>,\'ff^r ;. 'SLvur.'. f Ji./ j THEMIS AVKEA. THE y./r'/f-o-z LAWS OF THE TRATERNITY OF THE ROmatian of the World ^ as that tHore th^n one cannot be forded t&fiand as a Golden Candlejlick^ A 2 for The Epiftic for the holding forth that Lu- cerna Dei to thefonr ofmettyby the light whereof the mojl fe clnfed Myfieries , both naturah and di'vine^may in fome mea fur^ ( fnch as is fit form tc k^orp while we remain in theft earthly tabernacles)be difcofve* red to thofe diligent dN humbl feekers who mal{c it their bn finefi to fearch after the hjtow ledge oftheCreator in the work^ his hands ha^e madc^ T^hat this was the princi^ai end and defign of the divin goodnejiin bejiowing yonrfelf upon the worldy we are full con'vinced by thofe Scintilla tions which our eyes ^^im c they are)havefeen darted fro9 tin Dedicatory. that uxor folis which hath its hayitationinyowr breafi : and although n^e jhould bs frnjirate of our ends in the prefent de-^ fign^tkan happinejigreat enough that we have lived at fuch a timeydnd in fuch a place as hath given us the opportunity to kjtow and be ac^iuainted with a man in whofe bofome God hathfo abundantly Jiored up the treafures of all forts ofwifdom and kpovpledge. The main of our wijhes are that we may fo ac^ quit ourfelves as that you may hav0 no caufe to repent of thofe kindnejfes and refpeSis where-^ with you have orjhall honour Your fervants, T. S.S"' The Preface. THe Goddefs 7he/^js after the Deluge be\ng asked of Deu- calion and Vyrrha^ how Man- kind fwept away with the over* flowing of the Waters^fhould again be reftored and multiplied , com- manded them to throw over their heads the Bones of their Great Mother : the which Oracle they rightly interpreted concerning the ftonesof the Earth , and thereby attained their delired end 5 For which caufe 'ihemis was afterwards accounted the firfi Promulgatrix of Laws. But without doubt Her anfwer was not thus underftood by the ancient Poet^^ who fuppofed that (he rather meant that Man- kind was generated by two ftones^ the Male, and the Female, whence proceeds the wonderful! multipli- cation The Preface. «atioii of that Golden Medicine • For the Man Denea ion , and ^ ^ Wife Fyrrha are the GabrifiyT and tria^ the Sun and the Mcun ., v/hich two by projeftion of thdr Speci- fick ftones can multiply evta to ?. thoufand, Tyrrha within h luddy^ not unlike the colour of Ficlh , al- though Her outward garmento zz': white 3 and fome have named Her according to her cloathing : Den- calion h a Lyon, not in body^ but fpiritually, notinfliape^ butope^. ration , becaufe He is fo cruel! ro his Wife that he kils her^ and thca bewraps her with hib bloody man- tle. But very few have attained the true knowledge of the Cracle^ fincemoft men apprehend it to be only an Hiftory , and thence draw fooie wholfome Morals^ which 'hz\t have no place , neither were they ever intended. And now this Title is vindicative] X//&. why we call it lYitGolden ih which I Dedicate to the Courteous Header. For feeing it is as much the Pro- perty of a man toreafon, andjudi- cioufly to determine^as it eflentially belongs to a bird to fly, or an horle to run and tra verfe the Fields 5 we would not impofe on any, or feem to deprive them of their native freedome by captivating any ones Judgement. Itisfaid of the whetftone, that being it felfe blunt, yet itftiarpens other things^ and though the Steele and flint have not aftually fire in them, yet being (truck again ft each other, they mutually fend forth fparkes ^ give me leave ( I pray thee) to apply. For if thou reapeft any profit hereby, I fliall think my felf to have been ferviceable. Be Candid and Farevpell^ Viris clarifsimis^fapientiC- fimis & vere Philolophis, ■* Fratribufq^ 'conjunftifiimis " li. C. S. P. D. Theod. Verax, Theophil. C::elnatus. CVm oculi nojiri Hnmum ^ 7errena qu£libet defpicicntes^ in Altnm "fauto fuhlati effem^ aciem coUeSis una radiis'^xerunt . ut Celum & Mihcra (in mintis fcnerrare^ ad ilia tdmen Jinc piacnlo collimare pojjint 5 etenim apud nos hand leve hahebaturfolatium^ intueri raptihs^d^ tnirari ea qu^ caper t nop licuit ; <^ fane ^mulatio tantum pa erat^eo non nijl impetn ferri , quo confultiUs ire met him us : penna nofira dnm bumilis prte pnlverem tnto exchaffet^ fed am- bitiofo iiiiofe admodum volatH ruindm ve^ reatnr^ caddt tamen w aqHiK ^ ut AU' dacf£ crimen eluat'-^immo cadat in a* ^uaf qtM folum longe Juftremintnt 5 adebut aHqnalis fucrit gloria lahi^ €^ quodam deficerimus Trinrnpho : fie meteor A cajk accenfa micant & ter- rorem drrfi iftcHtiuntpr£crptio. Vtrifm nos turn rietate , turn candors vefiro ianquam alio Hirinq\ expdnjts fuffnlti^ ^fi/pra Livorem fordid^ reptantem^ t^fupralnfcitidm inerti ponder e de - gravantenfy facile erigemns* gluidni igitnr ipfo in veftibulo fdU vam ejje rent auguremur ^ qnodcunqx^ enim judicium dc nobis ferdtis y idem emoUimcnto erit ^ fi hlandum 9 tnox facilcm gratnldhimHr Favorem^fi modo feverinr^qnanto magis miferi indite- mus^ tdnto amplior Benevolentix anfx conceditur. Etvobisnimium molejii y C^ nobis ingrati effemnsy (f ) capite ad c ale em hfidiern£ caufam quercU enarraremus^ ntcHtq-j tamen chn tuciturnitas aut fiultiti^ fiultitU fit judex ^autfuperbU^i^dmqh vitahjmus^ ne in Scyllam ineidantus antCharibdifn.Juvat igiiur(?ace ve" y?ri) totam ntiUria feriem hreviter percnrrere^ut inde quietem d^folanten fferefffUi jjiquidem aliquod inferivnii kvamcn eji £rumnas effutire. N^bis ferio fenfitantibus Philojo* fhiam a Scholis corruftam ejfe^ & qnotidie magis horrenda quam ipfa Africa parturire monjira^ illico terreri cdpimus 5 d^ illam dehinc traSare perhffrruifHUf 5 ecqais znim fni com^ pos pe3eri ferpentem admovehit , ut vivaciori pungat aculeo ^ ecquis ^pe^ ritnri inflar natatoris ) fallaci undi dttoli 0ptdbit ut celerim imum pet At ^ nt profundins immergatur? •irifiotelts^ uti & c quin X^ materiam cujutqi ^^^ ^ Bihliis eruamus^ nam plufquam verifimile eji Deumj qui liqnidHm iHudlSiatHra creavit id cptime proditurHM^ (iquk fcriptk hifce incubuerit^ brevi fciret a qua materia omne quod vivit^ tanquam tot riimli a mari fuam haufit originem ^ necnou in iUam ludente pauli/per und^L exont'* ratur. ^i pertinaciter negant qnofdam ejje vivos quos Dent felegit^ ut intimi :^^^ ntyjleria cognofcant^ fummam paritCr | Creatoris cur am toUunt^ qui nihil nobis ./^^ utile & necejfarium negabit. ^i enim ^^ totam univerfi machinam in humant- j,,^> generis ufum fabric at us efi^ turn infui- ^S ipfiuf gloriam^ turn in nostrum com* ^ moda ejus opera intelligt voluit s §lua* rmdam igitur mentes e ci^lo elnmina^ vii i 4 Ik vit3^ d^ cogitdtiones quidflane divhtuxfi medit antes indidU'-^captus fani nojier adeo hHwilis eji^Ht plurimajupra vires expenatur':, perpetkis torqueri jludiis^ ' foUtum non concedere oculis fdmnum^ ' penes ninfrnv^fed nijiradticxlejies in ' wente^ccendant diem^ipfis nox oritur f) vigiitis"-) ni(i Densfer'e infperato Juper^ ^ vettidt auxilio^ ipfe labor eji tantunt '' operojius otium. 'J Dens igitur Ter 0pt. Max. uti duo ^ mm^rnimdi origine creavit Lumina^ '^ mi bus omnia confptci ac tl/ujirari pof- '■' int^ it a quornndam animos tanta Luce iffudit^ut Selem ipfur/i^ Lunamq^ nh \^\ ium &cc(BcatiintHeantHr^ ut creaturis ritji 'ace ilia cuelejii pr£^nt^ et flofere eas t^ fficiant : it a Chaos literature ingto^ fc iofam evafitfabricam^ cesium in ter- asdefcendit^ ntrunq'-^ centrum femotii Mperjicic j'emet in con[peUum dedit^ et «i" \h£ adhuc majora^audemus dicer e ea uofdam non latere » Verum banc ejfe Societatem Vefiram inAui Dens oracula aperuit , ntultd funt a> a qus fH^M/ inducunt^ Hi credamus : Fro - ^ babiUus quidem ejl ilium Ecclefiie fu£ ^^^ potius miraudd Htec indulfurHm quhm a Ethtikis qui fcitftiUantem Nature Fa,-- I cem Soli accettdnnt^ d^ (iquando hux e . Ctelo ifs mieet^ magi s inde^ cos^utiunti^ rj quippe ochH tcnehris ferpetno verfati^'^- lAimm tampwrum minime fine detri^ c mento ferant : Handdubid Deuf iifdem « quibusfua myjieria libere donavit^ alia J^hit benefciapaHtbinferiora'^qui Lege . Vivifji' peritijJiMifunt^cenvenitetiatfp nt iUi Nature nonfint igna^i 5 qui dc^ ^ fiiq'^ in Domini admitttmiur condor-- , tium^ Ancilldt ejus eodem pact fi nut ' Familiar es. Alia fubinde Ratio eji quia admo^ a. dum pauciefits'j vulgus multitudo ejt, i fed rudify nocetq'-^ illi in alinm fpiranti ' propria moles^cum interim unus aut aU ' ter mira fc moveant agilitate^&fuperai ^' evadant ad auras : vilefcit porro quic^ . quid temerariis omnium manibus tra^ Satur 5 fagax igitur Natura divitiai ' wtimg Jim occult avit^ nhfordefccrenti ^^* iU ffajud habet & Ars penetralia^ iUhiv ')etend or ferviceablf to each other, were to be embraced. She therefore taught them ta live ;ulHy and contentedly,* to (hun vio- lence, in;uries and robbery , that they fhould ask nothing of the gods ( as Feftus obferves ) but what (hould favour of ho- nefty and Religion, or otherwrfe that their prayers would have no good ifTue, She furthermore faid that the great God did look down upon the earth, and view the aft ion's of men, whether good or evil 5 poi andthathefevercly punifted the wicked Jnd for their iniquity with eternal punidi- ment; that he rewarded the good for their integrity with a life which (hall neither end nor decay. Others were cf an opinion that thiAav of the Rofecriiciam* ^ 'thtmis was a Propheteffe aniongft the Grecians, and did foretel what fhould happeh, by which endowment (he got great Authority ; (b that they efteemed heran Enthufiafteflej and thought that (he had familiarity with SpiritSjnay even with the gods themfelvcsj from whom (he fpriing and had her Original j to v;hom alfo after herdeceafe (he was fuppofed to have returned, where they have enlarged her Commillion in relation to mankind. When (he was accoiinted the GoddeO'e of Juftice, by her Kings held their Domini- toions ; (hein(!rufted theni in their duties to their Subjects, and made the rudemul- cy titude pay due honiage and fubjefiion to iltheir lawful Princes. She laid the foun- dation of Magiftracy, and built an order- ly ftru(^ure of Politicks 5 for which caufe fhe was in fohigh cftimation amoneit the Heathens, that they fuppofed the World :>yhcr Divinity to be upheld and fup- iDorced, They erected Temples to her, ind inftitutcd divine Rites and Cererao- fiies in honour of her. The firft that io(| was dedicated to her was in Bmiaut^v o the River Cephijfusy at which after the i^lood, Deucalion and Pyrrha are faid to bijiavc arrWed 5 where they enquired of the B a Oraclcj (ly 4 Jbe Myfimes and