_Of the Infernal Spirits, or Devils, and damned Souls treating,
what their Natures, Names, and Powers are_, &c.
1. Leaving the Astral Kingdome, I will now proceed to describe the
natures, and distinctions of Infernal Spirits or Devils, and damned
Souls, who are to be considered according to their ranks, and orders,
exactly correspondent to the Quires, and Hierarchies of the Angels,
or Celestial beings, wherein I will insist upon their names, shapes,
places, times, orders, powers, and capacities, proceeding gradually
from a general narration, to a particular Anatomy of every sort of
Spirit in its proper place and order.
♦What this Chapter treats of.♦
2. As for the Locality or Circumscription of the Kingdome of darkness,
it is farr otherwise to be considered then the vulgar account it,
who esteem the hellish habitation, a distinct Chasma or Gulph in a
certain place, above, under, or in the Center of the Earth, where
innumerable Devils, and wicked Souls inhabit, who are perpetually
scorched, and tormented with material flames of fire. This is the
opinion which naturally all men are addicted and prone unto. But if we
will rightly consider the Kingdome of Heaven and Hell, in respect of
one another, we must look upon the similitude of light and darkness
in this outward world, who are not circumscribed, nor separate as to
Locality from one another; for when the sun arises, the darkness of the
night disappeareth, not that it removes it self to some other place or
Country, but the brightness of the light overpowereth it, and swallows
it up, so that though it disappeareth, yet it is as really there as the
light is.
♦The place of hell or the habitation of devils.♦
3. This is also to be considered in[*] the description of the
Habitations of good, or evill beings, that they are really in one
another, yet not comprehended of one another, neither indeed can they
be, for the evil Spirits if they should remove ten thousand miles,
yet are they in the same quality and source, never able to finde out
or discover where the Kingdome of Heaven is to be found, though it be
really through, and through with the dark Kingdome, but in another
quality which makes them strangers to one another.
♦Illustrated by a similitude.♦
♦[*] [_text_ iu]♦
4. A similitude hereof we have in the faculties of the humane Life,
as to the indowments of the Soul considered in the just, and in the
wicked; for to be good, pure, and holy, is really present as a quality
in _potentia_ with the depraved soul, although at that instant the
Soul be cloathed with Abominations, so that the eye which should behold
God or Goodness is put out. Yet if the soul would but come out of it
self, and enter into another source or principle, in the center it
might come to see the Kingdome of Heaven within it self, according to
the Scripture, and _Moses_,[*] _The word is nigh thee, in thy heart,
and in thy Mouth_.
♦The differerence [_sic_] betwixt heaven and hell.♦
♦[*] [Deut. 30, 19.]♦
5. True it is that the Devils and damned Souls cannot sometimes
manifest themselvs in this Astral World, because the nature of some of
them is more near unto the external quality then of others, so that
although properly the very innermost and outermost darkness be their
proximate abode, yet they do frequently flourish, live, move, and
germinate in the Aery Region, being some of them finite and determinate
Creatures.
♦How the Devils can come into this World.♦
6. But according to their fiery nature, it is very difficult for them
to appear in this outward world, because there is a whole principle
or gulph betwixt them, to wit, they are shut up in another quality
or existence, so that they can with greater difficulty finde out the
being of this World, or come with their presence into the same, then we
can remove into the Kingdome of Heaven, or Hell with our intellectual
man; for if it were otherwise, and that the Divels had power to appear
unto Mortals as they list, how many Towns, Cities, _&c._ should be
destroyed, and burnt to the ground, how many Infants should be kild
by their malicious power! yea few or none might then escape in Lives,
or Possessions, and sound minds, whereas now all these enjoyments are
free amongst mortals, which proves, that it is exceeding hard for evill
Spirits to appear in the third principle of this world, as for a man to
live under water, and fishes on the Land. Yet must we grant, that when
the imaginations, and earnest desires of some particular Wizards, and
envious Creatures have stirr’d up the center of Hell within themselvs,
that then the Devil hath sometimes access to this world in their
desires, and continues here to vex, and torment so long as the strength
of that desire remains which was the first attractive Cause.
♦The great difficulty of their appearance.♦
7. For the very cause of the paucity of appearances in these dayes, is
the fulness of time, and the brightness of Christianity, dispelling
such mists, as the sun doth cause the clouds to vanish, not by any
violence or compulsion, but from a natural cause; even so the Kingdome
of Light as it grows over mans soul, in power and dominion, doth
naturally close up the Center of darkness, and scatter the influences
of the Devil so that his tricks lye in the dust, and his will at length
becomes wholly passive as to man.
