Aphor. 15.
They are called Olympick spirits, which do inhabit in the firmament, and in the stars of the firmament: and the office of these spirits is to declare Destinies, and to administer fatal Charms, so far forth as God pleaseth to permit them: for nothing, neither evil spirit nor evil Destiny, shall be able to hurt him who hath the most High for his refuge. If therefore any of the Olympick spirits shall teach or declare that which his star to which he is appointed portendeth, nevertheless he can bring forth nothing into action, unless he be permitted by the Divine power. It is God alone who giveth them power to effect it. Unto God the maker of all things, p. 177 are obedient all things celestial, sublunary, and infernal. Therefore rest in this: Let God be thy guide in all things which thou undertakest, and all things shall attain to a happy and desired end; even as the history of the whole world testifieth, and daily experience sheweth. There is peace to the godly: there is no peace to the wicked, saith the Lord.
Aphor. 16.
There are seven different governments of the Spirits of Olympus, by whom God hath appointed the whole frame and universe of this world to be governed: and their visible stars are ARATRON, BETHOR, PHALEG, OCH, HAGITH, OPHIEL, PHUL, after the Olympick speech. Every one of these hath under him a mighty Militia in the firmament.
ARATRON ruleth visible Provinces XLIX.
BETHOR, XXXII.
PHALEG, XXXV.
OCH, XXVIII.
HAGITH, XXI.
OPHIEL, XIIII.
PHUL, VII.
So that there are 186 Olympick Provinces in the whole Universe, wherein the seven Governours do exercise their power: all which are elegantly set forth in Astronomy. But in this place it is to be explained, in what manner these Princes and Powers may be drawn into communication. Aratron appeareth in the first hour of Saturday, and very truly giveth answers concerning his Provinces and Provincials. So likewise do the rest appear in order in their dayes and hours. Also every one of them ruleth 490 years. The beginning of their simple Anomaly, in the 60 year before the Nativity of Christ, was the beginning of the administration of Bethor; and it lasted until the year of our Lord Christ 430. To whom succeeded Phaleg, until the 920 year. Then p. 178 began Ocb, and continued until the year 1410. and thenceforth Hagith ruleth until the year 1900.
Aphor. 17.
Magically the Princes of the seven Governours are called simply, in that time, day, and hour wherein they rule visibly or invisibly, by their Names and Offices which God hath given unto them; and by proposing their Character which they have given or confirmed.
The Governour Aratron hath in his power those things which he doth naturally, that is, after the same manner and subject as those things which in Astronomy are ascribed to the power of Saturn.
Those things which he doth of his own free will, are,
1. That he can convert any thing into a stone in a moment, either animal or plant, retaining the same object to the sight.
2. He converteth treasures into coals, and coals into treasure.
3. He giveth familiars with a definite power.
4. He teacheth Alchymy, Magick, and Physick.
5. He reconcileth the subterranean spirits to men; maketh hairy men.
6. He causeth one to be invisible.
7. The barren he maketh fruitful, and giveth long life.
His character.
He hath under him 49 Kings, 42 Princes, 35 Presidents, 28 Dukes, 21 Ministers, standing before him; 14 familiars, seven messengers: he commandeth 36000 legions of spirits; the number of a legion is 490.
Bether governeth those things which are ascribed to Jupiter: he soon cometh being called. He that is dignified with his character, he raiseth to very great dignities, to cast open treasures: he reconcileth the spirits of the Air, that they give true answers: they transport precious stones from place to place, and they make medicines to work miraculously in their effects: he giveth also the familiars of the firmament, and prolongeth life to 700 years if God will.
His character.
He hath under him 42 Kings, 35 Princes, 28 Dukes, 21 Counsellors, 14 Ministers, 7 Messengers, 29000 legions of Spirits.
Phalec ruleth those things which are attributed to Mars, the Prince of peace. He that hath his character, he raiseth to great honours in warlike affairs.
His character.
