part may be feef in the venerecus family.

Many wonderful Arts and Sciences alfo have
feemedtobe made appeare toArtifts in their
dreams i the reafon whereof hath . been, becaufe

they

Occult Thilojophy. ^j

they have always had an ardent afFeftion to thofe
Arts : fo powerful an imagination thereof, hath
for the moft part followed the fame , (hat they
have fuppofed in their Jreames , that fomc 1 hi-
lofopher hath taught them thefe Arts :this often--
times happeneth,but the greatell part peri(heth
in oblivion : feme ri^ng early in the morning,fay,
This night a wonderful dreame appeared to me,
even as that Mercury, or this or that Paiiofo-
pher corporally appeared unto me in a dreame^
who taught me this 0£ that Arc ; but it i;- fallen
out of my memory, fothat I cannot remember
any more thereof. To whom any fuch thing hath
happened, he ought not to go forth out of his
chamber, nor fpeak with any manjbut to remain
alone and fa(l,unriil he call to remembrance thac
which he had forgotten. And thus much is iuf-
ficient tobefpoken concerning natural d ream s,
and vi(ions appearing in the night in dreames of
what belongech thereunto : But for the conclu-
fio'.i of fuch kinde of vifions , one thing is
yet to be declaredjthatamongt^ all thofe dreams
that do rejoyce our Spirit-^, grieve us, or caule
forrow^ commonly chat which is the contrary
Cometh to pafs? wherefore fuch like kinde of vili-
ons are not alwaye? tobecreditedi

But the other drej.mes which are fuperhatu-
ral, are moft certain Ambaflador?, and true Le-
gats & meffenizers fentunto us from God^which
are nothing elfe but Angels and Good Spirits , ,
who fometimes do appeare to us in our ^reateft
neceffities : Even as it happened to the three
wife men when they had come a great Jouine/
E 2 to

^S raracellusoj

o i's^ke the youn g infant z after they had found
him they would have returned to Berod , to tell
him wnere the child was , and how they found
him s but the Angci oi the Lord appeared unto
them in a dreame,faying > Do not return to h*m^
hut return inte your own Countr) another wfiy. For
God knew the falfe heart of ii/>r/?<i , from which
he [poke, wherefore he would nor fuffer his will
to be performed. The like dreame happened
£0 Jofefh and Jacoh^ when he would go into
j£gypt : the fame in like manner happened to A'-
ndwiis ^ ^ornelius^ znd many others ; all whofe
dreams are fupernaturahfuch dreams do fomtimes
alfo happen to men in our times^but they are no-
thing ei^eemedjyet neverthelefs they are not fal-
lacious. We are likewile to know that thefe kinde
of vi(ions may be obtained by us by prayer from
our Lord Godwin onr greateft neceffities, fo that
our prayers be made wiih a liacere heart , and
with a tru^^ and undoubted faith, then he will at
length fend his Angel unco us^who will appeare
unto uj, and fpiriioally admonifl:!, teach, and
promiieus.

Ba/adm w^s moft expert in thefe kinde of vi-
fionsrfor every ni^hr^ as often a? he would, he
could obtain a viUon of this kinde: yet the Scrip-
ture hath given him an obfciire nn me, to wit, an
Inchanter i k is not expedient to make an y dif^
ierence, for the Scripture obferveth no difFer-
ence herein, but callerh all them Inchanters who |
have esperienc e and knowledge in the vermes of \
natural things? • neverthelefs, great difcretion
is to be lafed in thefe chings ,• God would have

us

Occtth Thilojophy a.^

US to walkc in fimplicity, as the Apoftles did,
and noc to Tearch too deeply into fuch high , ab-
ftrufe, and iecret things above nature ; that we
fall not into the abiile thereof, and therewith
hurt our neighbour : and rocomeinco condem-
nation both of body and fouie. They are not
therefore all Inchanters which the Scripture call-
cth fo : for then it would fojlow that thofe three
wile men of the E^/^fhould be Arch-Inchanters j
when as in all Arcs , efpeciallyin fuch as were
fupernatural , they excelled all others before
their time : therefore that the Scriptures do not
call them Incbamers,but uife men i what elfe
can be gathered from them, but that they did in
no wife abufe their Arts and occult wifdome ?
For Magicke is fuch an Art and fcience which
demonltratech and declare th the power and vir-
turc thereof by faichsneverthelefs Inchantments
may fpring from thence, to wit, when it is ufed
abulively 5 and before, it cannot be called an In-
chantment.

But that 1 may fpeake more largely of vifions in
dreams;it is to be kncwn^that fome have been fd
fpiritually lifted up to God in a dream, that they
have feen his glory and the joy of the Atdt^ and
thepunifhment of the damned5'which they could
-never afterwards forget, but have carryed the
%amein their hearts and mindes until the end of
their life ; It is poflibie, I fay, for us to fee all
thefe things in a fpiricual manner-.when we feeke
for and implore the mercy of God , with a true
faith and prayer, we may behold all the Myderyes
©f God very well^as Efaias & John % Thefe kinde

E 3 of

50 Paracelfus of

ofvilionsare certain and true; to which more
faith is to be givenjthen to all the precepts in Ni^
gromancy by iooking-Glaffes, Ch rivals , Beryls^
miles of the fingers^ ftones^waters, and the like ;
for all thefe are falfe and fallacious: and although
&ch Spirits do fometime fpeake in fuch appcar-
ancesj and anfwer, and do aflert the lame with
an hundred Oaths^ with ere6lion of the fingers ;
^et we are not alway to give faith or credit un-
to them^unkfs perchance it be done out of the
fpecial command of God : otherwife they cannot
poffibly fpeake truth of ail vifions^which we have
fpoken of ; thofe Prophefies do come from a true
©riginaljwhich do agree with all the Prophets,
From whence had the Prophets their wifdome
and knowledge, and from whence were thofe
Myfteries of God revealed unto them, by which
they had thofe Spiritual and fupernatural viiions
in dreams? It is neceffary therefore, in the firft
place,to the finde out the true foundation there-
of, and to lay the fame upon the right ftone ,
«Rrhich Is the word of Gcd and his prcmifes ; and
£0 pray daily unto God ; whereby it fhall come
to pafs that he will give os all things which he
hath proRiifedin his word.

There is alfo another vificn belonging to
dreams, which we may take from them that arc
dead; and do appear fpiritually urito us in
dream?5 although they have been dead fifty oe
an hundred years: this is very much to be taken
into coniidemtion ; for many have undertaken
sto treat thereof, which for their too much pro?
li^iry^ (which Feendeavcuito^vpid) w^ will
"■; "^ ' pafs

. OccultThilofophy. 51

parsthem by, relcrving them to their place:
Nevcrchelefs this I will declare, {viz,,) Where
it happeneth that one of thefe Gho/is do ap-
peare, it i:; moli neceft^ry diligently to note and
marke what he fhcweth unto us, what he Ipeak-
cth with us about, or d^^th fpiritiially Negotiate ;
and not alvvays to account thereofas fables: For
if it were poitlble for a man to retaine the fame
reafon fleeping , which he hath waking, that he
could aske and enquire of fuch a Spirit , he
fhould know the truth from him, about all his
defires whatfoever : But it's not needful to
ipeake any more largely in this place concerning
this thins;.

