But to the Matter in hand, we see the natural Astrologers they go by a
Rule, and their Wisdom and Knowledge in Things of Nature, it is declared
by them from and by a Rule, else that they say would be meer Nonsense
and Foolishness.
Yet I say, your natural Astrologers they are Witches, and have their
Figure to judge the Effects of the Stars; but this Witchcraft is allowed
by the Powers of the Nations.
So I say, these Witches that doth do Things by a Familiar Spirit, they
have a Rule to walk by as the other hath; for as the Imagination of the
other hath by the Study of the Figure, attained to give some Judgment
upon the Effects of the Stars, upon a particular Person or Nation. So
likewise those Witches that hath a Familiar Spirit, they have attained
to this Familiar Spirit out of their Imagination of Reason, as I said
before.
And this Familiar Spirit being begotten in themselves by the Strength of
Imagination their Father; now understand thus much, that this diabolical
Wisdom that is begotten in Man and Woman by the Imagination of Reason,
the Devil is that Familiar Spirit that Men and Women do act by.
And after this Familiar Spirit is begotten in Man or Woman by
Imagination their father, as I said before, then this Familiar Spirit of
the Witch will motion in the Mind too fast, and pray unto the Host of
Heaven, the Sun, Moon and Planets, supposing that the good Spirit in
some of them, and imagining the evil Spirit or Devil to be in other some
of them.
Now observe, when this Familiar Spirit is produced in them, then they
observe every Motion of the Mind, and their Faith being in every Motion
of their Minds, it produceth either some farther Knowledge in their own
Apprehension, or else some Visions are presented to their Phantasies;
for they have dedicated some certain Words to be said in their Minds
motional, to be used when they would do any Feats, besides their Fasting
and Prayer. And this Thing they have dedicated to enquire of, is that
which they divine with, or tell any Thing from it, is much like unto the
Astrologers, their Figure is dedicated for that Purpose, that he may
tell Things from, and without the Knowledge of the Figure. He can tell
nothing except he were skilled in it before, but the Figure was the
Thing he came to know more than others at the first; for wonderful
Things may be accomplished through the Imagination of Reason, when it
hath set it self apart on purpose to attain unto such Things.
For I find by Experience within this seventeen Years, what strange
Things hath been atchieved by Man and Woman, who hath given themselves
up to an unknown God upon a Religious Account. Some hath by their
Fasting and Prayer unto an unknown God, attained unto Visions,
Apparitions, Appearance of Angels, Voices, and many other strange
Things; yet altogether ignorant of the true God and the right Devil, and
what Angels are; so that these Things hath been all within them, and
they thought that God had revealed these Things unto them; when as they
did attain unto these Things aforesaid by their own Endeavours; as many
_Quakers_ and others can Witness at this Day, if they would, by
hearkening to the Light within them, and Fasting, and such like. Neither
did God present any Vision, or speak any Voice unto them, but they do
produce those Things aforesaid by their own Imaginations.
So is it with Witches, they do raise Shapes and Voices out of
themselves, and those Voices they hear, they are no other but motional
Voices in themselves; and the ignorant People that believes them is
Partakers of those motional Voices also with the Witch.
For their is no Spirit of the Devil without them, that doth assume any
Shape, or speak any Voice unto the Witch, neither doth any Spirit
without the Witch reveal any Knowledge unto them; it is all produced by
their own wicked Imagination, who hath begotten within themselves that
Familiar Spirit they deal with, and not from any Devil or Spirit without
them.
But all cometh from the Imagination within, that is, the Devil and no
other; yet this Familiar Spirit is produced from within them, to see
Shapes, and hear motional Voices, meerly by watching the Motion of the
Imagination that is placed in their Minds or Hearts, even as the
_Quakers_ do by hearkening to the Light within them, they do procure
many strange Visions and motional Voices, but they being Groundless and
Nonsensical they come to nothing.