Lawes Crack, how mankind which had pcrr- ihed in [he Deluge, nii^ht again be refto- red, as Ovid Lib. primo. k Olbimisy fhe}p nhat Art tis that repairs^ Lsjt mankind ^ voiitibufe r' he/p cur junk^ y affairs. This alfo was AUegorically fpokcn concerning our T^^>«.i,thatfhe being very prudent and more beautiful then all her Con terapora lief, was beloved cf Jupiter ; but after much follicitation he was repul- ^, fed, and all incercourie broken cff, till at iength (he was lurprized in Macsdonia^ and forced to be efpoufed to him, by whom (he was with childe, and brought forth three Daughters ; Equity, Jufticc, and Peaces She is reported to have had by the fame Jupiter a (on named Medms Fidius or the righteous, being Faiths Guardian ■-, wherefore an Oath fwornc by hts name was facred and unalterable: and this folemnity the Roman Patri- archs challenged to themfelves as their due, becaule it was held an cxecrabk thii^g for an ingenious man to be for- fworne. j Although wc are confidtnt thatthcrci was i ki of the Rofevrncians* 5 \n% never upon the face of the earth any "uch ihemis^ who after confultation re- urned that Oracle 5 much Icflcthatfhe vas tranflitttl into heaven, as the Hea- hens ignoranily imagined 5 yet we con* efle that the true /if ^ of Jdfticej or za Bniverfa^l notion of Vertue may herein ,' though occHltly) bt irjfinu4cft; for •JUt of her fpnngs good Laws, and not as bmc think out of Vice, which is oneiy I thing accidental. This Equity keeps Kingdomes in fafety, Common- wealths aiid Cities in order, ifld laftly, emprovres Iraall beginnings to ^i grf at height and degree of perfe(^ion. This Equity is that rule by which men DUght to frame their words and actions. ^t>iycletus a famous Statuarie made a 5ook in which was proportion ably ex*- ?rc(Icd to the life each member in mans >ody, and he called this a patterneby vhich other Artificers might examine uid proTC their peices. Such Rules in- deed there arc in all Arts and Sciences lamed Axioms, which by dedu<^ion of things from tbcir principles do rightly :onclude. This Equity doth fo poife all our mannertand aftions that they are not B 3 fwayed 6 ' The Myfterks andLawes fwaycd to injuftice and wickedneflcj uhertby very many /nconveniencts are cfchewed which happily might lead us a- uay : For as Luxury and Riot are the caufes of difearesj lb in/uftice hath an- nexed to it a? an inieperable companion lofieancj punifbnienc: and on the con- trary , as Health renders men moft happy, notonely becaule of it feUc, but as it is big with other Benefics : fo by this Equi- ty ^ wholeiome Laws are cna^^ed to the great comfort and advantage of man- kind. But becaufe this is io cleare to every Rational man^ in vain are words f^' fpent to demonlirate it. Chap. IL k ihofe Laws vfhkh the Founder of this m Fraternity prefer 7 bed to the iL C. ^^ are all gocd and jyjt. ^' AS no Rational man can deny the ab- folutenecell^ty of good Laws 5 fo it IS moft fie that fnch Laws fhould have ^^ their due praifeand comaiendationsjthat ^^ of the RofecTHcians. j '. le fluggard hereby might be pricked on Vertue, and the diligent might have is dcferved reward. jjj Seing therefore that thefe Pofitions J,, T Laws, laid down by the Father of the 05 ionourable Fraternity are worthy o£ „, pedal view, we (hall truly according to ,n heir nature, and the advantages men jl nay receive from them. Crown them ,j, yithduecorrmendationSjCounting them iOt onely worthy of acceptance, but an [ncomium. Firft it is moft reafonabie that every Jociety if it be nood, fhould be governed *y good Lawsi if otherwifejby bad : but hat this Society is good and lawful, we lo not ontiy iuppofe, but may gather roni particular circumftances to which heir Pofirions are agreeable. Something miy be laid concerning heir nu»nber of fix, which hath very nuch of perfeftion in it ; (b that the So- iety by an abundance of Laws is not in :onfufion, nor yet by the paucity and cwnefle tied up from all liberty. When here are multitudes and great diverfity DfLaws, we may probably conjefturc ^ hat there Will happen many crimes and \ :normities5 for he that fleighteth the B 4 ftreight 8 ihe Myfteries and Laws flrdght path of Nature and Reafon, will cercainly bemifled into many windings and labyrniths before he comes to his journeys end. From thefe inconvenien- ces our Laws are free^ as well in quality as number ; they are voluntary, and fuch to whom all may eafily affent as moft Rational. They folloiv in their order. 1. That every one of them who (hall travel, niuft profcflt Medicine and cure Gratis. , 2. That none of them^ notwithftanding theirbeing of the Fraternity, Ihall bcen-^ 'joyned one habit ; but may fuit theni^ felves to the Cuftome and Mode of thofc Countries in which they refide. 3. That each Brother of the Fraterni- ty (hall every yearc upon the day C. make his appearance in the place of the holy 5pirit,orel(e (ignihe by Letters the true caufe of his Abfence. 4. That every Brother (hall chufea fit perfon to be his ^ucctflbur after his deceafe. 5. That the word K. C, (hall be their Scale, Charafter, or Gognifance. 6. That this Fraternity (ball be con- ceal'd an hundred years. The of the Rofej^cians^ 9 The Brethren are folemnly fworn and riftly cngfged to each other^to keep and ibfervethefe Conditions and Articles; 1 all which we finde nothing either pre- iidicial to themfelves, or hurtful and njurious to others ; but that they have excellent fcope and intention, which I"s the glory of God and the good of their •Jcighbour. We (hall further profe cute ihefe things, and by running thorow heir feveral caufes and circutnftances, i'ive any one a greater 1 ight into them. In the firft place, as touching thefirft l\uthor of thele Lawes, it will be worthy our conlideration to examine whether le had power and authority to make fuch Laws for himfelfe and others, and b(f requiring obedience thereto; then who was the Author ? and why his name hath been hitherto concealed > • 1 1 is moft certain that a Prince who is gts^H were an Head to his Subjects that are his Members, it is indeed a thing un- iqueftionable, but that he hath full power ibf making and ratifying of Lawes ; For chiefly it belongs to the Emperour, then to each King, becaufe they have right to govern. Lafily it concerns any Princes or Civil Magiltrates. 14 ' But icif nt' JO ihe Myfieries and Lowes But Lawes that are brought in by In- feriours, extend onely to thofe that have - a particular Relation to themj neither) are they long lived, nor do they excufci iipm the Lawes of Superiours, bdns, one-yjL, ly obligations which rcfpeft Tirne^Place^,; ^]j the Pei ion and Sub) eft. ^ Amongft the Andcnts thofe men who. were of beft repute for their Wifdomey Learning, Aurhority, Sincerity, and of,- greateft Experiences, might fet up Lawes in any City or Nation. Thus we fee that Mofei was made Ruler and Chcifcain amongft thv^ Hebrews, and amongft the Htathew thefirft Law-givers were called Zephyrians : after them Zaleiicus in imi-<* taticn of ths: Spartanes and Cretians C who were thought to have received An^ tient Lawes from Minos ) wrote fevere Lawec^and found out futable punifliment j, be left rules whereby men might try their aftions, fo that many afterwards were frighted into good manners % for before ii hmi Lawes were not written, but the (en-J j^^ tenctf and (late of the- caufe lay in the! Judges breaft. Afferwards the Atheniam received J^wes from Draco and Solon\ upon which xhey proceeded in all Cou/ts of Judica- ture, tad W! cftie Rofecrucianf^ 1 1 jre, from whom the Komans who lived iter the building of the City three hun- red yeares, had their Lawes of the velve Tables publifhed by the Vecem^ iri ; and thcfe in proctfle of time being ilargedby Kowja«^ Magiflratcs and the £fari-, becanae our Civil Law which at lis timt is ufed amongft us. Other Nations alfo had their re-? )eftive Lawgiversj as Jtlgj^t had Prieft?, nd IfiSy who were taught by Meuury and hlcan. ( Thel'e were golden Lawes, and ich as owed their birth to the fire. ) 'abylon had the Caldtans^ Perfia had Mar itiansylndia had Brachamoftds, Ethiopia ad the Gyntrnjophifls ; amongft the Badri- m was Zam6lfis^2imor]^& the Cerinthians ras Fido^ amongft the Ntiefians was Hip- jdatnus^ amongft the CarthagimansvjZii haronda-, laftly amongft the Brittain&€ nd French the Druides* From what hath already been faid lerc may be gathered thus much, viz. H'1'hat any one hath liberty ( his Compa- ^ ions complying and faithfully enga- ing ) to prefcribe Lawes to himfelfe and leni, efpecially if fuch Lawes arcfoun- ledupon Reafon and Equity; For fas he Comedian hath it ) amongft the good ought I Q 7he Myjieries a^clLawes ought to be tranfafted juft and honef things 5 but as the combination of th« the wicked is unlawful, fo are thof* bands that oblige them damnable^whoft truftand fidelity are but true cheats anc fure deceits ; their conftancy but obftina- cy, their oaths curlings, their rules me- thods of villany, their lawes are com mands towickeduciTe. Our Author indeed was a private man and no Magifirate ; but in his particulai relation he was inveftcd with much Au' thority, whereby he might oblige anc binde others, be both Lord and Father ol the SocietYj and the firft Author anc Founder of this goldenMedicineand Phi- lofophical Order. If any one fhall atccmp toufurpe jurifdiftion over any againf their wills and confent, he (hall findehii labour to be in vaine ; for he muft need, fuppofe them to have a prejudice againP fuch dcfigne.^. fince he playes the Bifliof inanothers Diocede: But certainly the cafe is different here, becaufe by a fain rcfignation they devoted theml'elves tc his command. Surely for confirmation we may take notice of the Time ; They have been kepi and obferyed for many • Ages, and tjais dotb I oj the KojecYHCians" \ 5 Ch not a little ftrengthen the firft Au- jrityi for if you prefcribe Lawcs to y who were not under fuch beforehand tijietidfuch Lavves continue a longfeafon andiiviolated, it will follow that thofe [iniiawes being juft and good may yet en- [i]f.are : for that nothing hinders, but thac -.j.lis private Legiflative power may be in irce, being neither contrary to Divine 'Civil Statutes, the Lawes of Nature, poficivc Law, or Cuftome of Na- i J To forije it may fecme a ftrange thing fQtjiat our Authors name (hould not be jj,£j'nown ; to which we anfwcr. ^ Our Father indeed hath lien hid as be- gpj.ig long fince dead, and his Brethren al- jupough they live and retaine in Record ijjjjnd Memory his Sacred Name 5 yet be- .