and yet every one of them be justifiable by the Rules of that Science. And the Principles they go upon, are found to be very arbitrary and unphilosophical, not by the ordinary Declaimers against it, but by the most profound Inquirers into things, who perfectly understand the whole Mystery, and are the only competent Judges.
Now those Mystical Students may in their first addresses to this Science, have no other design but the satisfaction of their Curiosity to know remote and hidden things; yet that in the progress being not satisfied within the bounds of their Art doth many times tempt the curious Inquirer to use worse means of Information; and no doubt those mischievous Spirits that are as vigilant as the Beasts of Prey, and watch all occasions to get us within their envious reach, are more constant Attenders, and careful Spies upon the Actions and Inclinations of such, whose Genius and Designs prepare them for their Temptations. So that I look on Judicial Astrology, as a fair Introduction to Sorcery and Witchcraft, and who knows but that it was first set on foot by the Infernal Hunters, as a Lure to draw the Curioso's into those Snares that lie hid beyond it; and yet I believe also, it may be innocently enough studied by those, that aim only to understand what it is, and how far it will honestly go, and are not willing to condemn any thing which they do not comprehend, but that they must take care to keep themselves within the Bounds of sober Enquiry, and not indulge irregular Solicitudes about the knowledge of things which Providence hath thought fit to conceal from us; which whoever doth, lays himself open to the Designs and Solicitations of evil Spirits; and I believe there are very few among those who have been addicted to those strange Arts of wonder, and prediction, but have found themselves attaqued by some unknown Sollicitors, and inticed by them to the more dangerous Actions and Correspondencies; for as there are a sort of base and sordid Spirits that attend the Envy and Malice of the ignorant and viler sort of Persons, and betray them into Compacts by Promises of Revenge, so, no doubt there are a kind of more airy and speculative Fiends, of an higher Rank and Order than those wretched Imps, who apply themselves to the Curious, and many times prevail with them by Offers of the more recondite Knowledge, as we know it was in the first Temptation, yea, and sometimes they are so cautious and wary in their Conversations with more refined Persons, that they never offer to make any express Covenants with them, and to this purpose I have been informed by a very Learned and Reverend Doctor, that one Mr.
