you that _Saul_ was in an
other Chalmer, at the making of the circles & conjurationes, needeful for
that purpose (as none of that craft will permit any vthers to behold at
that time) yet it is evident by the text, that how sone that once that
vnclean spirit was fully risen, shee called in vpon _Saul_. For it is
saide in the text, that _Saule knew him to be Samuel_, which coulde not
haue bene, by the hearing tell onely of an olde man with an mantil, since
there was many mo old men dead in _Israel_ nor _Samuel_: And the common
weid of that whole Cuntrey was mantils. As to the next, that it was not
the spirit of _Samuel_, I grant: In the proving whereof ye neede not to
insist, since all Christians of whatso-ever Religion agrees vpon that: and
none but either mere ignorants, or Necromanciers or Witches doubtes
thereof. And that the Diuel is permitted at som-times to put himself in
the liknes of the Saintes, it is plaine in the Scriptures, where it is
said, that _Sathan can trans-forme himselfe into an Angell of light_. (M2)
Neither could that bring any inconvenient with the visiones of the
Prophets, since it is most certaine, that God will not permit him so to
deceiue his own: but only such, as first wilfully deceiues them-selves, by
running vnto him, whome God then suffers to fall in their owne snares, and
justlie permittes them to be illuded with great efficacy of deceit,
because they would not beleeue the trueth (as _Paul_ sayth). And as to the
diuelles foretelling of things to come, it is true that he knowes not all
things future, but yet that he knowes parte, the Tragicall event of this
historie declares it, (which the wit of woman could never haue
fore-spoken) not that he hath any prescience, which is only proper to God:
or yet knows anie thing by loking vpon God, as in a mirrour (as the good
Angels doe) he being for euer debarred from the fauorable presence &
countenance of his creator, but only by one of these two meanes, either as
being worldlie wise, and taught by an continuall experience, ever since
the creation, judges by likelie-hood of thinges to come, according to the
like that hath passed before, and the naturall causes, in respect of the
vicissitude of all thinges worldly: Or else by Gods employing of him in a
turne, and so foreseene thereof: as appeares to haue bin in this, whereof
we finde the verie like in _Micheas_ propheticque discourse to King
_Achab_. (M3) But to prooue this my first proposition, that t