Use 1 Grossly do they err in the nature of Devils, who think,1 and teach that they be nothing but bad qualities and evil affections, which arise from our flesh. The Apostle expressly denieth them to be flesh, and implieth that they are much more then flesh: how then should they be thought to be affections arising from the flesh? If because they are spiritual things they should be no substances, but only qualities, then neither should thea souls of men,b nor good Angels, norc God himself be a substance: for all these in Scripture are termed Spirits. But spiritual things may be as truly and properly substances as bodily things, if not more: it is not any outward property of a body that simply maketh a substance: Things may be sensible, and yet be no substances, as colours, sounds, smells, &c. But for the Devils, the actions which they perform, the places where they abide, and from whence they go up and down, the power wherewith they are endued, the torments and pains which they endure, with many other like arguments, which out of the Scripture may be collected concerning them, evidently show that they are truly and properly substances. The contrary opinion, as it is erroneous, so it is very dangerous, in that it doth much extenuate those fearful things which have been delivered concerning Devils, yea, it maketh them to be but fables. Therefore this error is so much the rather to be taken heed of.
Vse 1 Grosly doe they erre in the nature of Diuels, who thinke,1 and teach that they be nothing but bad qualities and euill affections, which arise from our flesh. The Apostle expresly denieth them to be flesh, and implieth that they are much more then flesh: how then should they be thought to bee affections arising from the flesh? If because they are spirituall things they should be no substances, but onely qualities, then neither should thea soules of men,b nor good Angels, norc God himselfe be a substance: for all these in Scripture are termed Spirits. But spirituall things may be as truly and properly substances as bodily things, if not more: it is not any outward property of a body that simply maketh a substance: Things may be sensible, and yet be no substances, as colours, sounds, smels, &c. But for the Diuels, the actions which they performe, the places where they abide, and from whence they goe vp and downe, the power wherewith they are indued, the torments and paines which they endure, with many other like arguments, which out of the Scripture may be collected concerning them, euidently shew that they are truly and properly substances. The contrary opinion, as it is erronious, so it is very dangerous, in that it doth much extenuate those fearefull things which haue beene deliuered concerning Diuels, yea, it maketh them to be but fables. Therefore this error is so much the rather to be taken heede of.
- 1Devils are not qualities.Diuels are not qualities.
- aEccles. 12. 7.
- bHeb. 5. 14.
- cJohn 4. 14.Iohn 4. 14.
