Discourse, Book II, chapters 1–2: Of spirits in general; good and evil daemons or genii

BOOK II.

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, upon the Nature of Spirits and Devils, hath only touched the subject thereof superficially, omitting the more material part; and with a brief and cursory Tractar, hath concluded to speak the least of this subject which indeed requires most amply to be illustrared; therefore I thought fit to adjoyn this subsequent discourse; as succedaneous to the fore-going, and conducing to the compleating of the whole work.

2. The Nature of Spirits is variously to be considered, 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 delighted 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; the very imaginations, 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 malevolous 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; 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, being 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; 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 whither 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 behind him.

6. As for the shapes and various likenesses of Devils, It is generally believed, 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.

7. 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 nature 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 presence of God: which torment is greater to them, then all the tortures of this world combin'd together.

8. The wicked souls that are departed this life, are also capable of appearing 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 Devils: 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 treasure 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.

9. 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 themselves in every Tradition of Conjuration and Exorcism; as also in the names, natures 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.

10. 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 themselves, 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.

11. It may indeed be believed, that seeing there are infinite numbers of Angels, they are also imployed for the glory of God, and protection of mankind, (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, and are of the Elemental quality, subject to a beginning and ending, and to degrees of continuance; 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: some alledging, 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 women, 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, 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 cheerfulness: They occupy various places of this world; as Woods, Mountains, Waters, 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: 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, appearing 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 Armies in the Air, Troops marching on the Land, noises and slaughter, Tempest and Lightning, &c.

16. These Astral Spirits are variously to be considered; some are beings separate and absolute, that are not constitute to any work or service: Others 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 departure; 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 committed 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.

CHAP. II. Of the Good and Evil Daemons or Genii: Whither they are; what they are, and how they are manifested; also of their names, powers, faculties, offices; how thy are to be considered.

1. ACcording to the disposition of the mind, or soul, there is a good or evil Daemon that accompanies the party visibly, or invisibly; and these are of such rancks and orders, and names, as the capacity of the persons soul is, to whom they belong: Their Office is said to be, fore-warning the person of eminent danger, sometimes by inward instinct, sometimes by dreams in the night, and sometimes by appearing outwardly. The Daemon or Genius changeth its nature and power, as the person changeth his: and if from good, the party degenerate to iniquity; then by degrees the good Angel leaves him, and an evil Daemon doth naturally succeed: for each thing draws after that which is like it self.

2. Magicians mention three several wayes of enjoying the society of the Bonus Genius; first by intellectual association, when secret and mental instigations do arise in their hearts, to do this or that, and to forbear the other: as in the Manuscript of Nagar the Indian, his own testimony of himself is to this effect: My blessed Guardian Damilkar, hath now so sweetly communicated himself unto me; That by all the manifestations, whereby a holy Daemon can attend and converse with mankind, he appeareth unto me: first in the intellectual way, he is ever present, and every moment prompts me, what to act, what to forbear from acting: Ah had he not rushed up through the powers of my soul, and suddenly warned me in my Travel to Quiansi in China, through the airy Region, to turn nimbly to the right hand, at an instant, a mighty Troop of Devils, whose Leader was Grachnoek, coming through that tract of air, had crusht me into a thousand peices: This is the first degree of its appearing.

3. Then he proceedeth in the language of Sina, describing the second way of its manifestation: And when the deepest sleep hath over-poured we, I am never without him; sometimes my Damilkar stands before me like a glorious Virgin, administring to me a Cup of the drink of the Gods, which my Intellectual man exhausteth: sometimes he brings caelestial Companies, and danceth round about me; and when after the weariness of the Senses, through contemplation I fell into gentle sleep on the holy Mountain of Convocation, which is called Adan, he shewed me the motion of the Heavens, the nature of all things, and the power of every evil Daemon.

4. Thirdly, he continueth to describe the External appearance of the Genius, to this effect: Damilkar appears before me at my desire; for my desires are as his desires: When I slept a long space in my private dwelling, he appeared outwardly, and watering me with the dew of the fourth Heaven, I awakned, when he had thrice said Nankin Nagar; so the time being come, we mounted through the Air, unto the holy Mountain of Convocation.

5. In this Example the three degrees of the Apparition of the Bonus Genius, or Good Daemon are excellently deciphered, which is also the same in the appearance of the bad Genius: and according to the deepest Magicians, there be seven good Angels, who do most frequently become particular Guardians, of all others, each to their respective capacities; and also seven evil Daemons, that are most frequent in association with depraved persons, as Guardians to them.

6. These are the seven good Angels, or Daemons.

Iubanladace a mighty Prince in the Dominion of Thrones, he cometh unto such as follow national affairs, and are carryed forth unto warr and conquest; he beareth alwayes a flaming Sword, and is girded about, having a helmet upon his head, and appearing still before the party in the Air: he must be sollicited and invocated with Chastity, Vows, Fumes, and Prayers: and this his is Character to be worn as a Lamin.

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Yah-li-Yah one of the Powers, accompanying such as are Virgins, and devoted to Religion, and a Hetmits life: he teacheth all the names and powers of Angels, and gives holy Charms against the assaults of Evil Daemons: he must be addrest unto by Prayer, resignation, and fasting, with a celestial Song out of the Canto's of Nagar: this is his Character.

