simple fire they would be so like that one could not be known from another but the manifold variety of forms interceding hath introduced the same among the creatures From this it may easily be gathered why so many and so various forms of Metals are found and wherefore there is none like unto another CHAP. III. Of the spirit or tincture of ☉ NOw we come to the spirits of the Planets or Metals The spirit or tincture of the Sun taketh its beginning from a pure subtil and perfect fire whereby it cometh to pass that it far excelleth all other spirits and tinctures of Metals for it remaineth constantly fixed in the fire out of which it flyeth not neither is it consumed thereby much less burnt but rather appeareth more cleere faire and pure by it also no heat nor cold can hurt it nor no other accident as in the other spirits or tinctures of Metals and for this cause the body which it once putteth on it defendeth from all accidents and diseases that it may be able to sustain the fire without detriment This body hath not this power and virtue in it self but from the spirit of the Sun which is included therein for we know that the Sun is the body of Mercury and that this body cannot sustain nor suffer this fire but flyeth from it when as it doth not fly from the fire when it is in the Sun but remaineth constant and fixed therein This affordeth unto us a most certain Judgement that it receiveth such a constancy from his spirit or tincture wherefore if that spirit can be in this Mercury every one may judge that it may worke the same in the bodies of men when it is received of them as we have sufficiently spoken in our Magna Chirurgia of the tincture of the Sun that it will not onely restore and preserve them that use it from infirmities but also preserve them to sound and long life In like manner the strength virtues of all other Metals are to be known from true experience not from the wisdom of men and of the world which is foolishness with God his truth and all those who do build upon that wisdom and repose their hope thereupon are miserably deceived CHAP. IV. Of the tincture and Spirit of the ☽ HAving now spoken of the tincture of the Sun it remaineth that we come now to speak of the tincture of the Moon and of the white tincture which is also created of a perfect spirit but less perfect then the spirit of the Sun Nevertheless it excelleth the tinctures of all other Metals following both in purity subtilty which is very well known to all that treat of the Moon and also to Rusticks for it suffereth not rust neitheir is it consumed by the fire as all other Metals as Saturn which fly from the fire but this doth not from whence it may be gathered that this tincture is far more excellent then the other following for it preserveth its body that it assumeth constantly in the fire without any accident or detriment and from hence it is sufficiently manifest if this in his own corruptible body by himself maketh Mercury what will it be able to effect being extracted from it self into another body will not that also save and defend from infirmities and accidents after the same manner Yes surely if it make this Mercury in its own body it will do the same in the bodies of men neither doth it onely preserve health but causeth long life and cureth diseases and infirmities even in those who subsist beyond the ordinary course of nature for the more high subtile and perfect the medicine is so much the better and more perfectly it cureth wherefore they are Ignorant Physitians who practice their Art onely upon vegetables as herbs and such-like things which are easily corrupted and by these they endeaour to effect bring to pass such workes as are firme and stable but in vain whenas they occupy the Aire But wherefore should we speake much concerning these They never learned any better things in their Universities therefore if they have been compelled so to learn and study from their beginning they think it a great disgrace to them to do otherwise for the future whereby it comes to pass that they still continue in their old Ignorance CHAP. V. Of the spirit of ♀ WE have even now made mention of a white spirit or candid tincture now we come to speake of a Red spirit which is derived out of a Gross Elementary mixture of the superiours to which also it is joyned is of a more perfect substance then the spirits and tinctures of the other subsequent Metals because it endureth the fire longer then the other and is not so soon melted or dissolved as the other spirits which follow Also the ayre and the humidity of the fire are not so nocent unto it as unto Mars by reason whereof it doth the longer endure the fire This power and property hath Venus that is his body from the spirit that is infused into it Now the same effect that it worketh in its own body that is in Venus the same effects it also produeth in the bodies of men so far forth as nature hath granted unto it for it preserveth wounds in such manner so that no accident can invade them nor the Air or water hurt them and expelleth all such diseases as are under the degree thereof This spirit also breaketh the bodies of Metals so that they will endure the hammer and also in the bodies of men when it is taken of them with whom it agreeth not it effecteth things not convenient Wherefore it is very necessary that the Physitian that desires to make use of these spirits be very expert in the knowledge of Metals Therefore it is far better to use the more perfect spirits which may be taken without any such feare of danger nevertheless seeing the spirits of the Sun and Moon are dear and precious so that every one is not able to accomplish them to perform cures with therefore every one must take according to his ability what he is able to attain unto also every one is not so wealthy that he can be able to prepare these medicines therefore he is forced to take such as he can have Every one may from hence easily gather that the Metallike medicines do far exceed vegetables and Animals in strength and power of curing and healing And thus-much of the spirit of Venus CHAP. VI. Of the Spirit of ♂ THat we may now come to speake of the Spirit of Mars that is of a more Gross and combustible mixture of Elements then the other spirits going before but the Spirit of Mars is endued with a greater hardness then the other Metals so that it doth not so easily melt and dissolve in the fire as the other following But it suffers much hurt both by the water and the Aire so that it is consumed by them and is burnt with the
