_Another question put forth by Doctor Faustus to his Spirit concerning
his Lord Lucifer, with the sorrow that Faustus fell afterwards into_
Doctor Faustus began again to reason with Mephostophiles, requiring
him to tell him in what form and shape, and in what estimation his
Lord Lucifer was when he was in favour with God. Whereupon his Spirit
required of him three days’ respite, which Faustus granted. The three
days being expired, Mephostophiles gave him this answer: Faustus,
my Lord Lucifer (so called now, for that he was banished out of the
clear light of heaven) was at the first an Angel of God, he sat on the
Cherubims, and saw all the wonderful works of God, yea he was so of God
ordained, for shape, pomp, authority, worthiness, and dwelling, that he
far exceeded all other the creatures of God, yea our gold and precious
stones: and so illuminated, that he far surpassed the brightness of the
Sun and all other Stars: wherefore God placed him on the Cherubims,
where he had a kingly office, and was always before God’s seat, to the
end he might be the more perfect in all his beings: but when he began
to be high-minded, proud, and so presumptuous that he would usurp the
seat of his Majesty, then was he banished out from amongst the heavenly
powers, separated from their abiding into the manner of a fiery stone,
that no water is able to quench, but continually burneth until the end
of the world.
Doctor Faustus, when he had heard the words of his Spirit, began to
consider with himself, having diverse and sundry opinions in his
head: and very pensively (saying nothing unto his Spirit) he went
into his chamber, and laid him on his bed, recording the words of
Mephostophiles; which so pierced his heart, that he fell into sighing
and great lamentation, crying out: alas, ah, woe is me! what have I
done? Even so shall it come to pass with me: am not I also a creature
of God’s making, bearing his own Image and similitude, into whom he
hath breathed the Spirit of life and immortality, unto whom he hath
made all things living subject: but woe is me, mine haughty mind, proud
aspiring stomach, and filthy flesh, hath brought my soul into perpetual
damnation; yea, pride hath abused my understanding, in so much that I
have forgot my maker, the Spirit of God is departed from me. I have
promised the Devil my Soul: and therefore it is but a folly for me to
hope for grace, but it must be even with me as with Lucifer, thrown
into perpetual burning fire: ah, woe is me that ever I was born. In
this perplexity lay this miserable Doctor Faustus, having quite forgot
his faith in Christ, never falling to repentance truly, thereby to
attain the grace and holy Spirit of God again, the which would have
been able to have resisted the strong assaults of Satan: for although
he had made him a promise, yet he might have remembered through true
repentance sinners come again into the favour of God; which faith the
faithful firmly hold, knowing they that kill the body, are not able to
hurt the soul: but he was in all his opinions doubtful, without faith
or hope, and so he continued.