Book contents
Chapter 6
from Question 2
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 August 2015
Summary
AS was discussed above, sorceresses can inflict every kind of bodily illness, which makes it necessary to conclude as a general rule that whatever remedy consisting of words or other works can be used for the illnesses noted above are also suitable for any illnesses not expressly mentioned in the foregoing (for instance when epilepsy or leprosy has been inflicted), and since lawful exorcisms are considered to be among the remedies consisting of words, exorcism was mentioned as a general cure. Three basic questions should be taken into consideration with regards to exorcism. The first is whether someone not holding the Order of being an Exorcist, like a layman (secular person), can lawfully exorcize demons or a demon's acts of sorcery. In this connection three other questions are added. The first is how exorcisms are lawful. The second is a treatment of the seven conditions that are necessary for someone to be able to carry chants and blessings with him. The third is how a disease|is to be exorcized and the demon conjured away. The second basic question is what is to be done when the Grace of health is not obtained through exorcisms. The third is a discussion of remedies consisting not of words but of works, together with solutions to certain arguments.
As for the first. The following is the view of Doctor Thomas in Commentary on Pronouncements, Bk. 4, Dist. 23 [actually, Sent. 4.24.2.2.Ra9]. “In connection with the Order of being an Exorcist and of other minor orders, power is received when these orders are conferred, so that on the basis of the office someone can perform this or that function, for instance the performance of exorcisms.
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- The Hammer of WitchesA Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum, pp. 443 - 462Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009