Book XIII, chapters 8–16: Sympathy and antipathy, confederacy and equivocation

CHAP. VIII. The Sympathy and Antipathy of Natural and Elementary Bodies declared by divers Examples of Beasts, Birds, Plants, &c.

IF I should write of the strange effects of Sympathia and Antipathia, I should take great pains to make you wonder, and yet you would scarce believe me. And if I should publish such conclusions as are common and known, you would not regard them. And yet Empedocles thought all things were wrought hereby. It is almost incredible, that the grunting or the wheeking of a little Pig, or the sight of a simple Sheep should terrifie a mighty Elephant; and yet by that means the Romans did put to flight Pyrrhus and all his Hoast. A man would hardly believe, that his Cocks comb or his crowing should abash a puissant Lion; but the experience hereof hath satisfied the whole world. Who would think that a Serpent should abandon the shadow of an Ash? &c. But it seemeth not strange, because it is common, that some man otherwise hardy and stout enough, should not dare to abide or endure the sight of a Cat. Or that a draught of drink should so overthrow a man, that never a part or member of his body should be able to perform his duty and office; and should also so corrupt and alter his senses, understanding, memory, and judgement, that he should in every thing, saving in shape, become a very Beast. And herein the Poets experiment of Liquor is verified, in these words following.

—sunt qui non corpora tantum,
Verum animas etiam valeant mutare liquores.

Englished by Abrabam Fleming:

Some Waters have so powerful been,
As could not only bodies change,
But even the very minds of men,
Their operation is so strange.

The friendly society betwixt a Fox and a Serpent is almost incredible: how loving the Lizzard is to a man, we may read though we cannot see. Yet some affirm that our Newt is not only like to the Lizzard in shape, but also in condition. From the which affection towards a man, a spaniel doth not much differ, whereof I could cite incredible Stories. The Amity betwixt a Castrel and a Pigeon is much noted among Writers; and specially how the Castrel defendeth her from her enemy the Sparrow-hawk; whereof they say the Dove is not ignorant. Besides, the wonderful operation and vertue of herbs, which to repeat were infinite; and therefore I will only refer you to Matthoelus his Herbal, or to Dodonaeus. There is among them such natural accord and discord, as some prosper much the better for the others company, and some wither away being planted near unto the other. The Lilly and the Rose rejoyce in each others neighbour-hood. The Flag and the Fernbush abhorr each other so much, that the one can hardly live besides the other. The Cucumber loveth water, and hateth oyl to the death. And because you shall not say that herbs have no vertue, for that in this place I cite none, I am content to discover two or three small qualities and vertues, which are affirmed to be in herbs; marry as simple as they be, Jannes and Jambres might have done much with them, if they had had them. If you prick out a young Swallows eyes, the old Swallow restoreth again their sight, with the application (they say) of a little Celandine. Zanthus the Author of Histories reporteth, that a young Dragon being dead was revived by her Dath, with an herb called called Balim. And Juba saith, that a man in Arabiae being dead was revived by the vertue of another herb.

CHAP. IX. The former Matter proved by many Examples of the living and the dead.

AND as we see in Stones, Herbs, &c. strange operation and natural love and dissention; so do we read, that in the Body of a Man, there be as strange Properties and Vertues natural. I have heard by credible report, and I have read many grave Authors constantly affirm, That the wound of a man murthered reneweth bleeding, at the presence of a dear friend, or of a mortal Enemy. Divers also write, that if one pass by a murthered body (though unknown) he shall be stricken with fear, and feel in himself some alteration by nature. Also that a woman above the age of fifty years, being bound hand and foot, her clothes being upon her, and laid down softly into the water sinketh, not in a long time; some say not at all. By which experiment they were wont to try Witches, as well as by Ferrum candens; which was, to hold hot iron in their hands, and by not burning to be tryed. Howbeit, Plutarch saith, that Pyrrhus his great Toe had in it such natural, or rather divine vertue, that no fire could burn it.

And Alberius saith, and many other also repeat the same Story, saying, that there were two such children born in Germany, as if that one of them had been carried by any house, all the doors right against one of his sides would fly open: and that vertue which the one had in the left side, the other Brother had in the right side. He saith further, that many saw it, and that it could be referred to nothing, but to the propriety of their bodies. Pompanatius writeth, that the Kings of France do cure the disease called now the Kingsevil, or Queensevil; which hath been alwayes thought, and to this day is supposed to be, a miraculous and a peculiar gift, ard a special grace given to the Kings and Queens of England. Which some refer to the propriety of their persons, some to the peculiar gift of God, and some to the efficacy of words. But if the French King use it no worse then our Princess doth, God will not be offended thereat: for her Majesty only useth godly and divine Prayer, with some Alms, and referreth the cure to God and to the Physitian. Plutarch writeth, that there be certain men called Psilli, which with their mouths heal the bitings of Serpents. And J. Bap. Neap. faith, that an Olive being planted by the hand of a Virgin, prospereth; which if a Harlot do, it withereth away. Also if a Serpent or Viper lie in a hole, it may easily be pulled out with the left hand, where as with the right hand it cannot be removed. Although this Experiment, and such like are like enough to be false, yet are they not altogether so impious as the miracles said to be done by Characters, Charms, &c. For many strange properties remain in sundry parts of a living Creature, which is not universally dispersed, and indifferently spread through the whole body: as the eye smelleth not, the nose seeth not, the ear tasteth not, &c.

