CHAP. XLII.
Of Solomons Conjurations, and of the Opinion conceived of his cunning and practice therein.
IT is affirmed by sundry Authors, that Solomon was the first inventer of those Conjurations; and thereof Josephus is the first reporter, who in his first Book De Judaeorum antiquitatibus, cap. 22. rehearseth soberly this story fol∣lowing; which Polydore Virgil, and many other repeat verbatim, in this wise, and seem to credit the fable, whereof there is scant a true word.
Solomon was the greatest Philosopher, and did, Philosophize about all things, and had the full and perfect knowledge of all their properties: but he had that gift given from above to him, for the profit and health of mankind; which is effectual against Devils. He made also Inchantments wherewith diseases are driven away; and left divers manners of Conjurations written, whereunto the Devils giving place are so driven away,* 1.1 that they never return. And this kind of healing is very common among my Country-men; for I saw a neighbour of mine, one Eleazer, that in the presence of Vespasian and his Sons, and the rest of the Souldiers, cured many that were possessed with Spirits. The manner and order of his cure was this. He did put unto the nose of the possessed a Ring, under the seal whereof was inclosed a kind of root, whose vertue Solomon declared, and the savour thereof drew the Devil out at his nose; so as down fell the man, and then Eleazer conjured the Devil to depart, and to return no more to him. In the mean time he made mention of Solomon, reciting incantations of Solomons own making. And then Eleazer being willing to shew the standers by his cunning, and the wonderful efficacy of his Art, did set not far from thence, a Pot or Bason full of Water, and com∣mended the Devil that went out of the man, that by the overthrowing thereof, he would give a sign to the beholders, that he had utterly forsaken and left the man. Which thing being done, none there doubted how great Solomons knowledge and wisdom was. Wherein a juggling knack was produced, to confirm a cogging cast of knavery or co∣senage.
Another story of Solomons Conjuration I find cited in the sixt lesson, read in the Church of Rome upon S. Margarets day, far more ridiculous than this. Also Peter Lombarb,* 1.2 Master of the Sentences, and Gratian his Brother, the Compiler of the Golden Decrees; and Durandus in his Rationale Divinorum, do all soberly affirm Solomons cunning in this behalf; and specially this tale; to wit, That Solomon inclosed certain thousand Devils in a brazen Bowl, and left it in a deep hole or lake, so as afterwards the Babylonians found it, and supposing there had been gold or silver therein, brake it, and out flew all the Devils, &c. And that this fable is of credit, you shall perceive, in that it is thought worthy to be read in the Romish Church,* 1.3 as parcel of their Divine Service. Look in the Lessons of the day of S. Margaret the Virgin, and you shall find these words Verbatim; which I the rather recite, because it serveth me for divers turns; to wit, for Solomons Conjurations; for the tale of the Brazen Vessel, and for the Popes Conjurati∣ons, which extended both to Faith and Doctrin, and to shew of what credit their Religion is, that so shamefully is stained with lyes and fables.