Drugs This Question hath been handled by many learned men at present we will not spend much time about it We deny not men the use in Food and Physick of India and Arabicke Spices neither do we condemn other most excellent gifts of God but here we finde fault with the price let us therefore use them in their place and time Perhaps such precious things were intended for great persons but yet great care must be used in the preparation that they be not Sophisticated I say rich men may afford to pay for these Medicines who delight to eat and drink Gold and hope as by that they can purchase all earthly things so they may buy health Neither would we be thought ignorant of the great vertues and rare efficacy of Gold but we speak against the abuse of those Impostors who instead thereof do cheat and robbe and we can assure all that there is no worth in the boiling and reboiling of Gold They indeed give their menstruous stuffes for dissolved Gold which being reduced to a spirit may corrode and let all men beware of it imitating a carelesse Cook who if he hath lost the broth in which the meat hath been boiled sets new upon the Table which hath no heart nor strength in it So they when they have consumed and lost their Gold with Salts and other wayes they sell that which remaines when the Bird is gone they sell the Nest and this they call Potable Gold spiritualized because invisible it may be they put Gold into their furnace but that they by those means can produce such Medicines we deny There were many Alexanders many called by the name of Julius but yet but one Alexander the Great one Julius Caesar the others agree onely in name Should any one enquire into the excellency of our own Countries Simples he would have work enough upon his hands We shall leave this to another time and place But besides the price may we not justly suspect the preparation that they instead of true may sell false compositions failing in their Art and Profession for the ballance of Humane frailty being at the one end by Justice at the other by Profit the last overweighs because honesty may be an hinderance to us but profit brings pleasure and delight along with it So now Merchants count it part of their Trade to learne and skill the adulterating of their Commodities when the Thebans would admit no such persons to the Magistracy unlesse they had left off their Trade at least ten years before by which time they might forget to cozen but I will not here censure all of that Calling the same may be said of those who sell Medicines whether Physitians or Apothecaries if they abuse their profession It remaines to shew that Specificks of Vegetables and things of little worth are more powerful against any disease then those which are of so great price neither is the reason fetch'd farre for they whose Property absolutly resists the malady they I say must needs be more effectually then those who accidentally suit the disease and by meer chance work a cure In Mechanicke Arts if a man excellent in one should boast of his skill in another which he never saw you would finde him a bungler in it but employ the same in that Trade wherein he hath been brought up and he will shew himself to be a workman So in diseases when each Specifick doth its own office there is an happy issue but applied to another proves of no effect neither can it be expected from one man thought he had an hundred hands to conquer an Army which yet choice Bands of experienced Souldiers may easily overcome but we have been tedious about this subject CHAP. IX That many are haters of Chymistry and others scorne the use of Vegetables and Galenical compositions either of which may be useful in proper Cases AS the Palats of men are not all taken with the same taste but what is pleasing to one is loathsome to another so mens judgements do differ and what one approves the other assents not unto both which happen or are caused as by Sympathy or Antypathy drawing them on to embrace and provoking them to hate such a thing so also by prejudice or reason corrupted Some dare not taste Cheese all their life some abstaine from it a few years some drink onely water refusing Wine or Ale and in these there is great variety no lesse is the difference amongâ—â— Mindes Whence it is that two meeting when neither hath seen or heard of the other at the first sight shall desire and seek each others friendship and on the contrary whence is it that one hates another from whom he never received injury as evidently appears by one coming where two are gaming he presently shall finde his affection to close with the one and if his wish might succeed he should winne and he would gladly have the other lose though he neither recevid courtesie from the one nor harme or ill word from the other Now as much as the understanding excells the taste and dull and sensual faculty so much a truly wise man surpasseth one that onely outwardly seems judicious one by reflection considers and weighs the matter the other not so acutely apprehending is tempted to rashnesse Thus many learned men whose Fancies have not