CHAP. X. The bewitching Venom, contained in the body of an Harlot, how her Eye, her Tongue, her Beauty and Behaviour, bewitcheth some men: of Bones and Horns yielding great vertue.

THE Vertue contained within the body of an Harlot, or rather the venom proceeding out of the same, may be beheld with great admiration. For her eye infecteth, enticeth, and (if I may so say) bewitcheth them many times, which think themselves well armed against such manner of people. Her tongue, her gesture, her behaviour, her beauty, and other allurements poison and intoxicate the mind: yea, her company induceth impudency, corrupteth virginity, confoundeth and consumeth the bodies, goods, and the very souls of men. And finally her body destroyeth and rotteth the very flesh and bones of mans body. And this is common that we wonder not at all thereat; nay we have not the course of the Sun, the Moon, or the Stars in so great admiration, as the Globe, counterfeiting their order: which is in respect but a Bable made by an Artificer. So as (I think) if Christ himself had continued long in the execution of miracles, and had left that power permanent and common in the Church; they would have grown into contempt, and not have been esteemed, according to his own saying, A Prophet is not regarded in his own Countrey, I might recite infinite properties, wherewith God hath indued the body of man, worthy of admiration, and fit for this place. As touching other living creatures, God hath likewise (for his Glory, and our behoof) bestowed most excellent and miraculous gifts and vertues upon their bodies and members, and that in several and wonderful wise. We see that a bone taken out of a Carps head, stancheth blood, and so doth none other part besides of that Fish. The bone also in a Hares foot mitigateth the Cramp, as none other bone nor part else of the Hare doth. How precious is the bone growing out of the forehead of a Unicorn! if the horn, which we see, grow there, which is doubted: and of how small account are the residue of all his bones! At the excellency whereof, as also at the noble and innumerable venues of Herbs we muse not at all; because it hath pleased God to make them, common unto us. Which perchance might in some part assist Jannes and Jambres, towards the hardning of Pharaohs heart. But of such secret and strange operations read Albert. De mineral. cap. 1.11, 17. Also Marsilius Ficinus, cap. 1. lib. 4. Cardan, de rerum varietate. J. Bap. Neap, de Magia Naturali. Peucer, Wier Pompanatius, Fernelius, and others.

CHAP. XI. Two notorious Wonders, and yet not marvelled at.

I Thought good here to insert two most miraculous matters; of the one I am Testis oculatus, an Eye-witness; of the other I am so credibly and certainly informed, that I dare, and do believe it to be very true. When Mr. T. Randolph returned out of Russia, after his Embassage dispatched, a Gentleman of his Train brought home a monument of great accompt, in nature and in property very wonderful. And because I am loth to be long in the description of Circumstances, I will first describe the thing it self, which was a piece of earth of a good quantity, and most excellently proportioned in Nature, having these qualities and vertues following. If one had taken a piece of perfect Steel, forked and sharpned at the end, and heated red hot, offering therewith to have touched it, it would have fled with great celerity: and on the other side, it would have pursued gold, either in Coin or Bulloin, with as great violence and speed as it shunned the other. No Bird in the Air durst approach near it; no Beast of the Field but feared it, and naturally fled from the sight thereof. It would be here to day, and to morrow twenty miles of, and the next day after in in the very place it was the first day, and that without the help of any other Creature.

Johannes Fernelius writeth of a strange Stone lately brought out of India, which hath in it such a marvellous brightness, purity and shining, that therewith the Air round about is so lightned and cleared, that one may see to read thereby in the darkness of night. It will not be contained in a close Room, but requireth an open and free place. It would not willingly rest or stay here below on the Earth, but alwayes laboureth to ascend up into the Air. If one press it down with his hand, it resisteth, and striketh very sharply. It is beautiful to behold, without either spot or blemish, and yet very unpleasant to taste or feel. If any part thereof be taken away, it is never a whit diminished, the form thereof being inconstant, and at every moment mutable. These two things last rehearsed are strange, and so long wondred at, as the mystery and morality thereof remaineth undiscovered: but when I have disclosed the matter, and told you that by the lump of Earth a Man is meant, and some of his qualities described; and that that which was contained in the far fetcht Stone, was fire, or rather flame: the doubt is resolved, and the miracle ended. And yet (I confess) there is in these two creatures contained more miraculous matter, then in all the Loadstones and Diamonds in the world. And hereby is to be noted, that even a part of this Art, which is called natural or witching Magick, consisteth as well in the deceit of words, as in the sleight of hand; wherein plain lying is avoided with a figurative speech, in the which either the words themselves, or their interpretation have a double or doubtful meaning, according to that which hath been said before in the Title Ob or Pytho: and shall be more at large hereafter in this Treatise manifested.

