A short treatise declaringe the detestable wickednesse, of magicall sciences as necromancie. coniurations of spirites, curiouse astrologie and such lyke. Made by Francis Coxe

¶ In honore sanctissime Trinitatis .

AMongest other the Godly , holsome and profitable sayinges of the deuine Philosopher Plato : I call too my remembraunce this one , as moste necessarie for all Christians to be had in memorie , whiche is this . Non solum nobinati sumus , sed ortus nostri partim patria sibi vendicat , partim parentes , partim amici ( that is to saye ) we are not born only for our selues , like brute beastes , to seke the satisfiinge of our owne desire or lust : but of our birth ( sayeth he ) our contrye chalengeth a parte , our parentes likewise , yea , & oure frendes also . Wherefore to enioye any good , godly , or profitable thinges , or to reserue any benefit or gift , by the meanes of other , or through our owne trauels and diligent labor ( if the same by anye meanes maye seme to sounde to the glorie of God , the profit of our contry , parentes & frendes ) in withholdinge or keping backe the same , we shal not only transgresse the cōmaūdmēts of almighty God , which comaundeth vs to do as we wolde be don vnto : but also , if it shal be well perceiued & diligently marked of such as are wise & lerned : we shal be found manifest robbers & spoilers of the high maie stie of God , which hath imparted his benefites so liberalli vnto vs for the setting forth of his glorie & finally show our selues vnnaturall , both to our contry , parents & frendes , bewraieng our great ingratitude , not onely towards God : but also toward our contries . Amongst ( therfore ) the inestimable heapes of wickednes , sinne & damnation , foreseinge the proclinitie or redines of men , how apt & prone thei are to euel , & also seinge very many to erre & go astray , especially by one meanes , wherby they detrude them selues , euen doune to the botomles lake of vnspekeable offences , & for so much as I my self haue be it , in the like disceiued , yea & had almost vtterli perished , had not the almighty power of god by his ōnipotētie and gifts of grace called me back through most sweet & gentle chastisement . And also seing & wel perceiuing the craftines of wicked Sathan , who ( as S. Peter testefieth ) goeth about lyke a rorig Lion , seking whom he may deuour . To cause all tounges to land his eternal maiestie , which hath so renouated or regenerated me from the state of endles death , into the which I was almost slipt , to shew my self myndful therfore of my loue & duety towardes my contry and frendes , to whome next God and my prince I am moste chiefly bounden , and to aduoyde the filthy vice of ingratitude , then the which nothing can wel be more odious : I thought it my part manifestly to declare and open the wickednes of those artes and sciences , which hath of late time to the prouocation of Gods wrath and almightie displeasure , ben had in suche estimation , yea , rather veneration , that without it the whole state of men ( except a few ) would do in maner nothing , yea , it grew into suche credit with men , that not onely they iudged the course of naturall thinges therby to be gouerned , but also that parte which god hath and doth reserue to him selfe , and his determination , as the mynde of man , and suche like . Nay they seassed not here , but so blinded and bewytched the wittes of men , that scant durst thei credit God him self , if it semed that their blinded prophesies any time woulde make contradiction . How wel this appeared in the yeare of oure Lorde God , 1559. at what time our most noble souerain began her Imperial gouernement & raign ouer vs , all men maye iudge , and easelye perceiue . For although it was well knowen vnto all men , what loue and godly zeale , her most royal maiestie had and did bear to the trew prophetes of God , his afflicted flock & woorde of the crosse , yet did the people so wauer , the whole realm was so troubled & so moued with the blinde enigmatical and deuelish prophestes of that heauen gaser Nostravamus , in such sort , that euen those whiche in their heartes coulde haue wisshed the glory of God and his worde moste florishing to be established : were broughte into suche an extreme coldenes of faythe , that they doubted God hadde forgotten hys promise , yea , they hong so choysly betwéne the heauenly fountayne of hope , & the bottomlesse pytte of vtter desperation : that in doubt it was to which they woulde adhere or stick , so great was thinfection of this pestilenciall poysoned lying prophesies . Of all poysons moste difficulte to auoyde by meanes of the sweete and pleasaunte myxture therof , wherfore it may be called dulce venenum . Aswete and delicious poyson : but as the prouerbe sayeth , sweete meats haths sower sauce , so is this sweetnes tempered , with an euerlastinge bitternes or gall :

