Sect. 6. There is another crime which passes for an eminent virtue with them, and is so esteemed and practised, that is, Sorcery and Conjuring. In the Books of Devotion published, for the use of their Exorcists, there are such horrid practices in and upon the Devil, as fully answers the Titles of the Books, one of which is called Horrible Conjuration, and another Devilish Exorcisms. He that has not seen them can scarce believe, that such things should be practised by any that bear the name of Christians; nor can they be heard without conceiving a horror at them. But they have been mentioned by others, I will only insist on that which may seem more innocent, but has indeed too much of Sorcery and Enchantment, and that is their Sacramentals with things of like nature and supposed virtue. Of this quality is their Consecrated water, Salt, Oil, Bread, Waxen-Tapers, Branches of Trees, Roses, Bells, Medals and Agnus Dei's. To such things as these, they ascribe marvellous and supernatural effects, a virtue to save and sanctify Souls, to blot out sins, to expel Devils, to cure Diseases, to secure Women in Travel, to preserve from Burning and Drowning. Pope Alexander in the decrees which they ascribe to him, asserts, that water mixed with salt, and Consecrated; does (b)Sanctify the people, Purify the unclean, break the Snares of the Devil, and bring health to Body and Soul. The form of exorcising salt, which we have in their authorized Books, tells us, it is exorcised, that it may be to all that take it (c)both health to Body and Soul. The exorcised water is to (d)chase away all the power of the Devil, and root him out. The virtues of an Agnus Dei are discribed by Urban 5. in verse, wherewith he sent some of them to the Greek Emperor. ⟨p. 211⟩If you will believe a Pope, who may be infallible in Rhyme, as well as in Prose, (e)it drives away lightning, and all malignancy, delivers pregnant Women, destroys the force of fire, secures from Drowning, and which is more, destroys sin, even as the blood of Christ does. Bellarmine says, (f)they are of power for the blotting out of Venial sins, for the chasing away Devils, for the curing of Diseases. Others ascribe to (g)them, a power to excite gracious motions, even ex opere operato. Now it is acknowledged, that the natural power of these things, cannot reach such effects; and that there is no virtue in, or of themselves, to produce them;
Sect. 6. There is another crime which passes for an eminent vertue with them, and is so esteemed and practised, that is, Sorcery and Conjuring. In the Books of Devotion published, for the use of their Exorcists, there are such horrid practices in and upon the Devil, as fully answers the Titles of the Books, one of which is called Horrible Conjuration, and another Divelish Exorcisms. He that has not seen them can scarce believe, that such things should be practised by any that bear the name of Christians; nor can they be heard without conceiving a horrour at them. But they have been mentioned by others, I will only insist on that which may seem more innocent, but has indeed too much of Sorcery and Inchantment, and that is their Sacramentals with things of like nature and supposed vertue. Of this quality is their Consecrated water, Salt, Oyl, Bread, Waxen-Tapers, Branches of Trees, Roses, Bells, Meddals and Agnus Dei's. To such things as these, they ascribe marvellous and supernatural effects, a vertue to save and sanctifie Souls, to blot out sins, to expell Devils, to cure Diseases, to secure Women in Travel, to preserve from Burning and Drowning. Pope Alexander in the decrees which they ascribe to him, asserts, that water mixed with salt, and Consecrated; does (b)Sanctifie the people, Purifie the unclean, break the Snares of the Devil, and bring health to Body and Soul. The form of exorcising salt, which we have in their authorized Books, tells us, it is exorcised, that it may be to all that take it (c)both health to Body and Soul. The exorcised water is to (d)chase away all the power of the Devil, and root him out. The vertues of an Agnus Dei are discribed by Ʋrban 5. in verse, wherewith he sent some of them to the Greek Emperour. ⟨p. 211⟩If you will believe a Pope, who may be infallible in Rhime, as well as in Prose, (e)it drives away lightning, and all malignancy, delivers pregnant Women, destroyes the force of fire, secures from Drowning, and which is more, destroyes sin, even as the blood of Christ does. Bellarmine sayes, (f)they are of power for the blotting out of Venial sins, for the chasing away Devils, for the curing of Diseases. Others ascribe to (g)
- (b)De consecr. D. 3. cap. aqua.
- (c)In salutem credentium ut sit omnibus sumentibus sanitas animae & corporis.
- (d)Ad effugandam omnem potestatem inimici.
- (e)—Omne malignum
- (f)De cultu sanct. l. 3. c. 7. p. 1594:
- (g)Tribuitur Thomae, Cajetan, Soto in Suar. Tom. 3. disp. 15. Sect. 4.
