discern the
true revelations from the false illusions. A man shall find many
such tokens both here and there in divers other authors and all
together in divers goodly treatises of that good godly doctor,
Master John Gerson, entitled _De probatione spirituum._ As,
whether the party be natural in manner or seem anything
fantastical. Or, whether the party be poor-spirited or proud. The
pride will somewhat appear by his delight in his own praise; or
if, of wiliness, or of another pride for to be praised of
humility, he refused to hear of that, yet any little fault found
in himself, or diffidence declared and mistrust of his own
revelations and doubtful tokens told, wherefore he himself should
fear lest they be the devil's illusion--such things, as Master
Gerson saith, will make him spit out somewhat of his spirit, if
the devil lie in his breast. Or if the devil be yet so subtle that
he keep himself close in his warm den and blow out never a hot
word, yet it is to be considered what end his revelations tend
to--whether to any spiritual profit to himself or other folk, or
only to vain marvels and wonders. Also, whether they withdraw him
from such other good virtuous business as, by the common rule of
Christendom or any of the rules of his profession, he was wont to
use or bound to be occupied in. Or whether he fall into any
singularity of opinions against the scripture of God, or against
the common faith of Christ's Catholic Church. Many other tokens
are spoken of in the work of Master Gerson, by which to consider
whether the person, neither having revelations of God nor
illusions from the devil, do feign his revelations himself, either
for winning of money or worldly favour, and delude the people
withal.

But now for our purpose: If, among any of the marks by which the
true revelations may be known from false illusions, that man
himself bring forth, for one mark, the doing or teaching of
anything against the scripture of God or the common faith of the
church, you may enter into the special matter, in which he can
never well flee from you. Or else may you yet, if you wish, feign
that your secret friend, for whose sake you come to him for
counsel, is brought to that mind by a certain apparition showed
unto him, as he himself saith, by an angel--as you fear, by the
devil. And that he cannot as yet be otherwise persuaded by you but
that the pleasure of God is that he shall go kill himself. And
that he believeth if he do so h