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. VI.

How to raise and exorcize all sorts of Spirits belonging to the Airy Region.

* 1.1THe Garment which the Exorcist is cloathed withall at the performance of this action, ought according to the opinions of the chiefest Magi∣cians, to be a Priestly Robe, which if it can no where be procured, may be a neat and cleanly linnen Vest, with the holy Pentacle fastned there∣unto upon Parchment made of a Kids skin, over which an Invocation must be said, and then the Pentacle must be sprinkled with holy Water. At the putting on the Magical Garment, this Prayer must be repeated: By thy holy power Ado∣nai Sabaoth, And by the power and merit of thine Angels and Archangels, and by the vertue of holy Church, which thou hast sanctified, do I cloath me with this consecrated Garment, that what I am to practice may take effect through thy Name who art for ever and ever.

* 1.2Now as for the time of operation, and the manner thereof, The Instructions before set down, are sufficient to direct the Exorcist; only the Acter and his Scholar must be mindful in the way, as they go towards the place of Con∣juration, to reiterate the sacred forms of Consecrations, Prayers, and Invoca∣tions, the one bearing an Earthen Vessel with consecrated fire, and the other the Magical Sword, the Book and Garments, till approaching nigh the place where the Circle is to be drawn, they must then proceeed to compose it after the aforesaid manner. And at last Exorcize the Spirits on this following manner:

* 1.3Seeing God hath given us the power to bruise the Serpents head, and command the Prince of Darkness, much more to bear rule over every airy Spirit: Therefore by his strong and mighty Name Iehovah do I conjure you, (naming the Spirits), and by his secret commands delivered to Moses on the Mount, and by his holy Name Te∣tragrammaton, and by all his wonderful Names and Attributes, Sadai, Ollon, Emillah, Athanatos, Paracletos, &c. That ye do here immediately appear be∣fore this Circle, in humane form, and not terrible or of monstrous shape, on pain of eter∣nal misery that abides you, unless you speedily fulfil my commands, Bathar, Baltar, Archim, Anakim, Nakun. Amen.

When the Exorcist hath finished this Conjuration, he and his companion shall continue constantly turning themselves to the East, West, North and South, say∣ing, with their Caps in their hands, Gerson, Anek, Nephaton, Basannah, Ca∣bon;* 1.4 and within a little space they will behold various apparitions upon the ground, and in the air, with various habits, shapes, and instruments; after that, he shall perceive a troop of armed men with threatning carriage appear before the Circle, who after they are conjured to leave off their phantasms, will at last present themselves before the Exorcist in humane form.

Then the Master must be mindful to take the consecrated Sword, and the cup of Wine into his hands; the Wine he shall pour into the fire, and the Sword he shall brandish in his right arm, being girded about with a Scarlet Ribbon; after this the Magician shall say, Gahire, Gephna, Anephexaton; then the Spirits will begin to bow unto the Exorcist, saying, We are ready to fulfil thy pleasure.

So that when the Magician hath brought the Spirits to this length, he may ask what ever he desireth, and they will answer him, provided the questions be∣long to that order whereof they are.

* 1.5Now the properties wherein they excel, are these; They can give the gift of Invisibility, and the fore-knowledge of the change of weather; they can teach the Exorcist how to excite Storms and Tempests, and how to calm them again; they can bring news in an hours space of the success of any Battle, Seidge, or Navy, how farr off soever; they can also teach the language of Birds, and how to fly through the air invisibly.

'Twas through the assistance of these airy Spirits, that Charchiancungi,* 1.6 the Tartarian Emperour did give the Chinois such a desperate rout near the year 1646. for it is reported, that he had constantly in his presence two Magicians, named Ran and Sionam, who perceived every motion of the China's Army, and had intelligence by these Spirits of the Emperours private Counsels and Consultations.

And it is credibly reported by Magicians, that wonderful things may be with facility effected through the assistance of these aforesaid Spirits, so that the Exorcist must be very affable unto them, and gently dismiss them (when he is satisfied) in this following manner;

Seeing ye have willingly answered all our Interrogations and desires,* 1.7 we give you leave and licence, In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy-Ghost, to depart unto your place, and be ever ready to attend our call; Depart, I say, in peace, and peace be confirmed betwixt us and you. Amen. ✚ ✚ ✚.

After all these Ceremonies are finished, the Spirits will begin to depart, making obeysance as they go; and then the Master must demolish the Circle, and taking up all the Utensils repeat the Pater Noster as they are going away from the place of Conjuration.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What sort of Garments must be used.
• * 1.2

  The manner of Conjuring.
• * 1.3

  The form.
• * 1.4

  The Appariti∣ons.
• * 1.5

  What these Spirits can do.
• * 1.6

  An example of their power.
• * 1.7

  How to dismiss them.