_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. Because the Author in his foregoing Treatise, upon the _Nature
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 reason of this Addition.♦
2. The Nature of Spirits is variously to be considered, according
to the source to which each _Caterva_ doth 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.
♦The nature of Spirits.♦
3. And if we may credit example, which is the surest proof; the very
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.
♦The original of evil essences.♦
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 Germination.♦
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 in
_England_, can remove 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 Habitation.♦
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 shapes.♦
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 the
fire, 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.
♦Their place of pleasure or 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 to _Nagar_ the _Indian_, and the
_Pythagoreans_. 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.
♦The cause of their torment.♦
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.
♦How Magicians deal with them.♦
10. Now to proceed in the description of these Infernal Spirits and
separated _Dæmons_, or _Astral 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.
♦The Orders of heavenly Beings.♦
11. It may indeed be believed, that seeing there are infinite numbers
of Angels, they are also imployed for the glory of God, and protection
of mankind, (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.
♦That they are not subject to conjurations.♦
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.
♦What Spirits may be conjured.♦
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, As _Del rio_, _Nagar_
the _Indian_ Magician, and the _Platonists_ affirm, _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_.
♦The nature of the Astral Spirits.♦
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[*]
some live hundreds, some thousands of years: Their food is the _Gas_
of the Water, and the _Blas_ of 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 degrees.♦
♦[*] [whereof]♦
15. 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[*]: 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 of these frolick Spirits: as Armies
in the Air, Troops marching on the Land, noises and slaughter, Tempest
and Lightning, _&c._
♦Their actions and affections♦
♦[*] [n _reversed_]♦
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 committed
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.
♦The distinct orders of starry Spirits.♦