The discovery of witchcraft proving that the compacts and contracts of witches with devils and all infernal spirits or familiars are but erroneous novelties and imaginary conceptions : also discovering, how far their power extendeth in killing, tormenting, consuming, or curing the bodies of men, women, children, or animals by charms, philtres, periapts, pentacles, curses, and conjurations : wherein likewise the unchristian practices and inhumane dealings of searchers and witch-tryers upon aged, melancholly, and superstitious people, in extorting confessions by terrors and tortures, and in devising false marks and symptoms, are notably detected ... : in sixteen books / by Reginald Scot ... ; whereunto is added an excellent Discourse of the nature and substance of devils and spirits, in two books : the first by the aforesaid author, the second now added in this third edition ... conducing to the compleating of the whole work, with nine chapters at the beginning of the fifteenth [sic] book of The discovery.

CHAP. IV.

How to Consecrate all manner of Circles, Fumigations, Fire, Magical Garments, and Utensills.

* 1.1COnsecrations are related either to the person or the thing consecra∣ted. The person is the Magitian himself, whose consecration consist∣eth in Abstinence, Temperance, and holy Garments. The things con∣secrated are the Oyl, the Fire, the Water. The Fumigations consisting of ori∣ental Gums and Spices; the magical Sword, Pensils, Pens and Compasses, the measuring Rule and waxen Tapers, the Pentacles, Periapts, Lamins, and Si∣gils, Vests, Caps, and Priestly Garments; these are the materials to be con∣secrated.

* 1.2The sacred Pentacles are as signs and charms for the binding of Evil Dae∣mons, consisting of Characters and Names of the Superior order of the good Spirits opposite unto those evils ones whom the Magitian is about to Invo∣cate: And of sacred Pictures, Images, and Mathematical Figures adapted to the names and natures of separated Substances whither good or evil. Now the form of Consecrating such Magical Pentacles is to name the vertue of the holy Names and Figures, their Antiquity and Institution with the intention of the Conse∣cration purifying the Pentacle by consecrated fire, and waving the same over the flames thereof.

* 1.3When the Exorcist would consecrate Places or Utensils, Fire or Water for magical uses, he must repeat the Consecration or Dedication of Solomon the King at the building of the Temple, the Vision of Moses at the Bush, and the Spirit of the Lord on the tops of the Mulberry-trees, repeating also the Sacri∣fice of it self being kindled; the Fire upon Sodom, and the Water of Eternal Life: Wherein the Magitian must still remember to speak of the seven golden Candlesticks, and Ezekiels Wheels, closing the Consecration with the deep and mysterious Names of God and holy Daemons.

* 1.4When particular Instruments are to be sanctified, the Magitian must sprinkle the same with consecrated Water, and fumigate them with fumiga∣tions, anoint them with consecrated Oyl: And lastly, Seal them with holy

Characters; after all which is performed, an Oration or Prayer must follow, relating the particulars of the Consecration with Petitions to that Power in whose Name and Authority the Ceremony is performed.

And in like manner shalt thou consecrate and sanctifie every Utensil what∣soever, by Sprinklings, Fumigations, Unctions, Seals, and Benedictions,* 1.5 com∣memorating and reiterating the sanctifyings in the holy Scripture, of the Tables of the Law delivered to Moses; of the two Testaments in the New Covenant, of the holy Prophets in their Mothers wombs, and of Aholiah, and Aholibah, whom the Spirit of God inspired to frame all sorts of curious workmanship for the Tabernacle. This is the sum of Consecrationn.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What things are to be con∣secrated.
• * 1.2

  Pentacles.
• * 1.3

  Utensils.
• * 1.4

  Instruments.
• * 1.5

  How to conse∣crate.