Tractus de Hermaphrodites - Or, A Treatise of Hermaphrodites by Giles Jacob
page 41 of 47 (87%)
page 41 of 47 (87%)
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it may, and that his Malice shall be a Sign of his Extraction.
The _Rabbins_ beleived that the _Silvani_, _Pans_ and _Fauni_, call'd _Incubus's_ and the _Tutelar_ Gods, were Creatures left imperfect the first _Friday_ Evening, and not finish'd by God, as being prevented by the ensuing Sabbath; for this reason they alledg'd, these Spirits love Mountains and dark Places only, and never appear but in the Night time: And the _Incubus's_ not only Court and desire to Caress Women, but have actually Caress'd them. _Hierenimus Cardanus_ writes of a Maid which was got with Child by a Devil, she thinking it had been a fair young Man who had Enjoy'd her; and some Witches fancy they have been at the Sabbath, and Caress'd by the Devil, whose Privy Parts were full of Bristles, Scaly, and the Seed cold as Ice; but this has proceeded only from a distracted Brain: Besides we learn from Scripture that Devils being pure Spirits, are quite different Substances from those of Men. That they have neither Flesh nor Blood, nor Privities, and consequently no Seed for Generation. That though they sometimes assume Bodies, these Bodies are only form'd of Air, and do not Live, neither can they exercise the Operations of Life: That having no occasion to hope for Posterity, as being Eternal and Unhappy, they cannot be suppos'd to be desirous of perpetuating their Species or to take pleasure in the Embraces of Women. The Stories of Women having Commerce with Devils, are very Fabulous, and proceed chiefly from Dreams and Nocturnal Illusions; a Lecherous and Melancholly Woman seiz'd with the Night Mare, may verily beleive that the Devil Caresses her; especially if her Fancy is taken up with Tales of Witches. _Leo Africanus_ tells us, That what is attributed to Devils, is committed by Lascivious Men, and Lecherous Women, who |
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