Lives of the Necromancers | Page 9

oracles accordingly
reached to so high a degree of reputation, that, as Cicero observes, no
expedition for a long time was undertaken, no colony sent out, and
often no affair of any distinguished family or individual entered on,
without the previously obtaining their judgment and sanction. Their
authority in a word was so high, that the first fathers of the Christian
church could no otherwise account for a reputation thus universally
received, than by supposing that the devils were permitted by God
Almighty to inform the oracles with a more than human prescience,
that all the world might be concluded in idolatry and unbelief, [3] and
the necessity of a Saviour be made more apparent. The gullibility of
man is one of the most prominent features of our nature. Various
periods and times, when whole nations have as it were with one
consent run into the most incredible and the grossest absurdities,
perpetually offer themselves in the page of history; and in the records
of remote antiquity it plainly appears that such delusions continued
through successive centuries.
THE DESIRE TO COMMAND AND CONTROL FUTURE EVENTS.
Next to the consideration of those measures by which men have sought
to dive into the secrets of future time, the question presents itself of
those more daring undertakings, the object of which has been by some
supernatural power to control the future, and place it in subjection to
the will of the unlicensed adventurer. Men have always, especially in

ages of ignorance, and when they most felt their individual weakness,
figured to themselves an invisible strength greater than their own; and,
in proportion to their impatience, and the fervour of their desires, have
sought to enter into a league with those beings whose mightier force
might supply that in which their weakness failed.
COMMERCE WITH THE INVISIBLE WORLD.
It is an essential feature of different ages and countries to vary
exceedingly in the good or ill construction, the fame or dishonour,
which shall attend upon the same conduct or mode of behaviour. In
Egypt and throughout the East, especially in the early periods of history,
the supposed commerce with invisible powers was openly professed,
which, under other circumstances, and during the reign of different
prejudices, was afterwards carefully concealed, and barbarously hunted
out of the pale of allowed and authorised practice. The Magi of old,
who claimed a power of producing miraculous appearances, and
boasted a familiar intercourse with the world of spirits, were regarded
by their countrymen with peculiar reverence, and considered as the first
and chiefest men in the state. For this mitigated view of such dark and
mysterious proceedings the ancients were in a great degree indebted to
their polytheism. The Romans are computed to have acknowledged
thirty thousand divinities, to all of whom was rendered a legitimate
homage; and other countries in a similar proportion.
SORCERY AND ENCHANTMENT.
In Asia, however, the Gods were divided into two parties, under
Oromasdes, the principle of good, and Arimanius, the principle of evil.
These powers were in perpetual contention with each other, sometimes
the one, and sometimes the other gaining the superiority. Arimanius
and his legions were therefore scarcely considered as entitled to the
homage of mankind. Those who were actuated by benevolence, and
who desired to draw down blessings upon their fellow-creatures,
addressed themselves to the principle of good; while such unhappy
beings, with whom spite and ill-will had the predominance, may be
supposed often to have invoked in preference the principle of evil.
Hence seems to have originated the idea of sorcery, or an appeal by
incantations and wicked arts to the demons who delighted in mischief.
These beings rejoiced in the opportunity of inflicting calamity and
misery on mankind. But by what we read of them we might be induced

to suppose that they were in some way restrained from gratifying their
malignant intentions, and waited in eager hope, till some mortal
reprobate should call out their dormant activity, and demand their aid.
Various enchantments were therefore employed by those unhappy
mortals whose special desire was to bring down calamity and plagues
upon the individuals or tribes of men against whom their animosity was
directed. Unlawful and detested words and mysteries were called into
action to conjure up demons who should yield their powerful and
tremendous assistance. Songs of a wild and maniacal character were
chaunted. Noisome scents and the burning of all unhallowed and
odious things were resorted to. In later times books and formulas of a
terrific character were commonly employed, upon the reading or recital
of which the prodigies resorted to began to display themselves. The
heavens were darkened; the thunder rolled; and fierce and blinding
lightnings flashed from one corner of the heavens to the other. The
earth quaked and rocked from side to side. All monstrous and