Pus-mantia the mag-astro-mancer, or, The magicall-astrologicall-diviner posed, and puzzled by John Gaule ...

To the Readers, Intelligent and Orthodox.

HAving neither had the hap, to see two Magicall, or Astrologicall writers (old, or new) worthy to be called Authours; save only in some few fragments of theirs: nor yet the happiness, to per∣use twice two just Treatises, of all that have been written against them; except only of some certain Godly and learned men, that have occasional∣ly and dispersedly toucht upon them in brief, and as it were by the way. In regard hereof, I could neither plenarily confute them from themselves (which other∣wise might have been done with no great difficulty) nor yet sufficiently argue against them from others; a thing of much facility. Now seeing their Sun hath been shrouded from me, or but appeared to me only in some kind of twilight; I have ventured to light my lesser candle; by which I have waded through much of their black darkness: and not only so, but have been bold to set it up in a candlestick; that others al∣so may thereby take a view either of my progress, or my slips and faylings therein. In which, as I refer my self to their judgment, so I implore their charity. First, neither these kind of men, nor any else, ought to stumble at the new coynd name I have here prefixt; since the thing it self is so old; For who hath read the Fathers, the Philosophers, the Historians, the Poets, or but some of the Magicians, and Astrologers them∣selves,

but must observe and acknowledge Magick and Astrologie to be spoken of promiscuously; and com∣monly joyned together in their operation; especially in the practice of Divination? As for the way of po∣sing (questioning, interrogating, or examining) I dare be bold to propose it, as the most antient, just, sound, direct, earnest; yea moderate, innocent, con∣scientious, and charitable way of arguing against them. The most antient; because used so frequently by the primitive Fathers, and old Philosophers. The most just; because all arts and sciences being founded up∣on reason, and subject to it, are obliged to render a reason a proper and sufficient reason▪ of all that is delivered in them. The most sound; because a question (a direct and pertinent question) implys a forcible ob∣jection, and is a strong argument against a thing, un∣till it be clearly and fully answered and resolved. The most direct; because it flourishes not about in a wild circuit of words, but comes close home to the matter in hand. The most earnest; because an interrogation (in matters necessary, or contingent) either af∣f••irms, or denys with greater vehemence. The most moderate; because it only seeks satisfaction, without any peremptory either affirmation, or negation. The most innocent; because so a man may search even into the worst arts, and inventions, for an information of the understanding; without any contamination of the affections. The most conscientious; because the scruple is not at every fond error and opinion; but such only as tend mainly to oppugn sound doctrine, and good man∣ners. And (lastly) the most charitable; because the person is spared, and the thing only is examined. But to tell you the causes either inviting, or rather provo∣king

me to this undertaking; They were not (if you will take the word of a Christian man, and a Minister) an itching humour of curiosity, to dive into a dark mystery of error and impiety, so distant to my sacred profession: Nor that I took the least pleasure to divert my study from that of heavenly Divinity, to that of hellish Divination: Nor that I therefore intended to excuse my self in the least intermission of my more ne∣cessary imployment in my ordinary calling: Nor that my Genius did naturally prompt me hereunto: Nor that I had many helps of others labours by me, for my readier furnishing, and more incouragement: Nor that I thought my self more able, or apt for the purpose; than many others: Much less that I had any ambition to fight with beasts after the manner of men; or to pro∣voke the hornets; or delight to play with the waspes; or to rave into the mudd. Only and indeed, I con∣ceived my self called to stand up, and speak for God, for Christ, for the Holy Ghost; for the word, the Church, the Saints; against such a press, and pest of Magicall, Mag-astrologicall, Mago-manticall, Mag∣ephemeriall, Mag-philosophicall, Mago-physicall, Ma∣go-chymicall, Mago-mercuriall, Mag-hereticall, Mago schismaticall, Mag-hypocriticall, Mago-scrip∣ticall, Mag-atheisticall, Mago-comicall, Mago-je∣suiticall, Mago-romanticall, Mago-quixaticall, Ma∣go-sacerdotall, Mago-politicall, Mago fanaticall, and Mago-diabolicall-Books: of late crept, nay crow∣ded in amongst us (some in their pampheletizing edi∣tion, some in their voluminous translation) to the great dishonouring of God, denying of Christ, despiting of the Spirit, cauponizing of the word, disturbing of the Church, subverting of religion, distracting of the state,

