Devils assuming to themselves Human Shapes, in the opinion of Ancient
Writers, may abuse both Men and Women, and with wicked People use carnal
Copulation. St. _Austin_ yields to this Notion, and that Generation may
thereby be effected; but his Opinion was grounded more upon the
depositions of Melancholly superstitious Persons, than from any
demonstrable Proofs; and 'tis impossible that such an unnatural
Conjunction can produce a humane Creature, though some will have it that
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.
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