_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 the _Astral Spirits_ proper, that belong to every individual; The
subject of this present Chapter shall be of _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[*] to their natures, and
existence.
♦Astral Spirits common.♦
♦[*] [_sic_]♦
2. According 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 in their name and
continuance with that planet whose Spirit they are, that is, till the
Consummation of all things visible.
♦The Spirits 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.
♦The Power of the Planets.♦
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, one
_Caterva_ or Company being ignorant of their Neighbours, or Enemies
Language, so that they have need of the Assistance of such Spirits as
dwell _in omnibus Elementis_, to be their Interpreters.
♦Spirits of the Air.♦
5. And doubtless from hence arise the various deceptions that[*]
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 called _innate Evill_, having nothing in them that 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.
♦Their Actions.♦
♦[*] [thut _text_]♦
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[*] 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.
♦Spirits appropriate to the Spheres.♦
♦[*] [_read_, and]♦
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, Mountains, Caves, Fens, Mines, Ruins, Desolate places,
and Antient Buildings, calld by the Antient Heathens after various
names, as _Nymphs, Satyrs, Lamii,[*] Dryades, Sylvanes, Cobali, &c._
And more particularly the _Faeries_, 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.
♦Terrestial Spirits.♦
♦[*] [read, _Lamiæ_]♦
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 Mountain bereaved of their sences,
and commonly of one of their Members to boot.
♦Faeries.♦
9. Certainly the _Lares_ and _Penates_, 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 in _Olaus Magnus_, and _Hector Boethus_[*] in his History
of _Scotland_, relating wonderful passages of _Robin-goodfellows_, and
such as have been familiar amongst mankind.
♦Lares, and Domestick Spirits.♦
♦[*] [_read_, Boethius]♦
10. ►Luridan◄ a familiar of this kinde did for many years inhabit
the Island _Pomonia_, the largest of the _Orcades_ in _Scotland_,
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. This ►Luridan◄ affirmed, That he was the _genius Astral_,
of that Island that his place or residence in the dayes of _Solomon_
and _David_was at _Jerusalem_; That then he was called by the _Jewes_
►Belelah◄, and after that he remaind Long in the Dominion of _Wales_,
instructing their Bards in _Brittish_ Poesy and Prophesies being called
►Urthin, 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 to
►Balkin◄ Lord of the _Northern_ mountains.
♦_Luridan_ a famaliar Spirit.♦
11. Many wonderful and incredible things did he also relate of this
►Balkin◄, whom he called the Lord of the _Northern_ Mountains,
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
the _Northern_ Faeries inhabiting _Southerland_ and _Catenes_ with the
adjacent Islands; And that these were the Companies of Spirits that
hold continual wars with the Fiery Spirits in the Mountain _Heckla_
that vomits fire in _Islandia_. That their speech was antient Irish,
and their dwelling the Caverns of the Rocks, and Mountains, which
relation is recorded in the Antiquities of _Pomonia_.
♦_Balkin_ a Familiar.♦
12. I have read another wonderful relation in a book _de Annulis
Antiquorum_, Concerning a young man from whom the power of _Venus_ was
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 of _Venus_ that 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 the
Ring to his great amazement, at which instant he forsooke the place,
and in the night the Image of _Venus_ appeared 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 which _Venus_
belong’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”.
♦A strange example.♦
13. Besides the innumerable Troops of Terrestrial Spirits called
_Faeryes_ there are also _Nymphs_ of the Woods, Mountains, Groves,
and Fountains, as ►Eagle◄,[*] ►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 the _Roman_ and _Greek_ Poets. There is also a relation
of a _German_ Prince, “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 in _Germany_, which I have been told by one
that hath seen and handled it, affirming, _That the Gold for purity
cannot be parallel’d_”.
♦Spirits of Woods, and Mountains.♦
♦[*] [read, _Aegle_]♦
14. Another sort are the ►Incubi◄, and ►Succubi◄, of whom it is
reported, that the Hunns have the original, being begotten betwixt
these ►Incubi◄, and certain Magical women whom _Philimer_ the King
of the _Goths_ banished 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 these _Incubi_ are attributed the diseases of the blood called
the _Nighthag_, 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.
♦_Incubi_, and _Succubi_.♦
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 were ►Horon◄,
►Stilkon◄, ►Glaura◄, and ►Kibbolla◄, four pestiferous, and turbulent
Animals that for many years infested the first founders of the
Emperours _Seraglio_: 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 in _Hungaria_.
♦A froward kinde of Spirit.♦
16. There is also a Relation extant in the life of _Paul_ the 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 God _Pan_; That a
Mariner sailing by the Island of _Cicilia_, was called by his name from
the shore, and by a certain voice was bid to tell the Inhabitants of
the next Island, that the great God _Pan_ was dead, which he obeyed,
and though in the next Island there were no Inhabitants, yet when he
approached he proclaimed, towards the shoar that _Pan_ was deceased,
immediately after which Proclamation he could sensibly hear most
doleful and lachrymable Cryes, and noyses, as of those that lamented
his departure.