PARACELSVS Of the Supreme MYSTERIES OF NATURE Of The Spirits of the Planets Occult Philosophy The Magical Sympathetical and Antipathetical CURE of Wounds and Diseases The Mysteries of the twelve SIGNS of the ZODIACK Englished by R. Turner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 London Printed by J. C. for N. Brook and J. Harison and are to be sold at their shops at the Angel in Cornhil and the holy Lamb neer the East-end of Pauls 1656. To the worthily respected and his much honoured Friend Doctor Trigge Doctor in PHYSICK Robert Turner wisheth health and happiness Honoured Sir THe successful experience and large practice which you have had in the Operations of Nature I mean in the practical part of Physick hath invited me to present this piece of that most renowned Physitian Paracelsus to your Patronage which I have endeavoured to bring into a garbe suitable as neer as I can to our English fashion though perhaps it 's not so finely accoutred and dressed A la mode as to suit with every critical or captious Fancy But as this Author in his time was too learned and sincere in the method of his practice to suit with general Sophistry of the wilfully ignorant Conclave of Physitians so I doubt not but you have met with some Invectives amongst our common Collegians who ground the greatest reason of their Recipes from a Galen's or a Pliny's Probatum But as this famous Author made Reason and Experience his greatest Guide so I am assured you do and therefore valued not the Calumnies Oppositions and Obtrectations of his Adversaries Sir this little Treatise presents you with the rare secrets of Alchymy and the miraculous Cures of Diseases by Sigils and Lamens made in their proper seasons and attributed to the nature of Celestial Bodies which to many Ignorants seems impossible and is by them vilified because not understood I therefore make bold to crave your protection which may sufficiently arm it against all Opposites And be pleased to pardon my boldness herein and admit of this my labour into your Patronage that your favourable acceptance hereof may be a future encouragement to August 20. 1655. Yours to Command R. Turner To the READER Courteous Reader IN this last Iron age ignorance hath so much prevailed that many have and yet do plead for it and strive to uphold it crying down all Arts and endeavouring to hood-wink knowledge so that nothing but the feces and dreggs of Art seems to remain so that they seem but shadows if compared with that pristine learning of the Ancients What golden Legends formerly flourished among the Hebrews and Aegyptians and are now even almost all lost in Oblivion But because Babels confusion is one great reason of the decay of Sciences which are not in every Mother-tongue understood and the disposition of most people of our times is to breed their children up bettâ—…â—…ed then taught their conditions are rather to pouâ— into the earth Unde effodiuntur opes irritamenta malorum then to look Heavenwards with that O sublime wherewith they were created which the Poet tells of 〈◊〉 Ovid meâ— Os homini sublime dedit â—…lumque viderâ— jussit c. Whereas all beasts look down with Groveling eye To man God gave looks mixt with 〈◊〉 And will'd him with bold face to view the Sky And therefore I present the ingenious Reader with a part of the Workes of the renowned Paracelsus of the secrets of Alchymy Occult Philosophy and the wonderfull operation of the Celestial bodyes in curing diseases by sigils and characters made and applyed in fit elected times and seasons and under their proper constellations as the Author hath directed I must expect the sottish Malignant censures of Zoylus and Momus and such fools but the Author himself in his Prologue in the ensuing discourse sufficiently cleares all objections and therefore I shall save that labour onely I would have such men not be so wilfully ignorant as altogether to forget that the Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-worke Indeed Mechanicks and Empiricks do abuse all Arts One Mountebank railes in verse against Astrology and impudently calls the professors thereof cheaters Sed seipsum intueri oportet and gives this to be his onely reason that a fools bolt is soon shot and that he endeavoured to vilâ—fie that Art because he was altogether ignorant of it himself and would gladly learn it but he knew not how nor which way to begin another and too many such render the Art vile Poetizes upon the Art of Astrologie and pretends to cure all diseases and know all things by it and indeed knows nothing such are a great Scandal to the excellency of such Sciences Sed non loquor stultis This translation is rendered rather Grammatically then Sententially according to the Authors own phrase shortly expect Deo volente the other parts hereof and some comments on this and them together with the famous art of Steganography Authore Tritemio to speak our own Language and perhaps the Occult Philosophy of Agrippa digested into a plainer method this should have been now inlarged but presens Status noster is the reason and the excuse the same as Ovid's Nubila sunt subitis tempora nostra malis It is the General opinion of most ignorant people to count all things that are above their Vulgar apprehensions to be diabolicall and meerly brought to pass by the works of the Devil and under that notion they conclude all the secret and Magnetick operations of nature and thereby rob God the creator of all things of that glory that is due unto him onely and attribute the same to the Devil the enemy to God and all the world I shall therefore here take occasion to tell such people because their Priests that should teach them knowledge either cannot or else will not what the Devil is As in the Microcosmus or little world Man the Soul is the best part and the excrements the worst so in the great world as the Universal creating spirit is the best part so is the Devil the excrement of that Universal Spirit and the abject and Caput mortuum of the world and the poorest and most wretched of all created beings And that worketh a great Antipathy between him and us and the blessed holy Angels who are our Governors and Protectors and continual guardians and are continually employed about us according to their orders and ministeries appointed them by the most High although the Devil alwayes endeavoureth to imitate and counterfeit the good Angels and thereby deceiveth many whose wickedness and malice suits with his nature and at which the good Angel being grieved leaves them and many times for the wickedness of some Person or Family the good Angel curses such a person and family or house then the wicked Spirit haunts such houses affrighting the people with many fearful apparitions neither can that house be quiet nor any such person neither shall any of the Generation of any such family prosper untill
fire as experience makes appeare Wherefore the Spirit thereof is more imperfect then any of the superiour spirits but in hardness and dryness it exceedeth all other Metals both superiour and inferiour for it doth not onely retain a perfect substance and resist the hammer as the Sun and Moon but also as those which are within it self as Jupiter and Saturn and the like Whereas therefore it thus worketh in Metals it sheweth that it hath the same effect in the bodies of men that is it produceth reluctancy especially where it is taken for a disease not convenient it grievously afflicteth the members with pain Nevertheless when it is taken and applyed for wounds such as do not exceed its own degree it cleanseth and mundifieth them c. Wherefore this spirit is not much less in power and virtue then one of the superiours in those things for which it was by God and Nature ordained CHAP. VII Of the Spirit of ♃ OF the spirit of Jupiter we are to know that it is derived of a white and pale substance of fire but it is of a frangible and brittle nature not enduring the hammer so as Mars wherefore it is a brittle Metal an example thereof appears if it be mixed with the Moon it can hardly be wrought to its first malleation without great labour the same effect it hath in all other Metals except in Saturn onely And the same operation which it hath in the bodies of metals it also produceth the same effects in humane bodies but burneth corrodeth the members hindring them from their own perfect operations thereby disabling them form performing the work which nature requires necessitates them unto Nevertheless