Of Fer[ons and Spirits vvarArmg mder the
Sarth,

UNder the Earth do wander half-men, which
poffels all temporal things , which they
want or are delighted with ; they are Vulgarly
called Gnomi^ or Inhabiters of the Mouncainss
but by their proper namejthey arc called Sylphes
or Tigmies \ They are not Spirit?^, as others are,
but are compared unto them, for the Similitude
of their Arts and InduRry, which are ccmmon to
them with the Spirits : they have fle(h and blood
as men, which no real Spirit hathras Chrirt fpoke
unto his Difciples, when became amcngft them,
when the doores were (but, and they were af-
{tnd^(^yin^^FeeUme^a»d tonch me^for a Spn-it

E 4 kath

5a Paracelfus of

hath not fiefh and blood nor hones^ as 1 have: By
this he himlelf hath taught u ^, that a Spirit hath
no tiiie body that can be touched v nor bones,
nor fleOi^ nor blood , but exilieih in its own
effence of winde or Aire. But of this we have
briefly ipoken enough ; But to recurnto the
earthly Pigmies or halfe-men, we are to know
that thefe are not to be reputed Spirits, but like
to Spirits i but if they are or fliall be called
Spirits, they ought to be called earthly Spirits,
becaufe they have their Chaos and habitation un-
der the earth, and not in the winde and Aire,
^s the other Spirits have.

Many terrene earthly Spirits are found , feen,
and heard to be in foch places , wherein great
treafures, and mighty l^ore of wealth and Riches
are hid ; and aUb under thofe Mountains, where
there is plenty of Gold and Silver ; with which
things they are delighted, and do take the care
and cuftody thereof, and not willingly do they
part from it.

Such as digge Metals have the beft knowledge
ofthefe Spirits, for they are moft troubled with
ithem5and do vexe them , and much perfeciite
them with blowes and llripes: fomtirtles alfo
chey doafford benefits unto them , admoniflbirig
thejn5and warning them of death ; as when they
are heard cncc^twicejihiice oroftenertoKnock
andfirike in the fame place* it (ignifies the death
of him that diggeth or labbureth in that place ;
either he is buryed up by the fall of the Moun-
tain, or dyeth by fome fuch occa^on : this is cer-
tainly experienced by them that do digge in
Mines„V^'v^^ , ■ \- /:: .i ' Thefg

Occult Thilofophy. 55

Thefe Spirits are worft. againft thofe who do
noc appear to be Devils , and chiefiy againft
thole which they hate: but between thele Spirits
and the Devil, there is a great difference -, be-
cauiehe dyetbnot , but theie perifli after they
have lived a long life, othcrwiie they might be
called Spirits for this rearon:but that which hath
flefli and blood , is obnoxious to death , and
ought once to die. There is another thing which
we fhall more largely declare from the com-
mon proverb , whereby it is reported that the
Devil aboundeth in Riches , and poffeffeth much
wealth,,money, goldjandiiiver; and to have all
treafures hidden in the earth under his power,
and to give out of them what he will, to them
that make any Covenant with him. And from
hence that common faying tooke its beginning,
that the Devil for this very caufe giveth not one-
ly Riches plentifully, and every thing that he de-
fireih, gold or iilver to any one that prefcribeth
himfelf unto hirn5& giveth up himfelf folely to be
his,fo as to renounce and forget his Creator^But I
fay that all thefe things are lyes and fained fables,
without any foundation cr ground; which ought
to be rej'eiled of every difcreet and wife man:For
the devil is the pooreR of all creatures, fo that
there is no creature fo miferable & poore, above
or under the earth, or in all the other Elements,
Neither hath he any money,nor Riches, nor any
power over them;how then can he give to this or
that perfon,that which he poffeffeth not ? But he
is infinitely skilful and cunning in Arts; and hath
power to give and to teach them to thofe he

favor«

54- Faracelfus of

favoreth, and that he can wreft away and delude
with his deceit : he hath no money, neither, gold
Bor filver can he give to any one ; neither doth
he ever take or require any bonds or obligati-
ons from men fealed with their blood, or any o-»
ther compaft or Covenant. But there are other
Spirits which do iuch things, iuch as are the 5j/-
-fhes^ or ^jgmks-i^Wi&i although they are perfons
that are little by nature, yet they can appear to
men as they will, great,or little ; faire,defoniied|
rich or poore .* they are not defei^ive nor want-
ing of know ledge in all kinde of Arts that are or
can be found out in all the light of nature ; but
they have them 5 and contain the knowledge of
rhem ail within themfelves : they have enough
of gold and filver, and the mines of all Metals
ender their power and cuiiody. In old times
many of them have been found and heard a-
mongll: men, but now they ceafe ; but no man
hitherto hath known, or could give a reafon of
their fevering and le^aration/eeing they have al-
wayes been efteemed to be Immortal creatures ;
becaufe no man could certainly be able to know
or finde out their death , or could coniider any
caufe of their abfence : neither could any man
for a long time be able to know what they now
are, or whence they proceeded, or whither they
wander, or what gift or office they have. Many
do luppofe that where they bring any benefits or
^ood to men, thatthey are Angels, or good and
familiar Spirits , fent to thofe men from God,
and are afterwards by him taken from them, by
f esfon of the greatnefs of their fins % for often- I

cimes

Occult T^hilofophy. ^^

times they bring to men very many good offices
and benefit^ and do undertake and Maine
many hard labours f^)r them.

Others beiieve that they will not be feen by
us, becaule that when a man Teeth them, he cry-
eth out ; lb that they vanifh away, and will not
appear any more.

Many that do fee or hear thefe Spirits, fuppofe
that they ara the Spirits and foules ot men that
have come to an evil death, fo that they have ei-
ther defperately drowned or hanged themfelves,
or killed themlelves fome other wayes ; and de-
parting from God their Saviour , have given
themfelves to the devil : and for that caufe, do
wander about,and are referved by the devil unto
the day of the laft Judgement,

There have been fome who have fuppofcd
that they are vaine Phanta{ies,and that they have
fore-fhown and prefaged much good fortune
to thofe places wherein they have been feen or
heard ; which many times alfo hath fo happened
and come to pafs : but for the moft part, faith ef*'
fedeth it ; for of their own nature, they do not
bring any fortune, unlefs God compelleth thertt
or our faith. And on the contrary, they are not
able to caufe any misfortune, unlefs it be by the
permiffion of God.

