who imbraceth us poore meane men with Brotherly love neither doth he refuse nor is ashamed to call us Brethren Now as I shall explaine these severall things one by one and something more at large no man I suppose will be so dainty or so averse from these pleasanter Studies that they shall be unto him any occasion of distast or disdaine No man I thinke will be so Atheologicall or void of Divinity as to make the Load-stone a Stone of offence CHAP. V. Of the Load-stones elevating Vertue AS all other heavie things so Iron of its owne Nature goes downe-wards This as the eldest Sonne of the Earth and principall in her Love tends with a wonderfull and vehement desire to the Center thereof as to his Mothers bosome So that without violence or Miracle it never ascends to the Aire nor mounts to places above Yet not withstanding such is the marvelous Vertue of this wonder working Stone that giving to the Iron but a light touch and having once affected it with its love It presently forsake its common Mother hastens to the Load-stone with a Swift violent course and with all possible endeavour being ready to imbrace it in the most loving manner that may be But if it be detayn'd by force of hands or held backe by a string that it cannot touch it then as it were most vehemently longing to come to it it moves over against it I have seene neither did I see it without astonishment a needle raised up by the Loadstone hanging in the ayre agaiâ—st its owne nature lifting up the point thereof towards the Load-stone that was plac't above it I have seene the same needle being artificially plac't upon a brasen Tablet in the surface of water swimming over to the Loadstone without theâ—elpe of a corke from one side of a cauldron to another and flying up to it As I seriously considered these Magneticke miracles and wonderfull works of God that came to my mind which is recorded in sacred Scripture about the Axe that through negligence fell downe to the bottome of the River yet at the Prophets command came out of the deepe and swimmed up Asalso that so Elisha forsaking his Oxen his Plough his friends and all that hee had and following Elias without any delay as his Guide and companion in a way to him as yet unknowne As also that which is writ of Peter travelling on foot to his Lord on the waves of the Sea He that can hardly beleeve these histories but leavs themto be beleeved of Jewes and others let him now take notice of these things which upon experience I speake of the Loadstone let him give credence to me without taking my oath or at least believe his owne eyes Magna sui faciunt per Leviora fidem Great workes make Affidavit for themselves by those that are lesse They are blessed I doe not deny who having not seene doe beleeve yet notvvithstanding these sensible helpes of Faith are not altogether to be despised which after their manner and measure doe further and strengthen our Faith Now that some benefit may accrew unto us by these things we must knovv that our soules ever since Adams fall are troubled vvith a vvonderfull drovvsinesse and lumpishnesse the very Heathen Poet crying out O curvae in terras animae caelestium inanes O soules of men bent to the earth and voyd ofheavenly things Saint Bernard complayning that our soules are become carnall and in some sort turned into flesh S. Anselme likening them to a bird tyed to a ponderous stone Saint Austine to a little Bee so drowned in abounance of honey that it can by no meanes unwind or spread forth her wings indeed the huge wâ—ight of the body lies heavily upon them the cares of the world doe presse them downe the lusts of the flesh doe ensnare them the allurements of pleasures entangle them who shall ease us of this burthen who shall take away these loades that we may clime up the ladder of Iacob with more speed and ease Who shall give to us the wings of a Dove that we may flye up to heaven with hast â—and have our priviledged habitationthere Surely he alone who infus'd into the Loadstone such vertue Hee alone who drew to him Mathew from the Custome-house Zacheus from the Tree Philip from his Chariot the Eunuch from the Court that they might follow him by the odour of his Oyntments Hee who in time to come shall waken us though dead in our graves by the sound of his Trumpet that as Eagles to a dead body so we may be gathered to him To conclude Hee shall doe it unto whom no man can ever come but whom hee shall draw by his great vertue exceeding that of the Loadstone â— Whilst that by inspiring Hee creates and by creating inspires or breaths into the will a new power life and vertue CHAP. VI. Of the Load-stone communicating its Vertue and Conveying it into the Iron AMong the least flowers and precious Stones there is none almost which hath not received some excellent endowment from God the bestower of all good things which notwithstanding it hath received with this limitation and condition to reserve it and to have it inherent in it selfe alone but can very hardly communicate it and transfuse it to other things of the same nature If you put Mallowes to Roses they take none of the Rosie colour or smell therefrom If you put aflint or pumice stone to a Saphire or Emerald they borrow no brightnesse thereby The Loadstone only inricht by nature with a special priviledge triumphs in this that it can endow the Iron which is plac't by it with its vertue and power to turne and which you may more admire it so endowes an Iron ring with this vertue that being next another it shall impart the same vertue to that a second shall do it to a third and so forward in a long rowe and as yet which goes almost beyond all belief it doth not onely these things by apposition or the lightest touch but also by passing over to it as it were by a certaine Divine inspiration onely with this difference that in a quick passage the Iron is possest with Vertue more weakly and slightly and is endewed with a lesse power to turne but if it stay for some longer time it receives a greater Vertue even such as it may draw more strongly abide in it the longer and be more hardly lost therefore this one this onely stone among all other created things is found worthy not onely to shadow out but also to represent to the life the efficacy of the grace of Christ and of his holy Spirit Though skill in Arts and Sciences and Languages is not attained unto without hard labour and long expence of time yet Christ did in abundant manner give his holy Spirit and his manifold gifts unto the Apostles onely by breathing upon them which they also conveighed over to their Brethren as Philip to Nathanael Paul to Timothy in
and vices Only this is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the boÌ„d of perfection which kep those first Apostles and Christians of that truly golden age in unitie among themselves when all beleevers abiding in the same place had all things common they sold their possessions and substance and imparted to everie one as hee had need continuing daily in the Temple with one accord breaking bread from house to house eating their meat with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart praising God and giving thanks before all the people Doubtlesse this Loadstone like chaine of charitie purchased them favour among the Gentiles and daily drew brethren Tertull. in Apoluget and adjoyned new Converts unto them which agreement of theirs the verie Pagans beholding cried out See how the Christians love one another see how they are ready to dye one for another This is that celestiall and spirituall bond of charitie which so straightly bound that Royall and Noble couple of friends I meane David and Ionathan whereof the one loved the other to the death with a love greater than that of Women he lov'd him more than himselfe nay more than his â—ereditary Kingdome The life of those two no age among the Ethnicks ever knew no Philosophy ever bred the like in comparison of whose friendship that of Scipio and Laelius of Pylades and Oresies and other couples of the like condition what doth it deserve to be tearmed but a shadowy carkasse and counterfeit semblance of a true and vehement love Chap. 18. That the Loadstone and our Saviour Christ effect more by an Instrument than by their owne immediate vertue THe Loadstone as it is an exceeding marvellous so is it in a speciall manner a mysticall Stone no lesse famous for secret wayes of working than for mighty workes that though it bee the fountaine and principall seat of attractive and elevating vertue yet doth it as it were on set purpose transferre all the honour of it upon the Iron for this very Stone being destitute of company and by it selfe drawes little or nothing but armed with Iron will lift up a huge weight of Iron I my selfe have seene a Loadstone which being unarmed would scarce take up sâ—aven Ounces but cover'd or capt with Iron as the rudâ— of speech use to say it lifâ—â—d up strongly and easily two and twenty pounds râ—sembling God in this who is natures principall workman and the first mover of all things who although he be the Father of light yet he illuminates this visible world by the Sun himselfe being invisible in the heavens and which is our blindnesse and madnesse not worshipped and praised of many He doth also redeeme save and judge men by the Son of man he doth delegate or commit unto him a power to supply his roome both in heaven and earth whose God-head and Majesty lay hid in the vaile of his flesh as a light in a darke Lanthorne insomuch that he was not made manifest but to his owne people and but to few of them and that by miracles who now also hiding himselfe in the Heavens using the Ministâ—ry of men as the Loadstone the help of Iron cals drawes and converts men unto him by a fit Instrument of the same kind taking his Ministers into fellowship of honour with him He that receiveth you saith he receiveth me nay he passeâ— hover and commits a more ample power to thâ—m He that believes in me shall doe greater workes than I have done We doe not reade of Christ that he converted so many as a hundred at one Sermon But it is expressed of Peter Act. 2. That he converted three thousand which love of his towards man doth in a manner surpasse all his miracles As it is the greatest Art of Arts and Artists to conceale their Art and skill so it is the principall praise and vertue of a good man to derive praise unto others himselfe being concealed Neither is there any thing wherein men may come neerer to God than this Let men admire and praise in Ioah some one thing some another among all his honourable Arts I never thought that heroicall or noble demonstration or proof of his vertue to be the principall that he both would and could transfer upon the head of David the glory and Crowne of a Victory purchast by his owne valour for the rest of his deeds he overcame others in this himselfe which was farre more honourable than if he had triumphed a hundred â—imes over Rabba and the Ammonites Chap. 19. That the Loadstone drawes ten times more weight by two points or Caps than by so many severall points by themselves NOw will I put you in mind by the way and that not unseasonably that the Loadstone doth transfuse the force and vertue thereof into the Medium or Instrument that it imparts but a small portion of it to one Cap or polar point by it selfe but a large and ample vertue to two joyn'd together Of which when I tooke experiment and made triall in a strong stone and applyed the iron to one of the points it took up two or three pounds and that very hardly But when I had applyed the iron to both together it lifted up two and twentie pounds without any difficultie so that the saying of Salomon is not only true Eccles. 