Och governeth solar things; he giveth 600 years, with perfect health; he bestoweth great wisdom, giveth the most excellent Spirits, teacheth perfect Medicines: he converteth all things into most pure gold and precious stones: he giveth gold, and a purse springing with gold. He that is dignified with his Character, he maketh him to be worshipped as a Deity, by the Kings of the whole world.
The Character.
He hath under him 36536 Legions: he administreth all things alone: and all his spirits serve him by centuries.
Hagith governeth Venereous things. He that is dignified with his Character, he maketh very fair, and to be adorned with all beauty. He converteth copper into gold, in a moment, and gold into copper: he giveth Spirits which do faithfully serve those to whom they are addicted.
His Character.
He hath 4000 Legions of Spirits, and over every thousand he ordaineth Kings for their appointed seasons.
Ophiel is the governour of such things as are attributed to Mercury: his Character is this.
His Spirits are 100000 Legions: he easily giveth familiar Spirits: he teacheth all Arts: and he that is dignified with his Character, he maketh him to be able in a moment to convert Quicksilver into the Philosophers stone.
Phul bath this character.
He changeth all metals into silver, in word and deed; governeth Lunary things; healeth the dropsie: he giveth spirits of the water, who do serve men in a corporeal and visible form; and maketh men to live 300 years.
Aphor. 17. The most general Precepts of this Secret.
1. Every Governour acteth with all his Spirits, either naturally, to wit, alwayes after the same manner; or otherwise of their own free-will, if God hinder them not.
2. Every Governour is able to do all things which are done naturally in a long time, out of matter before prepared; and also to do them suddenly, out of matter not before prepared. As Och, the Prince of Solar things, prepareth gold in the mountains in a long time; in a less time, by the Chymical Art; and Magically, in a moment.
3. The true and divine Magician may use all the creatures of God, and offices of the Governours of the world, at his own will, for that the Governours of the world are obedient unto them, and come when they are called, and do execute p. 183 their commands: but God is the Author thereof: as Joshua caused the Sun to stand still in heaven.
They send some of their Spirits to the mean Magicians, which do obey them only in some determinate business: but they hear not the false Magicians, but expose them to the deceits of the devils, and cast them into divers dangers, by the command of God; as the Prophet Jeremiah testifieth, in his eighth Chapter, concerning the Jews.
4. In all the elements there are the seven Governours with their hosts, who do move with the equal motion of the firmament; and the inferiours do alwayes depend upon the superiours, as it is taught in Philosophy.
5. A man that is a true Magician, is brought forth a Magician from his mothers womb: others, who do give themselves to this office, are unhappy. This is that which John the Baptist speaketh of: No man can do any thing of himself, except it be given him from above.
6. Every Character given from a Spirit, for what cause soever, hath his efficacy in this business, for which it is given, in the time prefixed: But it is to be used the same day and Planetary hour wherein it is given.
7. God liveth, and thy soul liveth: keep thy Covenant, and thou hast whatsoever the Spirit shall reveal unto thee in God, because all things shall be done which the Spirit promiseth unto thee.
Aphor. 18.
There are other names of the Olympick spirits delivered by others; but they only are effectual, which are delivered to any one, by the Spirit the revealer, visible or invisible: and they are delivered to every one as they are predestinated: therefore they are called Constellations; and they seldom have any efficacy above 40 years. Therefore it is most safe for the young practisers of Art, that they work by the offices of the Spirits alone, without their names; and if they are pre-ordained to attain the Art of Magick, the other parts of the Art will offer themselves unto them of their own accord. p. 184 Pray therefore for a constant faith, and God will bring to pass all things in due season.
Aphor. 19.
Olympus and the inhabitants thereof, do of their own accord offer themselves to men in the forms of Spirits; and are ready to perform their Offices for them, whether they will or not: by how much the rather will they attend you, if they are desired? But there do appear also evil Spirits, and destroyers, which is caused by the envy and malice of the devil; and because men do allure and draw them unto themselves with their sins, as a punishment due to sinners. Whosoever therefore desireth familiarly to have a conversation with Spirits, let him keep himself from all enormious sins, and diligently pray to the most High to be his keeper; and he shall break through all the snares and impediments of the devil: and let him apply himself to the service of God, and he will give him an increase in wisdom.
