CHAP. IV.
Of the great Oracle of Apollo the Pythonist, and how men of all sorts have been decei∣ved, and that even the Apostles have mistaken the nature of Spirits, with an unan∣swerable argument, that Spirits can take no shapes.
WIth this kind of Witchcraft, Apollo and his Oracles abused and cose∣ned the whole World: which Idol was so famous, that I need not stand long in the description thereof. The Princes and Monarchs of the earth reposed no small confidence therein: the Priests, which lived thereupon, were so cunning, as they also overtook almost all the godly and lear∣ned men of that age; partly with their doubtful answers, as that which was made unto Pyrrhus, in these words, Aio te Aeacida Romanos vincere posse;* 1.1 and to Croesus his Ambassadors, in these words, Si Croesus arma Persis inferat, magnum Imperium evertet; and otherwise thus, Croesus Halin penetrans, magnam subvertet opum vim: or thus, Croesus perdet Halin, transgressus plurima regna, &c. partly through con∣federacy, whereby they knew mens errands ere they came; and partly by cunning, as promising victory upon the sacrificing of some person of such ac∣count, as victory should rather be neglected, then the murther accomplished. And if it were, yet should there be such conditions annexed thereunto,* 1.2 as al∣wayes remained unto them a starting hole, and matter enough to cavil upon, as that the party sacrificed must be a Virgin, no bastard, &c. Furthermore, of two things only proposed, and where yea or nay only doth answer the question, it is an even lay, that an Idiot shall conjecture right: So as, if things fell out contrary, the fault was alwayes in the Interpreter, and not in the Oracle or the Prophet. But what marvel (I say) though the multitude and common people have been abused herein, since Lawyers, Philosophers, Physitians, Astrono∣mers, Divines, General Councels, and Princes, have with great negligence and ignorance been deceived and seduced hereby, as swallowing up and devouring an inveterate opinion, received of their elders, without due examination of the circumstance?
Howbeit, the godly and learned Fathers (as it appeareth) have alwayes had a special care and respect, that they attributed not unto God such devilish devices; but referred them to him who indeed is the inventer and author, though not the personal executioner, in manner and form as they supposed: so as the matter of faith was not thereby by them impeached. But who can assure himself not to be deceived in matters concerning Spirits, when the Apostles themselves were so far from knowing them, as even after the Resurrection of Christ,* 1.3 having heard him preach and expound the Scriptures, all his life time, they shewed themselves not only ignorant therein, but also to have misconceived thereof? Did not the Apostle Thomas think that Christ himself himself had been a Spirit, until Christ told him plainly, that a Spirit was no such creature as had flesh and bones, the which (he said) Thomas might see to be in him? And for the further certifying and satisfying of his mind, he commended unto him his hands to be seen, and his sides to be felt. Thomas, if the answer be true that some make hereunto, to wit, that Spirits take formes and shapes of bodies at their pleasure, might have answe∣red Christ, and remaining unsatisfied might have said, Oh Sir, what do you tell