CHAP. XII. Of Illusions, Confederacies, and Leqierdemain, and how they may be well or ill used.

MAny Writers have been abused, as well by untrue reports, as by illusion, and practices of confederacy and Legierdemain, &c. sometimes imputing unto words that which resteth in the nature of the thing; and somtimes to the nature of the thing, that which proceedeth of fraud and deception of sight. But when these experiments grow to superstition or impiety, they are either to be forsaken as vain, or denied as false. Howbeit, if these things be done for mirth, and recreation, and not to the hurt of our Neighbour, nor to the abusing or prophaning of Gods Name, in mine opinion they are neither impious nor altogether unlawful: though herein or hereby a natural thing be made to seem supernatural. Such are the miracles wrought by Juglers, consisting in fine & nimble conveyance, called Legierdemain; as when they seem to cast away, or to deliver to another that which they retain still in their own hands; or convey otherwise, or seem to eat a Knife, or some such other thing, when indeed they bestow the same secretly into their bosoms or laps. Another point of Jugling is, when they thrust a Knife through the brains and head of a Chicken or Pullet, and seem to cure the same with words; which would live and do well, though never a word were spoken. Some of these Toyes consist in Arithmetical devices, partly in Experiments of Natural Magick, and partly in private, as also in publick Confederacy.

CHAP. XIII. Of private Confederacy, and of Brandons Pigeon.

PRivate Confederacy I mean, when (one by a special plot laid by himself, without any compact made with others) perswadeth the beholders, that he will suddenly and in their presence do some miraculous Feat, which he hath already accomplished privily. As for example, he will shew you a Card, or any other like thing: and will say further unto you; Behold and see what a mark it hath, and then burneth it; and nevertheless fetcheth anther like Card so marked out of some bodies pocket, or out of some corner where he himself before had placed it; to the wonder and astonishment of simple beholders, which, conceive not that kind of illusiion, but expect miracles and strange works.

What wondering and admiration was there at Brandon the Jugler, who painted on the wall the picture of a Dove, and seeing a Pigeon sitting on the top of a House, said to the King, Lo now your Grace shall see what, a Jugler can do, if he be his Crafts-master; and then pricked the picture with a Knife so hard and so often, and with so effectual words, as the Pigeon fell down from the top of the House stark dead. I need not write any further circumstance to shew how the matter was taken, what wondering was thereat, how he was prohibited to use that Feat any further, lest he should imploy it in any other kind of murther; as though he, whose picture soever he had pricked, must needs have died, and so the life of all men be in the hands of a Jugler: as is now supposed to be in the hands and wils of Witches. This Story is, until the day of the writing hereof, in fresh remembrance, and of the most part believed as Canonical, as are all the Fables of Witches: but when you are taught the feat or sleight (the Secrecy and Sorcery of the matter being bewrayed and discovered) you will think it a mockery and simple illusion. To interpret unto you the Revelation of this Mysterie; so it is, that the poor Pigeon was before in the hands of the Jugler, into whom he had thrust a dram of Nux vomica, or some other such poison, which to the nature of the Bird was so extream a venom, as after the receipt thereof it could not live above the space of half an hour, and being let loose after the medicine ministred, she always resorted to the top of the next House: which she will the rather do, if there be any Pigeons already sitting there, and (as it is already said) after a short space falleth down, either stark dead, or greatly astonied. But in the mean time the Jugler used words of Art, partly to protract the time, and partly to gain credit and admiration of the beholder. If this or the like Feat should be done by to old Woman, every body would cry out for fire and faggot to burn the Witch.

CHAP. XIV. Of publick Confederacy, and whereof it consisteth.

PUblick Confederacy is, when there is beforehand a Compact made betwixt divers persons; the one to be Principal, the rest to be Assistants in working of miracles, or rather in cosening and abusing the beholders. As when I tell you in the presence of a multitude what you have thought or done, or shall do or think, when you and I were thereupon agreed before. And if this be cunningly and closely handled, it will induce great admiration to the Beholders; specially when they are before amazed and abused by some experiments of Natural Magick, Arithmetical Conclusions, of Legierdemain. Such were, for the most part, the Conclusions and Devices of Feats: wherein doubt you not, but Jannes and Jambres were expert, active, and ready.