Aphor. 20.
All things are possible to them that believe them, and are willing to receive them; but to the incredulous and unwilling, all things are unpossible: there is no greater hinderance then a wavering minde, levity, unconstancy, foolish babling, drunkenness, lusts, and disobedience to the word of God. A Magician therefore ought to be a man that is godly, honest, constant in his words and deeds, having a firm faith towards God, prudent, and covetous of nothing but of wisdom about divine things.
Aphor. 21.
When you would call any of the Olympick Spirits, observe the rising of the Sun that day, and of what nature the Spirit is which you desire; and saying the prayer following, your desires shall be perfected.
Omnipotent and eternal God, who hast ordained the whole creation for thy praise and glory, and for the salvation of man, I beseech thee that thou wouldst send thy Spirit N. N. of the solar order, who shall inform and teach me those things which I shall ask of him; or, that he may bring me medicine against the dropsie, &c. Nevertheless not my will be done, but thine, through Jesus Christ thy only begotten Son, our Lord, Amen.
But thou shalt not detain the Spirit above a full hour, unless he be familiarly addicted unto thee.
Forasmuch as thou camest in peace, and quietly, and hast answered unto my petitions; I give thanks unto God, in whose Name thou camest: and now thou mayst depart in peace unto thy orders; and return to me again when I shall call thee by thy name, or by thy order, or by thy office, which is granted from the Creator, Amen.
Ecclesiast. Chap. 5. Be not rash with thy mouth, neither let thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in Heaven, and thou in earth: Therefore let thy words be few; for a dream cometh through the multitude of business.
Aphor. 22.
We call that a secret, which no man can attain unto by humane industry without revelation; which Science lieth obscured, hidden by God in the creature; which nevertheless he doth permit to be revealed by Spirits, to a due use of the thing it self. And these secrets are either concerning things divine, natural or humane. But thou mayst examine a few, and the most select, which thou wilt commend with many more.
Aphor. 23.
Make the beginning of the nature of the secret, either by a Spirit in the form of a person, or by vertues separate, either in humane Organs, or by what manner soever the same may be effected; and this being known, require of a Spirit which knoweth that art, that he would briefly declare unto thee whatsoever that secret is: and pray unto God, that he would inspire thee with his grace, whereby thou maist bring the secret to the end thou desirest, for the praise and glory of God, and the profit of thy neighbour.
Aphor. 24. The greatest secrets are in number seven.
1. The first is the curing of all diseases in the space of seven dayes, either by characters, or by natural things, or by the superior Spirits with the divine assistance.
2. The second is, to be able to prolong life to whatsoever age we please: I say, a corporal and natural life.
3. The third is, to have the obedience of the creatures in the elements which are in the forms of personal Spirits; also of Pigmies, 123 Sagani, Nymphes, Dryades, and Spirits of the Woods.
- 123 Spirits of the four elements. Paracelsus. p. 186
4. The fourth is, to be able to discourse with knowledge and understanding of all things visible and invisible, and to understand the power of everything, and to what it belongeth.
5. The fifth is, that a man be able to govern himself according to that end for which God hath appointed him.
6. The sixth is, to know God, and Christ, and his holy Spirit: this is the perfection of the Microcosmus.
7. The seventh, to be regenerate, as Henochius the King of the inferiour world.
These seven secrets a man of an honest and constant minde may learn of the Spirits, without any offence unto God.
Aphor. 24. The greatest secrets are in number seven. The mean Secrets are likewise seven in number.
1. The first is, transmutation of Metals, which is vulgarly called Alchymy; which certainly is given to very few, and not but of special grace.
2. The second is, the curing of diseases with Metals, either by the magnetick vertues of precious stones, or by the use of the Philosophers stone, and the like.
3. The third is, to be able to perform Astronomical and Mathematical miracles, such as are Hydraulick-engines, to administer business by the influence of Heaven, and things which are of like sort.