♦Example.♦
♦Example.♦
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.
♦_Janthe_ a Spirit of the water.♦
18. Of another sort are such _Aquatick Animals_ as 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 in _Cardanus_ and _Bodin_. Of this sort was the
Familiar of _Paulus_ a Mendicant Frier, called by him ►Florimella◄, 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 the _Danube_, leapt into the River
and was never after seen.
♦Watry Spirits that procreate.♦
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, about
_Norweigh Isleland_, _Green Land_, and _Nova Zembla_.
♦Apparitions on the water.♦
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, as _Dodona_,
of _Talkative_ Rivers, as _Scamander_, of sensitive Fountains as
_Arethusa_, _Menippa_, and _Æagle_; Which more credible Historians
have partly confirmed in the Relation of _Dodona_, 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
River _Scamander_, which is sayd at this day to afford plenty of
spectres, and prophetical Spirits, that have nightly conversation
with the _Turkish_ Sailers coming by that way with Gallyes into the
_Mediterranean_.
♦Prophetical rivers, and vocal fountains.♦
21. The like is reported of a Castle in _Norweigh_ standing 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 the 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.
♦Example.♦
22. And it hath been the conjecture of eminent speculators that from
the Loins of such arise the numerous brood of _Elves_, _Faeryes_,
_Lycanthropi_; And _Pigmyes_, sometimes visible, sometimes invisible in
_Green-Land_ and 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 the _Northern_ parts of _America_, where they shall
find their off-spring adored for Gods, and Goddesses, by the ignorant
Inhabitants about new _Albion_, and as far _South_ as _Mexico_, as is
amply related in the discourses of _Drake_, _Cortes_ and _Purchas_
concerning the conquest and discovery of these Territoryes.
♦Spirits in _Green-Land_♦
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 by _Psellus_, _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 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 the
numerous 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.
♦Destroying Spirits.♦
24. But we will leave the waters and insist a little on the nature of
_Igneous_ or _Fiery Spirits_ that inhabit the Mountains in _Hecla_,
_Ætna_, _Propo Champ_, and _Poconzi_; Where the Courts, and Castles of
these puissant Champions are kept. The opinion of some is, _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 Mountain _Hecla_ in _Island_ and 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 the _Media Natura_ shall be again reduced into their
primary Æther.
♦Fiery Spirits.♦
♦What these Spirits are.♦
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[*] 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 the _Celestial
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,[†]
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.
♦Why they delight in the fiery element.♦
♦[*] [? of]♦
♦[†] [_sic_]♦
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,[*] to burn their own Houses, and
causing Servants carelesly to sleep, that such unlucky accidents
may happen. As the Story of _Kzarwilwui_ a Town in _Poland_ doth
confirm, which was reduced to ashes by three of these pestilentious
Animals, called ►Saggos◄, ►Broundal◄, and ►Baldwin◄, 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 a suddain in twenty or thirty several places, which irrecoverably
destroyed the Inhabitants.
♦Spirits that burn Cities.♦
♦[*] [_sic_]♦
27. As for the nourishment of fiery Spirits, it is radical heat, and
the influence of the Aery Region; their sport and pastime consisteth
for the most part in tumbling, and fooling one with another when the
flames are most impetuous, and violent in the Mountains: And it is
likewise credited by some that their office is to cruciate and punish
some Evil Livers, retaining, and tormenting their Souls, or Astral
Spirits for many years after the Bodies decease, which is too empty
a notion to be hearkened unto by any that are well informed of their
natures.
♦Their food and pastime.♦
28. Neither is it to be wondered at that they are so much delighted
with the fiery quality in regard of their affinity and appropriation
with infernal spirits, whose state and being is altogether damnable and
deplorable; for although they have not the ability of attaining either
the Heavenly or Infernal quality, by reason that they are utterly voyd
of the innermost Center, and may be rather called bruits, then rational
Animals, yet because they belong to the outermost [*]principle, such
is their innate Affinity, and Unity with the dark World, or infernal
Kingdome that they do often become the Devils Agents to propagate his
works upon the face of the Earth.
♦Why they delight in the fiery quality.♦
♦[*] Fire]♦
29. By the Instigations of infernal Spirits they are often sent to
terrifie men with nocturnal visions, in the likeness of monstrous
Beasts or Ghosts of their deceased Friends. They are moreover often
abetted to tempt and provoke melancholy people to execute themselves;
besides innumerable wayes they have of executing the pleasures of
[*]iniquous Spirits through malicious Instigations, and secret
Stratagems projected by them to the destruction of mortal men,
especially when the work to be effected by the Devil is too too hard
for his subtle and spiritual nature to bring to pass, because the
same belongs to the Astral source or outward principle to which these
dubious Spirits do properly belong; then are they frequently sollicited
to mediate in such treacherous actions, as the hellish Spirits have
conspired against the Lives of mortal men.
