Second, By affliction in the body or goodes, God[n] would quicken them
vp to seeke the saluation of their soules. And so _Paul_ gaue ouer a
scandalous and incestuous person vnto the diuell, that he might be
induced to forsake his sin, liue chastely heereafter, and be an edifying
example to those whom he had offended: and this kinde of discipline was
more soueraigne, then any other could haue beene, because mans nature
abhorreth Sathan, and trembleth with feare once to conceiue that he
should fall into his power and hands, and this is that which he writeth,
aduising the Corinthians to deliuer him vnto Sathan, for the destruction
of the flesh, that the spirit may be saued in the day of the Lord Iesus,
_1. Cor 5. 5_. And in this sort he speaketh of two other deceiuers and
blasphemers, _Hymenaus_ and _Alexander_, I haue deliuered them vnto
Sathan, that they may learne not to blaspheme, _1. Timothie 1. 20._
therfore this giuing ouer, was not to destruction, but for correction.
[Footnote n: _Idem cap. 21._]
The last poynt propounded, was, That witches haue power granted to vex
Gods owne children aswell as others, and preuaile ouer them; and that we
doe enquire (so farre as we may, and is iustifiable) of the causes
thereof, which may be these.
First, [o]This is permitted vnto them for the experience of their faith
and integrity, so that by this meanes their loue towards God which lay
hidden in the heart, is now made manifest. To be quiet and patient in
prosperity, when we may enioy benefites at our owne pleasure, is a
matter easily to be performed: But to endure the fire of Tribulation,
that is the proofe of a stedfast Christian, and in losses and sickenesse
procured by such to bee silent, and submit our selues, this is the note
of a faithfull man, & to choose rather obeying the law of God, to beare
the infirmity of the body, then to ouer-flow in riches, and enioying
health and strength offend the Lord.
[Footnote o: _Trithemius in libel. 8 qu[e,]stionum quas illi
dissoluendas proposuit Maximilianus Imperator, qu[e,]st 7._]
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