_Omnia transformat sese in miracula rerum._
A Third Scripture to our purpose is that, in _Rev. 12.10._ where the Devil is called the _Accuser of the Brethren_. Such is the malice and impudence of the Devil, as that he does accuse good Men, and that before God, and that not only of such Faults as they really are guilty of, he accused _Joshua_ with his filthy Garments, when through his Indulgence some of his Family had transgressed by unlawful Marriages, _Zach. 3.23._ with _Ezra. 10.18._ but also with such Crimes, as they are altogether free from. He represented the Primitive Christians as the vilest of men, and as if at their Meetings they did commit the most nefandous Villanies that ever were known; and that not only Innocent, but Eminently Pious Persons should thro' the malice of the Devil be accused with the Crime of Witchcraft, is no new thing. Such an Affliction did the Lord see meet to exercise the great _Athanasius_ with[16] only the Divine Providence did wonderfully vindicate him from that as well as from some other foul Aspersions. The _Waldenses_ (altho' the Scriptures call them _Saints_, _Rev. 13.7._) have been traduced by Satan and by the World as horrible Witches; so have others in other places, only because they have done extraordinary things by their Prayers: It is by many Authors related, that a City in _France_ was molested with a Diabolical _Spectre_, which the People were wont to call _Hugon_; near that place a number of Protestants were wont to meet to serve God, whence the Professors of the true reformed Religion were nic-named _Hugonots_, by the Papists, who designed to render them before the World, as the Servants and Worshippers of that _Dæmon_, that went under the name of _Hugon_. And how often have I read in Books written by Jesuits, that _Luther_ was a Wizard, and that he did himself confess that he had familiarity with Satan! Most impudent Untruths! nor are these things to be wondered at, since the Holy Son of God himself was reputed a _Magician_, and one that had Familiarity with the greatest of Devils. The Blaspheming Pharisees said, _he casts out the Devils thro' the Prince of Devils_, _Matth. 9.34._ There is then not the best Saint on Earth (Man or Woman) that can assure themselves that the Devil shall not cast such an Imputation upon them. _It is enough for the Disciple that he be as his Master, and the Servant as his Lord: If they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub, how much more them of his Household_, _Matth. 10.25._ It is not for men to determine how far the Holy God may permit the wicked one to proceed in his Accusations. The sacred story of _Job_ giveth us to understand, that the Lord whose ways are past finding out, does for wise and holy Ends suffer Satan by immediate Operation, (and consequently by Witchcraft) greatly to afflict innocent Persons, as in their Bodies and Estates, so in their Reputations. I shall mention but one Scripture more to confirm the Truth in hand: It is that in _Eccles. 9.2, 3._ where it is said, _All things come alike to all, there is one event to the Righteous and to the Wicked, as is the Good, so is the Sinner, this is an evil amongst all things under the Sun, that there is one Event happeneth to all._ And in _Eccles. 7.15._ 'tis said, _There is a just man that perisheth in his Righteousness._