, they aſſembled themſelues togither becauſe thereof in prayer: and after that they ſet their battle in array againſt the Beniamites the ſecond day, but had an other diſcomfiture and ouerthrowe euen of 18. thouſand all valyant men, wherevppon they aſſembled then in faſting and prayer: the fruite and ſucceſſe whereof was this, that goīg out againſt Beniamyn the lord ſmote him before Iſraell: euen as he had ſaid and promiſed them vponupon the day of their faſt, that on the morrowe he would deliuer them into their hands. That they faſted not on the firſt day of their aſſemblyng in the houſe of god, as they did on the ſecond day, may apeare by comparing the 23 verſe of the chapter with verſe 26. for all that is ſaid in the 23. is that they went vp and wept before the lorde vntounto the eueninge, but in the 26. verſe ws reade thus: then all the children of Iſraell went vp and all the people came alſo vntounto the houſe of god, and wept and ſate there before the lord, & faſted that day vntounto the euening. VVhere we ſee it is expreſly ſaid of the latter day, that the faſted and not ſo of the former. Againe by the conferringe of theſe it is playne, that the ſecond dayes aſſembly was farr more generall and ſolemne and with longer contynuance then the other: and ſuch were their aſſemblyes at faſts always: for firſt it is ſaid of the latter day that all the children of Iſrael went vp: and againe that all the people came vp to the houſe of god. 2. that they ſate then before the lord. whereby is noted, there long continuance in that meetinge: neyther of which is ſayde of the former day.