CHAP. XV. How Men have been abused with words of Equivocation, with sundry Examples thereof.

SOme have taught, and others have written certain experiments; in the expressing whereof they have used such words of Equivocation, as whereby many have been overtaken and abused through rash credulity: so as sometimes (I say) they have reported, taught, and written that which their capacity took hold upon, contrary to the truth and sincere meaning of the Author. It is a common jest among the Water-men of the Thames, to shew the Parish Church of Stone to the Passengers, calling the same by the name of the Lanthorn of Kent; affirming, and that not untruly, that the said Church is as light (meaning in weight and not in brightness) at midnight, as at noonday. Whereupon some credulous person is made believe, and will not stick to affirm and swear, that in the same Church is such continual light, that any man may see to read there at all times of the Night without a Candle.

An excellent Philosopher, whom (for reverence unto his Fame and Learning) I will forbear to name, was overtaken by his Hostess at Dover; who merrily told him, that if he could retain and keep in his mouth certain pibbles (lying at the shoar side) he should not perbreak until he came to Calice, how rough and rempestuous so ever the Seas were. Which when he had tried, and being not forced by sickness to vomit, nor to lose his stones, as by vomiting he must needs do, he thought her Hostess had discovered unto him an excellent secret, nothing doubting of her amphibological speech: and therefore thought it a worthy note to be recorded among miraculous and medicinable stones; and inserted it accordingly into his Book, among other Experiments collected with great industry, learning, travel, and judgement. All these Toyes help a subtile Cosener to gain credit with the multitude. Yea, to further estimation, many will whisper Prophecies of their own invention into the ears of such as are not of quickest capacity; as to tell what Weather, &c. shall follow. Which if it fall out true, then boast they and triumph, as though they had gotten some notable conquest; if not, they deny the matter, forget it, excuse it, or shift it off; as that they told another the contrary in earnest, and spake that but in jest. All these helps might Pharaohs Jugglers have to maintain their Cosenages and Illusions, towards the hardening of Pharaohs heart.

Hereunto belong all manner of Charms, Periapts, Amulets, Characters, and such other Superstitions, both popish and prophane: whereby (if that were true, which either, Papists, Conjurors, or Witches undertake to do) we might daily see the very miracles wrought indeed, which Pharaoh's Magicians seemed to perform. Howbeit, because by all those Devices or Cosenages there cannot be made so much as a nit, so Jannes and Jambres could have no help that way, I will speak thereof in place more convenient.

CHAP. XVI. How some are abused with Natural Magick, and sundry Examples thereof when Illusion is added thereunto; of Jacobs pied Sheep, and of a Black-Moor.

BUt as these notable and wonderful Experiments and Conclusions that are found out in Nature it self (through wisdom, learning and industry) do greatly oppose and astonish the capacity of man: so (I say) when deceit and illusion is annexed thereunto, then is the Wit, the Faith, and Constancy of Man searched and tried. For if we shall yield that to be divine, supernatural, and miraculous, which we cannot comprehend; a Witch, a Papist, a Conjuror, a Cosener, and a Jugler may make us believe they are Gods: or else with more impiety we shall ascribe such power and omnipotency unto them, or unto the Devil, as only and properly appertained to God. As for example; By Confederacy or Cosenage (as before I have said) I may seem to manifest the secret thoughts of the heart, which (as we learn in Gods Book) none, knoweth or searcheth, but God himself alone. And therefore, whosoever believeth that I can do as I may seem to do, maketh a God of me, and is an Idolater. In which respect, whensoever we hear Papist, Witch, Conjuror, or Cosener, take upon him more than lieth in humane power to perform, we may know and boldly, say it is a knack of Knavery; and no miracle at all. And further we may know, that when we understand it, it will not be worth the knowing. And at the discovery of these miraculous Toyes, we shall leave to wonder at them, and begin to wonder at our selves, that could be so abused with Bables. Howbeit, such things as God hath laid up secretly in Nature, are to be weighed with, great admiration, and to be searched out with such industry as may become a Christian man: I mean, so as neither God, nor our Neighbour he offended thereby, which respect doubtless Jannes and Jambres never had. We finde in the Scriptures divers natural and secret Experiments practised; as namely that of Jacob, for pied sheep; which are confirmed by prophane Authors, and not only verified in Lambs and Sheep, but in Horses, Peacocks, Conies, &c. We read also of a Woman that brought forth a young Black-Moor, by means of an old Black-Moor was in her house at the time of her conception, whom she beheld in fantasie, as is supposed: howbeit a jealous Husband will not be satisfied with such phantastical imaginations: For in truth a Black-Moor never faileth to beget black Children, of what colour sover the other be; Et sic contra.