And many do thinke that they are the Ift«
chantments of the Magicians. ,

There are others who having feers and heai d
them about treafures, have judged that they are
the Spirits of men,who have hid treafures in that
place ^ and ought to remain there until the the

iati

^6 Paracelms o/^

Laft Judgement, or umiil their Guflody thereof
is found out ; and this opinion tbey receive
from the wordsofChrift, where he faith, Where
yourtreafureis, there will your hearts be aifo.
Bnt I do not lee any reafon why they fliouid un-
derftandthe heart for the Spirit , but that there
is much difference between them ; wherefore I
fay that all the Judgements which are fpoken of
before, are but falfe opinions, when as thefe are
to beunderftood to be halfe-men,that bear rule
tnd wander in the four Element sjand in the firft
and priftine times of nature,they have been taken
and worfliipped in fiead of God .' Thefe arc they
©f whom God Almighty admoniftieth us in that
Commandtnent of the firft Table, faying , that
we rtiall not have any other Gods but him , nei-
ther in the waters ( whcxQ the Nymphs are un«
derftood ) nor under the Earth , ( by which he
meaner h Sy If be sot 'Tygmies) For the Lord our
God is a jealous God ^ and for fuch an offence
puniftieth the fins of ^.he Fathers upon the Chil«
dren unto the third and fourth generation.

The Mountain of ^«i^' in Italy ^ was much
poffeSed with thefe Spirits? for Ferjus her felf was
t Nymph^znd that Mountain was by a compari-
fon as her Kingdome and Fdradice : But (he is
dead, whereby her Kingdome ceafeth to be : hot
where or in what place is there any mention
heard to be made of them, as in former time^
when Danhanferm ^ and many others entred in
unto them ? Neither did they invent thefe
fables : they were of fuch a nature and conditio
0%that they loved all men that lov«:d them;

and

Occult Thilofo^hy. ^y

and hated them that hated themrwherefore they
gave Arcs and Riches in abundance, to them
who prclcribed and bound themfelves to them ;
and they knew both our minds and thoughts'
whereby it comes to pafs, that they are eafily
moved by us to come to us. I do not fay this,
that I would give this Counfel to any one, but
that the true cround and foundation thereof
might be known, and the true difference which
is between the devil and thefe Semi -homines.
The devil hath not any body, unlefs he take any
thmg to himleif from the four Elements 5 for he
hath neither flefh nor blood ; he remaineth per-
petual, not fubjea to any infirmities or a finite
death ; wherefore he dieih not, but the Ty^mies
do : neverthelefs they are both fubjea to a na«
turaland everlaiiing death, and are both de-
prived of everlarting life : wherefore whofcever
giveth or iubfcribeth himleif unto them, the fame
event happeneth unto him as to them : Let every
one therefore have a fpecial care unto himfelf,
and confider well what he doth, before he fub-
fcribeth himfelf; for he fuddenly doth that
whereby he (hall alwayes be compelled to be
obedient unto them, and to fulfill all their com-
mands ; And if he fhall chance to be difobe^i-
ent unto them, or anger themj they very much
impaire,or totally defiroy and take away' his life.-
there have been found many examples of this
kit5de,to wit,fometimes men have been founcl
dead, their neckes turned about, or otherwife
miierably handled: where any fuch thing hath
happened, it hath hitherto commonly been faid,

thar

jS Paracelfusof

that the Devil hath done this for this caufe^eifcheir
that the man hath not kept his promife and corn-
pa^ with him, or that the time which he cove-
nanted and i'ubrcribed himfelf unto him for,is ex-
piied;and that now he receivcth his latt reward.
But thcfe opinions do not proceed from the
fountaineof truth : for the office of the Devil
containeth no Cuch thing in his power, but ra-
ther he fuggefteth unto men, evil thoughts and
Cogitations, whereby he draw eth them awa/
from obeying the will and commandments of
God; by which means he maketh them to be the
greatett finners , and to forget and deny God
their Creator : and afterwards draweth them
into defpaire, fothat they cannot anymore be
able to pray unto God s wherefore the Elemen-
tary Spirits are moft like unto the devil5and often-
times they are execudoners of the wrath and
vengeance of God ; neverthelefs they do often-
times alfb admonirii and warne us, and do watch
over us and defend us frcm many dangers, and
fometimes do deliver fomc from prifon, and af-
ford to men many other helps.

Wherefore fuch men as are burdened and o-
verwbelmed with grief and forrowful Imagina-
tions5are not to be left alone, but ought to be
entertained with various andpleafant difcourfe,
which may delight their mindes, and expel their
forrow:The Devils likewife are in thcfe cafes not
idle;but as bufie a? thofe terrene Spirits,^ do eali-
iy tempt fuch kinde of men. From hence it comej
to pafs , that fome people, efpecially women m
cbild-bedjhave been ib oppreffedia the night in

their

Occult Thilofophj. y^

their fleepe, that they have thought themfelves
to be as it were Orangled , neitxSer could they
poffibly cry out, or call any helpe, but in the
Morning have reported that they were Ridden
by a hag: And they are liili accounted to be
witches, or Inchanters that do this ; whereas
their bodies cannot polTibly enter into the
chambers,where the doores and Windowes are
fiiut jbut the Sylfhes and Njmples eafily can.

O thou of little faith ! as doubtful as Teter^
who fuffereft thy ielf to be toflcd with every
winde, and art eafily drowned : thou thy felf are
the caufe hereof, by reafon of thy littkjdubious,
and weake faith 5 aifo thy evil thoughts do draw
thee unto this : Thou haft alio in thy felf a fe-
cret Magnes that attra6ieth every like. This is
theCeleftial Load-llone above all others, which
attradeth Iron and fteeI,abovethe Quintelferice
and ftarry Magnes, which maketh the dejected
and hidden Iron to appcanfor the Celeftial Mag-
nes isof fuch power and virtue, thatfrcm the
dirtance of a hundred thonltiid miles, even from
any place whatfoever, from the four Elf ments^
he attracteth the Iron to himfelfawhen he palTeth
into his own exaltation. Bvt this we OialL
make more largely to appear, in two excellent
examples following.

of

So Paraceifus o/'

