[Appendix II.]

[Appendix II.][This second Book of “A Discourse concerning Devils and Spirits”, like the Chapters in Appendix I, were added to the third edition, 1665, by some one unknown.]BOOK II.39.Chap. I.Of Spirits in General; What they are and how to be considered: Also how farr the Power of Magitians and Witches is able to operate in Diabolical Magick.1.BEcauseThe reason of this Addition.the Author in his foregoing Treatise, upon theNature of Spirits and Devils, hath only touched the subject thereof superficially, omitting the more material part; and with a brief and cursory Tractat, hath concluded to speak the least of this subject which indeed requires most amply to be illustrated; therefore I thought fit to adjoyn this subsequent discourse; as succedaneous to the fore-going, and conducing to the compleating of the whole work.The nature of Spirits.2. The Nature of Spirits is variously to be considered, according to the source to which eachCatervadoth belong: for as some are altogether of a divine and celestial nature; not subject to the abominable Inchantments and Conjurations of vitious mankind; so others are the grand Instigators, stirring up mans heart to attempt the enquiry after the darkest, and most mysterious part of Magick, or Witchcraft: neither is this their suggestion without its secret end: that is, that by the private insinuation, and as it were incorporating themselves into the affection, or desire of the Witch, or Magician; they may totally convert him into their own nature: reducing him at last by constant practice, to such obdurateness and hardness of heart, that he becometh one with them, and delighted with their association, being altogether dead to any motions in himself that may be called good.3. And if we may credit example, which is the surest proof; theveryThe original of evil essences.imaginations, and affection of a Magician, doth create an evil Essence or Devil; which was not before in being: for, as the Astral Spirits are believed by many to Germinate and procreate one another, so likewise are the infernal Spirits capable of multiplication in their power and essence, according to their Orders, Ranks and Thrones; by means of the strong imagination in a Witch, or malevolous person, earnestly desiring their assistance.Their Germination.4. Not that the Spirits or Devils so begotten do any whit add or contribute to the number in general; for as they are capable of increasing into distinct and separated substances, so are they likewise again contracted, and as it were annihilated; when the force of that Imagination is gone, which was the cause of their production: The nature of a spirit, whither heavenly or hellish, being to dilate, or contract themselves into as narrow compass, as they please; so that in a moment they can be as big in circumference as an hundred worlds, and on a sodain reduce themselves to the compass of an atome.Their Habitation.5. Neither are they somuch limited as Tradition would have them; for they are not at all shut up in any separated place: but can remove millions of miles in the twinkling of an eye, yet are they still where they were at first: for, out of their own element, or quality, they can never come: go whither they will, they are in darkness: and the cause is within them, not without them: as one whose mind is troubled here inEngland, can remove/40.his Carcase from the place where it was before; but should he go to the utmost bounds of the Earth, he cannot leave his perplexed and tormented minde behind him.Their shapes.6. As for the shapes and various likenesses of Devils, It is generally believed, that according to their various capacities in wickedness, so their shapes are answerable after a Magical manner: resembling spiritually some horrid and ugly monsters, as their conspiracies against the power of God, were high and monstrous, when they fell from Heaven: for the condition of some of them is nothing but continual horrour and despair; others triumph in firie might and pomp, attempting to pluck God from out of his Throne; but the quality of Heaven is shut from them, that they can never find it, which doth greatly add to their torment and misery.Their place of pleasure or torment.7. But that they are materially vexed and scorched in flames of fire, is inferiour to any to give credit to, who is throughly verst in their nature and existence: for their substance is spiritual; yea their power is greater, then to be detain’d or tormented with any thing without them: doubtless their misery is sufficiently great, but not through outward flames; for their Bodies are able to pierce through Wood and Iron, Stone, and all Terrestrial things: Neither is all thefire, or fewel of this World able to torment them; for in a moment they can pierce it through and through. But the infinite source of their misery is in themselves, and is continually before them, so that they can never enjoy any rest, being absent from the presence of God: which torment is greater to them, then all the tortures of this world combin’d together.The cause of their torment.8. The wicked souls that are departed this life, are also capable of appearing again, and answering the Conjurations of Witches, and Magicians, for a time: according toNagartheIndian, and thePythagoreans. And it cannot be easily conceived, that their torment is much different from the rest of the Devils: for the Scripture saith:every one is rewarded according to their works. And,that which a man sows, that he shall reap. Now as the damned Spirits, when they lived on earth, did heap up vanity, and load their souls with iniquity, as a treasure to carry with them into that Kingdom, which sin doth naturally lead into: so when they are there, the same abominations which here they committed, do they ruminate and feed upon; and the greater they have been, the greater is the torment, that ariseth before them every moment.How Magicians deal with them.9. And although these Infernal Spirits, are open Enemies to the very means which God hath appointed for mans salvation; yet such is the degenerate and corrupted mind of mankind, that there is in the same an itching after them for converse and familiarity, to procure their assistance, in any thing that their vain imagination suggesteth them with: to effect which, they inform themselves in every Tradition of Conjuration and Exorcism; as also in the names, natures and powers of Devils in general, and are ever restless, till their souls be totally devoted to that accursed and detestable nature, which is at enmity with God and goodness.The Orders of heavenly Beings.10. Now to proceed in the description of these Infernal Spirits and separatedDæmons, orAstral Beings, as also of those in the Angelical Kingdom; they that pertain to the Kingdom of Heaven, are either Angels which are divided into their degrees and orders; or else the righteous souls departed, who are entred into rest: And it cannot be, but that the life of Angels and Souls departed, is the same in Heaven, as also the food that nourisheth them, and the fruits that spring before them: Nor is it possible for any, how expert so ever in Magical Arts, to compel either of them, of what degree soever they be, to present themselves, or appear before them: Although many have written large Discourses and Forms of Convocation, to compel the Angels unto communication with them by Magical Rites and Ceremonies.That they are not subject to conjurations.11. It may indeed be believed, that seeing there are infinite numbersof Angels, they are also imployed for the glory of God, and protection of man/kind,41.(but not subject to Conjurations:) And that they accompany many righteous men Invisibly, and protect Cities and Countries from Plagues, War, and infestings of wicked Spirits, against which Principalities and Powers of Darkness, it is their place to contend and war, to the confusion of the Kingdom of Darkness.What Spirits may be conjured.12. But such Spirits as belong to this outward World, and are of the Elemental quality, subject to a beginning and ending, and to degrees of continuance; These may be solicited by Conjurations, and can also inform Magicians in all the secrets of Nature; yet so darkly, (because they want the outward organ); that it is hardly possible for any that hath fellowship with them, to learn any manual operation perfectly and distinctly from them.The nature of the Astral Spirits.13. Many have insisted upon the Natures of these Astral Spirits: some alledging,That they are part of the faln Angels, and consequently subject to the torments of Hell at the last Judgment: Others,That they are the departed souls of men and women, confined to these outward Elements until the Consummation: Lastly, others, AsDel rio,NagartheIndianMagician, and thePlatonistsaffirm,That their nature is middle between Heaven and Hell; and that they reign in a third Kingdom from both, having no other judgment or doom to expect for ever.Their degrees.14. But to speak more nearly unto their natures, they are of the source of the Stars, and have their degrees of continuance, where of*[* whereof]some live hundreds, some thousands of years: Their food is theGasof the Water, and theBlasof the Air: And in their Aspects, or countenances, they differ as to vigour and cheerfulness: They occupy various places of this world; as Woods, Mountains, Waters, Air, fiery Flames, Clouds, Starrs, Mines, and hid Treasures: as also antient Buildings, and places of the slain. Some again are familiar in Houses, and do frequently converse with, and appear unto mortals.Their actions and affections15. They are capable of hunger, grief, passion, and vexation: they have not any thing in them that should bring them unto God: being meerly composed of the most spiritual part of the Elemeuts†:[† nreversed]And when they are worn out, they return into their proper essence or primary quality again; as Ice when it is resolved into Water: They meet in mighty Troops, and wage warr one with another: They do also procreate one another; and have power sometimes to make great commotions in the Air, and in the Clowds, and also to cloath themselves with visible bodies, out of the four Elements, appearing in Companies upon Hills and Mountains, and do often deceive and delude the observers of Apparitions, who take such for portents of great alterations, which are nothing but the sports and pastime ofthese frolick Spirits: as Armies in the Air, Troops marching on the Land, noises and slaughter, Tempest and Lightning,&c.The distinct orders of starry Spirits.16. These Astral Spirits are variously to be considered; some are beings separate and absolute, that are not constitute to any work or service: Others are subservient to the Angels that have dominion over the Influences of the Stars: Others are the Astral Spirits of men departed, which (if the party deceased was disturbed and troubled at his decease,) do for many years, continue in the source of this world; amongst these airy Spirits, to the great disquietness of the soul of the person, to whom they belong: Besides the causes are various that such Spirits rest not; 1. When by Witchcraft they are inchanted, and bound to wander so many years; as thrice or fourtimes seven, before they can be resolved into nothing. 2. When the person hath been murthered; so that the Spirit can never be at rest, till the crime be discovered. 3. When desires and lusts, after Wife, or Children, House, Lands, or Money, is very strong at their departure; it is a certain truth, that this same spirit belonging to the Starrs will be hanckering after these things, and drawn back by the strong desires and fixation of the Imagination, which is left behind it: Nor can it ever be at rest, till the thing be accomplished, for which it is disturbed. 4. When Treasure hath been hid, or any secret thing hath been commit/ted42.by the party; there is a magical cause of something attracting the starry spirit back again, to the manifestation of that thing. Upon all which, the following Chapters do insist more largely and particularly.Chap. II.Of the Good and EvilDæmonsorGenii:Whither they are; what they are, and how they are manifested; also of their names, powers, faculties, offices; how they are to be considered.1.ACcordingThe office ofDæmonsorGenii.to the disposition of the mind, or soul, there is a good or evilDæmonthat accompanies the party visibly, or invisibly; and these are of such rancks and orders, and names, as the capacity of the persons soul is, to whom they belong: Their Office is said to be, fore-warning the person of eminent danger, sometimes by inward instinct, sometimes by dreams in the night, and sometimes by appearing outwardly. TheDæmonorGeniuschangeth its nature and power, as the personchangeth his: and if from good, the party degenerate to iniquity; then by degrees the good Angel leaves him, and an evilDæmondoth naturally succeed: for each thing draws after that which is like it self.2. MagiciansThree ways of enjoying their society.mention three several wayes of enjoying the society of theBonus Genius;The first way.first by intellectual association, when secret and mental instigations do arise in their hearts, to do this or that, and to forbear the other: as in the Manuscript ofNagartheIndian, his own testimony of himself is to this effect:My blessed GuardianDamilkar,hath now so sweetly communicated himself unto me; That by all the manifestations, whereby a holyDæmoncan attend and converse with mankind, he appeareth unto me: first in the intellectual way, he is ever present, and every moment prompts me, what to act, what to forbear from acting: Ah had he not rushed up through the powers of my soul, and suddenly warned me in my Travel toQuiansiinChina,through the airy Region, to turn nimbly to the right hand, at an instant, a mighty Troop of Devils, whose Leader wasGrachnoek,coming through that tract of air, had crusht me into a thousand peices: This is the first degree of its appearing.The second way.3. Then he proceedeth in the language ofSina, describing the second way of its manifestation:And when the deepest sleep hath overpoured me, I am never without him; sometimes myDamilkarstands before me like a glorious Virgin, administring to me a Cup of the drink of the Gods, which my Intellectual man exhausteth: sometimes he brings cælestial Companies, and danceth round about me; and when after the weariness of the Senses, through contemplation I fell into gentle sleep on the holy Mountain of Convocation, which is calledAdan,he shewed me the motion of the Heavens, the nature of all things, and the power of every evilDæmon.The third way of their appearance.4. Thirdly, he continueth to describe the External appearance of theGenius, to this effect:Damilkarappears before me at my desire; for my desires are as his desires: When I slept a long space in my private dwelling, he appeared outwardly, and watering me with the dew of the fourth Heaven, I awakned, when he had thrise saidNankin Nagar;so the time being come, we mounted through the Air, unto the holy Mountain of Convocation.Their number.5. In this Example the three degrees of the Apparition of theBonus Genius, orGood Dæmonare excellently deciphered, which is also the same in the appearance of thebad Genius:and according to the deepest Magicians, there beseven good Angels, who do most frequently become particular Guardians, of all others, each to their respective capacities; and alsoseven evil Dæmons, that are most frequent in association with depraved persons, as Guardians to them./43.The seven good Angels.6. These are the sevengood Angels, orDæmons.Jubanladacea mighty Prince in the Dominion of Thrones, he cometh unto such as follow national affairs, and are carryed forth unto warr and conquest; he beareth alwayes a flaming Sword, and is girded about, having a helmet upon his head, and appearing still before the party in the Air: he must be sollicited and invocated with Chastity, Vows, Fumes, and Prayers: and this is his*[* his istext]Character to be worn as a Lamin.Yah=li=Yahone of the Powers, accompanying such as are Virgins, and devoted to Religion, and a Hermits life: he teacheth all the names and powers of Angels, and gives holy Charms against the assaults ofEvil Dæmons: he must be addrest unto by Prayer, resignation, and fasting, with a celestial Song out of the Canto’s ofNagar: this is his Character.Nal=gabappearing to those that are devoted to the knowledge of Magick; teaching them how to exercise Infernal Witchcraft without danger, and in despight to the Devils: he must be sought by hours, minutes, constellations, privacy and blood,&c.He hath a bow bent in his hand, and a Crown of Gold upon his head: this is his Character.Maynomone of the Powers who hath the ability of subservient administration; that is, at one time to be present with many; he resembleth a Ew with Lamb, typifying his nature in that appearance.Gaoniman Angel, causing his Pupil to go invisible, and transporting him at his pleasure in a moment, to the outmost parts of the earth.Halanuthe Instructer in Manual operations, by whomBezaliah, andAholibahwere divinely inspired for the structre*[*sic]of the Tabernacle.Rama=umiwho is the Instructer in Cabalistical Magick, and reveals the secrets of numbers, the names of Angels, and the virtue ofBoim.7. These are the sevenbad AngelsorDæmons.The nature of both.As the power and capacity of thegood, proceeds from the strength of God, in the quality of heaven; so is the force of theevil Genii, in the hellish quality correspondent: for it is to be noted, that theseevil Angelsdid before their fall, enjoy the same places and degrees that now thegoodorholy Angelsdo: so that as their power is to instruct men in Government, Abstinence, Philosophy, Magick, and Mechanick Arts, for a good intent, and for the glory of God: The power of theevilones is the very same to inform and instigate unto the same attainments, as farr as they may be instrumental for the Devil, or the Kingdom of Darkness therein.The seven evilGenii, and the manner of their appearances.8. Their names are 1.Panalcarp, like a Crocodile with two heads. 