An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

The like pious Advice did another Daemon follow a certain Woman with, unto whom he ⟨p. 210⟩appeared. Could a good Angel have given better Counsel? but this was Satan's policy, hoping that thereby he should have gained an advantage to take silly Souls alive in his cruel Snare. Like as Thieves upon the Road will sometimes enter into Religious Discourse, that so their fellow-Travellers may have good thoughts of them, and be the more easily despoiled by them. And as the evil Spirit will speak good Words, so doth he sometimes appear in the likeness of good Men, to the end that he may the more effectually deceive and delude all such as shall be so unhappy as to entertain converses with him. No doubt but that he knows how to transform himself into the shape of not only an ordinary Saint, but of an Apostle, or holy Prophet of God, 2 Cor.11.13,14. This we may gather from the sacred History of dead Samuel's appearing to Saul. Some are of Opinion that real Samuel spake to Saul, his Soul being by Magical incantations returned into his Body, so divers of the Fathers and School-men; also Mendoza, Delrio, and other Popish Authors. Of late M. Glanvil and Dr. Windet, do in part favour that notion. But Tertullian, and the Author of the Quest. and Respons. which pass under the Name of Justin Martyr are of the judgement, that a lying Daemon appeared ⟨p. 211⟩to Saul in Samuel's likeness. Our Protestant Divines generally are of this judgement. It was customary amongst the Gentiles for Magicians and Necromancers to cause dead persons to appear, and they would bring whomsoever they were desired to call for. Thus did a Wizard by Pompeys command, call a dead Soldier, of whom he enquired of the event of the Pharsalic War, vide Lucan Lib.6. Many Examples to this purpose, are Recorded in the Histories of former times; and mentioned by the old Poets. Those Apparitions were Cacodemons, which feigned themselves to be the Spirits of Men departed. I see no cogent reason why we should not conclude the like with respect unto Samuel's appearing unto Saul. Most certain it is, that the Souls of holy Men departed, are not under the power of Devils, much less of Magicians to bring them hither when they please. As for those that are gone into the other World, there is a Gulf fixed, that if men would they cannot pass into this World again without leave,