Ofthe ImaginatioMyandhow the fame cometh into
ifs exaltation^

IXJHat powerful operation the Imagination
^ ^ hath, and how the fame cometh to its hi^ht
and exaltation, may be feen by an example taken
from experience in the time of peftiiencc,where
in the Imagination poyfoneth more then any
infc^ed / ire ; and againft which, no Antidote,
neither of Mithridate nor Treacle, nor any fuch
prcfervative^can exhibit anyhelpe; unlefs that
fuch an Imagination do pafs away and be forgot
ten, nothing q[(z will helpe. So quick and fwifti
a Runner and Meffenger is the Imagination,
that it doth not oneiy fiy out of one houfe into
another, out of one ilreete into another, but alfo
moft fwiftlypafleth from one City and Country
into another; fo that by the Imagination onely
of one perfon , the Peftilence may come into
feme whole City or Country , and kill many
thoufands of men : as may be underftood by
this example. Put cafe there were two brethren
dearly loving one another, and one of them lives .^j
in Fr^;?r^ and the other travels into Italy^v^ho
is taken away by the Peftilence in the middle
way, andnewesfhould be brought to the bro-
ther living in Trance^ chat his brother in Italy
was dead of the Plague ; at which he being af-
frightedj itpierceth through his Skin , into his
Imagination/© that he cannot forget it % and it is

kindled

Occult Thilofophy. 6t

kindled in laim, and this fire doth (o long revcr-
berate and worke, as it may be feen in the try-
alof Gold and Silver, which do fend forth their
flowers lb iorg, until they fliine bright again ;
which is not before they are perfeftly deare^and
feparated from the other impure Metals : After
the fame manner alfo the Imagination iWketh
backe^and worketh it felf unto the higheftde»
gree, after there will be a relucency thereof,
now it is received in a veffel in the man , as the
ipcrme of a nwn is received in the Matrix of
the woman, whereby the conception of the wo-
man immediately follows.So doth the Peftilcnce
go from one to another, fo long till it fpread o-
ver a whole City or Country : Ir is good there-
fore to keep far ofF; not becaulc of any corrupt
cr infefted Aire, for it infeds not the Aire, ( as
fome Ignorant people fay ) but that they may
not fee or heare the operations of the Peftilencc,
which ntay infe£l their mindes. But thofe peo-
ple to whom any fiich ncwes is reported as be-
forefaid , ought not to be left alone y neither
muft they be fufFered to mufe filentiy with them-
felves, whereby the Imagination may labour in
their mindes ; but they are to be comforted,
and the Imagination is ro be expelled from their
mindes , by exciting them to mirth and joy i
Neither let any think that I fpeak this as a fable*
as though it (hould feem to be a light bufinefs ;
neither is the remedy fo eafie for oppreil Ima-
ginations; for the Imaginadon is as it werepitch$
which eafily cleavcth and iHcketh , and foone
laketh fire, which being kindled^is not fd eafily

F enin**

Si Paracelfus of

cxtinguiflied : wherefore the oncly remedy to
refifttbe Peftilencein fuchmen^is to quench
and expel the force of the Imagination, This is
one example wherein the power and operation
of the Imagination is declared, with the exhala-
tions thereof,

But now fofpeake of another example,know,
that the Imagination doth not onely operate on
men in time of Peftilence, and to deprive many
of their lives, but alfo in war: how many have
perifhed in war with the feare of the (hot ? the
caufe of whofe death hath been onely their Ima-
gination which they have had unto their death :
That is, they have been fo greatly overwhelmed
with feare, and fo terrified at every (hot, that
they have thought no other wife but that they
(hould be Wounded with every dart : fuch men
are far oftncr Oaine then thofe that are bold,
whogocouragioufly and without feare againft
their enemies ; they feare no fhot or wound,
but have a firm faith and hope of Vif^ory be-
yond the other Souldiers ; fuch are ftouc and
true Soul diers: how many Towers, Caftles, Ci-
tyes and Country es have fuch warred againft,
and overcome and Vanquilliedthe people there-
of? But the other that are fearful, whether they
be great or little, Noble or Ignoble , Knights,
Earlsj or other?, dofcarce defervea halfc-peny
to go againft an enemy , much lefs any wages.
Wherefore it becomethhim that defireih to be
an old Souldietjorto gain Knight-hood or any
honour in war, to fix and faften his mindc and
Imadnation firmly upon fome moil excellent

ftouc

Occult Thihfophy. ^j

(^out Head and leader of m Array, fuch as Jhllm
CafoTyXnd many amongft the Romans have been ;
and by fo doing,if he know how to ufethis Ima-
ginaticn well ^ and be of a firm and conrtanc
minde, and as he if would attain to and accom-
plifhallthe heroick noble a6ls of fuch a man;
he fliall not onely attain to be an old Souldier,
but fliall accompliOi his defites in attaining to
the like honours.

This hath fuddenly happened to many who
have followed the proceis of their Imagination,
fo that they have attained to great honour and
Riches.

Obje£^. Buffomc may Ohjeti^ that fortfir.el
ftrength and. indnftr) hath helped thern^ and fromo"
tedfnch men ; alfo , that fome have worne herbs^
rootes andfiones-i &c. by reafon ef the virtue rfherC"
#/, they could not be overcome nor wonnded.

jinfw. I lay that all thefc things are conforts
and helpers with the Imagination, which is the
chiefe and general ruler over all others ; al-
though I grant that there arc many fuch thing?,
which do prefer ve in the greateft iieceflity a-
gainft all enemies and their Armes, fo that he
that vvears them5Could not be wounded; where-*
of I fliall make no mention in this place,but re-
fcrvc it to another, Neverthelefs faith is the ex-
altation and coofirmation of all thofe thingsifor
without faith thefe things and ali fuch like are
7aynQ and void of (hength,

¥i ' df

^^ Paracelfus of

of trenfitrc and %Jches hid under the EArth,

W!

E fhall declare ibmching concerning Trct-
fures hid under the Earth ; and (hew fomc
meanes whereby they are known and gotten.
And alfo what things, fomtimes evil, and won-
derful, do happen about them.

The firft thing to be treated of, (hall be the
fignes whereby they are known, that it may be
certainly made manife(l, and not outof meerc
opinion onely.

Note that it comcth to pafs,where fuch places
are, that there do appear many Phantafmes, and
fomtimes immoderate (Grange noifes are heard ,
wherewith they that go out in the night arc
(Uucke with terror and fearc ; fo that fomtimes
they arc caft into a cold fweate, and their hairc
of their head lUnds upright, which for the moft
part happens on the Sabbath night. Alfo if any
lights do appear and fecm to fall about thofc
places, and there their light is extingui(hed and
goeth out ; and fomtimes there fecmc to be
great flafhes of wind in their houfe whofe the
treafure is, and where it is hid ; and there are
fcene many vifions and (Grange Phantafics : and
many lirange Rumors and noifes arc there
heard. Where fuch things happen, they arc
heard and do (hew themfelves mof^ commonly
about the middle time of the night; And the
caafecf thefenqifes^d fights arc, commonly

chac

Occult Thilofophy 6$

that there is trcafure hid, in or about that place,
neither is there any other reafon thereof to be
given. Ncverthelefs many who have notun-
derftood thcfe things , have had many various
opinions hereof.

Some have thought that thefc Phantafies have
beencaulcdby the devil, or by Tome Inchanc-
ment ; or fay fome in ihat houfc vr ho have fomc
workc or famliaricy with the Devil, or who have
given or bound themfelvcs to the devil , or have
made fome promife unto hinn, whereby it comes
to pafs that that wicked and malignant accufer
cauleth thefe things to be feene and heard , that
they might cxpeil the expiration of their dayey,
which he doth fo much dcfire (hould be ful-
filled.

