A68845:468
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.
And therefore, when they see them selves in danger to loose them, they either become manifest black devils, and begin openly to persecute, or if ⟨image 97⟩they have any knowledge and eloquence, they straight way,1 play the jolly Balaamites. For they commend themselves unto Antichrist to resist the trueth of God, and maintain his false doctrine, against their own consciences: For, they themselves laugh him to scorn in their hearts, and do no more believe him, then those against whom they oppose them selves. But I fear me, I have done them great wrong to compare them unto Balaam, because they have not so much faith unto the true Religion, as Balaam had unto the Religion of the ancient Church of GOD, neither have they so great a regard to God, as he had. But they are as like him in all other points, as like may be, as in desire of honours, and worldly possessions. And therefore although they are in part, black Devils, yet are they in nature, more like unto white and Familiar Devils, where, the rest show them selves to be altogether black Devils. Howbeit, whatsoever visors they put on, they are always in trueth, very Libertine Atheists, notwithstanding, that they seem outwardly the Followers of Popish ⟨image 98⟩Religion. And there are others also, who are almost like them, even of those which follow the Gospel, if they knew they might any way gain thereby. But the most of that sort, serve in Kings and Princes Courts.2 For, if Kings and Princes favour the Gospel, then they know, that if they favour it as he doeth, that they shall come to greater dignity, or at least, be the better and more firmly established in that degree and honour wherein they stand, for, as they can court it well, so will they also be the first that shall make court to the Gospel, and will be come fair white, and familiar Devils, amongst the very angels. But if a man should judge them by their works, fruits, and life, what Gospel it is that they profess, it would be soon judged that they are very Libertine Atheists. For, a man shall never find any reformation of life in them, which is the chief cause of the preaching of the Gospel, and the principal mark to be marked and known by, in those who have received the true faith, in the true fear of GOD, and in a good conscience.