been in due subjection to their understandings have abused themselves and have heedlesly embraced this as good and cast off that as evil It may seem as strange in Medicine that some Doctors should onely prescribe Vegetables and Galenical Physick perfectly hating Chymistry and that others wholly inclined to novelty should refuse all Medicines that are not Chymically prepared Both parties in mine opinion are swayed more by Fancy then Reason for I suppose it absolutly necessary to study first your ancient dogmatical Medicine both as to the Speculative and the Practical part and to correct the faults as we have already pointed in the first second and third Qualities and the same course is to be taken in Chymistry so that they be without suspition and deceit and first we will begin with the old and then proceed to the new We have sufficiently proved that there are occult properties and specifick vertues in Simples as no learned Galenist ever denyed who have also confessed that these did not work from their Qualities or degrees but their natures to mitigate Symptomes take away the cause of the disease and to Enthronize health in mans body If this be true why are not Physitians more careful in gathering and rightly understanding the nature of Simples Fernelius in his Book De abditis reruâ— causis saith that this Specifick vertuâ— which he calls the Forme lies hid in every part of a Simple and is difused throughout all the Elements hence if by Chymistry water is drawn off oyle is extracted and Salt made out of the asheâ— each of these the Water Oyle and Salâ— hath the Specificall vertue of the Simples but I suppose one
not so much as another yet all joyned together are perfect and compleat These things being laid down and confirmed we must confesse that the outward tangible body of any Simple that may be beaten cut sifted boiled mingled with any other to be the barke the carkasse and habitation of the Specifick Quality which is the pith the soul the housholder And now what shall we say of our common preparations in Apothecaries shops which have good and bad nay most corrupt in them would not all laugh him to scorne who being commanded to call a Master out of his house will needs have the house along too that cannot use the birds unlesse the nest be an Ingredient that cannot eat Oysters unlesse he may also devour the shels But the Apothecaries think this lawful enough because they can do no better these occult Qualities indeed are so subtile that they make an easiy escape unlesse they be narrowly watch'd and with a great skill housed or incorporated Camphire loseth its strength unlesse it be cherished with flaxe-seed Rubarb is preserved by waxe and the spirits of Wine the Salt of goats blood does evaporate if it be not close stopp'd in glasses What shall we then say of these Specifical Qualities separated from their bodies will not they return to their first principles for who can seperate the Qualitie of burning from the fire the qualitie of moistning from the water but if this be impossible in simple bodies how much more difficult is it in compound I could therefore wish that Medicines were used which were lawful possible and reasonable that laying aside ostentation and pride truth might flourish Perhaps we might allow of Syrups Juleps Conserves did not that great quantity of Sugar clog the natural operation of the Simple Perhaps we might approve of Electuaries Opiats Antidotes unlesse the multitude of simples confusedly put together did hinder if not totally extinguish the true vertue Perhaps Pills and all bitter sowre sharp stinking Medicines are good but yet they destroy appetite cause loathsomenesse that a Patient had better endure the disease then the remedy if bitternesse sowrnesse sharpnesse and an ill savour are the Specifical Qualities they should be rather checked then let loosâ— and indeed they are but handmaids to their Mistrisse but subservient to the specifical Quality and the true difference is discovered by Chymistry for it separates the impure parts from the pure if rightly used yet mistake not we say not that Chymical preparations are altogether spiritual and without any body but are more peircing and subtile more defecated then grosse bodies made more heavy by a great quantity of Sugar so that they are not free and at liberty to act and play their parts By this time you may see the folly and madnesse of those who hate Chymistry which ought to be used but with care and judgement for it is not the part of a Physitian to burn lance cauterize and to take away the cause of the disease by weakning the Patient and indangering his life but Symptomes must be abaâ—ed nature restored and comforted by safe Cordials One Archagatus was the first Chirurgian that came to Rome and was honourably received but coming to use lancing and burning he was thought rather an hangman and for the like cause at one time all the Physitians were banished Rome One Charmis a Physitian condemning the judgement of his Predecessors set up new inventions of his own and commanded his Patients in frost and