♦The cause of few appearances now.♦
8. In the time of the Law, when the wrath and jealousie of the Father,
had the dominion in the Kingdom of Nature, all Infernal Spirits had
more easie access unto mankind then now they have; for before the
Incarnation of Christ, the anger of God had more dominion over the
soul of Man, and was more near in nature unto the same; so that the
Devils could with more facility spring up in the element of Wrath, to
manifest themselves in this outward principle, because the very Basis
and Foundation of Hell beneath, is built and composed of the Wrath of
God, which is the channel to convey the Devil into this sublunary World.
♦The Devils power in the time of the Law.♦
9. But when Christ began to be manifest unto the World, the
multiplicity of Appearances, and possessed with Devils, began
insensibly to decay and vanish. And if any should object, _That betwixt
the space of his Incarnation and his Suffering, such accidents were
rather more frequent than in the times before_: To this I answer, That
the Devil knowing well that his time was but short; and also knowing,
that till the great Sacrifice was offered up, he had leave to range and
rove abroad the Kingdom of this World; therefore he imployed all his
forces and endeavours to torment those miserable souls and captives to
whom Christ came to Preach Deliverance.
♦His power under Christ in the flesh.♦
10. But after the Partition wall was broken down, and the vail of
_Moses_, and of the anger of God from off the soul in the death of
Christ, there was a sensible and visible decay of the Devils prancks
amongst mortals, and that little remnant of Lunaticks and Possessed,
which continued after Christ, did the Apostles relieve and set at
liberty, through the influence and virtue of the promise of the Son of
God (to wit) _the Holy Ghost_, or _the Comforter_, which could not come
until he went away: And on the day of _Pentecost_, whilst they waited
in humility for the fulfilling of his promise, the very effect of
Christs birth and sufferings did first manifest it self, when the Holy
Ghost sprung up amongst them, to the destruction of Sin and Satan.
♦Under Christianity.♦
11. And so long as the purity of Christianity continued in the
Primitive Church, there were very few that the Devil could personally
or actually lay hold of in the Astral Man, for the space of two
hundred years after the death of Christ, until that from Meekness and
Abstinence, the Christians began to exalt themselves in Loftiness and
Worldly Honours; then the Devil began to exalt his head amongst the
Lip-Christians, bewitching them into every Lust; and captivating their
inward and outward faculties at his pleasure. As all along in Popery is
clearly seen.
♦Under Apostacies.♦
12. Yet notwithstanding, the coming of Christ hath prevented the Devils
force in general. Such Nations as have never embraced the Christian
Faith, are still deluded and bewitched by him; because the center hath
never been actually awakened in any of them, so that the Devils power
prevails over them mightily, to seduce them to worship things visible,
and not the true God: For where the most darkness is in Religion
and Worship, or in natural understanding, there his power is most
predominant; As in _Tartary_, _China_, and the _East-Indies_; also in
_Lapland_, _Finland_, and the _Northern Islands_.
♦Under Idolatry.♦
13. In the _West-Indies_ or _America_, his access is very facil and
freequent to the Inhabitants, so that by custom and continuance they
were at the first discovery thereof, become so much substitute and
obsequious to his power, that though they knew him to be a power of
Darkness, yet they adored him lest he should destroy them and their
Children. And unto such a height were they come at the Landing of
_Cortes_, _Drake_, and _Vandernort_, that they could familiarly convert
themselves into Wolves, Bears, and other furious Beasts; in which
Metamorphosis their _Enthusiasms_ and _Divinations_ were suggested, and
such were held in greatest esteem.
♦How power in new-discovered Lands.♦
14. Till upon the Invasion of the _Spaniards_, the greater evil drove
out the less, and the cruel Murthers of that Antichristian tradition,
did both depopulate the Islands and most of the Continent; and also by
accident, though not through any good intention, extirpate the race
of such as addicted themselves to this infamous sort of Divination. In
which devastation, and bloody inquisition, their Idols were discovered
with their Oracles and Inchantments, far different from the _European_
Conjurers, and any of their Ceremonies.
