Another question put foorth by Doctor Faustus to his Spirite Mephostophiles of his owne estate. Chap. 16.
DOctor
Faustus, beeing yet desirous to heare more straunge things,
called his Spirit vnto him, saying: My
Mephostophiles, I haue yet
another suite vnto thee, which I pray thee denie not to resolue me of,
Faustus (quoth the Spirite) I am loth to reason with thee any
further, for thou art neuer satisfied in thy minde, but aiwayes bringest me a
new. Yet I pray thee this once (quoth
Faustus) doe me so much fauour, as
to tell me the truth in this matter, and hereafter I will be no more so earnest
with thee. The Spirit was altogether against it, but yet once more he would
abide him: well, (said the Spirit to
Faustus) what demaundest thou of
mee?
Faustus said, I would gladly know of thee, if thou wert a man in
manner and forme as I am; what wouldest thou doe to please both God and man':
Whereat the Spirit smiled saying: my
Faustus, if I were a man as thou
art, and that God had adorned me with those gifts of nature as thou once
haddest; euen so long as the breath of God were by, & within me, would I
humble my selfe vnto his Maiestie, indeuouring in all that I could to keepe his
Commaundements, prayse him, glorifie him, that I might continue in his fauour,
so were I sure to enioy the eternall ioy and felicity of his kingdome.
Faustus said, but that haue not I done. No, thou sayest true (quoth
Mephostophiles) thou hast not done it, but thou hast denied thy Lord and
maker, which gaue thee the breath of life, speech, hearing, sight, and all
other thy reasonable senses that thou mightest vnderstand his will and
pleasure, to hue to the glory and honour of his name, and to the aduancement of
thy body and soule, him I say being thy maker hast thou denied and defied, yea
wickedly thou hast applyed that excellent gift of thine vnderstanding, and
giuen thy soule to the Diuell: therefore giue none the blame but thine owne
selfe-will, thy proude and aspiring minde, which hath brought thee into the
wrath of God and vtter damnation. This is most true (quoth
Faustus) but
tell me
Mephostophiles, wouldst thou be in my case as I am nowe': Yea,
saith the Spirite (and with that fetcht a great sigh) for yet would I so humble
my selfe, that I would winne the fauour of God. Then (said Doctor
Faustus）
it were time enough for me if I amended. True (said
Mephostophiles）
if it were not for thy great sinnes, which are so odious and detestable in
the sight of God, that it is too late for thee, for the wrath of God resteth
vpon thee. Leaue off (quoth
Faustus) and tell me my question to my
greater comfort.