Neither is there cauſe why we ſhould maruaile at this I meane that p. 93the faſting and prayer of a faithful man or men, is ſo auayleable with god,The reaſone… why prayer and faſtinge is ſo auaileable with god. the 1. reaſon. Iames 5. 16. the 2.Jas 5:16 that it wil as it were hauehave no nay: but euen then preuaile when prayer without it cannot: conſidering it is written, that the prayer of the righteous auayleth much, if it be feruent, and that faſting is a meanes to bncreaſe and continue feruency of ſpirit. 2. Conſideringe the ſinguler promiſe god hath made herevnto, which he doth inſinuate by the tytles or names he giueth to the day of faſt, caling it a day of reconciliation, a day of attonement, Lev. 23. 27. 28. and 16. 29. 30. Iſa. 58. 5.Lev 23:27Lev 23:28Lev 16:29Lev 16:30Isa 58:5the acceptable day of the Lorde. whereby the Lord doth ſecretly ſignify and promiſe to ſo many of vsus as ſhall exerciſe our ſelues herein, that howſoeuer before for our tranſgreſſions he hath bene angry and offended with vsus, which alſo he hath teſtified to our faces either by laying ſome iudgment vponupon vsus, or threatninge ſo to doe, or by with holdinge ſome good thinge from vsus, yet if heerein we wil exerciſe our ſelues aright, and keepe a true faſt vntounto the lorde afflictinge our ſoules as well as our bodyes, rentinge not our garmentes, but our hartes, with compunction and ſorrowe for our ſynnes weeping and mourning and making great lamentation ouer all the in iquities whereby we hauehave diſhonored god, and cauſed his holy name to be euil ſpoken of, & iuſtly prouoked him againſt vsus, and to auenge himſelf vponupon vsus as he hath begonne: cryinge alſo vntounto the Lorde in the name of Chriſt Ieſus, for pardon and reconciliation: and withall turne vntounto the Lorde with all our hartes, forſaking our euill wayes, and the wickednes that is in our handes: then and whenſoeuer this we ſhall performe, notwithſtanding his anger be kindled and broken out againſt vsus, yet will he be reconciled, and at one with vsus, accept of vsus, and receane vsus into fauor, and giuegive vsus that wee hauehave intreated him for, yf not aboue the ſame. 3. It is to be remembred, that this holy exerciſe ſemeth greatlye to humble vsus,Ioel 2. 18. 19. the 3, reaſon.Joel 2:18Joel 2:19 and to make vsus thinke and account vylie and baſely of our ſelues. as duſt and aſhes, and moſt vnworthye of the leaſte of gods mercies: as partyle appeareth by that which heere followeth of Ahab. Lev, 16. 29, 31. and chap. 23. 27, 29. 32. nomb. 29. 8.and may alſo be gathered by that it is ſo oft ſaide to the Iewes being aſſembled togither vponupon the 10. day of the 7. monueth, yee ſhall humble your ſoules, meaning thereby, that vponupon that day they ſhould faſt and pray: and againe eueryevery perſon that humbleth not himſelfe that ſame day, ſhall euen be cutt of from his people, which ſpeech with the former being ſpoken not only to eueryevery perſon in particuler, but alſo to thoſe among them, who were to ſee this part of gods worſhip duly kept, it is thereby playne that the Lord ment by thoſe wordes, that eueryevery one who ioyned not with the people of god in faſtinge, ſhould be cut of from the people: for how they ſtood inwardly affected, for either humble or proude ſpirit, men neither colde nor yet were to iudge. Nowe why are theſe wordes of humhlinge our p. 94ſoules vſed by the ſpirit of god inſteade of faſting, but becauſe the hū bling of our ſelues is both profeſſed, indeuored, and furthered by faſtinge? And this is confirmed by that ſaying of Ezra, At the riuer by A hana I proclaymed a faſt, chap. 8, 21:that we might humble our ſelues before our god. And heerevpon it is that a faſt is called (and that rightly) the exerciſe of humiliation: not only becauſe we indeuor and profeſſe therein the humbling & ſubmitting of our ſelues to god. and vnderunder his hand but alſo for that it helpeth forwarde our humilyation. Seeinge nowe that faſting helpeth to humble vsus, and that this ſubiecting & baſe account of our ſelues is a thing much pleaſing vntounto god. and greatly mouinge him to be gratious & fauorable vntounto man: for ſaith the ſcripture god reſiſteth the proude, prou. 3, 34: Iam. 4, 6, 10. 1 pet, 5, 5, 6:Jas 4:6Jas 4:10Jas 4:1and giueth grace vntounto the humble, agayne: humble your ſelu; vnderunder the mighty hand of god that he may exalt you in due tīe: caſt downe your ſelues before the lorde, and he will lifte you vp, & agayne, ſubmyt your ſelues to god, drawe neere to god and he will drawe neere to you. As if it had bene ſaide, In humility and greate ſubmiſſion goe yee vntounto god and aſke that yee want and ſo god will come (as it were) vntounto you,Iam, 4, 7, 8, in giuing you that you deſire & lack: it is no maruaile though the faſtes of gods people preuayled mightely with god, and obteyne that or aboue that they deſire: yea this humbling of our ſelues vnderunder the hande of god, is ſo pleaſing vntounto his diuine maieſty, and of that force with him: that the very ſhaddowe thereof euen a ſhrincking vnderunder the ſame hande or caſting downe and humbling of the body with out the truth therof in the ſoule, hath preuayled ſo farr with the lord that it hath procured a temporall benefit both to ones ſelfe & his poſterity.the ſoule in this caſe is hu…led, but it is corrupt lye, as is ſhewed after. 1 king, 21. 21. 22, 24. Thus Ahab hauing this iudgmente denounced againſte him by Elyah that the lord would bring euil vponupon him, and take away his poſterity, and cutt of from Ahab him that piſſed againſte the wall, ſo as the dogs ſhould eate him of Ahabs ſtock, that dyed in the citty: and him that dyed in the feilds, ſhould the fowles of the ayre eate: though hee was a moſt wicked man, one that ſould himſelf to worke wickednes, and therfore could not humble himſelf aright before god: neither yett ioyne to the outwarde and bodily exerciſe of faſtinge the inward and ſpiritual of prayer, ſo as might be accepted of god and auaile with him for the ſacrifice of the wicked is an abomination vntounto the lord, and the prayer of the righteous auaileth with him: yet notwithſtanding humbling him ſelf by faſting, prou. 15, 8.he obteyned thereby thus much, that that euil came not vponupon him nor yet of his ſonne Ahaziah, ver, 27, 28, 29.for thus we reade when Ahab heard the former wordes, he rent his cloathes and put ſackcloath vp on him, and faſted, and lay in ſackcloath, and went ſoftly: wherevpon the word of the lord came to Elyah ſaying, Seeſt thow how Ahab is humbled before mee? becauſe hee ſubmitteth himſelfe before mee, I will not bringe p. 95that euill in his dayes but in his ſonnes dayes will I bring euill vponupon his houſe: where we ſee this giuen by the lorde himſelf for the reaſon why he would be good to Ahab. 1 tim, 4, 8. eccl. 4, 17.If then the bodily exerciſe of faſtinge, which profiteth but little, alone without prayer (for there is no mentiō of any prayer that Ahab made, and if he did it was but the ſacrifyce of fooles which the wiſe god abhorreth) auaile with god: how much more more wil the ſame preuaile with him when it it is nor onlye ioyned with true but feruent prayer? And if the caſting downe and humbling of the body or if of the ſoule, yet not for ſinne but ſome temporall puniſhment of ſinne: the rentinge of the cloathes, the lyinge downe in ſackcloath and aſhes, which is the faſt the lorde hath not choſen, bee of force to paciſye the wrath of god at the leaſte for a time and in parte and to procure ſome good to man:Iſa 58. 5,Isa 58:5 what will it doe when therevnto is adioyned the caſting downe and humbling of the ſoule, the afflicting & renting of it, with ſorrowe for ſinne? Shall it not then be much more effectuall to pacify gods wrath though kindled or broken out againſt vsus, and moue him to be good and gratious vntounto vsus? Moreouer if the performance of this outwarde and bodily ſeruice to god by ſinners, his enemyes, be auayleable with the Lorde for theire good much more ſhall the ſame preuaile when not only it, but alſo the inwarde and ſpirituall worſhip is performed by the righteous, the frēds and children of god: finally if theſe thinges apart, if the outward and bodely ſeruice alone: if feruent prayer alone if the true humbling & caſting downe of man vnderunder the hande of god alone, be of power to preuayle with god: how much more ſhall theſe three when they doe meete togither, as they doe in a true faſt, be of force to preuayle with god to that end & purpoſe for which they are vſed?

