that the Devil may by Divine Permission appear in the shape of Innocent and Pious Persons. Nevertheless, it is evident from another Scripture, viz. that in, 2 Cor 11. 1•. For Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light. He seems to be what he is not, and makes others seem to be what they are not. He represents evil men as good, & good men as evil. The Angels of Heaven (who are the Angels of Light) love truth and Righteousness, the Devil will seem to do so to. And does therefore sometimes lay before men excellent good principles and exhort them (as he did Theodore maill•t) to practise many things, which by the Law of Righteousness they are obliged unto, and hereby he does more effectually deceive. Is it not strange, that he has sometimes intimated to his most devoted servants, that if they would have familiar Conversation with him, they must be careful to keep themselves from enormous Sins, and pray constantly for Divine Protection? But so has he transformed himself into an Angel of Light, as (p)Boissardus showeth. He has frequently appeared to men pretending to be a good Angel, so to Anatolius of old; and the late instances of (q)Dr Dee & Kellet are famously known. How many deluded Enthusiasts both in former and latter times have bin imposed on by ⟨p. 7⟩Satan's appearing visibly to them, pretending to be a good Angel. And moreover, he may be said to transform himself into an Angel of Light because of his appearing in the Form of Holy Men who are the Children of Light, yea in the Shape and Habit of Eminent Ministers of God. So did he appear to Mr Earl of Colchester in the Likeness of Mr Liddal an Holy man of God and to the Turkish Chaous Baptized at London Anno 1658 pretending to be Mr D•ry an excellent Minister of Christ. And how often has he pretended to be the Apostle Paul Or Peter or some other celebrated Saint? Ecclesiastical Histories abound with Instances of this nature. Yea, sometimes he has transfigured himself into the Form of Christ. It is reported that he appeared to (r)St Martin Gloriously arrayed as if he had been Christ. So likewise to (s)Second […], and to another Saint, who suspecting it was Satan, transforming himself into an Angel of Light had this expression, If I may see Christ in Heaven it is enough, I desire not to see him in this world, whereupon the spectre vanished.
that the Devil may by Divne Permission appear in the shape of Innocent and Pious Persons. Neverthelesse, it is evident from another Scripture, viz. that in, 2 Cor 11. 1•. For Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light. He seems to be what he is not, and makes others seem to be what they are not. He represents evil men as good, & good men as evil. The Angels of Heaven (who are the Angels of Light) love truth and Righteousness, the Devil will seem to do so to. And does therefore sometimes lay before men excellent good principles and exhort them (as he did Theodore maill•t) to practise many things, which by the Law of Righteousness they are obliged unto, and hereby he does more effectually deceive. Is it not strange, that he has sometimes intimated to his most devoted servants, that if they would have familiar Conversation with him, they must be careful to keep themselves from enormous Sins, and pray constantly for Divine Protection? But so has he transfarmed himself into an Angel of Light, as (p)Boissardus sheweth. He has frequently appeared to men pretending to be a good Angel, so to Anatolius of old; and the late instances of (q)Dr Dee & Kellet are famously known. How many deluded Enthusiasts both in former and latter times have bin imposed on by ⟨p. 7⟩Satans appeaing visibly to them, pretending to be a good Angel. And moreover, he may be said to transform himself into an Angel of Light because of his appearing in the Form of Holy Men who are the Children of Light, yea in the Shape and Habit of Eminent Ministers of God. So did he appear to Mr Earl of Colchester in the Likeness of Mr Liddal an Holy man of God and to the Turkish Chaous Baptized at London Anno 1658 pretending to be Mr D•ry an excellent Minister of Christ. And how often has he pretended to be the Apostle Paul Or Peter or some other celebrated Saint? Ecclesiastical Histories abound with Instances of this nature. Yea, sometimes he has transfigured himself into the Form of Christ. It is reported that he appeared to (r)St Martin Gloriously arrayed as if he had been Christ. So likewise to (s)Second 〈…〉, and to another Saint, who suspecting it was Satan, transforming himself into an Angel of Light had this expression, If I may see Christ in Heaven it is enough, I desire not to see him in this world, whereupon the specre vanished.
- (p)De secret is mag. p. 31. see also ••vater de Spect. Lib. 2. Ca. 18.
- (q)Dr. Casaubon: of Spir••s.Dr. Ca•aubon: of Spir••s.
- (r)Sulpitius severus in vita martini.
- (s)Guac•ius compend: mal••ic p. 342.
