Of Occult Philosophy, part 3 of 4

Of the Imagination, and how the same cometh into it's exaltation.

WHat powerful operation the Imagination hath, and how the same cometh to its hight and exaltation, may be seen by an example taken from experience in the time of pestilence, wherein the Imagination poysoneth more then any infected Aire; and against which, no Antidote, neither of Mithridate nor Treacle, nor any such preservative, can exhibit any helpe; unless that such an Imagination do pass away and be forgotten, nothing else will helpe. So quick and swift a Runner and Messenger is the Imagination, that it doth not onely fly out of one house into another, out of one streete into another, but also most swiftly passeth from one City and Country into another; so that by the Imagination onely of one person, the Pestilence may come into some whole City or Country, and kill many thousands of men: as may be understood by this example. Put case there were two brethren dearly loving one another, and one of them lives in France and the other travels into Italy, who is taken away by the Pestilence in the middle way, and newes should be brought to the brother living in France, that his brother in Italy was dead of the Plague; at which he being affrighted, it pierceth through his Skin, into his Imagination, so that he cannot forget it; and it is kindled in him, and this fire doth so long reverberate and worke, as it may be seen in the tryal of Gold and Silver, which do send forth their flowers so long, until they shine bright again; which is not before they are perfectly cleare, and separated from the other impure Metals: After the same manner also the Imagination striketh backe, and worketh it self unto the highest degree, after there will be a relucency thereof, now it is received in a vessel in the man, as the sperme of a man is received in the Matrix of the woman, whereby the conception of the woman immediately follows. So doth the Pestilence go from one to another, so long till it spread over a whole City or Country: Ir is good therefore to keep far off; not because of any corrupt or infected Aire, for it infects not the Aire, (as some Ignorant people say) but that they may not see or heare the operations of the Pestilence, which may infect their mindes. But those people to whom any such newes is reported as beforesaid, ought not to be left alone, neither must they be suffered to muse silently with themselves, whereby the Imagination may labour in their mindes; but they are to be comforted, and the Imagination is to be expelled from their mindes, by exciting them to mirth and joy: Neither let any think that I speak this as a fable. as though it should seem to be a light business; neither is the remedy so easie for opprest Imaginations; for the Imagination is as it were pitch, which easily cleaveth and sticketh, and soone taketh fire, which being kindled, is not so easily extinguished: wherefore the onely remedy to resist the Pestilence in such men, is to quench and expel the force of the Imagination. This is one example wherein the power and operation of the Imagination is declared, with the exhalations thereof.

But now to speake of another example, know, that the Imagination doth not onely operate on men in time of Pestilence, and to deprive many of their lives, but also in war: how many have perished in war with the feare of the shot? the cause of whose death hath been onely their Imagination which they have had unto their death: That is, they have been so greatly overwhelmed with feare, and so terrified at every shot, that they have thought no otherwise but that they should be wounded with every dart: such men are far oftner slaine then those that are bold, who go couragiously and without feare against their enemies; they feare no shot or wound, but have a firm faith and hope of Victory beyond the other Souldiers; such are stout and true Souldiers: how many Towers, Castles, Cityes and Countryes have such warred against, and overcome and Vanquished the people thereof? But the other that are fearful, whether they be great or little, Noble or Ignoble, Knights, Earls, or others, do scarce deserve a halfe-peny to go against an enemy, much less any wages. Wherefore it becometh him that desireth to be an old Souldier, or to gain Knight-hood or any honour in war, to fix and fasten his minde and Imagination firmly upon some most excellent stout Head and leader of an Army, such as Julius Caesar, and many amongst the Romans have been; and by so doing, if he know how to use this Imagination well, and be of a firm and constant minde, and as he if would attain to and accomplish all the heroick noble acts of such a man; he shall not onely attain to be an old Souldier, but shall accomplish his desires in attaining to the like honours.

This hath suddenly happened to many who have followed the process of their Imagination, so that they have attained to great honour and Riches.

