The Holy State, Book 5 · Chapter 4
CHAP. 4. The Witch of*1. Sam. 28. Endor.
HEr proper name we neither find, nor need curiously enquire: without it she is describ'd enough for our knowledge, too much for her shame.
King Saul had banish'd all Witches and Sorcerers out of Israel; but no besom can sweep so clean as to leave no crumme of dust behind it: This Witch of Endor still keeps her self safe in the land. God hath his remnant where Saints are cruelly persecuted; Satan also his remnant, where offenders are severely prosecuted, and (if there were no more) the whole species of Witches is preserved in this individuum, till more be provided.
It happened now that King Saul, being ready to fight with the Philistines, was in great distresse, because God answered him not concerning the successe of the battel. With the silent, he will be silent: Saul gave no reall answer in his obedience to Gods commands, God will give no vocall answer to Sauls requests.
Mens minds are naturally ambitious to know things to come: Saul is restlesse to know the issue of the fight. Alas, what needed he to set his teeth on edge with the sourenesse of that bad tidings, who soon after was to have his belly full thereof.
He said to his servants, Seek me out (no wonder she was such a jewell to be sought for) one with a familiar Spirit: vvhichwhich vvas accordingly perform'd, and Saul came to her in a disguise. Formerly Samuel told him that his disobedience was as witchcraft; now Saul falls from the like to the same, and tradeth with Witches indeed (the receiver is as bad as the thief) and at his request she raiseth up Samuel to come unto him.
What, true Samuel? It is above Satans power to degrade a Saint from glory, though for a moment; since his own fall thence, he could fetch none from heaven. Or was it onelyonly the true body of Samuel? no; the pretious ashes of the Saints (the pawn for the return of their souls) are lock'd up safe in the cabinet of their graves, and the devil hath no key unto it. Or lastly was it his seeming body? he that could not counterfeit the least and worst of *Exod. 8.18.worms, could he dissemble the shape of one of the best and greatest of men?
Yet this is most probable, seeing Satan could change himself into an Angel of light, and God gives him more power at some times then at other. However, we will not be too peremptory herein, and build standing structures of bold assertions on so uncertain a foundation: rather with the Rechabites we will live in tents of conjectures, which on better reason we may easily alter and remove.
The devils speech looks backward and forward, relates and foretells: the Historicall part thereof is easie, recounting Gods speciall favours to Saul, and his ingratitude to God, and the matter thereof very pious. Not every one that saith Lord, Lord (whether to him or of him) shall enter into the kingdome of heaven: for Satan here useth the Lords name six times in foure verses. The Propheticall part of his speech is harder, how he could foretell to morrow shalt thou and thy sonnes be with me: what, with me true Samuel in heaven? that was too good a place (will some say) for Saul: or with me true Satan in hell? that was too bad a place for Jonathan. What then? with me pretended Samuel in foreign, in the state of the dead.
But how came the Witch or Satan by this knowledge? surely that uggly monster never look'd his face in that beautifull glasse of the Trinity, which (as some will have it) represents things to the blessed Angels. No doubt then he gathered it by experimentall collection, who, having kept an exact Ephemerides of all actions for more then five thousand years together, can thereby make a more then probable guesse of future contingents; the rather because accidents in this world are not so much new as renewed. Besides, he saw it in the naturall causes, in the strength of the Philistines, and weaknesse of the Israelitish army, and in Davids ripenesse to succeed Saul in the Throne. Perchance as vulturs are said to smell the earthlinesse of a dying corps; so this bird of prey resented a worse then earthly savour in the soul of Saul, an evidence of his death at hand. Or else we may say the devil knew it by particular revelation; for God to use the devil for his own turn might impart it unto him, to advance wicked mens repute of Satans power, that they who would be deceived should be deceived to believe that Satan knows more then he does.
The dismall news so frighted Saul, that he fell along on the earth, and yet at last is perswaded to arise and eat meat, she killing and dressing a fat calf for him.
Witches generally are so poore they can scarce feed themselves: see here one able to feast a King. That which goeth into the mouth defileth not: better eat meat of her dressing, then take counsell of her giving; and her hands might be clean, whose soul meddled with unclean spirits. Saul must eat somewhat, that he might be strengthned to live to be kill'd, as afterwards it came to passe. And here the mention of this Witch in Scripture vanisheth away, & we will follow her no farther. If afterward she escaped the justice of man, Gods judgement, without her repentance, hath long since overtaken her.