♦His power in _America_.♦
15. But that which is the most remarkable in the Infernal proceedings,
is this, That there is not any Nation under the Sun, but the Devil hath
introduced himself amongst them through their Ceremonies and Worship,
though quite opposite to one another: For in the Kingdom of _China_,
by the sacrifice of _Blood_ and _Panaak_, he is Conjured and Exorcized
through the repetitions of several Superstitious Invocations to the
Sun and Moon. In _Tartary_ the Magicians go quite another way to work,
with Offerings to the Ocean, to the Mountains, and the Rivers, fuming
Incense, and divers sorts of Feathers; by which means the Devils are
compelled to appear. So that we see how this _Proteus_ can dispose
himself in the divers Kingdoms of this World; being called by other
names in _Tartary_, _China_, the _East_ and _West-Indies_, &c. then
amongst the _European_ Conjurers. Likewise the _Greeks_ and _Romans_
could Invocate Spirits by Prayers unto the Moon, and divers Sacrifices
of Milk, Honey, Vervine, and Blood. And those that are addicted to
Conjurations in Christianity, have attained to a more lofty and ample
manner of Incantation and Conjuring with Magical Garments, Fire,
Candles, Circles, Astrological Observations, Invocations, and holy
Names of God, according to the _Kaballa_ of the _Jews_.
♦The variety of Conjurations according to the Countries.♦
16. So that every distinct Nation hath conformed its Conjuration unto
the Ceremonies of that Religion which it professeth: And it is to be
observed, That from a natural cause every Nation hath its Conjurations
and Names of Devils, from the Constellation under which the Countrey
lyeth, and from the Air or Wind to which such particular Dominations
do belong; so that no effect would follow, if one Countrey should
traditionally inure themselves to the Forms and Exorcisms that are
used by another Nation. And therefore is it that so many attempts are
offered in vain amongst professed Christians to raise Spirits, because
they have little or nothing from their own Constellation, but make
use of what they have borrowed from the _Greeks_ and _Romans_, or the
ancient Imbecillity of the _Ægyptians_ Priests; I mean, their simple
forms of Invocation.
♦Why few are able to raise Spirits.♦
17. But because we are rather upon the discovery of the Infernal
Kingdom, as it hath no dependence upon the doings of mortal Men;
therefore we will proceed to discover what the Antients have said
concerning it: So the next which we fall upon after the description of
their Habitations, and the manner of their Appearances, is their Names
and Appellations diversly considered. First, from the Creation of the
World to the coming of Christ, they retained the _Hebrew_ names, as
►Belial, Baal, Baalzebub, Lelah, Ador, Abaddon◄, &c. according to the
_seculum_ under which they were Invocated; assuming names according to
the present occasion about which they were imployed.
♦The Names of Devils in the Time of the Law.♦
18. Under the Constellation of _China_, they are Invocated by the
Names ►Kan, Sinoam, Nantam, Bal, Baltal, Sheall◄, the six Governours
or Presidents: ►Chancangian◄, the chief of the Devils: ►Po, Paym,
Nalkin, Nebo◄, the Devils of the four Winds: ►Lean, Lan, Pan, Adal◄,
the Devils of the four Elements. And according to the nature of their
language or words which do all consist of no more then one syllable,
so are the Devils named. Yea, as it is conjectured by many learned
Magicians, this language of the _Chinenses_ is more Magical and adapted
to Conjurations, then all the _Oriental Tongues_, because of the
consonancy and copiousness thereof, together with the numerous and
various Characters used by them.
♦Their Names in _China_.♦
19. In the _East-Indies_, and in _Tartary_, the Names are the same
with those of _China_, though the Ceremonies differ. In _Persia_,
_Arabia_, _Natolia_, _Ægypt_, _Æthiopia_, the Names are the same with
the _Jewish Rabbins_. But the _Greeks_ and _Romans_ have different from
the rest, according to their Language and Superstitions. The _Turks_,
_Muscovites_, _Russians_, _Lapponians_, and _Norwegians_, make use of
the _Sclavonian_ tongue in all their Conjurations. The _West-Indians_
have very strange and antick Names and Ceremonies of their own, nothing
depending on the Traditions and Practices of the old World; for, as
is related before, the Devil is sufficiently capable of introducing
himself through the Religious Superstitions of any Nation whomsoever,
according to the Constellations, although strangers to the Rites and
Ceremonies of others.
♦In the _East-Indies_.
_Tartaria._
_Greece._
_Italy._
_West Indies._♦
20. But though their Names be conformable to the Language and Climate
of that Nation where they are raised or called; yet have they divers
Names, suppose twenty or thirty to one Devil, according to the several
ministrations they have had from the Creation to this day, leaving a
several name behinde them at each of their appearances upon the earth;
for, according to the testimony of the Devil himself, if credit may be
given to Devils, they, as they are abstractively considered in their
own Kingdom, have no imposed Names of distinction, but are forced
to assume them when they rise up in the external principle of this
World: although in some measure it must be granted, that there be some
principal Kings and Dukes in the Infernal Hierarchy, that have Names
establish’d upon them which cannot be transferr’d or altered.