2.Baratronappearing like a Conjurer in a Priestly habit. 3.Sondennahlike a Hunts-man. 4.Greizmodalaccompanying his Pupil like a Spaniel-Dog. 5.Ballisargonthe grand Inticer to theeving and robbery, till he hath brought his followers to destruction. 6.Morvorgranwho can put on various likenesses, especially appearing as a Serving-man. 7.Barmanwho most commonly possesseth the soul of those that are joyned unto him./44.9. These are the names of the 7goodandevil Dæmons; according to the antient writing, on the Magical Art: who do also to many particular Cities and Countries, ascribe certain good and evil Angels; the one whereof protects and defends, the other inflicts Pestilence and Famin upon them: Like unto which is the story recorded bySigbertusAn example.inChronicis:That in the 11thyear of the reign ofConstans,a good Angel and a bad were seen by the whole City ofConstantinople,nightly to fly about the City; and as often as by the command of the good Angel, the other smote any house with a dart in his hand, such was the number that dyed in that house, according to the stroaks given.The uncertainty of communicating with Angels.10. And indeed it is to be feared, that whosoever have ever pretended, or do at present alledge, that they enjoy familiarity with a familiar Spirit; I say its greatly to be suspected, that all such familiars belong to the Kingdom of Darkness; for such are too too officious, and ready to attend the depraved desires of mortal men;whereas if communication with Angels, or good and holy Guardians be at all attainable, yet such is the difficulty of the attainment, that the examples thereof, if true, are exceeding rare: But in general, the writings of Magicians and Naturallists do plentifully abound with examples of this nature; whether good or evil, is yet to be determined. I have been told of a certain Country-man, in these dayes, who was continually pestered with the company of a woman, discerned by none but by himself: If he was upon Horse-back, she would be behind him: if at dinner, she sate at his elbow; if lying on his bed, there she was also present; And if at any time he had taken a journey, or gone about some unprofitable business, at such a time she accompanyed him not; and seldom escaped he some mischief when she was absent: But at last, for all her dutiful pretences, as she accompanyed him, riding through a deep and swift running River, she tumbled him into the deepest part, and lay upon him till she had strangled or drowned him.Familiars in the time of theJews.11. Amongst theJewsthis kind of Idolatry was frequent, to consult with and associate themselves unto familiar Spirits, whom they compelled to do them domestick service, dressing their Camels, lifting their burthens, and doing their messages: for the attaining their service they had many blasphemous Forms, and superstitious Ceremonies and Sacrifices; making the holy Names of God subservient to their accursed practices: one whose name wasBaal=Ben=ammin, was adjudged by the Law ofMosesto be burnt for the like practices; being condemned in the time of oneJudaha high Priest in the Captivity for killing an Infant, and with its blood performing Sacrifice toBaalzebub, with various ceremonies intermixed; by which means his God had bequeathed unto him a certain Lacky from the Infernal Troop to attend and serve him for his whole life time: this is to be found inZoar’s Coment uponBerosus, andBelus, who affirms,That at his tryal he endeavoured to prove, that the same was the good Angel or Genius given unto him by the mercy of God.Several men have wrote and methodized the Art of Conjuration.12. Both theHebrew CabalistsandHeathen Magicians, as also those addicted to Magick in Christianity, have all of them laid down certain forms of attaining the company of a good, or evil Angel, by number and astrological Observations, fitted to the rules of Conjuration and Invocations: And many of the superstitiousRabbi’s have affirmed,That they were able by such practices, to cause the ghost ofAdam, Eve,or any of the holy Patriarchs to appear unto them: which was surely the delusion of Satan to harden their hearts. But in the Addition to the 15thBook of theDiscoverythis Subject is more practically handled; where many forms of obtaining the Society of theBonus, orMalus Genius, are plainly decyphered: so far as with safety and convenience they could be described./Chap. III.45.Of the Astral Spirits of men departed: What they are: And why they appear again: And what Witchcraft may be wrought by them.1.ASThe spirits of men return again.the Astral Spirits separate, which belong not to any deceased person, do for many years survive, or continue; so if the party deceased hath departed in discontent, and melancholy, it is often known that they return again, and causing terrour to families and houses, do wait for opportunity to disburthen themselves, that at length they may come into their desired rest.2. The opinionAll men have starry Spirits.of many is,That the Devill in their likenesse is all that appears: But the more Learned have sufficiently demonstrated, through Example, and Experience;That the apparition is really proper to the person deceased. Nor can it easily be denyd, That to every man, and woman, while they live the natural Life, there belongs aSyderial, orstarry Spirit; which takes its original wholly from the Elemental property: And according to the weaker, or stronger capacity of the party, it hath the longer, or shorter continuance, after the bodyes decease.What sort of persons most frequently re-appear.3. Such persons as are secretly murthered, and such as secretly murthur themselves, do most frequently appear again, and wander near the place where their Carcase is, till the radical moisture be totally consumed: according to the opinion ofParacelsus, after the consumption whereof, they can re-appear no longer, but are resolv’d into their first being, orAstrum, after a certain term of months, or years, according to the vigour, or force of that first attraction which was the only cause of their returning.The manner and time of their appearance.4. The manner and seasons of their appearing are various: Sometimes before the person, unto whom they do belong, depart this life, they do by external presentations forewarn him, near the time, that the day of death approacheth. As it is reported ofCodrus Laænus, to whom an empty, meager Ghost appeared at midnight, signifying unto him,how sad and lachrymable a Tragedy was shortly to attend him; and also adding,that he would visit him in the Execution thereof: which proved not contrary to the words of the apparition; for at the very instant, when his Treacherous Wife had stab’d him at the heart, on a suddain he beheld the same, with preparations for his interment, whilst he yet survived, after the fatall wound was given.The reason thereof.5. Sometimes the starry spirit of a person appears to his beloved Companion, many hundred of miles asunder, who was ignorant of the death of the party: And it hath often been heard, that when none of the kindred or family of the said party deceased, have ever been disturbed by it, or in the least been sensible of its appearing; yet to some of its most intimate acquaintance, it discovers it self, and importunes them to perform some ceremony, or other, that it may be returned into rest; or else discovers some treasure, which was hid by the party whilest alive, or else some murther which it had commited: But the most frequent cause of their returning, is when the party hath himself been privately murthered.The power of Magitians over them.6. For such is the poysonous malice, and bloudy spirit of the murtherers, that it sufficeth them not to have privately bereaved them of their Lives; but also by certain earnest Wishes, Curses, and Conjurations, they do afterwards adjure them, that for such a term of years, they shall never have power to appear again: Which wishes, being earnestly given forth, from the hellish root in the murtherer, do exceedingly torment the murthered parties spirit, taking deep impression thereon; so that it is alwayes in continual sorrow, and anguish, till the term of years be expired, and till the murther be made manifest to the world: after which discovery, it returns to perfect rest; This is well known to those that are exercised in Witchcraft, and cruell Murthers, though not common to those that murther but once./46.7. There be many Ancient families, inEurope, to whom the Ghost of their first Progenitor, or Ancestor appears immediately before the departure of some Heir, or chief in the same family: which assertion is confirmed byCardan,Example.in an Example of “an Antient family, in the Dukedome ofParma, called theTortells, to whom there belongs an ancient Castle, with a spatious Hall; near the Chimney of the said Hall an old decrepit Woman, for these hundreds of years, is wonted to appear, when any of the Family is about to dye: And it is reported amongst them that the same is the Ghost of one belonging to the same name, and family, who for her Riches, was murthered by some of her Nephews, and thrown into a pit.”The cause of the difficulty and paucity of appearances.8. Many such apparitions do for many years continue to be seen in one particular place; ever watching for opportunity, to discover some murther, or Treasure hid: And the cause of the difficulty of the said discovery, consists in the nature of their substance; for could they make use of the organ of the Tongue, they might quickly discover it: or if they had the outward benefit of Hands, they might produce the said Treasure, or Carcase murthered, but this they are seldome able to accomplish; being destitute of the outward Organs,and mediation of Hands to hold withall, or Tongue to vent their grievances: And that this is true, the manner of their appearance doth confirm it: For all that they are able to effect, if they have been murthered, is commonly to appear near the very place, where their body lies, and to seem as if they sunk down, or vanished in the same; or else to appear in the posture of a murthered person, with mangled, and bloudy wounds, and hair disshevel’d: But it is rarely known, that any such apparitions have plainly spoken, or uttered by words, the time of their murther, with the cause, the persons name, or place; unless the murther, by circumstances hath been more then ordinary, horrid, and execrable: then the remembrance of the same doth sometimes enable the apparition to frame a voice, by the assistance of the Air, and discover the fact.More particularly of the same.9. But to speake in general concerning apparitions, why they are so seldome seen; and why such spirits as appear, can not without mans assistance accomplish their design; It may easily be apprehended, that all Spirits, or spiritual Substances, and Devills, have their life, breath, and motion in another source, or Element then this external world; And as any creature, whom the Element of Water hath nourished, and bred, can live but short while upon the Land; So its with them, when they come out of their proper habitations: which is the cause of the rarity of apparition; it being as difficult for any spirit to manifest it self in this outward principle, of the four Elements, as for a man to continue with his head under water: yea it is rather pain, then pleasure for any spirit, whether good, or bad, to come into this outward world.The nefarious practices ofNecromancersin an example.10. Great is the villany of Necromancers, and wicked Magicians, in dealing with the spirits of men departed; whom they invocate, with certain forms, and conjurations, digging up their Carkasses again, or by the help of Sacrifices, and Oblations to the infernal Gods; compelling the Ghost to present it self before them: how this was performed in antient times, by Hags, and Witches, is notably described in theÆthiopianHistory ofHeliodorus, in the practice “of an antient woman, who coming into the Camp, in the dead of night; where amongst many slaughtered bodies, the body of her Son was also slain; whose carkase she laid before her, digging a hole, and making a fire on each side, with the body in the midst; Then taking an earthen pot from a three footed stool, she poured honey out of it, into the pit; then out of another pot, she poured milk; and likewise out of the third: Lastly, she cast a Lump of hardned dough, in the form of a man into the pit: the Image was Crowned with Lawrell: then she threw in some of the Shrub calledBdellium: This done, with a sword she ran frantickly up and down,cutting herself; and with a Lawrell branch sprinkled of her blood into the fire: at length whispering at her Sons ear, she caused him to arise, and questioning him of the fortune of his Brother, what was become of him, he answered dubiously speaking prospe/rity47.to two persons that secretly beheld her, and telling her, That suddain death for her impiety attended her, which came to passe ere she left the place; after all these predictions, the Carcase ceased to answer any more: and tumbled groveling on the ground again.”Example.11. And although by most men, as also by the Author in his foregoing Discovery, it is constantly believed, that the Witch ofEndorraised notSamuel, nor the Ghost ofSamuel, as not beleeving that there is anAstral Spiritor Ghost belonging unto every Man; yet it is very probable, that by her conjurations she caused hisSydereal Spiritto appear: which is possible to be effected: and hath been often done: asWeaverin hisFuneral Monumentsrecords ofEdward Kelly, “who in the Park ofWalton Ledalein the CountyLancaster, with onePaul Waring, Invocated a Devil, and afterwards digg’d up the Corps of a poor man, that had been buried that very day, in a place near the same, calledLaw Church-yard: whom he compelled by Incantations, and Conjurations to speak, and utter prophetical words, concerning the master of one