The Answer to the Question must be Affirmative; Let the following Arguments be duely weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary.
_Argu. 1._ There are several Scriptures from which we may infer the Possibility of what is Affirmed.
1. We find that the _Devil by the Instigation of the Witch at Endor appeared in the Likeness of the Prophet Samuel_. I am not ignorant that some have asserted that, which, if it were proved, would evert this Argument, _viz._ that it was the true and not a delusive _Samuel_ which the Witch brought to converse with _Saul_. Of this Opinion are some of the Jewish Rabbies[1] and some Christian Doctors[2] and many late Popish Authors[3] amongst whom _Cornel. a Lapide_ is most elaborate. But that it was a _Dæmon_ representing _Samuel_ has been evinced by learned and Orthodox Writers: especially [4]_Peter Martyr_, [5]_Balduinus [6]Lavater_, and our incomparable _John Rainolde_. I shall not here insist on the clearing of that, especially considering, that elsewhere I have done it: only let me add, that the Witch said to _Saul_, _I see Elohim_, i. e. _A God_; (for the whole Context shows, that a single Person is intended) _Ascending out of the Earth_. _1 Sam. 28.13._ The Devil would be Worshipped as a God, and _Saul_ now, that he was become a _Necromancer_, must bow himself to him. Moreover, had it been the true _Samuel_ from Heaven reprehending _Saul_, there is great Reason to believe, that he would not only have reproved him for his sin, in not executing Judgment on the _Amalekites_; as in Ver. 18. But for his Wickedness in consulting with Familiar Spirits: For which Sin it was in special that he died. _2 Chron. 10.13._ But in as much as there is not one word to testify against that Abomination, we may conclude that it was not real _Samuel_ that appeared to _Saul_: and if it were the Devil in his likeness, the Argument seems very strong, that if the Devil may appear in the form of a Saint in Glory, much more is it possible for him to put on the likeness of the most Pious and Innocent Saint on Earth. There are, who acknowledge that a _Dæmon_ may appear in the shape of a Godly Person, _But not as doing Evil_. Whereas the Devil in _Samuel's_ likeness told a pernicious Lye, when he said, _Thou hath disquieted me._ It was not in the Power of _Saul_, nor of all the Devils in Hell, to disquiet a Soul in Heaven, where _Samuel_ had been for Two years before this Apparition. Nor did the _Spectre_ speak true, when he said, _Thou and thy Sons shall be with me:_ Tho' _Saul_ himself at his Death went to be with the Devil, his Son _Jonathan_ did not so. Besides, (which suits with the matter in hand) the Devil in _Samuels_ shape confirmed _Necromancy_ and _Cursed Witchery_. He that can in the likeness of Saints encourage Witches to Familiarity with Hell, may possibly in the likeness of a Saint afflict a Bewitched Person. But this we see from Scripture, Satan may be permitted to do.