Page 48
CHHP. XI.
That Incubus is a natural disease: with remedies for the same: besides Magical cures herewithal expressed.
BUt in truth, this Incubus is a bodily disease (as hath been said) although it extend unto the trouble of the mind, which of some is called the Mare, oppressing many in their sleep so sore, as they are not able to call for help, or stir themselves under the burthen of that heavy humor; which is in∣gendred of a thick vapor proceeding from the crudity and rawness in the stomach: which ascending up into the head, oppresseth the brain, insomuch as many are infeebled thereby, as being nightly haunted therewith. They are most troubled with this disease, that being thereunto subject, lie right upward; so as, to turn and lie on the one side, is present remedy. Likewise, if any hear the groaning of the party, speak unto him, so as he wake him, he is presently relieved. Howbeit, there are Magical cures for it; as for example:
S. George, S. George, our ladies knight, He walkt by day, so did he by night: Until such time as he her found, He her beat, and he her bound, Until her troth she to him plight, He would not come to her that night.
Whereas S. George our Ladies knight, was named three times S. George.
Item, Hang a stone over the afflicted persons bed, which stone hath naturally such a hole in it, as wherein a string may be put through it, and so be hanged over the diseased or bewitched party; be it Man, Woman, or Horse.
Item, You shall read in M. Malefic. that Excommunication is very notable, and better than any charme for this purpose. There are also other verses and charms for this disease devised, which is the common cloak for the ignorance of bad Physitians. But Leonard Fuchsius in his first book and 13 chapter, doth not only describe this disease, and the causes of it; but also setteth down very learnedly the cure thereof, to the utter confusion of the Witchmongers folly in this be∣half. Hyperius being much bewitched and blinded in this matter of Witchcraft, hovering about the interpretation of Genesis 6. from whence the opinion of In∣cubus and Succubus is extorted, Viderunt filii Dei filias hominum, quod elegantes essent, acceperunt sibi in uxores ex omnibus, quas elegerant, &c. seemeth to maintain upon hear-say, that absurd opinion; and yet in the end is driven to conclude thus, to wit, Of the evil Spirits Incubus and Succubus there can no firm reason or proof be brought out of Scripture, using these very words, Hae ut probabilia dicta sunto, quandoquidem Scripturarum praesidio hac in causa destituimur. As if he should say, Take this as spoken probably; to wit, by humane reason, because we are destitute of Scriptures to maintain the goodness of the cause.
Tertullian and Sulpitius Severus do interpret Filios Dei in that plate to be Angels, or evil Spirits, and to have been enamored with the beauty of those Wenches,; and finally, begat Gyants by them. Which is throughly con∣futed by Chrysostome, Hom. 22, in Gen. but specially by the circumstance of the text.