Page:Three Books of Occult Philosophy (De Occulta Philosophia) (1651).djvu/587

 to Ahab going up against Ramoth Gilead, but Ahab fell, and Jezabel was thrown down headlong, and the dogs did eat her: Asa a King of Juda is reproved by the prophet of the Lord, because that in his sickness he sought not the Lord, but trusted to the skill of his physitian: have not they committed a greater sin, who leave God the saviour, and the wholesome vertues of nature, and seek for help of Satan? Ochozias did thus in times past, & therefore heard from the prophet of the Lord, Thou shalt not descend from thy bed on which thou art, but shalt certainly dy. Let the series of the other unrighteous Kings be run over, and also the histories of the Gentiles. Zoroastes, Diatharus, Croesus, Pompey, Pyrrhus, Crassus, Nero, Iulian, what have they gayned by their Magitians and Diviners, who falsely fained prosperity for them? were they not all reduced to nothing, and did they not wickedly perish in their sins? So are all these ungodly follyes wont to bring destruction to the admirers thereof, to the which truly, they who especially confide, are made the most unfortunate of all men. I deny not but that there are natural sciences, Metaphysical arts, Occult Ingenuities, which can, without offending God, or injuring faith or religion, preserve Kingdomes, dive into counsels, overcome Enemies, deliver captives, encrease wealth, obtain the good will of men, expell diseases, conserve health, prolong life, and restore strength of youth: There are moreover sacred religious intercessions, publike supplications, private prayers of good men: by the which we may not only turn away the wrath of God, but also entreate him to be gratious unto us; besides if there be a certain art to foretell, and work miracles, which the Ancients call Calomagia or Theurgia, surely it is unknown unto these fooles and slaves of the Divel, for to find out things to come, and to pronounce truth concerning those things which hang over our heads, & are occult, and from heaven portended unto men; and to effect things which exceed the common course of nature, belongeth only to a man of profound and perfect knowledge, and of a most pure life and faith, and not to men most vain and unlearned. But every Creature serveth those who are Innocent,