Charles Wentworth Upham - The True Story of Salem - Book 1-7

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 1and some Christian Doctors 2and many late Popish Authors 3amongst 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.

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 11he 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 13Dr. 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. Dury an Excellent Minister of Christ. And how often has he pretended to be the Apostle Paul or Peter or some other celebrated Saint? Ecclesiastical Histories abound with Instances of this nature. Yea, sometimes he has transfigured himself into the Form of Christ. It is reported that he appeared to 14St. Martin Gloriously arrayed, as if he had been Christ. So likewise to 15 Secundellus , and to another Saint, who suspecting it was Satan, transforming himself into an Angel of Light had this expression, If I may see Christ in Heaven it is enough, I desire not to see him in this World ; whereupon the Spectre vanished. It has been related of Luther , that after he had been Fasting and Praying in his Study, the Devil come pretending to be Christ, but Luther saying, away thou confounded Devil, I acknowledge no Christ but what is in my Bible , nothing more was seen. Thus then the Devil is able (by Divine Permission) to Change himself into what form or figure he pleaseth,