Matth. 25. 41.
Luke 8. 31.
2. As he is the Prince and Ring-leader of all Sin and Rebellion against God, though he yet have not his final punishment, unto which he is reserved for the judgment of the great day, and though he be not yet thrust into the abysse or great depth, nor into that everlasting fire that is prepared for him and his Angels; yet is he kept in chains and darkness, and can act nothing but as he is licensed, ordered and limited by the Almighty.
Thom. Aquin. Caten. aur. in Luc.8.p.200.
3. And though he compass the earth to and fro, and walk aboutlike a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, yet is that but according to the malice and purpose of his wicked will, for in punishing or afflicting of the godly he must have licence from God first, or else he can do nothing in this Elementary World, as is most manifest in the affliction ofJob, neither could he enter into the herd of Swine, but by Christs leave and order, nor deceiveAhabsProphets but by order from the Lord. And therefore an ancient Father said well:Quod si super porcos potestatem non habent, multò magis nullam habent Dæmones contra homines factos ad imaginem Dei; oportet ergo Deum solum timere, contemnere autem illos.
Therefore we shall conclude this briefly here, having occasion to handle it more fully hereafter, to wit, that the Witchmongers can have no shelter for their opinion from the Doctrine of Gods permission (if rightly understood) because God doth neither order, nor permit faln Angels to act any thing (especially in corporeal things) but what is for just, good, and wise ends, which cannot be shewed in these actions attributed to Witches.