Book XI, chapters 1–12: Nahas: augury, sacrifice, sortilege and the Cabala

BOOK XI.

CHAP. I. The Hebrew word Nahas expounded; of the Art of Augury; who invented it; how slovenly a Science it is; the multitude of Sacrifices, and Sacrifices of the Heathen, and the causes thereof.

NAHAS, is to observe the flying of Birds, and comprehendeth all such other observations, where men do guesse upon uncertain toyes. It is found in Deut. 18. and in 2 Chron. 33. and elsewhere. Of this Art of Augury, Tyresias the King of the Thebans is said to be the first inventor; but Tages first published the discipline thereof, being but a little boy, as Cicero reporteth out of the books of the Hetruscans themselves. Some points of this Art are more high and profound then some others, and yet are they more homely and slovenly then the rest; as namely, the Divination upon the entrails of beasts, which the Gentiles in their sacrifices specially observed. Insomuch as Marcus Varro, seeing the absurdity thereof, said, that these gods were not only idle, but very slovens, that used so to hide their secrets and councels in the guts and bowels of Beasts.

How vainly, absurdly, and superstitiously the Heathen used this kind of Divination in their sacrifices, is manifested by their actions and ceremonies in that behalf practised, as well in times past, as at this hour. The Aegyptians had 666 several sorts and kinds of Sacrifices: the Romans had almost as many: the Grecians had not so few as they: the Persians and Medes were not behind them: the Indians and other Nations have at this instant their Sacrifices full of variety, and more full of barbarous impiety; for in sundry places, these offer sacrifices to the Devil, hoping thereby to move him to lenity; yea, these commonly sacrifice such of their enemies, as they have taken in war: as we read that the Gentiles in ancient time did offer sacrifice, to appease the wrath and indignation of their feigned gods.

CHAP. II. Of the Jews sacrifice to Moloch, a discourse thereupon, and of Purgatory.

THe Jews used one kind of Diabolical Sacrifice, never taught them by Moses, namely, To offer their children to Moloch, making their sons and their daughters to run through the fire: supposing such grace and efficacy to have been in that action, as other Witches affirm to be in Charmes and Words; and therefore among other points of Witchcraft, this is specially and namely forbidden by Moses. We read of no more Miracles wrought hereby, then by any other kind of Witchcraft in the old or new Testament expressed. It was no ceremony appointed by God, no figure of Christ; perhaps it might be a sacrament, or rather a figure of Purgatory, the which place was not remembred by Moses. Neither was there any sacrifice appointed by the law for the relief of Israelites souls that there should be tormented. Which without all doubt should not have been omitted, if any such place of Purgatory had been then, as the Pope hath lately devised for his private and special lucre. This Sacrificing to Moloch (as some affirm) was usual among the Gentiles, from whence the Jews brought it into Israel; and there (of likelyhood) the Eutichists learned the abomination in that behalf.

CHAP. III. The Canibals cruelty: of Popish Sacrifices exceeding in tyranny the Jews or Gentiles.

THe incivility and cruel Sacrifices of Popish Priests do yet exceed both the Jew and the Gentile; for these take upon them to sacrifice Christ himself. And to make their tyranny the more apparent, they are not contented to have killed him once, but dayly and hourly torment him with new deaths; yea they are not ashamed to swear, that with their carnal hands they tear his humane substance, breaking it into small gobbets; and with their external teeth chew his flesh and bones, contrary to Divine or humane nature; and contrary to the Prophesie, which saith, There shall not a bone of him be broken. Finally, in the end of their sacrifices (as they say) they eat him up raw, and swallow down into their guts every member and parcel of him: and last of all, that they convey him into the place where they bestow the residue of all that which they have devoured that day. And this same barbarous impiety exceedeth the cruelty of all others; for all the Gentiles consumed their sacrifices with fire, which they thought to be holy.

CHAP. IV. The superstition of the Heathen about the element of fire, and how it grew in such reverence among them; of their corruptions, and that they had some inkling of the godly Fathers doings in that behalf.