Others do believe, that fome have been fe-
cretly died andburyed there ; others do thinkc
that fome wicked man hath died in that place,
whofe Spirit hath been forced to wander there-
abouts : and there have been other various and
fundry opinions.

But all thefe Judgements arc vaine and falfe,
except onely thofe who conclude that the oc-
cafion of the noifes arc, that there is treafurc
hid about that place; orthic fometimes when
the devil hjith been driven out of fom body thac
he hath poflcfTed , he hath been permitted to
ttay about that place: but where thofe noifes are,
it is a great Teftimony that there is trcafure hid
there.

There are two kinds of treafures hid;fome that

may be founds and fome that cannot be gotten ;

F I the

66 PHaracelfus o/^

the difference whereof is this: fuch is cafie to be
found, which containeth the Metals of Gold and
£lver, and arcfoch kinde as we make, and have
onely been ufed and handled amongft men : that
kinde of treafure is no; ea(ie to be found, which
is Gold and filvcr, that is made, coyned,and
bid by the Nymphes and Sylphes ; which kinde of
Gold and filvcr doth fomcitr.es come to be found
and ufed amongft men, and is by the Nymphes
fuddenly again buryed in the earth , andf after-
wards cannot eafily be found and gotten again.

Thefe things are moft worthy our knowledge ,
efpecially the %nes before fpoken of are moft
diligently to be noted 5 becaufe there are
Magical Rods, which are deceicfulj and arc too
eafily inclinable to bend to any money chat is
letfallorloil.

There are other vlTions alio which appeared
in looking-glafTe^jChrillals, and fuch like things^,*
which Nigromancers that &^ trealures do ufe s
but they are ail faife arid deceitful .5 wherefore
there is little credit to be given unto them.

We come now to fpeake of the manner of
digging for treafure, how a time may be takeisi,
that we may have a happy prot^rcfs in the digt?
ging, which is as foUoweth, Firft, under an in- 1
fluenceof the Moone ot 5^f^r», and when thcti
Moom tranfics TaHrmyCapx^corne or Virgo , IS t '
^' '>d time to begin to feeke or dig «fter trca-
i.ir :. , Neither need you ule any , other Ceremo-
i i I iO draw any Circles, or to ufe any In-r

t..h:-:s:.tms whatibever ; onely thofe that dig
^:^^^- ^ e of a cheerefiil minde , fte^ tnd j^liena^
. '/ . - ted

Occult Thilofophy. 6y

ted from any evil thoughts or cogitations, and
not to be moved,nor feare any phantafies^vifions,
or Imaginations of the Spirits ; although they
fhould corporally appeare , yet they are onely
viiions. Therefore thole that dig ought to dif-
courfejfing^and be chesreful, and not to be af-
frighted at any thing^biit to have a good courage:
And by no meanes foever let them keepe
filencc, as fomc perfidious Negromancers have
taught.

Now when they come ncere to the place
where thcTreafure iSjthat it is almoR detected,
and do heare many noifes ; and ftrange vifions
and horible fights are feene , which oftentimes
happens to be : It flieweth that the Vjgmies and
S^lphesztt there, who do envy that men (hould
have thofe treafures ; and will not willingly
part From them, efpecially if it be their owdj or
iiich as they brought thither. Such treafures arc
to be left, if the keepers thereof confent not,^
And although they may be gotten and taken a«
way as a Rotfjery from thole keepers , yet
thefe keepers have an Art whereby they can
change thefe trcarures,in this way gainedjintoa
vile and bafe matter, as into earth, clay,dung,and
fuch-like things , ( as I have Teene by examples:)
wherefore when any fuch tranfmutations happen,
we are not therefore to defpaire in our mindes,
although we find nothing like either Gold or
filver, neither would any one fuppofe any fuch
thing to be there. We ought therefore to fly ^o
the holy Scripture, which faith thus , God fliall
Judge the world by fire; and in the Pfalmes thus,
V 4 Gcii

^8 Paracelfus of

Gold and filver arc tryedin the fire, and are
found pure and cleane : wherefore in any fuch
tranfmutacions, the fire ought to be the judge ;
the proceeding in the tryal thereof, ought to be
after the fame manner , as the refining and fe-
parating of minerals and Metals ; And by this
me2ne$,it will be forced of necelTity to return
to the fameeffcnce which it had before.

There is another thing remarkeable in thefc
kindes of tranfmutations i for fomtimes the dig-,
gers are deluded, and there are found oftentimes
pots of earthy full of brafs^ridiculous things and
matter,as bone^^egge-ftielis^pieces of wood, and
fuch things, which have* been huryed there many
years before* And they that have found the
fame, have fuppofed it to be the true treafure.
Gold or Silver, and to have been changed by the
evil Spirits ; which is falfe. For treaUire found
fuddenly andunfoughtfor, cannot be changed
by the Spirits, butremaineth in the fame lub-
ftance which it had before. Therefore thefc
chings arc not to be accounted a tranfmutation,
but rather a vexation;for fomtime thefc vexcrs of
men do bury fuch things, that they which feeke
after the treafnre might labour in vaine: There-
fore fuch things are not to be regarded, which
are of no worth, and may eafily be known by the
Hghtnefs of their weight ; But if they be of a
heavy and ponderous body, like to a Mineral or
Mineral fand, there may an espcrimeint thereof
be made by fire.

That we may omit nothing that may conduce

|ipre::jto, we will addc alfo this objeftion.

.,.. .- - . , Some

Occult Thilofophy. 6^

Some may aske, How comes it to pafs that Trea-
furc is ibmtime eafily fouod which is not fought
after ? The caulc whereof we may fuppofe to be
this. Thofe Spirits which are the keepers of
treafures , do belt know the mindes, thoughts,
and cogitations of men : therefore becaufe
they know, that men have not any thoughts or
willtodigorfeeke after any treafures in fuch
a place, they give r^o diligence to keepe the
fame, neither do they fufpefl it; whereby it
comes to pafs, that it iseafiJy taken from them.
It happeneth to them, as it doth to thofe men
who iuddenly get fome prey from their enemies,
they not thinking of them, whereby the axe eafi-
ly overcome , or fpoiled by them. There are
two caufes chiefly why treafures are fo greedily
fought after by men. Thefirft is the Covccou!-
nefs of them who thirft after riches; & the other,
that thofe places where the treafures are^ight be
afterwards made habitable/ecure, fafe, and quiet
from being infefted or molefted with fuch Spi-
rits. For there are at this day many ancient
houfes and Caftles which are inhabitable, by
reafon of thefe kinde of Spirits : and the chiefc
caufe thereof i?, that there are great treafures
hid about thefe places. In thofe places where
fuch things happen, it is chiefly neccffary that
great care be taken in the digging thereabout i
not fo much for the money and treafure, as that
the place may again be made quiet and habitablce
When any one goeth about this workc with
diligent digging , one of thefe things common-
ly happens ; either the treafure is found , or
■ carried

JO ifaxacdlusof i

carried deeper bthe earth, or removed by the
keepers to fomc other place i as vifions in pure
Chrii^als have often (hewn, and as they have
told the diggers: I now fee mmy pygmiesynk^
the treafure quite away. Credit ought to be
given hereunto, and the digging to ceafe.

