_Plutarch_, _Livie_, and _Valerius Maximus_, with manie other grave authors, being abused with false reports, write that in times past beasts spake, and that images could have spoken and wept, and did let fall drops of blood, yea and could walk from place to place: which they saie was doone by procuration of spirits. But I rather thinke with _Aristotle_, that it was brought to passe _Hominum & sacerdotum deceptionibus_, to wit: by the cousening art of craftie knaves and priests. And therefore let us follow _Esaies_ advise, who saith; When they shall saie unto you, Enquire of them that have a spirit of divination, and at the soothsaiers, which whisper and mumble in your eares to deceive you, &c: enquire at your owne God, &c. And so let us doo. And here you see they are such as runne into corners, and cousen the people with lies, &c. For if they could doo as they saie, they could not aptlie be called liers, neither need they go into corners to whisper, &c. ♦Esai. 8, 19.♦ The eight Chapter. _Of the witch of Endor, and whether she accomplished the raising of Samuel truelie, or by deceipt: the opinion of some divines hereupon._ The woman of _Endor_ is comprised under this word _Ob_: for she is called _Pythonissa_. It is written in 2. _Sam. cap._ 28. that she raised up _Samuel_ from death, and the other words of the text are stronglie placed, to inforce his verie resurrection. The mind and opinion of Jesus Syrach evidentlie appeareth to be, that _Samuel_ in person was raised out from his grave, as if you read _Eccl._ 46. 19, 20. you shall plainlie perceive. Howbeit he disputeth not there, whether the storie be true or false, but onlie citeth certaine verses of the 1. booke of _Samuel cap._ 18. simplie, according to the letter, persuading maners and the imitation of our vertuous predecessors, and repeating the examples of diverse excellent men; namelie of _Samuel_: even as the text it selfe urgeth the matter, according to the deceived mind and imagination of _Saule_, and his servants. And therefore in truth, _Sirach_ spake there according to the opinion of _Saule_, which so supposed, otherwise it is neither heresie nor treason to saie he was deceived. ♦2. Sam. 28.♦