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

Of Juggling or Legerdemain.

BUt let us return to that Magick, part of which is an art of jugglings (e. i.) delusions, which are made according to appearance only, by which Magicians shew phantasmes, and play many miracles by circulatory frauds, and cause dreams, which they do not so much by Geotick inchantments, and im∣precations, and deceits of devils, as by certain vapors, per∣fumes, lights, love-medicines, collyries, alligations, and suspen∣sions, also by rings, images, glasses, and such like drugs, and instruments of Magicall art, and a naturall and Celestiall power. Also many things are done daily by slieght of hand, of which sort we see some are done daily by stage players, and sporters which we call Chirosophers (e. i.) skilful in sleight of hand. There are extant concerning this art, books of the Legerdemain of Hermes, and some others. We read also of a certain man called Paseton, a most notable juglar, that was wont to shew a banquet to guests, and when he pleased, to make it vanish away again, all rising with hunger, and thirst, being deluded. We read that Numa Pompilius did use these kinds of jugglings, and also that most learned Pythagoras did sometimes do this toy, that what things he pleased, he would write in a glass, which being set against the full Moon, he would shew to any one that stood behind it, those things represented in the Globe of the Moon; Hither belongs whatsoever Poets sing of the transmutations of men, which also is delivered by Historians, and by some Christian Di∣vines, and also is recorded in the Scripture. So men may ap∣pear like Asses, or horses, or other Animals with fascinated eyes, or a troubled medium, and that by a naturall art. Some∣times these are done by good and evil spirits, or by God him∣self at the request of some good men, as in the Scripture we read of Elisha the Prophet beset by an Army of the King for∣tifying Dotham. But to pure eyes, and such as be opened by God, those cannot deceive; so that woman which was judged to be a kind of cattle, did seem to Hilario to be not any such thing,

but a woman. These things therefore which are done accord∣ing to appearance only, are called jugglers.

But those things which are done by the Art of transmuting, or translating, as of Nebuchadnezar, or of Corn carryed to another field, we have spoke of before; but of this art of juggling, thus saith Jamblicus, These things which are sup∣posed to be juggled or bewitched, besides imagination, have no truth of action or essence. The end of these is but to hold forth things to the imagination according to appear∣ance, of which there presently remains no footsteps or signs. Now by what hath been said, it is manifest that Magick is no∣thing else but a collection of Idolatry, Astrology, and super∣stitious medicines; And now there is by Magicians raised a great company of hereticks in the Church, who as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, do in the like manner resist the Apo∣stolicall truth. The chief of these was Simon the Samaritan, on whom by reason of this art was bestowed at Rome in Claudius Cesars time, a Statue, with this Inscription, To Simon the holy God. Of his blasphemies Clemens Eusebius, and Irenaeus make mention. From this Simon, as from a Seminary of all Heresies proceeded by successions the monstrous Ophites, the filthy Gnosticks, the impious Valentinians, Cerdonians, Marcionists, Montanians, and many other Hereticks, lying against God for gain and vain glory, doing no good to men, but de∣ceiving them, and drawing them into destruction and error, to whom they that give credit shall be confounded in the judge∣ment of God. But of Magick I wrote whilest I was very yong three large books, which I called Of Occult Philoso∣phy, in which what was then through the curiosity of my youth erroneous, I now being more advised, am willing to have re∣tracted, by this recantation; I formerly spent much time and costs in these vanities. At last I grew so wise as to be able to disswade others from this destruction; For whosoever do not in the truth, nor in the power of God, but in the deceits of divels, according to the operation of wicked spirits presume to divine and prophecy, and practising through Magicall va∣nities, exorcismes, incantions and other demoniacall works

and deceits of Idolatry, boasting of delusions, and phantasmes presently ceasing, brag that they can do miracles, I say all these shall with Jannes, and Jambres, and Simon Magus, be desti∣nated to the torments of eternall Fire.