Scot's Discovery of vvitchcraft proving the common opinions of witches contracting with divels, spirits, or familiars ... to be but imaginary, erronious conceptions and novelties : wherein also, the lewde unchristian all written and published in anno 1584, by Reginald Scot, Esquire.
About this Item
Title
Scot's Discovery of vvitchcraft proving the common opinions of witches contracting with divels, spirits, or familiars ... to be but imaginary, erronious conceptions and novelties : wherein also, the lewde unchristian all written and published in anno 1584, by Reginald Scot, Esquire.
Author
Scot, Reginald, 1538?-1599.
Publication
[London] :: Printed by R.C. and are to be sold by Giles Calvert ...,
1651.
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Subject terms
Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800.
Demonology -- Early works to 1800.
Occultism -- Early works to 1800.
Cite this Item
"Scot's Discovery of vvitchcraft proving the common opinions of witches contracting with divels, spirits, or familiars ... to be but imaginary, erronious conceptions and novelties : wherein also, the lewde unchristian all written and published in anno 1584, by Reginald Scot, Esquire." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A62395.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 1, 2024.
Pages
CHAP. III.
What secrets doe lye hidden, and what is taught in naturall Magicke, how Gods glory is magnified therein, and that it is nothing but the work of nature.
IN this art of naturall Magick, God Almighty hath hidden many se∣cret mysteries; as wherein a man may learn the properties, qualities, and knowledge of all nature. For it teacheth to accomplish matters in such sort and opportunity, as the common people thinketh the same to be miraculous; and to be compassed none other way, but only by witchcraft. And yet in truth, naturall Magick is nothing else, but the work of na∣ture.
descriptionPage 205
For in tillage, as nature produceth corn and hearbs; so art, being natures minister, prepareth it. Wherein times and seasons are greatly to be respected: for Annus non arvus producit aristas.
But as many necessary and sober things are herein taught; so doth it partly (I say) consist in such experiments and conclusions as are but toies, but neverthelesse lie hid in nature, and being unknown, doe seem miracu∣lous, specially when they are intermedled and corrupted with cunning il∣lusion, or legierdemain, from whence is derived the estimation of witch∣craft. But being learned and known, they are contemned, and appear ri∣diculous; for that only is wonderfull to the beholder, whereof he can conceive no cause nor reason, according to the saying of Ephesius, Miracu∣lum solvitur uade videtur esse miraculum. And therefore a man shall take great pains herein, and bestow great cost to learn that which is of no value and a meer jugling knack. Whereupon it is said that a man may not learn Philosophy to be rich; but must get riches to learn philoso∣phy: for to sluggards, niggards, and dizzards, the secrets of nature are never opened. And doubtlesse a man may gather our of this art, that which being published, shall set forth the glory of God, and be many wayes beneficiall to the Common-wealth: the first is done by the ma∣nifestation of his workes; the second, by skilfully applying them to our use and service.
Notes
Read Pliny in natural. hist. Cardan de re∣rum variet. Albertus de oc∣culta rerum proprietate. Barthol. Neap. in natural. magia, and many o∣thers.