Object. But some may Object, that fortune, strength and industry hath helped them, and promoted such men; also, that some have worne herbs, rootes and stones, &c. by reason of the virtue whereof, they could not be overcome nor wounded.

Answ. I say that all these things are consorts and helpers with the Imagination, which is the chiefe and general ruler over all others; although I grant that there are many such things, which do preserve in the greatest necessity against all enemies and their Armes, so that he that wears them, could not be wounded; whereof I shall make no mention in this place, but reserve it to another. Nevertheless faith is the exaltation and confirmation of all those things: for without faith these things and all such like are vayne and void of strength.

Of treasure and Riches hid under the Earth.

WE shall declare somthing concerning Treasures hid under the Earth; and shew some meanes whereby they are known and gotten. And also what things, somtimes evil, and wonderful, do happen about them.

The first thing to be treated of, shall be the signes whereby they are known, that it may be certainly made manifest, and not out of meere opinion onely.

Note that it cometh to pass, where such places are, that there do appear many Phantasmes, and somtimes immoderate strange noises are heard, wherewith they that go out in the night are strucke with terror and feare; so that somtimes they are cast into a cold sweate, and their haire of their head stands upright, which for the most part happens on the Sabbath night. Also if any lights do appear and seem to fall about those places, and there their light is extinguished and goeth out; and somtimes there seeme to be great flashes of wind in their house whose the treasure is, and where it is hid; and there are seene many visions and strange Phantasies: and many strange Rumors and noises are there heard. Where such things happen, they are heard and do shew themselves most commonly about the middle time of the night: And the cause of these noises and sights are, commonly that there is treasure hid, in or about that place, neither is there any other reason thereof to be given. Nevertheless many who have not understood these things, have had many various opinions hereof.

Some have thought that these Phantasies have been caused by the devil, or by some Inchantment; or by some in that house who have some worke or famliarity with the Devil, or who have given or bound themselves to the devil, or have made some promise unto him, whereby it comes to pass that that wicked and malignant accuser causeth these things to be seene and heard, that they might expect the expiration of their dayes, which he doth so much desire should be fulfilled.

Others do believe, that some have been secretly died and buryed there; others do thinke that some wicked man hath died in that place, whose Spirit hath been forced to wander thereabouts: and there have been other various and sundry opinions.

But all these Judgements are vaine and false, except onely those who conclude that the occasion of the noises are, that there is treasure hid about that place; or that sometimes when the devil hath been driven out of som body that he hath possessed, he hath been permitted to stay about that place: but where those noises are, it is a great Testimony that there is treasure hid there.

There are two kinds of treasures hid; some that may be found, and some that cannot be gotten; the difference whereof is this: such is easie to be found, which containeth the Metals of Gold and silver, and are such kinde as we make, and have onely been used and handled amongst men: that kinde of treasure is not easie to be found, which is Gold and silver, that is made, coyned, and hid by the Nymphes and Sylphes; which kinde of Gold and silver doth somtimes come to be found and used amongst men, and is by the Nymphes suddenly again buryed in the earth, and afterwards cannot easily be found and gotten again.

These things are most worthy our knowledge, especially the signes before spoken of are most diligently to be noted; because there are Magical Rods, which are deceitful, and are too easily inclinable to bend to any money that is let fall or lost.

There are other visions also which appeare in looking-glasses, Christals, and such like things, which Nigromancers that dig treasures do use: but they are all false and deceitful; wherefore there is little credit to be given unto them.

We come now to speake of the manner of digging for treasure, how a time may be taken that we may have a happy progress in the digging, which is as followeth. First, under an influence of the Moone or Saturn, and when the Moone transits Taurus, Capricorne or Virgo, is a good time to begin to seeke or dig after treasure. Neither need you use any other Ceremonies, nor to draw any Circles, or to use any Inchantments whatsoever; onely those that dig must be of a cheereful minde, free and alienated from any evil thoughts or cogitations, and not to be moved, nor feare any phantasies, visions, or Imaginations of the Spirits: although they should corporally appeare, yet they are onely visions. Therefore those that dig ought to discourse, sing, and be cheereful, and not to be affrighted at any thing, but to have a good courage: And by no meanes soever let them keepe silence, as some perfidious Negromancers have taught.

