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have them in readinefs and in view for his ule the better.
The first is against Atheifts, and fuch as do not believe that there be any Dive's or Spirits: We have argued it, I confefs, pretty largely, at the beginning of this Difcourfe or Preface, and I hope fome may rece ve competent fat sfaCtion by what we have laid: But if no Argument had been uſed, (letting afide Scripture Authority, which would be impertinent against Athe fts) I do not know what can be more convincing then this fad Story, fo exactly to particularly, fo faithfully delivered. Truly, they must fee further then I do, that can finde what to anfwer (rationally) and to oppofe: This is a great point, and a great ground of Religion; but this is not all: For if there be Spirits indeed, fo wicked and malicious, fo ftudious and fo induftrious, to delude men, and to do mifchicf, which is their end, all which is fo fully reprefented in this Relation; then certainly muft it follow, that there is a great over-ruling Power, that takes care of the Earth, and of the Inhabitants of it; of them efpecially that adore that Power, and worship it with true affection and fincerity: For without this over ruling Power, what a miferable World fhould we have? What maniober or innocent, that could enjoy himfelf at any time with any comfort or fecurity? But again, what man can read this fad flory and can be fo periwaded of his own Wifdom or innocency, but will in fome degree reflect upon himfelf, and will be moved to praife God, that notwithstanding many provocations in feveral kindes (as damnable curiofity, open prophaneness, frequent Oathes, Curfes, Perjuries, fcandalous Life, and the like) God hath been pleased to protect and preferve him from the force and violence of fuch enemies of markinde?
Ifad before, from lef beginnings greateft confufions had enfued, which is very true as in the cafe of Bacchus particularly many Ages before; and in the cale of Mahomet afterwards (two notable lewd Euthufiafts, by whomas Inftruments, evil Spirits, by Gods permiffion, brought great alterations in Gevernments, and wrought much mifchief and villany among Men and Women) we fha lelfewhere fhew more at large. By due confideration of all Circumftances, as chiefly their confident and reiterated Addreffes unto, and Attempts upon fo many great men in Power and Authority, and the like; I am much of opinion that thefe Spirits had as great hopes of Dr. Dee, as ever they had of Bacchus or Mahomet. But God was not ple fed at that time to permit that their malice and fubtilty fhould prevail And I think, if we confider it well, we have reafon to pra fe God for it. England might have been over-run with Anabaptifin (when Ifay Anabaptifm, I mean Anabaptifm confirmed and in full power, not as it appears in its firft pretentions) long before this: God be thanked that it was not then and God keep it from it ftill, I hope is the Prayer of all truly fober and Religious And in very deed I know no reafon, but the Wildom and prudence of the r Mjeties Councel that then were, in oppofing Dr. Dees frequent addroffes and Sollicitations, may (under God) challenge and defer e fome part of our Thanks and Acknowledgement.
Again The Divel we fee can Pray and Preach, (as to outward appearance we mean; for truly and really, God forbid that any thing facred and holy fhould be thought to proceed from Divels) and talk of Sanctity and Mortification, as well as the beft. And what he can in his own perfon, or by himſelf imme-diately