318 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. to have been Samuel, but a spirit raised by the witch, as- suming the appearance of Samuel.. Bishop. If it be no error in the canonical scripture calling that which was raised up Samuel ; then it could be no error in Eeclesiasticus calling it Samuel. T. In the holy story it is plain that the spirit is called Samuel, beause it appeared like him, as declared out of Peter Martyr ; but in Ecclesiasticus it is quite the contrary. For the whole chapter is employed in commendation of the true Samuel, for his famous and worthy actions while he lived; and then, to finish the praise due to so good a man, it is added, that he also prophesied after his death. This, therefore, could not apply to a spirit assuming his likeness; but to. Samuel himself,however contrary it is to sound gospel doctrine, and the true story of scripture. Earl of Leicester. Is the chapter giving this account of Samuel one of those appointed by the Prayer Book to be read in public worship ? A. Yes, it is. Lord Gray. What error will the people be in danger of, who hear this read, and believe it ? And is it an error to think that witches have power to raise the bodies of the dead ? A. Whether they have or have not, such power is a question among the learned. S. In Judith, chap. ix., the doings of Simeon and Levi are commended, which is directly contrary to Genesis xlix. ; where Jacob utterly condemns what they did. There must, therefore, in such repugnancy against the canonical scrip.. tures, necessarily be an error in the apocrypha. B. Judith commends only the manner of the deed, and Jacob condemns only the deed itself. T. Jacob condemned what they did, not only in sub- stance, but in every circumstance, as wicked and abomin- able. It was murder committed in wilful opposition against the eternal law of God ; and the circumstances under which it was committed, as well as the number who suffered, greatly increased the aggravation of their crime. B. Comparing the words of Judith, where it is said, c' God gave them the sword," with the case of Nebuchad- nezzer, who is called the servant ofGod, they did not deserve to be condemned. Here the archbishop, in reply, read out of his note-book the opinion of Peter Martyr, who said, that the spirit is the sacred story was called Samuel, lecause it seined to be Samuel.
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