Now when they come neere to the place where the Treasure is, that it is almost detected, and do heare many noises; and strange visions and horible sights are seene, which oftentimes happens to be: It sheweth that the Pygmies and Sylphes are there, who do envy that men should have those treasures; and will not willingly part from them, especially if it be their own, or such as they brought thither. Such treasures are to be left, if the keepers thereof consent not. And although they may be gotten and taken away as a Robbery from those keepers, yet these keepers have an Art whereby they can change these treasures, in this way gained, into a vile and base matter, as into earth, clay, dung, and such-like things, (as I have seene by examples:) wherefore when any such transmutations happen, we are not therefore to despaire in our mindes, although we find nothing like either Gold or silver, neither would any one suppose any such thing to be there. We ought therefore to fly to the holy Scripture, which saith thus, God shall judge the world by fire; and in the Psalmes thus, Gold and silver are tryed in the fire, and are found pure and cleane: wherefore in any such transmutations, the fire ought to be the judge; the proceeding in the tryal thereof, ought to be after the same manner, as the refining and separating of minerals and Metals; And by this meanes, it will be forced of necessity to return to the same essence which it had before.

There is another thing remarkeable in these kindes of transmutations; for somtimes the diggers are deluded, and there are found oftentimes pots of earth, full of brass, ridiculous things and matter, as bones, egge-shells, pieces of wood, and such things, which have been buryed there many years before. And they that have found the same, have supposed it to be the true treasure, Gold or Silver, and to have been changed by the evil Spirits; which is false. For treasure found suddenly and unsought for, cannot be changed by the Spirits, but remaineth in the same substance which it had before. Therefore these things are not to be accounted a transmutation, but rather a vexation: for somtime these vexers of men do bury such things, that they which seeke after the treasure might labour in vaine: Therefore such things are not to be regarded, which are of no worth, and may easily be known by the lightness of their weight; But if they be of a heavy and ponderous body, like to a Mineral or Mineral sand, there may an experiment thereof be made by fire.

That we may omit nothing that may conduce hereunto, we will adde also this objection. Some may aske, How comes it to pass that Treasure is somtime easily found which is not sought after? The cause whereof we may suppose to be this. Those Spirits which are the keepers of treasures, do best know the mindes, thoughts, and cogitations of men: therefore because they know, that men have not any thoughts or will to dig or seeke after any treasures in such a place, they give no diligence to keepe the same, neither do they suspect it; whereby it comes to pass, that it is easily taken from them. It happeneth to them, as it doth to those men who suddenly get some prey from their enemies, they not thinking of them, whereby the are easily overcome, or spoiled by them. There are two causes chiefly why treasures are so greedily sought after by men. The first is the Covetousness of them who thirst after riches; & the other, that those places where the treasures are, might be afterwards made habitable, secure, safe, and quiet from being infested or molested with such Spirits. For there are at this day many ancient houses and Castles which are inhabitable, by reason of these kinde of Spirits: and the chiefe cause thereof is, that there are great treasures hid about these places. In those places where such things happen, it is chiefly necessary that great care be taken in the digging thereabout; not so much for the money and treasure, as that the place may again be made quiet and habitable. When any one goeth about this worke with diligent digging, one of these things commonly happens; either the treasure is found, or carried deeper in the earth, or removed by the keepers to some other place; as visions in pure Christals have often shewn, and as they have told the diggers: I now see many Pygmies, take the treasure quite away. Credit ought to be given hereunto, and the digging to cease.

It is further to be known, by how much the greater noises are heard about the place, and sights and visions seen, by so much greater the treasure is to be judged to be, and neerer to the superficies of the earth.

CHAP. VIII. Of those that are possessed of malignant Spirits, and of the Devil.

