And whereas it is objected, that the Devil may appear indeed in the form of Dead Persons, but that he cannot represent such as are living; The contrary is manifest. No Question had _Saul_ said to the Witch, bring me _David_ who was then living, she could as easily have shown living _David_ as dead _Samuel_, as easily as that great Conjurer of whom [7]_Wierus_ speaks, brought the appearance of _Hector_ and _Achilles_, and after that of _David_ before the Emperour _Maximilian_.
And that evil Angels have sometimes appeared in the likeness of living absent persons, is a thing abundantly confirmed by History.
[8]_Austin_ tells us of one that went for resolution in some intricate Questions to a Philosopher, of whom he could get no Answer; but in the Night the Philosopher comes to him, and resolves all his Doubts. Not long after, he demanded the reason why he could not answer him in the Day as well as in the Night; The Philosopher professed he was not with him in the Night, only acknowledged that he dreamed of his having such conversation of his Friend, but he was all the time at home, and asleep. _Paulus_ and _Palladius_ did both of them profess to _Austin_, that one in his shape, had divers times, and in divers places appeared to them: [9]_Thyreus_ mentions several Apparitions of absent living persons, which happened in his time, and which he had the certain knowledge of. A Man that is in one place cannot (_Autoprosopos_) at the same time be in another. It remains then that such _Spectres_ are Prodigious and Supernatural, and not without Diabolical Operation. It has been Controverted among Learned Men, whether innocent Persons may not by the malice and deluding Power of the Devil be represented as present amongst Witches at their dark Assemblies. The mentioned _Thyreus_ says, that the Devil may, and often does represent the forms of Innocent Persons out of those Conventions, and that there is no Question to be made of it, but as to his natural Power and Art he is able to make their shapes appear amongst his own Servants, but he supposeth the Providence of God will not suffer such an Injury to be done to an Innocent Person. With him [10]_Delrio_, and _Spineus_ concur. But _Cumanus_ in his _Lucerna Inquisitorum_ (a Book which I have not yet seen) defends the Affirmative in this Question. _Bins Fieldius_ in his Treatise, concerning the Confession of Witches, inclines to the Negative, only [11]he acknowledges _Dei extraordinaria Permissione posse Innocentes sic representari._ And he that shall assert, that Great and Holy God never did nor ever will permit the Devil thus far to abuse an Innocent Person, affirms more than he is able to prove. The story of _Germanus_ his discovering a Diabolical illusion of this nature, concerning a great number of Persons that seemed to be at a Feast when they were really at home and asleep, is mentioned by many Authors. But the particulars insisted on, do sufficiently evince the Truth of what we assert, _viz._ That the Devil may by Divine Permission appear in the shape of Innocent and Pious Persons. Nevertheless, It is evident from another Scripture, _viz._ that in _2 Cor. 11.14._ _For Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light._ He seems to be what he is not, and makes others seem to be what they are not. He represents evil men as good, and good men as evil. The Angels of Heaven, (who are the Angels of Light) love Truth and Righteousness, the Devil will seem to do so too; and does therefore sometimes lay before men excellent good Principles and exhort them (as he did _Theodore Maillit_) to practise many things, which by the Law of Righteousness they are obliged unto, and hereby he does more effectually deceive. Is it not strange, that he has sometimes intimated to his most devoted servants, that if they would have familiar Conversation with him, they must be careful to keep themselves from enormous Sins, and pray constantly for Divine Protection? But so has he transformed himself into an Angel of Light, as [12]_Boissardus_ sheweth. He has frequently appeared to Men pretending to be a good Angel, so to _Anatolius_ of old; and the late instances of [13]Dr. _Dee_ and _Kellet_ are famously known. How many deluded _Enthusiasts_ both in former and latter times have been imposed on by Satans appearing visibly to them, pretending to be a good Angel. And moreover, he may be said to transform himself into an _Angel of Light_, because of his appearing in the Form of _Holy Men_, who are the _Children of Light_, yea in the shape and habit of Eminent Ministers of God. So did he appear to Mr. _Earl_ of _Colchester_ in the likeness of Mr. _Liddal_ an Holy Man of God, and to the _Turkish Chaous_ Baptized at _London_, _Anno 1658._ pretending to be Mr.