Page:History of the devil, ancient and modern (1).pdf/2

 HISTORY

THE subject of this work is singular, and is has been handled after a singular manner: the wise part of the world has been pleased with it, the merry part has been diverted with it, and the ignorant part has been taught by it; none but the malicious part of the world has been offended at; who can wonder then, that when the Devil is not pleased, his friends should be angry?

The strangest thing of all is, to hear Satan complain that the story is handled profanely: but who can think it strange, that his advocates should be what he was from the beginning?

It is evident the Devil, as subtilesubtle [sic] and as frightful as he is, has acted the ridiculous and foolish part, and much as most of God's creatures, and daily does so. And he cannot believe it is any sin to expose him for a foolish Devil, as he is, or shew him to the world that he may be laughed at.

Those who think the subject not handled with gravity enough, have all the room given