während des
Jahrh.
359
Studium von mehr als 5000 Jahren hatte er jetzt eine unvergleich-
liche Geschicklichkeit erlangt. 82) Er konnte Männer und Frauen
ergreifen und mit ihnen durch die Luft fahren, und er that es
wirklichßß) Gewöhnlich kleidete er sich als Laie, aber es heisst,
dass er bei verschiedenen Gelegenheiten unverschämt genug war,
den Anzug eines Dieners des Evangeliums anzunehmen. 84) Jeden-
falls erschien er in dem einen oder dem andern Aufzuge oft den
89) „The aeqnired knowledge of the Devill is great, hee being an advancing student,
and still learning now above five thousand yeares." Rutlmforefs Christ Dying anal
Drawiny Simwrs to Himselfe, p. 204. "He knowes very well, partly by the quick-
nasse of his naturc, and partly by long experience, being now-very neere six thousand
yeeres old." Oowperis Heawm opened, p. 219. „Hee, being compared with vs, hath
many vantages; es that he is more subtill in nature, being of greater experience,
and more aneient, being now almost sixe thousand yeeres old." IbioL, p. 403.
„The diuell here is both diligent and cunning, and (now almost of sixe thousand yeeres)
of greet experience." Abernethyjs Physiclw for the Soule, p. 142. "Satan, such an
ingenious and experimented spirit." Binninyk Sermons, I, 67. "Eis great sleight
and eunning." Ibid., p. 110. Weitere Lobsprüche auf seine Schlauheit finden sich
in Fergussonis Exposition of the Epistles of Paul, p. 475; und in Fleneingäv Fulfill-ing
of the Soripture, p. 45. Ein Prediger, dessen Name nicht angegeben ist, sagt: „he
isof an excellent substance, of great natural parts, long experience, and deep under-
standing." Sinclairk Satan's invisible World discorered, p. '78.
33) In Professor Sinclaifs Werk (Satan's imzisible Worlal disaovered, p. 141) finden
wir im Jahr 1684, "an evident instance, that the devil can transport the bodies of
men and women threugh the air. lt is true, he did not earry her far 01T, bnt not
for want of skill and power." Gegen das Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts war der all-
gemeine Glaube, dass einer von Satans Mitsehuldigen "was literally strangled in his
chair by the devil, least he should make a confession to the detriment of the service."
Crawfuwfs Hvlstory of the Shire of Renfwzw, part III, p. 319.
S4) Siehe die Angabe eines jungen Predigers über eine solche Verführung in
Wodrowäe Amzlecta, I, 1.03, 104. Der Rev. Robert Blair entdeckte den Betrug und
„with ane awful seriousness appearing in his eonntenanee, begann to tell the youth
his hazard, and that the man whom he took for a Minister was the Divel, who had
trepanned him, and brought him into his net; advised him to be earnest with God
in prayer, and likewise not to give way to dispair, for ther was yet hope." Der junge
Prediger war bei dieser Gelegenheit so weit hinters Lieht geführt worden, dass er
dem Teufel ein schriftliches Versprechen gegeben hatte, zu thnn was derselbe verlange.
Sobald der Rev. Mr. Blair diesen Umstand erfahren hatte, führte er den jungen Mann
vor das Presbyterium, und erzählte den Mitgliedern die Begebenheit. „They were 311
smmgely aifeeted with it, sind resolved unanirnously to dispateh the Presbitry business
presently, and to stay all night in town, and on the morrow to meet for prayer in
one of the most retired churehes of the Presbitry, acquainting none with their business,
(but) taking the youth alongst with them, whom they keeped alwise close by them.
Which was done, and after the Ministers had prayed all-of thern ronnd, exoept Mr. Blair,
who prayed' last, in time of his prayer there came a violent rushing of wind upon