AS touching the element of fire, and the superstition thereof about those businesses, you shall understand, that many superstitious people of all Nations have received, and reverenced, as the most holy thing among their sacrifices; insomuch (I say) as they have worshipped it among their gods, calling it Orimasda (to wit) holy fire, and Divine light: The Greeks called it [Greek], the Romans, Vesta, which is, The fire of the Lord. Surely they had heard of the fire that came down from heaven, and consumed the oblations of the Fathers; and they understood it to be God himself: For there came to the Heathen, the bare names of things, from the doctrine of the godly Fathers and Patriarches, and those so obscured with fables, and corrupted with lyes, so overwhelmed with superstitions, and disguised with ceremonies, that it is hard to judge from whence they came. Some cause thereof (I suppose) was partly the translations of Governments, whereby one Nation learned folly of another; and partly blind devotion, without knowledge of Gods Word; but specially the want of Grace, which they sought not for, according to Gods commandement and will. And that the Gentiles had some inkling of the godly Fathers doings, may diversly appear. Do not the Muscovits, and Indian prophets at this day, like apes, imitate Esay? Because he went naked certain years, they forsooth counterfeit madness, and drink potions for that purpose; thinking that whatsoever they say in their madness, will certainly come to pass. But hereof is more largely discoursed before in the word Kasam.

CHAP. V. Of the Roman Sacrifices: of the estimation they had of the Augury; of the twelve Tables.

THe Romans, even after they were grown to great civility, and enjoyed a most flourishing State and Common-wealth, would sometimes sacrifice themselves, sometimes their children, sometimes their friends, &c. consuming the same with fire, which they thought holy. Such estimation (I say) was attributed to that of Divination upon the entrails of Beasts, &c. At Rome, the chief Princes themselves exercised the same; namely, Romulus, Fabius Maximum, &c. insomuch as there was a decree made there, by the whole Senate, that six of the chiefe Magistrates Sons should from time to time be put forth, to learn the mystery of these Arts of Augury and Divination, at Hetruria, where the cunning and knowledge thereof most abounded. When they came home well informed and instructed in this Art, their estimation and dignity was such, as they were accounted, reputed, and taken to be the interpreters of the gods, or rather between the gods and them. No high Priest, nor any other great officer was elected, but these did absolutely nominate them, or else did exhibit the names of two, whereof the Senate must choose the one.

In their ancient Laws were written these words: Prodigia & portenta ad Hetruscos aruspices (si Senatus jusserit) deferunto, Hetruriae q; principes disciplinam discunto, Quibus divis decreverunt, procuranto, isdem fulgura & ostenta pianto, auspicia servanto, auguri parento: the effect of which words are this, Let all prodigious and portentous matters be carryed to the Soothsayers of Hetruria, at the will and commandement of the Senate; and let the young Princes be sent to Hetruria, there to learn that Discipline, or to be instructed in that Art and Knowledge. Let there be always some Solicitor, to learn with what gods they have decreed or determined their matters; and let Sacrifices be made unto them in times of lightening, or at any strange or supernatural shew. Let all such conjecturing tokens be observed; whatsoever the Soothsayer commandeth, let it be religiously obeyed.

CHAP. VI. Colledges of Augurers, their office, their number, the signification of Augury, that the practisers of that Art were coseners; their profession, their places of exercise, their apparel, their superstition.

ROmulus erected three Colledges or Centuries of those kinds of Soothsayers, which only (and none other) should have authority to expound the minds and admonishment of the gods. Afterwards that number was augmented to five, and after that to nine: for they must needs be odd. In the end they increased so fast, that they were fain to make a decree for stay, from the further proceeding in those erections; like to our Statute of Mortmaine. Howbeit, Sylla (contrary to all orders and constitutions before made) increased that number to four and twenty.

And though Augurium be most properly that Divination which is gathered by Birds; yet because this word Nahas comprehendeth all other kinds of Divination, as Extispicium, aruspicium, &c. which is as well the guessing upon the entrails of beasts, as divers other wayes: omitting Physiognomy and Palmestry, and such like, for the tediousness and folly thereof; I will speak a little of such Arts as were above measure regarded of our elders; neither mind I to discover the whole circumstance, but to refute the vanity thereof, and specially of the Professors of them, which are and alwayes have been cousening Arts, and in them contained both special and several kinds of Witchcrafts: For the Masters of these faculties have ever taken upon them to occupy the place and name of God; blasphemously ascribing unto themselves his Omnipotent Power to foretel, &c. whereas in truth, they could or can do nothing, but make a shew of that which is not.

