3 For the third,1 the extraordinary power of the Devil consisteth in this, that he can do any thing whatsoever is in the compass of nature, and may be effected by natural means. For example,d he can violently move the air, and cause tempests and storms:e he can inflame the air, and cause thunder and lightning; yea, and extraordinary fire to fall down: he can exceedingly trouble the Seas, and cause such waves and billows to arise, as shall swallow up ships and men: he can cause waters to swell over the banks, and so make great breaches. On earth he can cause earth-quakes, he can throw down the strongest buildings, and root up the best settled trees, and move all things: he can carry and hurry up and down even in the aira the bodies of men and beasts: yea,b he can enter into them, and make them with violence rush and run headlong hither and thither:c he⟨p. 71⟩ can cast them into the fire and water,d grievously vex and torment them, ande inflict sore diseases upon them; he canf possess them, make them lunatic, dumb, deaf, blind; make them foam and roar out, and all to rent them; he can stir upg wrath, pride, covetousness, lust, and the like passions in men; he can know the disposition of men, and accordingly lay baits for them, or bring them unto baits; he canh darken mens understanding, andi cause much trouble and anguish in their soul and conscience; yea, so much as they cannot endure it, but are brought to make away themselves; he can incense man against man, Kingdom against Kingdom, Subjects against Princes, Princes against subjects, and so cause quarrels, wars, treasons rebellions, oppressions, murders, &c. Many more strange mischiefs can he work, which for kind are extraordinarily wonderful, and for number innumerable.
3 FOr the third,1 the extraordinary power of the Diuel consisteth in this, that he can do any thing whatsoeuer is in the compasse of nature, and may be effected by naturall meanes. For example,d he can violently moue the ayre, and cause tempests and stormes:e he can inflame the ayre, and cause thunder and lightning; yea, and extraordinary fire to fall downe: he can exceedingly trouble the Seas, and cause such waues and billowes to arise, as shall swallow vp ships and men: he can cause waters to swell ouer the bancks, and so make great breaches. On earth he can cause earth-quakes, he can throw downe the strongest buildings, and roote vp the best setled trees, and mooue all things: hee can carry and hurry vp and downe euen in the ayrea the bodies of men and beastes: yea,b hee can enter into them, and make them with violence rush and runne headlong hither and thither:c hee⟨p. 71⟩ can cast them into the fire and water,d grieuously vexe and torment them, ande inflict sore diseases vpon them; he canf possesse them, make them lunatick, dumb, deafe, blinde; make them foame and roare out, and all to rent them; he can stirre vpg wrath, pride, couetousnesse, lust, and the like passions in men; he can know the disposition of men, and accordingly lay baites for them, or bring them vnto baits; hee canh darken mens vnderstanding, andi cause much trouble and anguish in their soule and conscience; yea, so much as they cannot endure it, but are brought to make away themselues; hee can incense man against man, Kingdome against Kingdome, Subiects against Princes, Princes against subiects, and so cause quarrels, warres, treasons rebellions, oppressions, murthers, &c. Many more strange mischiefes can he worke, which for kinde are extraordinarily wonderfull, and for number innumerable.
- 1Wherein Satans extraordinary power consisteth.
- dJob 1. 16. 19.Iob 1. 16. 19.
- eIbid.
- aMat 4. 5. 8.
- bMat. 8. 32.
- cMat. 17. 15.
- dMat. 15. 22
- eJob 2. 7.Iob 2. 7.
- fMark 9. 17, &c.Marke 9. 17, &c.
- gEphes. 4. 27.
- h2. Cor. 4. 4.
- iMat. 27. 3, &c.
