History of the Devil

Daniel Defoe

Description

This fascinating volume from the author of such influential novels as Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders offers an analytical take on the figure of Satan. Although Defoe offers a comprehensive history of the symbolic and literary significance of the devil, he also believes that the devil plays an active and direct role in determining the course of world events, which he outlines in great detail. All in all, it's a must-read for those interested in theology and the development of the Christian worldview.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Philosophy of religion

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 novembre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781775560333
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL
AS WELL ANCIENT AS MODERN
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DANIEL DEFOE
 
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The History of the Devil As Well Ancient as Modern First published in 1726 ISBN 978-1-77556-033-3 © 2012 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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The History of the Devil, as Well Ancient as Modern The Preface to the Second Edition PART I - OF THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE DEVIL Chapter I - Being an Introduction to the Whole Work Chapter II - Of the Word Devil Chapter III - Of the Original of the Devil Chapter IV - Of the Name of the Devil Chapter V - Of the Station Satan Had in Heaven Before He Fell Chapter VI - What Became of the Devil and His Host of Fallen Spirits After Their Being Expell'd from Heaven Chapter VII - Of the Number of Satan's Host Chapter VIII - Of the Power of the Devil at the Time of the Creation of this World Chapter IX - Of the Progress of Satan in Carrying on His Conquest Over Mankind Chapter X - Of the Devil's Second Kingdom Chapter XI - Of God's Calling a Church Out of the Midst of a Degenerate World PART II - OF THE MODERN HISTORY OF THE DEVIL Chapter I Chapter II - Of Hell as it is Represented to Us, and How the Devil is to Be Understood Chapter III - Of the Manner of Satan's Acting and Carrying on His Affairs in this World Chapter IV - Of Satan's Agents or Missionaries Chapter V - Of the Devil's Management in the Pagan Hierarchy Chapter VI - Of the Extraordinary Appearance of the Devil, and Particularly of the Cloven-Foot Chapter VII - Whether is Most Hurtful to the World? Chapter VIII - Of the Cloven-Foot Walking About the World Without the Devil Chapter IX - Of the Tools the Devil Works With Chapter X - Of the Various Methods the Devil Takes to Converse with Mankind Chapter XI - Of Divination, Sorcery, the Black-Art, Pawawing, and Such Like Pretenders to Devilism The Conclusion - Of the Devil's Last Scene of Liberty, and What May Be Supposed to Be His End Endnotes
The History of the Devil, as Well Ancient as Modern
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PART I.
Containing a State of the Devil 's Circumstances, and the various Turns of his Affairs; from his Expulsion out of Heaven, to the Creation of Man; with Remarks on the Several Mistakes concerning the Reason and Manner of his Fall.
Also his Proceedings with Mankind ever since Adam , to the first planting of the Christian Religion in the World.
PART II.
Containing his more private Conduct, down to the present Times: His Government, his Appearances, his manner of Working, and the Tools he works with.
Bad as he is, the Devil may be abus'd, Be falsly charg'd, and causelesly accus'd, When Men, unwilling to be blam'd alone, Shift off these Crimes on Him which are their Own.
The Preface to the Second Edition
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This Second Edition of this Work, notwithstanding a large Impression ofthe First, is a Certificate from the World of its general Acceptation;so we need not, according to the Custom of Editors, boast of it withoutEvidence, or tell a F—b in its Favour.
The Subject is singular, and it has been handled after a singularManner: The wise World has been pleased with it, the merry World hasbeen diverted with it, and the ignorant World has been taught by it;none but the malicious part of the World has been offended at it: Whocan wonder, that when the Devil is not pleased, his Friends should beangry?
The strangest thing of it all is, to hear Satan complain that theStory is handled prophanely: But who can think it strange that hisAdvocates should BE, what he was from the Beginning?
The Author affirms, and has good Vouchers for it (in the Opinion ofsuch whose Judgment passes with him for an Authority) that the wholeTenor of the Work is solemn, calculated to promote serious Religion, andcapable of being improv'd in a religious manner. But he does not thinkthat we are bound never to speak of the Devil but with an Air ofTerror, as if we were always afraid of him.
'Tis evident the Devil, as subtle and as frightful as he is, hasacted the ridiculous and foolish Part, as much as most of God'sCreatures, and daily does so. And he cannot believe 'tis any Sin toexpose him for a foolish Devil, as he is, or shew the World that hemay be laugh'd at.