4 9. Two are better than one for it they lye together they sooner have heat if they fall the one will lift up his fellow But also that common saying understood of them that have least knowledge That forces united will become the stronger For who doth not see acknowledge that forces by such union are twice the stronger but that they should be ten times stronger this is both rare and singular and to be seene only in these experiments of the Loadstone That it is no wonder as Origen observes on the first of Genesis that God made most things double and joyned them together by two and two as when it is recorded in the sacred Histories That God created together the Heaven and the Earth the Sun and the Moone the Man and the Woman and that Christ sent his Disciples not one by one but two and two That as one foot or one hand helps another so they should yeild to one another mutuall helpe that their forces and purposes being joyned together they might couragiously and prosperously draw living stones unto Christ and build upon him Chap. 20. That those Instruments are more prevalent and can doe more which stick closely than those which stick loosely to Christ or the Loadstone I Doe not thinke it fit to passe over in silence the great difference that is betweene that armour and furniture which is tied negligently to the Magnetick poles or points of the Loadstone and that which is tied to the same more fitly and closely For if there be but the least gap or space betweene them it is endued with much lesse vertue and drawes the burden more unsuccessively weakly and sluggishly neither will it lift up half
evill by meanes of an ill neighbour for wickedâ—communications corrupt good manners but good communications correct confirme whatsoever is amisse the wicked will fasten upon us some vice or another but the good and vertuous will infuse into us some vertue There was a little cloud in the forme of a pillar which was in the midst betweene the Egyptians and the Israelites as they travelled in the wildernesse the hindermost thereof which was dark and mistie the Egyptians followed after but the formost which was lightsome and bright the Israelites beheld Whatsoever thing wee have in us that is spotted and worthy of dispraise they which are the children of darknesse doe imitate that but whatsoever is excellent and praise-worthy that they doe follow which are the children of light and led by the Spirit of God Wherefore wee must not only take heed with whom we converse but upon what tearmes and conditions with a great deale of care in the choyse of our friends and diligent circumspectnesse unlesse that we be willing to endure thereby a dangerous corruption of manners Chap. 28. As the Poles of the Loadstone have their strength in divers regions so good and bad men have their regiment or rule in divers ages THere is as much difference betweene the Poles of the Loadstone as is between the right hand and the left for they have a different power in different regions of the earth In tâ—e Northerne parts of â—he world there is a manifest difference of the Northerne point for it lifts up a greater piece of Iron than the Southerne Pole can doe in the same parts In this world the flesh prevailes against the spirit the body doth here presse downe the soule The sons of Belial dominere in this life every one hath his place his government assigned him by God Chap. 29. Christ doth diligently purge his floore in that sort as Goldsmiths doe their Tables GOldsmiths have an admirable cunning to cleanse their tables upon which small dust of Iron is everie where mingled with golden dust which fall from their files and hammers as they polish those things which they make For they carry about on the Table a Loadstone of great vertue within a fingers distance which readily separates without any damage the small pieces of Iron fâ—om those of gold when passing by and leaving the golden it drawes those of Iron unto it After the very same manner the Lord shall purge his floore in that great day of judgement for when two shall be together in one bed one shall be taken and the other shall be left when two shall be grinding in one mill one shall be taken the other left for the Lord knoweth those that are his he shall separate the Goats from the Sheep and shal winnow the chaffe from the wheat Neither ought it to seem more difficult or wonderfull unto us That the severall members and small parts of the deceased should returne againe to their bodies than that severall Bees in the hive doe know their cels that severall young Lambs in a flock doe distinctly knew their owne Dams and that severall peeces of Iron should flye towards the Loadstone Chap. 30. The Loadstone and Christ together with their vertue do impart gravitie or weight to those persons and things that are drawne by them FUrther wee may be pleased to note by the way That the Loadstone together with the vertues observed doth infuse and put a certaine weightinesse into the Iron For that point of the Needle which is touched and stirred up doth plainly out-weigh that which is untoucht and is enclined towards the earth So likewise doth Christ adde gravitie to those vertues wherewith hee is pleased to endow his Servants and surely it is no lesse profitable and necessary to the soule of man than ballasting is to a ship And although Gravitie is not numbred by Philosophers among the vertues yet it is the ornament and defence of them all Now a grave man is hee which is stedfast in his purpose is firmely fixt upon his intent as a statuâ— or image upon the base thereof and without variation doth alwayes persist in the same mind neither is hee carried away with every popular wind of applause nor chang'd into new forms by any new doctrine or example as other light vaine men are used to be Chap. 31. The Loadstone for love of the earth turnes aside from the poles of heaven as wee also being moved by the authoritie of men doe ofâ—en times turne aside from the truth of God WHeresoever the Loadstone doth enjoy a free and naturall motion there it lookes streight towards boâ—h the Poles the Northâ—rn and Southerne and departs not a whit from the Meridian but it happeneth in many places both of land and sea that it turnes aside and goes out of the way towards some point of the Horizon which is neere to the true Meridian and departs from the Poles point towards the East West which is distant by some degrees This irregularite is by the Mariners called Variation it ariseth and is caused by large high and strong Continents of the land unto which the Loadstone enclines whilst that it turnes it selfe to the eminent parts of its mother the Earth and forsakes the Celestiall Poles for love of them which Variation breeds a troublesom uncertaintie among the Mariners Not unlike to that which befals the Pastors and Christian flock in discussing and determining Divinitie controversies in which as long as they observe the rule of the Scripture and are not moved from the unmoveable foundation and infallible Canon of the Prophets and Apostles so long do they retain verity unitie and peace in the Church but as soone as they are divided and earnestly bend their mindes to maintaine particular factions and doe joyne themselves to that company or Sect of learned men which excell as they suppose in authority and knowledge and attribute more to their judgements and opinions than to the undoubted Oracles of God Hereupon grow so many schismes so many hereâ—ies and so many more than civill wars in the Church Against which mischiefes no better remedy can bee thought upon or desired than that they should admit the voyce of Christ that speaks in the Scripture for the true and living rule both of faith and life of manners and doctrine and for the Supreame Jâ—dge of all doubts Then they walking according to this rule there shall be peace in the Israel of God Chap. 32. Men are deceived in the estimation of Stones and other things while they estâ—eme of them not according to their use but according to their outward appearance IF those things be true which the Romane Ceâ—â—our suppos'd concerning the valuation of things That whatsoever is not profitable for mankind is too deare though you pay but the least piece of money for it That whatsoever is unserviceable is of no worth and that which is of no use is of no estimation Then surely shall they be guilty of the greatest
vanity that are unequall prizers of things who with the losse of their patrimonies and large possessions do purchase to themselves Gemms and precious Stoneâ— which bring them no substantiall advantage and can profit them nothing unlesse it be for superfluous splendour and outward adorning whereby no benefit comes either to body or soule when in the meane while they make no great account of the Loadstone and suppose it worth little though it be remarkable for so many vertues and ordayned by nature for so many uses and serviceable for so many necessary occasions of men Now if we believe Raimundus it belongs unto God alone who cannot encrease within who wants no inward augmentation and accomplishment to seeke an estimation of himself in mens hearts a name and praise by their tongues and finally that honour glory which is outward But that man who only wants inward perfection and the increase of reall good things the more he seeks that honour which is placed in the brest of others the more he pursues after vanity emptinesse unprofitablenesse and is by so much more wretched and poore more remote from solid perfection and blisse which things if they be examined according to the rule of truth peradventure they may seeme too harsh and to savour of Cynicall aâ—d Stoicall rigour for it is lawfull and allowed unto men by God himselfe to seâ—ke in a moderate way those things that pertaine unto outward ornament yet profusely to spend such huge sums of mony for to procure them to put upon them such an excesse of price beyond all measure despising and contemning those things that are of greater use and enricht with more indowments I do not see but that it is extreame folly if I may not say madnesse Chap. 33. Of that Emulation and desire to excel one another which is among Loadstones and likewise among Christians THere is not any where such manifest concord or discord no such vehement and irreconciliable envying either in vegetative or sensitive nor scarcely in things endued with reason as there is among Loadstones they doe so greedily desire the polar point and goe about to enjoy it wholly every one to it selfe after the fashion of Rivalls that for the obtaining thereof they doe expresse either wonderfull friendship or hatred among themselves for if you hang two long pieces of Iron and sharpe pointed over the Poles of the earth or Loadstone they forthwith concurre and accord in their lowest points but in their highest points they avoyd and drive one another away On the contrary if they be short and blunt they will turne one from the other in their lowest points and as it were mutually kisse and imbrace one another in the highest So likewise in humane things the least gaine is such an Apple of contention or