^j^iufeofibme fecret and weighty caufes, j^d-renoc willing to have his name orper- Jdu known. Befides they have a conti* Ij ual fucccfSon and genealogy from him l^gOthemfelves j and they received after- ^j/ards a Lampe from a known confcde- ate and colleague of their Fraternity; ^j.'hey can read the Authors foule in his ookes, view the true Feature in the pidt- jj re, judge of the truth of the caufc by i the 1 4 '^he Myfieries and Lawes theeffeft 5 whofc afttons confirms thei ili( goodnefleand finccrity 5 their hands ar w( let with eyes, (o that their btJiefe go* tffl beyond their fight 5 whar other mci jd foolifhly and ignorantly think incredibi flc and viiine, they know to be reaii ant (iii poflible. «fi Shall we deny that thofe men wH i\ were chofen and felefted to be of the Frai «: ternity, were unacquainted wlch ou*, |c Author/' Surely they were mcft inti i^. mate and familiar with him, and perfor « tned with alacrity what ever -he cotn f mandedorenjoyned them, it To thofe indeed to whom the know- ledge of him v/as no benefit, he was not neither was it neceffary that he fhouk be kaown, unlefTe fuch pcrfons over curi* ous pry cd into matters which concert them not 5 for as it belongs not to us tc have intelligence what defignes are in a- gitation within the walls dl'roy, or whc inlndia doth adminifter juftice orgivc Lawes ; fo like wife ought thtfy not tc intermeddle with this Author and his Brethren altogether unknown to them, If we behold fmoiike breathing out of an houfe, we prcfently conclude that there is fire within. And why (hould not wc although of the Rofeeruciam* I J ^ though the Father and the Fraternity 5 1 venotbeenfeenby oiitivard eye, yec g( fcaufe of their workcSjby the eye of our ndes difccrn and fatistie our felves ncerning them ? We can paflea judge- ai mt upon a Tree by the tniit^j although efrukbe plucked off; it fufficeth to e knowledge ot a man if weiieare hiai ke: Whence Socr^ites fp.-'ke thus to /oung vertuous man, but one that hdd s peace *, fpeake (Taid he^ that I may fo|:areth€e. A Dog difcovers himfelfe T his barking, a Nightingale by her reetchaunting notes; and we judge of 1 other things according to their a6t- fiolgs. And why then cannot we diftin- aifti this our Author from cheats by his ri oiitions and Lawes , i\nct it is the o-^ en lers whole ddigrie to delude? they itliakc gain of their tricks , that which ould be iarkfcme to an ther, they take yieafurein^andmake a fport of dangers yiid hazards. Our Author is namelefle, but yet wor- hi^iy of credit, unknown to the vulgar, ut well known to his own Society. And jme may ask the reafon of his conceal- lent. We know that the AntientPhi- rfophers counted thcmfelves happy in a private 1 6 Ihe My juries and Lams private life 5 and why may not Moderm 1^ enjoy the ftrae priviledge, fince necefficj u| may put thefe ncore upon it then thcin I ^4 The World is now more burdned witli ^a wickedneflc and impieties : Indeed thd ai; whole Creation as it flowed from Go4 on was exceeding good;, but mans fall hat(| \ brought a curfe upon the Creatures. Vfh \\ lidorus had not been fo credulous^ coul^ m he have forefeen his Fate 5 by whofe exi it ample others have got wKdome, thej id dare not entruft themfelves with the rudi f|i multitude, but fecrccly do withdraui {^ themfelves j for commonly an handfom^ 4 opportunity makesa Theife; and he thai In cxpofes his treafures upon an high hill to all mens eyes, invites Robbers. Men called Homines have both their name an nature ab humoj from the earth, whicl fometimes being parched with cxtream heat opens; fometimes feemes to drowned with floods; which depend upon the Sun, Winde , Showres, either of the cither yeilding no influence at at all, or exceeding in their operations. Even fc thcmindeofman is not alwayes in the fame condition ; fometimes it enlargeth itfelfe in covetoufnefl^e, fometimes Vice is more pleafing to it then Virtue, and plundering Ofibe RofecmciaHT. % f ; plundering is prefer'd before honefty and "^ ^jftice. But I would not be thought to ^iclude all men in this cenfure ; for we tend oncly thofe who having neither afon nor learning, do differ very little ^^ om the brute beafts. Wherefore the Father of this Fraterni- was not fo much careful of concealing nfelf ill refpeft of his own interefl ; It herein he wifely confulted the good d welfare of his (ucceflbrs and the lolf Fraternity. Shall we efteeme him vife man who is not wife for himfelfe ? that Ariftiffus^ Amxarchus and many til hers do worthily beare their dif- aces. M( Every one by dangerous atcheivements an d noble exploits can get renown ; and liid He have grown famous by notorious am d execrable villani^s. As Hero^ratus lO fired the great Temple of Diana : po t this our Author and his Succeffors hci iicealethemfelveSjVery well knowing tat a fling Honour and Popularity ries in the taile of it; not that they \ili:e or (corne humane Society, but that ged ymay as it were at a diftance behold Vic : enormities of men, being onely ao i;ftators and not aftors* Vffmocritus is iiin ! C reported 1 8 7he Mjifteries and Lawtt reported to have put out his eyes that h might not fee the vanity and emptiijffl of the world in refpeft of goodfielie ant venue, and its fulncffe of deceit, luxury andallvrce : But our Author and hi SucctfTors have taken a very wife couri! to concealc themicJVeR ; no ipan tha would exaftly fee an objeft,will fixe bodk, his eyes upon it 5 neither wiil a wife mai put himfelfc into the hands of tithe tdercnty or Marsy they being Patror c Tht hs and Robbers; neither vtii h cntruft himfelte with Jupiter or / ^i fince that the one is arm.d with thunaei bolts, the other with arrowes 3 by whal J the unfortunate Hjacintbtti periO d, ail was Metamorphofed into a flower beai ring his name. b M iic! • lao, CHA!|igg ' ittfr ' oaft D(Ji m ofihtEjofiifrHciansi 19 CHAP. III. ^^ i^ncerning the gtnerd intent and efeSofthefe Lawes with the par^ ticuUr Circm^fiancef of Place^ Tinte^ Meanes^ andth$Ena. iiU ITJ^E have already at large difcourftd mV of the maker and efficienr caul'c '^i thefe Lawes; now we (hall treat of icir ESefts and Circumftances. That is properly teritjed an cffcft 'hich in all points agrees with its caufe j ) that if our Author Was an upright ian, thefe La Wes which flow from hijhi all likeWife be good^it being a very rare ilAJiing to fee a vertUous ofi-fpring degene* itefrora their Parents and An ceftors. It if evident enough that thefe Lawts arifwer their iatentionjbykhat order idfirmeknot of fricndfhip which yet >ntiliut$ amongft that Honorable So- C 1 ciety 5 JO The Afyjieries and Latpcs cicty ; for if Rcafon, Nature, and Truth, had not juflified their pioceedings, doubtleffc they had long fince been ruin^aj cd and come to nothing. Many indecdjE aime well, but yet hit not the marke ; and j we know thit a fudden ftorme croffts thci endeavour and define of the Mariner in arriving at his fafe Haven: even io he; thatfetshirafelfe to any noble exploit^ (hall finde blocks in his way ; and if he goes ihorow with itjGod (hould have ducj thankes by whofe providence and blef- fing he obtaines fo happy an iffue. tj^ Hitherto thefe Brethren have not ro pented of their condition^ neither w they ever, being fervants to the King Kings, all the fruits of their labours tn dedicate to him. Religion with them In greater efteeme then any thing in th World 5 as well in the Book of natun as the written word they read and ftud; Gods Omnipotency, his Providence aniLj his Mercy j they account it their duty tx ^^ helpc and relieve the poor and op ^^ prefled ; and furely fuch adions becom ^^^ Chridians y (o unworthy a thing it \ ^ that Heathens and Turkcs (hould oul p^ Go ftripeusinthem It is not oeccflary ^lat apy ihouIJQj] knO| 4>fth RcfecTHcianf. % I :now their place of meeting, but they ■ vhom it properly concerns. We arc ure that it is not in Vtofia^ or amongft he Tartars, but by chance in the middle )i Germany^ for Europe feemes to re- emble a Virgin, and Germany to be her )elly; it is not decent that a Virgin hould difcover her felfe, left (he rather )e accounted a Strumpet then a Virgin ; etitfuffice that we know her not to be )arren 5 to have conceived, yea and )r6ught forth this happy Fraternity: ikhough hers i$ a Virgin-wombe, yet ' he have teem'd with many rare and un- known Arts and Sciences. We meane hVjtrmany whkh at prefent flowrifhcth bftnd aboundeth with Rofes and Lilies, ^ ^^rowing in Philofophical gardens where \\o rude hand can crop or fpoile them. The Hefperiati Nymphs have their a- >ode here ; Mglcy Heretufa^ and Hefpre^ \ujay with their golden boiighe8,left they igainc become a prey to Herctdes^ are kcre fecured. Here are Geryons vaft bulls n faire and fiife palhires ', neither Cacusy 'lor any malicious perfon can fteale or b'erfecuce them. Who can deny that the 3olden Fleece is here, or the princely I3arden of Mars and Aita who is feigned C3 to 9^ The Mfjkries and Lam^ to be Son oifhocltu and Fbdittms Brother?, here are fed the (heep and oxen of the Sun called FecudeSyVfhtnce is derived the word F^c«»i^, Money the Queen pf the World. It would be to no purpofc to fpeake of ehemcanes by which thcfe things have been deduced from their firft Author;' firce that the Brethren in their Book cn- ticuled their Fame and GonfeiTion, and in other writing have at larpedecjared them. He brought them ^t& from Ara- h'ta into Gefmany his native Country ^and then dcfignfd to make up the Fraternity 5 and thejfe made the firft part of the Book' called M. of which theiT is fo much men- tion in \}\tit¥ama ; which was afterward- tranflated out of Arahich into Latints) out of which Book M» they learned many^ MylKri^s, anclip ir af in a glaffcthey ckar"^^?') '?^/ ihe A^iatcmy and Idea of' tht UnJverfc • And doubtleffe (hortly* they wiU^< r rhc Boo^ M. come abroad' into the W'« ? d, that ihofe who covet after knoiwledge inay receive fatisfaftion; nay I confidfntly believe that happy day t) be at hand 5 (0 may we jixlgc of the L'tnby his Paw; for as the tbbingg ana Sowings of the Sea ( as B^films Va^ ientiitUi i r^;pprt5 ) do:h carry much Wealth ^ .