Several Tracts Pertaining to the Archidoxa

much held to, until now with their ignorance they have attributed all possibility to themselves alone, more than to prayer and faith. Which is quite an assumed and damned foundation, where no one should have status or place, but should be seriously abolished and punished by the authorities. And even though the conjuration might be able to do and accomplish something in itself, it should not be used by any Christian, for they are against God, His word, and law, and against the light of nature. And nothing right or truthful can be gained from the spirits with it, or compel them or overcome them. However, they often appear with great pomp or terrify, but are not overcome by it, which may only happen through faith. Such a Nigromonticus necromancer I say, who wants to accomplish everything through conjuration and thereby call the spirits, compel them to what he wants, is like a thief or murderer in the forest, the same murderer, as long as God permits him, and no longer.

Now when the hour and time is there that his misdeed should be made manifest, now he attacks it wisely or with advantage, surveys the bulwark; thus the same murderer murders the murderer, or is otherwise made manifest by him, so that he becomes part of the executioner's portion, who gives him his deserved wage. Thus also it is to be understood with a thief; the same steals, breaks, and grabs, until the loop of the rope grips him, and is thus hanged in it. In the same way, it also happens to a Nigromanticum necromancer; the same calls, conjures, tortures, and torments the spirits as long with his curses as God permits and watches him. Now, however, when his hour is there, and the time brings the roses (as they say), he surveys the bulwark, fails in the conjuration, does not make the Circul circle right, as the spirits often say: you have not made the circle right, you have not chastised yourself rightly, your Sigel Salomonis Seal of Solomon are false, or your pantacula pantacles. Therefore, take now from me the lashes. Thus he is paid with hard cash that one has long owed him and should have paid long ago, and is well finished off by the spirit