♦The nature of their Names.♦
21. As for the Names that are recorded in this precedent _Discovery_
_of Witchcraft_ by _Reginald Scot_ Esq; being a Catalogue of Devils in
their Rancks and Hierarchies, they are supposed to be fictitious and
totally imaginary, being taken out of _Bodin_ or _Wyerus_, which they
recorded from the mouth of Tradition, and obscure Manuscrips:[*] And
indeed were there any certainty in this List of Devils, it were to be
preferred as the most ample and exact delineation that is extant. But
it is the rather to be suspected, because of the little coherence it
hath with the former received Names of Devils eitheir in _Europe_,
_Asia_, _Africa_, or _America_.
♦The names of [_sic_] Devils in _Scot_.♦
♦[*] [_sic_]♦
22. But if we would speak of Damned Souls and their Names or
Appellations, they are farr otherwise to be considered then the Devils;
for such as their imposed Names were here on earth, such is the Name
they have in the Kingdom of Darkness, after a Magical manner, according
to the language of nature in the first principle of Darkness; as the
Saints in heaven retain their Names in a Cœlestial manner: And also, as
the Astral Spirit of a Man deceased, retains its antient Name according
to the Astral source in the principle of the one only Element.
♦The names of Damned souls.♦
23. For as the language of Nature is found in the second Principle,
it is likewise manifest in the dark Worlds property, according to the
first Principle of Wrath; as also the monstrous shapes of Devils and
Damned Souls is correspondent to the Magical postures of their Souls
whilst they were alive; of which I shall speak more largely when their
Shapes are to be described. According unto which, as also according to
the rest of their attributes, _viz._ their _Rancks, Numbers, Times,
Powers, Places_, &c. their Names are fitted and conformed according to
the uniformity of name and thing in the principles of the eternal and
external nature.
♦Whence the names of Devils are.♦
24. And as all other Nations have their various Appellations for
Devils and Damned Souls, like their natural tone or language; so we
can mention one Kingdom more admirable then the rest, _viz._ the
Kingdom of _Fiacim_ at the _Northern Pole_, where all the Counsellors
are Magicians; and the Names which they use in Invocations, are
Mathematically disposed in a wonderful harmony and efficacy, to the
performance of Magical operations. So much of the Places and Names
of Infernal Beings; the next to be considered is their Shapes and
Likenesses.
♦The names of Devils in the Kingdom of _Fiacim_.♦
25. The Shapes of Devils are answerable to the cause of their Fall, and
the Dominions to which they belong. Those that belong to the Supreme
Hierarchy, when they are called by Magicians, do at first appear in the
form of fierce and terrible Lyons, vomiting fire, and roaring hideously
about the Circle; from thence they convert themselves into Serpents,
Monkies, and other Animals, till the Magician do repeat the form
of Constriction or Confinement to a Trine or Triangle, as before is
mentioned in the Fifteenth Book of the _Discovery_.
♦The Shapes of Devils.♦
26. After the Conjuration is repeated, they forsake these bestial
shapes, and [*]indow the humane form at first like troops of Armed
Men; till at last by frequent repetitions of other Ceremonies, they
appear as naked Men of gentle countenance and behaviour. Yet is the
Magician to take care that they deceive him not by insinuations; for
their fraudulency is unspeakable in their appearance and dealings with
Mankind; because we may be assured they appear not willingly, but are
by forceable Conjurations compelled: so that they will ever minde their
own ends in medling with man; that is, to deprave his minde, or subvert
the Lives and Estates of others through his means and assistance.
♦As they appear to Magicians in the highest rank.♦
♦[*] [= indue]♦
27. The rest of the Infernal Dominions have various appearances. The
two next Orders affect to represent the beautiful colours of Birds, and
Beasts, as Leopards, Tygers, Pecocks, _&c._ But by Conjurations they
may be likewise reduced to a Manlike form, wherein they will readily
answer every demand within the compass of their capacity, answerable to
the Order unto which they belong: Yet many of them appear in Monstrous
forms, and can hardly be conjured to desert them. Though the Exorcist
Charm them never so wisely, they will shew him a pair of Crocodiles
jaws, or a Lyons paw, with other dreadful menaces, enough to terrifie
any Novice from such Damnable Injunctions as the practice of Magick.