For in these sciences Arologie , Geomācis , Necromancie and such like infinite , contayned vnder the general name of Magick but especially Necromancy , of which here chiefly I purpose to speake , is one thinge promised : but an other performed , for why lest they seke ryches : they finde beggerye , for hope of good reporte : they haue euel fame & open shame , for health : diseases and grief , for quyet myndes : wandring wittes . Of Christians : they becomme infideles , ●urninge the temple of the holy Ghoste into ●●agoge of Sathan . Therfore deare contrymen , flee frome these mooste wicked and damnable sciences of diuination , manifestly prohibited , by the sacred Scriptures and eternall woorde of God , lette the loue of him , whiche for thy sake sweate bothe water and bloudde , and had his flesh rent vpon a crosse , cause thee to withdraw thy mynde from the snares of vtter despayre . But if that maye not preuayle with thee : let the feare of reuenge , at least wise abate thy corage therin , and learne this lesson . Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum . Happye and fortunate are thei , whome other mens harmes , do cause to be ware .

The God of Godds who suffereth no good deed to be vnrewarded , no wicked offence vnpunisshed ( whiche hathe said heauen and earth shall perish , but his word shall endure ) hath not only manifestly in diuers & sundry places of the scriptures forbiden the vse and exercise of suche curious sciences : but also hath appointed sharp punishment to the vsers thereof , that is no lesse then death .

This godly and wholsom law was in tyme past executed within this realme , by the terrour whereof , many were feared from these practises , But now whilest this lawe for lacke of execution hath lyen a slepe , and th offendors nothinge punished : it was in suche sorte encreased , that it was made a berye handycrafte , so that manye lyued therby , yea , & thought they did as honestly gette and gather their substaunce : as he , whiche dayly swet for the same .

The people were growen vnto suche a folly , that scant wolde thei ryde or go anye iorney : onelesse thei cōsultide , either with these blynde prophetes , or at the least with their prophecies , whiche yearly to no litle hurt , bothe in the fayth of Christ , & wealth of the realme , were without all shame deuulgid .

What hurt it did in the faith before I haue shewed , what damage it procurid to the commun wealth , mai easly be iudged , for what with their comminacions of warres , and dearth , they so tickled the myndes of vnsatiable niggards , that without al neede , euen a middest the plentye : we liued yet in pen●urie . Wel , to my purpose , I promised to open the wicked and blasphemous secretes of these deuelish sciences . And although I bende my selfe wholy to write agaynste the superstitious and hellishe practises of Necromancie , I do not exempte the curious parte of Astrologie , frome the number of them : whose vtter deuastation and confounding before God , I most earnestly desire & wishe , for this I am able to iustifie , & haue the like in my selfe experimented , that of a truthe it is Malorum esca , the very bayte or trayne to fer greater mischeues . Neuer was there any that coulde yet holde hym selfe content with the simple knowledge of Astrologie : but wolde wade furder in those sciences of prediction , hauing this as ● grounde worke to ser hygher matters . I neede not here to speake any more of it , for who list to reade the commendable worke of fulce , vttered too the same intent , shall finde of what force it is . But this I knowe that what euer is conteyned within their bokes , whiche they esteme , as principall rules and pillers of their knowledge to be nothing els but meare fables , and toyes , & that in them there is no truth at all . Experience therin haue I had diuers and sondry kyndes , not by the iudgement of one or .ij. but a number , yea , euen of the chefest and mooste experte , amongest whome I shall recyte the iudgement of one , & forme of his calculation . The question was moued for stolen goddes , the houre was by an instrument exactly taken , the Astrologer draweth the fourme of the .xij. houses , & so calculateth for the time , which had , he domineth , now in his forsayde calculation moued with talke , and forgetting hym selfe ( as he afterward confessed ) where he shoulde haue subtracted : he added , and by that meanes placed the signe that shoulde haue ben ascendinge : in the .vii. house , and so contrarely , that signe whiche shoulde haue ben in the .vij. house placed he in the firste , wherby all his work was turned vpsidedoun , & as we properly terme it , the carte set before the horse , yet he not finding this his great errour , gaue iudgement , that it shoulde be had agayne , so fell it out , that it was recouered . Whervppon maye easly be gathered , that if he had calculated right , according to the rules of arte , he shoulde haue quite missed the cusshion .