of his Assistants.”The state of the Starry Spirit.12. According to the state and condition wherein a person dyes, so is it with theirAstral Spirit: for if they died in perfect peace, and had come through the valley of true Repentance; being dead to this Life before it left them; then theirstarry Spiritdoth enter into rest, in its proper source, or quality at the instant of their Decease: nor is it possible for all the Conjurations in Hell, to cause them to return, or appear again.Why the Ghost ofSamuelappeared.13. But some might object, ThatSamuel was an Holy Prophet, and attaind unto a perfect Life; which is thus to be answered, that before Christ came into the world, none of the most Holy Prophets of God, did ever attain to that degree of blessednesse, that the Christians after Christ possessed: for in the time of the Law, a covering, or vail was spread over the faces of all people: and something there was that letted, or hindred their souls from any plain and perfect vision, and fruition of God; otherwise then through types, and shaddows, which partition wall, the end of Christs Incarnation was to break down.The opinions ofPlato.14. In the writings ofPlato, there be many strange Relations of the apparitions of Souls, of their torments, and purgations, of the cause of their returning, what their nature is, what their substance and property is, and what their food, and nourishment is: but hemistakes theSoulfor theAstral Spirit: for the Soul in its returning and apparition is farr different; if a Holy Soul appear, it is to persons like it self, and that in sleep, warning them of dangers, and discovering heavenly secrets unto them: And if a Damned Soul appear, it is likewise to such as are of a nature like it self: whom it instigates, asleep, teaching them notorious Villanies in Dreams; and provoking them to every wicked cogitation.OfPythagoras.15. The sect ofPythagorashave strange and antick opinions, concerning Souls, and Ghosts, or starry Spirits: whom they alledge to be frequently converted intoGods, orDæmons, orDemi-Gods, andHeroes: (as thePlatonicksdo,) And that there is a continual traduction, and transmigration of Souls, from one to another, till they attain to be deify’d at last; and then that they do frequently appear, to those that be like themselves; instructing, and forewarning them: It was also the belief of many wise, and antient Philosophers, that theOracleswere from suchDæmons, as had been the Ghosts, or Souls of wise and excellent men: asApollo’s Oracle, and theOracleofPallas, orMinerva: which opinions have much of reason and probability.Of other Philosophers.16. It is also the opinion of some, that the particular Spirits of famous men do after the death of the body, take up some particular habitations, near such places Cities, Towns, or Countries, as they most do affect, as Tutelaries, and Guardians unto them; Which is reported byVopiscus, ofApollonius Thyaneus; That when his CityThyanawas taken byAurelianusthe Emperour: and when he was in his Tent, pondering furiously how to destroy the same; the Ghost ofApolloniusappeared unto him saying, Aurelianus,if thou desirest to be a Conquerour, suppose not to slay these my Citizens: Aurelianus,if thou wilt be a Ruler, shed no innocent blood: Aurelianus,be meek, and gentle, if thou wouldst be a Conquerour./48.17. I have heard many wonderful Relations from Lunaticks or such as are almost natural fools, who have asserted,The Raptures of Lunaticks.That being for many daies together conversant amongst Faeries in Woods, Mountains, and Caverns of the Earth, they have feasted with them, and been magnificently Entertaind with variety of dainties, where they have seen several of their Neighbours or Familiar acquaintance in the habit they were wont to weare, notwithstanding they were known to have been dead some years before.Their Entertainments.18. And many Learned Authors have also insisted upon this particular, alledging,That when such as the Faeryes have brought into their Society do feast and junket with them, though they have a real and perfect knowledge of their neighbours and acquaintance amongst the rest, yet their Language they are not able to understand, neitherdo these Acquaintance of theirs acknowledge or take notice of them at all, but do either sit (both they and all the rest) in a profound and tedious silence, or else discourse in a most stupendious kinde of Gibberish, not intelligible to strangers.A strange example.19. But more particularly to illustrate this conjecture, I could name the person who hath lately appeared thrice since his Decease, at least some Ghostly being or other, that calls it self by the name of such a person who was dead above an hundred years agoe, and in his life time accounted as a Prophet or Prædicter by the assistance of Sublunary Spirits. And now at his appearance did also give out strange Prædictions concerning Famine, and Plenty, Warrs, and Bloodshed, and the end of this world.20. By the affirmation of the person that had Communication with him, the last of his Appearances was on this following manner;I had been, said he,to sell a Horse at the next Market Town, but not attaining my price, as I returned home by the way I met this man aforesaid who began to be familiar with me, asking what news, and how affairs moved throughout the Country; I answered as I thought fit; withall I told him of my Horse whom he began to cheapen, and proceeded with me so far, that the price was agreed upon; so he turned back with me and told me,that if I would go along with him, I should receive my Money; on our way we went, I upon my Horse and he on another milk white beast; after much discourse I askt him where he dwelt, and what his name was; he told me,That his dwelling was about a mile off, at a place called Farran; of which place I had never heard though I knew all the Country round about; he also told me,That he himself was that person of the Family ofLearmontsso much spoken off for a Prophet; At which I began to be somewhat fearful, perceiving us in a road which I had never been in before, which increased my fear and admiration more. Well on we went till he brought me under ground I know not how into the presence of a beautiful woman that payd me the moneys without a word speaking; he conducted me out again through a large and long entry, where I saw above 600 men in Armour layd prostrate on the ground as if asleep: at last I found my self in the open field by the help of Moon-light in that very place where first I met him, and made shift to get home by three in the morning, but the money I received was just double of what I esteemed it, and what the woman payd me, of which at this instant I have several pieces to show consisting of nine pences, thirteen pence halfpennies,&c.Apparitions before Christianity, were frequent.21. The variety of Examples throughout the writings of Learned men may serve as stronge inducements to confirm this particular ofAstral Spirits, orGhoststhat belong unto Mortal men, returningafter death untill the cause of their returning be taken away. In Ancient times before the name of Christianity, there was nothing more frequent than millions of Apparitions in fields where battails had been fought, seeming to fight as they had done at first, which the Ancient Heathens believed to proceed from the want of Burying. And from this arose the Poetical Romance of thewandring of Ghosts besides the River Styx for an hundred years. And the custome of Solemn Interment amongst them.Why Funeral Piles were instituted.22. But with more probability, The Custome of the Funeral Piles used by theRomans, and the Urns to reduce their Corpses into Ashes, was instituted at first to prevent the torment of the Deceased, least his Ghost should wander, or return, which doubtlesse from a natural cause may have the same effect, that the/49.reducing of the carcase into Ashes suddainly after its decease may prevent the return of the Astral Spirit; for if it be true what is affirmed byParacelsus, thatthe starry Spirit can continue no longer then the radical moisture in the body; it will naturally follow that its appearance is at an end when the body is burnt, seeing that the moisture is totally exterminate and consumed thereby. And in some sense the Ceremony may be said to be Laudable and Judicious, having so beneficial a consequence.What the want of Burial causeth.23. As there is some semblance of a natural cause in the custome of the Antient urns, so likewise may the Interment of slaughtered bodies by the like cause prevent the like Appearances; for many are the examples that I have read of such as appeared to their surviving kindred and acquaintance, after they had been slaughtered in the Warrs, beseeching them to perform unto their bodies the Sacred Funeral Rites that their Ghosts might return into Rest, for which many have consulted with the Oracles to be informed whether the deceased deserved Burial, because they held it unlawful to bury Murtherers, Incestuous and Sacriligious, persons, which Nature her self doth also seem to hold if this following Relation be not false: which was, “That some Learned men returning fromPersiawhere they had been to see the KingCosroes, by the way interr’d a dead Carcase which they found unburied: And in the following night the Ghost of an Ancient Matron, as if it had been the Spirit of the World or Madam Nature her self, appeard unto them, saying,Why Interr ye that nefarious Carcase? let the Doggs devoure it; The Earth who is the Mother of us all admitts not of that man that depraves his Mother: So returning they found the Carcase yet unburied.24. To confirm the verity ofAstral Spiritsproper, and their returning,The conclusion of this Chapter with an example.I shall conclude this Chapter with the Example of thefamousAristeusthe Poet who “in the IsleMarmoradyed suddainly, at which instant a certain Philosopher ofAthensarriving there, affirmed,That he had lately been in Company and discourst with him. In the mean time going to Bury him they found him yet alive, but never after that had he any constant residence amongst Mortals. Seven years after that he was seen atProconnesushis native Town, and remaind a while composing several Poems and Verses calledArimaspei, and then vanished. InMetapontishe was seen 300 years after that, charging thatApollo’s Altar should be erected by the name ofAristeus Proconnesius. The like stories are reported ofApollonius, andPythagoras, whom their followers would have to beUbiquitaryes, affirming,That at one instant of time they were seen in several places thousands of miles in distance. And though in *Iamblichus[* sic]who hath wrote the Life ofPythagoras, inPhilostratusthat wrote the Life ofApollonius Tyanus, there be many fabulous things reported as to theAstral Spiritsseparation, and return unto the body; Yet I have sufficiently here endeavoured to separate the true from the more Poetical part in this particular Subject of thestarry Spiritsbelonging to every individual man and woman, and their returning after the body falls away.Chap. IV.Of Astral Spirits or separate Dæmons in all their distinctions, names, and natures, and places of Habitation, and what may be wrought by their Assistance.1.HAving in the foregoing Chapter sufficiently illustrated the nature of theAstral Spiritsproper, that belong to every individual; The subject of this present Chapter shall be ofAstral Spirits common.Astral Spirits separate; which are not constitute to any peculiar work or service, but do only, according to their nature and temper, haunt such places in the sublunary world as are most correspendent*[*sic]to their natures, and existence./2. According50.The Spirits of the Planets.to the Judgment of Magicians, the Seven Planets have seven starry Spirits peculiar to themselves, whose natures are answerable to that peculiar Planet under which they are constitute. And they are said to be substitute under the seven Cælestial Angels that govern the influences of the superiour Spheres, being equal intheir name and continuance with that planet whose Spirit they are, that is, till the Consummation of all things visible.The Power of the Planets.3. And in that houre, month, day or year, wherein their Planet hath the most dominion, then is their efficacy most prevalent, and their operation the most powerful upon inferiour bodies, whether to the destruction or prosperity of that animal vegitative or mineral subject to their Influences, according to the dignification of the Planet at that instant Dominion; for if ill affected, their nature is to blast with Mildew, Lightning, and Thunder any Vegetative proper to their Planet; To deprive any Animal of sight or the motion of the nerves under their Dominion; And lastly, bring Plagues, Pestilence, and Famine, Storms, and Tempests, or on the Contrary to bring sweet and excellent Influences upon Animals, or Vegetatives under their Planetary Regiment, if well and honourably dignified.Spirits of the Air.4. Innumerable are the Spirits that inhabit the Aiery Region, germinating amongst themselvs as Magicians affirm, and begetting one another after a Mystical manner. It is their property to be instant in storms and boistrous weather, which is said to be joy and delight unto them; And in such a season they may with most facility be calld upon, and make their appearance, which they do accordingly to their age, and youthfulness, seeming young or old at their appearance answerable to their years. Besides they march in mighty Troops through the Aiery Region, waging warr amongst themselves, and destroying one anothers beings or Existences, after which they are reduced to the primary source or nature of the Starrs. This is likewise to be observed that according to the Language, Vigour, Life, and Habit of that Region wherein they live, such is their Habit, Language, and Ability, oneCatervaor Company being ignorant of their Neighbours, or Enemies Language, so that they have need of the Assistance of such Spirits as dwellin omnibus Elementis, to be their Interpreters.Their Actions.5. And doubtless from hence arise the various deceptions that*[* thuttext]men are incident unto in their judgments of Apparitions, perswading themselves that they are portents and foretokens of Warr and Famine, when such numerous Spirits are beheld Fighting or Marching either in the Air, Earth, or Water: whereas it is nothing else but the bare effect of the Natures and Tempers of such Aerial beings to fight and randevouse immediately after sun-set, or else later in the Summer evenings, which is their principal time of such Conventions. And though it must be confest that such Spirits may be, and are the Devils Instruments as appertaining to the Kingdom whereof he is Ruler; Yet considered in themselves, their Nature is wholly harmless, as to ought that may be calledinnate Evill, having nothing in themthat is eternal as the Soul of Man: and consequently nothing in them that is able to make them capable of enjoying Heaven, or induring the torments of Hell.Spirits appropriate to the Spheres.6. And it is believed by some, that according to the motion of the spheres, there are certain companies of Aerial Spirits good and bad that follow them in their motions round the earth, the good distilling influences that are good, and the bad, such influences as are destructive to every thing that is under their Dominion. It is also believed that by the assistance of Devils, and damned Spirits, such Aerial Spirits are given for Familiars to some Magicians add*[*read, and]Witches with whom they are said to have actual copulation, and the enjoyment of every dainty meat through their assistance, being able thereby to go invisible, to fly through the air, and steal Treasures and Jewels from the Coffers of Princes, as also carouse in Wine-sellers, and Pantries of those that are most amply provided with the choisest Daynties.Terrestial Spirits.7. Subordinate unto these of the Air are the Terrestrial Spirits, which are of several degrees according to the