occasion of strife among the covetous that because of this one meane man is ready to hate another A common whore is an occasion of contention among the lascivious That these wretched Miscreants do mutually wound and â—ab one another Principality and favour of Princes is an occasion of contention among the ambitious for which Courtiers doe strive by treacheries and poysoning one of another In the meane time true Christians spend all their love of honour love of pleasure and love of money another way that they mâ—y enjoy Christ serve him and please him Peter and Iohn having received newes of Christs Resurrection contended among themselves and ran forte together but the beloved Disciple out ran Peter and came before him unto the Sepulcher and modestly concealing his name he did write the History of this holy Emulation The like fit of contention waâ— betweene Paul and Barnabas and it mâ—y be for the like cause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such contention is profitable for mortall men Iacob that he might take away from Esau the blessing and birth-right supplanted him by his own craft and his mothers helpe Chap. 34. The contrary points of the Loadstone stâ—ive among themselves and mutually â—xpelone another from their subjects So it is likewise betweene the flesh and the Spirit IF one whet a Knife on the Northerne point of a Loadstone it receives hereupon the vertue of the Loadstone whereby it both drawes and lifts up Iron But if he shall apply the same to the contrary and Southerne point the Knife wil be deprived of the vertue which it had before it will be subject to a whirling or turning round that it can neither draw nor lift up Iron The like happens to them who doe imitate the vices of those whose manners they doe admire and to those who have attentively heard a Sermon and fervently poured forth their prayers at Church they conceiving good motions and intentions upon this occasion do intend to change their former course of life and turne to a better yet falling into the fellowship of ungodly persons by going into some Stewes or Taverne they returne by and by as dogs to their vomit or as Swine to their wallowing in the mire as if one after the taking of wholsome meat should immediatly drinke poyson or eat Hemlock or some other poysonous herbe or having washt himselfe in a Bath should tumble himselfe into the dirt the end of such people is worse than their beginning having begun in the spirit and ended in the flesh for the devill that envious one takes from them the wholsome seed of the Word which had never taken deep root in them and so poures into them his deadly poyson whereby he makes them unapt and reprobate to every good worke Chap. 35. As the Needle is betweene two Loadstones So is one that wavers between two opinions AS it is a thing familiarly used among those goers about which do use the art of Jâ—gling and present merry plays and sights to the people for money to place in a Cauldron an Iron Needle betweene two Loadstones which they carry hid in their hands that it runs here and there uncertainly waving betweene both one while following the stone which drawes it unto it at first another while that stone which drawes it backe but comes at neither of them and cleaves to neither So doth the devill shew the like sports the like spectacles unto the world when he turnes those men like a Wind-mill with every winde of Doctrine whom the Apostle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 double minded unstable men tearmed by S' Cyprian aâ—cipites palpatoâ—es hypocriticall dangerous Flatterers and Cheaters of the times constant only in their inconstancy such as Ecibolius was in times past and of late the Archbishop of Spalato with others whose names I spare Such men as hang betweene heaven and earth halting betweene God and Baal one while serving God another while Mammon one while imbracing this present world another while that which is to come neither acceptable to God nor good men whom Carpenter likens to a hungry dog betweene two hares or to one that runs up and downe betweene two Feasts one while this way another
his owne affaires abroad We Scribes might part with inkie seas and change our black abode There is another Fable that followes after this of a Loadstone called Chrysos which doth not draw Iron but Gold and is framed according to the language and mind of Ovid Forte mihi puero putei super ore sedenti c WHen being a boy I sate upon the brink Of a deep pit my ring did fall and sink Of it I had no hope but then I saw My Sire let downe a stone which gold could draw Vpon a line then straight the ring arose Out of the bottome and stuck very close Vnto the stone as fish unto a booke My father spake when wondring I did looke Son know this stone the fable is but short Deucalion and Pyrrha in a sort Who comprehended all of humane race That people might in earth againe have place Threw stones behind their backs upon command Which softned were and changed out of hand To bones and to the faces of mankind Although among them some as yet we find As undigested statues having much Of marble hardnesse shewing they be such As from the stones have their originall This Off-spring grew with care distracted all As on the waters fields and dens they fell Mounts that for mines of ir'n and gold excell The nature of the place they did partake One bunts another tils the ground some take Their pleasure in the sea some others seeke For veines of ir'n and gold in everie creeke And every where with paines and panting breath They seeke to find the cause of sin and death Then mother Nature would take from their sights Those strong invitements to all ill delights And to the inmost bowels of the ground She drew and mov'd them ev'n to hell that found They sarcely could be and yet here descends Their furious lust which knew no bounds nor ends They search things hid and doe unbowell all Their mother Earth then Nature did them call She said in wrath What meane yee for to doe What further end have you where will you goe Devoyd of metals all the earth shall lye And groane before that you can satisfie Your appetite she turning doth behold Magnesia's fields with shame not to be told She sees them very earnest at their work Searching those secrets which at last did lurk In the now digg'd out world almost thereby Seeking out gaines their losse which therein lye She cri'd O troop condemn'd ô groveling rout Worthy of graves which you digg'd all about Neere hell and so she shak'd the earth with might Opprest the men and kill'd them all out right Their limbs she mingled with those clods of land Which they abused with a wicked hand From the neere Stygian caves a smoakie flame Took hold of th' earth and members in the same These thus confounded into stones were turn'd Their hue and colour seeme as if halfe burn'd Nor only this but that desire of gaine Which troubled them alive doth yet remaine As when they gathered gold and ir'n by Fate They were supprest so likewise now of late Though senselesse stones they do well know their prey And with a two fol avarice assay To draw it to them now this stone drawes gold The other ir'n and so the tale is told These wonders when I heard I laugh'd and said We all love gold so well I am afraid That each man will be a Magnesian stone My father pleased me his little one With fables such as these These and the like feigned Inventions as all false rumours for the most part so have they some truth or some thing likely to be true for their originall from whence they rise and their foundation whereupon they relye for experience hath taught me that by the helpe of the Loadstone and an Instrument fitted for that purpose it is possible that a friend may intimate his mind to another friend being in the next Chamber and that through a wall which is two foot broad in thicknesse that he may thus impart to the other his intent and purpose and answer to those things which shall be propounded unto him This exploit was either never heard of before or seemed altogether incredible But that a man should by this Sympatheticall Needle communicate in speeches with his absent friend as it were by an Epistle or Letter his friend being in parts of the world so far distant and placed out of the Loadstones Spheare of activity It is a meere fable and deceitfull imposture But that which happens to the Loadstone the same is fatall and doth usually befall great affaiâ—â—◠〈◊〉 all great men that are famous for their vertue they lye open to many abuses and slanders and are debased thereby What hath been extant in any place or at any time which Nature ordained for excellent uses that either the devils cunning or mens Leger de maine hath not perverted to most horrible abuses What man was ever famous for workes and miracles of whom Histories have declared any thing true and wonderfull upon whom fabulous reports have not fastened many absurdities falshoods which they added unto the truth What are the lives of Saints and those golden Legends as they call them but confused heaps of lies feigned and written by men of brazen faces and Leaden braines I am easily induc'd to beleeve that concerning Gregory surnamed Thaumaturgus and other men to be reverenced for the power they had to worke Miracles their Cotempararies and other approved Authors have written many things that were true But that I should give credit to all things which the Monkes of following ages have added I can never be perswaded Therefore it shal be a wise mans part neither to deny beliefe unto those things that are true because of the mixture of things that are false nor rashly to give credence unto things that are false for the sake of those things that are true but like a Sieve to retaine those things that are weighty and solid and to reject those things that are vaine and light Chap. 41. There is no lesse power in Christ and the Loadâ—â—one to retaine things than to draw them at first THe Loadstone doth not only by Invincible provocations sweetly draw Iron unto it but strongly retaines it by indissoluble bands when it is drawne untill it be pluckt away from it by violent hands you may see Anchors in Goldsmiths shops hanging by the Loadstone whole moneths and yeares together and put the case that a Loadstone of such great vertue might be had that it could not be violently wrought upon by outward force it would follow hereupon that the Anchors should perpetually cleave to the Loadstone Now just in the same manner doth Jesus the Corner Stone the stone of our helpe worke in our wils it is by his grace that we are assisted in all things and he causeth that it may not bee refused though we know not after what manner as Augustine often declares He doth also poure into the hearts of his