One matter, to bewray their cosening, is; that they could never work nor foreshew any thing to the poor or inferior sort of people: for portentous shews (say they) alwayes concerned great Estates. Such matters as touched the baser sort, were inferior causes; which the superstition of the people themselves would not neglect to learn. Howbeit, the Professors of this Art descended not so low, as to communicate with them: for they were Priests (which in all Ages and Nations have been jolly fellows) whose office was, to tell what should come to pass, either touching good luck, or bad fortune; to expound the minds, admonitions, warnings and threatnings of the Gods, to foreshew calamities, &c. which might be (by their Sacrifices and common contrition) removed and qualified. And before their entrance into that action, they had many observations, which they executed very superstitiously; pretending that every Bird and Beast, &c. should be sent from the Gods as fore-shewers of somewhat. And therefore first they used to choose a clear day, and fair weather to do their business in: for the which their place was certainly assigned, as well in Rome as in Hetruria, wherein they observed every quarter of the element, which way to look, and which way to stand, &c. Their Apparel was very Priest-like, of fashion altered from all others, specially at the time of their Prayers, wherein they might not omit a word nor a syllable: in respect whereof one read the Service, and all the residue repeated it after him, in the manner of a Procession.

CHAP. VII. The Times and Seasons to exercise Augury, the Manner and Order thereof, of the Ceremonies thereunto belonging.

NO less regard was there had of the times of their practice in that ministery: for they must begin at midnight, and end at noon, not travelling therein in the decay of the day, but in the Increase of the same; neither in the sixth or seventh hour of the day, nor yet after the moneth of August; because then young Birds then flie about, and are diseased and unperfect, mounting their feathers, and flying out of the Countrey: so as no certain guess is to be made of the Gods purposes by them at those seasons. But in their due times they standing with a bowed wand in their hand, their face toward the East, &c. in the top of an high Tower, the weather being clear, watch for Birds, noting from whence they came, and whither they fly, and in what sort they wag their wings, &c.

CHAP. VIII. Upon what Signs and Tokens Augurers did Prognosticate; Observations touching the Inward and Outward parts of Beasts, with notes of Beasts behaviour in the Slaughter-house.

THese kind of Witches, whom we have now in hand, did also prognosticate good or bad luck, according to the soundness or imperfection of the entrails of Beasts; or according to the superfluities or infirmities of nature; or according to the abundance of humours unnecessary, appearing in the inward parts and bowels of the Beasts sacrificed: For as touching the outward parts, it was always provided and fore-seen, that they should be without blemish. And yet there were many tokens and notes to be taken of the external actions of those Beasts, at the time of sacrifice: as if they would not quietly be brought to the place of execution, but must be forcibly hailed; or if they brake loose; or if by hap, cunning or strength they withstood the first blow, or if after the Butchers blow they leaped up, roared, stood fast; or being fallen, kicked, or would not quietly die, or bled not well; or if any ill news had been heard, or any ill sight seen at the time of slaughter or sacrifice: which were all significations of ill luck and unhappy success. On the other side, if the slaughter man performed his office well, so as the beast had been well chosen, not infected, but whole and sound, and in the end fair killed, all had been safe: for then the Gods smiled.

CHAP. IX. A confutation of Augury; Plato his reverend Opinion thereof, of contrary Events, and false Predictions.