Thus we ſee that the faſting and prayer of the faithfull is mighty with god:gen, 32, 24, 26, and that as it is ſaide of Iaacob wraſtling with god: that hee would not let him goe vntil he had bleſſed him: ſo it may fitly and as trulie, be ſaide hereof: that it wreſtling as it were with the Lorde will neuer let him alone vntil ſuch time as he hath bleſſed the party or parties for whome it is vſed. VVhichWhich well and dulye conſidered, what man is there fearinge god, and vnfeynedlye deſirous of the welfare of himſelfe and the church of god, which will not apply himſelfe to the practice thereof, when and as oft as god ſhall giuegive iuſte occaſion. Is there any euill of ſinne or puniſhment, either vponupon or towardes vsus, our huſbandes, wyues, children, parentes, or the church of god, either doe we or it ſtande in neede of ſome good which we hunger & thirſt after? then let vsus humble our ſoules in faſtinge and prayer: for wee ſee that the ſame hauing bene vſed in the like caſe by the people of god, hath proſpered & preuayled mightely with the Lord. yea if we be deſirous p. 96from the heart to be freed from the ſaide euil, or to obteyne the good is lacking: how can we but take vp and vſe this holy exerciſe in ſuch a caſe conſidering it is the beſt and ſureſt meanes that god himſelfe hath ordeyned to ſuch ende and durpoſe. No maruayle then though the hand of god lye and remayne vponupon vsus, or many of vsus & many bleſſings be wanting vntounto vsus: when we are wantinge and come ſhort in the performance of this duty: for who knoweth not that as the papiſts are too common and ſuper ſtitious herein on the one ſide ſo we on the other are too ſhort and prophane: It ſauoreth of preciſenes, and of the ſpirit, to be giuen much to faſting and prayer. Is not this the faſting that god hath choſen to looſe the bandes of wickednes,Iſa 58, 6. 7,Isa 58:6Isa 58:7 to take of the heauy burthen, and to let the oppreſſed goe free? Is there any better abſtinence then this? And is not this the true faſte? (ſay ſome) to faſt from ſinne? why then require you any more? Againe this faſting or preciſe abſtaining from all meate and drinck, and other comfort of this life for a day (ſomuch vrged by ſome) was commaunded to the Iewes and they indeede by vertue of that commaundement were bound thereto: but it reacheth not it ſelf to vsus in that being ceremoniall, with other ceremonyes it was abrogated by Chriſt. Thus farre we are (euen we that profeſſe ro worſhipe god aright, & accordinge to his worde) from the practiſe of this parte of gods worſhipe, that we diſpute and pleade againſt it. yea ſome ſtaye not there but proceede further: to contemne, ſcorne, and reproache nor only mens perſons, but the holy exerciſe it ſelfe. But what ſpirit poſſeſſeth theſe men, trow we? Surely not that ſpirit that moued the people & holy men of god before ſpoken of,act. … 9, & 10. 30 & 13. 2. & 14, 23, to the practile therof: nor that ſpirit that moued the holy Apoſtles, & others after, to the practiſ of the ſame, euen in the time of the goſpel & after that abrogation by Chriſt they ſpeake of: nor the holy ſpirit of god, or the lord himſelfe by his ſpirit, who of his merciemercy, and not for the merrit or deſert of the worke hath ſo greatly bleſſed and rewarded them that hauehave exerciſed them ſelues therein,math, 9, 14, 15 & 6, 16, 17, 18, and performed that ſeruice vntounto him. Finally, not the ſpirit of Chriſt, who 1 in foretellinge that his people ſhoulde faſt 2 in directinge them touchinge the manner therof (in the outwarde carriage of themſelues towardes men) 3 in promiſinge a reward to them that ſhalbe obedient therein: doth therin and therby not only require faſtinge of his. people as a dutie or ſeruice to be done to god, but alſo (as beinge a ſinguler parte of gods, worſhipe. and makinge much to his glorye and our good) laboureth to perſwade vsus to the practyſe therof. farre therfore is that ſpirit from the condemninge and reaſoning againſt it, yea from the neclect of the ſame. yt remayneth then that the vncleane ſpirit, poſſeſſe and rule them, at leaſt herin: who as p. 97when he poſſeſed the bodies of them 7 in Lancaſhire did ſome time by t…e howlings & outcryes he ſent forth, what lay in him, to hinder them and vsus from vſinge of praier and faſtinge, becauſe he well knew howe it auaileth much with God for the expellinge of him both out of the bodies and ſoules of men and maketh greatly for the ſubduinge and ouerthrowe of his kingdome, and the kingdome or power of ſinne ſo he poſſeſſinge the ſoules of theſe men, doth by there wits toungs, and otherwiſe, to the vttermoſt of his power, keepe and hinder, not only them whome he thus ruleth in all diſobedience (herin at the leaſt) but many others alſo by there meanes from the practiſe hereof.