« 1^; domes } lb theft Iccrets .J piiblickeviewj having much , fji {he Worlds Harmony (o much nlb^j F^thtf^ora^y miy yeildusno i- proh-: and conceQt. Neither h<4ch ic bee^i ever known that w J haV€ btf n fo (Duch alike as this to he M. yes this F. i? i^e jVf. neither muft Iv^ ex peck another M» "^ The end for which thef« Lawf s were nade w^s the common good and benefit vhich partly belongs to the Brethren hemfeivcs, and partly refpefts others, :ither in their mrades or oodies to the urnUhing of that with knowledge, and the remedying of the direafee of che Kher ; for they being anibitloas to irofit and advantage others, have taken 1 courfe fu table to their in:entions« But if any (hall ob)e^andthe excellency of Medicine above other Arts^tQwhicb the Brethren are devoted^ 1. E are now come to treat' more particularly of each Law, and we tlifprill begin with the ill i^, vizi That whoever of them {hail travel, ufi profefle Medicine and cure gratis thout any reward. Ncceffity hath forced men to invent Arts for their help ; i cariofity hath fet others on worke to fatis6e Fancy, and luxury hath not been idle in feeking out meanes to pleafe it felfe : Now amongft thcfe Arts and Inventions^ fome are more noble and excellent, both in rcfpeftof thcmfelves , ag alfo in the cftimation of men. Do not we count it a Divine and Majeftical thing to govern f what more : glorious then to wage War with fuc- ceffel 96 ^he Mjjierw and Lawef ccfle? There are Merchants, Hand! Ctafcfmenj ;^r\d Husbandmen, in a Com^^ mon Wealth, and every one ads in hin proper fphere. In any profound polnc inDivinicy weconfulc the able Clergy 5 in a doubtful and fubtllc cafe we go to an able and hontfk Lawyer j in defperate fickneflie we feekA^Q an experienced and learnedPhyfiqan ; But Medicine feemsi defervedly to have the prehc nip once \ fbraPhyfician in Ccknefle governcs the Emperour, prefcribes Rules and DireAii ons which the Lawyer cannot doj fer the Lawgiver being prefent,thc Law!iath DO force, and may be changed and alee* red at his pleafure who fird; infiicuted ihem. The Phyfitian likewife fights with the di^ej^esof roans body, and hath (faarpe battels With them, he overcomes to pre- ferring or reftoring health almoft loft «ttd decayed. Hence^^ri^^r^ places health amongftthofe things in which all men agree > for every one knowes that it is he&y and defires to be weii« and in the ©ext place to be rich and wealthy. Wherefore a Phyfitians employment i8fofarfromi>eing contemptible, that it 4t concerned in a mans cheifed outwar4 good \ I am m ioi . ybA and happtncfle, in maimaknng' '°?1 «lthand cBrina difcafts- God stfirft . sated man ; Nature Gods handmaid fl" ndaccth to the generation of him from c feed of bpth Snexes 5 and it is the Phy- ians office to recover man difeafed^anci reftore him co his native health^fo thao 18 Art hath much in It of Divinity5 If ing the fame fubjeft with the Crea- ^Ti and Generation, viz. Man whabe- g created after the Image of God^ wa9 by Creation, being begotten was atures by Generation 5 nay Chrift him- ^Ufe being incarnate did not difdain to : as well as the Phyfician of the foule, ) alfo to be the Phyfitlan of the body • he Prophets amongft the Ifraelitcsjpra- icedPhyfick, The Priefts amongft the '^P'ligyptians out of whofe number the ings were chofen* Laftly great Princes ive fludied this Art, not covetoufly for le reward, but that they might help the :ke. We have heard of fome who ha- ng flaine many in a fuA War, yet to earc themfelves have freely given Phy« ck, doing good to men to expiate the urtthey had formerly done. Wherefore finee the Profeilion of Phy- ck is fo high fa noUe and facred^ we need \c 28 The M/fterie/md Lams need not admire chat aiDongft. other Act and Sciences in whidi^hey ex eel I, th^t Brethi^en of the Honourable Socict} (hould chufe and prefer this above then all. I confidently believe that the) knowing the moftintimatefccrctsof Na- tUFC^can naturally produce very ftrang< €fie6b, which may as much amaze an ig norant Spc6^ator as the Gorgtns head! bu Medicine was dearer to them, as bein§ of i;noft profit and greateft value. j>;Butfome perhaps may exclaime again! thefe Brethren j faying that they are no PJiyHtians^but meere Empericks who in trudeuponPhyfick: Such indeed (hook firft look at home, and then abroad. 1 confeflfc that few of the Brethren haVi h4d their education, but yet they an great Schollarsy not fre(h or rawe in profound learning, but the greateft pro- ficients. They compound that Medicini which they adminider, it being as it wer4 thf.marrow of the great World. . cTo fpeake yet more plainelyi theii Medicine is Frometheus his fire which bj the affiftance oiMi^ierva he ftolc from th< Sun,'nd conveyed it into man ; although difeafesand maladies were afterwards by the gods C as the Poets fcignc ) inflifted on oftbeRofectHcians* 39 rjli I meii) yet the Balfome of Nature was (li, ore powerful then the diftempers s. oci( his fire was fpread over all the Work! ^i )nducing to the good both of body and ^^ iind, in freeing the one from infirmities, [^, le other from greivous paflions 5 for ^ othing doth more chear and make glad mi ic heart of man then this Univerfal Me- ,^, icine ; precious Aones wrought into jfij 4btile powder, and leafe-gold are the ngredients of this powder commonly jjjj ailed Edel herizfttlvn : Mjchilus doth ;^( ttribute the invention of. Pj/remattcji the j)jj ompofition of Medicines, the firftwor- QQJ dng upon Gold,Iron,and other mett%l% I frontttheus'y h^nce the Athemans ere- [,j, ltd an Altar common to him, Vnlc(m J, md ?dlasy confidering how much fire ;l :onduced to the finding out of the fecrets j^ Df nature ; But we muft know that a ^g fourfold fire is required to bring this Me- ja dicine to perfeftion, and if one of them is wanting) the whole labour is loft. CHA^. i« 50 The Mjfierks ami Lnwes \ t CttAp. V- That the Cure of difeafes by fpecificki remedies of occult qmlityjK>hich th Fraternity ujeth^ is mofl futabtl to mans Nature^ and prevalent a gainft alldiftempers. WEmuftnotby what hath been hi therto fpoken fuppofc that tht Brethren ofe Medicines which arc not na* tural; for they have Vegetables and Mi nerals, but they having a trneknow*^ ledge of the fccrct and occult operation •f things, know what will be mbft efie dual for their purpofe. They have their fanchrefta, their folj^ chreflay their ManusCbrifti^ and other great titles; their Narcoticas znd Alex spharmaca^ of which Galen and others do much boaft, thinking them a prefent help at 1 dead life ; and to colour their cheats^ ftriftly conmaad thai none Stall either pre- dftbe RifecfUcidfffs 3 1 f>r€fcribe or give them whhout a large ec, as if the price added vertueto them, and the effect did much depend upon the coft. The Brethren alfo have variety of Me- dicine? ; feme called Kings, fome Prin- ces, feme Nobles, and others KnightSj each one being denominated according tfllto its excellency and worth ; But we y muft take notice that they prefcribe not according to the purfe, but the infirmity of the Patient; neither do they defire a reward before hand ; they likewife fie not a childcs ILoe to an old manjbecaufe a due proportion ought to be carefully tb lobferved ; a dram Is fufficient for the one, itj^^nd an ounce of the fame Medicine for the other. Who would not think it ab- ]o4furd to apply the fame Plaifter to the itioi ihardned and brawny hand of a Plow- (fcfman, and to the delicate and neat hand of a Schollar or Gentleman > pj He that praftifcth Phyfick aright doth lid confider the different temper of perfons (/({. In the fame difeafe, as a learned Judge fjijd doth not alwayes givie the fame judge- t,(}|) mentlnthe fame caufe, which circum* jjtj, ftancc* may very much alter : The Bre- Itlitf ihren look chiefly to the conftitadon of ff? '. the Ja ihc MyfieriesandLawei !W the Patient, and do accordingly prc- fcrjbc. (itj They have in all things experience to ]i\i confirme their knowledge 5 they ufeveri wj choice Vegetables which they gather ifla when they are impregnated with heaven- Soi ly influences , not deluded with com- p monidle Aftrological notions, but cer- tiki tainly. knowing at what time they have ||[( received a fignatUre effcftual to fuch an jd, end 5 and they apply thefe Vegetables to ^^ fuch difeafeg for which they were in ten- i^/f ded. (^; It is a moft irrational thing when na- |nf ture hath afforded us fimple Medicines ^^ to corre6t and amend its deficiences, that tuf we (hould mixe and compound with qua- (v^ lities hot, cold, moift, and dry, io that mj ,oneSpecifick being perhaps fecretly of a ijij contrary ;^ operation to another ingre- ^^ dient, the proper vertues of both, if not [i^ loA,yet are much dimintfhed. i^j, The GaleMifisCdiy that the firftQaali-fj] ties do alter, that the fecond do either ^ thicken or attenuate, and fo fooliihly and 0^ ignorantly of thp reft : Whereas each ^ Vegetable hath in It verme eflentially to jj chafe away that ditejife to which it may ,fj, rightly be applied. It is here b Medicine „j 88 I cfibeRafeetaeians. 3$ nn an Army, if each Souldicr falls out ith thc^ihcr, or they mutiny againft aeir Commander, the enemy gets rength, and makes ufe of their weapons 1>! » flay them. en ; Some may ask, wh^t is here meant by iQ aecifice^ I ahfwer that I intend that fT \hich the illiterate Galenifisc^iWsznoc* 3" ilt Qualitys becaufe it is neither hotj ^n lid, moi^> nor dry ; becau{« indeed sw ae profound knowledge was above OJ cir reach ortmderftanding. VaUjcus de tar ant ay lib. 7. cap, it- n* fines or defirribes the Galenical occult fi« uaiity. A qucftion is ftarted how a iliu Jcuft hanged about the neck doth cure ]ii* Juartane > To which they anfwer, tlii at if thefe Empirical Medicines have oi y fuch vertue, they have it from their p^ cult Quality^ which contains the Spe- ft^ ick form of the difteraper conjoined th the influence of the Stars : but then ; may ask what that totall propriety is> fcrrhoes calls it a Complexion; others anf/thatitis the fub^ntial form of i mpound body s fome will have it to be e whole mix turcj vi«. The Form> the itter,and Complexion, which i^wicfw- iiciii4 names the whole fubftance. when h« D faW \k ead mi ■ 34 ^J^^ Adyflerm and Lavpes faid that a body hath neitheroperatidn . ^ from the Matter DOr Quality, but the.