4. The fourth is, to perform the works of natural Magick, of what sort soever they be.
5. The fifth is, to know all Physical secrets.
6. The sixth is, to know the foundation of all Arts which are exercised with the hands and offices of the body.
7. The seventh is, to know the foundation of all Arts which are exercised by the angelical nature of man.
Aphor. 24. The greatest secrets are in number seven. The lesser secrets are seven.
1. The first is, to do a thing diligently, and to gather together much mony.
2. The second is, to ascend from a mean state to dignities and honours, and to establish a newer family, which may be illustrious and do great things.
3. The third is, to excel in military affairs, and happily to atchieve to great things, and to be an head of the head of Kings and Princes.
4. To be a good house-keeper both in the Country and City.
5. The fifth is, to be an industrious and fortunate Merchant.
6. To be a Philosopher, Mathematician, and Physitian, according to Aristotle, Plato, Ptolomy, Euclides, Hippocrates and Galen.
7. To be a Divine according to the Bible and Schooles. which all writers of divinity both old and new have taught.
Aphor. 25.
We have already declared what a secret is, the kindes and species thereof: it remaineth now to shew how we may attain to know those things which we desire.
The true and onely way to all secrets, is to have recourse unto God the Author of all good; and as Christ teacheth,
In the first place seek ye the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
2 Also see that your hearts be not burthened with surfeting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life.
3. Also commit your cares unto the Lord, and he will do it.
4. Also I the Lord thy God do teach thee, what things are profitable for thee, and do guide thee in the way wherein thou walkest.
5. And I will give thee understanding, and will teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go, and I will guide thee with my eye.
6. Also if you which are evil, know how to give good things to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give his holy Spirit to them that ask him?
If you will do the will of my Father which is in heaven, ye are truely my disciples, and we will come unto you, and make our abode with you.
If you draw these seven places of Scripture from the letter unto the Spirit, or into action, thou canst not erre, but shalt attain to the desired bound; thou shalt not erre from the mark, and God himself by his holy Spirit will teach thee true and profitable things: he will give also his ministring Angels unto thee, to be thy companions, helpers and teachers of all the secrets of the world, and he will command every creature to be obedient unto thee, so that cheerfully rejoycing thou maist say with the Apostles, That the Spirits are obedient unto thee; so that at length thou shalt be certain of the greatest thing of all, That thy name is written in Heaven.
Aphor. 26.
There is another way which is more common, that secrets may be revealed unto thee also, when thou art unwitting thereof; either by God, or by Spirits which have secrets in their power; or by dreams, or by strong imaginations and impressions, or by the constellation of a nativity by celestial knowledge. After this manner are made heroick men, such as there are very many, and all learned men in the world, Plato, Aristotle, Hippocrates, Galen, Euclide, Archimedes, Hermes Trismegistus the father of secrets, with Theophrastus Paracelsus; all which men had in themselves all the vertues of secrets. Hitherto also are referred, Homer, Hesiod, Orpheus, Pythagoras; but these had not such gifts of secrets as the former. To this are referred, the Nymphes, and sons of Melusina, and Gods of the Gentiles, Achilles, Aeneas, Hercules: also Cyrus, Alexander the great, Julius Caesar, Lucullus, Sylla, Marius
It is a Canon, That every one know his own Angel, and that he obey him according to the Word of God: and let him beware of the snares of the evil Angel, lest he be involved in the calamities of Brute and Marcus Antonius. To this refer the book of Jovianus Pontanus of Fortune, and his Eutiches.
The third way is, diligent and hard labor, without which no great thing can be obtained from the divine Deity worthy admiration, as it is said,
Tu nihil invita dices faciésve Minerva.
Nothing canst thou do or say against Minerva's will.
