A Scripture Catechism, Chapter 21
Chap. 21. Of Angels, and particularly of Evill Angels.
Q. VVERE the Angels, the inhabitants of heaven, created as well as men, and things on earth?
A. Col. 1.16. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, viſible and inviſible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him and for him.
Q. Have Angels bodyes, or are they Spirits?
A. Heb. 1.7. And of the Angels he ſaith, Who maketh his Angels Spirits, and his Miniſters a flame of fire.
Q. Did ſome of the Angels ſinne, and ſo fall from their firſt happy ſtate wherein God made them?
A. 2 Pet. 2.4. For if God ſpared not the Angels that ſinned, but caſt them down into hell, and delivered them into chaines of darkeneſſe to be reſerved unto judgment.—
Q. What is the preſent, and what ſhall be the future ſtate and condition of thoſe Angels which fell?
A. Jude 6. And the Angels, which kept not their firſt eſtate, but left their own habitation, he hath reſerved in everlaſting chaines under darkneſſe unto the judgment of the great day. Mat. 25.41, 46. And theſe ſhall goe away into everlaſting puniſhment, but the righteous into life eternall. Depart from me ye curſed into everlaſting fire prepared for the Devill and his Angels:
Q. If the Devill ſhould appeare to a man in a viſible ſhape, would it be our wiſdome to ſpeak to him, and confer with him, if he ſpeak to us?
A. Gen. 3.2, 13. And the woman ſaid unto the Serpent, we may eate of the fruit of the trees of the garden.—The Serpent beguiled me.
Q. Are there Divels and Witches?
A. Luk. 8.30. And Jeſus asked him, ſaying, what is thy name? And he ſaid, Legion, becauſe many Divels were entred into him. 1 Sam. 28.3, 7.—And Saul had put away thoſe that had familiar ſpirits, and the wizards, out of the land. Then ſaid Saul unto his Servants, ſeek me a woman that hath a familiar ſpirit, that I may goe to her, and enquire of her. And his ſervants ſaid to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar ſpirit at Endor.
Q. Is it poſsible that a godly man, or woman, ſhould be poſſeſſed bodily of the Devill, or obſeſſed, that is, have any part or member poſſeſſed by him?
A. Luk. 13.16. And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound loe theſe 18 yeers, be looſed &c.
Q. Is it poſsible there ſhould be any places haunted with evill ſpirits?
A. Rev. 18.2. Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foule ſpirit, and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird.
Q. What would you adviſe to doe to keep our houſes from being ſo haunted?
A. Pſ. 30. Preface, A pſalme and ſong at the dedication of the houſe of David. Compared with 1 Tim. 4.5. For it is ſanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Q. What meanes would you have us uſe to expell, or drive out the Devils out of our perſons or houſes poſſeſſed?
A. Mar. 9.29. This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and faſting.
Q. May a man when he hath loſſes, or is ſick, or hath his houſe haunted with evill ſpirits, goe or ſend to wiſe men, or Star-gazers, wizards, or Conjurers for helpe?
A. Deut. 18.10, 11, 12. There ſhall not be found among you any one that maketh his Son or his Daughter paſſe through the fire, or that uſeth divination, or an obſerver of times, or an Inchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a conſulter with familiar ſpirits, or a wizard, or a Necromancer; for all that doe theſe things are an abomination unto the Lord. Iſ. 47.13, 14. Let now the Aſtrologers, the Star-gazers, the monethly Prognoſticators ſtand up, and ſave thee from theſe things, that ſhall come upon thee. Behold, they ſhall be as ſtubble, the fire ſhall burne them, they ſhall not deliver themſelves from the power of the flame.
Q. May we without a good call or neceſſity live or lodge in ſuch places?
A. Pſal. 91.11. For he ſhall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy waies. Mat. 4.7. Thou ſhalt not tempt the Lord thy God.