The third and last Book of Magick,
or Occult Philosophy; written by
Henry Cornelius Agrippa.
Book III.
Chapter i. Of the necessity, power, and profit of Religion.
Ow it is time to turn our pen to higher matters, and to that part of Magick which teacheth
us to know and perfectly understand the rules of Religion, and how we ought to obtain
the truth by Divine Religion, and how rightly to prepare our mind and spirit, by which
only we can comprehend the truth; for it is a common opinion of the Magicians, that
unless the mind and spirit be in good case, the body cannot be in good health: But then a
man to be truly sound when body and soul are so coupled, and agree together, that the
firmness of the mind and spirit be not inferior to the powers of the body; But a firm and
stout mind (saith Hermes) can we not otherwise obtain, than by integrity of life, by piety,
and last of all, by Divine Religion: for holy Religion purgeth the mind, and maketh it
Divine, it helpeth nature, and strengtheneth naturall powers, as a Physitian [physician]
helpeth the health of the body, and a Husbandman the strength of the earth. Whosoever
therefore, Religion being laid aside, do consider only in naturall things, are wont very oft
to be deceived by evill spirits; but from the knowledge of Religion, the contempt and cure
of vices ariseth, and a safeguard against evil spirits; To conclude, nothing is more
pleasant and acceptable to God than a man perfectly pious, and truly Religious, who so
far excelleth other men, as he himself is distant from the Immortall gods. Therefore we
ought, being first purged, to offer and commend our selves to divine piety and Religion;
and then our senses being asleep, with a quiet mind to expect that Divine Ambrosian
Nectar (Nectar I say, which Zachary the prophet calleth Wine making maids merry)
praising and adoring that supercelestiiall Bacchus, the chiefest ruler of the gods and
priests, the author of regeneration, whom the old poets sang was twice born, from whom
rivers most