240206Natural Hiſtory;
If there be any power in Imagination, it is leſs credible that it ſhould
11950. be ſo incorporcal and immateriate a Virtue, as to work at great diſtances, or
through all Mediums, or upon all Bodies; but that the diſtance muſt be com-
petent, the Medium not adverſe, and the Body apt and proportionate.
Therefore if there be any operation upon Bodies in abſence by Nature, it
is like to be conveyed ſrom Man to Man, as Fame is: As if a Witch by Imagi-
nation ſhould hurt any afar off, it cannot be naturally, but by working upon
the Spirit of ſome that cometh to the Witch, and from that party upon the
Imagination of another, and ſo upon another, till it come to one that hath
reſort to the party intended; and ſo by him, to the party intended himſelf.
And although they ſpeak, that it ſufficeth to take a Point, or a piece of the
Garment, or the Name of the party, or the like; yet there is leſs credit to
be given to thoſe things, except it be by working of evil ſpirits.
11950. be ſo incorporcal and immateriate a Virtue, as to work at great diſtances, or
through all Mediums, or upon all Bodies; but that the diſtance muſt be com-
petent, the Medium not adverſe, and the Body apt and proportionate.
Therefore if there be any operation upon Bodies in abſence by Nature, it
is like to be conveyed ſrom Man to Man, as Fame is: As if a Witch by Imagi-
nation ſhould hurt any afar off, it cannot be naturally, but by working upon
the Spirit of ſome that cometh to the Witch, and from that party upon the
Imagination of another, and ſo upon another, till it come to one that hath
reſort to the party intended; and ſo by him, to the party intended himſelf.
And although they ſpeak, that it ſufficeth to take a Point, or a piece of the
Garment, or the Name of the party, or the like; yet there is leſs credit to
be given to thoſe things, except it be by working of evil ſpirits.
The Experiments which may certainly demonſtrate the power of Imagi-
nation upon other Bodies, are few or none; for the Experiments of Witchcraft
are no clear proofs, for that they may be by a tacite operation of malign
Spirits; we ſhall therefore be forced in this Inquiry, to reſort to new Ex-
periments, wherein we can give onely Directions of Tryals, and not any Poſi-
tive Experiments. And if any man think that we ought to have ſtaid till we
had made Experiment of ſome of them our ſelves, (as we do commonly in
other Titles) the truth is, that theſe Effects of Imagination upon other Bodies,
have ſo little credit with us, as we ſhall try them at leiſure: But in the mean
time we will lead others the way.
nation upon other Bodies, are few or none; for the Experiments of Witchcraft
are no clear proofs, for that they may be by a tacite operation of malign
Spirits; we ſhall therefore be forced in this Inquiry, to reſort to new Ex-
periments, wherein we can give onely Directions of Tryals, and not any Poſi-
tive Experiments. And if any man think that we ought to have ſtaid till we
had made Experiment of ſome of them our ſelves, (as we do commonly in
other Titles) the truth is, that theſe Effects of Imagination upon other Bodies,
have ſo little credit with us, as we ſhall try them at leiſure: But in the mean
time we will lead others the way.
When you work by the Imagination of another, it is neceſſary that he by
22951. whom you work have a precedent opinion of you that you can do ſtrange
things, or that you are a Man of Art, as they call it; for elſe the ſimple affir-
mation to another, that this or that ſhall be, can work but a weak impreſſion
in his Imagination.
22951. whom you work have a precedent opinion of you that you can do ſtrange
things, or that you are a Man of Art, as they call it; for elſe the ſimple affir-
mation to another, that this or that ſhall be, can work but a weak impreſſion
in his Imagination.
It were good, becauſe you caunot diſcern fully of the ſtrength of Ima-
33952. gination in one Man, more then another, that you did uſe the Imagination
of more then one, that ſo you may light upon a ſtrong one. As if a Phyſician
ſhould tell three or four of his Patients ſervants that their Maſter ſhall ſurely
recover.
33952. gination in one Man, more then another, that you did uſe the Imagination
of more then one, that ſo you may light upon a ſtrong one. As if a Phyſician
ſhould tell three or four of his Patients ſervants that their Maſter ſhall ſurely
recover.
The Imagination of one that you ſhall uſe (ſuch is the variety of Mens
44953. mindes) cannot be always alike conſtant and ſtrong; and if the ſucceſs follow
not ſpeedily, it will faint and loſe ſtrength. To remedy this, you muſt pretend
to him whoſe Imagination you uſe ſeveral degrees of Means by which to
operate: As to preſcribe him, that every three days, if he finde not the ſuc-
ceſs apparent, he do uſe another Root, or part of a Beaſt, or Ring, & c. as be-
ing of more force; and if that ſail, another; and if that, another, till ſeven
times. Alſo you muſt preſcribe a good large time for the effect you promiſe;
as if you ſhould tell a ſervant of a ſick man, that his Maſter ſhall recover, but
it will be fourteen days ere he findeth it apparently, & c. All this to entertain
the Imagination, that it waver leſs.
44953. mindes) cannot be always alike conſtant and ſtrong; and if the ſucceſs follow
not ſpeedily, it will faint and loſe ſtrength. To remedy this, you muſt pretend
to him whoſe Imagination you uſe ſeveral degrees of Means by which to
operate: As to preſcribe him, that every three days, if he finde not the ſuc-
ceſs apparent, he do uſe another Root, or part of a Beaſt, or Ring, & c. as be-
ing of more force; and if that ſail, another; and if that, another, till ſeven
times. Alſo you muſt preſcribe a good large time for the effect you promiſe;
as if you ſhould tell a ſervant of a ſick man, that his Maſter ſhall recover, but
it will be fourteen days ere he findeth it apparently, & c. All this to entertain
the Imagination, that it waver leſs.
It is certain, that potions or things taken into the Body, Incenſes and
55954. Perfumes taken at the Noſtrils, and oyntments of ſome parts, do (naturally)
work upon the Imagination of him that taketh them. And therefore it muſt
needs greatly cooperate with the Imagination of him whom you uſe, if you
preſcribe him, before he do uſe the Receit for the Work which he deſireth,
that he do take ſuch a Pill, or a ſpoonful of Liquor, or burn ſuch an Incenſe,
or anoint his Temples, or the Soles of his Feet, with ſuch an Oyntment or
Oyl: And you muſt chuſe for the Compoſition of ſuch Pill, Perfume,
55954. Perfumes taken at the Noſtrils, and oyntments of ſome parts, do (naturally)
work upon the Imagination of him that taketh them. And therefore it muſt
needs greatly cooperate with the Imagination of him whom you uſe, if you
preſcribe him, before he do uſe the Receit for the Work which he deſireth,
that he do take ſuch a Pill, or a ſpoonful of Liquor, or burn ſuch an Incenſe,
or anoint his Temples, or the Soles of his Feet, with ſuch an Oyntment or
Oyl: And you muſt chuſe for the Compoſition of ſuch Pill, Perfume,
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