Nations that did actually worship the Devil is plain enough in the Records of ancient Times, and some so read that place in the Psalms, The Gods of the Heathen are Devils; and Sathan we know is called the God of this World. Yea our Author himself confesseth that the Nation of the Jews were so strictly prohibited Witchcraft, and all transaction with evil Spirits; because of their proneness to worship them. But what need more? There are at this Day that pay Sacrifice, and all sacred Homage to the wicked One in a visible appearance; and 'tis well known to those of our own that Traffick and reside in those Parts, that the Caribbians worship the Devil under the name of Maboya, who frequently shews himself, and transacts with them; the like Travellers relate concerning divers other parts of the barbarous Indies: And 'tis confidently reported by sober intelligent Men that have visited those places, that most of the Laplanders, and some other Northern People are Witches. That 'tis plain that there are National Confederacies with Devils; or if there were none, I see not how it could be inferred thence, that there are no personal ones, no more than that there were never any Dæmoniacks, because we know of no Nation universally possessed; nor any Lunaticks in the World, because there is no Country of Madmen. But our Author reasons again.
(2) To this purpose; That the profligate Persons who are obnoxious to those gross Temptations, are fast enough before; and therefore such a Covenant were needless, and of no avail to the Tempters Projects.
This Objection I have answered already, in my Remarks upon the IX. Prejudice; and mind you again here, that if the designs of those evil Spirits were only in general to secure wicked Men to the dark Kingdom, it might better be pretended that we cannot give a reason for their Temptations, and endeavours in this kind; but it being likely, as I have conjectur'd, that each of those infernal Tempters hath a particular property in those he hath seduced and secured by such Compacts, their respective Pride and tyrannical desire of Slaves, may reasonably be thought to engage them in such Attempts, in which their so peculiar interest is concern'd.
But I add what is more direct, viz. That such desperate Sinners are made more safe to the infernal Kingdom at large, by such hellish Covenants and Combinations: since thereby they confirm, and harden their Hearts against God, and put thimselves at a greater distance from his Grace, and his Spirit;