BUt what credit is to be attributed to such toyes and chances, which grow not of Nature, but are gathered by the superstition of the Interpreters? As for Birds, who is so ignorant that conceiveth not, that one flyeth one way, another another way, about their private necessities? And yet are the other divinations more vain and foolish. Howbeit, Plato thinketh a Common-wealth cannot stand without this Art, and numbereth it among the liberal Sciences. These fellows promised Pompy, Cassius, and Caesar, that none of them should die before they were old, and that in their own houses, and in great honour; and yet they all died clean contrarily. Howbeit doubtless, the Heathen in this point were not so much to be blamed, as the sacrificing Papists: for they were directed hereunto without the knowledge of Gods promises, neither knew they the end why such Ceremonies and Sacrifices were instituted; but only understood by an uncertain and slender report, that God was wont to send good or ill success to the children of Israel, and to the old Patriarchs and Fathers, upon his acceptance or disallowance of their Sacrifices and Oblations. But men in all ages have been so desirous to know the effect of their purposes, the sequel of things to come, and to see the end of their fear and hope; that a silly Witch, which hath learned any thing in the Art of cosenage, may make a great many jolly fools.

CHAP. X. The cosening Art of Sortilege or Lottery, practised especially by Aegyptian Vagabonds, of allowed Lots, of Pythagoras his Lot, &c.

THe counterfeit Aegyptians, which were indeed cosening Vagabonds, practising the Art called Sortilegium, had no small credit among the multitude: Howbeit, their Divinations were as was their fast and loose, and as the Witches cures and hurts, and as the Sooth-sayers answers, and as the Conjurers raising up of spirits, and as Apollo's or the Roed of Grace's Oracles, and as the Jugglers knacks of Legierdemain, and as the Papists Exorcisms, and as the Witches charms, and as the counterfeit Visions, and as the coseners Knaveries, Hereupon it was said, Non inveniatur inter vos Menahas, that is, Sortilegus, which were like to these Aegyptian coseners. As for other lots, they were used, and that lawfully, as appeareth by Jonas and others that were holy men, and as may be seen among all Common-wealths, for the deciding of divers Controversies, &c. wherein thy neighbour is not misused, nor God any way offended. But in truth I think, because of the cosenage that so easily may be used herein, God forbad it in the Common-wealth of the Jews, though in the good use thereof it was allowed in matters of great weight; as appeareth both in the Old and New Testament; and that as well in doubtful cases and distributions, as in Elections, and Inheritances, and pacification of variances. I omit to speak any thing of the Lots comprised in Verses, concerning the luck ensuing, either of Virgil, Homer, or any other, wherein fortune is gathered by the sudden turning unto them: because it is a childish and ridiculous toy, and like unto childrens play at Primus, secundus, or the game called The Philosophers Table: but herein I will refer you to the bable it self, or else to Bodin, or to some such sober Writen thereupon, of whom there is no want.

There is a Lot also called Pythagora's Lot, which (some say) Aristotle believed: and that is, where the characters of letters have certain proper numbers; whereby they divine (through the proper names of men) so as the numbers of each letter being gathered in a sum, and put together, give victory to them whose sum is the greater, whether the question be of Warr, Life, Matrimony, Victory, &c. even as the unequal number of vowels in proper names portendeth lack of sight, halting, &c. which the God-fathers and God-mothers might easily prevent, if the case stood so.

CHAP. XI. Of the Cabalistical Art, consisting of Traditions and Unwritten Varieties learned without Book, and of the Division thereof.

HEre is also place for the Cabalistical Art, consisting of unwritten Verities, which the Jews do believe and brag, that God himself gave to Moses in Mount-Sinai; and afterwards was taught only with lively voyce, by degrees of succession, without writing, until the time of Esdras; even the Scholars of Archippus did use Wit and Memory in stead of Books. They divide this in twain; the one expoundeth with Philosophical reason the Secrets of the Law and the Bible, wherein (they say) that Solomon was very cunning; because it is written in the Hebrew Stories, that he disputed from the Cedar to Libanus, even to the Hysope, also of Birds, Beasts, &c. The other is, as it were, a Symbolical Divinity of the highest Contemplation, of the divine and angelike vertues, of holy names and signs; wherein the letters, numbers, figures, things and arms, the pricks over the letters, the lines, the points, and the accents do all signifie very profound things and great secrets. By these Arts the Atheists suppose Moses wrote all his Miracles, and that hereby they have power over Angels and Devils, as also to do miracles: yea, and that hereby all the miracles that either any of the Prophets, or Christ himself wrought, were accomplished.

