5. The acquired knowledge of the faln Angels must needs be great in regard of their vast multitudes and their being dispersed in this caliginous air or Atmosphere, for the Devil is called the Prince of the air (if that be literally to be understood) and he compasseth the earth and walketh to and fro in it, and _goeth about, seeking whom he may devour_, and therefore by their agility of body and celerity of motion may easily know what is done and spoken, and may so very quickly convey it one to another, and so may most readily communicate things that are acted or spoken at an incredible distance one from another; but yet all this no further than Divine Providence will permit and allow of. [Sidenote: _De ver. influ. rer._ _l._ _p._ 425.] 6. The Witchmongers and others do attribute a kind of omnisciency to Devils in respect of their acquired knowledge, which we by no means can allow them, and that for these reasons. 1. Though it be granted that they do grow and increase in the knowlege of sin, evil, and wickedness, therewith to hurt, devour and destroy, or gain more skill and craft to lie, cheat, delude and deceive; yet that they either gain or gather any knowlege that is good, or for any good end, is absolutely false, for _they abode not in the truth_, neither are they lovers of truth, but are utter Enemies to all good knowledge and verity. 2. That they may be Masters of all the arts or wayes of deceit, lying, cheating and delusion, is no way to be denied; but that they should (as many suppose) by reason of their longevity and duration, learn and be perfect in any or all of the good Arts or Sciences, is to me utterly incredible, because they are the Corruptors of all, but the perfectors of none, else should they be the greatest Philosophers in the World, which is false. And therefore most Christian and pious was that Sentence of that unjustly censured Person _Paracelsus_ in these words: _Et licèt Diabolus quidem plurima machinetur: hoc tamen cum omnibus suis legionibus præstare minimè potest, ut vel abjectam ollam frangat, nedum eandem faciat: multò is minùs quenquam occidere, aut jugulare potest, nisi id mandato, permissu jussuq; ac vi divina faciat_. The other main point that we undertake to handle in this Chapter, is, touching the power of the faln Angels, and that is to be considered in these three particulars: 1. In general in respect of their power, either in spiritual and moral things, or in things natural. 2. Or in respect of spiritual and moral things in particular. 3. Or in respect of Physical and sublunary things. [Sidenote: John 12. 31.] [Sidenote: Ephes. 2. 2.] [Sidenote: Rom. 14. 17.] [Sidenote: Ephes. 6. 12.] [Sidenote: Heb. 2. 14.] [Sidenote: _Vid. Caten. Aur. Tho. Aquin._] [Sidenote: Psal. 119. 89.] [Sidenote: Psal. 147. 8. 16, 17, 18.] [Sidenote: Psal. 148. 8.] [Sidenote: Ephes. 6. 12.] [Sidenote: _Homil._ 22. _p._ 257.] [Sidenote: Jo. 8.]