♦In the lower orders.♦
28. But more especially, the opinion of the antients is, That according
to the division of the clean and unclean Beasts in the Law given unto
_Moses_, the Shapes of Devils are disposed in the Infernal Kingdom: So
that the most perverse and potent amongst the Devils represent the most
ugly and mischievous amongst the Beasts, according to this following
division; _viz._ such Devils as ►Astaroth, Lucifer, Bardon, Pownok◄,
who incline men and instigate them to pride and presumptuousness, have
the shapes of Horses, Lyons, Tygars, Wolves. Such as instigate to Lust
and Covetousness have the forms of Hogs, Serpents, and other filthy
reptiles or envious Beasts, as Dogs, Cats, Vultures, Snakes, _&c._
Such as incline to Murther, have the shapes of every Bird and Beast
of prey. Such as Answer Questions humane in Philosophy, or Religion,
have more tolerable shapes, almost manly, but with crooked Noses, like
Mermaids, or Satyres. And of all the rest it is to be observed, that as
not one single Lust or Vice hath dominion without mixture in the evil
Spirits, so they are not of a distinct shape lik one single Beast, but
compounded into Monsters, with Serpents-tails, four eyes, many feet and
horns, _&c._
♦That the Devils are answerable to the unclean Beasts.♦
29. And as in general, these are the shapes of Devils, so the
particular shapes of Damned Souls are to be considered in the same
manner with the rest, only with this difference, that they are more
addicted to metamorphose themselves and vary their appearances. Though,
for the most part, the Damned Souls retain the humane shape after a
Magical manner, so that the greatest part of that numberless number are
in their antient shapes, especially when they appear in sleep to their
surviving acquaintance. Their aspects are very dismal and melancholy
like the Ghosts of the Astral source.
♦The shapes of Damned Souls.♦
30. Now to speak of the Times and Seasons of their Appearance. The
better sort of Magicians to square their times with Astrological hours,
especially of _Saturn_, _Luna_, and _Venus_, in the Moons increase,
and the middle of the night, or twelve a clock at noon: In which hours
they do likewise compose their Garments, Caps, Candlesticks, Figures,
Lamins, Pentacles, and Circles for Conjuration. As for the Times in
respect of their Infernal Courses, the fittest are when they spring up
in the Wrath, or when they sink in the Dispair, which is a mystery to
the learned Conjurers of _Europe_.
♦Their times and seasons.♦
31. In respect of this exterior World, they can most easily appear
in solitary places, when the Sun is down; for they are naturally at
enmity with the Sun, because it stands as a type of the Mediator, or
Heart and Centre which they lost utterly in their fall, and now are
destitute of, like a wheel without an axletree. And indeed, the want
of this is the chief cause of all their torment, and of the rising of
the gnawing Worm, when they consider of their irrevocable sentence, and
irrecoverable loss.
♦Their places of appearance.♦
32. In storms of Hail, or Snow, Wind, Tempest, and Lightning, is
accounted amongst Magicians, a time for Conjuring at an easie rate. And
they say, That such Ceremonies will prove very effectual, if a Conjurer
begin his Exorcisms in the hour and day of _Luna_, in the middest of a
furious storm of Lightning, Rain, and Thunder, in a low Vault or Celler
that is close and retired. Also when the Wind blows high, without Rain,
they say, the Devils are more near the Kingdom of this World, and may
with great facility be sollicited or raised at such a season, because
they delight in all extremities of weather, being themselves the first
cause of the disorder of the properties in the Kingdom of Nature.
♦When Tempests reign.♦
33. But in some Countries they can more easily appear then in
others, according to the Constellations, for they delight much in
the extremities of the two Poles toward _Lapland_, _Nova Zembla_,
_Greenland_, _Tartary_; and in the _South_ towards the Islands
scattered about the confines of _Terra Incognita_. They are likewise
easily Invocated on the shoar amongst lofty Rocks and Precipices, or in
Deserts and Wildernesses far from Towns or Inhabitants. And it is said,
they do much respect the motion of the Seas in their appearance unto
such as solicite them in places _Maritime_ or _Plagiary_.
♦According to the situation of Regions.♦
34. As for their Rancks or Orders, there is some difficulty in the
true discovery thereof, by reason that we know not certainly of what
Orders they were that _Fell_. The opinion of most men is, _That of
every Order many fell_. But those that better know the nature of the
Heavenly Hierarchies, have sufficiently proved, _That of any Ranck or
Order none can fall unless all do follow_. Therefore with more reason
may it be judged, That before the Devils fell, the Hierarchy of Heaven
did consist of three Rancks or Orders; to wit, the Order of ►Uriel◄, of
►Michael◄, of ►Lucifer◄: That of ►Lucifer◄ is totally in _Hell_: The
other which is under ►Michael◄, is the dominion of _Heaven_: The last
which is ►Uriels◄, are more in the dominion of this third principle
of the _Stars_, having the _Planets_ in their dominion, with the
influences thereof.
