The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

From these several branches many collect divers and distinct orders of Devils, one subordinate to another: as among men there be divers orders, some Kings, some Dukes, Earls, Barons, &c. Thus they make the Devil, mentioned^b before, the head and Monarch of all the rest: Principalities under him: powers under them, and so in the rest. For my part, I think these distinctions in this place over-curious: I deny not an order to be amongst Devils, even as amongst thieves, pirates, connycatchers, &c. There is an head and^c Prince of them. For mention is made of the^d Devil and his angels. There may be also distinct and several offices among them (as among the forenamed pirates) as some to tempt, some to accuse, some to execute vengeance, &c. For if all should do the same thing, how should the other things be done? but that certain be always tied to one place, person and function, is both uncertain and unlikely. Further, that here in this place there should be so many orders and ranks of Devils, as are distinct branches, is also uncertain; neither can any such thing by any just consequence be collected.

From these seuerall branches many collect diuers and distinct orders of Diuells, one subordinate to another: as among men there be diuers orders, some Kings, some Dukes, Earles, Barons, &c. Thus they make the Diuell, mentioned^b before, the head and Monarch of all the rest: Principallities vnder him: powers vnder them, and so in the rest. For my part, I thinke these distinctions in this place ouer-curious: I deny not an order to be amongst Diuels, euen as amongst theeues, pirats, connycatchers, &c. There is an head and^c Prince of them. For mention is made of the^d Diuell and his angels. There may bee also distinct and seuerall offices among them (as among the forenamed pirats) as some to tempt, some to accuse, some to execute vengeance, &c. For if all should doe the same thing, how should the other things bee done? but that certaine bee alwayes tyed to one place, person and function, is both vncertaine and vnlikely. Further, that heere in this place there should be so many orders and ranckes of Diuels, as are distinct branches, is also vncertaine; neither can any such thing by any iust consequence be collected.