A00888:212
The devils banquet described in four sermons [brace], 1. The banquet propounded, begun, 2.…The deuills banket described in foure sermons [brace], 1. The banket propounded, begunne, 2.…
The devils banquet described in four sermons [brace], 1. The banquet propounded, begun, 2. The second service, 3. The breaking up of the feast, 4. The shot or reckoning, [and] The sinners passing-bell, together with Physic from heaven / published by Thomas Adams ...The deuills banket described in foure sermons [brace], 1. The banket propounded, begunne, 2. The second seruice, 3. The breaking vp of the feast, 4. The shot or reckoning, [and] The sinners passing-bell, together with Phisicke from heauen / published by Thomas Adams ...
London: printed by Thomas Snodham for Ralph Mab, 1614
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. The seed thus ripened is soon cut down, by the Sickle of his subtlety; whose policy to preserve his state Florentine, is beyond Machiavel's. His speed is no less; else he could not so soon put a Girdle about the loins of the earth.1 But what policy can there be in shortening the growth of sin? this trick rather enervates ⟨p. 116⟩his power, weakens his Kingdom. The Devil doth not ever practise this cunning; but then alone, when he is put to his shifts.2 For, some are so vile, that the Devil himself, would scarce wish them worse. Such are Atheists, Rob-altars, Usurers, Traitors, &c. But some living in the circun ference of the Gospel, are by mans awe and law restrained from professed abominations! what would you have him now do? Sure Satan is full of the Politics. 3Daemonas grammatici dictos volunt, quasi [Greek or Hebrew], id est, peritos ac rerum scios. He is a Devil for his craft. I call therefore the reaping, his Subtlety: for he might seem therein to dissolve his Kingdom, and spoil the height of sin, by cutting it down. But the sequel and success proves, he doth it rather to corroborate the power thereof, by making it fitter for application. Thus he dtransforms himself to an Angel of light; and is content to top the proud risings of palpable and outward Impieties, that he may more strongly possess the soul by hypocrisy. Thus there may be an expulsion of Satan from the house of the heart, quoad veter•m eruptionem, when his repossession is made stronger, quoad novam corruptionem. Common grace throws him out, but he finds the house empty, swept, and garnished, that is, trimmed by hypocrisy, and therefore enters and fortifies with eseven other spirits more wicked then the first. What he cannot do by notorious rebellion, he performs by dissimulation. So that as Sorcerers and Witches converse with evil spirits in plausible and familiar forms, which in ugly shapes they would abhor. So many would not endure him, ut rude cacodaemon, as a rough and gross Devil, in manifest outrageous enormities; who yet as a smooth, sleek, fine, and transformed Devil, give him entertainment. This then is his Harvest.