world in what Latitude yea and wanting but a littâ—e in what Longitude of places they were as also into what parts of the earth and into what Ports they directed the course of their shipping Lastly by the Divine benefit of this Mercury or Guide it came to passe that they not staying for the pleasant gales of the Westerne wind did fearelesly hoyse up their sayles and went beyond the Pilars of Hercules then those Hands Continents Nations and Merchants wares which lay hid as altogether unknowne were discovered by us and often found out and at length the whole Circumference of this terrestriall Globe was in our memory severall times sayled about by Francis Drake Thomas Cavendish and other noble spirits which thing in former times as it was thought impossible so it was never heard of Before that the light of the Gospell was revealed unto men God suffered all people in the Generations past Acts 14.16 Eph. 4.18 to wander in their owne wayes having their cogitations darkened and estranged from the life of God by reason of the ignorance and vanity of mind that was in them for Philosophy doth but deceive the children and Schollers she brings up and vouchsafeth to be their companion and guide of their way in prosperity onely but vanishing as a blazing starre or lightning in the time of adversity and perplexity she forsakes them in the shadow of death and leaves them destitute of comfort If it asswage their maladies at any time it never cures them If it draw a skinne perchance on their scarres notwithstanding it heales not within Christ alone who is the Light of the world the Way the Life and the Truth delivers those that are his from wandring and wavering hee leads them into all truth reveales unto them the mysteries of salvation laies open the secrets of the old Testament he alone replenisheth his servaÌ„ts with joy and peace that surpasseth all understaÌ„nding when they are in tribulations imprisonmens when they are tormented with fires racks he alone brings immortality to light wherewith he comforts his own people in the point of death he alone by the lightsome Lanterne of his word directeth their goings and their feet in all his wayes to which they should have well done if they had taken heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place untill the day dawne 2 Pet. 1. and the day-starre should arise in their hearts 2 Thes. 2. but because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved therefore God sent them strong delusions that they should beleeve lyes old wives tales and foolish dreams of Monks And lastly that taking rooten Traditions leaden Legends for Oracles of faith and the blind leading the blind they should fall againe into the bottomlesse pit of errours wherein the whole world lay drowned for some hundred of years untill again it pleased the Father of mercies almost in the same passage of time wherein he shewed the use of the Loadstone to restore the light of his Gospell to dispell the mists of Popery to discover the deceits of Antichrist to reforme his Church upon earth and in conclusion to kindle againe the light of his Word which we doe with all humble reverence beseech him againe and againe to conserve unextinguished untill his glorious comming to Judgement CHAP. IIII. Of divers names by which the Load-stone is called and how that every one of them may most conveniently be applied unto Christ. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Non sum Tam lapis ut lapidi numen inesse putem Let all men know I am not such a one As thinke there is a Godhead in a stone I Am not so sencelesse as that I should ascribe Divine honour unto a Stone or think or speake of it more then it becoms me or more then ought to be spoken much lesse that I should make an equall comparison betweene a vile Stone and the Lord of life Yet I see no impediment but that I may liken the one to the other in some respects Especially because the Lord himselfe doth not disdaine to denominate himselfe a Corner-stone and those that are his the living Stones of a Temple Now that which happens to Heroicall spirits and men that are famous for vertuous Acts that they obtaine diverse titles for increase of honour because of their divers Dignities and for their excellent sayings and deeds the like happens unto the Load-stone because of its many and notable vertues and wondrous effects that so it might be honoured and adorn'd with divers names of which there is none that may not be applied to Christ by a kind of excellency and more aptly then to the Loadstone it selfe That name which is peculiar to the English and Dutch was impos'd upon it by reason of Leading directing and shewing the way neither can any one justly doubt but that this stone was termed a Loadstone quasi Leadstone which name is agreeable to none more appositely then to Christ who is the way and guide of the way who is the Lead-starre that directeth and leadeth his chosen to the Haven of Heaven Among names of the second Ranke it was also called Magnes because of the great force and vertue of it and the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Herculean because of the strength thereof was famillar especially among the ancient Grecians Shether as also the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 among the Hebrewes a Retinendo because of its retayning and holding of things Iob. 10.28 Now Christ is the true and onely Hercules the Almighty which drawes unto him all things Hee alone is so strong that hee overcomes that strong one the Divell He delivers his Servants by strong hand and frees them from bondage Out of whose hands no man doth pluck or is able to pluck them The name A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Aymant which is usuall among the Grecians or French may be put in the third place This Stone being so called from its invincible hardnes for it scarce feeles a Saâ—e Or File or suffers any diminution thereby And as Christ is a Load stone to such as disagree and a corner-stone to such as be asunder or at variance So to his enemies or those that wrestle against him He is an unconquerable Adamant both which we read in the Encomiums or prayses of Athanasius I say he is an unconquered Adamant No force and assaults of enemies no not the raging fury of Satan that roaring Lion and red Dragon nor the gates of Hell can be able to prevaile against him The last name is Siderites which it hath obtain'd from the Iron its ownenaturall Brother bred up together in the same Bowells of their Mother Earth For Iron is both an object in drawing of which it delighteth and a Medium a meanes or Instrument whose attendance in drawing it doth as it were rejoyce to have In both respects It is a wonder how Artificially and to the Life it expresseth and imitates Christ
of them cast their eyes upon the Loadstone and vvould not they be amazed and declare the vertue of it on the contrary vvould they not be silent and not so much as mutter a little about the vertue of the Iron Surely they vvould and that not unjustly for if the Iron vvere a living Creature endued vvith reason and speech it vvould most vvillingly breake out into commendation of the Loadstone and most gladly professe openly That it could do nothing by its ovvne naturall povver That the ability vvhich it hath is from another That it is but a povver and vertue communicated by the Loadstone and infused into it no othervvise than as the Moon must acknovvledge that she doth not shine by her ovvne but by the beames of the Sunne or a vvoman that she is ennobled by the dignitie of her husband Hence it was that the Apostles when they had healed a lame man before the doore of the Temple did so much refuse all popular applause saying Yee men of Israel why marvel ye at this or Why look yee so earnestly on us as though by our owne power and holinesse we had made this man to walk The God of Abraham of Isaac and of Iacob the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Iesus Nor did St Paul deale in this case lesse warily and prudently 1 Cor 3. Not I saith he but Christ was mightie in mee by whose grace I am what I am who is Paul who is Apollo who is Cephas but Instruments and Ministers of God by whom yee beleeved Even as the Lord gave to everie man I have planted Apollo watered but God gave the increase Hee that planteth is nothing the vineyard is Salomons He let out the vineyard to vine-dressers keepers a thousand shekels or peeces of silver belong to Salomon two hundred to those that keep the fruit Chap. 23. That the Iron though unworthy in it selfe is ennobled by conjunction with the Loadstone and that wee wretched men are ennobled by our spiritual union with Christ. THere are everie where veines of Iron in exceeding great plentie shops of Iron are open almost in eveâ—ie village and Countrey-towne it serves for exceeding many uses of men but such as are common and of small estimation among many divers kindes of Instruments are made of it but such as are ordinary as Horse-shooes Keyes Lockes Nailes Sawes Mattocks Plow-shares to say nothing of Warlike Slings Guns Bullets and such instruments as are so pestilent unto men all the honour and dignity of the Iron ariseth and accrewes to it from the Loadstone which assuredly confers more Noblenesse upon the Iron than that Egyptian King did upon gold when he made of his Chamber pots Graven Images for the gods which he constrained his Noble-men to worship for Iron being stirred up by the Loadstone it can hardly be exprest how many and what great Commodities it brings unto men So that your Alchymists are vaine in this when they dreame that nature would perfect all other Metalls by changing them into Gold for who doth not perceive that wee owe more to those Needles used in Navigation and the Art of Dialling than to all the gold and precious Stones that are any where to be found as by whose helpe and benefit we procure all these and other wares of all sorts So that it should not seeme strange unto us that the Iron doth so much desire goe about or seeke for to compasse this honourable match with the Loadstone that having seene it as it were it flies to it with speedy pace as that by whose complying and communicating with it it becomes so full of wonders and strength Now to make some use of this who is so blockish and dull that beholding and deepely considering these things doth not with a sorrowfull remembrance call to minde that former wretched estate and condition in which we were borne as that in which we were vessels of wrath and dishonour Slaves of the world of Satan of our owne filthy lust whose god was their belly whose glory their shame and whose end was damnation who is so hard and flinty hearted who can so moderate himselfe as to abstaine from teares when he cals to minde how unserviceable he is in performing all duties which are due both to God and man how unapt for any thing unlesse it be to consume and devoure Gods good creatures the fruits of the earth to imploy good houres amisse to fulfill the lusts of the flesh to treasure up wrath against the day of wrath Who is so frozen and Icy cold that when seriously though overlate he thinkes upon and weighes these things with himselfe that is not enflamed and wholly burnes vvith desire of that heavenly Wedlock vvith Christ vvhereby he may obtaine tâ—is favour not only to be câ—lled but also to be the Son of God Coheiâ—e vvith Christ a Citizen and free Denizon of Heaven What soule is so brutish and so base that it had rather vvallovv as yet in flesh and blood than by the inspiration of Gods holy Spirit to be raised and lifted up and be made quicke and fit to undergoe Spirituall and Angelicall duties vvhereby it may save both it selfe and also others and perform those good vvorks by vvhich it may attaine everlasting Salvation the Kingdome of heaven Who is so deafe and disobedient that vvill not open his Immortall Gates through vvhich the King of Life and Glory may enter in by vvhose entring in and dvvelling vvith him he may be encouraged and strengthened to accomplish all Duties Chap. 24. A Comparison betweene the Loadstone and other precious Stones in respect of vertue and beauty GOld hath a Sun-like shining The Silver a Moon-light brightnesse Brasse and Copper have a sightly yellovvish colour Tin and Lead have a clearnesse like that of Quicksilver Pearles have their Candour and lightsome smoothnesse the Diamond hath a sparkling and shining cleare colour as also other precious stones have a colour that is most pleasing and lightsome wherewith they draw unto them and bewitch the eyes of the beholders But the aspect of the Loadstone is like that of rusty Iron blewish sad pale and darke which notwithstanding the Lord of Nature hath enricht and endowed with a marvellous inward vertue in the meane while for other Stones he would have their outward beauty to serve their turnes besides which he bestowed nothing upon them whereby they might procure estimation and honour with men and surely this order is most excellent this ordinance most just which in distributing his Gifts he hath prescribed to himselfe to bee constantly observed not conferring upon any either all his gifts or many of them in a superaboundant manner but he imparteth seâ—â—rall endowments to severâ—ll things so that every one of them may have some thing singular wherein they may be emâ—â—â—nt without either injury or envy of the rest you may discerne a notable proof and patterne of this ordering of things as in stones so likewise in men