places which they occupy, as Woods, Moun/tains,51.Caves, Fens, Mines, Ruins, Desolate places, and Antient Buildings, calld by the Antient Heathens after various names, asNymphs,Satyrs,Lamii,*[* read,Lamiæ]Dryades,Sylvanes,Cobali,&c.And more particularly theFaeries, who do principally inhabit the Mountains, and Caverns of the Earth, whose nature is to make strange Apparitions on the Earth in Meddows, or on Mountains being like Men, and Women, Souldiers, Kings, and Ladyes Children, and Horse-men cloathed in green, to which purpose they do in the night steal hempen stalks from the fields where they grow, to Convert them into Horses as the Story goes. Besides, it is credibly affirmed and beleev’d by many, That such as are real Changlings, or Lunaticks, have been brought by such Spirits and Hobgoblins, the true Child being taken away by them in the place whereof such are left, being commonly half out of their wits, and given to many Antick practices, and extravagant fancies, which passions do indeed proceed from the powerful influence of the Planet in their nativity, and not from such foolish conjectures.Faeries.8. Such jocund and facetious Spirits are sayd to sport themselvs in the night by tumbling and fooling with Servants and Shepherds in Country houses, pinching them black and blew, and leaving Bread, Butter, and Cheese sometimes with them, which if they refuse to eat, some mischief shall undoubtedly befall them by the means of these Faeries. And many such have been taken away by the sayd Spirits, for a fortnight, or a month together, being carryed with them in Chariots through the Air, over Hills, and Dales, Rocks and Precipices, till at last they have been found lying in some Meddow or Mountainbereaved of their sences, and commonly of one of their Members to boot.Lares, and Domestick Spirits.9. Certainly theLaresandPenates, or houshold Gods of the antient Heathens were no other than such like Spirits who for several years would keep their residence in one house till upon some displeasure offered, or offences done by any of the sayd Family, they departed and were never afterwards heard of. There are plenty of such examples to be found inOlaus Magnus, andHector Boethus*[*read, Boethius]in his History ofScotland, relating wonderful passages ofRobin-goodfellows, and such as have been familiar amongst mankind.Luridana famaliar Spirit.10.Luridana familiar of this kinde did for many years inhabit the IslandPomonia, the largest of theOrcadesinScotland, suplying the place of Man-servant and Maid-servant with wonderful diligence to these Families whom he did haunt, sweeping their rooms, and washing their dishes and making their fires before any were up in the morning. ThisLuridanaffirmed, That he was thegenius Astral, of that Island that his place or residence in the dayes ofSolomonandDavidwas atJerusalem; That then he was called by theJewesBelelah, and after that he remaind Long in the Dominion ofWales, instructing their Bards inBrittishPoesy and Prophesies being calledUrthin, Wadd, Elgin: And now said he, I have removed hither, and alas my continuance is but short, for in 70 years I must resigne my place toBalkinLord of theNorthernmountains.Balkina Familiar.11. Many wonderful and incredible things did he also relate of thisBalkin, whom he called the Lord of theNorthernMountains, affirming that he was shaped like a Satyr and fed upon the Air, having Wife and Children to the number of 12 thousand which were the brood of theNorthernFaeries inhabitingSoutherlandandCateneswith the adjacent Islands; And that these were the Companies of Spirits that hold continual wars with the Fiery Spirits in the MountainHecklathat vomits fire inIslandia. That their speech was antient Irish, and their dwelling the Caverns of the Rocks, and Mountains, which relation is recorded in the Antiquities ofPomonia.A strange example.12. I have read another wonderful relation in a bookde Annulis Antiquorum, Concerning a young man from whom the power ofVenuswas taken away so that he could not Company with his new marryed Wife. The Story is briefly thus; “Being busy at play or exercise with some of his Companions on his marriage day, he put his wedding Ring on the finger of the Statue ofVenusthat stood besides the place least it should be lost; when he had done, returning to take his Ring, the finger was bended inward, so that he could by no means pluck off/52.the Ring to his great amazement, at which instant he forsooke the place, and in the night the Image ofVenusappeared unto him, saying, Thou hast espoused me, and shalt not meddle with any other: in the morning returning, the Ring was gone, and the finger made straight again, which troubled him mightily, so that he consulted with a Magician, who wrote a Letter to some Principal Spirit in that Dominion to whichVenusbelong’d, bidding the party stand watching at such a place at such an houre till he saw many troops of Spirits pass by him, and describing one in a Chariot, of stern and terrible Countenance, to whom he bad him deliver the Letter; All which he performed, and after the person in the Chariot had read the contents thereof, he broke out into this expression, great God, how long shall we be subject to the insolencies of this accursed Rascal, naming the Magitian: But withal calling to a most beauteous Woman from amongst the Company, he charged her to deliver back the Ring which at length she did with much aversness, and after that he injoyd his Marriage rites without impediment.”Spirits of Woods, and Mountains.13. Besides the innumerable Troops of Terrestrial Spirits calledFaeryesthere are alsoNymphsof the Woods, Mountains, Groves, and Fountains, asEagle,*[* read,Aegle]Arethusa,Io,Menippa,Irene, &c. who are sayd to be altogether of the fæminine kinde, sporting and dancing, and feasting amongst the trees in Woods, and bathing in clean and limpid Fountains; such have been seen by many, and are often alluded to, by theRomanandGreekPoets. There is also a relation of aGermanPrince, “who being exceeding thirsty and weary with hunting and hawking, lost his Company in the Woods, on a suddain beheld an opening at a little hillock amongst the trees, and a most beautiful Maiden offering a Golden Horn full of Liquor, which he received and drunk, and after rid quite away with the sayd Horn, not regarding the Virgins tears, who lamented after him; tis sayd that having spilt some of the sayd Liquor, it fetcht the hair from off his Horses skin, and the horn is yet to be seen inGermany, which I have been told by one that hath seen and handled it, affirming,That the Gold for purity cannot be parallel’d.”Incubi, andSuccubi.14. Another sort are theIncubi, andSuccubi, of whom it is reported, that the Hunns have the original, being begotten betwixt theseIncubi, and certain Magical women whomPhilimerthe King of theGothsbanished into the deserts, whence arose that savage and untamed Nation, whose speech seemed rather the mute attempts of brute Beasts, than any articulate sound and well distinguished words. To theseIncubiare attributed the diseases of the blood called theNighthag, which certainly have a natural cause, although at the instant of time when the party is oppressed, it is probable that certain malevolent Spirits may mix themselvs therein and terrifie the soul and minde of the afflicted party.A froward kinde of Spirit.15. And amongst such Spirits as are resident amongst mortals, there is a very froward kinde, who take delight to pull down what man hath builded, who have been seen at the building of strong and mighty Castles to come in the night and tumble all to the ground that the workmen had reared the day before; of this sort wereHoron,Stilkon,Glaura, andKibbolla, four pestiferous, and turbulent Animals that for many years infested the first founders of the EmperoursSeraglio: Till one of the holy Musselmans did by certain Charms, and Exorcisms constrain and bind them, to tell their names, and the cause of their disturbing, which they declared, and were by him confined to destroy the mines of Copper inHungaria.Example.16. There is also a Relation extant in the life ofPaulthe Hermit of a Satyr appearing to him in the Woods, and discoursing with him that it was a mortal Creature as he, and served the same God, dehorting the people to worship them for demi-Gods, as they had been accustomed to; Like unto this is the Story of the Death of the great GodPan; That a Mariner sailing by the Island ofCicilia, was called by his name from the shore,Example.and by a certain voice was bid to tell the Inhabitants of the next Island, that the great GodPanwas dead, which he o/beyed,53.and though in the next Island there were no Inhabitants, yet when he approached he proclaimed, towards the shoar thatPanwas deceased, immediately after which Proclamation he could sensibly hear most doleful and lachrymable Cryes, and noyses, as of those that lamented his departure.Janthea Spirit of the water.17.Ianthe, is sayd by Magitians, to be a water Spirit, who is ever present when any are drownd in the water, being delighted much in the destruction of mankinde, that it may enjoy the Company of their Astral Spirits after their decease; for according to the four Complexions or Constitutions of the body of Man, The Astral Spirit associates it self with separated substances; The Phlegmatick, to the watry Spirits: The Sanguine, to those of the Aire; The Cholerick, to the Fire; and the Melancholy, to the Terrestrial Spirits. But this is only to be supposed of such persons as dyed in discontent, and restlesness.Watry Spirits that procreate.18. Of another sort are suchAquatick Animalsas in former times have conversed, and procreated with mankinde bearing divers Children; And at length snatching all away into the watry Element again, whereof there are variety of Examples inCardanusandBodin. Of this sort was the Familiar ofPaulusa Mendicant Frier, called by himFlorimella, and entertaind as his Bed-fellow for forty years, though unknown and unseen to any but himself, till upon some unhandsome carriage of the Fryer, his Companion accompanying him over theDanube, leapt into the River and was never after seen.Apparitions on the water.19. Innumerable are the reports and accidents incident unto such as frequent the seas, as fisher-men and sailers who discourse of noises, flashes, shadows, ecchoes, and other visible appearances nightly seen, and heard, upon the surface of the water. And as the disposition of the Heavens is according to the constellations, and climates, so are these spectres appropriate to particular parts, and coasts, from the North to the Southern Pole. But more especially, abounding in the North, aboutNorweigh Isleland,Green Land, andNova Zembla.Prophetical rivers, and vocal fountains.20. Neither are the Storyes of the Greek, and Latine Poets all together to be sleighted in this particular; for many verities are interwoven with their fictions, they speak of vocal Forrests, asDodona, ofTalkativeRivers, asScamander, of sensitive Fountains asArethusa,Menippa, andÆagle; Which more credible Historians have partly confirmed in the Relation ofDodona, asserting that the trees do seem to speak by reason of the various Apparitions, and Phantasms, that attend the Forrest. And also in the Story of the RiverScamander, which is sayd at this day to afford plenty of spectres, and prophetical Spirits, that have nightly conversation with theTurkishSailers coming by that way with Gallyes into theMediterranean.21. The like is reported of a Castle inNorweighstanding over a Lake wherein a Satyr appeareth sounding a Trumpet before the death of any Souldier, or Governour belonging to the same, tis sayd to be theExample.Ghost of some murdered Captain that hath become so Fatal, and Ominous to his Successors. But with more probability may be called a Spectre proper to the place according to the Constellation.22. And it hath been the conjecture of eminent speculators that from the Loins of such arise the numerous broodSpirits inGreen-LandofElves,Faeryes,Lycanthropi; AndPigmyes, sometimes visible, sometimes invisible inGreen-Landand the adjacent rocks where they have no concomitants, but bears and scurvy-grass to mix, and make merry withal, except they pass from thence to theNorthernparts ofAmerica, where they shall find their off-spring adored for Gods, and Goddesses, by the ignorant Inhabitants about newAlbion, and as farSouthasMexico, as is amply related in the discourses ofDrake,CortesandPurchasconcerning the conquest and discovery of these Territoryes.Destroying Spirits.23. By Apparitions upon the water many have been tempted to leap into the Sea in pursuit thereof till they were drowned, of which spectres there is a sort called byPsellus,Ordales, who do appear like Ducks or other Water fouls, till they by fluttering upon the water, do entice their followers to pursue them so farr that many perish in the attempt, which doth greatly delight these faithless/54.Spirits who (as we have said before) do long to accompany their Astral Spirits after their decease. An Example of this kinde I my self knew, besides thenumerous relations I have had from the mouths of others, which confirm the opinions of the antient Magicians concerning these water Spirits, that of all the rest they are the most deceitful, and dangerous, like the flattering Seas, and swift gliding Torrents, that when they have wonn any thing, to admire, and sound them, do carry them violently into the abysse of their own Element.24. But we will leave the waters and insist a little on the nature ofIgneousorFiery SpiritsFiery Spirits.that inhabit the Mountains inHecla,Ætna,Propo Champ, andPoconzi; Where the Courts, and Castles of these puissant Champions are kept. The opinion of some is,What these Spirits are.That they are not Astral, but Infernal Spirits, and Damned Souls, that for a term of years are confined to these burning Mountains for their Iniquities: Which opinion although it be granted, yet we may assert, That for the most part the apparitions, sounds, noices, clangors, and clamors, that are heard about the MountainHeclainIslandand other places, are the effects of separated Starry beings, who are neither capable of good nor evill, but are of a middle vegetative nature, and at the dissolution of theMedia Naturashall be again reduced into their primary Æther.Why they delight in the fiery element.25. And from natural Causes, it may be easily demonstrated, That there is great Correspondence betwixt such substances, and the Element of fire, by reason of the Internal Flagrat and Central Life proceeding from the Quintessence or*[* ? of]one only Element which upholds them, in Motion, Life, and Nourishment. As every natural, and supernatural being is upheld, and maintain’d out of the self-same root from whence it had its original, or rise; So the Angels feed upon theCelestial Manna, The Devils of the fruits of Hell, which is natural to their appetite, as trash for swine; the Astral beings; of the source of the stars, the Beasts, Birds, or Reptiles of the fruits of the Eatth,†[†sic]and the gas of the Air, the fishes of the blass of the Water; But more particularly, every thing is nourished by its Mother, as Infants at the Breast, either by exhausting or fomentation.Spirits that burn Cities.26. Such Spirits are very officious in the burnings of Towns, or Cole-pits, delighting much to dance and exult amidst the flames, and become Incendiaries worse then the material Cause of the Combustion, often tempting men in drukeness,‡[‡sic]to burn their own Houses, and causing Servants carelesly to sleep, that such unlucky accidents may happen. As the Story ofKzarwilwuia Town inPolanddoth confirm, which was reduced to ashes by three of these pestilentious Animals, calledSaggos,Broundal, andBaldwin, who after many open Threatnings for six months together, that they would destroy the City, and Citizens, did on a dark and stormy night, set all on fire on asuddain in twenty or thirty several places, which irrecoverably destroyed the Inhabitants.

