CHAP. II. Of Conjurations.

BEfore we come to treat of Conjurations, whence they proceed, and what is the foundation of them; It is first necessary to de∣clare, who invented them, who used them, and what hath been brought to pass by them; and how more and more they came to be abused. Know therefore, that they had their original Spring and fountain from Babylon; and there did mightily increase and flourish: afterwards it came into Aegypt, and from thence to the Israe∣lites; and last of all, to us Christians. Amongst the Nigromancers it is very familiar, and held in great esteeme, so that in their rude and igno∣rant understandings, they all attribute more ef∣ficacy, power and vertue thereunto, then unto prayer and faith. This foundation, which is drawne onely from their opinions, is to be con∣demned, so that no man almost ought to remain therein; but they all Justly deserve to be punish∣ed by the Magistrate who persist therein. Al∣though Conjurations may be able to effect some things in themselves, nevertheless they are not to be usurped by any Magitian or wise man, be∣cause they are contrary even to God himself, and to his word and commandments, and also to the light of nature: For nothing of truth can Page  37 be forced or drawn from the Spirits thereby: although they are sometimes forced to appeare in their greatest and Magnificent pompe, and with terrible pride and haughtiness, nevertheless they are not bound or overcome by this Conju∣ration; for that can onely be done by faith a∣lone.

I say, those kinde of Nigromancers who de∣sire to perform and effect all things by their Conjurations, so as to compel, binde, afflict and Torment the Spirits, forcing to do what they will have them, are most like and fitly to be compared to thieves and Robbers, that lurk in woods and places to Rob and murder; who can kill and steale so long, and so far forth as God shall permit them, but no longer: But when the time and hour comes, that their villanies and wickedness shall be made manifest; then not one of the most subtil and craftyest of them can es∣cape: whereby it comes to pass, that one for Robbery receives his death, another is accused, and at last comes under the power of the hang∣man, who renders him a reward according to the desert of his workes: No otherwise are we to judge of such thieves who breake houses and steal so long, till at last they perish at the gallows. So likewise doth the Nigromancer call and invo∣cate Spirits, conjure and afflict them with punish∣ments and Martyrdomes, so long as he shall be permitted by the Lord God; but not without the curse of God: and when the time and hour of his punishment is come, then as the Proverbe is, he receiveth his fruits: he erred in his Conjurations, Page  38 not drawing his Circle as he ought, out of the will and power of the Spirits, which they often say unto him: To wit, thou hast erred in Con∣juring, or thou hast not rightly drawn the Circle, thou hast not Chastised and prepared thy self e∣nough; or that thy Seale and Pentacles are false: wherefore thou receivest this punishment: so thy debts are paid thee in ready money, a long time reserved for thee; and which long since thou oughtest to have had: so he deservedly receiv∣eth his reward from the Spirits, who leave some notable eminent marke remaining upon him; or mayme him in some limbe or member, if not quite breake his necke: and by this he becomes his own executioner.

Therefore let these Ceremonious Nigroman∣cers take heed and looke what they do; let them set this chapter as a looking-Glass before them, lest by their own frivolous and wicked ope∣ration they themselves become the servants of the Spirits, and suffer them to rule over them, and be their own executioners: Which being done, the Spirits will not suffer themselves any longer to be forced or compelled by these ser∣vants; neither will they do what they will, but now the servants shall be forced to yeeld obedi∣ence to the Spirits, who are become their Lords. The hang-man also doth the like, he hearkneth not to him that is to be scourged, neither will he shew any mercy or favor at the prayer of him that is condemned; but he executeth the com∣mand of his Master, and what appertains unto his office.

Page  39Even so also the Malignant Spirits are the hang-men and executioners of God, who can execute nothing without the commission of their Magistrate, that is, of the divine Majesty.

I say therefore that all Conjurations are against God, and are contrary to his word, the divine law, and the light of nature; which are prohibi∣ted to be used not onely to Spirits alone, but also such as are directed to herbs, stones and such-like, and especially those which are made against men; it becometh not us to act like the Heathens, who when they were not able to use men after their own wills, and could not force and compel them, they did Conjure them (as by many examples it is found in the Scriptures) so that they were forced and compelled to ex∣ecute and act such things as were contrary to their wills and nature. Woe therefore to such wicked Knaves, and to all them whosoever imi∣tate them: how great wickedness do they com∣mit? And what grievous Plagues will come to them at the last, and what fearful and horrible accusations shall they heare the Devil make a∣gainst them before the wrath of God? If after∣wards it were lawful for them to signifie to such kinde of men, their misery which they endure, they who do such things, many thousands of them would be brought to repentance.