VVel, as it is a fearfull thing for a man to vſe his witt, or tongue, or both to the diſgrace of this holy exerciſe, for it is a ſigne that ſathan poſſeſſeth his ſoule, which is much worſe then the corporall poſſeſſion ſo it is an euil thinge to be negligent and careleſſe in the performance of this dutie, as the moſt, yea almoſt all men are. For where is he, euen of thoſe that profeſe the feare of God, that doth in any meaſure ſo often perfourme this dutie and ſeruice to god as he ſhoulde? that when the lorde ſmiteth him eyther in his ſoule or body, or thoſe that be neare and deare vntounto him, as his wife, child, parents, or the church of god at hand or a far off or threatneth the ſame: or whē god withdreweth and keepeth backe from him or any of the aforeſayd ſome corporal benefit, or ſpirituall bleſſing: doth forthwith betake him to faſtinge and prayer as to a dutie or ſeruice god therin calleth him vntounto and he is to performe and the beſt meanes to obtaine that at the handes of god which he deſireth. There be ſome amongſt vsus (bleſſed be god therfore and the lorde increaſe the number) that make concience of other partes of gods worſhip publique and private: that be ſwift and readie to heare the worde, to receiue the ſacraments as often as they be adminiſtred, to praye in church and chamber no doubt? and yet thoſe euen thoſe I feare, (for the moſt parte) are ſlowe and backwarde in the performance of this parte of gods worſhipe. the which cometh to paſſe eyther through our ignorance here in, for that we knowe not that God as well requireth this ſeruice of vsus, when he giueth occaſion thereof, as the other aboue ſpecified and ſuch like: or through our inconſideration and forgetfulnes of this dutie, if wee knowe it: or rather hence that we are giuen too much to ſpare and pamper our bodies, and can not abide to tame them, and bringe them into ſubiection by faſtinge

If through ignorance we hauehave not donne this ſeruice vntounto god hitherto eyther not at all or more ſeldome then we ſhould as I truſt, ſo I deſire the Chriſtian Reader that that which hath bene ſaide in this behalfe may helpe a little to remoue that le…t, and further helpe, you p. 98may hauehave, if you will take the paynes to peruſe the learned treatiſes which euen in our mother tongue are written of this argument. If in a ſelfe louelove to our fleſhe and feare of weakening our bodyes to much we hauehave heretofore bene kept and hindred from this ſoe neceſſarye and profitable a deuty, let vsus ſet before vsus 1. the example of the holy Apoſtle heerein, and ſtriue to walke in his ſteppes whoe knowinge the pampering of the body to be an enemy to the health and ſaluation of the ſoule as in effecte he affirmeth: ſayth of himſelfe that hee did beate downe his body and bring it into ſubiection: the which was not ſomuch donne by an abſtayninge from the more dainty meates,… cor, 9. 27 or a ſober and moderate vſe of all kindes of meates, eyther of which yea both which may be performed by one, without any greate takīg downe of the body: but rather by his often faſting, the which whoſoeuer ſhall vſe in that manner the ſcripture requireth and as Paule did ſhall by his owne experience fynde that it is effectuall to beate downe the body, and bringe it into ſubiection. 2. the examples of the falſe Apoſtles and theire followers in times paſt and the papiſtes in theſe dayes, not for our ymitation, in all thinges heerein: but to provoake vsus to the ſame in a better kinde. For is it not a ſhame for vsus that others in theire falſe and ydolatrous worſhyppe ſhall voluntarilye and of theire owne accord, not ſpare theire bodies: and that wee in the true worſhipe of God will not doe the like,col. 2. 23. though the lorde himſelf require it of vsus? yes verily. Let vsus therefore hereafter in obedyence to the lordes ordynance or commaundement heerein, exerciſe our ſelues in prayer and faſtinge, publique and priuate, when and as oft as god by giuinge iuſt occaſion ſhall call vsus therevnto: and bewaylinge our former ſynne and negligence therein, labour to recompence the ſame (as much as in vsus lyeth) with a future diligence. And to this ende and purpoſe I beſeech, and that in the name of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, the myniſters of Chriſt and diſpoſers of his miſteryes: that they woulde be inſtant herein, and amongſt other of theire doctrines intreate upon this of faſtinge, ſhewing both the neceſſity thereof, as beinge commaunded of god, and a parte of his worſhip, and the profit that commeth to thoſe which ſhall exercyſe themſelues therein, whereof we hauehave heard: likewiſe the threatninge denounced againſt the contemners of it, that ſuch the Lorde wil hauehave cut of from his people: that ſuch he will deſtroy from amonge his people: & that this iniquity ſhall not be purged: that by this ſtrong & threefoulde coarde,Levit. 23. 29 30 … …3. …4.Lev 23:29 the people of god though backward and vnwillinge, may be drawne therevnto: for I thinck it meete to ſtire you vp my brethren by puttinge you in remembrance heereof, though yee hauehave knowledge farr aboue my ſelf, and be ſtabliſhed in this truth. And this I p. 99doe ſomuch the rather for that (as I take it) the ſounde of this doctryne is not hearde ſo much in many of our churches, as ſome other of no greater truth, neceſſity, and vſe then it is: whence partlye it commeth to paſſe, that many Chriſtians doe ſo ſeldome performe this holy and ſpeciall ſeruice of God, and that amonge them ſome are ſcarcely well acquainted with the ſame.

