Of the wickednesse of arte Magicke, depending on these wicked Spirits ministery. CHAP. 19.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ill I out of the publike (b) light of all the world, bring ouer-throwes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…rtes Magicke, whereof some wicked and some wretched doe make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…he deuills name: why if they bee the workes of the gods, are they so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 punished by the lawes? or haue Christians diuulged these lawes against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any other intent then to suppresse a thing so generally pernitious vn∣to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kinde? what saith that worthy Poet?
Testor chara deos, & te germana, tuum{que} * 1.1 Dulce caput, Magieas inuitam accingier artes.(b) Sister, by heauen, and thee that hearst my vowes, I would not vse arte Magick, could I choose.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 which hee saith else-where.
(c) At{que} satas aliò vidi traducere messes. * 1.2 I saw the witch transport whole fields of corne,
〈◊〉〈◊〉 these diabolicall artes were reported of power to remooue whole har∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 corne and fruits whether they pleased: was not this (as Tully saith) recor∣•…•… •…•…e xii. tables of Romes ancient lawes, and a punishment proclaimed for all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vsed it? Nay (d) was not Apuleius him-selfe brought before Christian 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for such practises? If hee had knowne them to be diuine, hee should haue * 1.3 •…•…ed them at his accusation, as congruent with the diuine powers, and haue •…•…ed the opposite lawes of absurde impietie, in condemning so admirable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the deities. For so might hee either haue made the Iudges of his minde, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had beene refract•…•…rie, and following their vniust lawes put him to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the spirits would haue done his soule as good a turne as hee had de∣•…•… in dying fearelesly, for the due auouching of their powerfull operations.