attraction
and repulsion. We have proved how cures are performed by virtue of
sympathetic powers, and medicines, by Seals, rings, and Amulets, even
at unlimited distances.
"
We know how to communicate with any person, and to give him intimation
of our purpose, at a hundred, or a thousand miles distance ; but then a
preparation is necessary, and the parties should have their appointed
seasons, and hours for that purpose ; likewise both should be of the
same firm constancy of mind. And we have given methods by which a man
may receive true and certain intimation of future things (as by dreams)
of whatsoever his mind has before meditated upon, himself being
properly disposed. All of which matters we have collected out of the
Works of the most famous Magicians, such as Zoroaster, Hermes,
Apollonius, Simon of the Temple, Trithemius, Agrippa, Porta (the
Neapolitan), Dee, Paracelsus, Roger Bacon, and a great many others.
"
Our endeavour has been to point out the difference of these several
arts, so as to free the name of Magic from any scandalous imputation :
seeing this is a word originally significative, not of any evil, but of
every good and laudable science, such as a man might profit by, and
become both wise and happy : and the practice is so far from being
offensive to God, or man, that the very root and ground of all magic
takes its rise from the Holy Scriptures ; viz., ' The fear of God is
the beginning of all wisdom'; which fear of God is the beginning of
Magic ; for, Magic is wisdom; and on this account the Wise Men were
called ' Magi.' The Magicians were the first Christians ; they were the
first to acknowledge the glory, and majesty of our Saviour;
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