It is further to be known, by how much the \
greater noiies are heard about the place, and
fights and vifions feen,by fo much greater the
treafureistobcjudged to be,andneerer to the
fuperficies of the earrh«

CHi(p. VllL

Of thofe that are pofefed of malignant Spirits^ and

&f theVevlL

AFter what manner men are poffeffed and
overcome by the Devil, the Apottle « Peter
largely wrirethand declareth unto us : But that
che words of his admonition may be underftood
according to the true fence thereof, a little ex-
pofitioB is needful : For the ApolHe briefly and
fomrriarily comprehendeth the whole matter in
two words, to wir, fafting and prayer : Thefe
feem to be very little and light things at the firft
%ht| neverthelefs they are of very great Mo*
mehtj^and fignifie very many things, if they be
confidered rightly and attentively ? When
therefore the Apoftle Feter doth i:o earneilly ad-
monifii \i^ faying^ Be ye fober and watch : for

your

Occult Thilofophj. ^i

your enemy the Devil goeth about as a raging
' Uon,fe€king whom he may devoure;Afterwit(is
he concludeth, that by faith we may be able to
rclift the Devil ; therefore Pfr<?r would have us
to underftand his firft word of Sobriety, fo,as
if he (hould fay. Beware of allkindc of glut-
tony and drunkennefs.

Fordrunkennefsis the fountain and original
of all evils and vice^, which are afled and com-
pleatcd by drunkards through the pecfwafions of
the Devil : wherefore obfervc a mean in meat
ind drinke, lc(t your hearts be troubled and bur-
dened therewith ; for the Devil is alway pre-
fent, although invifible; he is a Spirir,and under-
fttfidethall Arts, andean be in what place he
will,throughout the Circuit of the whole earth:
he is the author and A6^or of all evil and wick-
cdncfs which is done by men in the whole earthy
he is as watchful over mankindc,as a Cat is over a
moufe ."Wherefore he feducethyou unawares,
when you have filled your fclves with wine ; and
then fiUeth up all vices in you : he then ccmpaf-
iicth you about with his fnares and bonds, as the
bang - man doth evil-doers and malcfaftors, un-
till he hath killed them 5 (o alfo doth he with
thofe that are drunkc ; befieging them with
foares and Temptations , untill he either hath
deftroyed their body es, or brought them into
defpair.

Take h^ed to your felves thcrefore,Oh yovi Epi*
cures and drunkards,and alfo Souldicrs, who arc
always filled with wine night and day. Therefore
a fouldicr that fo overcbsrgeth himfclf with meat

or

yi raracelfusof

or drinke 9 ought to be accounted brutidi as
(mncy fccii^ both of them arc Ignorant and ui^
certain of the time of their deatb, or how foonc
they may be flainc.

This is the meaning of the firft word of St,
Peter of Sobcrnefs:now we come to undcrttand
what he meaneth by watching.

By watching Peter feemeth to underftand, as if
hcftiould fay, Walkein uprightncfs and jurticc;
be of oood courage, not faint-hearted ; caft away
all evil thoughts and cogitations, and all Phan-
tafies of the Devil, that luch Imaginations may
not have any place with you ; For hereby man/
have been overwhelmed and befiegcd by the de-
vil, thereafon whereof hath been their own
wicked and evil thoughts and Imaginations*
Therefore relinquifli and caft them all away, and
have God always before your eyes ; pray unto
him, and let him be onely in your thoughts;
make your felves like unto him and his children ^
and then he will fend you his holy Spirit , who
will guard you, rule you, and declare the won-
derfisl workes of his mercy by yon, as he hath
done by P^»/ and ail the other Apoftles , who
have been all after this manner prefervcd by his
holy Spirit ; follow them therefore,and exclude
and caft away the Devil and all evil cogitations,
and wicked thoughts, wherewith we may alfo
ihdnct and deceive our felves , and thereby at-
tt&R and draw the devil into us , and be cor-
porally befieged and poffeffed by him , and (o
comgintodefperationpthat wemay deftroy our
own lives; even as did Jndi^^ Achito^hel^ and
maiiy ocher^. Thus

Occuk Thilofophj. 75

Thus much of wttchitsg9& the inttrprctttion
thcrcof,which Peter if cmld hive to be undcrllood
thereby. For by watching he doth not tnctn ib-
iHncnccfrcm the bed andflccp,ts the Cmrthmjt-
4HS and other Monafiert4S do teach and obfervc;
for God created and ordained reft andflecpc,
md firft fuffered ic to enter into Jdam. Where-
fore every one ought to fleepe in due feafon^ as
much as his nature requireth, &c«

Laftly, note how P^ter concludcth and con-

firmeth his word from God, faying, Let us re*

fift the devil by faith ; as if he fliouldfay ^ Do

notinanywifefticke orftumbleat the word of

God, or doubt of his mercy; do you not burdem

your confcience , nor trouble your hearts 5 do

not perfwade your felves thacGod r^ardeth yon

not, or that he is forgetful of you ; or that he

iccounteth you unworthy of his mercy, fo that

you ought not to come unto him, becaufc you

have a^cd againll his Divine will, or have

broken his commandments, and committed

ij many Cms i But rachcr,hrmly believe his word,

t| that Chrift would not the death of a finner, but

j rather that he (hould be converted, and

live : Alfo, that became into the world becaufc

l| of our ftns, that he might take them from us up*

sj on himfcif; which alfo he hath done: there arc

I many fuch comfortable words to be found in the

tlHoly Scriptures, which ou^ht to be propofed to

i\ luch pcrfons as are wcake in their fauh, for thcic

(j comfort and confolation: After this manner a

ij man rcfifjeth an evil confcience and the Devil,

ifothat he is freed from them, and not tempted

^ny mere. Of

^^ Earacelfus o/"

Chap.IX.