♦Astral Spirits ministers to the devill.♦
♦[*] [_sic_]♦
30. More particularly, These Spirits that belong to the fiery Element,
are most officious in this kinde of service, being naturally such as
the Antecedent matter hath sufficiently demonstrated; but according to
the ranks and Categoryes to which they belong, some of them are more
inveterate, and malicious in their undertakings then the rest. But
every kinde of Astral Spirit is obsequious to the Kingdome of darkness,
that the devilish Spirits can effect little or nothing without their
assistance in this external principle of the Starrs and Elements upon
the bodies or possessions of Mankind; because their bodies are too
crude and rough for the conveyance of their influence, either in
Dreams, Raptures, Philtres, Charms, or Constellations, as the following
Chapter of the nature of Infernal beings shall make plain, wherein the
nature and capacity of every damned Spirit is decyphered according to
the truth of the antient Philosophy.
♦Why the devil requires their help.♦
31. Leave we now the Spirits of the fire, to illustrate the natures of
subterranean Beings, whose Orders, Species, and Degrees, are various;
for they consist in these distinctions, _viz._ Spirits of men deceased,
Souls of men deceased, separated Spirits Astral, separate Spirits
semi-Infernal, Spirits appropriate to the Constellations where any of
the seven metals, _viz. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Luna, Venus,
Mercury_, are found in the bowels of the Earth; and as farr as the
natures of Minerals are distinct one from the other, so much distant
are these Subterranean Spirits in Nature and Faculty in respect of
their places, shapes, names, and qualities.
♦Subterranean Spirits.♦
32. But they are not all confined unto the metallick Kingdome; for
there are also Spirits of the Mountains, Vallies, Caves, Deeps,
Hiata’s, or Chasma’s of the Earth, hidden Treasures, Tombs, Vaults,
and Sepultures of the Dead. To the last belong the Astral Spirits of
deceased Mortals, that delight to hover over the antient Carcases to
which they belong’d, seeking still to be dissolved, and diligently
enquiring the Cause of their retention; such are resident in silent
Caves, and solitary Vaults, where the deceased lie till the Humidum
Radicale be exciccate, and totally dryd up, after which their tricks
are no more manifest, but are utterly extinguished, and annihilated.
♦Spirits of the Mountains, Caves, and Tombs.♦
33. To the next, belong such Spirits as are Protectors of hidden
Treasures, from a natural Cause, from whence they do exceedingly envy
mans benefit, and accomodation in the discovery thereof, ever haunting
such places where money is conceal’d, and retaining malevolent and
poysonous Influences, to blast the Lives and Limbs of those that dare
to attempt the discovery thereof: _Peters_ of _Devonshire_ with his
confederates, who by Conjuration attempted to dig for such defended
Treasures, was crumbled into Atomes, as it were, being reduced to Ashes
with his Companions in the twinkling of an eye.
♦Spirits of hidden Treasures.♦
34. And upon this particular, we have plenty of Examples of the
destruction of such as by Magical experiments have discovered hidden
Treasures; which instances do rather seem to prove, That such as haunt
these places do more nearly belong to the Infernal, then to the Astral
Hierarchy, in regard that they are so infesting and inveterate to
Mortal men, that the Grand Intention of the Prince of darkness may be
accomplished in their designs.
♦The nature of such Spirits.♦
35. But of all the rest such as haunt Mines and mettle men, are the
most pernicious, and frequent from the same Cause with the former.
The nature of such is very violent; they do often slay whole Companies
of Labourers, they do sometimes send inundations that destroy both
the Mines, and Miners, they bring noxious and malignant vapours to
stifle the laborious workmen; briefly, their whole delight and faculty
consists in tormenting, killing, and crushing men that seek such
Treasures, that mankind may never partake thereof to relieve their
Cares, and worldly necessities.
♦Spirits that infest Mines and Miners.♦
36. Such was _Anæbergius_ a most virulent Animal that did utterly
confound the undertakings of those that laboured in the richest Silver
mine in _Germany_, called _Corona Rosacea_. He would often shew himself
in the likeness of a he-goat with Golden horns, pushing down the
workmen with great violence, sometimes like a Horse breathing flames,
and pestilence at his Nostrils. At other times he represented a Monk in
all his _Pontificalibus_, flouting at their Labour, and imitating their
Actions with scorn and dedignation, till by his daily and continued
molestation he gave them no further ability of perseverance.
♦An Example of a turbulent Spirit.♦
37. Thus, I have hinted the various distinctions, and sub-distinctions
of Astral Spirits proper or common, illustrating their natures
according to the opinions of the Learned; from thence I proceed to say
what the Infernal Hierarchy is, and whereof it doth consist in this
fifth Chapter following.
♦Conclusion.♦