O how certayn a science is this trow ye , and of how good a grounde ? Yet will they presume to enter in iudgements of the secrete motions of men , whiche God hath reserued to his owne proper knowledge . I wolde suche did remember this disticon of wise Cato .

Mitto arcana dei celūqque inquirere quid fit ?

Cum sis mortalis que sunt mortalia cures . He teacheth them wherein to be accupied , and not to medle with the misteries of God . Yea , this he sayeth more vnto them , euen in the same boke folowing thus .

Quid deus intendat , noli perquirere sorte

Quid statuat de te , sine te deliberet ipse ; These are the presumptious imps of Sathan , which can not yet be content here to seke out according to the hardnes of their hearts , ( as Paul to the Romains the .ij. Chapter testifieth ) sease not to heap vnto them selues ; wrath , against the day of wrath . For the starres & skyes are not sufficient for their future prediction : but they muste adioyne therevnto moste detestable partes or societye with spirites . Which thing , when they go about , & wolde haue any thing broughte to effect , they do it by one of these .ij. meanes : either besides the horrible & greuous blasphemies , thei commit in their coniurations , thei must fall to some composition with the deuell , that is too promise him for his seruice , he wil abstayn from wynes , or some certayne meates , or drinkes . As I my self knew a Priest , not farre from a toun , called Bridgewater , whcih as it is wel knowen in the contrye , was a great magician , in all his lyfe time , after he once began these practises , he neuer wolde eat bread , but in stede thereof did eat always chese , which thing as he confessed diuers times , he did because it was so concluded betwene him & the spirit , which serued him , for at what time he did eat bread : he should no longer lyue . Yea , he wolde not blusshe to say that after a few years he should dye , & that the deuel for his payns that he toke with him , should haue in recompence his soul . O moste miserable man & wretched creatur that wolde in hope of any earthly treasure : forsake his Lord , & God , which had so tenderly bought him . These are thei , of whom Paul speaketh in his .vi. & .x. chapters to the Hebrews , these are thei that crucifie Christs agayn vnto them selues , and therfore it is impossible , they should be reuewed agayne by repentaunce .

The seconde waye , whiche is as euel as the firste , or rather worse : is thus . For when the spirite is once come before the circle , he forthe with demaundeth the exsorciste a sacrifice , whiche moste commenlye is a pece of waxe consecrated , or hallowed after their owne order ( For they haue certayn bokes , called bokes of consecration ) or els it is a chicken , a lapwing , or some liuinge creatur , whiche when he hath receyued : then doeth he fulfill the mynd of the exsorcist , for oneles he hath it , he will neither doe , neither speake any thinge . Of this testefieth bacon in his boke of Necromancie , where he telleth also this storie . After so long tyme traueled in these sciences , at last ioyned hym selfe with a Turke , whiche was moste excellently sene therin , and longe conferring together : they wente aboute too call a certayn she deuell , named Egippia , which spirite wolde by no meanes make theym aunswer to any their demaunds , wherevppon Bacon , whiche knewe that nothinge coulde be done withoute sacrifice : cruseth the Turke to be baptised , and after the baptisme , they both entred the circle & called the spirite , whiche when she came : for all their conuirations she woulde not

God of his iustice can neither leaue the workmaister , neither yet him that seketh to any suche for helpe , vnpunished . For as wel deserueth he execution that seketh to theym : as they them selues .

Example of this : we haue in the firste boke of Samuel . called communly the first boke of the Kinges , in the .xxviij. Chapiter . For after that Saule went once to wytches & sorcerers to learn his state : God gaue him vp quite into vtter ruin . If then he were so precise with his owne peculier people , that the spared not their kinge and annointed : what will he do vnto vs ? How muche more thinke ye will he execute his righteous iudgementes on vs , that are but the braunches of the wylde Olyue tree , grafted in by his mercye and grace ?