- ^^ whole Subftance or Compofition. f But to (peak truely and dearly as it becomes Philofophers, we hold thatthere j, is a natural vertue and certaia-prcdefti- [^ nation flowing from the influenCf of hea*j i venly bodies, To particularly difpofing the Form to be introducedjthat it is (as ic ^ were J determined to its proper objeft| 4 whereby after due preparation of thq m matter, and conjunftion of the form, th4 ]t whole Subftance or mixed body necefla- \^^ rily produces a proportionable tffe^^ j^ And Avicenna perhtps meant thus maclk ^^^ whence Jdrnoldus in his* Book Ve Cauji ^^ Stertljtaiis, faith that the peculiar prgK }[(( priety of a thing is its nature which pro* ^ cceds from the right difpolition of th^ |n pares tobe mixed, and this is called ar f^^ occult Quality, to moftmen unknowr, | that all fented thing J* arc hot, that all that have no fent ar ' cold; or that white things are coldo ' hot,that red things are hotter then white ' or contrartly that bitter things are hoi ^narcotick cold ? &c. for Oftwii^ the fpiri of wine, the Kofe and more things wi confute fuch an opinion 5 io that tb Qualities do depend upon fuch uncei taintics in refpeft of every limplc, that is far better to truft to experience t fearch into the fecrcts of Nature, th^ J'" vainly to triffle away time in gatherin } the fccond Qualities from thefirft, an ^^ the tViird from the fecond, or to ga^ ^ ^" reafon by ienfe 5 a thing moft ridiculoa *^ unl€( llVl V min m m(l( 'em, np:i of the Rofecruciam. 3 7 nleffe it b^ in the cure of difcafcs where ic Qualities are in confufion. When the Mgyptians underftood this, leyftudied and moft cftcemedof that Ibyfick which was experimental, and ot notional 5 and therefore they ufcd to lace their Sick perfon in the ftreets, that any one ot the! people that paffed by id laboured und(;r the fame difeaie, he light tell the Specifick remedy with hichhewas cured; whence itfome- meslofallsouc that an old woman or 1 Emperick in fome certain difeafes lay cffeft more by one proper fpecifickj ten many Phylitians by their methods id longcourfes. I would not be mifunderftood^ as if icre were no judgement to be ufed in the Iminiftration oWhyfick, but that ex- ^rience (hould be the onely guide ; Me% cine whether fpcculative or praftical, iufl concur and meet in truth: I fay e muft notas to the invention or pre- ription of Phyfick truft too much to cafon enformed falfly concerning the iture of dijngS) but when experience ith confirmed us in myAeries and Icrets^ecaufe reafon is too weak- fighte^ I reach them^wc muft not perverfly flight D ] them. 3 8 ihe Mjffiefki and Lawes them, difefteeming ctivioufly tthat wejat cannot attain. I do not account him a rational Phy jRtian who hath onely a large fcrowle (Mt^^ bill of Simples in his memory, and catJuli diftinftly tell you what are hot inth«ilie; firft degree .what in the fecond, v;hat iti thethirdjandcan rt!n thorow thelecono Qnalitie? and third ; and if at any tinK he is called to a Patient^from this rabbll as from the belly of the 7'rojane horfi iffue many Receipts, many bands, U't^ei in he isignoi'lnt of themoft incon(iderab!< Simple, and knows not how rightly tl apply it : Shall not he who undcrftand^ . and is well acquainted with his Medi cinesjbe of more repute? A few felef prefcriptions that ai^e infallible and efft ftualto the cure, are%fm^;re worth tho *a rude mult i rude ofGakmcaiK^ccipts We have indeed now fo great va^ief of Mtdicine'^3 that it puzzles a Phyfitia more to chiiie what is bcft then to invent for it is not the abundance of remedji tbat overcomes a ^ifeaie^ but the veitii' method, order, andchoice of timeaft place, that give fucctffe. We read in Hiftories of tht xour:l| and skill of a Sfartane Kihg , who \iyk a ban ojtme.oJecrHctaH.r^ jj a band of 400, flout Lacedemonians poflef- iedihe ftreights by which Xerxes (hould paflc with^an Army. , of .1700000. and ade there a great flaughter of them ; when the inlulting Verfian boafted that ithey would clofe the Sun with their ar- [rows 5 the Spartaine King anfwered that then we will fight in the (haddow. By thefe examples it appears that a fcleft company of choice fouldiershave great advantage againft a confui^d mul- titude j And why are not afew choice Iremeditrs beyond an heap of vain receipts? Some have faid that an Army is com* pleat that hath an hundred thoufand ; and if the number exceeds, it will be tu- multuous, and in no order and dKcl- pline. We may affert the like of Medi- cine5if it increafcth to a great number, it rather kills then cures; for every Spe- cifick waging war or being oppofitc to another, muft neceffarily difturb Na- tures peace and tranquillity. ^D4, CHAP. 40 ihc Mjjimes and Laws im uc Ghap. VI. ^^ Although other Thyjitians may ihaU lenge^ as indeed they defervt^ a due revpard 5 yet the Brethren do cure grath^ not valning money. WE read in Hiftory that great pcr- fonsj Kings and Princes, have cnttrrtained famous and learned Pfayfi- tians, not onely allowintj them a conii- derable annual Oipend) but have raifed them to great prefcroieac and honaur: Erafifiraxui^ound out the uifeafe of ^«- tiochus^viK,, his Icve of his mocher in Law, of which he recovered him, and received, of his Son Ptolomy ap hundred Talentt t Vemocidcs reftores the Tyrant TolycrJ^a for two Talents of Gold ; The fame perfon for curing Darius had given to him of the Bjofecrucians. 41 m a very rich chaine of Gold, and two jldcn Cups. Jaeobus Codmus Phyfi* an to Ltvis the fecond King of France^ id 50000. Crowes yearely paid him ; id Ih-^ddem the Florentine got 5,o Townesdailyj travelling op and down* ) cure the (icke. The reward and gaines Phyfick bring* h in hath caufed many Students to nploy all their time and labour therein , ho for the moft part look more to the rofit then health of their Ne]ghbour» id good of the Common-wealth; If € indeed confider to hoiv many infirmi* es we are fubjeft, we ihall fin^e Phyfick )beas nccellary as food and raiment; ndthen able Fhyfitians are to be fought )r5whomay )udiciouQy admiriifter it j ut no man will employ all his paines, dA, and labour, in that of which he (hall japnoharveft; who will bcanothers irvantfor no wages? Will a Lawyer lead without his Fee ? neither is there ny injundionor law to command and bligc a Doftor to cure for nothing; It 70uM be very hard and rigorous, if any (lan (bould be forced to give away what •roperly belongs to him. Meneerates he Syracufan had nothing for his painet but "41 I'hd M/Jimei a^JLa voit but affeftcd Divinity; he would b* he thought and accounted JufiUr^ whii moft things Confufion, but efpeciallj in £ Medicine^when ihe tflences of Simples are ^rd not known, '«1 Wenuy fetch examples to confirme w this from a Court, where if every one at iw the fame time 3liay plead and declare his lOJ opinion, the cafe would be made more m intricate, fo far would they be from deH ^^ ciding the coftti overfy : Wherefore a lO) few wife Couniellers on each fide will w clearly iiate the Cafe, and bring it to a It (bdden and faie determination. The it famedifcord will appeareih Phyfick, i( n each Simple in the fame difeafe (hould at have its operation, when a few felcdt onef hi may quickly do the bufineile. ii. It is therefore an expedient coUrfe ii out of many things to chufe a few, ouc in ofthofethat are good to pick the beft, tl tivhich may ailifi and ftrengthen Nature in her confiift y if thefe obfervationS were taken notice of, a Pbyfician would Dot be reputed able for his large rude Bills, but for the Quality of hislngre* dients; the Apothecary would have more cuftomeibccaufc men woulcTnot be fr igh* ted of the RofecrHcians. 49 rd with the charge, and dye to fave ex- enccs, but willingly fubmit to ancafy nd honeft cure. Every thing is not to be cfteem^d ac- Drding to its bulk ; we fee that brutei eafts in body and quantity exceed a »an5 but yet the leffe being Rational and lei ife doth govern the other i a little ih rold is more worth then an heap of 101 jnesj then a Mine of bafc mettals ; fo di Medicine, a fniall quantity may have re ore VertUe in it then a great meafure of wi any Simples. to Itis fufficiently known to wife men. Til at the fame hearbs do alter under fe- kj ral Climates ; and that which is inno- oul It in one may be poifon in another 5 Qn( lerefore it is not fafe to Compound //>, Arabia^ America^ Germanji^ and jflri s^land together 5 for the Sun and 01) mets have a different influxe upon this .y that Country, and accordingly alter j(yr ! Planets 5 Nay we cannot be ignorant jion! it the fame feild abounds, as with ouli olefome fo with venemous hearbs 5 .fOiii have examples of this truth in Mine- jjgrf s ; for common fait alone is harme- jjQd Fe, asalfoyour vulgar Mercury; buc ^ hcfe two be fublimsd together they t{J E becoHV !tO 50 ibe Myfieries and Lawes become venemous and ranke poifon : but perhaps iome may think that this proceeds from Mercury 5 which indeed is falfe; for ic may be brought by Art to run againjand then its innocency returns fo likewilc the fpiric of Vitriol may be taken without danger mixed with anoi j ther liquor, and the water of Salt-Petei raay be received into the body 5 but thtfe two be diftilled together, the] make a water that will eat any mettl except Gold, and certain death to an; one that {hall take it 5 but if yoM add to the former Armoniacks, its ftrength i incrcafed, and it will reduce Gold in a wairy and fluid fubftance, yet its natui is pure and perfeft- It may be objected that Treacle, M thridate, and Confeftion of Hamec with others were compounded of roar Simples, which bdng after longferme tar ion well drgefted became moft fov "' raign remrdies, and have been in ufe a moil 6cc. years, and have helped mai j thoufands of people. d We deny not but thefe compofitio ± are txctllenc, and have been in gr< | dUme in foregoing and latter Ages; ' J likcwife approve perhaps of fijchundi . ox ' re \ i/k1 'roi iiri' lori k 4 of the Kofecrucians^ % I more y if they are grounded upon expe- rience ; for they who firft invented thefe Medicines did not confider whether tho. Qualities were hot or cold, but to their ' .