♦Their Ranks and Orders.♦
35. So that the foregoing Catalogue, transcribed by the Author of this
_Discovery_, is utterly feigned and fictitious, because it makes these
many sorts of Devils to have Dominion over several Legions in several
distinctions of _Seraphims_, _Powers_, _Thrones_, _Dominations_,
_Cherubims_, &c. Whereas the whole Kingdom of Hell consists but of one
only Hierarchy, which is that of ►Lucifer◄ and his _Legions_, reduced
by their exorbitances into that Lacrymable posture wherein they now are
and shall be for ever. Which Doctrine seriously weigh’d will prove the
attempts of Conjurers and Magicians to be utterly vain, and their forms
of Invocation vanity and falshood.
♦In three distinctions.♦
36. Their number may be thought upon more narrowly, if we consider that
they consist of one Hierarchy and no more; yet must we confess that the
limit is not to be put thereunto, because their nature is to Germinate
and Multiply as they please, contracting and dilating themselves
according to the force of their imaginative powers and faculties.
But although this be granted, yet there is a setled number of Devils
that varyeth not. Though of Damned Souls the number is numberless and
unfathomable; yet as to their extent of room or place, it is never the
more because of their multitude, they being able to truss a thousand
Legions into the carcass of a man. As for the opinions of Authors, they
are various; it is believed by some, _That the Starrs are answerable to
their number_; others speak of _the Sands upon the Seashore_: however
it be, this is certain, _They are even innumerable in respect of humane
Capacities_.
♦Their numbers.♦
37. Their Natures are now to be considered as they belong to the
hellish source or quality. In themselves they rest not, neither are
they capable of the length or shortness of time, nor of the alternate
courses of day and night. The wickedness which they committed in
this life, are their continual torment, which do Magically gnaw and
corrode them, rising and boyling up perpetually within them, all the
refrigeration which they have, is by intercourse when the height of
Wickedness begins to stirr them in blasphemies against God, and towring
up above heaven and goodness, in their adulterated Imaginations, which
is unto them as sport and pastime with one another, and lasteth such
a space as with us makes up forty minutes. Neither doth this any whit
advantage them, but rather adds to their torment; for pain discontinued
is the greater: neither would vexation be vexation, if it had no
respite or forbearance; That the contrary might be also manifest,
_Nam contraria juxta se posita majus elucescunt_. Yet is their
torment exceedingly different, so that the torment of one, in respect
of another, is but a Dream or Phansie; I mean, amongst the Damned
Souls, and not the Devils, for the pain and sorrow of the Devils is
greater then the greatest of the lost Souls, by many thousand degrees,
according to the course of nature and reason; for that which falls
highest, suffers most, and _optima corrupta fiunt pessima_.
♦Their natures and properties.♦
♦Their torments♦
38. But wonderful and manifold are the torments which all in general
of the Infernal troops, do suffer according to the various lusts they
reigned in whilst they lived upon the earth. The cruel Murtherers
that died in the boyling source of blood and envy, their torment is
the greatest, they are continually Murthering in their imaginations,
and seeking, like dreaming men, to do what the want of the Organ will
not suffer them; for according to the saying of the wisest upon this
Subject, this is the torment and misery of all the Damned, _That they
are continually wishing and woulding; and in wouldings they generate
Ideas and representations, which are the species of their continual
aggravations and deceiving phansies_.
♦The Variety thereof.♦
39. Those that were buryed in Lust and Gluttony, Drunkenness and
Lasciviousness, are also in miserable torments, yet much inferiour to
the first; they are continually imagining their former pleasures in the
_Magia_ as in a dream, which when they wake, torments them cruelly;
they are often hanging, stabbing, and mangling themselves for love,
and perpetually sinking down in sorrow and despair, if they were such
as died in love, or in the height of their Astral affections, leaving
behind them a heap of desires and lusts, which are the only cause of
all their torment. And we may well compare the passions of Melancholy
persons, or such as in Deserts, Woods, and Mountains, pine away for
love of Women, unto their torments; which indeed being the trouble of
the mind, are absolutely the greatest and heaviest that the source or
property of this World affordeth, I mean, the perturbations of the
minde in general.
