A68845:261
The world possessed with devils containing three dialogues. 1. Of the Devil let loose.…The vvorlde possessed with deuils conteinyng three dialogues. 1. Of the Deuill let loose.…
The world possessed with devils containing three dialogues. 1. Of the Devil let loose. 2. Of black devils. 3. Of white devils. And of the coming of Jesus Christ to judgement, a very necessary and comfortable discourse for these miserable and dangerous days.The vvorlde possessed with deuils conteinyng three dialogues. 1. Of the Deuill let loose. 2. Of blacke deuils. 3. Of white deuils. And of the commyng of Iesus Christe to iudgement, a verie necessarie and comfortable discourse for these miserable and daungerous daies.
London: printed by John Kingston for John Perin, 1583London: printed by John Kingston for Ihon Perin, 1583
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.
Theo. He could not wholly forbear persecuting of them, and would have used more cruelty, if he had durst. But his devil was sore troubled in this. For, when he would have played the black devil, and have spewed out his swelling venom, two things hindered him: The one was that, whereof I spake before, that is, that he saw that it profited little or nothing to return to that first fury, wherewith he used of old time to stir and inflame ancient Tyrants, to such cruel persecution against the Christians. For, he had often proved full sore against his will. O how the flesh and constancy of Christians had repulsed the sharp points of the cutting swords ⟨image 53⟩of tyrants, quenched their furies, & vanquished all their rage and fury. On the other side, this Devil saw, that in Julians time the number of the Christians was so great, that Julian could not use grievous and cruel persecution amongst them, without his hinderance, and great danger of his person and Empire. For, his court, yea and his camp were full of them. Yea how many Lords, Captains, and Officers had he in his Court that were Christians? amongst whom Valentinian that was Emperor after him, was in great authority. Who so little feared in Julians time to declare the honour & reverence that he bear to the Christian religion, and how he hated Julians Paganism, and that entering on a day in Julians company into the Temple of Fortune, (whom the Paynims held for a Goddess) he struck a Priest on the ear which sprinkled Holy water at the entry of the temple, because he threw a few drops on his Cloak: and told him that he had spoiled him, and not purged him. For the Paynims believed as our Papists now a days do, that sins were purged away by Holy water. Seeing then that Valentinian durst be so hardy in the presence of Julian ⟨image 54⟩himself his Emperor & Prince, Julian had not so little understanding but he did well foresee and consider, what trouble he should bring not only his Court in, but also his Empire, if his devil should become a black devil and tyrannous persecutor. Wherefore, he was constrained to counterfeit the white Devil, & dissemblingly to let many matters slip, which nevertheless were great grief and heart breaking to him: But he was fame to be patient perforce.
Theo. He could not wholy forbeare persecutyng of thē, and would haue vsed more crueltie, if he had durst. But his deuil was sore troubled in this. For, when he would haue plaied the black deuill, and haue spewed out his swellyng venim, two thinges hindered hym: The one was that, whereof I spake before, that is, that he sawe that it profited little or nothyng to retourne to that first furie, wherewith he vsed of olde tyme to stirre and enflame auncient Tyrauntes, to suche cruell persecutiō against the Christians. For, he had often prooued full sore against his will. O how the fleshe and constancie of Christians had repulsed the sharpe pointes of the cuttyng swordes