^ Nature and Eflence, as they either re(ifled r poifon, or conduced to the Evacuation "f^ Df ill Humours in the body^ as in Treacle ^^^ here is vipers flelh, and many others of 'f' :he fame vercuc. Our difcourfe is againft ^'J he vain extemporary oftentation in pre- bribing of Medicines compounded of ^iants hot, dry, cold, and moiftj in thU 7)d that degree J ' "' 'V' We knew aPhyfitFin v/fe'^^s Wont to oaft that he knew not any one particu- ir experiment, but all remedies were like to him refpcclive, thefii'ft, fecond , nd third Qualities : and this furely ^'^'^ roceeded from his ignorance of what ^^^ »a^ to be known 5 but a wife aixl prudent iro^)trif fearches more narrowly^ and de- :eads to particulars ; For indeed it is »ore eafly by general rules to paflca i ^ tdgement of Sitiiples,then by experience ^. ► firtde out the proper verttife of Sped- )li^^:fcs; and the reafon is becaufc each n^mplehath a peculiar property which esjj fting.ui(heth itfrpm another, audfome- iPf IKS contrary 5 riay the Qualities do ^^- E2 noe 1"1 52 The Myjierks and tavoes not oncly differ in refpeft of others, but the fame Simple may have effef^s diffe- ring in it felfe, as it appears inRubarb, which in refpeft of its firft Qualities, hot and dry,itdoth encreafe Gholcr in mans body 5 but in refpeft of its effence andfpecifick nature it purgethit. To paflc by Opium and Vinegar with many othersjwe fee how the fame thing in their firft, fccondj and third Qualities have many times contrary operatioms; fo Runnet makes thinne thickncd blood ofli the hare, but if it be very fluid it thic kens it 5 fo alfo Vitrioll according to its nature doth penetrate and is aftringent, 'U yet it doth repel and difperfe Lead out- m wardly applyed to it : though Quick iilvcr is mofl weighty, yet by the fifc u i fublimed and afcends ^ and though it i^ a thick grofle body, it may yet by Art « be made to pcirce any body, and after- b ivards be r/e^uced to \ts ,own luuivrpU' m rity. ♦ -!••' • 7^ n^ '^ '. \-^' l; ..■ Many morcproofes might be brought for their is nothing in the World ho^ sibjcdi and low foever but it hath a ftamp< upon it, as a fure feale of its proper vcr tue, of which he that is ignorant hath hitherto attained but the husk and 4 of the BjofecnuUnsi, 53 and (hell, the outfide of knowkdge. Left therefore this errour in judgement ftould corrupt pradjce, and men« Jives hereby (hou Id be in danger, we thought t a good peice of fervice to defire thofe nice tvho bend and employ their ftudies in ;he Honorable faculty of Medicine, to ick more after a few rare and certain lidi Spccificks, then to follow gener4ls which b commonly deceive. We ought not K :o (hew ourfelves fo impious and undu- dol :iful, as being in honour^having encreafe ^ic )f riches, to fcorne our poor parents; fo }i;! experience is the mother of Art 5 and tni ball we now contemn her as having no )ii( leed of her ? Experience hath been fti- . icii ed the Miftreffe of Fooles, and Reafoa \(\ he Queen of Wife men jbut in a diHerenc hi *efpe6: they ought not to be feparated ; h IS many Experiments beget Reafon, fo \K\ leafon maintains and adornes Expe- pu ience. .01 DP i t\ '-^ _ E $ CHAP. 54 '^he Myfieries and LatPes Chap. VIIL iii( ihdt many Medicines hecaufe of their high titles^ and the fend opinion of ■ |! menjofho thinkjhat heji vphich cojif j^| nfofi^ are in great efteem 5 thovigh others of Ujje price^ proper to the Country^arefar above them in excel* \ lency and worth, J'' i\ BEfides the abufes mentioned in the foregoing Chapter, another is crept )f| in 5 the former were cheats in refpe^l of Quantity and Quality ^ here by this the Ik purfe is emptied ; for they fill in with \<^ mens humours, who then think a thing he good when they have well bought it. jv, Hence Galen concealed his Golden Umplaifter for the Squtnaftcyy by which he m got an hundred Crownes, which indeed was in it felfe of little worth ; for there [|]( are many things of excellent ufe which if la they m of the RofecmcianT. 5 5 hey were divulged, would be foolifhly lefpifed, becaufe vulgar hands pollute jrhatever comes into them ; fome reafon lay be why after they arc not fo Tuccef- L1I5 becaufe the Imagination and Fancy /orks not fo ftrongly, and defpond? as o the cure from fuch (light meaner, and hinders the operation ; (or although nother mans imagination hath little Dree upon mcjyct mine own much alters he body, and either hinders or furthers remedy in its working. As this is cleare in many difeafes, fo fpecially in Hypocondriack Mclancho- y, called the flianie of Phy fitians, becaufe arely cured; wherein the non*efiefting f the cure depends upon the prejudiced ih^nagination of the Patient, who defpairs f help j for cares , greife, and defpair, ,0 al ter and change the blood, corrode ihfjhe heart, overwhelmethe fpirits^ that id hey cannot performe their offices; if injberefore thefe can firft be removed, there 1 vei y great hope of recover y. Under this Cloak many cover their navery and covetoufnefle, who feek no* hing but gain by their praftice; for hey call their Medicines by great names, hat the imagination of the Patient E 4 clofing 56 ^he My^trks and tamf clofing with fo rich apd precious remc- '« dies may promote the cure ; and there- m fore they compound their Medicines of 1 k rare Ingredients, as Gold, Silver, Pearls, 8 Eezoar, Ambergreafe, Musk, and many 1 jci more; and then they chriften themac- Ifi cording to their birth. They call them o( the Balfome ofLifeythe Great E//Jf/fr, theiie Reftorative of Li/ip, Potable Golds Butter. I and Ojle of the Sim : and who indeed: p] can reckon up their tricks by which they iai draw in and delude fuch multitudes o£ [fii ignorant pcpple f yet their great names ili are not altogether infignificant 3 for by ^ their Baljom of Life^ they meanethai ai which maintains and keeps thcmfelves | alive. But grant thefe coftly Medicines to bfl good and ufeful, yet they muft confeffe that others not fo chargeable have grea- ter vertues in them. We may alfo queftion whether they deale honeftly, and do not fellalittlt fait for Gold, and ranke poifon for the Balfom of life-^ we have known fomeat deaths door by their Mercury : I fpeak this that others may be cautious h chink what would come of it, when one mifta- king adniiniftred Ofium for /4pium oi Parfly rls of the Kofecrucians. 57 arfly : thus they try experience upon lens bodies, and kill one tofaveano- ler. Be(ides, though thefe may be very Accllent Cordials or Antidotes, y e tae at hey not appropriated to the difeafe, and CD confequently little conducing to the ilitreife. Confidcrthen the abufe ; the Patient eAays a great price for that which is of mall advantage to him, and fcornes 5 hofe mcanes which are at an eafty rate 5 iDi vherein alio there is no danger, as being rbj >y experience confirmed, and by all hfiands receiv€d. It is not hard to prove that each Coun- ry abounds with Simples fuitable to the Oireafes of that Country, and that we •ej leed not go Indiay or ufe Exotick Drugs. This Queftion hath been handled by li(] many learned men ; at prefent we will not Ipend much time about it. We deny tti not men the ufe in Food and Phyfickof \lndta and Arabicke Spices j neither do we condemn other mod excellent gifts of God, but here we finde fault with the price; let us therefore ufe them in thei^ place and time : Perhaps fuch precious thingj^ >v( 58 The Myjierief andLawei I things were intended for great perfonfie] but yet great care nmft be uled in thi ^ti preparation that they benotSophiftica^ !/« ted. 1 fay rich men may afford to pay ^iw forthefe Medicines, who delight to eaiirti ind drink Gold^and hope as by that the]^ k1 can purchafe all earthly things, fo they SI may buy health. % Neither would we be thought ignorant 01 of the great vertoes and rare efficacy oiin Gold ; but we fpeak againft the abule of m thofe Impoftors who inftead thereof do J cheat and robbe ; and we can aflure all| iff that there is no worth in the boiling and (t reboilingof Gold ; They indeed gvi^% their menftruous ftuffcs for diflblvecli! Gold, which being reduced to a fpiriliw may corrode ; and let all men beware of hi it; imitating a carekfle Cook, who if K he hath loft the broth in which the meat ri hath been boiled, fets new upon the l Table which hath no heart nor ftrength b in it ; So they when they haveconfumed :ei and loft thefr Gold with Salts and other i wayes, they fell that which remaines ; (« when the Bird is gone they fell the Ncft 5 1( and this they call Potable Gold fpiritu-, i( alized becaufe invifible : it may be they t( put Gold into tkeir furnace; but that >! they cf the Kofecrucians* $9 ((^ cy by thofe means can produce fuch dicines we deny .- There were many ^^exanders^ many called by the name of [i//«f, but yet but one kUaandir the r^at, one Julius Cdfar, the others agree aely in name. Should any one enquire into the exccl- ncy of our own Countries Simples, he rai ould hive work enough upon his nds. We ihall leave this to another me and place. But befides the price^may we not Juflly ifpeft the preparation, that they inHead an F true may fell fahc comp'ofitions fail- ig in their Art and Profeflion .«? for the T(( iallanceof Humane frailty befng at the lie end by Juftice, at the other by Profit, c( le laft overweighs ; becaufe honefty lay be an hinderance to us, but profit f2 rings plealure and delight along with tb ;. So now Merchants count it part of heir Trade to Icarne and skill the adul- crating of their Commodities; when he Ihebans would admit nofuch per- onsto the Magiftracy, unleflTe they had eft cff their Trade at leaft ten y«ir«be- bre, by which time they might forget o cozen 5 but 1 U'ill not herecenfurc ill of that Calling : the fame may be faid 6o The Myfteries and tawes faid of thofc who fell Medicines, whethe Pliyfitians or Apothecaries, If they abui their profeffion. Itremaines to (hew that Specificks Vegetables and things of little worth are more powerful againft any difcaf then thofe which are of fo great price neither is the reafon fetch'd farre ; fo they whofe Property abfolutly refifts th malady, they C I fay J rauft needs be mor cffeftually then thofe who accidcntall] fuit the difcafe, and by meer chanc work a cure. In Mechanicke Arts if ; man excellent in one (hould boaft of hi, skill in another which he never faw, yot would finde him a bungler in it ; but | employ the fame in that Trade wherein L he hath been brought up, and he wil fhew himfelf to be a workman : So irjtli difeafes, when each Specifick doth itf own office, there is an happy ifliie, buj m applied to another proves of noeffeft neither can it be expefted from one martli ( thought he had an hundred hands J to A conquer an Army, which yet choice Bands of experienced Souldicrs may eafi- ly overcome ; but we have been tedious \ about this fubjedt. CHAP of the RofecrHchnt. 