Page:A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More.djvu/169

 2. This Party, a holy and pious man, as it should seem, and an acquaintance of Bodinus's, freely told him how that he had a certain Spirit that did perpetually accompany him, which he was then first aware of when he had attain'd to about thirty seven years of age, but conceived that the said Spirit had been present with him all his life-time, as he gathered from certain Monitory Dreams and Visions, whereby he was fore-warn'd as well of several Dangers as Vices. That this Spirit discovered himself to him after he had for a whole year together earnestly pray'd to God to send a good Angel to him, to be the Guide and Governor of his life and actions; adding also, that before and after Prayer he used to spend two or three hours in meditation and reading the Scriptures, diligently enquiring with himself what Religion, amongst those many that are controverted in the world, might be best, beseeching God that he would be pleased to direct him to it; and that he did not allow of their Way, that at all adventures pray to God to confirm them in that opinion they have already preconceived, be it right or wrong. That while he was thus busie with himself in matters of Religion, that he lighted on a passage in Philo Judæus in his Book De Sacrificiis, where he writes, that a good and holy Man can offer no greater nor more acceptable Sacrifice to God then the Oblation of himself; and therefore following Philo's counsel, that he offered his Soul to God. And that after that, amongst many other divine Dreams and Visions, he once in his sleep seemed to hear the voice of God saying to him, I will save thy Soul, I am he that before appeared unto thee. Afterwards that the Spirit every day would knock at the door about three or four a clock in the morning, though he rising and opening the door could see no body; but that the Spirit persisted in this course, and unless he did rise, would thus rouze him up.

3. This trouble and boisterousness made him begin to conceit that it was some evil Spirit that thus haunted him, and therefore he daily pray'd earnestly unto God that he would be pleased to send a good Angel to him, and often also sung Psalms, having most of them by heart.

Wherefore the Spirit afterward knocked more gently at the door, and one day discovered himself to him waking, which was the first time that he was assured by his senses that it was he; for he often touched and stirred a Drinking-glass that stood in his chamber, which did not a little amaze him.

Two days after, when he entertain'd at Supper a certain friend of his, Secretary to the King, that this friend of his was much abash'd while he heard the Spirit thumping on the bench hard by him, and was strucken with fear; but he bade him be of good courage, there was no hurt towards; and the better to assure him of it, told him the truth of the whole matter.

Wherefore from that time, saith Bodinus, he did affirm that this Spirit was always with him, and by some sensible signe did ever advertise him of things; as by striking his right Ear, if he did any thing amiss; if otherwise, his left. If any body came to circumvent him, that his right