Those that think the Subject not handled with Gravity enough, have allthe Room given them in the World to handle it better; and as the Authorprofesses he is far from thinking his Piece perfect, they ought not tobe angry that he gives them leave to mend it. He has had theSatisfaction to please some Readers, and to see good Men approve it; andfor the rest, as my Lord Rochester says in another Case,
He counts their Censure Fame.
As for a certain Reverend Gentleman, who is pleased gravely to dislikethe Work ( he hopes, rather for the Author's sake than the Devil's) he only says, Let the Performance be how it will, and the Author whathe will, it is apparent he has not yet preach'd away all his Hearers.
It is enough to me (says the Author) that the Devil himself is notpleased with my Work, and less with the Design of it; let the Devil and all his fellow Complainers stand on one side, and the honest, wellmeaning, charitable World, who approve my Work, on the other, and I'lltell Noses with Satan, if he dares.
PART I - OF THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE DEVIL
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Chapter I - Being an Introduction to the Whole Work
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I doubt not but the title of this book will amuse some of my readingfriends a little at first; they will make a pause, perhaps, as they doat a witch's prayer, and be some time resolving whether they had bestlook into it or no, lest they should really raise the Devil by readinghis story.
Children and old women have told themselves so many frightful things ofthe Devil , and have form'd ideas of him in their minds, in so manyhorrible and monstrous shapes, that really it were enough to fright the Devil himself, to meet himself in the dark, dress'd up in the severalfigures which imagination has form'd for him in the minds of men; and asfor themselves, I cannot think by any means that the Devil wouldterrify them half so much, if they were to converse face to face withhim.
It must certainly therefore be a most useful undertaking to give thetrue history of this Tyrant of the air , this God of the world , thisterror and aversion of mankind, which we call Devil ; to shew what heIS, and what he IS NOT, where he IS, and where he IS NOT, when he is INUS, and when he IS NOT; for I cannot doubt but that the Devil isreally and bona fide in a great many of our honest weak-headedfriends, when they themselves know nothing of the matter.
Nor is the work so difficult as some may imagine. The Devil 's history is not so hard to come at, as it seems to be; His original andthe first rise of his family is upon record, and as for his conduct, hehas acted indeed in the dark, as to method in many things; but ingeneral , as cunning as he is, he has been fool enough to expose himselfin some of the most considerable transactions of his Life, and has notshewn himself a politician at all: Our old friend Matchiavel outdidhim in many things, and I may in the process of this work give anaccount of several of the sons of Adam , and some societies of 'em too,who have out-witted the Devil , nay, who have out-sin'd the Devil ,and that I think may be call'd out-shooting him in his own bow.
It may perhaps be expected of me in this history, that since I seeminclin'd to speak favourably of Satan , to do him justice, and to writehis story impartially, I should take some pains to tell you whatreligion he is of; and even this part may not be so much a jest, as atfirst sight you may take it to be; for Satan has something of religionin him, I assure you; nor is he such an unprofitable Devil that way,as some may suppose him to be; for tho', in reverence to my brethren, Iwill not reckon him among the Clergy; No not so much as a giftedBrother, yet I cannot deny, but that he often preaches, and if it be notprofitably to his hearers; 'tis as much their fault, as it is out of hisdesign.
It has indeed been suggested that he has taken orders, and that acertain Pope, famous for being an extraordinary favourite of his, gavehim both institution and induction; but as this is not upon record, andtherefore we have no authentic document for the probation, I shall notaffirm it for a truth, for I would not slander the Devil .
It is said also, and I am apt to believe it, that he was very familiarwith that holy father Pope Silvester II. and some charge him withpersonating Pope Hildebrand on an extraordinary occasion, and himselfsitting in the chair apostolick, in a full congregation; and you mayhear more of this hereafter: But as I do not meet with Pope Diabolus among the list; in all father Platina 's lives of the Popes, so I amwilling to leave it as I find it.
But to speak to the point, and a nice point it is I acknowledge; namely , what religion the Devil is of; my answer will indeed begeneral, yet not at all ambiguous, for I love to speak positively andwith undoubted evidence.
1. He is a believer. And if in saying so it should follow, that even the Devil has more religion than some of our men of fame can at this time be charged with, I hope my Lord — and his Grace the — of — and some of the upper class in the red-hot club, will not wear the coat, however well it may sit to their shapes, or challenge the Satyr, as if it were pointed at them, because 'tis due to them: In a word, whatever their Lordships are, I can assure them that the Devil i