Page 58
CHAP. VII.
A special Objection answered concerning Transportations, with the consent of divers Writers thereupon.
FOr the maintenance of Witches Transportations, they object the words of the Gospel,* 1.1 where the Devil is said to take up Christ, and to set him on a pinnacle of the Temple, and on a mountain, &c. which if he had done in manner and form as they suppose, it followeth not therefore that Witches could do the like; nor yet that the Devil would do it for them at their pleasure; for they know not their thoughts, neither can otherwise communicate with them. But I answer,* 1.2 that if it were so grossely to be understood, as they imagine it, yet should it make nothing to their purpose: For, I hope, they will not say, that Christ had made any ointments, or entred into any league with the Devil, and by vertue thereof was transported from out of the Wilderness, unto the top of the temple at Jerusalem; or that the Devil could have masteries over his body, whose soul he could never lay hold upon, especially when he might (with a beck of his finger) have called unto him, and have had the assistance of many legions of Angels:* 1.3 Neither (as I think) will they presume to make Christ partaker of the Devils purpose and sin in that behalf. If they say, This was an action wrought by the special providence of God, and by his appointment, that the Scripture might be fulfilled; then what gain our Witchmongers by this place? First, for that they may not produce a particular example to prove so general an argument. And again, if it were by Gods special providence and appointment, then why should it not be done by the hand of God,* 1.4 as it was in the story of Job? Or, if if it were Gods special purpose and pleasure, that there should be so extraordi∣nary a matter brought to pass by the hand of the Devil; could not God have given to the wicked Angel extraordinary power, and cloathed him with extra∣ordinary shape, whereby he might be made an instrument able to accomplish that matter, as he did to his Angel that carryed Habacuck to Daniel, and to them that he sent to destroy Sodome? But you shall understand, that this was done in a vision, and not in verity of action. So as they have a very cold pull of this place, which is the special piece of Scripture alledged of them for their Transpor∣tations.
* 1.5Hear therefore what Calvin saith in his Commentary upon that place, in these words, The question is, whether Christ were carryed aloft indeed, or whether it were but in a vision? Many affirm very obstinately, that his body was truly and really as they say taken up; because they think it too great an indignity for Christ to be made subject to Satans illusions. But this objection is easily washed away: For it is no ab∣surdity to grant all this to be wrought through Gods permission, or Christs vo∣luntary subjection: so long as we yield not to think that he suffered these temptations inwardly, that is to say, in mind or soul. And that which is after∣wards set down by the Evangelist, where the Devil shewed him all the King∣doms of the world, and the glory of the same, and that to be done (as it is said in Luke) in the twinkling of an eye, doth more agree with a vision, than with a real action: So far are the very words of Calvin: Which differ not one syllable nor five words from that which I had written therein, before I looked for his opinion in the matter. And this, I hope, will be sufficient to overthrow the assertions of them that lay the ground of their Transportations and flying in the air hereupon.
He that will say, that these words, to wit, that Christ was taken up, &c. can hardly be applyed to a vision, let him turn to the Prophesie of Ezekiel, and see the self same words used in a vision, saving that where Christ is said to be taken up by the Devil,* 1.6 Ezekiel is taken up, and lifted up, and carryed by the Spirit of God, and yet in a vision. But they have less reason that built upon this sandy rock, the supernatural frame of Transubstantiation; as almost