I can not se how they maye excuse them selues of cryme by Goddes woorde , that either seke too them or procure theym too worke , for bothe , by the scripture deserue lyke payne , and punishement . Yea , the Deuell hym selfe is of that condicion , that he will not suffer them longe to reyg●● that vse him as an instrument for their necessities . I remembre a very notable historie written in Frosarte ; but the tyme is so long since I read it , I wel remember not the place , but who so listeth to loke in the tables of his boke : maye easly finde it , where he writeth of Orthon a spirite . Th effect is this , a prieste & a certayn gentleman , falling at variaunce , and the gentleman seming styll too perseuer in his purpose : the priest to abate hys corage , and to make him yeelde : sendeth vnto him the foresayde spirite Orthon , to molest and trouble hym , whiche comming about the quyet tyme of the night , when all things are moste styllest : he clappeth the wyndowes and dores , as though he wolde haue toren them to peeces . The gentleman , regardeth it not , the next night he doth lykewise , but a great deale more fearsly , in so muche that it seemed he wolde haue entred the gentlemans bed chaumbre , wherwithall his spirites moued : soddenly asked who was there . The spirite aunswereth , & telleth his name , & sheweth hym from whom he was sent , and to what ende as is aforesayde . Well sayeth the gentle man , wilt thou be contentid to serue me , and leaue thy maister the priest ? He aunswereth yea , and so they concluded . The office of this spirite was to bring hym newes oute of all places of the worlde what was done , within the space of .xxiiij. houres , whiche thing he did .

After a whyle , this gentleman beinge very desirouse to se his new man ( for as yet though he hearde him , he neuer sawe hym ) requested him earnestly that he mighte see hym , whiche thinge at the laste he graunted ( and sayeth ) when ye arise in the morninge , the firste straunge thinge you se , after you be vp : the same is I , so he departed . In the morninge the gentleman arisinge and casting on hys nighte goune , he might se three russhes stande vprighte , and moue informe , as though they daunced the haye , but this pleased him not , wherfore at night when he came to him agayne , he chalengeth the spirite with the breache of hys promise , whiche he coulde in no wise a byde , for though he be neuer so vntrewe , & deceitfull : yet may ye not charge him therwith . And therfore asketh his maister what straunge thinge he sawe ? he aunswered nothinge but .ij. or .iij. russhes driuen vp & doun with a wynde .

The same quod Orthen was I. Naye sayeth his maister , I woulde se the more neare thy shappe , whiche after earnest request he graunted , and sayeth , the firste lyuing thinge that ye se out of youre gallery in the morninge in youre courte : the same am I.

The morninge comming he goeth vntoo his gallery , whiche loketh into his courte , and beholde , there he sawe the mōsteroust sowe and leane , that coulde be , wherupon moued with the sight , caused dogges to be set at her , and so he bayted her , but immediatly he falleth sicke , and so from tyme to tyme , pyneth awaye .

A worthy seruaunte too serue a noble man , full well he rewarded hys maister in the ende . Neither was it any otherwais but as they are wonte all to do .

For thys is no new or rare thinge amongest those that vse societie with Deuelles , for all haue the like ende , though not after one forme , yet to one effecte . Bakons ende was muche after the lyke sorte , for hauinge a greadye desire vntoo meate : he coulde cause nothinge to enter the stomack , wherefore thus miserablye he sterued to death .

Cornelius Agrippa , of whome all the worlde speaketh , whose woorkes remayne vnto this daye , of whose ende are diuerse opinions , some rumors haue ben , that whan he rode abrode , he had alwayes a blacke dogge , waytinge vpon him , whiche dogge one day in iourneinge : caryed hym awaye body and soule , some say that the sworde seperate his headde from the bodye , soo that hys ende is vncertayne and moste like it is that he endid after some straunge sorte , that the trueth therof is no more manifest .

Fabiane in hys Cronicles , the seuenth parte . and where he writeth of Carolus the eyghte , speaketh of a certayne mayde , experte in these sciences , called La pucelle de dieu , that is too saye : the mayde of God , who by her knowledge caused the Frenchmen marueylouslye too preuayle in their marciall affaires , as more copiously doeth in the alleged place appeare .

But almightye God , whiche for●●●●son suffereth suche sorcerye and dyuelishe wayes too prospere and raygne , too the correction of sinners : lastely too showe hys power , and that no good Christen menne shoulde falle intoo anye erroure : he sheweth the clearnes of suche misticall thinges , and so he did in this , for she by a knight Burgonion was taken , and after sent to Roane in Normandye , too the duke of Somerset , and there brente , for her demerites .

Sainct Dunstane ( of whom Bale in his boke intituled the actes of the English votaries writeth sufficiently , beinge one of this sorte and facultie , after diuers & sondry prodigeous signes in the element sene : departed this lyfe , a swarme of deuels conuaying away hys corps .