Of the tnAmer of detiverin^ them that are pojfefl
hy evil Spirit Sf and the great ahufe which hither^ \
to hath been committed by man]^ in Juch kjndi
of hnjinefs^

NOW to come to fpeake of the driving a#ay
of evil Spirits ; it is to be known, that very
few fince the times of Chrift and his Apoftles
have rightly been driven away. For they kneW
not how to ufeany other meanes but Ceretno-
nyes and Conjurations, wherewith they ch-
deavored to expel the malignant Spirits and thi:
devil 5 whereas this is altogether a falfe founda-
tion, and by no meanes to be followed or imi*
tated. Although fometlmes fome have beeii
delivered by this way, and the devil hath been
driven from them ; neverthelefs it hath not
been donejneither can it be done without lofs:
tike as if a Prince would vanquifti fome Country
or City, with the Sword, this he could not pot-
fibly do without fome apparent damage and loft
to that place. A common proverb hereby cont-
cth to minde, which faith, That he that cannot
get good words from good men, fliall much left
wrelt them from evil men , although they bt
compelled by forcesthe more evil is to bcfeared,
%s by examples is too often fcen to come to pafs,
Therefore that opinionated power is to be re-

linqmfheJ'

Occult ^hilofofhjl 75

ilnquiOied which is ufed in Ceremonies a^nd
Conjurations. But you ought to cxpell wicked
Spirits as Chrilt and his Apoftles did, and no o-
ther way : But if you do otherwife^you under-
take great Labours againft the Devil: for certain-
ly the Dc\il is forced through great difficulty to
go out of men>and feekcth all iniquities and wic-
ked occafionsto ftay, and retdn them in his
power. But when he feeth that tic can no longer
ttay^and remain in the poffeffed,but is forced to
go out, then he requireth power and licence to
enter into fome other man , or beaft, or into
feme other place : which if he be permitted ,
there foUoweth a §r eater lofs thereupon.
• Therefore there is no other place to be per-
mitted or affigned unto him, but hclt^, frosi
whence he cometh,and which God hath ordain«
edfor him,and caft him intoithat it may not bap-
pen, as we have an example (as we faithfully be-
lieve) when Chrift permitted the devil which he
ctR out of the man, to enter into the herd of
fwine, which no fooner had the devil entred in-
to them, but they were drowned in the Seaw
Therefore they are in no wife to be permitted to
enter into any other nien, left fuddenly after
they deprive them of their lives , as they did
thefe fwine: Neither are they to be permitted
to go into any Rivers, lakes, or ponds ; which
if it (hould be done , they will drown many
men therein, and draw them into the deepe un-
der thofe watf^rs ;and will deride them as a fool
doth his matter with his fingers ; and therewith
the devils ^re more delighced iheD beforemeither

oaghc

^6 Paracelfus^

ought they to have any power given them, or t©
their defires to go into any houle or Cattle ; ioi
they will perpetually poffels it, and will fo rcigne
there, that no body will any more be able to
dwell or inhabit in that place, but they will al-
way be inhabitable , as many both houfes and
Caftles are in many Countries, which are left de-
iblate for this very caufe ; many whereof I could
wme in this place, but I pafs them by, to avoyd
prolixity : let Satan therefore aske what he willj
where, or to what place he would go , nothing
clfe ought to be granted to him, then to return
into hell, which God ordained for him,and thruli
him into: from whence be came into the man,
and into which he ought to enter when he goeth
out of the man, &c.

Alfo if the devil (hall caufe the man to fpeake
many vaine trifle5,we ought not to anfwer therc-
unto,or to fpeake much with him: But if any
one will fpeake with him , let him fay, I com-
mand thee, Ob thou unclean Spirit,by the word,
power and virtue whereby thou wert caft out by
Chrift & hisApoftles,that thou go out of this man,
&c. He is no other way to be conjured ; neither
are thefe words to be taken for a Conjuration,
but for an anfwer, by which alone he is not caft \
out : but this is firft to be done, to wit,to watch
and pray ; for Chrift faith , This kinde is onely
to be caft out by fafting and prayer with faith.

Wherefore it is chiefly neceflary to induce
and force fuch as are thus poffeft, to prayer ;
though it be very difficult to be done,becaufe the
devil fo Ruleth their tongues , that he fufFereth

thenfi

Occult Thilofo^hy. jj

them^not to pray : Therefore there itiull: hi
prayers made before them ; and if they will not
fjray-with and after thofe that are praying , they
muft be more fliarpiy dealt withall 5 That is to
fty, the podeiled mull be fall bound both his
hands and feete, and afterward? kr fome o-
thermanlie acrofsover them , and iliew him-
felf to be very angry with them, and leverely
Compel them to prayer; but he ought to pray be-
fore them, and to exhort them to pray after him
the fame words. By this meanes fuch people;
may be induced to pray, when they cannot ht
brought to it by any other meanes 5 which ought
to be continued day by day,and the devil will go'
out of them and leave them. This fnail fufHce
to have fpoken concerning the calling cut of un-
cleane^nd evil Spirits, becaufe I am reitrained
c6' uie'brcvity in other places.

Chap.X,
Of rempfls

THat we may now come to ipeak of the origi-
nal of Tempefts, & how they;may be expel-
I led away ; Alfo how and by vvfoc:m?aner any
1 one may preferve himrelf iind bis frdmth and:: r,
( lightning and haiie ; We foali .declare in the ftrPt
1 place , that all Tempefts do proceed from the
fl four Capital windes, vtz., the Eafi^Scmk Kffi^
^ mi North % Then from tine C<fntf e of bcth^

y8 Paracelfusof

that is to lay, of the Aire and Firmament , there
are no tempefts can trife ; But from the fou
Fountaines before fpoken of, which cosnes chief-
ly to be confidered.

Wherefore he that defires to preferve hig
goods, HouiCj Lands, garden, field, meadow, and
fuch things from all manner of thunder, haile.
and Tempeft ; he ought firft to know thefe
ihingSjwhereby he may alfo know how to affimi-
late inferiours to Superiours- We will therefore
in this place briefly declare the original of all
Tcmpefts.

The original of tempefts is certainly nothing
elfe,butrhe appearance of Spirits; and lightning
or corrufcation preceding , is the prefence of
them : whereby it may be certainly known,whc-
ther thofe tempefts will pafs away with or
without danger; and that after this manner is to
beunderiiood ; to wit, as a flranger will not en-
ter into any ones houfe,unlefs firft hefpeake, fa-
thefe Spirits do not appeare untp os without
fpeaking firft .But their voice is thuriider5which as
we fee immediately follows every flafliof light-
ning. Alio if aftrangcr ftiould fuddenly fly into
thehoufe of another, where he is not known |
it feems to fignific no good,but evil rather; either
he himfelf is profecuted by others,or elfe brings
fome damage to them*. So likewife are we to
underftandof the lightning of heaven ; the more;
quick it comes, the more dangerous it is,forcoitt*
monly fome Thunder-bolt followds. It is there-
fore very neceffary to know how every one may
defend and favc himfelf herefrcm,that he fall not

into

OccuhThilofophy. j^

into fome place that he would not, or receive
fome other hurt : the Ringing of Bells do availc
nothing in thefe cafes ; although I do not rejedt
them, efpecially in fuch tempefts as arc caufed
by Magicians inchantment? , by rcafoti of the
Spirits by them railed in the Aire, For the Spi-
rits do love filence and quietnefs, whereby it
comes to ptfs that great noifes,as the founds of
bells and Trumpets, do partly diminifli and dif-
perfe tempelh by them ftirred up : But in
Thunders and haile they do no good , as the
Monks andSacrificers have to their lofs too often
found. And for this caufe they ufed ceremo-
nies , wherewith they feduced the Vulgar and
common people, perlwading them that bef prick-
ling places vvijh holy water ( as they call it ) pre-
fervcd them iafe from Thunder and haile 5 like-
wife by burning holy candles, orfomepalme,
or other herb by them fan6^ified,or with the per°
fume of Frankincenle, or Myrrhe of thcfe facrifi*
cers they were preferved fecure.