Nynthly this rare and greate worke of god maketh greatly for the conformatiou of the authority and truth of the holy ſcriptures: 9. It confirmeth the truth …nd authoritie of the ſcriptures. this appeareth as by the …lde teſtament ſo by infinit places of the newe.the ſcriptures rell vsus that there are wicked ſpirits called dyuels: and this wee which were eye witneſſes hauehave as it were with our bodily eyes ſeene for though we ſawe them not indeede, neither poſſibly coulde, becauſe they are inuiſible creatures, yet we beheld them in theire operations and effects.

In the holy ſcriptures we reade that theſe ſpirits are giuen to blaſphemy to lyinge, to deceipt, indeede not onelye becauſe by theire nature they are carryed headlong therevnto (as to all manner of iniquity, where vponupon they are called wicked or …uyll ſpirits) but alſo for that they moue and ſtirr vp men to the committinge of theſe ſynnes nowe that the diuell is ſuch.Reu. 2. 9. Ioh, 8, 44. Reuel. 12. 9, & 20. 2. 3. 10.Rev 2:9Rev 12:9Rev 20:2Rev 20:3Rev 20:10 and that the ſcriptures herein ſaith true we ſee by the former ſtory:act, 19. 12, 13 wherin wee hauehave hearde of the horrible blaſphemyes, and vnſpeakeable deceipt of ſathan & might alſo hauehave heard of infinite lyes. the lying ſpirits ſent forth.

In the holy ſcriptures theſe ſpirits are often termed vnclean ſpirits part lye, to noate their naturall inclination and diſpoſition to all vncleannes:math. 12, 43, marke 1, 23▪ 26 act. 5, 16 & 8, 7. and partly in regard of the effect and operation they hauehave and bring forth in the children of diſobedience. How the ſcripture hath herein bene verifyed, to paſſe by ſome of thoſe in Lancaſhire who the day of theire deliuerance in the preſence of many vttered moſte filthy ſpeaches: the ſhamefull and vnnaturall vncleannes of W Somers or rather of the ſpirit in him, doth beare witnes. who in the preſence of many acted in moſt vncleane and vyle manner the ſinne of whore dome: and after his repoſſeſſion when he had committed ſuch vncleannes, firſt with a dog, then and ſpecially with a bitch, as is not fitt once to be named, he then got the bitch into the bed with him, and there would hauehave committed you may ymagine what abhomination: & this alſo he did before diuers.mark 9. 17. with many others through out the goſpell, as hath … ſheweed before.