scandalling of weak Christians, and seducing of the common people. Yea to the promotion of Idolatry, su∣perstition, heresy, schism, sedition, atheism, hypocrisy, profaneness: and to the suppression of truth, faith, love, goodness, peace, order, liberty, conscience, prudence, reason, and sense it self. It were easy to note more than a tack of Magick, in all I have named: but my peculiar task is against arrant Magick it self. And therefore let me say unto you, whats there to be obser∣ved, and feared: yea although you look no further into them, than I have done. That is to say, what else? but exotick terms, barbarous words, rude characters, monstrous figures, chymericall figments, Platonicall Ideaes, Cabbalisticall fancies, Rabbinicall traditions, Philosophicall dreams, paganish superstitions, phre∣neticall enthusiasms, empty speculations, curious inqui∣sitions, obscure nugacities, difficult follys, poor supposi∣tions, fantastick imaginations, no demonstration, weak proofs, frivolous evasions, ridiculous fallacies, various opinions, mutuall oppositions, sellf-contradictions, con∣victed confessions, depraved adulterations, sacrilegious detorsions, hyperbolicall ratiocinations, ambiguous equi∣vocations, affected decurtations, sophisticated expressi∣ons, paradoxall assertions, profane asseverations, pe∣remptory pronunciations, execrable blasphemies, ab∣hominable impieties, detestable heresies, vain observa∣tions, superstitious ominations, conscious cautions, im∣pure preparations, sinister directions, idolatrous configu∣rations, diabolicall invocations, adjurations, imprecati∣ons, adorations, immolations, prodigious erections, pre∣stigious delusions, sorcerous incantations, and maleficall operations. And now mark what is hence to be feared, or suspected: what? but as followeth, viz. A turning

of eternall predestination into fatall destiny; and the election of grace into sydereall elections; and the di∣vine covenant into a diabolicall compact; and all Di∣vinity, into Divinations; and spirituall infusion, in∣to celestiall influence; and promises, into promisors; and prophecies, into prognostications; and divine mi∣racles, into natures miracles; and the oracles of God, into Apollo's oracles; and Ghospell predication, into goeticall prediction; and devout contemplation, into profane speculation; and true religion, into idolatrous superstition; and religious observance, into vain ob∣servations; and lively faith, into dull credulity; and liberty both of conscience, and will, into slavery, both to the creature, and to the Devill; and prudent coun∣sels, into presaging consultations; and warrantable enterprizes, into tempting attempts; and contentedness in every condition, to contention on all sides; and com∣fortable hopes, into secure presumptions; and awfull fears, into disastrous dispairs. All this (if we look well about us) we have good cause to fear: not only from their arts, or Almanacks; but especially from their acts, and emissaries; spreading through City, and Country to prognosticate of variety in religions, presage change of States, tell private persons their for∣tunes, cure by words or charms, and descry things lost or stoln. Thus I plainly and sadly tell you, what you may fear. But now I tell them broadly and boldly, that I (having faith in a gracious covenant, and de∣pending upon divine providence) fear them not at all. Not their genethliacall calculations, not their astrall prognostications, not their magicall operations; name∣ly not their imprecations, conjurations, incantati∣ons, venefices, malefices, &c. and their envy, and

calumny as little. And from both these, that old rot∣ten objection of theirs, repeated even unto nauseous∣ness (of all others ignorance in their art, or artifice) whereby they use proudly and vainly to wave and slight all that can be said either to examin, or oppose them. How easy is it to object ignorance in a thing, not only which themselves know not: but they know is not; and is not to be known? Methinks, they should be more modest in upbraiding others ignorance: unless they were more able to demonstrate their own science. For my part, I reckon it thus; To be unknowing in a De∣lusive art, or prestigious artifice, is not culpable igno∣rance, but innocent simplicity. Because neither God, nor nature bind to know: nay more, not so much as admit to know; and not only so, but forbid it. But (by their leaves) there may be a sufficient knowledge of the truth, and integrity of an art, or a thing: although a man be not so precisely and pedantically versed in the obliquity, and vanity thereof. Learned and Godly men, though they be not altogether acquainted with the ma∣leficall formalities and ceremonies of witch-crafts: yet can they discern of such, better than the most ex∣pert can doe of themselves. A prudent Magistrate knows well enough how to judge of a jugling gypsie, or prestigious impostors: albeit he cannot tell how to cant with him exactly in his own foysting gibborish. But I return to you, Judicious Readers; and what I pre∣sent you, I submit unto you: judge both of me, and of the Judiciary Astrologers. And fear not the signs of heaven, as heathens: but as Christians, fear God, be∣lieve in his Son, and apply to his Spirit: and so, magre all their fatall, or fortuitous previsions, or predictions, Fare ye well.

Yours, JOHN GAULE.