Magnetica Magnalia THE WONDERS OF THE LOAD-STONE OR The LOAD-STONE newly reduc't into a Divine and Morall Vse BY SAMVEL WARD of Ipswich B.D. If men be silent Stones will shew thy praise And Iron hearts of men to thee will raise LONDON Printed by E. P. for PETER COLE and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the gl 〈…〉 and Lyon in Cornehill â—ver against the Conduit 1640. To the most Excellent Majesty of the Royall CHARLES c. O KING live for ever and be graciously pleased to take in good part this little Stone and this little Booke which is an Interpreter of the Vertues thereof A Stone if your Majesty regards the price to bee lesse esteemed then the meanest Gem. But if you respect its use and profit in the Arte of Navigation and Dyalling yea and in Divinity it selfe it is not to be counted deare though in comparison of the most precious Diamond If the quantity of it be considered it scarce exceeds a little clodd of Earth But if we consider the respects it hath to the Arctick and Antartick poles to the Tropick circles and the Aequinoctiall then it equalls the Terrestriall Globe hereupon it was deservedly called by the name Terrellâ— as Gilbert the founder of this Magnetick discipline hath termed it If wee looke upon its outward shew and beauty there is no smoothnes no brightnesse in it as in Pearles it hath no splendour no transparency as other precious stones therefore by Claudian it is cal'd Decolor ill coloured And by Berchoriâ—â— ferrugineus of the color of rusty Iron but if the inward force and vertue of it be considered it doth exceedingly surpasse the most precious stones for which cause by ancient Grecians was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strong or as famous amongst stones as 〈◊〉 was amongst men by the latter Gretians it was termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mirificus a stone that doth wonders for it is inrich'â— by nature wiâ—h wonderfull and secret endowments it produceth admirable effects it cares the Gout Cramp and Head-â—ch if we give credit to 〈◊〉 bodeus and Pictorius â—ho hath made a Comment upon him unto which the same Author adds that it makes such as possesse it Eloquent and acceptabâ—e to Princes O me sâ—liceâ— sâ—vera diceret O happy me if that he speake the truth By your Majesties good leave I dare promise this with good assurance that if your Majesty alone were the possessor of it it would easily make you the Monarch of the whole world for to them that passe the Seas this stone is another Neptune and most faithfull conductor to the havens and to them that travell by land another Mercurie a most certaine guide in all journyes especially because it is the most powerfull ruler of the Iron generation which easily subjects all other mettals and in that respect also it is the most excellent patterne and lively Embleme of your most admirable Monarchicall and mild Government for this was alwayes my constant and undoubâ—â—d opinion this I alwaies thought with the greatest Politicians and Divines and openly professed it before all men that an hereditary Monarchy such as this is under which it was my happy lot to draw my vitall breath to enjoy all sorts of blessings and to live in all godly conversation and tranquillity is by many degrees the most profitable and most praise-worthy of all formes of Government which are any where used or that can be imagined unto this Monarchicall Estate I have alwayes wished well as he knoweth who searcheth my heart and reynes Furthermore it is approved by the consent of all Writers and by the Mottoes of many Emperours that a Magnetick manner of Governing is most safe most acceptable and most commodious both for Princes and Subjects for as suger according to the testimony of Fernelius doth the very same things and all in a better and sweeter manner then honey doth so a Magnetick affection doth effect more then flavish terrour and a filiall love of subjects is better then servile feare Behold how the Loadstone subdues to it selfe all kind of Iron which otherwise is scarce wrought upon by files hammers and fiers it is done not by force of Armes but by helpe of love So the Iron is held in a duâ—ifuâ—l subjection being united together by the mutuall bonds of friendship in like sort lâ—t the people see and consider with me how the Iron dust that confused multitude growes tâ—gether inâ—o one body under the Loadstone as it were their King how it stands stil with a kind of quaking affrightment and doth cover it in the forme of a shield it doth compasse about the Loadstone after the manner of a Guard it doth yeeld sustenance and service unto it as the Bees doe to their King or Master Bee which is without a sting a cleare and illustrious Hierogliphicke of Christs Dominion over those that are his a â—ype whereof he long since exhibited in David unto whom he gave a name derived from love of whom that which is singular and rarely befalleth Princes is recorded that all which the King did seemed good in the eyes of all the people the King of Kings granâ— that our people may universally obey their King the Magistrate and Prelates with such râ—adinesse of wiâ—l that thâ—y strive among themselves by mutuall emulatâ—on how one may goe befoâ—e and excell the other in performing the due Offices of subjects the same gracious God grant that your Majesties Empire may be to your enemies and adversaries adamantine but Magnetick to your â—ubjects and friends and that your Majestie may be grâ—ciously pleased to favour him who if by Art or hap he had found that Stone which they commonly call the Philosophers Stone would have presented it with the like inclination and alacâ—ity as he doth most humbly and willingly present and dedicate this Loadstone together with this short Commentary upon it which indeed of right and deâ—ert is due unto your Highnesse for to whose service should hee consecrate this dear Loadstone but â—o his dearest Soveraign This Loadâ—tone a Stone of great vertue but to a great and vertuous King this Sea Nâ—ptune or Guide but to the Lord of the Seas which compasse so many Ilands this powerfull and mild Ruler of Iron but to the most Mightieâ— and Clement King so doth he professe who wished unto your Majestie the celâ—bration of aâ— hundred birth-dayes in this world and one joyfull never ending day in the world to come which shall ever be the prayer of him who is of Christs Ministers the least but Your Majesties most loving faithfull and obâ—dient subject S. W. A Preface to the Reader wherein is contained the Scope and Argument of the following Treatise Crollius p. 77 Plane t is THe Chymists doe make equall in number and assigne those seaven Mettals that are in the bowels of the earth 1 Lead to Saturne ♄ to so many Planets that are in the Orbes of heaven 2 Tin to Iupiter ♃
the Loadstone not regarding the most excellent of these 3 Iron toâ—punc Mars ♂ 4 Gold to the Sun ☉ and universally neglecting other materiall substances 5 Brasse to Venus ♀ doth draw onely iron unto it in whose friendship as it were and serviceable company to attend upon it 6 Quicke silver to Mercury ☿ it doth much delight such is the condition of Bookes 7 Silver to the Moone ☽ of which though there be an innumerable company that abound everywhere yet every one hath its Magneticke Genius Clemens Alex. p. 176. Edit Grotii fitted to the disposition of the Reader whereby it doth allure unto it the eyes and hearts of many and being allured doth in a manner bewitch them neither doth every ones affection or phantasie draw him with lesse force then the Loadstone doth Iron If thou beest a Philosopher the woÌ„ders of the Loadstone then which there is nothing found more pleasant or excellent in the whole Theater of nature will draw thee hither If thou beest a Christian Christ will draw thee hither as also his graces engraven in a lively manner upon the Loadstone by the finger of God If thou beest a Divine many places of Scripture seemingly repugnant that are briefly illustrated will draw thee hither as also those knotty School doubts which are resolved by the way If thou beest a Poet this whole Booke is a kind of Poem If a Rhetorician here thou hast a continued Allegorie and Philosophy besides wayting upon Divinity yeelding light unto it one while as it becommeth an humble hand-maid another while as a modest Gentleman Vsher in which particular I have followed Dion not the Historian but that Orator which was most deare unto Trajan and for his eloquence surnamed Chrysostome or goldenmouth I have also imitated the skill of Husbandmen who graffe fruitfull branches of a good kind upon wild plants that of barren and bitter they may become fruitfull and sweet Here thou hast a Chria or an exercise of Rhethoricke most effectuall to teach move and delight which had his name imposed from the use and profit thereof Now this Chria as Vosius Leopard â—nd others describe it is not a painted or feigned but a lively Embleme where either the person is resembled to the thing or somewhat is done and plaâ—'t before the eyes of the body which may more speedily penetrate the sharpe sight of the mind more strongly move the affections and more faithfully sticke to the memory which kind of cunning or artificiall skill the Prophets both of the Old and New Testament have often used whereby they might more deepely imprint their Propecies in the eyes of their Auditors So Agabus held it not sufficient to foretell the bonds of Paul but he bound himselfe also with Pauls Girdle nor did the Lord Iesus â—old it sufficient to be the â—â—aâ—her and pattern of humility but he plac't also a little Infant in the midst of the Apostles in a most high place whereby he migâ—t point out unto them that he should be the greatest among them which endeavoured to be the least moreover at the last hee himselfe also being clothed afâ—er the fashion of a servant did wash tâ—eir feet with â—ater and â—â—ped them with a linnen cloth that he might herby leave this vertue which is necessary for all though least acceptable