Hist. 4.
Moreover the King of Samback (he saith) did one time tell our Kinsman Samuel Blomart, that these kind of Satyres, especially the Males in the Iland of Borneo, have so great boldness of mind and such a strong compaction of Muscles, that they have often forceably set upon armed men; and not only upon the weak sex of Women and Girls; with the flagrant desire of which they are so inflamed, that catching them often they abuse them. For they are highly prone to lust (which is common to these, with the lustful Satyres of the ancients) yea sometimes so keen and salacious, that therefore the Indian Women do eschew the Woods and Groves as worse than a Dog or a Snake; in which these impudent animals do lie hid. And that this lascivious animal is found in the Eastern Mountains of India; as also in Africa, between Sierra, Liona, and the Promontory of the Mountain, where (perhaps) were those places where Plinius lib. 5. cap. 5. affirmeth that upon the nights there was seen to shine frequent Fires of the Ægipanes, and to abound with the lasciviousness of the Satyres, who do love craggy Dens and Caves, and shun the society of mankind, being a salacious, hairy, four-footed Creature, with human shape and a crooked nose. But that the foot of this Creature neither hath hoofs nor the body every where hairs, but only the head, shoulders and back. The rest of the parts are smooth, and the Ears are not sharp.”
Enq. into vulg. err. l. 5. p. 271.
So that from hence it is undeniably true, that there are such Creatures existent in nature, and have been either taken for Devils or the Apparitions of Demons in this shape of Satyres, as Doctor Brown hath well observed in these words: “A conceit there is (he saith) that the Devil commonly appeareth with a cloven foot or hoof, wherein although it seem excessively ridiculous, there may be somewhat of truth; and the ground thereof at first might be his frequent appearing in the shape of a Goat, which answers that description. This was the opinion of ancient Christians concerning the Apparitions of Pans, Fauns and Satyres, and in this form we read of one that appeared unto Antony in the Wilderness. The same is also confirmed from expositions of holy Scripture; for whereas it is said; Thou shalt not offer unto Devils, the original word is Sehhirim, that is rough and hairy Goats, because in that shape the Devil most often appeared, as is expounded by the Rabbins, as Tremellius hath also explained.”
But saving the reputation of learned Saint Hierome and Dr Brown, it is but a supposition unproved that ever the Devil appeared in the shape of a Goat, the rise of the opinion was only because the Devil was worshipped in an Idol made in the shape of a Goat.
Enquir. into vulg. errors. l. 4. c. 11. p. 207.
Mund. Subter. l. 8 Sect. 4. c. 4. p. 101.
Idea Idear. operatr. c. 6.
Hist. 5.
Demonstr. Thes. p. 679.