Ihon Grecian , that coniuringe Pope , after he had doon many deuelish thinges , as testifieth Martinus Carsulanus & Platina in vitis Pontificum : was of the deuell ( as he was dooinge his feates in a forest ) strangled to death .

What maye we saye of Stansholde of late time , whiche was experte in these sciences , whiche for robbinge of a colledge , in the vniuersitie of Oxforde , was hanged at the townes ende for his demerites . Many haue ended their lyues after these & suche lyke sortes , of whome if I shoulde write : it wolde conteyne an infinite volume , and that is most horrible , where thou seest one repent : a numbre are soo soddenly taken , that they haue no tyme of repentaunce .

Wherefore I saye to suche of that sorte , repent and amende your lyues , you Adders brode , and learne by hym that hath felt the smarte , to fle from greater mischeues too come , for euen now is the axe put vnto the rote of the tree , therefore deferre no tyme . And now 〈…〉 th●●e that hereafter shal be moued by the prouocation of the deuell , either to practice the lyke , or to seke for counsayll or aduice of them that do vse and practise these blasphemous sciences : knowe ye , that euen as the good corne is with the fan purged from the chaffe : so all those be separated from the elect and chosen of God , as in the former parte of my treatice , I shewed by th example of kynge Saule .

God him selfe hath promised in his most holy and sacred scriptures no lesse to do , & also for the punishment of suche , hathe by his owne decre , in the .xx. of Leuiticus appointed sharpe correction , sayinge . And if a man or woman haue a spirite of diuination or sothsaying in them : they shall dye the death , they shall stone them to deathe , their bloudde shal be vpon them .

A moste worthy punishemente for suche rebellious traitours . For if we iudge him worthy of death that euel reporteth of an earthely prince : what shall we saye by him that blasphemeth the kynge of all kinges , his Lorde and onely sauiour ? They can not saye that ignoraunce is the cause of their euel disposed lyfe , for God hath manifestly forbidden the vse therof , not in one , or two places : but in sondrye .

Thus he sayeth Deuteronomie the .xviii. when thou shalt come into the lande , which the Lorde thy God geueth thee : thou shalte not lerne to do after the abhominations of those nations , let none be founde amonge you that maketh his sonne or his doughter to go through the fyre , or that vseth wytheraft , or a regarder of times , or marker of the fleinge of foules , or a sorcerer , or a charmer , or that counsayleth with spirites , or a soothsayer , or that asketh counsayll at the dead . For all that do suche thinges , are abomination vnto the Lorde . &c.

Lo , here he not onely forbiddeth the vse : but commaundeth that those , whiche wil be his people , and of his flocke : shall not seke helpe at the sorcerers handes . Rede the. xxx of the prophet Isaiah , and ther shal ye find , how he reproueth the chyldren of Israell for sekinge too the Egiptians for helpe , who were counted experte in deuelishe artes . Ieremiah in hys .x. Chapiter sayeth : Heare the worde of the Lord that he speaketh vnto you : O house of Israell .

Thus sayeth the Lorde , learne not the waye of the Heathen , and be not a fearde for the signes of heauen , thought the Heathen be afrayde of suche , for the customes of the people are vanitie . O how directé are the lawes of the Lord ? how playne are his pathes ? how swete are thei to them that fulfille them , for it preserueth them from endles deathe and payne .

If we do embrace and folowe theym , we shall not only be sure here in this world to lyue withoute dredde or feare , safe from oure enemies , both boddely , and ghostely : but after this lyfe , we shal be crouned with the croune of euerlastinge ioye , and felicitie .

Where as the contrarie , and suche as will take no admonission , but lyue inordinately , shal be condemned to euerlasting terrour , whose tormentes , no tonge is able to expresse .

This God of mercye hathe offred hys grace , wherfore refuse it not , but with all humble heartes embrace it , beseching him so to strengthen you with his holy spirite , that this lyfe endid , we maye heare thys confortable sayinge of oure Sauioure : Come ye blessed children of my Father , possesse ye the kyngedome , prepared for you , from the beginning of the worlde . Too the which Father , Sonne , and holy Spirite , be eternall laudes , prayses , empire , and glorie , worldes without ende .

AMEN . ¶ Finis .