most chiâ—fâ—y recommended to all his servants for though the eares are rightly tearmed by Fabulists the senses of Minerva or of wisedome or instruction yet doe those things moâ—e slowly stirre up the mind which come to be knowne by theâ—r windings and turnings then those which doe presently incurre to it by the windowes of the eyes whereâ—ore in briefe thou art to be intreated at the very first to procure unto thy selfe a stone which is of great vertue or to goe unto some one that hath such a stone in his possession whereby thou maiest be both a diligent spectator and also a benevolent Reader Vnlesse thou be both both of us shall be frustrated of our ends thou of thy profit and pleasure in reading I of my scope and labour in writing for here are divers experiments of which if thou beest not an Eye witnesse they shall not loose onely all their grace but also thy beliefe and their end But if thou professest thy selfe among Criticks such as are curious about matter and manner of stile I would have thâ—e consider that one thing of Plinie that it is not lawfull to gaâ—nish a Diamond The Loadstone is of the like condition not onely for hardnesse as very scarcely admitting a penne of steele as also for the innate vertue which refuseth and disdaines all borrowed ornaments To conclude whosoever thou art whom either the noveltie or utility of the subject shall draw hither if thou receive the least delight or profit this shall be to him a sufficient reward for his labour who never presumed to expect for himselfe or his meditations any better lot or lucke then happeneth to the Loadstone that it should be of great use but of little esteeme and reputation with many nor did he for any other respect then somewhat to please thee and much to profit thee endeavour according to his abilitie at spare houres to mingle Divine things with Philosophicall Morall with Divine and profitable with pleasant And this he was desirous to let thee understand Who is Thine in the Lord Iesus who is all Loadstone and the most excellent S. W TO THE READER Christian Reader THe Scripture discommends that servant who hid his Talent and exercised it not aend indeed our time being but short yet precious must not be negligently let slip we are not onely borne for our selves every man must labour to doe some good to the Country and Common-wealth wherein he lives We must be accomptable for our times of leasure when we are freed from other more serious affaires Tam otii quam negotii ratio habenda est Therefore in the late long vacation I was willing to imploy my selfe about the translation of this following Discourse which I thought fit and worthy to be presented to the viâ—wes of our English subjects having already received a gracious approbation from his Royall Majestie And further I was induc't to undertake this worke that the divine apâ—lications contâ—ined therein might be known to all as well as to Schollers the meaner sort having more need of sensible Hâ—eroglyphiks and exemplary helps to accomplish their salvations then the wise and great Rabbies againe I had an ayme herein that ignorant Mariners who have onely gained a piece of the use of the Loadstone by a practicall observation that they might sâ—yle in safety might now by the knowledgâ— of this booke when they looke on their Compasse find out a way by applying to their owne hearts the admirable contemplations contained therein to steere tâ—eir owne soules to the haven of heaven as well as their shippes to the harbour Besides the Authour whom I doe highly honour for his integrity
sent A Herpe not sounding or a bow unbent What profit these A. Gell. Pâ—uâ— Man is like Iron saith one if you use it it will be bright if you doe not it will be rustie and corrupt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not the having but the using of Bookes is the meanes to get learning saith Plutarch so may one say of riches Quo mihi divitias queis non concedituruti Horat. Vel mihi da clavem vel mihi tolle seram Anon. What good have I of goods not us'd I say Give me the Key or take the Lock away CHAP. II. Concerning divers uses of the Loadstone and which is the most excellent AS there is a manifold multifarious use to â—e made of all things in generall so of every thing in particular and a great deale of profit that commeth thereby Yet for the most part that is the least use to be esteemed of to be reckoned in the last and lowest place which is obvious to the eyes of the behoulders at the very first sight is presently discovered and doth as it were of its owne accord offer it selfe to be discerned The next and middlemost is that which is perceived by him that lookes into things more fully who layeth the object naked before his eyes and uncovers it as if a man should unbarke a Tree The best and most excellent use which should be of highest esteeme is that which is made manifest with labour by him that doth consideratively weigh all businesses and piercing through the very marrow of the matter brings all things to examination deliberately yet frequently when hee hath taken great paines in his Study after that hee hath beaten his Deske and bitten his nayles Pers. as he saith after that he hath powred forth his prayers to the God of heaven and hath laboriously spent much time in searching the gold Mines of Nature Now that I may give light to what I have said by example children and women even by the secret instinct of Nature doe use hearbes for to smell to and to looke upon The Apothecaries by the helpe of Art and experience doe use the same for the nourishment of bodyes and for cure of diseases Divines having the Spirit of God for their guide and Christ for their Teacher who described Gods providence in a lively manner by the example of Lilies I say Divines make use of them to informe mens understandings and to instruct them in heavenly things this very thing is more clearely seene in the holy Scripture whereof although there be but one sense yet hath it a threefold use the first is literall which is apparent in the outside of the History the second Tropologicall which serves for information of manners the third Anagogicall which doth elevate the mind to spirituall and heavenly things but above all this is most clearely seene in the Loadstone the lesse considerable use of it is knowne to common people of the meanest capacity It was first found out by one Nicander a Heardsman of Magnesia Pline when as he fed his Cattle he observed that the point of his Pastorall staffe and the Hobnailes of his shoes did stick in a peece of ground where Loadstones were so that he could hardly get off but that use is of great account and more excellent whilst by the helpe and direction thereof they understand to motions and progresse of starres they measure the precious minuts of time they direct the course of ships and arrive at the Havens where they would be Further the use that is most excellent of all other is that which God willing I shall recommend in that which followeth to Christians and especially to Divines unto whom it is given of God for to know and perceive the mysteries of the Kingdome of heaven and this I trust I shall doe by raising and stirring up their soules to a more manifest knowledge of Christ and to a sweeter meditation of his Divine grace through the pleasing Contemplation of this marvelous Stone and by an explication of the hidden properties and operations of it which I hope shall not be unacceptable Surely this is the principall and chiefest end of the creatures that they should be as ladders and wings wherewith our sou'es going up and flying above the thickets and dung-hils of this world may ascend up to heaven more easily and come with speed to God their Creator and indeed God hath engraven some excellency upon things that are of the meanest esteeme some greatnesse on things that are reputed least and some visible foot-steps of his invisible wisedome and power on things that are supposed most obscure he hath imprinted in the Loadstone I dare boldly say a lively representation of himselfe a remarkeable demonstration of his power a cleare character of his grace Pliâ— Nature hath beene no where more laborious then in the Loadstone said that undefatigable Searcher of the Nature of things and most diligent discoverer of Antiquity Either he would have said or else should have said besides that nature hath beene no where more miraculous and munificent no where more mysticall and ingenious â—o not in Pearles precious stones in whose candour and splendour natures Deiâ—y lyeth hid after a sort which shines and glistereth in the sutty colour and blackenesse in this Stone Many makes Idols of those Gemmes by loving them too much and so they are Teachers of Vanities and Lyes as the Prophet speakes but this stone though dumb is a master to teach us boâ—h verity and vertue in many particulars CHAP. III. Of the benefit we have by the use of the Loadstone that shewes us the North and a comparison of it with Christ. BEfore that the vertue of the Loadstone that sheweth the North was revealed unto Mariners it cannot be spoken with what uncertaine wandrings men were driven about following doubtfull conjectures how they did indirectly floate here and there rather then sayle the right way indeed when the weather was faire when either the Sunne or starres gave their light they crept about the coasts of the earth sometimes by the helpe of lights set in high places for their direction sometimes by the helpe of Towers and Trees not farre from the shoare yet not without incredible anxiety of mind and great danger of shipwrack but if the heavens were cloudy if the starres and Sunne were withdrawne out of sight and especially a tempest drawing on they knew not whether to tune themselves or whither to goe with what joy then shall we thinke that they were fil'd in every part with what gladnesse may we suppose that they did triumph when first this Magneticke Neptune became the guide of their way which shewing unto them the path they should trace through quicke-sands and rockes they might discerne and distinguish even in the darkest night and most cloudy skie the severall angles of the North and the South the East and the West and might most certainely judge in what coasts of the
