by. Which, at the first face
appearing lawfull vnto them, in respect the ground therof seemeth to
proceed of naturall causes onelie: they are so allured thereby, that
finding their practize to prooue true in sundry things, they studie to
know the cause thereof: and so mounting from degree to degree, vpon the
slipperie and vncertaine scale of curiositie; they are at last entised,
that where lawfull artes or sciences failes, to satisfie their restles
mindes, even to seeke to that black and vnlawfull science of _Magie_.
Where, finding at the first, that such diuers formes of circles &
conjurations rightlie joyned thereunto, will raise such divers formes of
spirites, to resolue them of their doubts: and attributing the doing
thereof, to the power inseparablie tyed, or inherent in the circles: and
manie words of God, confusedlie wrapped in; they blindlie glorie of
themselves, as if they had by their quicknes of ingine, made a conquest of
_Plutoes_ dominion, and were become Emperours over the _Stygian_
habitacles. Where, in the meane time (miserable wretches) they are become
in verie deede, bond-slaues to their mortall enemie: and their knowledge,
for all that they presume thereof, is nothing increased, except in knowing
evill, and the horrors of Hell for punishment thereof, as _Adams_ was by
the eating of the forbidden tree. (M11)

Chap. IIII.

ARGVMENT.

_The Description of the Rudiments and Schoole, which are the entresses to
the arte of_ Magie: _And in speciall the differences betwixt_ Astronomie
_and_ Astrologie: _Diuision of_ Astrologie _in diuers partes._

PHILOMATHES.

Bvt I pray you likewise forget not to tell what are the Deuilles
rudimentes.

EPI. His rudimentes, I call first in generall, all that which is called
vulgarly the vertue of worde, herbe, & stone: which is vsed by vnlawful
charmes, without naturall causes. As likewise all kinde of practicques,
freites, or other like extraordinarie actiones, which cannot abide the
true toutche of naturall reason.

PHI. I would haue you to make that playner, by some particular examples;
for your proposition is verie generall.

EPI. I meane either by such kinde of Charmes as commonlie dafte wiues
vses, for healing of forspoken goodes, for preseruing them from euill
eyes, by knitting roun-trees, or sundriest kinde of herbes, to the haire
or tailes of the goodes: By curing the Worme, by stemming of blood, by
healing of Horse-crookes, by turning of the riddle