Page:Three Books of Occult Philosophy (De Occulta Philosophia) (1651).djvu/585

 Ancients were wont to brand notorious folly with this proverb, viz. To bring Owls to Athens: but it is not a part of less folly, but of most great impiety, to send divels to hell. You know what I call hell, viz. that School of wickednesses, which with much displeasure I have elsewhere in its colours notoriously shewed the Court to be. But there was never so just an occasion of writing and of indignation given as now, if it were lawfull to treat of the whole business as I should, yet I cannot contein but give you an argument of it. Now therefore hear a thing both foolish and impious: There was sent for out of Germany with no small charges a certain master of Spirits, that is a Necromancer, who possesseth a power over spirits, that as James and Jambres resisted Moses, so he should oppose Cæsar; for they were perswaded by the father of lies, that he could foretel all things to come, and disclose all secret counsels, and manifest even the thoughts; moreover that he was endowed with so great power, that he could bring back the Kings childien through the aire, even as we read that Habacuck with his pulse was carryed to the den of Lions, and that he could do as Elisha did being besieged in Dotham, shew mountains full of horsemen and fiery Chariots, and a very great Army; moreover that he could find out and fetch up the treasures of the earth, and compell what marriages and affections he pleased, to break them off, and cure all desperate diseases, by a Stygian medicine, as a confirmed Hectick, a radicated Dropsy, Leprosy in the bones; and

"Who wisely can the Knotty gout soon cure, And health even to the desperate procure."

See where their faith is plaeed, where their hope is reposed, who endeavour to subject the Elements, Heaven, Fate, Nature, Providence, God, and all things to the command of one Magitian; and seek for the preservation of a kingdom from Devils the enemies of publike preservation; saying in their heart with Ochozias, there is not a God in Israel, let us go and consult Beelzebub the God of Achron, and as Saul speaking to the witch, saith, the Philistins fight against me, & God hath deserted me, and will not hear me, therefore am I come to you. What do they so much despair of God, that they have judged it requisite to desire aid of the Divels? is not this according to the word of Iude and Peter, to deny God and Iesus Christ our Lord and Saviour who hath redeemed us, and to bring upon themselves swift destruction? do they not treasure up for themselves the fierce wrath of the Lord who will send it upon them by evill spirits? are