this spirit hath in it this virture that it taketh away the ulcers of cancers fistula's and such like especially such as exceed not the degree of its nature which God and Nature have given unto it CHAP. VIII Of the Spirit of ♄ THe Spirit of Saturn is formed and created of a dry cold and blacke mixture of the Elements whereby it comes to pass that amongst all other Metals it endureth least in the fire Whereas the Sun and Moon are proved to be durable if Saturn be added to them it clearly refineth them nevertheless the nature thereof is to diminish their hardness The same operation it hath in the bodies of men but with great pain and dolour as Jupiter and Mars by reason of the mixture that it hath with the cold wherefore it cannot so mildly operate But it hath great power and vertue in the cures of fistula's cancers and ulcers which are under the degree and nature thereof it expelleth outward diseases and the outward impurities of the Moon Nevertheless if it be not carefully applyed it doth more hurt then good wherefore he that would rightly use it ought necessarily to know the nature thereof and what diseases it cureth and may be applyed unto which being necessarily considered no hurt will follow thereby CHAP. IX Of the Gross Spirit of ☿ THe Spirit of Mercury which is onely subjected to the other superiour Spirits hath no certain determinate form or substance in it self hereby it comes to pass that it admitteth every other Metal even as wax receiveth the impression of all forms of Seales so this Elementary Spirit cometh to be compared to the other Spirits of Metals for if it receive into it self the Spirit of the Sun this shall be made out of it self if the Moon she is made out of it self the same effect this Spirit worketh with all the other Metals with whom it agreeth and receiveth their properties into it self for this cause according to its body it is appropriated to the other Spirits above written even as the Male to the Female for the Sun is the body of Mercury except onely that the Sun fastneth and fixeth the Mercury but the common Mercury is inconstant and volatile nevertheless it is subject to all the Spirits aforesaid and generateth again not onely the metallicke Spirits and tinctures afore spoken of but the Metal it self by which the aforenamed tinctures do come into their operation But if the mean be not observed it will be inpossible ever to bring those kind of tinctures to perfection for if the fire be too high which should vivifie this tincture it doth extinguish it that it cannot operate and the same effect is if it be too weake wherefore in this place it is necessary to be known what medium is to be observed in this Art and what are the strength and properties thereof and also after what manner it is to be ordered and how the tinctures are to be coloured and to bring them to a perfect worke that they may germinate and appeare Thus briefly do we conclude and end our first Treatise The end of the first Treatise The second Treatise of the Philosophers Mercury and the medium of Tinctures In the first Treatise we have written of the Spirits and Tinctures of Metals c. Declaring all their properties and natures and what every Metal generateth In this second we shall treat of the medium of Tinctures that is of the Philosophers Mercury whereby are made the Tinctures and Leaven of Metals in seven Chapters following CHAP. I. Of what the Tinctures and Leavens are made WHosoever desireth to have the tincture of Metals he ought to take the Philosophers Mercury let him cast the same into its own end that is into quick Mercury from whence it proceedeth hereby it wil come to pass that the Philosophers Mercury shall be dissolved in the quick Mercury and shall receive its strength so that the Mercury of the Philosophers killeth the quick Mercury maketh it remain fixed in the fire of the same existence with it self for there is the like concordancy between these Mercuries as is between Male and Female man and wife for they are both derived of the gross spirits of metals except that the body of Sol remaineth firm fixed in the fire but the quicke Mercury is not fixed nevertheless they may be appropriated one to another as graine of corn or seed are to the earth which we will demonstrate by an example after this manner If any one sowe barley the same he shall reape if Wheat or Rye or any other grain the same he shall gather c. even so it is in this art if any one sowe the Gold of Sol the same he reapeth of the Moon he shall gather and so also of all other Metals For this reason we say in this place that the Tinctures do spring out of Mettals that is out of the Philosophers Mercury and not from the quicke Mercury but this produceth the Seed which first conceiveth CHAP. II. Of the Conjunction of Male and Female of man and woman IT is first of all necessary to be known that the Mercury of the Philosophers and the quicke Mercury are both to be conjoyned and firmly united and fixed together how much thereof is to be taken neither more
reverence alwayes unto the last day For at that time we are all perfectly consecrated and sanctified and clarified with a heavenly body CHAP. II. Of Conjurations BEfore we come to treat of Conjurations whence they proceed and what is the foundation of them It is first necessary to declare who invented them who used them and what hath been brought to pass by them and how more and more they came to be abused Know therefore that they had their original Spring and fountain from Babylon and there did mightily increase and flourish afterwards it came into Aegypt and from thence to the Israelites and last of all to us Christians Amongst the Nigromancers it is very familiar and held in great esteeme so that in their rude and ignorant understandings they all attribute more efficacy power and vertue thereunto then unto prayer and faith This foundation which is drawne onely from their opinions is to be condemned so that no man almost ought to remain therein but they all Justly deserve to be punished by the Magistrate who persist therein Although Conjurations may be able to effect some things in themselves nevertheless they are not to be usurped by any Magitian or wise man because they are contrary even to God himself and to his word and commandments and also to the light of nature For nothing of truth can be forced or drawn from the Spirits thereby although they are sometimes forced to appeare in their greatest and Magnificent pompe and with terrible pride and haughtiness nevertheless they are not bound or overcome by this Conjuration for that can onely be done by faith alone I say those kinde of Nigromancers who desire to perform and effect all things by their Conjurations so as to compel binde afflict and Torment the Spirits forcing to do what they will have them are most like and fitly to be compared to thieves and Robbers that lurk in woods and places to Rob and murder who can kill and steale so long and so far forth as God shall permit them but no longer But when the time and hour comes that their villanies and wickedness shall be made manifest then not one of the most subtil and craftyest of them can escape whereby it comes to pass that one for Robbery receives his death another is accused and at last comes under the power of the hangman who renders him a reward according to the desert of his workes No otherwise are we to judge of such thieves who breake houses and steal so long till at last they perish at the gallows So likewise doth the Nigromancer