Jacques Gaffarel

“ The Hebrew word Maguen, though it signifie a Scutcheon, or any other thing, noted with Hebrew Characters, the Vertue whereof is like to that of a Scutcheon : and although these Characters, according to the Opinion of those that are most versed in these Theologicall Mysteries, are some kind of Imperfect Images ; yet notwithstanding the word in this place is not properly taken for an Image that is Graven, carved, or painted ; because that the Jewes, in making any such, should have sinned against the Commandement : Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any graven Image. ”

“ What Planets were accounted benigne, by the Ancient Hebrewes. What Ceremony the new-married man used, toward his bride. This Astrology of the Ancients is proved out of the Holy Scriptures. Reasons which prove, that נר Gad (which was the name of one of the Sonnes of Jacob,) is the Planet Jupiter. The Ægyptians the first that corrupted this Astrology. It is false notwithstanding, that they were the Inventors of the Characters of the Planets. Fables introduced into Astrology, by the Greeks. ”

“ The Jewes falsly accused of burning their Children to the Idol Moloc. Whence the custome of leaping over the fire of Saint John, hath been derived. They that publish to the world any new, and Unheard-of Doctrine, that they may give it the greater Authority, and make it passe with the more credit, shew first of all the Integrity of the Man, that was the first Inventor of it : that so, the good opinion that is conceived of the Author, may take away all suspicion, or jealousie, from the things that shall be delivered. ”

“ The Secret discovered, why a Scorpion, applied to the wound made by a Scorpion sting, should not hurt rather, then cure it. Of the Figures of Plants, that represent all the parts of the body of a man ; and that cure the same, when ill-affected. ”

“ That Idolatry is falsly said to have sprung from the Astrology of the Ancients. Whether, or no, the Ancient Hebrewes made use of any Mathematicall Instrument in their Astrology : and what the figure of their Instruments was. ”

“ Authors that have treated of Ridiculous Subjects, without being reproved. The books of the Jews lesse dangerous, then these of the Heathens, which yet are allowed by the Christian Fathers. The Feast that God is to make for the Elect, with the flesh of a Whale, how to be understood. Ten things created on the Even before the Sabboth, and what they were. The Opinions of the Ancient, and Modern writers, touching the end of the world ; what Fathers of the Church have been of the Jews opinion in this Particular. ”

“ The vertue of the Stars descends as well upon a Living Scorpion, as upon its Image. The forcible reasons brought by Galeottus, in defence of Talismans. The Objection, brought against Franciscus Rueus, answered. The Story of Virgils Talismanicall Fly, and Horseleech a true one ; against Naudæus. Gervais his booke not fabulous ; as is commonly believed. Of some Admirable, and curious Inventions of men, that seem more Incredible, then Talismans. ”

“ But to leave these men to enjoy their owne Ignorance, and referring these Considerations to some other time, we shall only in this place prove, (against all those that have condemned them,) that the making of these Figures we here speak of, is Lawfull ; and the Power they have, is Naturall, Constant, and Certaine. In the first place therefore let us consider their Name.
2. They are called in Hebrew מגן‎ Maguen, that is to say, a Scutcheon, or Sheild: in Chaldie, Ægyptian, and Persian, צלמניא‎ Tsilmenaia, which signifies a Figure, or Image : in Arabicke תלצמם‎ Talisman, or צלמם‎ Tsalimam ”

“ The Holiest things are often mixt with Fables. The strange Fancies, and Falshoods of Duret, touching the Spirits of the Planets ; and touching the Astrologicall Cabale of the Jewes. The Fooleries of Carlo Fabri, in his assigning of the Angels, proper to the Seven Electors of the Empire. ”

“ And since we are fallen upon the Italians, have not Aurelius Augurellus, and Pantheus, both Priests, the one a Venetian, the other a Tarvisian, delivered the Fooleries of the Philosophers Stone, the one in his Chrysopæa, and the other in his Voarchadumia ? Marsilius Ficinus also, a Priest, how full of Superstition are his writings : yea what Superstition is there in the World, that he hath not published to open View ? Antonius Bernardus Mirandulanus, Bishop of Caserte, hath, after his example, maintained a world of things, cleane contrary to our Religion, in his book, De singulari certamine. ”