O thou fool, and unwife facrificer and Monk,
who art hitherto Ignorant of thefe things ; and
underftandeft them not, in this place thou mayft
be taught the contrary ;how that Malign antSpiricsr
are not driven away with fweet perfumes , but
are mightily delighted therwith, and do run more
freely & fwifdy to them,then to linking Imells 1
whether they be good Spirits or evil. But if in
fiead of Frankinccnfe and Myrrhe,vou had taught
to have made 1 fumigation of ^jfa Fetida^ ycu
BHght there with^ drive away both good and evil
Spirits s For the ^ood odour of FrattUncenfc
"^ H2 and

r

80 Paracelluso^

and Myrrh is nothing elfe but the facrifice of the
Spirits, wherewith we attrad and draw them
unto us. But of this we havefpoken enough;

Now to return to that which we intended to
write ofiandfirftjhow any place may be prcferved
from Thunder andhaile : note therefore, that to
place a prefervative in the centre of a houfe^ gar^
den, or field, ^c, availcth not at all ; but at the
four Angles, E^/,^^,5'^^^/f, and North i then=
the place ftiall be fecured : as a buildipg fet upon
four Pillars is more ilrong and Jfirme then that
which is founded onely upon one , which is fet
in the middle of the centre, or fome other place :
this is more eafily overthrown by the winde or
Spirits. Now the materials which belong to
this prefervative, and of which thefe four pillars
are made^note that they confitl: of fimple bodies,
every one whereof is fu{!icient,and hath ttrength
and virtue in it felf for the effe^ls before fpoken
of: As Mugwort, St J<?&' s wort, Pere wine le,
CelandinejRue, Devils bit, and many fuch herbs
and roots, and efpecially if they be gathered and
taken in the right influence.

There are alfo other things of far greater
firength and vertue'; as Coral, Azoth ; and one
of theCharadersl^eforefpoken of being drawn
in a certain table, or ingrayen : In thefe three
things is a great fecret aga^nft all Inchantments
and workesof witches and the Devil himfelf^
In which prefervatives we may truft in cur great-
eft necelTtties.

Of

Occult Thilofophy. 8 1

Chap. XL

Of the great ahpifeof the (JKagicke Art by them
that fife it for Negromancy and fVttch-crafp,

THeMagickeArt inkfelf, is the moft fecret
and occult fcience of all fupernatiial things
in the world : That thofe things which are im-
poffibleto be fearched outby hiimape reafons ,
bythis ArtjtowitjMa^ick^it may be found out
and known : wherefore it is the moft .occult and
fecret wifedom ; and reafoning againR ir, is no-
thing elfe but extream folly. It were therefore
very neceflar^ that the Divines would learn.to
know iomething of this Ajrt^and be experienced
in Magickwhat it is; and not fo unworthily,
without any ground at all, to call it Witchcraft.
The Magical fcience were very profitable for
them to know, feeing they, will undertake to be
theMaftersand teachers of the holy Scriptures^
and perfwade themfelves to be fo : Not that I
would have themufe the Magical Art ^or operate
any thing by it ; but to be expert therein, and to
know the virtues and effects thereof, for the
high and great mylieribus fecrets which are hid-
den in the holy Scriptures, delivered by the A-
poftles, Prophets, and Chrifl- himfelf 5 and which
we by our humane reafon cannot underftand nor
fearch out.
What Divine that is Ignorant of Magicke ,
G 3 can

$z Paraceliiis of

can caft out the Devil, drive away or bindea
Spirit, or that can call one unto him, and comr
jnand him to come ? or that which is far lefs,can
he healc the fick, or adminiftef any other help to
him by his faith alone?! wil be filent of his remo-
ving a mountain into the Sea. There followetli
then that faith whereof Chrift fpeaketh, of which
jchey underliand neither much nor little: Never-
thelefs they tnake a great ftiew and profeffion
thcreofyviththeirmouthes , and do teach and
fpcake much thereof ; but themfelvcs know not
how to make proofe thereof, or to give any
figne thereof, by their faith, whereby it may be
Jaid that they underftand this faith, and to make
«fe of it in the proofe thereof. But if any one
(hould come, who by his faith and Magick^
jfhould perform a good figne, you haying not the
reafon of knowing whether it be good or evil,
will forthwith call him a Negromancer and
Witch , becaule he hath done fomething above
your reafon and humane wifdomjwhen you your^
felves cannot tell how to diicemea Negroman^
cer or Witch , from a Magician.

Magicke is therefore a moil neceffary and pure'
^rt; not defiled nor corrupted with any Cerc-
jBonies or Conjuration?, as Nigromancy s Fqr
in Magicke there is no ufe of Ceremonies, Con^
fecrations , Conjurations, pieflings or Curfcs ;
but of faith alone Whereof Chrift fpcaks, faying]
that by it we fliall be able to remove Mountains
and caft them into the Sea; A^nd to compel,loofe|j
and binde all Spirits s This is the true foundar|
tiop and Inftrument of Magickeo

Truelyl

Occult Thilofophy. 83

Tniely therefore k is a thing chieliy neceffary
to looke into this Art , that it be not turned
into fuperiUtion and abuie, and to the deftru^i-
on or damage of men ; and hereby it is made NL-
gromancy , and Witch-craft ; and at length ,
not undefervedly , fo called by all men , be-
caufe Witches and Sorcerers have Yiolently in-
truded themfelves into the Magickc Art, like
Swine broke into a delicate Garden, So is Ma-
gicke corrupted and made Nigromancy by thefe
perfidious men ; wherefore it hath not unde-
fervedly been burnt in the fire with thefe Wit-
ches and Sorcerers. For thefe kinde of men
{ are the moft noccnt and hurtful, and the worft e-
nemies to mankinde , that they have not worfe
enemies in all the world, which profecute them
with a more deadly hatred : from a prefent pub-
lique enemy, and corporal perfecuter , who en-
deavoreth to invade us with the moft cruel wea-
j' pons, Guns, or Darts ; we may beware of fuch
. a one , or take up Arms againft him for our
i. defence, with Brigandines or Darts, &c, or elfe
a man may tarry in his houfe, and keep himfelf,
^ fuffering none to enter in but his Friends, But