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CHAP. XLVI.
Of Theurgy.
MAny there are that believe Theurgy not to be un∣lawful, which pretends to have to do with none but good Angels, and the Divine Numen him∣self; though under the names of God and Angels, it proves to be onely the delusion and mockery of evil Spirits. It pretends no natural Power, but to make use of Celestial Ceremonies, by which they think to attract and reconcile the Divine Natures: Concerning which, the antient Magi have deliver'd several
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Rules in several Volumes. But the chiefest part of their Ceremonies is, in observing Cleanliness, first of the Soul, then of the Body, then of those things about the Body, as in the Skin, the Garments, the Dwelling, Vessels, Utensils, Immolations, and Sacrifices; which cleanliness renders them capable of being the recepta∣cles, and fit for the entertainment of Divine Spirits, and is very much encourag'd and commended in Sacred Scripture, according to the words of Esay: Be glad and be clean, and take away the evil of your thoughts. But uncleanness, which often corrupts, and defiles, and infects man, disturbs the most clean and pure Soci∣ety of Celestial Beings, and chases away the spotless Spirits and Angels of God. It is true, that many times unclean and delusive powers, to the end they may be ador'd and worship'd for Gods, do counterfeit this Purity; and therefore great diligence and care is to be us'd for the avoiding thereof; and therefore we have abundantly discours'd thereof in our Books of Occult Philosophy. Now of this Theurgy or Divine Magick, Porphyrius having delivered many things, at length concludes, that by Theurgick Operations the soul may be made fit to receive Spirits and Angels, and to see and converse with them: but that there can be any access to the Deity thereby, he altogether denies. His Rules and Directions are contain'd in his Art Almabel, his Notorious Art, his Art Pauline, & his Art of Revelations, where are abundance of Superstitions to be found, which are so much the more pernicious, by how much they seem more Losty and Divine to the unskilful.
Of Theurgy.
MAny there are that believe Theurgy not to be un∣lawful, which pretends to have to do with none but good Angels, and the Divine Numen him∣self; though under the names of God and Angels, it proves to be onely the delusion and mockery of evil Spirits. It pretends no natural Power, but to make use of Celestial Ceremonies, by which they think to attract and reconcile the Divine Natures: Concerning which, the antient Magi have deliver'd several
Page 120
Rules in several Volumes. But the chiefest part of their Ceremonies is, in observing Cleanliness, first of the Soul, then of the Body, then of those things about the Body, as in the Skin, the Garments, the Dwelling, Vessels, Utensils, Immolations, and Sacrifices; which cleanliness renders them capable of being the recepta∣cles, and fit for the entertainment of Divine Spirits, and is very much encourag'd and commended in Sacred Scripture, according to the words of Esay: Be glad and be clean, and take away the evil of your thoughts. But uncleanness, which often corrupts, and defiles, and infects man, disturbs the most clean and pure Soci∣ety of Celestial Beings, and chases away the spotless Spirits and Angels of God. It is true, that many times unclean and delusive powers, to the end they may be ador'd and worship'd for Gods, do counterfeit this Purity; and therefore great diligence and care is to be us'd for the avoiding thereof; and therefore we have abundantly discours'd thereof in our Books of Occult Philosophy. Now of this Theurgy or Divine Magick, Porphyrius having delivered many things, at length concludes, that by Theurgick Operations the soul may be made fit to receive Spirits and Angels, and to see and converse with them: but that there can be any access to the Deity thereby, he altogether denies. His Rules and Directions are contain'd in his Art Almabel, his Notorious Art, his Art Pauline, & his Art of Revelations, where are abundance of Superstitions to be found, which are so much the more pernicious, by how much they seem more Losty and Divine to the unskilful.