The history of witchcraft and demonologySummers, Montague
History
The history of witchcraft and demonology
Summers, Montague
Demonology; Demonology -- History; Witchcraft; Witchcraft -- History
“Dearest children who are about to be ordained to the office of
Exorcists, ye must duly know what ye are about to undertake. For an
Exorcist must cast out devils; and announce to the people that those
that may not be present at the sacrifice should retire; and at the altar
minister water to the priest. Ye receive also the power of placing your
hand upon energumens, and by the imposition of your hands and the grace
of the Holy Spirit and the words of exorcism unclean spirits are driven
out from the bodies of those who are obsessed. Be careful therefore
that as ye drive out devils from the bodies of others, so ye banish all
uncleanness and evil from your own bodies lest ye fall beneath the power
of those spirits who by your ministry are conquered in others. Learn
through your office to govern all imperfections lest the enemy may claim
a share in you and some dominion over you. For truly will ye rightly
control those devils who attack others, when first ye have overcome
their many crafts against yourselves. And this may the Lord vouchsafe to
grant you through His Holy Spirit.”[35] After which the Bishop hands to
each severally the Book of Exorcisms (or Pontifical or Missal), saying:
“Receive this and commit it to thy memory and have power to place thy
hands upon energumens, whether they be baptized, or whether they be
catechumens.”[36] All kneel, and the Bishop, wearing his mitre, stands
and prays:
“Dearest brethren, let us humbly pray God the Father Almighty that He
may vouchsafe to bless these his servants to the office of Exorcists
that they may have the power to command spirits, to cast forth from
the bodies of those who are obsessed demons with every kind of their
wickedness and deceit. Through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ Our
Lord who with Him liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. _R._ Amen.”[37] Then, his mitre having been
removed, he turns to the altar with “Oremus” to which is given the reply
“Flectamus genua” with “Leuate,” and the last prayer is said over the
kneeling exorcists: “Holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God vouchsafe
to bless these thy servants to the office of Exorcists; that by the
imposition of our hands and the words of our mouth they may have power
and authority to govern and restrain all unclean spirits: that they may
be skilful physicians for Thy Church, that they may heal many and be
themselves strengthened with all Heavenly Grace. Through Our Lord Jesus
Christ Thy Son who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy
Spirit one God world without end. _R._ Amen.” And then, at a sign from
the Archdeacon, they return to their places.[38]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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