He that weigheth well that place, and looketh into it advisedlie, shall see that _Samuel_ was not raised from the dead; but that it was an illusion or cousenage practised by the witch. For the soules of the righteous are in the hands of God: according to that which _Chrysostome_ saith; Soules are in a certeine place expecting judgement, and cannot remove from thence. Neither is it Gods will, that the living should be taught by the dead. Which things are confirmed and approved by the example of _Lazarus_ and _Dives_: where it appeareth according to _Deut._ 18. that he will not have the living taught by the dead, but will have us sticke to his word, wherein his will and testament is declared. In deed _Lyra_ and _Dionysius_ incline greatlie to the letter. And _Lyra_ saith, that as when _Balaam_ would have raised a divell, God interposed himselfe: so did he in this case bring up _Samuell_, when the witch would have raised hir divell. Which is a probable interpretation. But yet they dare not stand to that opinion, least they should impeach S. _Augustines_ credit, who (they confesse) remained in judgement and opinion (without contradiction of the church) that _Samuell_ was not raised. For he saith directlie, that _Samuell_ himselfe was not called up. And indeed, if he were raised, it was either willinglie, or perforce: if it were willinglie, his sinne had beene equall with the witches. ♦Sap 3. Ps. 92. & 97. _Chrysost. homilia. 21. in Matth._♦ ♦Luke. 16.♦ ♦_August. lib. quæ. vet. et novi testam. quæst. 27. Item, part. 2. cap. 26. Item, quæ. 5. nec mirum ad Simplician. lib. 2. 93 ad Dulcitium. quæ. 6. Item. lib. 2. de doct. chri._♦ And _Peter Martyr_ (me thinks) saith more to the purpose, in these words, to wit: This must have beene doone by Gods good will, or perforce of art magicke: it could not be doone by his good will, bicause he forbad it; nor by art, bicause witches have no power over the godlie. Where it is answered by some, that the commandement was onlie to prohibit the Jewes to aske counsell of the dead, and so no fault in _Samuell_ to give counsell. We may as well excuse our neighbours wife, for consenting to our filthie desires, bicause it is onlie written in the decalog; Thou shalt not desire thy neighbours wife. But indeed _Samuell_ was directlie forbidden to answer _Saule_ before he died: and therefore it was not likelie that God would appoint him, when he was dead, to doo it. ♦Deut. 18, Exodus. 20.♦ The ninth Chapter. _That Samuel was not raised indeed, and how Bodin and all papists dote herein, and that soules cannot be raised by witchcraft._