[Appendix II.]

[This second Book of “A Discourse concerning Devils and Spirits”, like the Chapters in Appendix I, were added to the third edition, 1665, by some one unknown.]

BOOK II.39.

Of Spirits in General; What they are and how to be considered: Also how farr the Power of Magitians and Witches is able to operate in Diabolical Magick.

1.BEcauseThe reason of this Addition.the Author in his foregoing Treatise, upon theNature of Spirits and Devils, hath only touched the subject thereof superficially, omitting the more material part; and with a brief and cursory Tractat, hath concluded to speak the least of this subject which indeed requires most amply to be illustrated; therefore I thought fit to adjoyn this subsequent discourse; as succedaneous to the fore-going, and conducing to the compleating of the whole work.

The nature of Spirits.2. The Nature of Spirits is variously to be considered, according to the source to which eachCatervadoth belong: for as some are altogether of a divine and celestial nature; not subject to the abominable Inchantments and Conjurations of vitious mankind; so others are the grand Instigators, stirring up mans heart to attempt the enquiry after the darkest, and most mysterious part of Magick, or Witchcraft: neither is this their suggestion without its secret end: that is, that by the private insinuation, and as it were incorporating themselves into the affection, or desire of the Witch, or Magician; they may totally convert him into their own nature: reducing him at last by constant practice, to such obdurateness and hardness of heart, that he becometh one with them, and delighted with their association, being altogether dead to any motions in himself that may be called good.

3. And if we may credit example, which is the surest proof; theveryThe original of evil essences.imaginations, and affection of a Magician, doth create an evil Essence or Devil; which was not before in being: for, as the Astral Spirits are believed by many to Germinate and procreate one another, so likewise are the infernal Spirits capable of multiplication in their power and essence, according to their Orders, Ranks and Thrones; by means of the strong imagination in a Witch, or malevolous person, earnestly desiring their assistance.

Their Germination.4. Not that the Spirits or Devils so begotten do any whit add or contribute to the number in general; for as they are capable of increasing into distinct and separated substances, so are they likewise again contracted, and as it were annihilated; when the force of that Imagination is gone, which was the cause of their production: The nature of a spirit, whither heavenly or hellish, being to dilate, or contract themselves into as narrow compass, as they please; so that in a moment they can be as big in circumference as an hundred worlds, and on a sodain reduce themselves to the compass of an atome.

Their Habitation.5. Neither are they somuch limited as Tradition would have them; for they are not at all shut up in any separated place: but can remove millions of miles in the twinkling of an eye, yet are they still where they were at first: for, out of their own element, or quality, they can never come: go whither they will, they are in darkness: and the cause is within them, not without them: as one whose mind is troubled here inEngland, can remove/40.his Carcase from the place where it was before; but should he go to the utmost bounds of the Earth, he cannot leave his perplexed and tormented minde behind him.

Their shapes.6. As for the shapes and various likenesses of Devils, It is generally believed, that according to their various capacities in wickedness, so their shapes are answerable after a Magical manner: resembling spiritually some horrid and ugly monsters, as their conspiracies against the power of God, were high and monstrous, when they fell from Heaven: for the condition of some of them is nothing but continual horrour and despair; others triumph in firie might and pomp, attempting to pluck God from out of his Throne; but the quality of Heaven is shut from them, that they can never find it, which doth greatly add to their torment and misery.

Their place of pleasure or torment.7. But that they are materially vexed and scorched in flames of fire, is inferiour to any to give credit to, who is throughly verst in their nature and existence: for their substance is spiritual; yea their power is greater, then to be detain’d or tormented with any thing without them: doubtless their misery is sufficiently great, but not through outward flames; for their Bodies are able to pierce through Wood and Iron, Stone, and all Terrestrial things: Neither is all thefire, or fewel of this World able to torment them; for in a moment they can pierce it through and through. But the infinite source of their misery is in themselves, and is continually before them, so that they can never enjoy any rest, being absent from the presence of God: which torment is greater to them, then all the tortures of this world combin’d together.

The cause of their torment.8. The wicked souls that are departed this life, are also capable of appearing again, and answering the Conjurations of Witches, and Magicians, for a time: according toNagartheIndian, and thePythagoreans. And it cannot be easily conceived, that their torment is much different from the rest of the Devils: for the Scripture saith:every one is rewarded according to their works. And,that which a man sows, that he shall reap. Now as the damned Spirits, when they lived on earth, did heap up vanity, and load their souls with iniquity, as a treasure to carry with them into that Kingdom, which sin doth naturally lead into: so when they are there, the same abominations which here they committed, do they ruminate and feed upon; and the greater they have been, the greater is the torment, that ariseth before them every moment.

How Magicians deal with them.9. And although these Infernal Spirits, are open Enemies to the very means which God hath appointed for mans salvation; yet such is the degenerate and corrupted mind of mankind, that there is in the same an itching after them for converse and familiarity, to procure their assistance, in any thing that their vain imagination suggesteth them with: to effect which, they inform themselves in every Tradition of Conjuration and Exorcism; as also in the names, natures and powers of Devils in general, and are ever restless, till their souls be totally devoted to that accursed and detestable nature, which is at enmity with God and goodness.

The Orders of heavenly Beings.10. Now to proceed in the description of these Infernal Spirits and separatedDæmons, orAstral Beings, as also of those in the Angelical Kingdom; they that pertain to the Kingdom of Heaven, are either Angels which are divided into their degrees and orders; or else the righteous souls departed, who are entred into rest: And it cannot be, but that the life of Angels and Souls departed, is the same in Heaven, as also the food that nourisheth them, and the fruits that spring before them: Nor is it possible for any, how expert so ever in Magical Arts, to compel either of them, of what degree soever they be, to present themselves, or appear before them: Although many have written large Discourses and Forms of Convocation, to compel the Angels unto communication with them by Magical Rites and Ceremonies.

That they are not subject to conjurations.11. It may indeed be believed, that seeing there are infinite numbersof Angels, they are also imployed for the glory of God, and protection of man/kind,41.(but not subject to Conjurations:) And that they accompany many righteous men Invisibly, and protect Cities and Countries from Plagues, War, and infestings of wicked Spirits, against which Principalities and Powers of Darkness, it is their place to contend and war, to the confusion of the Kingdom of Darkness.

What Spirits may be conjured.12. But such Spirits as belong to this outward World, and are of the Elemental quality, subject to a beginning and ending, and to degrees of continuance; These may be solicited by Conjurations, and can also inform Magicians in all the secrets of Nature; yet so darkly, (because they want the outward organ); that it is hardly possible for any that hath fellowship with them, to learn any manual operation perfectly and distinctly from them.

The nature of the Astral Spirits.13. Many have insisted upon the Natures of these Astral Spirits: some alledging,That they are part of the faln Angels, and consequently subject to the torments of Hell at the last Judgment: Others,That they are the departed souls of men and women, confined to these outward Elements until the Consummation: Lastly, others, AsDel rio,NagartheIndianMagician, and thePlatonistsaffirm,That their nature is middle between Heaven and Hell; and that they reign in a third Kingdom from both, having no other judgment or doom to expect for ever.

Their degrees.14. But to speak more nearly unto their natures, they are of the source of the Stars, and have their degrees of continuance, where of*[* whereof]some live hundreds, some thousands of years: Their food is theGasof the Water, and theBlasof the Air: And in their Aspects, or countenances, they differ as to vigour and cheerfulness: They occupy various places of this world; as Woods, Mountains, Waters, Air, fiery Flames, Clouds, Starrs, Mines, and hid Treasures: as also antient Buildings, and places of the slain. Some again are familiar in Houses, and do frequently converse with, and appear unto mortals.

Their actions and affections15. They are capable of hunger, grief, passion, and vexation: they have not any thing in them that should bring them unto God: being meerly composed of the most spiritual part of the Elemeuts†:[† nreversed]And when they are worn out, they return into their proper essence or primary quality again; as Ice when it is resolved into Water: They meet in mighty Troops, and wage warr one with another: They do also procreate one another; and have power sometimes to make great commotions in the Air, and in the Clowds, and also to cloath themselves with visible bodies, out of the four Elements, appearing in Companies upon Hills and Mountains, and do often deceive and delude the observers of Apparitions, who take such for portents of great alterations, which are nothing but the sports and pastime ofthese frolick Spirits: as Armies in the Air, Troops marching on the Land, noises and slaughter, Tempest and Lightning,&c.

The distinct orders of starry Spirits.16. These Astral Spirits are variously to be considered; some are beings separate and absolute, that are not constitute to any work or service: Others are subservient to the Angels that have dominion over the Influences of the Stars: Others are the Astral Spirits of men departed, which (if the party deceased was disturbed and troubled at his decease,) do for many years, continue in the source of this world; amongst these airy Spirits, to the great disquietness of the soul of the person, to whom they belong: Besides the causes are various that such Spirits rest not; 1. When by Witchcraft they are inchanted, and bound to wander so many years; as thrice or fourtimes seven, before they can be resolved into nothing. 2. When the person hath been murthered; so that the Spirit can never be at rest, till the crime be discovered. 3. When desires and lusts, after Wife, or Children, House, Lands, or Money, is very strong at their departure; it is a certain truth, that this same spirit belonging to the Starrs will be hanckering after these things, and drawn back by the strong desires and fixation of the Imagination, which is left behind it: Nor can it ever be at rest, till the thing be accomplished, for which it is disturbed. 4. When Treasure hath been hid, or any secret thing hath been commit/ted42.by the party; there is a magical cause of something attracting the starry spirit back again, to the manifestation of that thing. Upon all which, the following Chapters do insist more largely and particularly.

Of the Good and EvilDæmonsorGenii:Whither they are; what they are, and how they are manifested; also of their names, powers, faculties, offices; how they are to be considered.

1.ACcordingThe office ofDæmonsorGenii.to the disposition of the mind, or soul, there is a good or evilDæmonthat accompanies the party visibly, or invisibly; and these are of such rancks and orders, and names, as the capacity of the persons soul is, to whom they belong: Their Office is said to be, fore-warning the person of eminent danger, sometimes by inward instinct, sometimes by dreams in the night, and sometimes by appearing outwardly. TheDæmonorGeniuschangeth its nature and power, as the personchangeth his: and if from good, the party degenerate to iniquity; then by degrees the good Angel leaves him, and an evilDæmondoth naturally succeed: for each thing draws after that which is like it self.

2. MagiciansThree ways of enjoying their society.mention three several wayes of enjoying the society of theBonus Genius;The first way.first by intellectual association, when secret and mental instigations do arise in their hearts, to do this or that, and to forbear the other: as in the Manuscript ofNagartheIndian, his own testimony of himself is to this effect:My blessed GuardianDamilkar,hath now so sweetly communicated himself unto me; That by all the manifestations, whereby a holyDæmoncan attend and converse with mankind, he appeareth unto me: first in the intellectual way, he is ever present, and every moment prompts me, what to act, what to forbear from acting: Ah had he not rushed up through the powers of my soul, and suddenly warned me in my Travel toQuiansiinChina,through the airy Region, to turn nimbly to the right hand, at an instant, a mighty Troop of Devils, whose Leader wasGrachnoek,coming through that tract of air, had crusht me into a thousand peices: This is the first degree of its appearing.

The second way.3. Then he proceedeth in the language ofSina, describing the second way of its manifestation:And when the deepest sleep hath overpoured me, I am never without him; sometimes myDamilkarstands before me like a glorious Virgin, administring to me a Cup of the drink of the Gods, which my Intellectual man exhausteth: sometimes he brings cælestial Companies, and danceth round about me; and when after the weariness of the Senses, through contemplation I fell into gentle sleep on the holy Mountain of Convocation, which is calledAdan,he shewed me the motion of the Heavens, the nature of all things, and the power of every evilDæmon.

The third way of their appearance.4. Thirdly, he continueth to describe the External appearance of theGenius, to this effect:Damilkarappears before me at my desire; for my desires are as his desires: When I slept a long space in my private dwelling, he appeared outwardly, and watering me with the dew of the fourth Heaven, I awakned, when he had thrise saidNankin Nagar;so the time being come, we mounted through the Air, unto the holy Mountain of Convocation.

Their number.5. In this Example the three degrees of the Apparition of theBonus Genius, orGood Dæmonare excellently deciphered, which is also the same in the appearance of thebad Genius:and according to the deepest Magicians, there beseven good Angels, who do most frequently become particular Guardians, of all others, each to their respective capacities; and alsoseven evil Dæmons, that are most frequent in association with depraved persons, as Guardians to them./

43.The seven good Angels.6. These are the sevengood Angels, orDæmons.

Jubanladacea mighty Prince in the Dominion of Thrones, he cometh unto such as follow national affairs, and are carryed forth unto warr and conquest; he beareth alwayes a flaming Sword, and is girded about, having a helmet upon his head, and appearing still before the party in the Air: he must be sollicited and invocated with Chastity, Vows, Fumes, and Prayers: and this is his*[* his istext]Character to be worn as a Lamin.

Yah=li=Yahone of the Powers, accompanying such as are Virgins, and devoted to Religion, and a Hermits life: he teacheth all the names and powers of Angels, and gives holy Charms against the assaults ofEvil Dæmons: he must be addrest unto by Prayer, resignation, and fasting, with a celestial Song out of the Canto’s ofNagar: this is his Character.

