ve
initiatory ceremony, which we have given at length in consequence of its
singularity. There existed a community or commonwealth, of "fallen
angels" or spirits, with the various titles of kings, dukes, &c.,
prelates and knights, of which the head was _Baal_, "who, when he was
conjured up, appeared with three heads, one like a man, one like a toad,
and one like a cat." The title of king conferred no extra power; indeed,
_Agares_, "the first duke, came in the likeness of a faire old man,
riding upon a crocodile, and carrying a hawk on his fist"--_Marbas_, who
appeared in the form of a "mightie lion"--_Amon_, "a great and mightie
marques, who came abroad in the likeness of a wolf, having a serpent's
taile, and breathing out and spitting flames of fire," and was one of
the "best and kindest of devills," with sixty-five more of these
master-spirits, enumerated in _Scot_, "appeared to be entirely and
exclusively appropriated to the service of witches," were alike
possessed of nearly similar power, and had many hundreds of legions of
devils (each legion 6,666 in number) at their command.

There were stated times for each rank of devils to be called on, for
they aught not to be invoked "rashly or at all seasons;" and the
following extracts from Reginald Scot are fully explanatory of the
formalities to be observed on these occasions:--

"_The houres wherein the principal devills may be raised.--_A king may
be raised from the third houre till noone, and from the ninth hour till
evening. Dukes may be raised from the first hour till noon, and clear
weather is to be observed. Marquesses may be raised from the ninth hour
till compline, and from compline till the end of day. Countes, or
earles, may be raised at any hour of the day, so it be in the woodes or
fieldes, where men resort not. Prelates likewise may be raised at any
houre of the day. A president may not be raised at any hour of the day,
except the king, whom he obeyeth, be invocated; nor at the shutting in
of the evening. Knights from day-dawning till sun-rising, or from
even-song till sun-set.

"_The forme of adjuring and citing the spirits aforesaid to
appeare_.--When you will have any spirit, you must knowe his name and
office; you must also fast and be cleane from all pollution three or
foure days before; so will the spirit be more obedient unto you. Then
make a circle, and call up the spirit with great intention, rehearse in
your owne name, and your companion's, (f