“ There is nothing in the whole businesse of Philosophy, that hath more perplexed our New Philosophers, then this Subject, concerning Images, or Figures, made under some certaine Constellations. Th greatest part of them therefore have rejected the Practice of these Operations, as Vaines, and Superstitious : yet some others, who are not so overswayed with Passion, have both allowed, and defended it ”

“ The Arguments against Astrology, ill grounded. And how, by the wayes of Nature, it is possible to give judgment of the Good, or Evill Fortune, of a Child. The Resolution of Thomas Aquinas, in the behalfe of Astrology. ”

“ The correcting of ἐνδελέχεια rejected, against Cicero. It is falsely concluded out of Aristotle, that Fire is moist ; against du Villon. That Aristotle is abused by interpretors, by reason of their not understanding the force of the word θεȣς ”

“ I take in very good part what Advertisements soever are given me : neither doe I account my selfe so knowing, but that I shall be very ready to learne of any man : they are fooles only, and vainglorious, that refuse to be taught ; and the Ignorant only say, They know all. As for my part, Courteous Reader, use me but friendly, and I shall require nothing else.
If thou thinke it strange, that a man of the Church, as I am, should adventure on so bold, and daring a Subject, as this seems to be ; consider, I pray thee, that many of my Profession have put forth things much more bold then these ”

“ The Reasons they give, who are of opinion, that these things are Supernaturall. Reasons given to the Contrary. Angels, and Saints, how they have sometimes been seen to appeare in the Clouds. A new, and quaint opinion, touching the divers kinds of figures that appeare in the Clouds : and a conjecture upon the Secret, mentioned by Trithemius, of conveying Newes a great distance off. The Author's Resolution, concerning Strange Sights in the Aire. The Raining of Blood, in the Figure of a Crosse, not Naturall ”

“ The Superstition of the Arabians, in the reading of some kinds of words. Their letters borrowed from the Hebrewes. The Hieroglyphicall Living creatures of the Ægyptians, placed in the Heavens, are not to serve for Letters. The Constellations Imperfect. What things are to be observed, that one may be able to read the Heavens. What the reason is, that New Stars often appeare, according to the Rabbins. A continued Enumeration of the severall Meanes that nust be used, for the rendering a man capable of this Reading. ”

“ The first is, their Idolatry ; which all Authors make them guilty of. The second is, their foolsih vanityes, that their books are full of. The third is, by reason of their blasphemies, they to this day vomit up against our Saviour Jesus Christ. ”

“ The Power of these Figures proved, by the power that Resemblance is known to have, in all Arts, and Sciences : and first in Divinity. Why the Ancients placed Images in their Temples. In Philosophy. Of the Power of Imagination. In Physicke. Of some Animals, Plants, and Graines, that doe good, and hurt, meerly by Resemblance. In Astrology. A Certaine meanes of foretelling Evils to come, by the Colour of the Meteors that appeare. In Physiognomy. The manner how to know the Naturall Inclination of any man, according to Campanella. ”

“ The xxxx custome of blaming the Ancients is noted. The Reasons brought against the Persians, and their Magicke, examined and found of no force. The Errors of the Counterset Berosus, Dinon, Comestor, Genebrard, Pierius, and Venetus, concerning Zoroaster. ”

“ In the Second Part, Chap. 4. pag. 86. where I render the Greek words, ψιλαἱς έπινίαῖς, by these French words, Menues Pensées, Little thoughts, I have translated the Greek word, ψιλαἱς as it ought to be understood, which signifies properly, Little, Delicate, and Small: as we call one of the Greek letters Ypsilon, that is to say, the little Y. Now the Second Thoughts are Small, Fine, and Delicate, because they consider things abstracted, and separated from matter ”

“ If any of these men chance to be in company, where there is any mention made of the most Able Scholers, or there be any Question started, concerning any of those Choyce Points of Learning, for which these men have been Deservedly ranked above the Herd of Vulgar Braines ”

“ If thou object, that these Curiosities, ought not therefore to be called, Unheard-of ; seeing that they have been handled by others : I answer, that the greatest part of them were Unheard-of, to Christians ”