Instruction on Natural Magic and its Medical Use

and God-loving people. The same applies to the word Magia magic. For that it is an ambiguous word is witnessed by Hesychius, when he speaks: A Magus has been called a deceptive sorcerer; but the Persians have called a pious (c) theologian and priest thus.

From what has just been said, it is clear that a Magus in the good sense meant in former times a person experienced in divine and natural matters, who could perform astonishing miracles through the artificial combination of physical and mathematical things, contemplate divine powers during leisure time, and instruct others in these mysteries. However, because one can very easily fall from proper studies, especially from physics and mathematics, into curiosity, some Magi, because they did not research nature diligently, but rather

(c) The famous Buddeus has noted in Element. Philos. Instrum. p. 21 that the Persian Magi are especially praised by authors because of their strict discipline, moderation, chastity, as well as their dedication to justice and other virtues, and no less for their contempt of outward worship and gold, their excellent experience in civil matters, and their skill in managing the government.