On the Illusions of Demons

PREFACE CONCERNING THE argument of the whole work.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'R' featuring elaborate scrolling foliage and floral patterns within a square frame.

I confess indeed that I have undertaken an arduous task, and one entirely exceeding the strength of my own insignificance, since I dare to step onto the stage and struggle with deceitful spirits, specters (laruae): Malevolent spirits or ghosts of the dead in Roman mythology, and the masters of this world. For they have so many incomprehensible ways of deceiving, and hidden tunnels and secret retreats for escaping, by which—on account of the subtlety of their essence, the speed of their movement, the experience of a very long life, and the perversity of their will—they elude our earthly density far and wide, so that with whatever reasons you attack them, you clearly see that you have been cheated.

Although I do not deny these things are true, I have nevertheless been nourished in a different school and instructed by different teachers than the pagan Plato among his superstitious Egyptians and original: "uates Memphiticos" — Prophets from the Egyptian city of Memphis, then considered a center of occult wisdom Memphite prophets, or Proclus with his Marcus, a client of demons.

Acts 9.

From the counsel of Saint Paul—that chosen vessel (uasis electi): A biblical title for St. Paul, indicating he was a tool chosen by God and undefeated boxer against spiritual deceits in the heavenly places—I have seized with the firmest hands of indubitable faith the doctrine of the

Philippians 2.

Creator of heaven and earth and all things that are in them, and the word of Christ (in whose name the knees of

Ephesians 6.

these spirits are bent, and they themselves are put to flight swifter than a word), which is indeed the two-edged sword of the spirit. I am about to test what I can achieve with the ray of divine light and the engines of reason, standing in the light against the rulers of the darkness of this world, especially in that kind of fraud by which they have hitherto cast such thick mists over the eyes of men: so that