call and invocate Spirits conjure and afflict them with punishments and Martyrdomes so long as he shall be permitted by the Lord God but not without the curse of God and when the time and hour of his punishment is come then as the Proverbe is he receiveth his fruits he erred in his Conjurations not drawing his Circle as he ought out of the will and power of the Spirits which they often say unto him To wit thou hast erred in Conjuring or thou hast not rightly drawn the Circle thou hast not Chastised and prepared thy self enough or that thy Seale and Pentacles are false wherefore thou receivest this punishment so thy debts are paid thee in ready money a long time reserved for thee and which long since thou oughtest to have had so he deservedly receiveth his reward from the Spirits who leave some notable eminent marke remaining upon him or mayme him in some limbe or member if not quite breake his necke and by this he becomes his own executioner Therefore let these Ceremonious Nigromancers take heed and looke what they do let them set this chapter as a looking-Glass before them lest by their own frivolous and wicked operation they themselves become the servants of the Spirits and suffer them to rule over them and be their own executioners Which being done the Spirits will not suffer themselves any longer to be forced or compelled by these servants neither will they do what they will but now the servants shall be forced to yeeld obedience to the Spirits who are become their Lords The hang-man also doth the like he hearkneth not to him that is to be scourged neither will he shew any mercy or favor at the prayer of him that is condemned but he executeth the command of his Master and what appertains unto his office Even so also the Malignant Spirits are the hang-men and executioners of God who can execute nothing without the commission of their Magistrate that is of the divine Majesty I say therefore that all Conjurations are against God and are contrary to his word the divine law and the light of nature which are prohibited to be used not onely to Spirits alone but also such as are directed to herbs stones and such-like and especially those which are made against men it becometh not us to act like the Heathens who when they were not able to use men after their own wills and could not force and compel them they did Conjure them as by many examples it is found in the Scriptures so that they were forced and compelled to execute and act such things as were contrary to their wills and nature Woe therefore to such wicked Knaves and to all them whosoever imitate them how great wickedness do they commit And what grievous Plagues will come to them at the last and what fearful and horrible accusations shall they heare the Devil make against them before the wrath of God If afterwards it were lawful for them to signifie to such kinde of men their misery which they endure they who do such things many thousands of them would be brought to repentance CHAP. III. Of Characters WE are not to give credit also neither to Characters nor Words for the Poets and Negromancers do also much exercise themselves in them and do fill their Conjuring-Books full of them which they raise out of their own imaginations meerly and rashly without any Foundation and do feign them against all Truth whenas many thousands of them are not worth a nut-shell But in the mean time I will be silent in their Characters which they draw in Paper Parchment which are uselessly blotted with such trifles It was a custome amongst those kinde of men which amongst some is hardly left to this day That by imposing these Characters upon these men they drew them to admiration of themselves with these Characters and speaking such words as are wonderful to me and which were never heard of yet they say they are found out and devised by themselves Wherefore it is chiefly necessary to have perfect knowledge to discern these Letter Words and Characters There are many such-kinde of words found amongst them which have no affinity at all with the Idioms of the Latine Greek or Hebrew Tongues neither with any other which cannot possibly be interpreted by any man nor rendred into any other Tongue Therefore I speak not without cause and say That we
Prophets From whence had the Prophets their wisdome and knowledge and from whence were those Mysteries of God revealed unto them by which they had those Spiritual and supernatural visions in dreams It is necessary therefore in the first place to the finde out the true foundation thereof and to lay the same upon the right stone which is the word of God and his promises and to pray daily unto God whereby it shall come to pass that he will give us all things which he hath promised in his word There is also another vision belonging to dreams which we may take from them that are dead and do appear spiritually unto us in dreâ—ms although they have been dead fifty or 〈◊〉 hundred years this is very much to be taken â—…to consideration for many have undertaken 〈◊〉 treat thereof which for their too much proâ—…ity which we endeavour to avoid we will pass them by reserving them to their place Nevertheless this I will declare viz. Where it happeneth that one of these Ghosts do appeare it is most necessary diligently to note and marke what he sheweth unto us what he speaketh with us about or doth spiritually Negotiate and not always to account thereof as fables For if it were possible for a man to retaine the same reason sleeping which he hath waking that he could aske and enquire of such a Spirit he should know the truth from him about all his desires whatsoever But it 's not needful to speake any more largely in this place concerning this thing Of Persons and Spirits wandring under the Earth UNder the Earth do wander half-men which possess all temporal things which they want or are delighted with they are Vulgarly called Gnomi or Inhabiters of the Mountains but by their proper name they are called Sylphes or Pigmies They are not Spirits as others are but are compared unto them for the Similitude of their Arts and Industry which are common to them with the Spirits they have flesh and blood as men which no real Spirit hath as Christ spoke unto his Disciples when he came amongst them when the doores were shut and they were affraid saying Feele me and touch me for a Spirit hath not flesh and blood nor bones as I have By this he himself hath taught us that a Spirit hath no true body that can be touched nor bones nor flesh nor blood but existeth in its own essence of winde or Aire But of this we have briefly spoken enough But to return to the earthly Pigmies or halfe-men we are to know that these are not to be reputed Spirits but like to Spirits but if they are or shall be called Spirits they ought to be called earthly Spirits because they have their Chaos and habitation under the earth and not in the winde and Aire as the other Spirits have Many terrene earthly Spirits are found seen and heard to be in such places wherein great treasures and mighty store of wealth and Riches are hid and also under those Mountains where there is plenty of Gold and Silver with which things they are delighted and do take the care and custody thereof and not willingly do they part from it Such as digge Metals have the best knowledge of these Spirits for they are most troubled with them and do vexe them and much persecute them with blowes and stripes somtimes also they do afford benefits unto them admonishing them and warning