snow to bath in cold water as Pliny reports who saith also that he hath seen old men set freezing them by his direction Acesias about to cure the Gout looked more to the disease then paine which by neglect encreased whence the Proverbe had its Original Acesias medicatus est as Erasmus hath it when the condition growes worse Acesias his Cure It is cleare enough from what hath been delivered that Nature is best satisfied when profitable and wholesome things are applied Asclepiades an intimate friend of Cn. Pompey first shewed the benefit of Wine to sicke persons recovering a man carried to his grave he taught to maintain health by a moderate use of meat and drink an exact care in excercise and much rubbing he invented delightful and pleasing potions he commanded bathing and for ease to his Patients invented hanging beds that sleep might surprize them in such a carelesse posture The same Pliny saith that Democritus was a Physitian who in the Cure of Confidia Daughter to Consul Sereilius did forbeare harsh means and by the long and continual use of Goats milk recovered her Agron as Coelius reports Lib. 13. cap. 22. was a Physitian at Athens who in a great Plague when many were infected did onely cause to be made great fires nigh to the place and thus did Hippocrates for which he was much honoured Whence we may learne that mild and gentle usage in a disease is more efficacious to the taking away of the cause and to healing the Symptomes then harsh and rugged dealing The Mariner doth pray for a full gale many times to force him into his dâ—sired Harbour neither doth the Traveller goe in a direct line yet both in the end attaine their hopes We read that Fabius by delay conquered his enemy so that it is a Masterpeice of prudence well and maturely to deliberate and then to execute yet the method of curing remaines and the Axioms are firme viz. If the cause be taken away the effect ceaseth if the disease is cured the Symptomes do vanish and weare away But Chymistry stores and supplies us with Medicines which are safe pleasant and soone performe that for which they were intended and others have abundantly set forth this in their writings and therefore it will not be requisite to stand longer upon it Now let us face about and view those who are meer Chymists these would be called young Theophrasts affecting like their Master a Divine Title which he neither had by his Father nor Mother but assumed it to himself as most Magnificent and glorious but without all doubt he was a man of eminent and admirable knowledge in the Art of Physick yet surely it would be worthily judged madnesse for his sake alone to forsake the Ancients and follow his new inventions It may seem an absurd thing for one to undertake to restore a very old man to his former strength because death it then approaching and every man as length must submit to his Scepter Is not the World now ancient and full of dayes and is it not folly to think of recovering and calling back its youth surely their new Medicine cannot revive the dying World it may weaken it and hasten its end yet stay I pray you do not imagine that I do at present censure the excellent and plainly divine Preparations of Chymistry but rather the persons who professe it who make it their businesse to destroy but endeavour not to build who trample on others to raise and exalt themselves as Thessalus of
his followers to express both the cleanliness of body and unspotted innocency of soul Nature hath so befriended some birds that they change both voice and feathers in the Winter and thereby being not known are safe from other ravenous birds In some Counteries Hares become white in the Winter but in Summer keep their wonted colours The Camelion by being like no every thing shee comes neer doth often escape the Ants and many Insects have wings and can scarcely be known what they first were so happy is that change which guides to safety Shall reason withstand the lawfull dictates of Nature where necessity compells custome forces shall men run upon the one and to their damage slight the other The Brethren being in all points careful will neither violate Natures Commands nor contemn civill rights though they alter their apparrell their mind is unchangeable CHAP. XIV The third Law enjoynes each Brother to appeare on a particular day and at a certain place every yeer that they may all meet together and consult about their affairs EVery Society hath Lawes and rules binding them to some Duties so that the Governour or chief when he pleaseth and thinks it necessary may summon all to one place to consider what is most fit and convenient to be done on some immergent occasions for if a company be separated their minds and Councells are disjoyned the one cannot be helpfull to the other either in example or advice who knows not that most intimate familiarity and the neerest friendship is broken off by absence and want of visitation so that they who were not long since highest in our thoughts are utterly forgotten besides wherein can a friend profit who is distant from another even