bird carrying away but one corn
in a day, at the end of this so long labour, that yet they might hope at
the last God would have mercy on them, they would be comforted; but now
there is no hope that God once thinks upon them, or that their howling
shall ever be heard; yea, so impossible it is for thee to hide thyself
from God, as it is impossible for thee to remove the mountains, or to
empty the sea, or to tell the drops of rain that have fallen from heaven
until this day, or to tell what there is most of in the world; yea, and
as for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, even so impossible it
is for thee, Faustus, and the rest of the damned, to come again into the
favour of God. And thus, Faustus, hast thou heard my last sentence, and
I pray thee, how dost thou like it? But know this, that I counsel thee
to let me be unmolested hereafter with such disputations, or else will I
vex thee every limb to thy small contentment."

Dr. Faustus parted from his spirit very pensive and sorrowful, laying
him on his bed, altogether doubtful of the grace and favour of God,
wherefore he fell into fantastical cogitations. Fain he would have had
his soul at liberty again, but the devil had so blinded him, and had
taken such deep root in his heart, that he could never think to crave
God's mercy; or, if by chance he had any good motion, straightways the
devil would thrust in a fair lady into his chamber, which fell to
kissing and dalliance with him, through which means he threw the godly
motions in the wind, going forward still in his wicked practice, to the
utter ruin both of body and soul.

CHAPTER XVI.

_Another Question put forth by Dr. Faustus to his Spirit Mephistophiles
of his own Estate._

Dr. Faustus being yet desirous to hear more strange things, called his
spirit unto him, saying, "My Mephistophiles, I have yet another suit
unto thee, which I pray thee deny me not to resolve me of."

"Faustus," quoth the spirit, "I am loth to reason with thee any further,
for thou art never satisfied in thy mind, but always bringest me a new."

"Yet, I pray thee, this once," quoth Faustus, "do me so much favour as
to tell me the truth in this matter, and hereafter I will be no more so
earnest with thee."

The spirit was altogether against it; but yet once more he would abide
him. "Well," said the spirit to Faustus, "what demandest thou of me."

Faustus said, "I would gladly know of thee if thou wert a man in manner
and for