them of death as when they are heard once twice thrice or oftener to Knock and strike in the same place it signifies the death of him that diggeth or laboureth in that place either he is buryed up by the fall of the Mountain or dyeth by some such occasion this is certainly experienced by them that do digge in Mines These Spirits are worst against those who do not appear to be Devils and chiefly against those which they hate but between these Spirits and the Devil there is a great difference because he dyeth not but these perish after they have lived a long life otherwise they might be called Spirits for this reason but that which hath flesh and blood is obnoxious to death and ought once to die There is another thing which we shall more largely declare from the common proverb whereby it is reported that the Devil aboundeth in Riches and possesseth much wealth money gold and silver and to have all treasures hidden in the earth under his power and to give out of them what he will to them that make any Covenant with him And from hence that common saying tooke its beginning that the Devil for this very cause giveth not onely Riches plentifully and every thing that he desireth gold or silver to any one that prescribeth himself unto him giveth up himself solely to be his so as to renounce and forget his Creator But I say that all these things are lyes and fained fables without any foundation or ground which ought to be rejected of every discreet and wise man For the devil is the poorest of all creatures so that there is no creature so miserable poore above or under the earth or in all the other Elements Neither hath he any money nor Riches nor any power over them how then can he give to this or that person that which he possesseth not But he is infinitely skilful and cunning in Arts and hath power to give and to teach them to those he favoreth and that he can wrest away and delude with his deceit he hath no money neither gold nor silver can he give to any one neither doth he ever take or require any bonds or obligations from men sealed with their blood or any other compact or Covenant But there are other Spirits which do such things such as are the Sylphes or Pygmies which although they are persons that are little by nature yet they can appear to men as they will great or little faire deformed rich or poore they are not defective nor wanting of knowledge in all kinde of Arts that are or can be found out in all the light of nature but they have them and contain the knowledge of them all within themselves they have enough of gold and silver and the mines of all Metals under their power and custody In old times many of them have been found and heard amongst men but now they cease but no man hitherto hath known or could give a reason of their severing and separation seeing they have alwayes been esteemed to be Immortal creatures because no man could certainly be able to know or finde out their death or could consider any cause of their absence neither could any man for a long time be able to know what they now are or whence they proceeded or whither they wander or what gift or office they have Many do suppose that where they bring any benefits or good to men that they are Angels or good and familiar Spirits sent to those men from God and are afterwards by him taken from them by
reason of the greatness of their sins for oftentimes they bring to men very many good offices and benefits and do undertake and sustaine many hard labours for them Others believe that they will not be seen by us because that when a man seeth them he cryeth out so that they vanish away and will not appear any more Many that do see or hear these Spirits suppose that they are the Spirits and soules of men that have come to an evil death so that they have either desperately drowned or hanged themselves or killed themselves some other wayes and departing from God their Saviour have given themselves to the devil and for that cause do wander about and are reserved by the devil unto the day of the last Judgement There have been some who have supposed that they are vaine Phantasies and that they have fore-shown and presaged much good fortune to those places wherein they have been seen or heard which many times also hath so happened and come to pass but for the most part faith effecteth it for of their own nature they do not bring any fortune unless God compelleth them or our faith And on the contrary they are not able to cause any misfortune unless it be by the permission of God And many do thinke that they are the Inchantments of the Magicians There are others who having seen and heard them about treasures have judged that they are the Spirits of men who have hid treasures in that place and ought to remain there until the the Last Judgement or untill their custody thereof is found out and this opinion they receive from the words of Christ where he saith Where your treasure is there will your hearts be also But I do not see any reason why they should understand the heart for the Spirit but that there is much difference between them wherefore I say that all the Judgements which are spoken of before are but false opinions when as these are to be understood to be halfe-men that bear rule and wander in the four Elements and in the first and pristine times of nature they have been taken and worshipped in stead of God These are they of whom God Almighty admonisheth us in that Commandment of the first Table saying that we shall not have any other Gods but him neither in the waters where the Nymphs are understood nor under the Earth by which he meaneth Sylphes or Pygmies For the Lord our God is a jealous God and for such an offence punisheth the sins of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth generation The Mountain of Venus in Italy was much possessed with these Spirits for Venus her self was a Nymph and that Mountain was by a comparison as her Kingdome and Paradice But she is dead whereby her Kingdome ceaseth to be but where or in what place is there any mention heard to be made of them as in former time when Danhanserus and many others entred in unto them Neither did they Invent these fables they were of such a nature and condition that they loved all men that loved them and hated them that hated them wherefore they gave Arts and Riches in abundance to them who prescribed and bound themselves to them and they know both our minds and thoughts whereby it comes to pass that they are easily moved by us to come to us I do not say this that I would give this Counsel to any one but that the true ground and foundation thereof might be known and the true difference which is between the devil and these Semi-homines The devil hath not any body unless he take any thing to himself from the four Elements for he hath neither flesh nor blood he remaineth perpetual not subject to any infirmities or a finite death wherefore he dieth nor but the Pygmies do nevertheless they are both subject to a natural and everlasting death and are both deprived of everlasting life wherefore whosoever giveth or subscribeth himself unto them the same event happeneth unto him as to them Let every one therefore have a special care unto himself and consider well what he doth before he subscribeth himself for he suddenly doth that whereby he shall alwayes be compelled to be obedient unto them and to fulfill all their commands And if he shall chance to be disobedient unto them or anger them they very much impaire or totally destroy