Three books of occult philosophy written by Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim ... ; translated out of the Latin into the English tongue by J.F.

CHAP. XXII. That there is a threefold keeper of man, and from whence each of them proceed.

EVery man hath a threefold good Demon, as a proper keeper, or preserver, the one whereof is holy, another of the nativity, and the other of profession. The holy Demon is one, according to the Doctrine of the Aegyptians, assigned to the rationall soul, not from the Stars or Planets, but from a supernaturall cause, from God himself, the president of De∣mons, being universall, above nature: This doth direct the life of the soul, & doth alwaies put good thoughts into the minde, being alwaies active in illuminating of us, although we do not alwaies take notice of it; but when we are purified, and live peaceably, then it is perceived by us, then it doth as it were speak with us, and communicates its voyce to us, being before silent, and studyeth daily to bring us to a sacred perfection. Also by the ayd of this Demon we may avoid the malignity of a Fate; which being religiously worshipped by us in honesty, and sanctity, as we know was done by Socrates; the Pythago∣rians think we may be much helped by it, as by dreams, and signs, by diverting evill things, and carefully procuring good things. Wherefore the Pythagorians were wont with one con∣sent

to pray to Jupiter, that he would either preserve them from evill, or shew them by what Demon it should be done. Now the Demon of nativity, which is called the Genius, doth here descend from the disposition of the world, and from the circuits of the Stars, which were powerfull in his nativity. Hence there be some that think, when the soul is coming down into the body, it doth out of the quire of the Demons naturally choose a preserver to it self, nor only choose this guide to it self, but hath that willing to defend it. This being the executor, and keeper of the life, doth help it to the body, and takes care of it, being Communicated to the body, and helps a man to that very office, to which the Celestials have deputed him, being born. Whosoever there∣fore have received a fortunate Genius, are made thereby ver∣tuous in their works, efficacious, strong, and prosperous. Wherefore they are called by the Phylosophers fortunate, or luckily born. Now the Demon of profession is given by the Stars, to which such a profession, or sect, which any man hath professed, is subjected, which the soul, when it began to make choyce in this body, and to take upon it self dispositi∣ons, doth secretly desire. This Demon is changed, the pro∣fession being changed; then according to the dignity of the profession, we have Demons of our profession more excellent and sublime, which successively take care of man, which pro∣cures a keeper of profession, as he proceeds from vertue to vertue. When therefore a profession agrees with our nature, there is present with us a Demon of our profession like unto us, and sutable to our Genius, and our life is made more peaceable, happy, and prosperous: but when we undertake a profession unlike, or contrary to our Genius, our life is made laborious, and troubled with disagreeing patrons. So it falls out that some profit more in any science, or art, or office, in a little time, and with little pains, when another takes much pains, and studies hard, and all in vain: and although no science, art, or vertue be to be contemned, yet that thou maist live prosperously, carry on thy affairs happily; in the first place know thy good Genius, and thy nature, and

what good the celestiall disposition promiseth thee, and God the distributor of all these, who distributes to each as he plea∣seth, and follow the beginnings of these, profess these, be conversant in that vertue to which the most high distributor doth elevate, and lead thee, who made Abraham excell in justice, and clemency, Isaac with fear, Jacob with strength, Moses with meekness, and Miracles, Joshua in war, Phinias in zeal, David in religion, and victory, Solomon in know∣ledge, and fame, Peter in faith, John in charity, Jacob in de∣votion, Thomas in prudence, Magdalen in contemplation, Martha in officiousness. Therefore in what vertue thou think∣est thou canst most easily be a proficient in, use diligence to at∣tain to the height thereof; that thou maist excell in one, when in many thou canst not: but in the rest endeavour to be as great a proficient as thou canst: but if thou shalt have the overseers of nature, and religion agreeable, thou shalt finde a double progress of thy nature, and profession: but if they shall be disagreeing, follow the better, for thou shalt better perceive at some time a preserver of an excellent profession, then of nativity.