A68845:327
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.
Toby. It is no marvel though the devil use this subtlety and dissimulation: for there are divers men that […] the same many times, not only towards m•n, but towards GOD himself. Wherefore, in my judgement, we may well compare them to these possessed, & make them their fellows.
Tobie. It is no maruaile though the deuill vse this subtiltie and dissimulation: for there are diuers men that 〈…〉 the same many tymes, not onely towards m•n, but towards GOD himself. Wherefore, in my iudgement, we may wel compare them to these possessed, & make thē their fellowes.
Theo. Tell me thy mind more plainly.
Theo. Tel me thy mynd more plainely.
Toby. I have known divers, that in time of health & prosperity, have not only given them selves over to the greatest filthiness and mischief that is possible for ⟨image 61⟩any man to commit, but also have openly withstood God, as if they would willingly defy him, and pluck him out of his celestial Throne. But afterward when God hath laid his hand on them, either by grievous and dangerous sicknesses, or by some other misery and mishap, so, that the danger was extreme, they then became good Devils,1 like to those of whom we talk. Thou never sawest more gentle, more tractable, nor more devout people in outward show. They are the best Catholics that may be found. They yield, they promise to become the honestest men in the world. They will never do more amiss, but will live a straiter and holier life, than holy Hermits themselves. But when it is once past, and the danger escaped, they forget all that they have promised, and like wild beasts that have got their uerkes out of the collar, they return to their first nature, and become worse then ever they were.