have wicked children, as Cain,
Reuben, Absolom, and such like, have been to their parents. So Faustus
having godly parents, who seeing him to be of a toward wit, were
desirous to bring him up in those virtuous studies, namely, of Divinity;
but he gave himself secretly to necromancy, and conjuration, insomuch
that few or none could perceive his profession.

But to the purpose, Faustus continued at study in the university, and
was by the rectors, and sixteen masters afterwards, examined how he had
profited in his studies, and being found by them, that none of his time
were able to argue with him in divinity, or for the excellency of his
wisdom to compare with him, with one consent they made him Doctor of
Divinity. But Doctor Faustus, within short time after he had obtained
his degree, fell into such fantasies, and deep cogitations, that he was
mocked of many, and of the most part of the students was called the
Speculator, and sometimes he would throw the Scriptures from him, as
though he had no care of his former profession, so that he began a most
ungodly life, as hereafter more at large may appear, for the old proverb
saith, "Who can hold what will away?" So, who can hold Faustus from the
devil, that seeks after him with all his endeavours; for he accompanied
himself with divers that were seen in those devilish arts, and that had
the Chaldean, Persian, Hebrew, Arabian, and Greek tongues, using
figures, characters, conjurations, incantations, with many other
ceremonies belonging to those infernal arts, as necromancy, charms,
soothsaying, witchcraft, enchantment, being delighted with their books,
words, and names so well, that he studied day and night therein,
insomuch that he could not abide to be called Doctor of Divinity,
but waxed a worldly man, and named himself an astrologian, and a
mathematician, and for a shadow sometimes a physician, and did great
cures, namely with herbs, roots, waters, drinks, receipts and glysters;
and without doubt he was passing wise and excellent perfect in Holy
Scripture. But he that knoweth his master's will, and doth it not, is
worthy to be beaten with many stripes. It is written, "No man can serve
two masters, and thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." But Faustus
threw all this in the wind, and made his soul of no estimation,
regarding more his worldly pleasures than the joys to come; therefore at
the day of judgment, there is no hope of his redemption.

CHAPTER II.

_How Doc