We do detest all evil Magicians, who make themselves associates with the devils with their unlawful superstitions, and do obtain and effect some things which God permitteth to be done, instead of the punishment of the devils. So also they do other evil acts, the devil being the author, as the Scriptures p. 190 testifie of Judas. To these are referred all idolaters of old, and of our age, and abusers of Fortune, such as the heathens are full of. And to these do appertain all Charontick evocation of Spirits, as the work of Saul with the woman, and Lucanus prophesie of the deceased souldier, concerning the event of the Pharsalian war, and the like.
Aphor. 27.
Make a Circle with a center A, which is B. C. D. E. At the East let there be B. C. a square. At the North, C. D. At the west, D. E. And at the South E. D. Divide the several quadrants into seven parts, that there may be in the whole 28 parts: and let them be again divided into four parts, that there may be 112 parts of the Circle: and so many are the true secrets to be revealed. And this Circle in this maner divided, is the seal of the secrets of the world, which they draw from the onely center A, that is, from the invisible God, unto the whole creature. The Prince of the Oriental secrets is resident in the middle, and hath three Nobles on either side, every one whereof hath four under him, and the Prince himself hath four appertaining unto him. And in this manner the other princes and nobles have their quadrants of secrets, with their four secrets. But the Oriental secret is the study of all wisdome; The West of strength; The South, of tillage; The North, of more rigid life: So that the Eastern secrets are commended to be the best; the Meridian to be mean; and the East and North to be lesser. The use of this seal of secrets is, that thereby thou maist know whence the Spirits or Angels are produced, which may teach the secrets delivered unto them from God. But they have names taken from their offices and powers according to the gift which God hath severally distributed to every one of them. One hath the power of the sword; another, of the pestilence; and another, of inflicting famine upon the people as it is ordained by God. Some are destroyers of Cities, as those two were, who were sent to overthrow Sodom and Gomorrha and the places adjacent, examples whereof the p. 191 holy Scripture witnesseth. Some are the watch-men over Kingdoms; others, the keepers of private persons; and from thence, any one may easily form their names in his own language: so that he which will, may ask a physical Angel, mathematical, or philosophical, or an Angel of civil wisdom, or of supernatural or natural wisdome, or for any thing whatsoever; and let him ask seriously, with a great desire of his mind, and with faith and constancy; and without doubt, that which he asketh he shall receive from the Father and God of all Spirits. This faith surmounteth all seals, and bringeth them into subjection to the will of man. The Characteristical maner of calling Angels succeedeth this faith, which dependeth onely on divine revelation; But without the said faith preceding it, it lieth in obscurity. Nevertheless, if any one will use them for a memorial, and no otherwise, and as a thing simply created by God to this purpose, to which such a spirituall power or essence is bound; he may use them without any offence unto God. But let him beware, lest that he fall into idolatry, and the snares of the devil, who with his cunning sorceries, easily deceiveth the unwary. And he is not taken but onely by the singer of God, and is appointed to the service of man; so that they unwillingly serve the godly; but not without temptations and tribulations, because the commandment hath it, That he shall bruise the heel of Christ, the seed of the woman. We are therefore to exercise our selves about spiritual things, with fear and trembling, and with great reverence towards God, and to be conversant in spiritual essences with gravity and justice. And he which medleth with such things, let him beware of all levity, pride, covetousness, vanity, envy and ungodliness, unless he will miserably perish.
Aphor. 21.
Because all good is from God, who is onely good, those things which we would obtain of him, we ought to seek them by prayer in Spirit and Truth, and a simple heart. The conclusion of the secret of secrets is, That every one exercise himself p. 192 in prayer, for those things which he desires, and he shall not suffer a repulse. Let not any one despise prayer; for by whom God is prayed unto, to him he both can and will give. Now let us acknowledge him the Author, from whom let us humbly seek for our desires. A merciful and good Father, loveth the sons of desires, as Daniel; and sooner heareth us, then we are able to overcome the hardness of our hearts to pray. But he will not that we give holy things to dogs, nor despise and contemn the gifts of his treasury. Therefore diligently and often read over and over the first Septenary of secrets, and guide and direct thy life and all thy thoughts according to those precepts; and all things shall yield to the desires of thy minde in the Lord, to whom thou trustest.