and take away his life there have been found many examples of this kinde to wit sometimes men have been found dead their neckes turned about or otherwise miserably handled where any such thing hath happened it hath hitherto commonly been said that the Devil hath done this for this cause either that the man hath not kept his promise and compact with him or that the time which he covenanted and subscribed himself unto him for is expired and that now he receiveth his last reward But these opinions do not proceed from the fountaine of truth for the office of the Devil containeth no such thing in his power but rather he suggesteth unto men evil thoughts and Cogitations whereby he draweth them away from obeying the will and commandments of God by which means he maketh them to be the greatest sinners and to forget and deny God their Creator and afterwards draweth them into despaire so that they cannot any more be able to pray unto God wherefore the Elementary Spirits are most like unto the devil and oftentimes they are executioners of the wrath and vengeance of God nevertheless they do oftentimes also admonish and warne us and do watch over us and defend us from many dangers and sometimes do deliver some from prison and afford to men many other helps Wherefore such men as are burdened and overwhelmed with grief and sorrowful Imaginations are not to be left alone but ought to be entertained with various and pleasant discourse which may delight their mindes and expel their sorrow The Devils likewise are in these cases not idle but as busie as those terrene Spirits do easily tempt such kinde of men From hence it comes to pass that some people especially women in child-bed have been so oppressed in the night in their sleepe that they have thought themselves to be as it were strangled neither could they possibly cry out or call any helpe but in the Morning have reported that they were Ridden by a hag And they are still accounted to be witches or Inchanters that do this whereas their bodies cannot possibly enter into the chambers where the doores and Windowes are shut but the Sylphes and Nymphes easily can O thou of little faith as doubtful as Peter who sufferest thy self to be tossed with every winde and art easily drowned thou thy self art the cause hereof by reason of thy little dubious and weake faith also thy evil thoughts do draw thee unto this Thou hast also in thy self a secret Magnes that attracteth every like This is the Celestial Load-stone above all others which attracteth Iron and steel
suspect it whereby it comes to pass that it is easily taken from them It happeneth to them as it doth to those men who suddenly get some prey from their enemies they not thinking of them whereby the are easily overcome or spoiled by them There are two causes chiefly why treasures are so greedily sought after by men The first is the Covetousness of them who thirst after riches the other that those places where the treasures are might be afterwards made habitable secure safe and quiet from being infested or molested with such Spirits For there are at this day many ancient houses and Castles which are inhabitable by reason of these kinde of Spirits and the chiefe cause thereof is that there are great treasures hid about these places In those places where such things happen it is chiefly necessary that great care be taken in the digging thereabout not so much for the money and treasure as that the place may again be made quiet and habitable When any one goeth about this worke with diligent digging one of these things commonly happens either the treasure is found or carried deeper in the earth or removed by the keepers to some other place as visions in pure Christals have often shewn and as they have told the diggers I now see many Pygmies take the treasure quite away Credit ought to be given hereunto and the digging to cease It is further to be known by how much the greater noises are heard about the place and sights and visions seen by so much greater the treasure is to be judged to be and neerer to the superficies of the earth CHAP. VIII Of those that are possessed of malignant Spirits and of the Devil AFter what manner men are possessed and overcome by the Devil the Apostle Peter largely writeth and declareth unto us But that the words of his admonition may be understood according to the true sence thereof a little exposition is needful For the Apostle briefly and summarily comprehendeth the whole matter in two words to wit fasting and prayer These seem to be very little and light things at the first sight nevertheless they are of very great Moment and signifie very many things if they be considered rightly and attentively When therefore the Apostle Peter doth so earnestly admonish us saying Be ye sober and watch for your enemy the Devil goeth about as a raging Lion seeking whom he may devoure Afterwards he concludeth that by faith we may be able to resist the Devil therefore Peter would have us to understand his first word of Sobriety so as if he should say Beware of all kinde of gluttony and drunkenness For drunkenness is the fountain and original of all evils and vices which are acted and compleated by drunkards through the perswasions of the Devil wherefore observe a mean in meat and drinke lest your hearts be troubled and burdened therewith for the Devil is alway present although invisible he is a Spirit and understandeth all Arts and can be in what place he will throughout the Circuit of the whole earth he is the author and Actor of all evil and wickedness which is done by men in the whole earth he is as watchful over mankinde as a Cat is over a mouse wherefore he seduceth you unawares when you have filled your selves with wine and then filleth up all vices in you he then compasseth you about with his snares and bonds as the hang-man doth evil-doers and malefactors untill he hath killed them so also doth he with those that are drunke besieging them with snares and Temptations untill he either hath destroyed their bodyes or brought them into despair Take heed to your selves therefore Oh you Epicures and drunkards and also Souldiers who are always filled with wine night and day Therefore a souldier that so overchargeth himself with meat or drinke ought to be accounted brutish as swine seeing both of them are Ignorant and uncertain of the time of their death or how soone they may be slaine This is the meaning of the first word of St. Peter of Soberness now we come to understand what he meaneth by watching By watching Peter seemeth to understand as if he should say Walke in uprightness and justice be of good courage not faint-hearted cast away all evil thoughts and cogitations and all Phantasies of the Devil that such Imaginations may not have any place with you For hereby many have been overwhelmed and besieged by the devil the reason whereof hath been their own wicked and evil thoughts and Imaginations Therefore relinquish and cast them all away and have God always before your eyes pray unto him and let him be onely in your thoughts make your selves like unto him and his children and then he will send you his holy Spirit who will guard you rule you and declare the wonderful workes of his mercy by you as he hath done by Paul and all the other Apostles who have been all after this manner preserved by his holy Spirit follow them therefore and exclude and cast away the Devil and all evil cogitations and wicked thoughts wherewith we may also seduce and deceive our selves and