The Scripture affirmeth that theſe ſpirits ſometimes enter into men, that being in them, they miſerably vexe them in theire bodies, and that often and on the ſuddayne, that the ſame notwithſtandinge the poſſeſſed are not hurt at all, although by the vyolence they ſomtimes offer vntounto them, one would thinck they ſhould ſpoyle or greatly harme them: that they cauſe them to wallowe, ſome, cry, …naſh p. 100with the teeth, throwe them into the fyer and water, and ſeeke to deſtroy them or take away theire liues, that they make them dumb, deafe, blynde, ſomtimes depriue them of the right vſe of their witts, Finally that they ſhewe forth in the parties whome they poſſeſſe, extraordinary and ſupernaturall ſtrength, and ſupernaturall knowledg: nowe the moſt of theſe hauehave bene found true in the parties aboue named but all & eueryevery of them in W. Somers

The ſcriptures ſay that when a ſtrong man armed keepeth his pallace the thinges that he poſſeſſeth are in peace: but when a ſtronger then he commeth vponupon him, Luk. 11. 21.Luke 11:21then that peace being at an ende there beginneth war, as I may ſay, for that ſemeth to be inſinuated. The truth of this hath appeared in their extreame vexation, and continuance therein the whole day of theire diſpoſſeſſion: at which time Chriſt Ieſus the ſtronger came vponupon the ſtrong armed man, ouercame him, tooke away his armour, and deuided his ſpoyles. Secondly in Somers continuinge quyet from ſathans vexation although he be in him, the reaſon whereof is becauſe the ſtrong man armed keepeth the houſe, and hath quyet poſſeſſion, all thinges being accordīg to his deſire: for the younge man denyeth that he was poſſeſt, yea affirmeth that he counterfeited and the world alſo ſaith the ſame: and thus lyes & falſhood are imbraced for truth, almoſt of all men, and the truth indeede reiected, and the louers thereof hated, ſcorned, deſpiſed, ſlandered, and ſome of them worſe intreated: It going thus it is not againſt, but according to the ſcriptures, yea herein the ſcripture is fulfilled in that Somers is quyet and free from all moleſtation by ſathan, notwithſtandinge he is in him, becauſe the ſtrong man armed ſaith the ſcripture keepinge the houſe without reſiſtance, there is peace: but let Chriſt Ieſus the ſtronger come vponupon him in the meanes he hath ſanctified for the recouery of this houſe to himſelfe the right owner, and the expellinge of the vſurper, then vndoubtedly there will be an end of this vniuſte peace,Iames, 4. 7. eph. 6. 17. 18. and therein likewiſe we ſhall ſee the ſcripture fulfilled.

In the holy ſcriptures it is written that if we reſiſt the diuell, he will flye vnderſtand this not only of ſathans temptations, but alſo of his perſon. and then affirme I that this ſcripture hath bene fulfilled. In lyke manner the ſcriptures tell vsus, that the way to reſiſt Sathan ſo as wee may put him to flight and ouercome, is to vſe prayer and the word of god, which is the ſworde of the ſpirit. Vnderſtand this as the former, & herein this ſcripture alſo hath bene verifyed.

The holy ſcriptures ſhewe how that greate thinges euen incredible hath bene brought to paſſe by prayer and faſtinge:this hath bene ſhewed before out of the 2. chr 20. & other pla… of ſcripture. more particulerly, that euen diuels thereby hauehave bene and are to be caſte ovt of men: herein the ſcripture likewiſe hath bene fulfilled.

p. 101In the ſcriptures it is recorded, that when the deuil goeth out of the man whome he poſſeſſeth, he renteth him ſore. c…yeth aloude the poſſeſſed after lying as dead: nowe many of vsus euen hundreds hauehave ſeene with our eyes,mark. 1, 26. & 26. act. 8, 7. math. 12. 43. Luk. 11. 24.Luke 11:24 and hearde with our eares this ſcripture fulfilled

In the holy ſcriptures we reade that when the vucleane ſpirit is gon out of a man he will retorne ſeeking to reenter. Beſides the reports of all and eueryevery of the parties poſſeſſed, the ſudden & vnſpeakeable frights and terrors which many of vsus hauehave often beheld in the ſpirits aſſaites to reenter, doe greatly confirme this retorne vponupon our Demoniackes all which was donne that the ſcripture herein might be fulfilled. The ſcripture ſaith that if the diuelſ fynde the houſe empty ſwept and garniſhed that is the partye out of whom he is come, prepared to receaue him, which is when he is empty or voyd of the graces of the ſpirit, and garniſhed or repleniſhed with iniquities: (for the furniture muſt be ſutable to the gheſt, the vncleane ſpirit muſt be interteyned in all vncleannes) that then he reentreth and recouereth his pray, as otherwiſe although he would fayne yet he cannot. Nowe who ſeeth not the caſe to be ſo with W. Somers for were he not empty. ſwepte, and garniſhed he would neuer deny the work of god which hath benſhewed on him? and giuegive forth to the great diſhonor of god, hurte of many and danger of his owne ſoule, that he had counterfeyted: not to ſpeake anything of his open and notorious lyinge and doublinge with that falſe tongue of his, nor of his charging mee with the inſtructing of him, neither of his fearefull periury ſomtimes betaking himſelf bodye and ſoule to the diuell if he counterfeyted: at other times proteſting as depely that he did counterfeyt: In the repoſſeſſion then of Somers it is euident that this ſcripture is fulfilled: as on the other ſide this ſcripture conſidered and his preſent eſtate & condition, I meane that he is empty? howe can it otherwiſe be but that he is repoſeſſed? further the ſcripture ſaith, that the vncleane ſpirit retorning and reentering he doth it with 7. other worſe then himſelfe. Now this hath bene found true in Kath: Wrights repoſſeſſion: & I doubt not but that the truth thereof will one day appeare alſo in Somers whē he ſhall come againe to be diſpoſſeſſed: if ſo be at any time it will be graunted, that the meanes for the diſcouery of ſathan, and after for the caſting of him out may be vſed.