a continued course to the end of the World and surely with lesse labour not onely by imposition of hands but also by the shadow of a Body passing by and by the Handkerchiefes of the absent Saul falling by the way into the company of Prophets was toucht a little for a while with a Propheticall Spirit But Elisha adhering diligently and inseparably to the side of Elias untill his ascent was replenished with a more plentifull abundance of the Spirit even to a miracle Those suddaine prayers also which we call Ejaculations never returne from heaven unheard but draw downe from thence some small portion of grace at the least But if one with Moses and Elias should for many daies together watch and continue all night in fastings and prayer he should be moistned and refreshed with a more copious measure of grace as it were with a great shower CHAP. VII Of the Loadstones attractive Vertue and of Christ his draâ—ing of the Wisemen Math. 2. ADmirable truly is the Nature of some created things Vide Boskhierum conc 6. but the power of the creator is allwaies greater especially in that Stone quem nomine Graii Dixerunt Magneta Aonius Palearius Lib. 3. Lapis miâ—o attrahit usu Quocunque objicitur ferum tactumque quod illo est Ducit et hoc itidem veluti Magnesia Causes The Stone which Magnes Greeks doe call A Stone most wondrous above all Which Iron drawes and that is much This Iron drawes other with a touch As Loadstones doe But is not Christ more to be admired then any Loadstone whatsoever who can deny it for the Loadstone onely drawes unto it one thing and that plac't over against it Now Christ drawes all things aswell those that are farre distant as those which are neere at hand things that have life and things without life things endued with reason and things voyd of reason the Loâ—dstone onely drawes Iron Amber draweth strawes onely unto it What doth not Christ draw whom doth he not draw unto himselfe All things were made by him all things moving in a circle or compâ—sse as streames to their fountaines returne unto him He is the Alpha or the beginning producing He is the Omega or the end reducing all things to himselfe When I shall be lifted up from the Earth Iâ— 12. I will draw all things unto me So said he long agoe speaking pâ—rtly of his reproachfull exaltation upon the Crosse pâ—rtly of his triumphant ascending to heaven when he was lifted up and layd on the Crosse He drew the Thiefe that was next unto â—iâ— and hanging as it were in a Ballance hard by him aâ—though he was heavy laden with a Talent and huge burthen of sinne Acts. 9. He drew the Centurion at the same time and some others who having scene so many demonstrative Miracles at his death did give Testimony of an admired râ—pentance when they returned into the City He drew to himselfe the Apostles that forsooke him and especial Peter When hâ— was exalted by his ascent into the Heavens what thing or whom that were capable did he not draw to himselfe Hee drew Saul when he was cast downe from his horse speaking to him from Heaven presently after the Pentecost He drew oâ—e while foure thousand another while six thousand At another time he drew some others that ioyn'd themselves to the Apostles And lastly having left Ierusalem he drew the whole Western part of the World Oh the wonderfull power of the Crosse Oh unspeakable glory of the Passion in which there is both the Tribunall of the Lord and the Iudgment of the World and the power of him that was Crucified most evidently to be seene Thou Oh Lord hast drawne all things unto thee and when thou did'st stretch out thy hands all the day to a people not beleeving but contradicting thee then the whole World besides was sensible of thy praise-worthy Maiesty Thou didst Oh Lord draw all things unto thee when in abomination of the Iewish wickednesse the Elements unanimously pronounct one and the same sentence against them when the lights of Heaven were darkned when the day was turn'd into night when the Earth also was shaken with unusuall quakings and when every Creature denied the use of it selfe to the ungodly Oh Lord thou diddest draw all things unto thee that what was covered in the Temple of Iudea in shadowed significations the devotion of all Nations in every place might celebrate in a plenary and plaine Sacrament for now the order of the Levites is more glorious and Sacred The annoynting of Priests makes up one Kingdom of every Nation As the winde Caecias drawes to it the Clouds Sâ— Christ drew the people unto him Somtimes one Nation somtimes another For as this winde alone which is called Caeciâ—s whereof Plinie writes that it bloâ—es betweene the South and the East contrary to the Nature of other Northerne winds drives not away but rather drawes the Clouds unto it So Christ from every quarter and every way doeth call leade and draw all unto him I will draw all things unto my selfe saith he and not onely so but every thing that comes unto mâ—e I will not cast forth Our Saviour was glorious indeed by the conversion of so many and by drawing such a multitude of people unto him but at this time by his drawing of the Wisemen and their adoring of him He is become more glorious then himselfe at other times Oh my good Iesu draw me also unto thy selfe Convert me and I shall be Converted otherwise no man comes unto thee unles thou and the Father draw him The drawing of the Wisemen is more excellent then the rest in regard of the Scituation or place where Christ was and of his age when he drew them unto him and in respect of the Maiesty Dignity and multitude of those that were drawne First this drawing of the Wisemen is more excellent in regard of the Scituation or place where Christ was for indeed upon the Crosse he drew but one one that was neere him one that hang'd by him one almost fastened to his side sixt together with him But now in his very Cradle He drew the Wisemen and in them whole Nations dwelling almost in the extreame parts of the East He drew them by one Starre as it were with some trifle to play withall as if they had beene inticed to come as Children are by those things wherein they delight After his ascention into heaven what wonder that from the Throne of his glory and the Right-hand of his Father he drew so many and draweth to this day But now that he should draw from the Stable how full of astonishment is it Secondly this drawing of the Wisemen is more excellent in respect of his Age At another time when he was come to Maturity and convenient age He drew to him Fishermen But now being but an Infant and as it were but of one day upon the Earth He drew unto him Priests Philosophers and
Kings This was foretold long agoe Esay 8 4. that before the Child should know his Father or Mother the riches of Damascus and the spoyle of Samaria should be taken away before the King of Assyria As when Hercules being in his Cradle kil'd as they say two Serpents he was paradventure a more glorious Conqueror then he was when being come to riper yeares he vanquisht in the Nemaean Forrest a Lyon of huge bignesse Or when in Erimanthus a Mountaine of Arcadia he tooke a live a terrible Boare that wasted that Border So Christ was more illustrious when he drew to him Kings to adore him at his Cradle where he was yet a little Child Then when raining in Heaven He drew first such as Paul and afterward such as Constantine was Thirdly this drawing of the Wisemen is more excellent in respect of his Maiesty He drew other persons when he had shewed many Miracles and was still adding to the number of them as the Earthquake the Rending of Rocks Darknesse throughout the whole World c. Now He hath done a most wondrous work being but an Infant very tender and not able to indure any hardinesse crying as yet in his Cradle and should not have been known unlesse the Angells had made him manifest to the Sheepheards the Starr to the Gentiles and his crying to Strangers behold here those Peeres and great Kings of Persia which otherwise would not confesse themselves to be men are constrained to stand before him in a Stable as it were in a Court They are forc'd to appeare as upon a day appointed by the Summons of a Star as it were an Apparitor that they should as it were pleade their cause and become Suppliants in a black mourning habit He drawes he constraines them whether they will or no O Loadstone O thou that drawest I confesse thou art at this day truly to be admired Fourthly The drawing of the Wisemen was more excellent in respect of their dignity that were drawne at another time he drew but one Thiefe or a murderer the Centurion and some few others Then after that the common people promiscuously But now he drawes persons of the highest quality Philosophers and Kings of the East they were none of the lowest ranke they were at least the Embassadors of Kings or Kings in their Embassadors if so be we believe not that they were Kings in their owne persons Fiftly the drawing of the Wisemen was more excellent in respect of the multitude that was drawne together with them at other times he drew but a few one or two this day tomorow a thousand But now out of his very Cradle he drew three Kingdoms together of the Chaldaeans Arabians and Sabaeans Nam totus componitur Orbis Regis ad exemplum For the whole world is ordered As by the Ruler it is led The common people with equall paces for the most part follow their Kings Whether they be converted averted or perverted what manner of Child think yee shall this be Assuredly Assuredly there is more then Solomon here They came indeed from Sheba to Solomon and brought him gifts but when he was something aged and such a one as was well spoken of for the Fame of his Wisedome But it was a woman that came although a Queene and one of the Sibills in the opinion of some yet a woman But now when Christ was but a Little Child lying hid in a Stable and compassed about with Straw in the midst of two beasts very Famous men Kings and Chiefe Rulers of sacred things and Philosophers came with hast from the furthest parts of the East as it is probable that they might know him This Child is not onely greater then Solomoâ— but now he is greater then himselfe That is greater in Glory being but a Child then when he was come to mans estate a Child he was and tooke our infirmities upon him not through any weaknesse in him or necessity but onely according to his owne pleasure and voluntarie dispensation For he did all things both in Heaven and Earth whatsoever he would Psalme and whensoever he pleased So then O Lord thou haste drawne all things unto thee The whole East with the Kings thereof Yea all Nations â—in these three men Hom. 7 in Math. whom Saint Chrysostome calls the Progenitous of the Church whom wee also not amisse as I suppose doe terme the first fruits of the Gentiles or the seed or the first branches and flowers of the Church among the heathen CHAP. VIII Of the Load-stones attractive Vertue compared with the power of Ministers and Preachers in converting Soules unto Christ. IF a free choise in asking whatsoever he pleased were granted to any Christian especially to a Minister of Gods word as it was granted heretofore unto Solomon when he had offered a Thousand burnt offerings in Gibeon What thinke you ought to be principall and chiefest of his desires but that he should receive from God a large portion of that attractive and Load-stone-like Vertue which in times past he imparted to Peter and Paul and to the rest of the Apostles whom he made Fishers of men by whose helpe he drew to him the world converted it For what can be more acceptable to an Emperour then that he should save many Citizens and bring many enemies into Captivity What is more acceptable to a Fisher-man then that he should draw from the Sea to the shoare and include in his Net a great Multitude of Fishes There is a common report and opinion which is strongly maintained amonst the Vulgar concerning the Fatt of an Osprey that there is such vertue in it that all the Fishes in a Poole will Swimme to it and turne their bellies upwards And as it were halfe a sleepe will suffer themselves to be easily taken and handled which if it were true how diligently would Fishers inquire for it and at how great a price would they purchase it But Christ is not onely able but also useth to furnish his Ministers with that power to endue them with that drawing vertue whereby they may bring backe to him his wandring Sheepe that they may gaine straying Soules and save themselves and those that hear them That they may keepe the Flock committed unto them in the Faith and Sheep-fould of Christ. Which gift to whomsoever it is granted what greater thing should they desire for themselves Or what may they better emulate in others or what may they better envy others CHAP. IX Concerning the Load-stones neglecting of Silver Gold but uniting Iron unto it selfe compared with Christ passing by the Angels as not regarding them but electing men GOld and Silver what are they else but the Monarchs of this Sublunary world commanding the rest of all the Mettalls after the fashion of King and Queene whose companions and Peeres are those Stones which are called precious Brasse and Tynne are of an inferiour Ranke as it were of the order of Knight-hood But Lead and Iron are the meere