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Nal-gah appearing to those that are devoted to the knowledge of Magick; teaching them how to exercise Infernal Witchcraft without danger, and in despight to the Devils: he must be sought by hours, minutes, constellations, privacy and blood, &c. He hath a bow bent in his hand, and a Crown of Gold upon his head: this is his Character.

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Maynom, one of the Powers who hath the ability of subservient administration; that is, at one time to be present with many; he resembleth a Ew with Lamb, typifying his nature in that appearance.

Gaonim an Angel, causing his Pupil to go invisible, and transporting him at his pleasure in a moment, to the outmost parts of the earth.

Halanu the Instructer in Manual operations, by whom Bezaliah, and Aholibah were divinely inspired for the structure of the Tabernacle.

Rama-umi who is the Instructer in Cabalistical Magick, and reveals the secrets of numbers, the names of Angels, and the vertue of Boim.

7. These are the seven bad Angels or Daemons.

As the power and capacity of the good, proceeds from the strength of God, in the quality of heaven; so is the force of the evil Genii, in the hellish quality correspondent: for it is to be noted, that these evil Angels did before their fall, enjoy the same places and degrees that now the good or holy Angels do: so that as their power is to instruct men in Government, Abstinence, Philosophy, Magick, and Mechanick Arts, for a good intent, and for the glory of God: The power of the evil ones is the very same to inform and instigate unto the same attainments, as farr as they may be instrumental for the Devil, or the Kingdom of Darkness therein.

8. Their names are 1. Panalcarp, like a Crocodile with two heads. 2. Baratron appearing like a Conjurer in a Priestly habit. 3 Sondennah like a Hunts-man. 4. Greizmodal accompanying his Pupil like a Spaniel-Dog. 5. Ballisargon the grand Inticer to theeving and robbery, till he hath brought his followers to destruction. 6. Morborgran who can put on various likenesses, especially appearing as a Serving-man. 7. Barman who most commonly possesseth the soul of those that are joyned unto him.

9. These are the names of the 7 good and evil Daemons; according to the antient writing, on the Magical Art: who do also to many particular Cities and Countries, ascribe certain good and evil Angels; the one whereof protects and defends, the other inflicts Pestilence and Famin upon them: Like unto which is the story recorded by Sigbertus in Chronicis: That in the 11th year of the reign of Constans, a good Angel and a bad were seen by the whole City of Constantinople, nightly to fly about the City; and as often as by the command of the good Angel, the other smote any house with a dart in his hand, such was the number that dyed in that house, according to the stroaks given.

10. And indeed it is to be feared, that whosoever have ever pretended, or do at present alledge, that they enjoy familiarity with a familiar Spirit; I say its greatly to be suspected, that all such familiars belong to the Kingdom of Darkness; for such are too too officious, and ready to attend the depraved desires of mortal men; whereas if communication with Angels, or good and holy Guardians be at all attainable, yet such is the difficulty of the attainment, that the examples thereof, if true, are exceeding rare: But in general, the writings of Magicians and Naturallists do plentifully abound with examples of this nature; whether good or evil, is yet to be determined. I have been told of a certain Country-man, in these dayes, who was continually pestered with the company of a woman, discerned by none but by himself: If he was upon Horse-back, she would be behind him: if at dinner, she sate at his elbow; if lying on his bed, there she was also present; And if at any time he had taken a journey, or gone about some unprofitable business, at such a time she accompanyed him not; and seldom escaped he some mischief when she was absent: But at last, for all her dutiful pretences, as she accompanyed him, riding through a deep and swift running River, she tumbled him into the deepest part, and lay upon him till she had strangled or drowned him.

11. Amongst the Jews this kind of Idolatry was frequent, to consult with and associate themselves unto familiar Spirits, whom they compelled to do them domestick service, dressing their Camels, lifting their burthens, and doing their messages: for the attaining their service they had many blasphemous Forms, and superstitious Ceremonies and Sacrifices; making the holy Names of God subservient to their accursed practices: one whose name was Baal-Ben-ammim, was adjudged by the Law of Moses to be burnt for the like practices; being condemned in the time of one Judah a high Priest in the Captivity for killing an Infant, and with its blood performing Sacrifice to Baalzebub, with various ceremonies intermixed; by which means his God had bequeathed unto him a certain Lacky from the Infernal Troop to attend and serve him for his whole life time: this is to be found in Zoar's Coment upon Berosus, and Belus, who affirms, That at his tryal he endeavoured to prove, that the same was the good Angel or Genius given unto him by the mercy of God.

12. Both the Hebrew Cabalists and Heathen Magicians, as also those addicted to Magick in Christianity, have all of them laid down certain forms of attaining the company of a good, or evil Angel, by number and astrological Observations, fitted to the rules of Conjuration and Invocations: And many of the superstitious Rabbi's have affirmed, That they were able by such practices, to cause the ghost of Adam, Eve, or any of the holy Patriarchs to appear unto them: which was surely the delusion of Satan to harden their hearts. But in the Addition to the 15th Book of the Discovery, this Subject is more practically handled; where many forms of obtaining the Society of the Bonus, or Malus Genius, are plainly decyphered: so far as with safety and convenience they could be described.