Chapter XXX: Part 30

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 of_ Learmonts _so 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._

21. The variety of Examples throughout the writings of Learned men may serve as stronge inducements to confirm this particular of _Astral Spirits_, or _Ghosts_ that belong unto Mortal men, returning after 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 the _wandring of Ghosts besides the River Styx for an hundred years_. And the custome of Solemn Interment amongst them.

♦Apparitions before Christianity, were frequent.♦

22. But with more probability, The Custome of the Funeral Piles used by the _Romans_, 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 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 by _Paracelsus_, that _the 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.

♦Why Funeral Piles were instituted.♦

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 from _Persia_ where they had been to see the King _Cosroes_, 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.

♦What the want of Burial causeth.♦

24. To confirm the verity of _Astral Spirits_ proper, and their returning, I shall conclude this Chapter with the Example of the famous _Aristeus_ the Poet who “in the Isle _Marmora_ dyed suddainly, at which instant a certain Philosopher of _Athens_ arriving 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 at _Proconnesus_ his native Town, and remaind a while composing several Poems and Verses called _Arimaspei_, and then vanished. In _Metapontis_ he was seen 300 years after that, charging that _Apollo_’s Altar should be erected by the name of _Aristeus Proconnesius_. The like stories are reported of _Apollonius_, and _Pythagoras_, whom their followers would have to be _Ubiquitaryes_, affirming, _That at one instant of time they were seen in several places thousands of miles in distance_. And though in [*]_Iamblichus_ who hath wrote the Life of _Pythagoras_, in _Philostratus_ that wrote the Life of _Apollonius Tyanus_, there be many fabulous things reported as to the _Astral Spirits_ separation, 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 the _starry Spirits_ belonging to every individual man and woman, and their returning after the body falls away.

♦The conclusion of this Chapter with an example.♦

♦[*] [sic]♦

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 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.♦

CHAP. V.

_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_.♦