Post by Admin on Oct 9, 2016 10:55:59 GMT
CHAP. XLIII.
Of Mathematical Magick.
THere are besides these, many other imitators of Nature, wise inquirers into hidden things, who without the help of natural Virtues and Efficacies, confidently undertake, onely by Mathematical lear∣ning, and the help of Celestial influences, to produce many miraculous Works, as walking and speaking Bo∣dies; which notwithstanding are not the real Animal: such was the wooden Dove of Archytas, which flew; the Statues of Mercury, that talk'd; and the Brazen Head made by Albertus Magnus, which is said to have spoken. In these things Boetius excell'd, a man of a large Ingenuity, and manifold Learning; to whom Cassiodorus writing upon this Subject, Thou, saith he, hast propounded to thy self to do great things, and to know the most difficult: by thy ingenious skill Metals are heard to roar, Brazen Diomed sounds a Trumpet, a Brazen Serpent hisses, Birds are counterfeited, and they that are incapable of a voice of their own, yet are heard to make a sweet noise: We relate but small things of thee, that hast so great a power to imitate Heaven. Of these delusory Sciences may be said that which we read in Plato's tenth Book of Laws: Art is given to Mortals, which enables them to produce cer∣tain posterior and succeeding Inventio•s, neither per∣taking of Truth or Divinity, but ce•tain Imitations somewhat akin thereto: Wherein Magicians have ad∣ventured to proceed so far, by the help of that ancient
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and subtile Serpent, the great promiser of knowledge; that Aping him, they become imitators of God and Na∣ture.
Of Mathematical Magick.
THere are besides these, many other imitators of Nature, wise inquirers into hidden things, who without the help of natural Virtues and Efficacies, confidently undertake, onely by Mathematical lear∣ning, and the help of Celestial influences, to produce many miraculous Works, as walking and speaking Bo∣dies; which notwithstanding are not the real Animal: such was the wooden Dove of Archytas, which flew; the Statues of Mercury, that talk'd; and the Brazen Head made by Albertus Magnus, which is said to have spoken. In these things Boetius excell'd, a man of a large Ingenuity, and manifold Learning; to whom Cassiodorus writing upon this Subject, Thou, saith he, hast propounded to thy self to do great things, and to know the most difficult: by thy ingenious skill Metals are heard to roar, Brazen Diomed sounds a Trumpet, a Brazen Serpent hisses, Birds are counterfeited, and they that are incapable of a voice of their own, yet are heard to make a sweet noise: We relate but small things of thee, that hast so great a power to imitate Heaven. Of these delusory Sciences may be said that which we read in Plato's tenth Book of Laws: Art is given to Mortals, which enables them to produce cer∣tain posterior and succeeding Inventio•s, neither per∣taking of Truth or Divinity, but ce•tain Imitations somewhat akin thereto: Wherein Magicians have ad∣ventured to proceed so far, by the help of that ancient
Page 113
and subtile Serpent, the great promiser of knowledge; that Aping him, they become imitators of God and Na∣ture.