6 1 Chap. IX. l^hdt many are haters p/Chymiftryj and others fcorne the ufe of Vege- tables 4» J Galenical contentions ^ either of which may he ufeful in f roper Cafes ^ S the Palats of men are not all ta- ken with the fame cafte, but what Ai pleating to one, is loathfome to ano-. , j] her ; fo mens judgements do differ, and \i ^hat one approves the other aOTents not bo into ; both which happen or are caufed ^ isby Sympathy or Antypathy, drawing ,ji liem on to embrace, and provoking tj :hem to hate fuch a thing ; (o alfo by jo prejudice or reafon corrupted. j Some dare not tafte Ciieefe all their ^jj life ; fome abftaine from it a few years ; rome drink onely water, refufing Wine or Ale > and in tbefe th^re h great va* ^ riety^ fib ^i ihe MyfteriefandLawes riety ; no Icfle is the dilTerence amori^ Mlndes : Whence it is that two md'^ ting when neither hath fecn or heard the ether, at the firft fight, (hall define ar jl" feck each others friendlhip 5 and on ti contrary, whence is it that one hates a other from whom he never received ii ? jury I as evidently appears by one coff ing where two are gaming, he prefentl fhallfinde hisaflfeftion to clofe with th * one, and if his wifh might fucceed h ^^' fhoald winne 5 and he would gladly hav the other lofe, though he neither re cevid courtefie from the one, nor harra« or ill word from the other. Now as much as the underftandiiu cxcells the tafte, and dull and fenfualfi ctilty 5 fomuch a truly wife man furpaf fcth one that cncly outwardly Terms jii dicious; one by rcfleftion confidcrs anc weighs the matter^the other not fo acute- ly apprehending is tempted to raflmcffe. Thus many learned men whofe Fanciej have not been in due fubjeftion to theit underftanding?, have abufcd themfelveA and have heedlefly embraced this as good, and caft off that as evil. It may feem as ftrange in Medicine that fome Doctors flioald oncly prc- fcribe '03 ean ire of the Rofecrucf ans* 6 J m^ ibc Vegetables and Galenical ^\ijiick^ rfeftly hating Chymiftry, and that tiers wholly inclined to novelty (hould fule all Medicines that are not Chymi- (n lly prepared. Both parties (^in mine opinion) arc ^ayed more by Fancy then Rcafcn ; for uppoCe it ablolutly neceflary to ftudy ffjft your ancient dogmatical Medicine [i, Kh as CO the Speculative and the Pra- pj ical part) and to corre6): the faults as j,. e have already pointed in thefirft, fe- ^^ )nd, and third Qualities ; and the fame ij^ Jurfe is to be taken in Chymiftry, fo lat they be without fufpition and dc- j;, sit: andfirft we will begin with the fj Id^and then proceed to the new. , We have fufficiently proved that there le occult properties and fpecifick ver- ues in Simple?, as no learned Galetti^ ver denyedj who have alfo confeffed lat thefe did not work from their Qua« Jlities or degrees, btu their natures to ^ nitigarc Symptoraes, uke away the :aufe of the difcafe, and to Enthroni2« h^th in mans body^. Iftbbbctrue, why arenotPhyfitiant aiore careful in gathering and rightly ^dfirftiadfffg dije o»mr^ of Simples ? f§rniliur 64 '^ke Myfierles and Lavpcs Fernelius in his Book Ve ahditis reruf ^^ cdufis^ faith that this Specifick vertii which he calls the Forine,lies hid in ever part of a Simple, and is d ifu fed througbr out all the Elements , hence if by Ghy miftry water is drawn off, oylc is ex trafted, and Salt made out ot the a(he each of thefe, the Water, Oyle, andSaU hath the Specificall venue of the Simples but I fuppofeone not fo much as ano- ther, yet all joyned together are perfefl and compleat. Thefe things being laid down anc confirmed, we muft confeffe that the out ward tangible body of any Simple thai may be beaten, cut, fifted, boiled, n ing- led with any other, to be the barke, the carkafl[e,and habitation of theSpeciffck Quality which is the pith, the foul, the houftolder: And now what fhallw^ fay of our common preparations in Apo thecaries (hops, which have good and bad, nay moft corrupt in them ? would not all laugh him to fcorne who being commanded to call a Matter out of his houfe, will needs have , the houfe along too ? that cannot ufe the birds nnleffe theneft be an Ingredient, that cannot cat Oyfters unkfle he may alfo devour the vfthe Rofecrucians. 6 $ he Qiels ? But the Apothecaries think his lawful enough, becaufe they can do lo better -, thefe occult Qualities indeed re fo lubtile, that they make an eafiy fcapejunleffe they be narrowly watch'd, ndwitha great skill houfed or incor- orared. Can^phire lofeth its ftrength nltflc it be cherilhed with flaxe-feedj .ubarb is preferved by waxe and the )irits of Wine ; the Salt of goats blood oes evaporate/if it benotclofe ftopp'd 1 glalfes. What (hall we then fay of thefe Speci- :al Qualities feparated from their bo- i'^Mes? will ncr they return to their firft iiiciples ? for who can feperate the lualicie of burning from the fire ? the iaiitie of moiftning from the water ^ Jt if this be impoilible in fimple bodies, )W much more difficult is it in com- )und ^ 1 could therefore wifli that Medicines ^« ere ufed which were lawful, poilible, tji^drearonablc, that laying afideoflen- cion and pride, truth might flouriih. Perhaps we might allow of Syrups, leps, Conferves, did not that great lantity of Sugar clog the natural opc- :ion of the Simple : Perhaps we might F approve 66 iht Myjlerks atjdLawes approve of Eleftuaries, Opiars, And dotes, unleffc the nniltitiide of finiplc confulVdty put together did hinder, f not totally cxtin^uifh the true vertue Perhaps Pills,and all bitter, fovvre, fharp (linking Medicines are good ; biit ye they dcilroy appetite, caufe loathfomc neffejthat a Patient had better endur the difeafe then the remedy ; if bitter nefle, fowrnefle, fharpnefle, and an i favour, arc the Specifical Qualities, the (hould be rather checked then let loofi and indeed they are but handmaids t their Miftrjffe, but fubfervient to th fpecifical Quality 5 and the true difft renceisdifcovered by Chymiftryj for feparates the impure parts from the pur if rightly ufed : yet raiftake not, we fa not that Chyniicai preparations area w together fpiritual and without any bod; but are more peircing and fubtile, mo deffcatcd thengroflt' bodies made mo heavy by a great quantity of Sugar,: that they are not free and at liberty (iK a£l and play their parts. *r By this time you may fee the folly ar li madnelfeof thofe who hate Chymiftr tti which ought to be uied, but with ca fil and judgement 5 for it is not the pi k effife RoJec^Hcians. 67 jfaPhyfitian to burn, lance, cauterize, nd to take away thecaufe of thedifeafe, yweakning the Patient, and indanger- g his life j but Symptomes muft be a- ated, nature rcftored and comforted by ife Cordials. One Arch agatus was the rft Chirurgian that came to Kowey and ^as honourably received ; but coming ^ ufe lancing and burning, he was lought rather an hangman ; and for the ike caufe atone time all the Phyfitians rcre banidied Rome, One Charms a hyfitian condemning the judgement of [ is PredccelTors, fet up new inventions of l\ h own, and commanded his Patients ia oft and fnow to bath in cold water, as liny reports 5 who faith alfo that he hath en old men fct freezing them by his di- ftion. Acefias about to cure the Gout 3 »okcd more to the difeafe then pain e, hich j;)y negleft encreafed, whence the ^Jroverbe had its Original , Acefias medi" tus efty as 'Era\mm hathit^ when the edition growes worfe, Acefias his ure. It is cleare enough from what hath ^ ten delivered that Nature is beft fatis- j^c d when profitable and wholefome j,jp an g$ arc applied. Afclipiades sm inti- F 2 mate lyi 68 T/^e Myfierks and Larves mate friend of C». fomfej fii ft (hewed tht benefit of Wine to iicke perlons,recover- ing a man carried tohisgravc;hctaughi to maintain health by a moderate ufe o^^ meat and drink, an exact care in excer- n cife, and much rubbing 5 he inventec im delightful and pleafing potions, hecoittai manded bathing, and for eafe to his Pa^ in tients invented hanging beds, that (leg k might furprize them in fuch a carelefl! V poflure. The fame Vliuy faith that Detm u cr/ttti was a Phyfitian, who intheCun I oiConfidta Daughter to Conl'ul Sereilms t did forbeare har(h mcans,and by the jonf "fl and continual ufe of Goats milk reco «n vcred her. iioi ^^ro« as C(r//«; reports. Lib. i^, caf^ 22. wasaPhyfitian aj^i^f«j, who ins^n great Plague when many were infe6ted I did onely caufc to be made great fire fiio nigh to the place; and thus d'i(i Wppou cratei yior which he w^^s much honoured h Whence we may learne that mild anc «ii gentle iifage in a difeafe is moreeffica- ot; cions to the taking away of the caufc SQi and to healing the.S'ymptom€S,then harfl H and rugged dealing. The Mariner dotl air; pray for a full gale many times toforo er| him into his d fired Harbour 5 neithei|j(ii dotH efthe Rofecrncians. 69 Joth the Traveller goe jn adiredline, ^cc both in the end atcaine their hopes. Reread that Fabimhy dtlay conquered is enemy; fo that it is a Maftcrpeice of ►rudence well and maturely to deliberate nd then to exccure ; yet the method of uring remaines and the Axioms are rmt.,viz» Ifthecaufe be taken away, le effect ceafeth 5 if the difeafe is cured, le Symptomes do vaniOi and weare way. But Chymiftry ftores and fupplies us fith Medicines which are fafe, pleafant, nd foone performe that for which they rere intended : and others have abun- antly fet forth this in their writings, nd therefore it will not berequifiteto and longer upon it. Now let us face about and viewthofc fi, ho are meer Chymifts5 rhefe would ,M B called young 'theof'oraft^^ afieftin^ ijj ke their Mafter a Divine Tide, which jg p neither had by his Father nor Mother, jp Mt affumed it to himfelf as moft Magni- cent and glorious : but without all ijloubt he was a man of eminent andad- J3i lirable knowledge in the Art of Phylickj ■pK ecfurely it would be worthily judged 1^1 tadnelTe for his fake alone^ co forfake lot F 3 the JO The Myfieries and Lawa the Ancients and follow his new invent ^ tions, Itmayfeem an abfurd thing for oni to undertake to reftore a very o^dmzi^ to his former ftrength, beca^ife deaths*' then approaching, and every man i length mull lubmic to his Scepter. *- Is not the World now ancient an^ '* full of dayes, and is it not folly to thinS S^ of recoveringandcallingback its youth; 'J^ furely their new Mtdiciue cannot revive the dying World, it may weaken it and haftenitsend : ytt ^Ay I pray you, dc not imagine that I do atprefent ccnfur? the excellent and plainly divine Prepa^ ^'' rations of Chymiftry^ bur rather the pa,r{ons who profeffe it, who make t\ 'P their bufineffe to deftroy, but endeavoui not to build, who trample on others to raife and exalt themfelves ^ as thejjalm ofolddid^ railing againft all men whc were not his followers ; So Chrjfippu. Mailer to Erafi^ratus^ to gain prehemi nencejdefpired and changed Hippocrates. Thefe and fuch like men are wonttc promife much ^ but perform little; for w< may certainly conclude , that although fuch peffons may affed greatnes^yet they (balnever attain it by fuch indireft means. I would