Compendium of the Art of Exorcism

...to describe them with the darkness of my words, adding light to the sun, I believe I would cause laughter, or at least provide a very great occasion to be deemed reckless. So, setting aside both of these duties; now, sending forth this little book on the subject of Demons original: "Demoni". The author, Girolamo Menghi, was one of the most influential exorcists of the 16th century. and Spells original: "Malefici"; this refers to harmful magic, sorcery, or the supernatural means by which demons afflict humans., driven truly by the desire to be of use, I dedicate it to you, and I aspire for it to go forth adorned and enriched by your name; it appearing to me not only fitting on my part that my labors original: "sudori", literally "sweats"; a common Renaissance metaphor for the intense effort of writing and study. be addressed to my Patron and Protector, but also that on the part of the book itself—it being nothing other than an armory (so to speak) against the assaults of the Devil and his ministers—it is further fitting that it should not fall into any other hands than those of a most great and principal soldier of CHRIST, and a Prince not only in temporal matters of vast states, but in spiritual matters as well for a great part of the Christian militia original: "Christiana militia"; a concept describing the Church and its members as an army in a perpetual spiritual war against evil.; praying you...