Nal=gabappearing to those that are devoted to the knowledge of Magick; teaching them how to exercise Infernal Witchcraft without danger, and in despight to the Devils: he must be sought by hours, minutes, constellations, privacy and blood,&c.He hath a bow bent in his hand, and a Crown of Gold upon his head: this is his Character.

Maynomone of the Powers who hath the ability of subservient administration; that is, at one time to be present with many; he resembleth a Ew with Lamb, typifying his nature in that appearance.

Gaoniman Angel, causing his Pupil to go invisible, and transporting him at his pleasure in a moment, to the outmost parts of the earth.

Halanuthe Instructer in Manual operations, by whomBezaliah, andAholibahwere divinely inspired for the structre*[*sic]of the Tabernacle.

Rama=umiwho is the Instructer in Cabalistical Magick, and reveals the secrets of numbers, the names of Angels, and the virtue ofBoim.

7. These are the sevenbad AngelsorDæmons.

The nature of both.As the power and capacity of thegood, proceeds from the strength of God, in the quality of heaven; so is the force of theevil Genii, in the hellish quality correspondent: for it is to be noted, that theseevil Angelsdid before their fall, enjoy the same places and degrees that now thegoodorholy Angelsdo: so that as their power is to instruct men in Government, Abstinence, Philosophy, Magick, and Mechanick Arts, for a good intent, and for the glory of God: The power of theevilones is the very same to inform and instigate unto the same attainments, as farr as they may be instrumental for the Devil, or the Kingdom of Darkness therein.

The seven evilGenii, and the manner of their appearances.8. Their names are 1.Panalcarp, like a Crocodile with two heads. 2.Baratronappearing like a Conjurer in a Priestly habit. 3.Sondennahlike a Hunts-man. 4.Greizmodalaccompanying his Pupil like a Spaniel-Dog. 5.Ballisargonthe grand Inticer to theeving and robbery, till he hath brought his followers to destruction. 6.Morvorgranwho can put on various likenesses, especially appearing as a Serving-man. 7.Barmanwho most commonly possesseth the soul of those that are joyned unto him./

44.9. These are the names of the 7goodandevil Dæmons; according to the antient writing, on the Magical Art: who do also to many particular Cities and Countries, ascribe certain good and evil Angels; the one whereof protects and defends, the other inflicts Pestilence and Famin upon them: Like unto which is the story recorded bySigbertusAn example.inChronicis:That in the 11thyear of the reign ofConstans,a good Angel and a bad were seen by the whole City ofConstantinople,nightly to fly about the City; and as often as by the command of the good Angel, the other smote any house with a dart in his hand, such was the number that dyed in that house, according to the stroaks given.

The uncertainty of communicating with Angels.10. And indeed it is to be feared, that whosoever have ever pretended, or do at present alledge, that they enjoy familiarity with a familiar Spirit; I say its greatly to be suspected, that all such familiars belong to the Kingdom of Darkness; for such are too too officious, and ready to attend the depraved desires of mortal men;whereas if communication with Angels, or good and holy Guardians be at all attainable, yet such is the difficulty of the attainment, that the examples thereof, if true, are exceeding rare: But in general, the writings of Magicians and Naturallists do plentifully abound with examples of this nature; whether good or evil, is yet to be determined. I have been told of a certain Country-man, in these dayes, who was continually pestered with the company of a woman, discerned by none but by himself: If he was upon Horse-back, she would be behind him: if at dinner, she sate at his elbow; if lying on his bed, there she was also present; And if at any time he had taken a journey, or gone about some unprofitable business, at such a time she accompanyed him not; and seldom escaped he some mischief when she was absent: But at last, for all her dutiful pretences, as she accompanyed him, riding through a deep and swift running River, she tumbled him into the deepest part, and lay upon him till she had strangled or drowned him.

Familiars in the time of theJews.11. Amongst theJewsthis kind of Idolatry was frequent, to consult with and associate themselves unto familiar Spirits, whom they compelled to do them domestick service, dressing their Camels, lifting their burthens, and doing their messages: for the attaining their service they had many blasphemous Forms, and superstitious Ceremonies and Sacrifices; making the holy Names of God subservient to their accursed practices: one whose name wasBaal=Ben=ammin, was adjudged by the Law ofMosesto be burnt for the like practices; being condemned in the time of oneJudaha high Priest in the Captivity for killing an Infant, and with its blood performing Sacrifice toBaalzebub, with various ceremonies intermixed; by which means his God had bequeathed unto him a certain Lacky from the Infernal Troop to attend and serve him for his whole life time: this is to be found inZoar’s Coment uponBerosus, andBelus, who affirms,That at his tryal he endeavoured to prove, that the same was the good Angel or Genius given unto him by the mercy of God.

Several men have wrote and methodized the Art of Conjuration.12. Both theHebrew CabalistsandHeathen Magicians, as also those addicted to Magick in Christianity, have all of them laid down certain forms of attaining the company of a good, or evil Angel, by number and astrological Observations, fitted to the rules of Conjuration and Invocations: And many of the superstitiousRabbi’s have affirmed,That they were able by such practices, to cause the ghost ofAdam, Eve,or any of the holy Patriarchs to appear unto them: which was surely the delusion of Satan to harden their hearts. But in the Addition to the 15thBook of theDiscoverythis Subject is more practically handled; where many forms of obtaining the Society of theBonus, orMalus Genius, are plainly decyphered: so far as with safety and convenience they could be described./

Of the Astral Spirits of men departed: What they are: And why they appear again: And what Witchcraft may be wrought by them.

1.ASThe spirits of men return again.the Astral Spirits separate, which belong not to any deceased person, do for many years survive, or continue; so if the party deceased hath departed in discontent, and melancholy, it is often known that they return again, and causing terrour to families and houses, do wait for opportunity to disburthen themselves, that at length they may come into their desired rest.

2. The opinionAll men have starry Spirits.of many is,That the Devill in their likenesse is all that appears: But the more Learned have sufficiently demonstrated, through Example, and Experience;That the apparition is really proper to the person deceased. Nor can it easily be denyd, That to every man, and woman, while they live the natural Life, there belongs aSyderial, orstarry Spirit; which takes its original wholly from the Elemental property: And according to the weaker, or stronger capacity of the party, it hath the longer, or shorter continuance, after the bodyes decease.

What sort of persons most frequently re-appear.3. Such persons as are secretly murthered, and such as secretly murthur themselves, do most frequently appear again, and wander near the place where their Carcase is, till the radical moisture be totally consumed: according to the opinion ofParacelsus, after the consumption whereof, they can re-appear no longer, but are resolv’d into their first being, orAstrum, after a certain term of months, or years, according to the vigour, or force of that first attraction which was the only cause of their returning.

The manner and time of their appearance.4. The manner and seasons of their appearing are various: Sometimes before the person, unto whom they do belong, depart this life, they do by external presentations forewarn him, near the time, that the day of death approacheth. As it is reported ofCodrus Laænus, to whom an empty, meager Ghost appeared at midnight, signifying unto him,how sad and lachrymable a Tragedy was shortly to attend him; and also adding,that he would visit him in the Execution thereof: which proved not contrary to the words of the apparition; for at the very instant, when his Treacherous Wife had stab’d him at the heart, on a suddain he beheld the same, with preparations for his interment, whilst he yet survived, after the fatall wound was given.

The reason thereof.5. Sometimes the starry spirit of a person appears to his beloved Companion, many hundred of miles asunder, who was ignorant of the death of the party: And it hath often been heard, that when none of the kindred or family of the said party deceased, have ever been disturbed by it, or in the least been sensible of its appearing; yet to some of its most intimate acquaintance, it discovers it self, and importunes them to perform some ceremony, or other, that it may be returned into rest; or else discovers some treasure, which was hid by the party whilest alive, or else some murther which it had commited: But the most frequent cause of their returning, is when the party hath himself been privately murthered.

The power of Magitians over them.6. For such is the poysonous malice, and bloudy spirit of the murtherers, that it sufficeth them not to have privately bereaved them of their Lives; but also by certain earnest Wishes, Curses, and Conjurations, they do afterwards adjure them, that for such a term of years, they shall never have power to appear again: Which wishes, being earnestly given forth, from the hellish root in the murtherer, do exceedingly torment the murthered parties spirit, taking deep impression thereon; so that it is alwayes in continual sorrow, and anguish, till the term of years be expired, and till the murther be made manifest to the world: after which discovery, it returns to perfect rest; This is well known to those that are exercised in Witchcraft, and cruell Murthers, though not common to those that murther but once./

46.7. There be many Ancient families, inEurope, to whom the Ghost of their first Progenitor, or Ancestor appears immediately before the departure of some Heir, or chief in the same family: which assertion is confirmed byCardan,Example.in an Example of “an Antient family, in the Dukedome ofParma, called theTortells, to whom there belongs an ancient Castle, with a spatious Hall; near the Chimney of the said Hall an old decrepit Woman, for these hundreds of years, is wonted to appear, when any of the Family is about to dye: And it is reported amongst them that the same is the Ghost of one belonging to the same name, and family, who for her Riches, was murthered by some of her Nephews, and thrown into a pit.”

The cause of the difficulty and paucity of appearances.8. Many such apparitions do for many years continue to be seen in one particular place; ever watching for opportunity, to discover some murther, or Treasure hid: And the cause of the difficulty of the said discovery, consists in the nature of their substance; for could they make use of the organ of the Tongue, they might quickly discover it: or if they had the outward benefit of Hands, they might produce the said Treasure, or Carcase murthered, but this they are seldome able to accomplish; being destitute of the outward Organs,and mediation of Hands to hold withall, or Tongue to vent their grievances: And that this is true, the manner of their appearance doth confirm it: For all that they are able to effect, if they have been murthered, is commonly to appear near the very place, where their body lies, and to seem as if they sunk down, or vanished in the same; or else to appear in the posture of a murthered person, with mangled, and bloudy wounds, and hair disshevel’d: But it is rarely known, that any such apparitions have plainly spoken, or uttered by words, the time of their murther, with the cause, the persons name, or place; unless the murther, by circumstances hath been more then ordinary, horrid, and execrable: then the remembrance of the same doth sometimes enable the apparition to frame a voice, by the assistance of the Air, and discover the fact.

More particularly of the same.9. But to speake in general concerning apparitions, why they are so seldome seen; and why such spirits as appear, can not without mans assistance accomplish their design; It may easily be apprehended, that all Spirits, or spiritual Substances, and Devills, have their life, breath, and motion in another source, or Element then this external world; And as any creature, whom the Element of Water hath nourished, and bred, can live but short while upon the Land; So its with them, when they come out of their proper habitations: which is the cause of the rarity of apparition; it being as difficult for any spirit to manifest it self in this outward principle, of the four Elements, as for a man to continue with his head under water: yea it is rather pain, then pleasure for any spirit, whether good, or bad, to come into this outward world.

The nefarious practices ofNecromancersin an example.10. Great is the villany of Necromancers, and wicked Magicians, in dealing with the spirits of men departed; whom they invocate, with certain forms, and conjurations, digging up their Carkasses again, or by the help of Sacrifices, and Oblations to the infernal Gods; compelling the Ghost to present it self before them: how this was performed in antient times, by Hags, and Witches, is notably described in theÆthiopianHistory ofHeliodorus, in the practice “of an antient woman, who coming into the Camp, in the dead of night; where amongst many slaughtered bodies, the body of her Son was also slain; whose carkase she laid before her, digging a hole, and making a fire on each side, with the body in the midst; Then taking an earthen pot from a three footed stool, she poured honey out of it, into the pit; then out of another pot, she poured milk; and likewise out of the third: Lastly, she cast a Lump of hardned dough, in the form of a man into the pit: the Image was Crowned with Lawrell: then she threw in some of the Shrub calledBdellium: This done, with a sword she ran frantickly up and down,cutting herself; and with a Lawrell branch sprinkled of her blood into the fire: at length whispering at her Sons ear, she caused him to arise, and questioning him of the fortune of his Brother, what was become of him, he answered dubiously speaking prospe/rity47.to two persons that secretly beheld her, and telling her, That suddain death for her impiety attended her, which came to passe ere she left the place; after all these predictions, the Carcase ceased to answer any more: and tumbled groveling on the ground again.”

Example.11. And although by most men, as also by the Author in his foregoing Discovery, it is constantly believed, that the Witch ofEndorraised notSamuel, nor the Ghost ofSamuel, as not beleeving that there is anAstral Spiritor Ghost belonging unto every Man; yet it is very probable, that by her conjurations she caused hisSydereal Spiritto appear: which is possible to be effected: and hath been often done: asWeaverin hisFuneral Monumentsrecords ofEdward Kelly, “who in the Park ofWalton Ledalein the CountyLancaster, with onePaul Waring, Invocated a Devil, and afterwards digg’d up the Corps of a poor man, that had been buried that very day, in a place near the same, calledLaw Church-yard: whom he compelled by Incantations, and Conjurations to speak, and utter prophetical words, concerning the master of one of his Assistants.”

The state of the Starry Spirit.12. According to the state and condition wherein a person dyes, so is it with theirAstral Spirit: for if they died in perfect peace, and had come through the valley of true Repentance; being dead to this Life before it left them; then theirstarry Spiritdoth enter into rest, in its proper source, or quality at the instant of their Decease: nor is it possible for all the Conjurations in Hell, to cause them to return, or appear again.