But C. Agrippa having searched to the bottom of this Art, saith, it is nothing but superstition and folly. Otherwise you may be sure Christ would not have hidden it from his Church: For this cause the Jews were so skilful in the Names of God, But there is none other Name in Heaven or Earth, in which we might be saved, but Jesus: neither is that meant by his bare Name, but by his vertue and goodness towards us. These Cabalists do further brag, that they are able hereby, not only to find out and know the unspeakable mysteries of God, but also the secrets which are above Scripture; whereby also they take upon them to Prophesie, and to work Miracles: yea hereby they can make what they list to be Scripture; as Valeria Proba did pick certain Verses out of Virgile, alluding them to Christ. And therefore these their Revolutions are nothing but Allegorical Games, which idle men busied in Letters, Points, and Numbers, (which the Hebrew tongue easily suffereth) devise to delude and cosen the simple and ignorant. And this they call Alphabetary or Arithmetical Divinity, which Christ shewed to his Apostles only, and which Paul saith, he speaketh but among perfect men; and being high mysteries are not to be committed unto writing, and so made popular. There is no man that readeth any thing of this Cabalistical Art, but must needs think upon the Popes cunning practices in this behalf, who hath In scrinio pectoris, not only the Exposition of all Laws, both Divine and Humane, but also Authority to add thereunto, or to draw back there-from at his pleasure: and this may he lawfully do even with the Scriptures, either by addition or substraction, after his own pontifical liking. As for example, He hath added the Apocrypha (whereunto he might as well have joyned S. Augustine's Works, or the course of the Civil Law, &c.) Again, he hath diminished from the Decalogue or Ten Commandements, not one or two words, but a whole Precept, namely the second, which it hath pleased him to dash out with his pen: and truly he might as well by the same authority have rased out of the Testament S. Mark's Gospel.

CHAP. XII. When, How, and in What sort Sacrifices were first Ordained, and how they were prophaned, and how the Pope corrupeth the Sacraments of Christ.

AT the first God manifested to our father Adam, by the prohibition of the Apple, that he would have man live under a law, in obedience and submission; and not to wander like a Beast without order or discipline. And after man had transgressed, and deserved thereby Gods heavy displeasure, yet his mercy prevailed; and taking compassion upon man, he promised the Messias, who should be born of a woman, and break the Serpents head: declaring by evident testimonies, that his pleasure was that man should be restored to savour and grace, through Christ: and binding the mindes of men to this promise, and to be fixed upon their Messias, established Figures and Ceremonies wherewith to nourish their Faith, and confirmed the same with miracles, prohibiting and excluding all mans devices in that behalf. And upon his promise renewed, he enjoyned (I say) and erected a new form of worship, whereby he would have his promises constantly beheld, faithfully believed, and reverently regarded. He ordained six sorts of divine Sacrifices; three Propitiatory, not as meriting remission of sins, but as figures of Christs propitiation: the other three were of thanksgiving. These Sacrifices were full of Ceremonies, they were powdered with consecrated Salt, and kindled with fire, which was preserved in the Tabernacle of the Lord: which fire (some think) was sent down from heaven. God himself commanded these Rites and Ceremonies to our fore-fathers, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, &c. promising therein both the amplification of their families, and also their Messias. But in tract of time (I say) wantonness, negligence, and contempt, through the instigation of the Devil, abolished this institution of God: so as in the end, God himself was forgotten among them, and they became Pagans and Heathens, devising their own ways, until every Countrey had devised and erected both new Sacrifices, and also new Gods particular unto themselves. Whose example the Pope followeth, in prophaning of Christs Sacraments, disguising them with his devices and superstitious Ceremonies, contriving and comprehending therein the folly of all Nations: the which, because little children do now perceive and scorn, I will pass over, and return to the Gentiles, whom I cannot excuse of cosenage, superstition, nor yet of vanity in this behalf: For if God suffered false Prophets among the children of Israel, being Gods peculiar people, and hypocrites in the Church of Christ, no marvel if there were such people amongst the Heathen which neither professed nor knew him.