An Antidote Against Atheism/Book III/Chapter XIII
Chap. XIII.
1. The main reason why good Spirits so seldome consociate with men. 2. What manner of Magick Bodinus his friend used to procure the more sensible assistance of a good Genius. 3. The manner of this Genius his sensible Converse. 4. The Religiousness of the Party, and the Character of his Temper. 5. His escapes from danger by advertisements of the good Genius. 6. The Genius his averseness from Vocall conversation with him. 7. His usefull Assistance by other Signs. 8. The manner of his appearing to him awake, and once in a Slumber.
1. I had here ended all my Stories, were I not tempted by that remarkable one in * Mag. Dæmon. lib. 1. cap. 2.* Bodinus to out-run my method. I but named it in the foregoing Chapter; I shall tell it now more at large. I am the more willingly drawn to relate it, such examples of the consociation of good Spirits being very scarce in History. The main reason whereof, as I conceive, is, because so very few men are heartily and sincerely good. The Narration is more considerable, in that he that writes it had it from the mans own mouth whom it concerns, and is as follows.
2. This Party, a holy and pious man, as it should seem, and an acquaintance of Bodinus's, freely told him how that he had a certain Spirit that did perpetually accompany him, which he was then first aware of when he had attain'd to about thirty seven years of age, but conceived that the said Spirit had been present with him all his life-time, as he gathered from certain Monitory Dreams and Visions, whereby he was fore-warn'd as well of several Dangers as Vices. That this Spirit discovered himself to him after he had for a whole year together earnestly pray'd to God to send a good Angel to him, to be the Guide and Governor of his life and actions; adding also, that before and after Prayer he used to spend two or three hours in meditation and reading the Scriptures, diligently enquiring with himself what Religion, amongst those many that are controverted in the world, might be best, beseeching God that he would be pleased to direct him to it; and that he did not allow of their Way, that at all adventures pray to God to confirm them in that opinion they have already preconceived, be it right or wrong. That while he was thus busie with himself in matters of Religion, that he lighted on a passage in Philo Judæus in his Book De Sacrificiis, where he writes, that a good and holy Man can offer no greater nor more acceptable Sacrifice to God then the Oblation of himself; and therefore following Philo's counsel, that he offered his Soul to God. And that after that, amongst many other divine Dreams and Visions, he once in his sleep seemed to hear the voice of God saying to him, I will save thy Soul, I am he that before appeared unto thee. Afterwards that the Spirit every day would knock at the door about three or four a clock in the morning, though he rising and opening the door could see no body; but that the Spirit persisted in this course, and unless he did rise, would thus rouze him up.
3. This trouble and boisterousness made him begin to conceit that it was some evil Spirit that thus haunted him, and therefore he daily pray'd earnestly unto God that he would be pleased to send a good Angel to him, and often also sung Psalms, having most of them by heart.
Wherefore the Spirit afterward knocked more gently at the door, and one day discovered himself to him waking, which was the first time that he was assured by his senses that it was he; for he often touched and stirred a Drinking-glass that stood in his chamber, which did not a little amaze him.
Two days after, when he entertain'd at Supper a certain friend of his, Secretary to the King, that this friend of his was much abash'd while he heard the Spirit thumping on the bench hard by him, and was strucken with fear; but he bade him be of good courage, there was no hurt towards; and the better to assure him of it, told him the truth of the whole matter.
Wherefore from that time, saith Bodinus, he did affirm that this Spirit was always with him, and by some sensible signe did ever advertise him of things; as by striking his right Ear, if he did any thing amiss; if otherwise, his left. If any body came to circumvent him, that his right Ear was struck, but his left Ear if a good man and to good ends accosted him. If he was about to eat or drink any thing that would hurt him, or intended or purposed with himself to doe any thing that would prove ill, that he was inhibited by a signe; and if he delayed to follow his business, that he was quickned by a signe given him.
When he began to praise God in Psalms and to declare his marvellous Acts, that he was presently raised and strengthened with a spiritual and supernatural power.
4. That he daily begg'd of God that he would teach him his Will, his Law and his Truth; and that he set one day of the week apart for reading the Scripture and Meditation, with singing of Psalms, and that he did not stir out of his house all that day: but that in his ordinary conversation he was sufficiently merry and of a chearful minde, and he cited that saying for it, Vidi facies Sanctorum lætas. But in his conversing with others, if he had talked vainly and indiscreetly, or had some days together neglected his Devotions, that he was forthwith admonished thereof by a Dream. That he was also admonished to rise betimes in the morning, and that about four of the clock a voice would come to him while he was asleep, saying, Who gets up first to pray?
5. He told Bodinus also how he was often admonish'd to give Alms, and that the more Charity he bestow'd the more prosperous he was. And that on a time when his enemies fought after his life, and knew that he was to goe by water, that his Father in a Dream brought two Horses to him, the one white, the other bay; and that therefore he bid his servant hire him two horses, and though he told him nothing of the colours, that yet he brought him a white one and a bay one.
That in all difficulties, journeyings and what other enterprises soever, he used to ask counsel of God; and that one night, when he had begged his blessing, while he slept he saw a Vision wherein his Father seemed to bless him.
At another time, when he was in very great Danger, and was newly gone to bed, he said that the Spirit would not let him alone till he had raised him again; wherefore he watched and pray'd all that night. The day after he escaped the hands of his Persecutors in a wonderful manner; which being done, in his next sleep he heard a voice saying, Now sing, Qui sedet in latibulo Altissimi.
6. A great many other passages this Party told Bodinus, so many, indeed, that he thought it an endless labour to recite them all. But what remains of those he has recited, I will not stick to take the pains of transcribing them.
Bodinus asked him why he would not speak to the Spirit for the gaining of the more plain and familiar converse with it. He answered that he once attempted it, but the Spirit instantly struck the door with that vehemency, as if he had knock'd upon it with a hammer: whereby he gathered his dislike of the matter.
7. But though the Spirit would not talk with him, yet he could make use of his judgement in the reading of books and moderating his studies. For if he took an ill book into his hands and fell a reading, the Spirit would strike it, that he might lay it down; and would also sundry times, be the books what they would, hinder him from reading and writing overmuch, that his mind might rest, and silently meditate with it self. He added also, that very often while he was awake, a small, subtile, inarticulate sound would come unto his Ears.
8. Bodinus further enquiring whether he ever did see the Shape and Form of the Spirit, he told him that while he was awake he never saw any thing but a certain light very bright and clear and of a round Compass and Figure; but that once being in great jeopardy of his life, and having heartily pray'd to God that he would be pleased to provide for his safety, about break of day, amidst his slumberings and wakings, he espy'd on his bed where he lay a young Boy clad in a white Garment, tinctured somewhat with a touch of purple, and of a visage admirably lovely and beautiful to behold. This he confidently affirmed to Bodinus for a certain truth.