Dissertation on the Natural Knowledge of Angelic Existence

Furthermore, that agitated humors cannot generate the speech of a language previously unknown is also clear from the fact that words and names signify not naturally, but by institution original: "περὶ ἑρμην" (On Interpretation by Aristotle). Whence it remains fixed that those actions which are brought forth by the possessed draw their origin from nowhere else than from demons; nor, as Bodinus also admits (α), is there a more certain argument regarding those whom the Devil possesses than that they speak in various languages which they have never learned.

§. XIV.

Furthermore, there are pacts and those who make pacts with the Devil, witches original: "Sagæ", and familiar spirits. Regarding 1: that there exist such malignant humans who for a certain time make a pact with the Devil, the sworn enemy of the human race, both experience and examples consigned to the monuments of trustworthy writers do not allow one to doubt. These are diligently pursued by Delrio (α), Remigius (β), and Bodinus (γ), who says that humans of every kind have been Satan's magicians. Moreover, that pacts of this kind have something of truth in them and are entered into with the Devil can also be taught by that tragic and horrible outcome which sometimes follows these associates of the Devil. For unless they themselves, moved by the stings of their own conscience, confess their crime and make a disclosure of the deed they have perpetrated in time, they are torn apart, lacerated, and miserably perish by their confederate himself at the appointed time. And who would believe that this could be performed by some separated soul? Certainly, these and those very effects which magicians and witches produce, by bringing the greatest damage and inducing death to humans and beasts, acknowledge no other cause than evil demons, since it is not permitted to ascribe these things to the powers of souls, as these things far exceed their powers, and it was said above that for them to be effected by the latter is repugnant to Divine justice. What, however, those powers of souls