ofth e Bx^fecrucians. y i would many of the Taracelftans did not oo much conforme to their Matters vices 5 f many late vvridngs were fcanned, and heir abufes and tart language againft )lhers left out, I doubt their volumes fould very much (hrink ; it were much setter thatdifeafes the common enemies vere more lookt after, then private ;rudges amongft Phyficians themfelves evengcd : Brute beafts do barke, (hew heir teeth, and fpic venomf ; a mans weapon is Reafon by which he (hould oilc his adverfaries. As touching Chymiftry, we highly :om^end and admire thofe things in it vhich are good, but yet fo as not to de- pife Galenical Medicine, which in fome afesisas efFcftual : my opinion is that iach ought to be ufcd in its proper place. V!en are noj meer fpirlts but corporeal Subftances, and thtrefore need not Me- dicines exalted to their higheft degree of 3erfeftion,at leaftin every greife applied :o every perfon and to every part or Tiember. There are fome difeafes which "X)eing hot and dry are not to be cured by Chymical prefcriptions , whofe Ingre- dients or Preparations have the like Q^iaiitics. In a Common- wealth there F4 is 'oa ¥- 7 7 ^he Myjleries andLawes is a Merchant, there is an Husbandman, t^o but one ought not to fupplant the other $ i«f fo a prudent Phyfitian will make ufe ofi li^^ fcoth as he fees occaiion 5 the one for a 'f' Country man, the other for a delicate! "ft' Peifon; the one inflight diftempers, th« lifi other in daiHgerous ca(es ; the one fop liot pleafantnefle, the other for efficacy as ne-) "t^ cefJjty requires. ^ b m — — — '--— • ?. Iiei Chap. X. «, 1^ Kit Ccncermng the unfufferable vices of-k many Vhjfiuans^ from vphich thi Fraternity of R. C. is free. f Coi 1 in WE have not without fufficient caui«|m3 faid fomething of the abufes of Medicine, which the Brethren warily tr fhunncd by their firft Law, which was, li That they (hould cure the ficke Gratis^ U for the greedinefTe of Phyiitians purs i(. them upon unjuft and illegall actions- jjn Whence come thofe terrible long Bills ^ fc thofe of the Rofecruciant. 75 lofe (hort dear Bills,buc from coveteouf- efle ? every one raore ftriving to inrich limfelfe then to help the difeafed 5 yec ;t^e deny to none their honeft gains, jftice and Truth fhould (way them in leirpraftice; let them follow the me- nod of Hippocrates and Gakn-^ yet Na- are indeed is more to be look'd after len either of them, as a fare guide into s ov/n moft intricate fecrets : but from le faults of remedies we will come to le faults of Phyfitians themfelves, by a.hich fo many Pacients do and have ^/ifcarried. They are commonly thcfe ; Self-con- ;eit, Pride, Malice, Hatred, Calumnia- :ion in word and writing ^Coveteoufnefs, gno ranee, Joyned with agratftockof [Confidence, or rather Impudence. This Self-conceit becomes no man; if I man is puffed up like a bladder, he nay be fooner broken,a:id his glory will anifhi his greatnefs encreafeth his dan- ger; neither is Pride to be allowed of; t blaits all parts and endowments, and f the man efcape the envy of others, yet leather a flight Feaver makes him fall,, md he who even now was lifted up ihrough ambition, is brought down to the 7 4 ^^^ Myfierks afid Lawes the earth. It is not true learning thaip caufeth men to fwell, but an emptinefs they fuppofe themfclves tobeknowin men, when as indeed they underftaro not the depths of Nature. Socrates h learned a IcfTon of ignoranccjafter muchk,f (ludyhc found out his infufficency; iffy thefe vapourers would turn over a ne^^^^ leaf, they would fee their former pre fumption. Mark how Malice and Hatred profper when two are fet againfteach oiher, theyd^, endeavour by making thcmrdves a com-Q^, mon laughing ftock, utterly to undo,f both, and each at length is whip'd with,., his own rod. There is this benefit in having an envious adverfary, that h<^ Ipends and wafts away; his malice feeds upon hirafelf 5 To that it is better for any man to deferve the envy of another rather then his pittvj the one fuppofing hin\ happy, the other miferable; This vice as the Ivie by embracing trees doth fpoile them ; this vice I Cay clings to great perfons5and fecretly corrodes their Honour and Fame ; what noble exploits, what vertuous deeds have been performed but they have been blown upon by fome peftilential breath? This was thecaufe of of the Rofecrncians. 7 5 ?ffuriousC/r/«^^ munhcring his rightc* us Brother ^i>f/, and th at j«;>ir^r ftruck ^ fcuiafius with a thunderbolt : to avoid ^ many have forfaken their Coun- "its and lived amongftftrangers, as did 'fbicraus in Ikracia^ timotheus in Lesbos^ hahrias in JEgyft^ Chares in Sigeunty \\io were all Greciam ; amongft the Ko- mn: as the Leproufy, th Dropfy, the Peftilence, the Cancer, th Heftick, the Gout, and many others 3 We aniwer, that they ingeniouily con fcffe in their writings that they kno not the time of their own death, an they acknowledge that all men muit pa their debt to death, which cannot be hin dred or prevented by any Medicinesi^^r if according to predeiiination it feifefl'W upon any man, and to endeavour againft} i" Providence were impious and vain. i '" But there are thre6 degrees confider-il '«" a1)le in the forementioned maladies 5 Thcj ^ beginning, the increafe, theftate: A(fc^'^ thefirftalior rooft of thtfe difeafesare ^ cureable; when they prevaile fomewhatj |w over Nature remedies may be had ; and doubtlefle the Brethren have Medicine* which will effeft the cure, Gods provi- dence allifting them in their lawful en- deavours ; fuch difeafcs in thdr height which I ofihe RofecrHCiank 8 1 "^ jihi(;h havea tendency to death areiri- Airable; as for common fickncfles we bdc that cither Galenical or Chymical ] eparations may remove them. We will now declare the reaforts why imetimcsthe moft able Phylltians are liled and difappoinced. Firft we muft I low that diieaits are the cfitrfts of fin^ ; d deferved punifhment doth often- \ nes (hut oiit favour^ fo that tedioui 1 knefles and death are means which
es turc (lands not much the Patients friend, pc and doth not convey this matter into the «t water courfes, as often is feen^ or alfo by ^^ Art } fome Mufels arc opened , and th^ wi corruption within forty daycs carried k away, the Lungs will be ulcerated, and tl a Confumpcion will enfue altogechec ^ incurable. i The Qneftion is whether cureabhi: Difeafes are by them helped ? Such in- ei deed would end without any applica*^! tion , and Nature needs no ailiftance to k fuch enemies, fo that then Medicine were « ufelefle 5 for who will trouble himfelft oc to feek after means, when his greife wil ift ftiortly of itfclfc ceafe and go away '-i Though here be many difficultieiiic couched, yet we (hall breifly ftate thif cafe : Let thofe who are unfatisfied h e( large Treatifes fhew whether in thitf World it was abfolutely neceflary tha i all things (hould be done which are done tr or whether they might have been other it wife difpofed of; Cardanus ard th( oe Stoicks do attribute all events to fata le neccflity, to which thc.y dolubjeft Go< le himfelf, as not being able to reiift ^ fc i; blafphemous arc they. I We hold that God is a free Agent om- « nipotCDt ioftbe RpfecrHcUnf. 83 potent 5^6 can do what ever he pleafeth; : ha^h made Nature his handmaid, and e having received a CommilliQA doth cordingly aft ; (he produccth all rhings rrial ther for the good and happinefs of men, ani ' elfe to plague and puniih them, and etha this rank are Difeafes, and Death ic (fe coraeth from fuch prevalent difea- eabii \ : But God alone difpofeth of good ID. evil to every one ; he indeed generally icr;s Nature keep its courfe, but fomc- tcines to (hew liis freedom, he interrupts ^at order, and by a particular provi- i/eMnce thwarts the intention of Nature lether it tend to health or fickne(Ic5 iyjyiis in his power to fhorten a difeafe Ititi lich to us may feera tedious, he can ^poffP^ath when we give over the iceti (fdiiie of means. Now if God forefees the ok' e cvi.k which naturally hang ower men, ^\j^d doth not prevent fuch evils but erewith will punilli men, he is not the ithor of that evil forcfeen and brought ion any one by nature, although fome- fi^al pes he fend^ miraculous plagues upon Qoi s enemies. Hence, is that faying 5 ^j . in ad th) deftru^^ion is from thy felfe^ becauje f vpick^dneffe haih. ^rawn dox9n judge- ^iffSf^U upott tbiijf h^fkd. When fome cf G2 tbs 84 ^^^ JMyfieries andtawes the wife Heathens had taken noticed « this ; they feigned Pleafurc and Sorrot ^ to be linckcd together, as if the excei t thereof were to it felfe a fufficlent punit Uf roent: They alfo faid that a Difea « was brother to Death, that by fwc "^ vertue was attained j and to this purpoi ii is that place in Scripture 5 there is 1^ evil in the City that is mtfrom Gody whe )1 is meant the evil of puniflimcnt, eith brought upon any perfon miraculoul and by the immediate hand of God, < clfe naturally falling upon him. Hence we learn the birth and origin of Vice, it proceeds from the corrupt* Nature of fallen man 5 his will enjoy its liberty in rcfpeO: of earthly thin§ but as to heavenly things its not fre Its with a man as with a weak infir perfon who cannot lift his hands to b head, but with eafe he can let them ha downwards. So finful man natural inclining to (infulnefs, without ai paines falls into wickednef?, he needs particular inftinft from God 5 but ftrength which muf^ fupport his infirn in tics, exalt him to Heaven, Co that may obey God, is not from man himfefc but from the free grace and mercy of f t heaven I« avcnly Father, who hath mercy on rjhom he will ; but yet excludes none xc( om his favour who forfaking earthly uni iings do accept of the true means and lift ceive the bene6t thereof, who pray and fwi ideavour to their utmoft ability to be hat they ftiould be, committing them- Ives firft and chiefly to God, and then wk ♦ Nature, who faithfully obeys him in fit! j things. ijo) efibe Rofecruciant. 8 S' Chap. XIL i hat the Brethren a/ theFratirnitj do nfeomly laxpful and f/atnr at reme- dies. hi rHe holy Scripture makes mention of a King of Juda who being fick of le plague and death Teemed to approach, y divine providence was healed by ha- jjf ing Figs applied to the fore,and he lived ,[ I uny years after ^ To that we fee that G 3 God i«B ii 26 ihe Myfterks and Latvet God can nsiraculoufly direft tomear|^' which in themfelves are natural , as if deed this was a very lawful remedy, ar the reafon is not unknown ; To herev will cxaixine whether the means whi