st, that
you would go to rest, and let nothing trouble you: also if you chance to
hear any noise or rumbling about the house, be not therewith afraid, for
there shall no evil happen unto you; also I pray you rise not out of
your beds; but above all things, I intreat you, if hereafter you find my
dead carcass, convey it unto the earth, for I die both a good and bad
Christian, though I know the devil will have my body, and that would I
willingly give him, so that he would leave my soul to quiet; wherefore I
pray you, that you would depart to bed, and so I wish you a quiet night,
which unto me, notwithstanding, shall be horrible and fearful."

This oration was made by Dr. Faustus, and that with a hearty and resolute
mind, to the end he might not discomfort them; but the students wondered
greatly thereat, that he was so blinded, for knavery, conjuration, and
such foolish things, to give his body and soul unto the devil, for they
loved him entirely, and never suspected any such thing, before he had
opened his mind unto them.

Wherefore one of them said unto him, "Ah! friend Faustus, what have you
done to conceal this matter so long from us? We would by the help of
good divines, and the grace of God, have brought you out of this net,
and have torn you out of the bondage and chains of Satan, whereas we
fear now it is too late, to the utter ruin both of body and soul."

Dr. Faustus answered, "I durst never do it, although often minded to
settle myself to godly people, to desire counsel and help; and once my
old neighbour counselled me, that I should follow his learning, and
leave all my conjurations: yet when I was minded to amend, and to follow
that good counsel, then came the devil, and would have had me away, as
this night he is like to do: and said, so soon as I turned again to God,
he would dispatch me altogether. Thus, even thus (good gentlemen and
dear friends) was I inthralled in that fanatical bond, all good desires
drowned, all piety vanished, all purposes of amendment truly exiled, by
the tyrannous oppression of my deadly enemy."

But when the students heard his words, they gave him counsel to do
nothing else but call upon God, desiring him, for the love of his sweet
Son Jesus Christ his sake, to have mercy upon him: teaching him this
form of prayer: "O God! be merciful unto me, poor and miserable sinner;
and enter not into judgment with me, for no flesh is able to stand
before thee; although, O Lord! I must leave