Brethren become as it were unnaturall when thus separated we confess that letters may supply this defect yet writing doth not so much delight and enliven as discourse papers are mute if any doubt arise they cannot frame a ready answer but where a man appeares he can resolve all Questions satisfie all scruples Wherefore the Brethren of the R. C. thought it most expedient if not altogether requisite to meet at least once in the yeare in a certain prefixed place This Law as it is the third in order so also in Dignity by which the true Pythagorian assembly is obliged to appearance neither is their meeting vaine and to gaze upon each other for they do imitate the rule of Pythagoras who enjoined his Schollers every day to examine themselves where they had been and what good memorable act they had performed so the Brethren of the R. C. at their convention relate what rare cures they have done what progress they have made in the Arts and Sciences and observe how their practice agrees with their principles and if any new knowledge confirmed by often experience comes to them they write it in Books that it may safely come to the hands of their successors Thus true and certain learning is encreased till at length it shall attaine to perfection This Schoole is not like to Aristotle for there were frequent wrangling disputes one opposing the other and perhaps both the Truth however they have no Questions free from debate not contradicted by some of the same sect for example What is the soul of man whether the First Act or something else whether {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} whether born generated or infused given from heaven and many Thousand such fobberies and at length they rest in Opinion They have therefore framed a Methode to regulate disputes and supply termes whereby they more darken knowledge and willingly shut their eyes Let them discuss to weariness the nature and original of Metalls and whether there can be a transmutation and who will be better informed and satisfied Thus idle Disputation is a sport of Wit and onely a recreation of Fancy no solid and real Truth is to be found out by it A certain Philosopher hearing some dispute What Vertue is made answer that as they could not come to an end of the Question so neither to the use thereof if any one professes hemselfe to have skill in Physicks why then doth he not let the world see what he can doe and laying aside vain bablings perfect the great work of natural tincture but by chance he will utterly deny that there is any such thing to be found out and hereby gets a cloak for his ignorance for he will censure all which he knowes not But who will call him an horsman who yet did never ride who will call him a Smith who never wrought in that Art and why should we esteeme him a Philosopher who hath never experienced his philosophy but hath onely uttered some foolish and fantastical words But some may here object that one part of Philosophy is contemplative to which Mathematicks and Metaphysicks doe relate the other consists in Action to which Ethicks and Politicks doe guide Plato was displeased that Mathematicks were brought to sensible Subjects as Arithmatick to Numbers Musick to Sounds Geometry to Measures but we must acknowledge that he in this was envious to mankind and in his passion prevailed over his reason For what profiteth it any man by meer speculation to view the misteries of God and Nature is it a more commendable thing to thinke well then to be good the same holds true in Physicks for barely to contemplate of it is as unusefull so absurd and ridiculous how can you call that a true Cause of which you never saw an effect There hath been some ancient Philosophers who have searched after experimental knowledge and studied more Nature thâ—n Art more the thing then the signification and Name as the Magitians amongst the Persians the Bracmanes amidst the Indians and the Priests in Egypt and now the Brethren of R. C. in Germany Thus wee see plainly they meet for a good end for each Court hath its appointed time in which justice may be duely executed and no wrongâ— further heightned The Brethren assemble to vindicate abused Nature to settle Truth in her power and chiefly that they may with one accord return thanks to God for revealing such mysteries to them if any man is promoted to an high Office and neglects or contemnes the Ceremonies and circumstances of admission the Prince will immediately put him out as one sleighting his favours and scorning of Him so since God hath been pleased to honour these Brethren with such rare endowments and they should not appeare to shew their gratitude He might justly take from them His Talent and make them subjects of His wrath This Law hath a Limitation if they cannot appeare they must either by others their Brethren or by letters tell the cause of their absence for infirmity sickness or any other extraordinary casualty may hinder their journey Wee cannot set down the places where they meet neither the time I have sometimes observed Olympick Houses not far from a river and