♦The Nature thereof.♦
40. Such souls in whom the boyling source of Anger and Rage, hath
had a dwelling or receptacle, if they depart unmortified, do also
enter into a most dreadful kind of torment, which continually ariseth
as a biting Worm and hungry fire to double and accumulate the excess
of despair upon them, if they have much domineered therein whilst
they lived in this World. Also these that reigned in Pride and Envy,
are ever seeking to pluck God from his Throne, and towring up in
their Imaginations, as men that dream, still seeking for the Kingdom
of heaven, to insult and boast therein; but the quality thereof is
utterly occult and estranged from them; so that they can never finde,
taste, hear, nor see it, though it be through and through with their
own peculiar principle. This adds perpetually to their misery, and
ariseth at times with horrible pangs and gnawings, like the irksome and
vexatious pains and aches subject to Mans body, which cease a while and
then begin to shoot and ake by intercourse, as the Gowt, Tooth-ach,
Head-ach, Convulsion, Gripings, and the Stone.
♦Their torment in the source of Anger.♦
41. Thus their torments are in brief described, but indeed the capacity
of Man is not able to reach the description of their cruel miseries,
and continual pangs which they contracted upon themselves; for every
faculty is sufficiently plagued. The Sence of Hearing is disturb’d
with harsh and rugged sounds, which are as an antipathy to that Organ;
as rough and scraping sounds externally offend the ears, and set the
teeth on edge, by affecting the tender fibres of the same. Their Sight
is likewise cruelly offended and affrighted with monstrous appearances
and Ideas represented continually to their imaginations. And there is
not any loathsome taste in the Kingdome of this World, either Animal,
Vegetative, or Mineral, which they are at any time void of, being
continually pestered and suffocated with filthy fumes and smoaks of
hellish fruits, as of Sulphurean stinks, and abominations.
♦In all the five Senses.♦
42. Neither are the other Sences of the Touch and Smell behind in
participation of the like Torments, which their own iniquities do
perpetually excite and create unto them; besides, they are ever
vexing one another; and if any be in the same misery with whom they
had acquaintance here on [*]eath, the very Magical knowledge,
and perceivance, or remembrance thereof, doth beyond utterance or
conception, most miserably afflict and macerate their Souls and all
their Sences.
♦By their acquaintance on earth.♦
♦[*] [_read_, earth]♦
43. For the nature of their habitation is such, that their torment
is exceedingly aggravated thereby, because the extremity of the four
Elements is there converted into a whole Principle of wrath and
vexation. The excess of cold and heat, drought and moisture, are
continually raging amongst them by intercourse. Neither is there any
light or lustre to be seen within their Courts, but that which comes
from their fiery Eyes, as a deadly glance or glimmering, being sudden
fiery flashes and sparkling, as the enkindling of Gunpowder, or _Aurum
fulminans_ for a similitude.
♦The Nature of Hell.♦
44. And as every kinde of Being feeds upon somewhat of its own nature,
property, and element, whither it be Plant, Animal, or Metalline kinde;
so the Devils are neither destitute of meat, drink, nor cloathing,
according to their own Kingdom and quality, having fruits springing
and growing before them of hellish, sour and poysonous natures, which
are real and palpable unto them, and not imaginary or typical, though
to us magical and invisible; neither is this to be wondered at, if we
consider the nature of Man’s Soul, _In Media Natura_; for if it feed
not upon the internal[*] and substantial Word, which is the very
Bread of Life it self, it must of necessity ruminate on something else,
_viz._ the fruits of Iniquity, which it takes in and drinketh up as
the Oxe drinks water, so that to the soul the sin becomes palpable,
glutting, and satiating; yea, so substantial unto the Soul, as Dirt or
Ink upon fair white Linnen is to our external Eyes; neither can the
Soul be freed from these spots till the water above the Firmament wash
them away.
♦The food of Devils.♦
♦[*] [? eternal]♦
45. Also in respect of the Astral source they are not destitute of
food, when they bring themselves into the same; for the gas of the air
and bias of the water is their nourishment, while they stay here, as
is before alledged: These influences of the air and water they take
into their _Limbus_, and convert into their own poysonous natures; as
of sweet and wholsome herbs the filthy Toads and other venemous Beasts
do make their poyson, converting them into a nature like themselves.
And on the contrary, the poysonous herbs are converted into good and
wholesome nourishment by other cleanly Beasts.