thereby attract and draw the devil into us and be corporally besieged and possessed by him and so come into desperation that we may destroy our own lives even as did Judas Achitophel and many others Thus much of watching the interpretation thereof which Peter would have to be understood thereby For by watching he doth not mean abstinence from the bed and sleep as the Carthusians and other Monasteries do teach and observe for God created and ordained rest and sleepe and first suffered it to enter into Adam Wherefore every one ought to sleepe in due season as much as his nature requireth c. Lastly note how Peter concludeth and confirmeth his word from God saying Let us resist the devil by faith as if he should say Do not in any wise sticke or stumble at the word of God or doubt of his mercy do you not burden your conscience nor trouble your hearts do not perswade your selves that God regardeth you not or that he is forgetful of you or that he accounteth you unworthy of his mercy so that you ought not to come unto him because you have acted against his Divine will or have broken his commandments and committed many sins But rather firmly believe his word that Christ would not the death of a sinner but rather that he should be converted and live Also that he came into the world because of our sins that he might take them from us upon himself which also he hath done there are many such comfortable words to be found in the Holy Scriptures which ought to be proposed to such persons as are weake in their faith for their comfort and consolation After this manner a man resisteth an evil conscience and the Devil so that he is freed from them and not tempted any more CHAP. IX Of the manner of delivering them that are possest
are we to understand of the lightning of heaven the more quick it comes the more dangerous it is for commonly some Thunder-bolt followes It is therefore very necessary to know how every one may defend and save himself herefrom that he fall not into some place that he would not or receive some other hurt the Ringing of Bells do availe nothing in these cases although I do not reject them especially in such tempests as are caused by Magicians inchantments by reason of the Spirits by them raised in the Aire For the Spirits do love silence and quietness whereby it comes to pass that great noises as the sounds of bells and Trumpets do partly diminish and disperse tempests by them stirred up But in Thunders and haile they do no good as the Monks and Sacrificers have to their loss too often found And for this cause they used ceremonies wherewith they seduced the Vulgar and common people perswading them that besprinkling places with holy water as they call it preserved them safe from Thunder and haile likewise by burning holy candles or some palme or other herb by them sanctified or with the perfume of Frankincense or Myrrhe of these sacrificers they were preserved secure O thou fool and unwise sacrificer and Monk who art hitherto Ignorant of these things and understandest them not in this place thou mayst be taught the contrary how that Malignant Spirits are not driven away with sweet perfumes but are mightily delighted therwith and do run more freely swiftly to them then to stinking smells whether they be good Spirits or evil But if in stead of Frankincense and Myrrhe you had taught to have made a fumigation of Assa Fetida you might therewith drive away both good and evil Spirits For the good odour of Frankincense and Myrrh is nothing else but the sacrifice of the Spirits wherewith we attract and draw them unto us But of this we have spoken enough Now to return to that which we intended to write of and first how any place may be preserved from Thunder and haile note therefore that to place a preservative in the centre of a house garden or field c. availeth not at all but at the four Angles East West South and North then the place shall be secured as a building set upon four Pillars is more strong and firme then that which is founded onely upon one which is set in the middle of the centre or some other place this is more easily overthrown by the winde or Spirits Now the materials which belong to this preservative and of which these four pillars are made note that they consist of simple bodies every one whereof is sufficient and hath strength and virtue in it self for the effects before spoken of As Mugwort St John's wort Perewincle Celandine Rue Devils bit and many such herbs and roots and especially if they be gathered and taken in the right influence There are also other things of far greater strength and vertue as Coral Azoth and one of the Characters before spoken of being drawn in a certain table or ingraven In these three things is a great secret against all Inchantments and workes of witches and the Devil himself In which preservatives we may trust in our greatest necessities CHAP. XI Of the great abuse of the Magicke Art by them that use it for Negromancy and Witch-craft THe Magicke Art in it self is the most secret and occult science of all supernatual things in the world That those things which are impossible to be searched out by humane reasons by this Art to wit Magick it may be found out and known wherefore it is the most occult and secret wisedom and reasoning against it is nothing else but extream folly It were therefore very necessary that the Divines would learn to know something of this Art and be experienced in Magick what it is and not so unworthily without any ground at all to call it Witchcraft The Magical science were very profitable for them to know seeing they will undertake to be the Masters and teachers of the holy Scriptures and perswade themselves to be so Not that I would have them use the Magical Art or operate any thing by it but to be expert therein and to know the virtues and effects thereof for the high and great mysterious secrets which are hidden in the holy Scriptures delivered by the Apostles Prophets and Christ himself and which we by our humane reason cannot understand nor search out What Divine that is Igrorant of Magicke can cast out the Devil drive away or binde a Spirit or that can call one unto him and command him to come or that which is far less can he heale the sick or administer any other help to him by his faith alone I wil be silent of his removing a mountain into the Sea There followeth then that faith whereof Christ speaketh of which they understand neither much nor little Nevertheless they make a great shew and profession thereof with their mouthes and do teach and speake much thereof but themselves know not how to make proofe thereof or to give any signe thereof by their faith whereby it may be said that they understand this faith and to make use of it in the proofe thereof But if any one should come who by his faith and Magicke should perform a good signe you having not the reason of knowing whether it be good or evil will forthwith call him a Negromancer and Witch because he hath done something above your reason and humane wisdom when you your selves cannot tell how to discerne a Negromancer or Witch from a Magician Magicke is therefore a most necessary and pure Art not defiled nor corrupted with any Ceremonies or Conjurations as Nigromancy For in Magicke there is no use of Ceremonies Consecrations Conjurations Blessings or Curses but of faith alone whereof Christ speaks saying that by it we shall be able to remove Mountains and cast them into the Sea And to compel loose and binde all Spirits This is the true foundation and Instrument of Magicke Truely therefore it is a thing chiefly necessary to looke into this ART that it be not turned into superstition and abuse and to the destruction or damage of men and hereby it is made Nigromancy and Witch-craft and at length not undeservedly so called by all men because Witches and Sorcerers have violently intruded themselves into the Magicke Art like Swine broke into a delicate Garden So is Magicke corrupted and made Nigromancy by these perfidious men wherefore it hath not undeservedly been burnt in the fire with these Witches and Sorcerers For these kinde of men are the most nocent and hurtful and the worst enemies to mankinde that they have not worse enemies in all the world which prosecute them with a more deadly hatred from a present publique enemy and corporal persecuter who endeavoreth to invade us with the most cruel weapons Guns or Darts we may beware of such a one or take up Arms against
