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. I.

Of Spirits in General; What they are and how to be considered: Also how farr the Power of Magitians and Witches is able to operate in Diabolical Magick.

1. BEcause the Author in his foregoing Treatise,* 1.1 upon the Nature of Spirits and Devils, hath only touched the subject thereof superficially, omitting the more ma∣terial part; and with a brief and cursory Tractar, hath concluded to speak the least of this subject which in∣deed requires most amply to be illustrared; therefore I thought fit to adjoyn this subsequent discourse; as suc∣cedaneous to the fore-going, and conducing to the compleating of the whole work.

2. The Nature of Spirits is variously to be considered,* 1.2 according to the source to which each Caterva doth belong: for as some are altogether of a divine and celestial nature; not subject to the abominable Inchantments and Conjurations of vitious mankind; so others are the grand Instigators, stirring up mans heart to attempt the inquiry after the darkest, and most mysterious part of Magick, or Witchcraft: neither is this their suggestion without its secret end: that is, that by the private insinuation, and as it were incorporating themselves into the affection, or desire of the Witch, or Magician; they may totally convert him into their own nature: reducing him at last by constant practice, to such obdurateness and hardness of heart, that he becometh one with them, and de∣lighted with their association, being altogether dead to any motions in himself that may be called good.

3. And if we may credit example, which is the surest proof;* 1.3 the very ima∣ginations, and affection of a Magician, doth create an evil Essence or Devil; which was not before in being: for, as the Astral Spirits are believed by many to Germinate and procreate one another, so likewise are the infernal Spirits capable of multiplication in their power and essence, according to their Orders, Ranks and Thrones; by means of the strong imagination in a Witch, or ma∣levolous person, earnestly desiring their assistance.

4. Not that the Spirits or Devils so begotten do any whit add or contribute to the number in general;* 1.4 for as they are capable of increasing into distinct and separated substances, so are they likewise again contracted, and as it were annihilated; when the force of that Imagination is gone, which was the cause of their production: The nature of a spirit, whither heavenly or hellish, be∣ing to dilate, or contract themselves into as narrow compass, as they please; so that in a moment they can be as big in circumference as an hundred worlds, and on a sodain reduce themselves to the compass of an atome.

5. Neither are they so much limited as Tradition would have them;* 1.5 for they are not at all shut up in any separated place: but can remove millions of miles in the twinkling of an eye, yet are they still where they were at first: for, out of their own element, or quality, they can never come: go whi∣ther they will, they are in darkness: and the cause is within them, not without them: as one whose mind is troubled here in England, can remove

his Carcase from the place where it was before; but should he go to the utmost bounds of the Earth, he cannot leave his perplexed and tormented minde be∣hind him.

* 1.66. As for the shapes and various likenesses of Devils, It is generally be∣lieved, that according to their various capacities in wickedness, so their shapes are answerable after a Magical manner: resembling spiritually some horrid and ugly monsters, as their conspiracies against the power of God, were high and monstrous, when they fell from Heaven: for the condition of some of them is nothing, but continual horrour and despair; others triumph in firie might and pomp, attempting to pluck God from out of his Throne; but the quality of Heaven is shut from them, that they can never find it, which doth greatly add to their torment and misery.

* 1.77. But that they are materially vexed and scorched in flames of fire, is inferiour to any to give credit to, who is throughly verst in their na∣ture and existence: for their substance is spiritual; yea their power is greater, then to be detain'd or tormented with any thing without them: doubtless their misery is sufficiently great, but not through outward flames; for their Bodies are able to pierce through Wood and Iron, Stone, and all Terrestrial things: Neither is all the fire, or fewel of this World able to torment them; for in a moment they can pierce it through and through. But the infinite source of their misery is in themselves, and is continually before them, so that they can never enjoy any rest, being absent from the pre∣sence of God: which torment is greater to them, then all the tortures of this world combin'd together.

* 1.88. The wicked souls that are departed this life, are also capable of appear∣ing again, and answering the Conjurations of Witches, and Magicians, for a time: according to Nagar the Indian, and the Pythagoreans. And it cannot be easily conceived, that their torment is much different stom the rest of the De∣vils: for the Scripture saith: every one is rewarded according to their works. And, that which a man sows, that he shall reap. Now as the damned Spirits, when they lived on earth, did heap up vanity, and load their souls with iniquity, as a trea∣sure to carry with them into that Kingdom, which sin doth naturally lead into: so when they are there, the same abominations which here they committed, do they ruminate and feed upon; and the greater they have been, the greater is the torment, that ariseth before them every moment.

* 1.99. And although these Infernal Spirits, are open Enemies to the very means which God hath appointed for mans salvation; yet such is the degenerate and corrupted mind of mankind, that there is in the same an itching after them for converse and familiarity, to procure their assistance, in any thing that their vain imagination suggesteth them with: to effect which, they inform them∣selves in every Tradition of Conjuration and Exorcism; as also in the names, na∣tures and powers of Devils in general, and are ever restless, till their souls be totally devoted to that accursed and detestable nature, which is at enmity with God and goodness.