Why the Ghost ofSamuelappeared.13. But some might object, ThatSamuel was an Holy Prophet, and attaind unto a perfect Life; which is thus to be answered, that before Christ came into the world, none of the most Holy Prophets of God, did ever attain to that degree of blessednesse, that the Christians after Christ possessed: for in the time of the Law, a covering, or vail was spread over the faces of all people: and something there was that letted, or hindred their souls from any plain and perfect vision, and fruition of God; otherwise then through types, and shaddows, which partition wall, the end of Christs Incarnation was to break down.

The opinions ofPlato.14. In the writings ofPlato, there be many strange Relations of the apparitions of Souls, of their torments, and purgations, of the cause of their returning, what their nature is, what their substance and property is, and what their food, and nourishment is: but hemistakes theSoulfor theAstral Spirit: for the Soul in its returning and apparition is farr different; if a Holy Soul appear, it is to persons like it self, and that in sleep, warning them of dangers, and discovering heavenly secrets unto them: And if a Damned Soul appear, it is likewise to such as are of a nature like it self: whom it instigates, asleep, teaching them notorious Villanies in Dreams; and provoking them to every wicked cogitation.

OfPythagoras.15. The sect ofPythagorashave strange and antick opinions, concerning Souls, and Ghosts, or starry Spirits: whom they alledge to be frequently converted intoGods, orDæmons, orDemi-Gods, andHeroes: (as thePlatonicksdo,) And that there is a continual traduction, and transmigration of Souls, from one to another, till they attain to be deify’d at last; and then that they do frequently appear, to those that be like themselves; instructing, and forewarning them: It was also the belief of many wise, and antient Philosophers, that theOracleswere from suchDæmons, as had been the Ghosts, or Souls of wise and excellent men: asApollo’s Oracle, and theOracleofPallas, orMinerva: which opinions have much of reason and probability.

Of other Philosophers.16. It is also the opinion of some, that the particular Spirits of famous men do after the death of the body, take up some particular habitations, near such places Cities, Towns, or Countries, as they most do affect, as Tutelaries, and Guardians unto them; Which is reported byVopiscus, ofApollonius Thyaneus; That when his CityThyanawas taken byAurelianusthe Emperour: and when he was in his Tent, pondering furiously how to destroy the same; the Ghost ofApolloniusappeared unto him saying, Aurelianus,if thou desirest to be a Conquerour, suppose not to slay these my Citizens: Aurelianus,if thou wilt be a Ruler, shed no innocent blood: Aurelianus,be meek, and gentle, if thou wouldst be a Conquerour./

48.17. I have heard many wonderful Relations from Lunaticks or such as are almost natural fools, who have asserted,The Raptures of Lunaticks.That being for many daies together conversant amongst Faeries in Woods, Mountains, and Caverns of the Earth, they have feasted with them, and been magnificently Entertaind with variety of dainties, where they have seen several of their Neighbours or Familiar acquaintance in the habit they were wont to weare, notwithstanding they were known to have been dead some years before.

Their Entertainments.18. And many Learned Authors have also insisted upon this particular, alledging,That when such as the Faeryes have brought into their Society do feast and junket with them, though they have a real and perfect knowledge of their neighbours and acquaintance amongst the rest, yet their Language they are not able to understand, neitherdo these Acquaintance of theirs acknowledge or take notice of them at all, but do either sit (both they and all the rest) in a profound and tedious silence, or else discourse in a most stupendious kinde of Gibberish, not intelligible to strangers.

A strange example.19. But more particularly to illustrate this conjecture, I could name the person who hath lately appeared thrice since his Decease, at least some Ghostly being or other, that calls it self by the name of such a person who was dead above an hundred years agoe, and in his life time accounted as a Prophet or Prædicter by the assistance of Sublunary Spirits. And now at his appearance did also give out strange Prædictions concerning Famine, and Plenty, Warrs, and Bloodshed, and the end of this world.

20. By the affirmation of the person that had Communication with him, the last of his Appearances was on this following manner;I had been, said he,to sell a Horse at the next Market Town, but not attaining my price, as I returned home by the way I met this man aforesaid who began to be familiar with me, asking what news, and how affairs moved throughout the Country; I answered as I thought fit; withall I told him of my Horse whom he began to cheapen, and proceeded with me so far, that the price was agreed upon; so he turned back with me and told me,that if I would go along with him, I should receive my Money; on our way we went, I upon my Horse and he on another milk white beast; after much discourse I askt him where he dwelt, and what his name was; he told me,That his dwelling was about a mile off, at a place called Farran; of which place I had never heard though I knew all the Country round about; he also told me,That he himself was that person of the Family ofLearmontsso much spoken off for a Prophet; At which I began to be somewhat fearful, perceiving us in a road which I had never been in before, which increased my fear and admiration more. Well on we went till he brought me under ground I know not how into the presence of a beautiful woman that payd me the moneys without a word speaking; he conducted me out again through a large and long entry, where I saw above 600 men in Armour layd prostrate on the ground as if asleep: at last I found my self in the open field by the help of Moon-light in that very place where first I met him, and made shift to get home by three in the morning, but the money I received was just double of what I esteemed it, and what the woman payd me, of which at this instant I have several pieces to show consisting of nine pences, thirteen pence halfpennies,&c.

Apparitions before Christianity, were frequent.21. The variety of Examples throughout the writings of Learned men may serve as stronge inducements to confirm this particular ofAstral Spirits, orGhoststhat belong unto Mortal men, returningafter death untill the cause of their returning be taken away. In Ancient times before the name of Christianity, there was nothing more frequent than millions of Apparitions in fields where battails had been fought, seeming to fight as they had done at first, which the Ancient Heathens believed to proceed from the want of Burying. And from this arose the Poetical Romance of thewandring of Ghosts besides the River Styx for an hundred years. And the custome of Solemn Interment amongst them.

Why Funeral Piles were instituted.22. But with more probability, The Custome of the Funeral Piles used by theRomans, and the Urns to reduce their Corpses into Ashes, was instituted at first to prevent the torment of the Deceased, least his Ghost should wander, or return, which doubtlesse from a natural cause may have the same effect, that the/49.reducing of the carcase into Ashes suddainly after its decease may prevent the return of the Astral Spirit; for if it be true what is affirmed byParacelsus, thatthe starry Spirit can continue no longer then the radical moisture in the body; it will naturally follow that its appearance is at an end when the body is burnt, seeing that the moisture is totally exterminate and consumed thereby. And in some sense the Ceremony may be said to be Laudable and Judicious, having so beneficial a consequence.

What the want of Burial causeth.23. As there is some semblance of a natural cause in the custome of the Antient urns, so likewise may the Interment of slaughtered bodies by the like cause prevent the like Appearances; for many are the examples that I have read of such as appeared to their surviving kindred and acquaintance, after they had been slaughtered in the Warrs, beseeching them to perform unto their bodies the Sacred Funeral Rites that their Ghosts might return into Rest, for which many have consulted with the Oracles to be informed whether the deceased deserved Burial, because they held it unlawful to bury Murtherers, Incestuous and Sacriligious, persons, which Nature her self doth also seem to hold if this following Relation be not false: which was, “That some Learned men returning fromPersiawhere they had been to see the KingCosroes, by the way interr’d a dead Carcase which they found unburied: And in the following night the Ghost of an Ancient Matron, as if it had been the Spirit of the World or Madam Nature her self, appeard unto them, saying,Why Interr ye that nefarious Carcase? let the Doggs devoure it; The Earth who is the Mother of us all admitts not of that man that depraves his Mother: So returning they found the Carcase yet unburied.

24. To confirm the verity ofAstral Spiritsproper, and their returning,The conclusion of this Chapter with an example.I shall conclude this Chapter with the Example of thefamousAristeusthe Poet who “in the IsleMarmoradyed suddainly, at which instant a certain Philosopher ofAthensarriving there, affirmed,That he had lately been in Company and discourst with him. In the mean time going to Bury him they found him yet alive, but never after that had he any constant residence amongst Mortals. Seven years after that he was seen atProconnesushis native Town, and remaind a while composing several Poems and Verses calledArimaspei, and then vanished. InMetapontishe was seen 300 years after that, charging thatApollo’s Altar should be erected by the name ofAristeus Proconnesius. The like stories are reported ofApollonius, andPythagoras, whom their followers would have to beUbiquitaryes, affirming,That at one instant of time they were seen in several places thousands of miles in distance. And though in *Iamblichus[* sic]who hath wrote the Life ofPythagoras, inPhilostratusthat wrote the Life ofApollonius Tyanus, there be many fabulous things reported as to theAstral Spiritsseparation, and return unto the body; Yet I have sufficiently here endeavoured to separate the true from the more Poetical part in this particular Subject of thestarry Spiritsbelonging to every individual man and woman, and their returning after the body falls away.

Of Astral Spirits or separate Dæmons in all their distinctions, names, and natures, and places of Habitation, and what may be wrought by their Assistance.

1.HAving in the foregoing Chapter sufficiently illustrated the nature of theAstral Spiritsproper, that belong to every individual; The subject of this present Chapter shall be ofAstral Spirits common.Astral Spirits separate; which are not constitute to any peculiar work or service, but do only, according to their nature and temper, haunt such places in the sublunary world as are most correspendent*[*sic]to their natures, and existence./

2. According50.The Spirits of the Planets.to the Judgment of Magicians, the Seven Planets have seven starry Spirits peculiar to themselves, whose natures are answerable to that peculiar Planet under which they are constitute. And they are said to be substitute under the seven Cælestial Angels that govern the influences of the superiour Spheres, being equal intheir name and continuance with that planet whose Spirit they are, that is, till the Consummation of all things visible.

The Power of the Planets.3. And in that houre, month, day or year, wherein their Planet hath the most dominion, then is their efficacy most prevalent, and their operation the most powerful upon inferiour bodies, whether to the destruction or prosperity of that animal vegitative or mineral subject to their Influences, according to the dignification of the Planet at that instant Dominion; for if ill affected, their nature is to blast with Mildew, Lightning, and Thunder any Vegetative proper to their Planet; To deprive any Animal of sight or the motion of the nerves under their Dominion; And lastly, bring Plagues, Pestilence, and Famine, Storms, and Tempests, or on the Contrary to bring sweet and excellent Influences upon Animals, or Vegetatives under their Planetary Regiment, if well and honourably dignified.

Spirits of the Air.4. Innumerable are the Spirits that inhabit the Aiery Region, germinating amongst themselvs as Magicians affirm, and begetting one another after a Mystical manner. It is their property to be instant in storms and boistrous weather, which is said to be joy and delight unto them; And in such a season they may with most facility be calld upon, and make their appearance, which they do accordingly to their age, and youthfulness, seeming young or old at their appearance answerable to their years. Besides they march in mighty Troops through the Aiery Region, waging warr amongst themselves, and destroying one anothers beings or Existences, after which they are reduced to the primary source or nature of the Starrs. This is likewise to be observed that according to the Language, Vigour, Life, and Habit of that Region wherein they live, such is their Habit, Language, and Ability, oneCatervaor Company being ignorant of their Neighbours, or Enemies Language, so that they have need of the Assistance of such Spirits as dwellin omnibus Elementis, to be their Interpreters.

Their Actions.5. And doubtless from hence arise the various deceptions that*[* thuttext]men are incident unto in their judgments of Apparitions, perswading themselves that they are portents and foretokens of Warr and Famine, when such numerous Spirits are beheld Fighting or Marching either in the Air, Earth, or Water: whereas it is nothing else but the bare effect of the Natures and Tempers of such Aerial beings to fight and randevouse immediately after sun-set, or else later in the Summer evenings, which is their principal time of such Conventions. And though it must be confest that such Spirits may be, and are the Devils Instruments as appertaining to the Kingdom whereof he is Ruler; Yet considered in themselves, their Nature is wholly harmless, as to ought that may be calledinnate Evill, having nothing in themthat is eternal as the Soul of Man: and consequently nothing in them that is able to make them capable of enjoying Heaven, or induring the torments of Hell.

Spirits appropriate to the Spheres.6. And it is believed by some, that according to the motion of the spheres, there are certain companies of Aerial Spirits good and bad that follow them in their motions round the earth, the good distilling influences that are good, and the bad, such influences as are destructive to every thing that is under their Dominion. It is also believed that by the assistance of Devils, and damned Spirits, such Aerial Spirits are given for Familiars to some Magicians add*[*read, and]Witches with whom they are said to have actual copulation, and the enjoyment of every dainty meat through their assistance, being able thereby to go invisible, to fly through the air, and steal Treasures and Jewels from the Coffers of Princes, as also carouse in Wine-sellers, and Pantries of those that are most amply provided with the choisest Daynties.

Terrestial Spirits.7. Subordinate unto these of the Air are the Terrestrial Spirits, which are of several degrees according to the places which they occupy, as Woods, Moun/tains,51.Caves, Fens, Mines, Ruins, Desolate places, and Antient Buildings, calld by the Antient Heathens after various names, asNymphs,Satyrs,Lamii,*[* read,Lamiæ]Dryades,Sylvanes,Cobali,&c.And more particularly theFaeries, who do principally inhabit the Mountains, and Caverns of the Earth, whose nature is to make strange Apparitions on the Earth in Meddows, or on Mountains being like Men, and Women, Souldiers, Kings, and Ladyes Children, and Horse-men cloathed in green, to which purpose they do in the night steal hempen stalks from the fields where they grow, to Convert them into Horses as the Story goes. Besides, it is credibly affirmed and beleev’d by many, That such as are real Changlings, or Lunaticks, have been brought by such Spirits and Hobgoblins, the true Child being taken away by them in the place whereof such are left, being commonly half out of their wits, and given to many Antick practices, and extravagant fancies, which passions do indeed proceed from the powerful influence of the Planet in their nativity, and not from such foolish conjectures.

