The doctrine of devils proved to be the grand apostacy of these later times. An essay tending to rectifie those undue notions and apprehensions men have about dæmons and evil spirits.

CHAP. IV. What the Doctrine of Devils is in the Af∣firmative.

THese words then, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I interpret, Doctrines of, about, or concerning Devils, though without a Preposition, as intimating the Subject not the Authors, the Matter not the Doctors, the De quibus, not the Per quos; so we say, Historia animalium, the History of Ani∣mals, not that the Animals wrote the Hi∣story, but that the History was written of, about, or concerning Animals: So Legen∣da Sanctorum, Doctrina Philosophorum; and thus the Prophet too, Quasi Luctum unigeniti, as the sorrow of an only Son, not sorrowing, but sorrowed for, Amos

8.10. And this Elleiptical way of speak∣ing, by the omission of a word, especially of a Preposition, is elegant, and in Scrip∣ture often used. As 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, John 11.44. So, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Heb. 5.1. where 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is omitted. So, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Mark 6.7. 'Tis a mad and wild gift Christ gave his Disciples, he gave them the power of unclean Devils; thus it runs, without the supplement of the Preposition, yet is not the Preposition inserted, but must be understood; and the sense is clear and plain, he gave them power o∣ver unclean Spirits. Here too, vers. 2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Nay, and vers. 3. One principle verb or leading word is altogether omitted: Forbidding to marry and to abstain from meats, the sense is harsh and unsavoury, unless we supply (commanding, or some such word) and commanding to abstain from meats. So would this sentence be harsh too, and odd if we read thus; Giving heed to doctrines of Devils, speaking lyes in Hy∣pocrisie: So joyning, Per appositionem, speaking lyes and Devils together, as one thing, the Revelation would be ridicu∣lous, as afore. The Preposition 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 must of necessity be supplyed of, about, or

concerning Devils: And 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 too, if we stick to this expression, doctrine of devils, speaking lyes in hypocrisie. But the plainest and easiest reading is, as is intimated afore, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the hypocrisie of lye-tellers; by the de∣ceit, knavery, villainy and falsehood of Legendists, Tale-forgers, and Fable-fag∣gaters; and thus, Devils or Daymons must be the subjects of those Fables, and lying Men the Authors. And now here thus we have a Prediction. 1. That the doctrine of Devils would be brought in∣to the Church. 2. Men would be very apt to entertain this Doctrine. 3. The means, way or course, by which this Doctrine should be brought in, by forged lyes, false inventions, and hypocritical fa∣bles: But this is not that that I mean, but that the broachers of this doctrine of Devils are so plainly described, and indigitated here, that we may as easily know, who they be that are here meant, as we can know a shaven Monk, or Fryer by his shaven Crown, from an honest Man. 1. They are Lyers, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 2. Prating Lyers, venting their lyes in words, and Prate, and Print, and Preach too. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 3. Upon a knavish design; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 4. A spiritual kna∣very,

or knavery in respect of spiritual things. Hypocrisie in Scripture-phrase, is used to express a knavery of such a kind most commonly. 5. Shameless Lyers, though they know their prate to be meer lyes, yet will they not conceal, but lo∣quaciously, impudently, boldly vent them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 6. As Brazen-fac'd, so Iron∣hearted, Having their consciences seared as with—not caring what mischief, even to mens Souls, they do by their abomina∣ble lyes. And yet, 7. The broachers of this doctrine of Devils are further yet pointed at in these words, Forbidding to marry, and a commanding to abstain from meats.—Now if there have not here∣tofore been, and yet now are, many such broachers in whom all the particulars a∣bove-mentioned do meet, within the Popedom; if there have not been, and yet are even in Protestantdom some too, that have, and do give heed to such doctrines, then is not this Prophesy as yet, nor ever will, in any sort be fulfilled: But it is as clear as the light even at noon-day, That there are an abundance of such Doctors or broachers of this do∣ctrine in the Popedom, as appears by those volumns of Legends, those decades of Romances, those huge tomes of Fables

that have been obtruded upon the World, by Monks, Fryers, and other shavelings there: It appears also by the many far∣dles, faggots and bundles of Scribbles, though by Divines, Doctors, and Philo∣sophers among Protestants, in vindication of that doctrine; That there are an a∣bundance of broachers and Doctors, as well as Sheepish followers and Apish imi∣tators, who give heed to this doctrine of Devils: So that the Spirit needed indeed to speak expresly against it; and against it here. Here he doth speak expresly; but though so expresly against it, he hath and doth still speak; yet some will Teach, and others give good heed to it: So apt eager and wilful are Men, to refuse whole∣som doctrines and the words of Truth, that their itching ears may be filled with prophane Fables, incredible Lyes, and monstrous Tales of old Wives, which turn them from the Truth, to the em∣bracing of this doctrine of Devils. This interpretation is consonant to Grammar, to the letter of the Text, and is fully justified by the success in all the particu∣lars, and therefore cannot I think, be excepted against. The doctrine of Devils, is the opinion, tenent, or Teach, of, a∣bout, or concerning Devils; their won∣derful

power, and most prodigious opera∣tions: This is the sum and drift of this Tract. There is not here any, the least intention so much as to insinuate, 1. That there be no Devils. Or 2. That they are not abominably villainous in themselves. Or 3. That they are not mischievous, to the utmost of their power, against Man∣kind: But only, That they have not such an unlimited, irresistible, and omnipotent power, as Demonologers idolatrously at∣tribute to them; especially in Physical or natural things, what-ever their power may be in respect of Morals. That is another question.