An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

2. Experience has too often made it manifest that there are such in the World as hold a correspondence with Hell. There have bin known Wizards; yea such as have taught others what Ceremonies they are to use in maintaining communion with Devils. Trithemius his Book de septem Intelligentiis, and ⟨p. 182⟩Cornelius Agrippa's Books of occult Philosophy, wherein too much of these nefandous abominations is described, are frequently in the hands of men. Several other Books there are extant, which do professedly teach the way of Familiarity with Daemons. The Titles whereof, as also the Names of the Authors that have published them, I designedly forbear to mention, lest haply any one into whose hands this Discourse may come, should out of wicked curiosity seek after them to the ruin of his soul. There are famous Histories of several, who had their Paredri or Familiar Spirits, some in one likeness, some in another, constantly attending them. Thus had Apollonius Thyanaeus of old. And of later times Mich. Scot, and Josephus Niger. Likewise Cardanus (de subtilitate, Lib. 19. P. 963.) writeth, that his own Father had such a Familiar for thirty years together. So had Christopher Waganeer a Familiar in the form of an Ape for seven years attending him; so had Folpardus, which two were at last carried away Body and Soul by the Devil; unto whose service they had devoted their lives. There is also a true (as well as a Romantic) Story of Faustus. The excellent Camerarius in his Horae subs•civae Cent. 1. Cap. 70. relateth strange things of him, which he received ⟨p. 183⟩from those who knew Faustus, and were Eye-witnesses of his Magical and Diabolical Impostures: He also had a familiar Devil in form of a Monk accompanying of him for the space of twenty four years. Housdor•ius, and Lonicer ad 2 Praec. P. 167. speak of Faustus. Melanchthon declares that he knew the Man: so that Naudeus is to be convinced of vanity, in denying that ever there was such a Person in the World. In a word, it is a thing known, that there have been Men who would discourse in Languages, and reason notably about Sciences which they never learned; who have revealed Secrets, discovered hidden Treasures, told whither stolen Goods have been conveyed, and by whom; and that have caused Brute Creatures, nay Statues or Images to speak, and give rational Answers. The Jews Teraphim oftentimes did so: vide R. Sol. Jarchi in