Faeries.8. Such jocund and facetious Spirits are sayd to sport themselvs in the night by tumbling and fooling with Servants and Shepherds in Country houses, pinching them black and blew, and leaving Bread, Butter, and Cheese sometimes with them, which if they refuse to eat, some mischief shall undoubtedly befall them by the means of these Faeries. And many such have been taken away by the sayd Spirits, for a fortnight, or a month together, being carryed with them in Chariots through the Air, over Hills, and Dales, Rocks and Precipices, till at last they have been found lying in some Meddow or Mountainbereaved of their sences, and commonly of one of their Members to boot.

Lares, and Domestick Spirits.9. Certainly theLaresandPenates, or houshold Gods of the antient Heathens were no other than such like Spirits who for several years would keep their residence in one house till upon some displeasure offered, or offences done by any of the sayd Family, they departed and were never afterwards heard of. There are plenty of such examples to be found inOlaus Magnus, andHector Boethus*[*read, Boethius]in his History ofScotland, relating wonderful passages ofRobin-goodfellows, and such as have been familiar amongst mankind.

Luridana famaliar Spirit.10.Luridana familiar of this kinde did for many years inhabit the IslandPomonia, the largest of theOrcadesinScotland, suplying the place of Man-servant and Maid-servant with wonderful diligence to these Families whom he did haunt, sweeping their rooms, and washing their dishes and making their fires before any were up in the morning. ThisLuridanaffirmed, That he was thegenius Astral, of that Island that his place or residence in the dayes ofSolomonandDavidwas atJerusalem; That then he was called by theJewesBelelah, and after that he remaind Long in the Dominion ofWales, instructing their Bards inBrittishPoesy and Prophesies being calledUrthin, Wadd, Elgin: And now said he, I have removed hither, and alas my continuance is but short, for in 70 years I must resigne my place toBalkinLord of theNorthernmountains.

Balkina Familiar.11. Many wonderful and incredible things did he also relate of thisBalkin, whom he called the Lord of theNorthernMountains, affirming that he was shaped like a Satyr and fed upon the Air, having Wife and Children to the number of 12 thousand which were the brood of theNorthernFaeries inhabitingSoutherlandandCateneswith the adjacent Islands; And that these were the Companies of Spirits that hold continual wars with the Fiery Spirits in the MountainHecklathat vomits fire inIslandia. That their speech was antient Irish, and their dwelling the Caverns of the Rocks, and Mountains, which relation is recorded in the Antiquities ofPomonia.

A strange example.12. I have read another wonderful relation in a bookde Annulis Antiquorum, Concerning a young man from whom the power ofVenuswas taken away so that he could not Company with his new marryed Wife. The Story is briefly thus; “Being busy at play or exercise with some of his Companions on his marriage day, he put his wedding Ring on the finger of the Statue ofVenusthat stood besides the place least it should be lost; when he had done, returning to take his Ring, the finger was bended inward, so that he could by no means pluck off/52.the Ring to his great amazement, at which instant he forsooke the place, and in the night the Image ofVenusappeared unto him, saying, Thou hast espoused me, and shalt not meddle with any other: in the morning returning, the Ring was gone, and the finger made straight again, which troubled him mightily, so that he consulted with a Magician, who wrote a Letter to some Principal Spirit in that Dominion to whichVenusbelong’d, bidding the party stand watching at such a place at such an houre till he saw many troops of Spirits pass by him, and describing one in a Chariot, of stern and terrible Countenance, to whom he bad him deliver the Letter; All which he performed, and after the person in the Chariot had read the contents thereof, he broke out into this expression, great God, how long shall we be subject to the insolencies of this accursed Rascal, naming the Magitian: But withal calling to a most beauteous Woman from amongst the Company, he charged her to deliver back the Ring which at length she did with much aversness, and after that he injoyd his Marriage rites without impediment.”

Spirits of Woods, and Mountains.13. Besides the innumerable Troops of Terrestrial Spirits calledFaeryesthere are alsoNymphsof the Woods, Mountains, Groves, and Fountains, asEagle,*[* read,Aegle]Arethusa,Io,Menippa,Irene, &c. who are sayd to be altogether of the fæminine kinde, sporting and dancing, and feasting amongst the trees in Woods, and bathing in clean and limpid Fountains; such have been seen by many, and are often alluded to, by theRomanandGreekPoets. There is also a relation of aGermanPrince, “who being exceeding thirsty and weary with hunting and hawking, lost his Company in the Woods, on a suddain beheld an opening at a little hillock amongst the trees, and a most beautiful Maiden offering a Golden Horn full of Liquor, which he received and drunk, and after rid quite away with the sayd Horn, not regarding the Virgins tears, who lamented after him; tis sayd that having spilt some of the sayd Liquor, it fetcht the hair from off his Horses skin, and the horn is yet to be seen inGermany, which I have been told by one that hath seen and handled it, affirming,That the Gold for purity cannot be parallel’d.”

Incubi, andSuccubi.14. Another sort are theIncubi, andSuccubi, of whom it is reported, that the Hunns have the original, being begotten betwixt theseIncubi, and certain Magical women whomPhilimerthe King of theGothsbanished into the deserts, whence arose that savage and untamed Nation, whose speech seemed rather the mute attempts of brute Beasts, than any articulate sound and well distinguished words. To theseIncubiare attributed the diseases of the blood called theNighthag, which certainly have a natural cause, although at the instant of time when the party is oppressed, it is probable that certain malevolent Spirits may mix themselvs therein and terrifie the soul and minde of the afflicted party.

A froward kinde of Spirit.15. And amongst such Spirits as are resident amongst mortals, there is a very froward kinde, who take delight to pull down what man hath builded, who have been seen at the building of strong and mighty Castles to come in the night and tumble all to the ground that the workmen had reared the day before; of this sort wereHoron,Stilkon,Glaura, andKibbolla, four pestiferous, and turbulent Animals that for many years infested the first founders of the EmperoursSeraglio: Till one of the holy Musselmans did by certain Charms, and Exorcisms constrain and bind them, to tell their names, and the cause of their disturbing, which they declared, and were by him confined to destroy the mines of Copper inHungaria.

Example.16. There is also a Relation extant in the life ofPaulthe Hermit of a Satyr appearing to him in the Woods, and discoursing with him that it was a mortal Creature as he, and served the same God, dehorting the people to worship them for demi-Gods, as they had been accustomed to; Like unto this is the Story of the Death of the great GodPan; That a Mariner sailing by the Island ofCicilia, was called by his name from the shore,Example.and by a certain voice was bid to tell the Inhabitants of the next Island, that the great GodPanwas dead, which he o/beyed,53.and though in the next Island there were no Inhabitants, yet when he approached he proclaimed, towards the shoar thatPanwas deceased, immediately after which Proclamation he could sensibly hear most doleful and lachrymable Cryes, and noyses, as of those that lamented his departure.

Janthea Spirit of the water.17.Ianthe, is sayd by Magitians, to be a water Spirit, who is ever present when any are drownd in the water, being delighted much in the destruction of mankinde, that it may enjoy the Company of their Astral Spirits after their decease; for according to the four Complexions or Constitutions of the body of Man, The Astral Spirit associates it self with separated substances; The Phlegmatick, to the watry Spirits: The Sanguine, to those of the Aire; The Cholerick, to the Fire; and the Melancholy, to the Terrestrial Spirits. But this is only to be supposed of such persons as dyed in discontent, and restlesness.

Watry Spirits that procreate.18. Of another sort are suchAquatick Animalsas in former times have conversed, and procreated with mankinde bearing divers Children; And at length snatching all away into the watry Element again, whereof there are variety of Examples inCardanusandBodin. Of this sort was the Familiar ofPaulusa Mendicant Frier, called by himFlorimella, and entertaind as his Bed-fellow for forty years, though unknown and unseen to any but himself, till upon some unhandsome carriage of the Fryer, his Companion accompanying him over theDanube, leapt into the River and was never after seen.

Apparitions on the water.19. Innumerable are the reports and accidents incident unto such as frequent the seas, as fisher-men and sailers who discourse of noises, flashes, shadows, ecchoes, and other visible appearances nightly seen, and heard, upon the surface of the water. And as the disposition of the Heavens is according to the constellations, and climates, so are these spectres appropriate to particular parts, and coasts, from the North to the Southern Pole. But more especially, abounding in the North, aboutNorweigh Isleland,Green Land, andNova Zembla.

Prophetical rivers, and vocal fountains.20. Neither are the Storyes of the Greek, and Latine Poets all together to be sleighted in this particular; for many verities are interwoven with their fictions, they speak of vocal Forrests, asDodona, ofTalkativeRivers, asScamander, of sensitive Fountains asArethusa,Menippa, andÆagle; Which more credible Historians have partly confirmed in the Relation ofDodona, asserting that the trees do seem to speak by reason of the various Apparitions, and Phantasms, that attend the Forrest. And also in the Story of the RiverScamander, which is sayd at this day to afford plenty of spectres, and prophetical Spirits, that have nightly conversation with theTurkishSailers coming by that way with Gallyes into theMediterranean.

21. The like is reported of a Castle inNorweighstanding over a Lake wherein a Satyr appeareth sounding a Trumpet before the death of any Souldier, or Governour belonging to the same, tis sayd to be theExample.Ghost of some murdered Captain that hath become so Fatal, and Ominous to his Successors. But with more probability may be called a Spectre proper to the place according to the Constellation.

22. And it hath been the conjecture of eminent speculators that from the Loins of such arise the numerous broodSpirits inGreen-LandofElves,Faeryes,Lycanthropi; AndPigmyes, sometimes visible, sometimes invisible inGreen-Landand the adjacent rocks where they have no concomitants, but bears and scurvy-grass to mix, and make merry withal, except they pass from thence to theNorthernparts ofAmerica, where they shall find their off-spring adored for Gods, and Goddesses, by the ignorant Inhabitants about newAlbion, and as farSouthasMexico, as is amply related in the discourses ofDrake,CortesandPurchasconcerning the conquest and discovery of these Territoryes.

Destroying Spirits.23. By Apparitions upon the water many have been tempted to leap into the Sea in pursuit thereof till they were drowned, of which spectres there is a sort called byPsellus,Ordales, who do appear like Ducks or other Water fouls, till they by fluttering upon the water, do entice their followers to pursue them so farr that many perish in the attempt, which doth greatly delight these faithless/54.Spirits who (as we have said before) do long to accompany their Astral Spirits after their decease. An Example of this kinde I my self knew, besides thenumerous relations I have had from the mouths of others, which confirm the opinions of the antient Magicians concerning these water Spirits, that of all the rest they are the most deceitful, and dangerous, like the flattering Seas, and swift gliding Torrents, that when they have wonn any thing, to admire, and sound them, do carry them violently into the abysse of their own Element.

24. But we will leave the waters and insist a little on the nature ofIgneousorFiery SpiritsFiery Spirits.that inhabit the Mountains inHecla,Ætna,Propo Champ, andPoconzi; Where the Courts, and Castles of these puissant Champions are kept. The opinion of some is,What these Spirits are.That they are not Astral, but Infernal Spirits, and Damned Souls, that for a term of years are confined to these burning Mountains for their Iniquities: Which opinion although it be granted, yet we may assert, That for the most part the apparitions, sounds, noices, clangors, and clamors, that are heard about the MountainHeclainIslandand other places, are the effects of separated Starry beings, who are neither capable of good nor evill, but are of a middle vegetative nature, and at the dissolution of theMedia Naturashall be again reduced into their primary Æther.

Why they delight in the fiery element.25. And from natural Causes, it may be easily demonstrated, That there is great Correspondence betwixt such substances, and the Element of fire, by reason of the Internal Flagrat and Central Life proceeding from the Quintessence or*[* ? of]one only Element which upholds them, in Motion, Life, and Nourishment. As every natural, and supernatural being is upheld, and maintain’d out of the self-same root from whence it had its original, or rise; So the Angels feed upon theCelestial Manna, The Devils of the fruits of Hell, which is natural to their appetite, as trash for swine; the Astral beings; of the source of the stars, the Beasts, Birds, or Reptiles of the fruits of the Eatth,†[†sic]and the gas of the Air, the fishes of the blass of the Water; But more particularly, every thing is nourished by its Mother, as Infants at the Breast, either by exhausting or fomentation.

Spirits that burn Cities.26. Such Spirits are very officious in the burnings of Towns, or Cole-pits, delighting much to dance and exult amidst the flames, and become Incendiaries worse then the material Cause of the Combustion, often tempting men in drukeness,‡[‡sic]to burn their own Houses, and causing Servants carelesly to sleep, that such unlucky accidents may happen. As the Story ofKzarwilwuia Town inPolanddoth confirm, which was reduced to ashes by three of these pestilentious Animals, calledSaggos,Broundal, andBaldwin, who after many open Threatnings for six months together, that they would destroy the City, and Citizens, did on a dark and stormy night, set all on fire on asuddain in twenty or thirty several places, which irrecoverably destroyed the Inhabitants.

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