him for our defence with Brigandines or Darts c. or else a man may tarry in his house and keep himself suffering none to enter in but his Friends But of these Witches and Sorcerers no man can beware or defend himself because against this kind of Enemies of God and men no Weapons Coats of Mayl or Brigandines will help no shutting of doors or locks for they penetrate through all things and all things are open unto them And if any one were inclosed in Towers of Iron or Brass he would not thereby be secured from these enemies Although in their own proper bodies they seldom bring hurt to any one but raise up and send Spirits unto them by their corrupt Faith and hurt them in some part of their bodies although they are absent from them an hundred miles distance they either smite wound or kill them although no outward and external wound can be seen appear because they cannot hurt the outward man but only the internal spirit Wherefore no Coats of Mayl can defend them be they never so good but they must put on other weapons and fortifications to wit the Armor of Faith This is the true way and then let him be clothed with a Linen garment the wrong end turned upwards and after that hath been often worn thou shalt be more safely delivered than if thou wert armed and girt with all manner of weapons Although there are many preservatives which will keep and defend men from all these Fascinations and Witchcrafts which are wrought by the arising of these evil Spirits such as are Coral Azoth and the like which being used according to their due use and order will well preserve from these enormities before spoken of For the prevention and preservation from them is easie but the cure is difficult nevertheless it is possible But in such cases the proceeding thereunto must be magical and supernatural From thence sprung that saying which some use That none can better help the bewitched than them that hurt them This is a true saying which cannot be contradicted but they which use it understand not the Cause of this thing neither can they give any reason thereof why Witches do best of all most happily readily and surely help and Cure the bewitched Therefore of this thing you shall be here sufficiently instructed Some Witches make and form Images in the form and likeness of some man which they propose to themselves and conceive in their own minds and do stick a nail in the sole of his foot and after this manner hurt the man that he invisibly feeleth the pain of a nail in his foot and is so tormented therewith that he is not able to go until the nail is pulled out of the foot of the Image which being drawn away the man is healed which no man knoweth better how to do than he that fixed the nail in the Image nor where it was fixed or what the Cause of the Disease was It oftentimes also cometh to pass that after the same manner a nail is somtimes by these witches fixed in the teeth of the Image of the man so that afterwards he cannot take any rest in his teeth unless the nail be taken away or his teeth drawn out In like manner are nails struck into any other members of the Image by these arch-Sorcerers and hereby they hurt men without making any impression or signe thereof upon their skin Oftentimes also it so happeneth to men that there arise Tumors in their heads or elsewhere about their bodies which are like Pushes or sky-colour spots that appear suddenly and vex men in their bodies as if they had been beaten with knotted Ropes to whom any such accident happeneth without any visible blow or bruise to be perceived he will not judge any otherwise but that he is smitten by these Images It is too often seen to fall out that a man sometimes loseth an Eye suddenly or is struck quite blind or deaf in one or both Ears dumb or some imperfection in his speech crooked lame or dieth all which accidents are wrought by Witches through the divine permission All which are Magical acceptions and torments and are made and completed by the Ascendants In these Cases the Physitians ought to take heed and be advised that when they perceive such kinds of Diseases to be supernatural that then they do not judge them to be natural Diseases and so think to Cure them with their common Apothecaries Medicaments For thereby they will reap nothing but disgrace which often happens to many of them It is a cross say they or affliction by God laid upon them which no Physitian can help Oh you Quacksalvers it is not as you think but indeed it is a chastisement by the permission of God wrought by Witches and evil men wherefore the Physitian ought to consider the Signs whereby he may know and judge of the Disease and thereby may inform himself which way to effect the Cure thereof And Medicines are to be used and applied thereunto In the first place it is necessary that he ask the Patient How and in what manner the Disease took him or happened unto him what was the original of the evil Whether it were occasioned by any fall blow thrust bruise or if any other natural Cause can be perceived or that there be any Flux or inward corruption of blood but if none of these signs appear then let him again demand of the Patient Whether he hath any body in suspition that is â—n enemy or one not wishing well to him that might be a Witch If he answer that he hath some mistrust of any such then he shall judge that it hath happened to him as is above declared Therefore it is most necessary for the Physitian to understand rightly after what manner he is to deal with the Patient if he desire to be perfect in this art But the Ancients have not written at all any thing concerning this kinde of Cure neither Galen nor Avicenna nor any other we shall therefore lay down the manner of the Cure in Order which follows They who are bewitched cannot be Cured any better than by hurting again the same place afflicted that is by making through Faith and imagination such a like member as is hurt or else a whole Image out of Wax which he shall either anoint or binde up with Plaisters where the Tumors Signs or Spots be is a present help for that person in whose name it shall be made and the pain shall cease c. But if he be so bewitched that he is in danger to lose an eye his hearing or be impedited in the Generative faculty of his privy Members in his Speech or hath his Members made crooked or wreathed awry then let there be made an Image of the whole body of Wax with a firm Faith upon which Image let the intent of your imagination be firmly fixed and afterwards let the whole Image be consumed with fire in due order Make no