Finally in the holy ſcripture it is ſaid, that if the vncleane ſpirit retorning finde the party out of whome he came, empty. ſwept, and garniſhed: that he will not only enter in and take vp his lodging there: as it were for a night as a ſtranger doth in an other mans houſe, and away in the morninge, as he doth (as I may ſay) in his firſt poſſeſſion: but will nowe as hauinge further intereſt there then he had before, make page missing p. 104ſcriptures ſpeake truelye in and concerning the matter of poſſeſſion diſpoſſeſſion, and repoſſeſſion. and not accordinge to the truth in other things? wi… any be ſo abſurde, as to thinke and confeſſe that the holy ſcriptures ſpeake moſt truely as touchinge the tormenting here on eard…e of the bodyes of thoſe men the diuels enter into and will they not as well beleue the ſame writinges tellinge them,pſal 11. 6. … 3. 10. 12 & 25 …. 24, 14, that after death and in an other world the diuels ſhall torment the workes of iniquity in hell fyre, which neuer ſhall pe quenched, and of which tormentes there will neuer be an ende. And ſeinge the ſubſtance of this booke (I meane the holy byble) is ſpent in reportinge thinges incredible to fleſh and bloud, ſuch as the reaſon of man re…ecteth, & ſcorneth, among which theſe concerning diuels, their nature, power, entrance into men &c. are ſome: and that this is it which letteth man from imbracing it as a word of truth: and that ſundry of theſe incredible & impoſſible thinges to reaſon, we euidently ſee with our eyes, and our ſelues of our owne knowledge knowe to be moſt true, why ſhould we not be fullye perſwaded or the deuine and certaine trueth of the other incredible thiugs there reported? and that all thoſe alſo in theire time we ſhall as certainely ſee fulfilled, as we hauehave alredy in part ſenee theſe? Thus me thinketh the fulfillinge of many ſayinges in the ſcriptures in this worke of god, ſhould be a mo…ue and inducement to many, to giuegive that credit vntounto them which percaſe be…ore they did not: yea ſurely if man will but giuegive ea…e to …is reaſon wherewith god hath indued him, and diſcuſſe or debate hereof after this ſayde manner it will perſwade him herevnto.

I do not ſaye that this is effectuall or of Power, and ſent of god to that ende, to worke ſauinge faith in man: ffor I knowe faith cometh by hereinge and how ſhall they beleeue in him of whome they hauehave not hearde? Rom. 10. 14. 17.Rom 10:14Rom 10:17But this I meane, that he which before thought baſely and ga ue no regarde or credit to the holy worde of god, by this rare work of his and ſerious …meditation thereof, may well be brought to thinke more reuerently of the worde, and to be perſwaded of the truth therof, where before he doubted, and ſo brought to the hiſtoricall faithe as we call it, where beinge happely he will not reſte, but there by be drawen to giuegive eare vntounto the worde preached, and ſo be brought to that faith,1. cor. 1. 18. 21. 1. peter. 1. …. the end whereof will be the ſaluation of his ſoule: whereof if this worke of god be an occaſion to any, oh howe will ſuch bleſſ God for the ſame, and ioye in this that the ſounde there of came to his eare.

Thus we plainely ſee howe this worke of god ſarueth to confirme the authority and truth of the holy ſcriptures I meane howe it ſom what helpeth to perſwade vsus incredulous men to beleue, or more p. 105ſtedfaſtly to beleue that the are deuine and certainly true: in that we ſee many thinges ſpoken of in them, and very incredible to fleſh and blud, as well as others there mentioned, fulfilled before our eyes and to be moſt true.