♦Their food in the Astral source.♦
46. And as the Infernal Troops are considered in respect of the
four Elements, they have a distinct and peculiar tone or language,
which they exercise and speak one amongst one another, as mortals
do. But they have utterly lost the dignity of their sounds according
to the eternal nature. And are likewise totally corrupted in their
pronouncing, or Dialect, since they fell from their first cælestial
glory; so that their speech is harsh, doleful, and terrible, like the
fruits they feed upon, and the life they dwell in. Which depravation
is very apparent in the Kingdom of this World in the divided Languages
of every Region, according to the Constellation under which they are
situated: The true and magical Language of nature being hid from all
the Countreys of the earth.
♦Their Speech.♦
47. But when they appear in the outward Elements, they do many times
express themselves in _Irish_, _Welch_, _Latine_; or _Russian_, which
are the Languages most affected by them to answer unto Conjurations,
or Compacts. So that if any Magician, who is ignorant of these
aforesaid Languages do at any time Raise or Exorcise such Spirits,
he must be mindful to confine them to his mother tongue; least their
gibberish prove altogether unintelligible; for as every thing appears
in what it most affecteth, or is addicted to; even so the Spirits have
their distinct affections, passions, and postures, both in word, habit,
shape, and gesture; so that the Magician must be wary in Exorcizing
with them, that he confine them to a different place, posture, shape,
and language, to answer their intentions without impediment.
♦What Language they affect.♦
48. For they are very variable and unconstant in their dealings with
mankind, nor will they stand to any thing that hath not bound them by
the obligations of Words, Characters, and Imprecations, except the
skill of the Exorcist be such, that he is able to confine them into a
Magical Triad, which hath the certain force of obliging or compelling
them to utter truth, and nothing false in all their Answers, or
Informations. But with such miserable men and women as they have made
Covenants and Indentures for body, soul, and works; with such I say,
they keep no faith, nor are they lyable to their commands; but on the
contrary, have them hampered and subjected to their will and power,
till they have terminated their lives in their destruction.
♦Their unconstancy.♦
49. Yet have not any of the most potent Princes in the Hellish Power,
the least ability to destroy the least of the sons of men, without
the consent of the mind and senses of the Soul; for until the will of
the Soul be opened unto him, his threatnings, sleights and stratagems
are without any power or force, as the nerves of a dead man. Although
naturally every evil Spirit boasteth, as if all the world were at its
command, and every Soul were subject to its authority and beck, with
the Goods or Possessions of the external World.
♦Their Power.♦
50. When any evil Spirit is raised up by Conjurations, without
League, or Compact; these Spirits so raised, are exceeding fraudulent
and deceitful, as stubborn servants that do their Masters will by
constraint, and not by any natural act of obedience unto his Commands.
But with such as they have compacted, they are frequent and officious,
imploying them as Agents for the destruction of others and their
substance: and being marryed unto such, they are even become one with
them, being incorporated into them, so that they are nothing different
from incarnate Devils, save that the spark of divine Light, which was
the gift of God unto repentance, is not totally eradicated until the
body fall away.
♦When they are called up.♦
51. From such as Covenant with these unconstant Spirits, do they
daily obtain Fumigations, Odours, and Offerings, or Sacrifices of
Blood, Fire, Wine, Ointments, Incense, Fruits, Excrements, Herbs,
Gums, Minerals, and other Ingredients, by which from a Magical cause,
they have more influence and authority over the bewitched party to
insinuate into their affection, peircing even through their bones and
marrow, till they have so habituated them to their service, that the
same becomes their daily bread and sole delight in accomplishing every
villany and abomination which the malicious and subtle instigation of
Satan leads them to.
♦Fumigations made unto them.♦
52. Thus have I Essayed to illustrate the Natures of Infernal Beings,
which notwithstanding is a Subject so intricate and copious in it
self, that great difficulty accompanies the Explication thereof; by
reason of the variety of their natures in the source of darkness,
wherein they live, move, eat, breath, and inhabit, having qualities,
actions, and passions innumerable, to us men-kinde utterly unknown and
incomprehensible: So that to attempt an ample demonstration of this
present Subject, would require deeper speculation then the matter doth
deserve, in regard that there be so many _Protei_ and Changlings in
that gloomy Kingdom, who do never stay or continue in the same nature,
property, and form for an hour together; but may be compared to the
swiftness of the Windes, or the likeness and form of swift running
Waters, that pass away as a thought; and are no more remembered. So
it is with the Spirits of Darkness, whose life is a meer anguish and
inconstancy from one sorrow to another unto all Eternity.
♦The Conclusion.♦