Who was that which appeared at the call of the witch? As concerning this first question, it is of necessity, that either the same was Samuel or the devil: but if we affirm that it was Samuel, then will it be doubtful, whether he came wholly both in body and soul, or in his body alone, or else in his soul alone. If he came wholly in body and soul, 1then must it needs be, that he rose from the dead. But this being an excellent great miracle, cannot be attributed either to the witch, or to the devil; yea and there be some, which do not attribute that, no not to God. But those pestilent opinions are easily confuted by the very history of the holy scriptures. For we read of three in the old testament, which were restored from death to life; 2one by Elijah, another by Elisha being yet alive, 3and the third by the bones of Elisha, when he was dead. 4In the new testament we read of the chief ruler of the synagogue his daughter, of the widows son, 5of Lazarus, Eutyches, and Dorcas. Wherefore if we deny that Samuel returned unto life, we do not therefore deny, that GOD could not bring it to pass. For Christ proved the resurrection: and said, that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living: 6and Paul in the 15. of the first epistle to the Corinthians, by many reasons of purpose confirmeth the resurrection of the dead; and in the epistle to the Hebrews he reckoneth it among the grounds of our religion. It is an article of our faith. 7And undoubtedly, neither the Turks nor Jews deny, that the dead shall rise again. But the Montanists, Originists, and such other furies, 8which deny the resurrection, are plainly confuted out of Job, out of the psalms, out of Isaiah, out of Daniel, and every-where out of the new testament. We do not (I say) deny that it was done, because it could not be done; but because such miracles, whereas they ought to be testimonies of the truth, would here be testimonies of lies, and magical wickedness; and because it is not likely, that God would permit it. For so notable a thing may not be attributed unto the power of the devil; because to be able to raise the dead, belongeth only unto God. But Apollonius Tyaneus raised a maid. Indeed so it is written in his life; howbeit the same in very deed was but a fantasy, and not a thing done; and that is also to be affirmed as touching Simon Magus.
Who was that which appeered at the call of the witch? As concerning this first question, it is of necessitie, that either the same was Samuel• or the diuell: but if we affirme that it was Samuel, then will it be doubtfull, whether he came wholie both in bodie and soule, or in his bodie alone, or else in his soule alone. If he came wholie in bodie and soule, 1then must it néeds be, that he rose from the dead. But this being an excellent great miracle, cannot be attributed either to the witch, or to the diuell; yea and there be some, which doo not attribute that, no not to God. But those pestilent opinions are easilie confuted by the verie historie of the holie scriptures. For we reade of thrée in the old testament, which were restored from death to life; 2one by Elias, another by Elizeus being yet aliue, 3and the third by the bones of Elizeus, when he was dead. 4In the new testament we read of the chéefe ruler of the synagog his daughter, of the widowes sonne, 5of Lazarus, Eutyches, and Dorcas. Wherefore if we denie that Samuel returned vnto life, we doo not therefore denie, that GOD could not bring it to passe. For Christ prooued the resurrection: and said, that God is not the God of the dead, but of the liuing: 6and Paule in the 15. of the first epistle to the Corinthians, by manie reasons of purpose confirmeth the resurrection of the dead; and in the epistle to the Hebrues he reckoneth it among the grounds of our religion. It is an article of our faith. 7And vndoubtedlie, neither the Turks nor Iewes denie, that the dead shall rise againe. But the Montanists, Originists, and such other furies, 8which denie the resurrection, are plainlie confuted out of Iob, out of the psalms, out of Esaie, out of Daniel, and euerie-where out of the new testament. We doo not (I saie) denie that it was doone, bicause it could not be doone; but bicause such miracles, whereas they ought to be testimonies of the truth, would here be testimonies of lies, and magicall wickednes; and bicause it is not likelie, that God would permit it. For so notable a thing may not be attributed vnto the power of the diuell; bicause to be able to raise the dead, belongeth onlie vnto God. But Apollonius Tyaneus raised a maid. Indéed so it is written in his life; howbeit the same in verie déed was but a phantasie, and not a thing doone; and that is also to be affirmed as touching Simon Magus.
- 1It was not whole Samuel in soul and body.It was not whole Samuel in soule and bodie.
- 21. Kin. 17, 22▪ 2. Kin. 4, 34.
- 32. Kin. 13, 21
- 4Matth. 9, 25
- 5Luke. 7, 14▪ John. 11, 43 Acts. 9, 46. Acts. 20, 10.Luke. 7, 14▪ Iohn. 11, 43 Acts. 9, 46. Acts. 20, 10.
- 6Luk. 20, 38.
- 7Heb. 6, 2.
- 8The Montanists and the Originists.