* 1.1010. Now to proceed in the description of these Infernal Spirits and separated Daemons, or Astral Beings, as also of those in the Angelical Kingdom; they that pertain to the Kingdom of Heaven, are either Angels which are divided into their degrees and orders; or else the righteous souls departed, who are entred into rest: And it cannot be, but that the life of Angels and Souls departed, is the same in Heaven, as also the food that nourisheth them, and the fruits that spring before them: Nor is it possible for any, how expert so ever in Magical Arts, to compel either of them, of what degree soever they be, to present them∣selves, or appear before them: Although many have written large Discourses and Forms of Convocation, to compel the Angels unto communication with them by Magical Rites and Ceremonies.

* 1.1111. It may indeed be believed, that seeing there are infinite numbers of An∣gels, they are also imployed for the glory of God, and protection of man∣kind,

(but not subject to Conjurations.) And that they accompany many righteous men Invisibly, and protect Cities and Countries from Plagues, War, and infestings of wicked Spirits, against which Principalities and Powers of Darkness, it is their place to contend and war, to the confusion of the Kingdom of Darkness.

12. But such Spirits as belong to this outward World,* 1.12 and are of the Ele∣mental quality, subject to a beginning and ending, and to degrees of continu∣ance; These may be solicited by Conjurations, and can also inform Magicians in all the secrets of Nature; yet so darkly, (because they want the outward organ); that it is hardly possible for any that hath fellowship with them, to learn any manual operation perfectly and distinctly from them.

13. Many have insisted upon the Natures of these Astral Spirits:* 1.13 some al∣ledging, That they are part of the faln Angels, and consequently subject to the torments of Hell at the last Judgment: Others, That they are the departed souls of men and wo∣men, confined to these outward Elements until the Consummation: Lastly, others, As Del rio, Nagar the Indian Magician, and the Platonists affirm, That their nature is middle between Heaven and Hell; and that they reign in a third Kingdom from both, having no other judgment or doom to expect for ever.

14. But to speak more nearly unto their natures,* 1.14 they are of the source of the Stars, and have their degrees of continuance, where of some live hundreds, some thousands of years: Their food is the Gas of the Water, and the Blas of the Air: And in their Aspects, or countenances, they differ as to vigour and cheer∣fulness: They occupy various places of this world; as Woods, Mountains, Wa∣ters, Air, fiery Flames, Clouds, Starrs, Mines, and hid Treasures: as also antient Buildings, and places of the slain. Some again are familiar in Houses, and do frequently converse with, and appear unto mortals.

15. They are capable of hunger, grief, passion, and vexation:* 1.15 they have not any thing in them that should bring them unto God: being meerly composed of the most spiritual part of the Elements: And when they are worn out, they return into their proper essence or primary quality again; as Ice when it is resolved into Water: They meet in mighty Troops, and wage warr one with another: They do also procreate one another; and have power sometimes to make great commotions in the Air, and in the Clowds, and also to cloath themselves with visible bodies, out of the four Elements, appear∣ing in Companies upon Hills and Mountains, and do often deceive and delude the observers of Apparitions, who take such for portents of great alterations, which are nothing but the sports and pastime of these frolick Spirits: as Ar∣mies in the Air, Troops marching on the Land, noises and slaughter, Tempest and Lightning, &c.

16. These Astral Spirits are variously to be considered;* 1.16 some are beings separate and absolute, that are not constitute to any work or service: O∣thers are subservient to the Angels, that have dominion over the Influences of the Stars: Others are the Astral Spirits of men departed, which (if the party deceased was disturbed and troubled at his decease,) do for many years, continue in the source of this world; amongst these airy Spirits, to the great disquietness of the soul of the person, to whom they belong: Besides the causes are various that such Spirits rest not; 1. When by Witchcraft they are inchanted, and bound to wander so many years; as thrice or fourtimes seven, before they can be resolved into nothing. 2. When the person hath been murthered; so that the Spirit can never be at rest, till the crime be discovered. 3. When desires and lusts, after Wife, or Children, House, Lands, or Money, is very strong at their de∣parture; it is a certain truth, that this same spirit belonging to the Starrs will be hanckering after these things, and drawn back by the strong desires and fixation of the Imagination, which is left behind it: Nor can it ever be at rest, till the thing be accomplished, for which it is disturbed. 4. When Treasure hath been hid, or any secret thing hath been commit∣ted

by the party; there is a magical cause of something attracting the starry spirit back again, to the manifestation of that thing. Upon all which, the following Chapters do insist more largely and particularly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The reason of this Addition.
• * 1.2

  The nature of Sprits.
• * 1.3

  The original of evil essences.
• * 1.4

  Their Germi∣nation.
• * 1.5

  Their Habita∣tion.
• * 1.6

  Their shapes.
• * 1.7

  Their place of pleasure or tor∣ment.
• * 1.8

  The cause of their torment.
• * 1.9

  How Magici∣ans deal with them.
• * 1.10

  The Orders of heavenly Be∣ings.
• * 1.11

  That they are not subject to conjurations.
• * 1.12

  What Spirits may be con∣jured.
• * 1.13

  The nature of the Astral Spi∣rits.
• * 1.14

  Their degrees.
• * 1.15

  Their actions and affections.
• * 1.16

  The distinct orders of star∣ry Spirits.