The history of the life and adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell : $b a gentleman, who, tho' deaf and dumb, writes down any stranger's name at first sight, with their future contingencies of fortune
General
The history of the life and adventures of Mr. Duncan Campbell : $b a gentleman, who, tho' deaf and dumb, writes down any stranger's name at first sight, with their future contingencies of fortune
Campbell, Duncan, 1680?-1730; Deaf people -- Great Britain -- Biography; Occultism -- Early works to 1900; Prophets -- Great Britain -- Biography
The second objection that will be brought, is to contain an allegation
that there are no such persons as witches now, and an argument to
support that allegation, drawn from the incapacity and impossibility of
any thing's making, while itself is incarnate, a contract with a spirit.
This objection will be answered by proving the reality of witches from
almost universal experience, and by explaining rationally the manner how
the devils hold commerce with witches; which explanation is backed and
authorised by the opinion of the most eminent divines, and the most
learned physicians.
From hence, sixthly and lastly, We shall conclude on the side of the
good magic, that as there are witches on the one hand that may afflict
and torment persons with demons, so on the other hand there are lawful
and good magicians that may cast out demons from people that are
possessed with them.
And first as to magic in general. Magic consists in the spirit by faith,
for faith is that magnet of the magicians by which they draw spirits to
them, and by which spirits they do great things, that appear like
miracles.
Secondly, Magic is divided into three sorts, viz., divine, natural, and
diabolical. And natural magic is again subdivided into two kinds, simple
and compound; and natural compound magic is again likewise divided into
two kinds, viz., natural-divine magic, and natural-diabolical magic.
Now, to give the reader a clear and a distinct notion of each several
species of magic here mentioned, I set down the following definitions:
Divine magic is a celestial science, in which all operations that are
wonderfully brought about, are performed by the Spirit of God. Natural
magic is a science in which all the mysterious acts that are wrought,
are compassed by natural spirits. But as this natural magic may be
exercised about things either in a manner indifferent in themselves, or
mere morally good, and then it is mere natural magic; or else about
things theologically good, and transcendently bad; and then it is not
merely and natural magic, but mixed and compound. If natural magic be
exercised about the most holy operations, it is then mixed with the
divine, and may then be called, not improperly, natural-divine magic.
But if natural magic troubles itself about compassing the wickedest
practices, then is it promiscuous with the demoniacal, and may not
improperly be called natural-diabolical magic.
Thirdly, The object of this art is doing wonders out of the ordinary
appearing course of nature, which tend either to great good or bad, by
the help and mediation of spirits good and bad.
Fourthly, As to the persons exercising that art in either way, whether
good or bad, and by what means they become capacitated to act it, the
notion of this may be easily deduced from the notions of the art itself,
as considered above in its each different species; for as all magic
consists in a spirit, every magician acts by a spirit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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