_Another question put forth by Doctor Faustus to his Spirit
Mephostophiles of his own estate_
Doctor Faustus, being yet desirous to hear more strange things, called
his Spirit unto him, saying: My Mephostophiles, I have yet another suit
unto thee, which I pray thee deny not to resolve me of. Faustus (quoth
the Spirit) I am loth to reason with thee any further, for thou art
never satisfied in thy mind, but always bringest me a new. Yet I pray
thee this once (quoth Faustus) do me so much favour, as to tell me the
truth in this matter, and hereafter I will be no more so earnest with
thee. The Spirit was altogether against it, but yet once more he would
abide him: well (said the Spirit to Faustus), what demandest thou of
me? Faustus said, I would gladly know of thee, if thou wert a man in
manner and form as I am; what wouldest thou do to please both God and
man? Whereat the Spirit smiled saying: my Faustus, if I were a man
as thou art, and that God had adorned me with those gifts of nature
as thou once haddest; even so long as the breath of God were by, and
within me, would I humble myself unto his Majesty, endeavouring in all
that I could to keep his Commandments, praise him, glorify him, that I
might continue in his favour, so were I sure to enjoy the eternal joy
and felicity of his Kingdom. Faustus said, but that have not I done.
No, thou sayest true (quoth Mephostophiles) thou hast not done it, but
thou hast denied thy Lord and maker, which gave thee the breath of
life, speech, hearing, sight, and all other thy reasonable senses that
thou mightest understand his will and pleasure, to live to the glory
and honour of his name, and to the advancement of thy body and soul,
him I say being thy maker hast thou denied and defied, yea wickedly
thou hast applied that excellent gift of thine understanding, and
given thy soul to the Devil: therefore give none the blame but thine
own self-will, thy proud and aspiring mind, which hath brought thee
into the wrath of God and utter damnation. This is most true (quoth
Faustus), but tell me Mephostophiles, wouldst thou be in my case as I
am now? Yea, saith the Spirit (and with that fetched a great sigh) for
yet would I so humble myself, that I would win the favour of God. Then
(said Doctor Faustus) it were time enough for me if I amended. True
(said Mephostophiles), if it were not for thy great sins, which are
so odious and detestable in the sight of God, that it is too late for
thee, for the wrath of God resteth upon thee. Leave off (quoth Faustus)
and tell me my question to my greater comfort.