PRELIMINARY DEFINITION OF MAGIC.
LEMEGETON VEL CLAVICULA SALOMONIS REGIS.
Magic is the Highest, most Absolute, and most Divine Knowledge of Natural
Philosophy,7 advanced in its works and wonderful operations by a right
understanding of the inward and occult virtue of things; so that true Agents8 being
applied to proper Patients,9 strange and admirable effects will thereby be produced.
Whence magicians are profound and diligent searchers into Nature; they, because of
their skill, know how to anticipate an effort,10 the which to the vulgar shall seem to
be a miracle.
Origen saith that the Magical Art doth not contain anything subsisting, but
although it should, yet that it must not be Evil, or subject to contempt or scorn; and
doth distinguish the Natural Magic from that which is Diabolical.
Apollonius Tyannaeus only exercised the Natural Magic, by the which he did
perform wonderful things.
Philo Hebraeus saith that true Magic, by which we do arrive at the understanding
of the Secret Works of Nature, is so far from being contemptible that the greatest
Monarchs and Kings have studied it. Nay! among the Persians none might reign
unless he was skilful in this GREAT ART.
This Noble Science often degenerateth, from Natural becometh Diabolical, and
from True Philosophy turneth unto Nigromancy.11 The which is wholly to be charged
upon its followers, who, abusing or not being capable of that High and Mystical
Knowledge do immediately hearken unto the temptations of Sathan, and are misled
by him into the Study of the Black Art. Hence it is that Magic lieth under disgrace,
and they who seek after it are vulgarly esteemed Sorcerers.
The Fraternity of the Rosie Crusians thought it not fit to style themselves
Magicians, but rather Philosophers. And they be not ignorant Empiricks12 2 but
learned and experienced Physicians, whose remedies be not only Lawful but Divine.