AFter what manner men are possessed and overcome by the Devil, the Apostle Peter largely writeth and declareth unto us: But that the words of his admonition may be understood according to the true sence thereof, a little exposition is needful: For the Apostle briefly and summarily comprehendeth the whole matter in two words, to wit, fasting and prayer: These seem to be very little and light things at the first sight; nevertheless they are of very great Moment, and signifie very many things, if they be considered rightly and attentively: When therefore the Apostle Peter doth so earnestly admonish us, saying, Be ye sober and watch: for your enemy the Devil goeth about as a raging Lion, seeking whom he may devoure; Afterwards he concludeth, that by faith we may be able to resist the Devil; therefore Peter would have us to understand his first word of Sobriety, so, as if he should say, Beware of all kinde of gluttony and drunkenness.

For drunkenness is the fountain and original of all evils and vices, which are acted and compleated by drunkards through the perswasions of the Devil: wherefore observe a mean in meat and drinke, lest your hearts be troubled and burdened therewith; for the Devil is alway present, although invisible; he is a Spirit, and understandeth all Arts, and can be in what place he will, throughout the Circuit of the whole earth: he is the author and Actor of all evil and wickedness which is done by men in the whole earth; he is as watchful over mankinde, as a Cat is over a mouse: wherefore he seduceth you unawares, when you have filled your selves with wine; and then filleth up all vices in you: he then compasseth you about with his snares and bonds, as the hang-man doth evil-doers and malefactors, untill he hath killed them; so also doth he with those that are drunke; besieging them with snares and Temptations, untill he either hath destroyed their bodyes, or brought them into despair.

Take heed to your selves therefore, Oh you Epicures and drunkards, and also Souldiers, who are always filled with wine night and day. Therefore a souldier that so overchargeth himself with meat or drinke, ought to be accounted brutish as swine, seeing both of them are Ignorant and uncertain of the time of their death, or how soone they may be slaine.

This is the meaning of the first word of St. Peter of Soberness: now we come to understand what he meaneth by watching.

By watching Peter seemeth to understand, as if he should say, Walke in uprightness and justice; be of good courage, not faint-hearted; cast away all evil thoughts and cogitations, and all Phantasies of the Devil, that such Imaginations may not have any place with you; For hereby many have been overwhelmed and besieged by the devil, the reason whereof hath been their own wicked and evil thoughts and Imaginations. Therefore relinquish and cast them all away, and have God always before your eyes; pray unto him, and let him be onely in your thoughts; make your selves like unto him and his children, and then he will send you his holy Spirit, who will guard you, rule you, and declare the wonderful workes of his mercy by you, as he hath done by Paul and all the other Apostles, who have been all after this manner preserved by his holy Spirit; follow them therefore, and exclude and cast away the Devil and all evil cogitations, and wicked thoughts, wherewith we may also seduce and deceive our selves, and thereby attract and draw the devil into us, and be corporally besieged and possessed by him, and so come into desperation, that we may destroy our own lives; even as did Judas, Achitophel, and many others.

Thus much of watching, & the interpretation thereof, which Peter would have to be understood thereby. For by watching he doth not mean abstinence from the bed and sleep, as the Carthusians and other Monasteries do teach and observe; for God created and ordained rest and sleepe, and first suffered it to enter into Adam. Wherefore every one ought to sleepe in due season, as much as his nature requireth, &c.

Lastly, note how Peter concludeth and confirmeth his word from God, saying, Let us resist the devil by faith; as if he should say, Do not in any wise sticke or stumble at the word of God, or doubt of his mercy; do you not burden your conscience, nor trouble your hearts; do not perswade your selves that God regardeth you not, or that he is forgetful of you; or that he accounteth you unworthy of his mercy, so that you ought not to come unto him, because you have acted against his Divine will, or have broken his commandments, and committed many sins: But rather, firmly believe his word, that Christ would not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted, and live: Also, that he came into the world because of our sins, that he might take them from us upon himself; which also he hath done: there are many such comfortable words to be found in the Holy Scriptures, which ought to be proposed to such persons as are weake in their faith, for their comfort and consolation: After this manner a man resisteth an evil conscience and the Devil, so that he is freed from them, and not tempted any more.