Seinge then no hurte, but mnch good as we hauehave heard cometh by this worke, why ſhoulde any be offended with vsus, for bearinge witneſſe to this work? and why doe any ſtand vp and ſett them ſelues againſt this worke indeuoringe to annihilat the ſame? Certainly in fo doing, they are not only iniurious to man, hindring him of the good. fruite he might reape thereby: but alſo aduerſaries to god. and his glory, prophaninge and not hallowinge or ſanctifiinge this his name Chriſt Ieſus to ſuch as he cured was wont to ſay:math, 9. 2. 29. mark. 5. 34. Luke. 7, 50. Iohn, 5. 4. math, 8. 4. mark. 5. 43, & 36. & 8, 26, 3 math. 17: 19: mark. 8. 5, 19▪ Ink. 8. 39.Luke 7:50 be it vntounto thee as thou beleueſt: thy faith hath made thee whole: goe in peace: thyſinns are forgiuen thee: ſynne no more, leaſt a worſe thinge come vntounto thee: and to many, ſee thou tell no man of this I hauehave donne vntounto thee: yea ſomtimes he ſtraightly charged others that they ſhould tell no man what was doune. But to him out of whome he had caſt out the dyuell he ſaide goeſhewe what greate thinges the Lorde hath donne vntounto thee: and howe hee hath compaſſion on thee. It is alſo to be obſerued, that we reade not the ſame or like ſpeach to this,this worke is mongeſt and boue ſom otl workes of go to be publiſh the greateris there ſinne w… goe about to ſmother it. vſed to any beſides of all thoſe that Ieſus healed: whereby it may ſeeme that the Lorde Ieſus woulde not hauehave this worke in any caſe ſmothered and kept cloſe no not for a time, but rather ſet as a candle in a candleſtick vponupon the table that it may giuegive ſuch light vntounto men as we hauehave already ſeene: and no maruaile conſidering the wordes followinge of our Sauiour: goe ſlew (ſaith he) what great thinges the Lorde hath donne vntounto thee. Are there greate thinges to be looked vponupon in this worke we ſpeake of: euen by the teſtimony of Chriſt himſelfe? whoe then and where is he if Somers, the 7. in Lancaſhire and the reſt were poſſeſſed, and diſpoſſeſſed, that dare ſtand vp to darken and obſcure the ſaide worke, whereby the people of god be kept from behouldinge the greate thinges of the lord and ſo hindred from the greate good they might reape thereof, and god from his glory? If it be euident that vponupon theſe perſons this worke of god hath bene wrought: who ſeeth not how contrary minded ſuch are vntounto Chriſt?

Of the 70 deſciple whom Ieſus ſent forth by there preachinge & miracles to prepare and make awaye for him ſelfe, and his miniſtrie, it is ſayde: that when they had accompliſhed this worke, they returned againe with ioye ſayinge, Luke, 10. 1… 18. 19.Lorde euen the deuils are ſubdued to vsus through thy name. In this ſubiection of the ſpirits vntounto them, aboue all the greate p. 106workes and miracles they wrought they reioyced: wherein how ſo euer they exceeded, wherevpon Chriſt reproueth them ſayinge In this reioyce not that the ſpirits are ſubdued vntounto you, …but rather reioyce be cauſe your names are written in heauen. yet marke that he doth it ſo as that he denyeth not but that they might reioyce there in, but rather indede aloweth and commendeth the ſame, ſo that we keepe a meaſure: and make it not our cheife ioye, the which ſhoulde be that our names are written in heauen. wherof the other giueth no aſſurance, for aſmuch as it may fall into a reprobate.…, 7, ….

And truely how can they which heare of the aforeſayde worke of God but reioyce,… we ought, ſo …e can not but ioce in this …orke, if wee …ill conſider of In great fault …en are they …ho malig…e it. when they ſee the Lorde Ieſus ſubduinge Satan vntounto men. when we ſee by praier and faſtinge deuylls caſt out of men: whe: we ſee God perfourming his promiſe: the ſcripture before our eyes fulfilled, and our chriſtian brethren alſo delyuered from the torments of Satan. If wee turne our eye eyther to God, or man: can wee chuſe but reioyce and bleſſe God for ſuch a worke? greatly then are they to blame, and farre from that affection they ſhoulde hauehave, who are diſquieted and offended here with: and moſt faultie of all ſhall they be, who when the worke ſhall be made manefeſt to there conciences, (as I truſt by this treatiſe it is,) ſhall yet notwithſtanding lift vp there heele agaynſt it.

Through the want both of a corrector and of the authour, their be very many faultes in the printing (among which theſe following be ſome) … with I deſire the reader with patience to beare.

pag. 6, chaire open, for chai…e & open. p. 7. departed in for departed 8 … for ſt…e caned. p. 10, fleamthicke for fle…n c & lhiere, p 13. … for her: p 1, 2 pence read 3 Pence, p, 33, the diuers for diuers: ib, wherwith … p 22: derelinquiſti for derellquiſtr, ibi fortaken for forgotten. p. …5, … p, 49, learne for leave, p 51. continancy for continuance he had in: p 57 … for with all poſſible p 60: who indued for who was indu…. p 91. the … & prayer for the faſting and prayer they vſed.

End of the text · John Darrell, Narration of the Strange and Grievous Vexation by the Devil (1600)