vulgar sort With that an unreasonable love of Gold and Silver doe men burne And how much are precious stones esteemed with Princes and great ones Gemmes and Peares in what honour and estimation are they held For they have their Splendour as the rest of the Mettals whereby they may allure the eyes of beholders and bewitch their minds Iron in the meane time because it hath noe bright Colour and is of little estimation is disregarded by all in comparison of all other Metalls and is every where sold for litle it is troden in every place almost under feet and hath but the lowest place and rank amongst all those Metalls all which notwithstanding the Load-stoâ—e altogether despising and counting as nothing the other Mettals which are so bright and excellent in their owne nature hath made choise of the Iron above them all which it drawes unto it with a violent and greedy affection which it imbraceth with a strait bond of love whose company and union it onely desires of whose friendship and neighbour-hood it is wondrously glad of whose fellow-ship and service it doth perpetually make use and as counting it an honour would be term'd by the name of Siderites which is deriv'd from the Iron You which admire this excellent sympathie cast your eyes upon the love of God towards man and upon our Election the Angels that fell likewise if they be compared to us poore men what wonderfully glorious creatures are they what noble Spirits whose knowledge how many degrees goes it beyond our blindnesse whose power â—ow faâ—re doth it exceed our weakenes whose honour dignity how much doth it surpasse our obscurity and meannes But Christ our Lord did not take on him the nature of thâ—se but passing by them as they lay in the Lake of sulphure prison of hell Hee elected us poore vvormes even dust and ashes Hâ—e lov'd us vvretched creatures He vvas made oâ— a vvoman bone of our bone flesh of our flesh Hee carryed up the humanâ— nature above the Cherubins Seraphins and made it to sit in the heavenly places to be adored of Angels and Archangels Hee hath adopted us and made us the sonnes of God that we should be â—eires yea coheires vvith him Hee hath made us partakers of the Divine Nature of grace and glorie Who would not here crie out vvith Saint Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Behold the love of our Lord toward mankind doe not thinke this to be a thing of small moment or value it being indeed a thing to be wondred at and full of astonish And I taking this often into my consideration doâ— conceive and imagine great mâ—tters as touching mankind Doe you also my brethren see your calling how that not many vvise and mighty according to the flesh 1 Cor. 1.26 not many sprung of illustrious Progeny but God hath chosen the base and foolish things of the world that he might confound the wise CHAP. X. Of the Loadstones indifferency and of a Christians not respecting of persons BEhold â—urther the indifferency and the not respecting of persons vvhich may be seene both in the Lâ—adstone and every true Christian for the Loadstone doth acknowledge and draw Iron unto it as well vvhen it is shut up in a vvooden chest as in a golden casket in a leaden sheath as in a silken scabberd It is the Iron onâ—ly which it respects it regards not the ornament and cloathing of Iron whatsoever it be It is the Iron that it seekes that it imbraceth not the golden trappings or gilding with vvhich it is covered about wherefore brethren let us be ashamed to have the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons so that if one come into your company having a gold ring or gorgeous attire and there come in a poore man in vile â—ayment and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay cloathing and shall say to him sit thou here in a good place and say to the poore stand thou there or sit here under my footstoole are ye not become Judges that determine perversly are ye not partiall in your selves are ye not become Judges of evill thoughts and make a wrongfull difference Hath not God chosen the poore of this world that they might be rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome which he hath promised to them that love him wherefore beholding rather and considering this difference and not respecting of persons both in the Lord and in the Load-stone be sure to follow both and preferre before the worldly wise and wealthy such Christians as are counted ignoble idiots poore and such as are despised of the great ones of this world choose them onely for your companions your friends and yoake fellowes in the Lord love them and hold friendship with them upon earth with vvhom ye are to live everlastingly in heaven for this is wel-pleasing and acceptable to the Lord our God with whom there is neither male nor female neither Barbarian nor Grecian but a new creature in Christ is all in all CHAP. XI That the Loadstone drawes a greatâ— and heavier weight then Jet HEE that once saw a Loadstone vvith admiration drawing to it not onely small remnants and pieces of iron but also taking up easily and lifting up from the ground a great and weighty burthen thereof as for example an Anchour weighing twenty pounds with what contempt will hee behold Jet or Amber drawing strawes unto them or little motes and that after they have beene heated by much rubbing As great yea a farre greater difference is to be seene betweene the soules of wise men and fooles of holy and carnall men whereof these onely care for and meditate upon these things which are of great moment that pertaine to the Kingdome of God and their everlasting salvation but these seeke after the vanities and trisles of this world Surely there is no lesse difference betweene them then there is betweene Merchants that buy wares of great value and triâ—â—e-selling Pedlers which carry about gewgawes Pinnes and Rattles for children to play withall Then there is betweene Spiders that catch Flies and Eagles that pursue after Hares and Heron then there is betweene fowlers that shoote at Pigeons and children that follow after Butterflies CHAP. XII Of that cleannesse which the Loadstone and the Spirit of Christ require in their objectâ— HOwever the Loadstone hath a desire and inclination to iron yet will it not draw it unlesse it be cleane and pollished and it vvonderfully loves and affects cleannesse but hates and loathes filthinesse very much vvhereupon it comes to passe that if you doe apply it to the rusty side of an Anchour or that which is besprinkled with dust either it will not at all put forth and exercise upon it the vertue thereof or very unwillingly and weakely but if you apply the same Loadstone to a cleane and well polished side it will greedily draw it with all the power it hath and will
for in both of them it is rare to find a conjunction and concord of outward beauty and inward vertue It is not altogether usuall to have beauty and strength inherent in one and the same party It is difficult to finde a man that excels in strength of body and prudence of minde Now beauty and splendour is such an endowment as doth not lye hid but is forth with outwardly manifest and presents it selfe to the eyes of the beholders but prudence strength do not disclose and declare themselves without many Arts and exercises you shall meet with many in Histories that surpassed in beauty yet were not famous for any excellent Art for beauty doth effeminate the possessors of it perswades them to be idle and to take their pleasure as not wanting any other glory Tertull. de resur On the contrary Christ our Lord was a man of sorrowes acquainted with griâ—fe by reason of his suffrings there was no beauty or bravery in him that we should desire him he was a worme and no man one who the people made no account of But as touching the fulnesse of his Spirit he was above the Sons of men upon whom rested the spirit of wisedome and counsell in whom were all the treasures of wisedome who by the smell of his good oyntments did provoke and draw men to come unto him whose good examples let us alwaies follow If we have beauty let us not much regard it if we have it not let us not be sorry for it nor envy others that have it let us rather rejoyce for our inward vertues and good workes Let us cloathe our selves with the silke of honesty with the fine cloath of Sanctity with the Purple of Chastity being so adorned trimly set forth we shall have God for our Paramour holy people for our Imitators or followers Tertull. de cultu faeminarum The Angels for our Spectators and praisers Chap. 25. That God useth to be more admired in little Loadstones and weake Christians than in great ones THere is as much difference betweene Loadstone and Loadstone as there is betweene man and man Among those of humane race the first difference is in vigour in which respect some are male some are female The second difference is in greatnesse in which respect some are Gyants some Dwarffs So likewise there are some stones great in quantity but weake in strength such as scarcely verie hardly lift up a weight that is but equall to themselves Some again are small and little not exceeding the quantitie of a Filberd that lift up their weight threescore times nay an hundred times multiplyed God useth to be of greater power in small than in great things It is said there is greater life in Emmets than in Elephants in Dwarffs than in Gyants If there were some great Loadstone that could lift up its owne weight fiftie times multiplyed there were some danger lest it should be adored as an Idoll Among poore people that have but slender possessions and small abilities you may see many that â—xcel and are very famous for godlinesse and holinesse of life that if any such should be met withall among the Nobles among the learned and mightie of this world hee should be counted a rare wonder and it were to be feared lest the common people should imagine him to have some Deitie within him and so worship him as if he were some halfe God Further there are manifest tokens by which the stronger and more lively stones are differenced from the weak and sluggish First that they do finish their taske with more expedition that they tuâ—ne more speedily towaâ—ds the Poles that they draw more strongly more hardly let goe Secondly that they lift heavier burdens with more ease that they can hold up more nailes and rings Thirdly that they have a larger spheare of activitie That they can extend their vertue to an object more remote and and distant There are likewise just as many signes whereby noble and heroical Christians are discerned from those that are luke-warme and vulgar They are more quick spirited and nimble to performe good works they goe not about holy duties groaning and lamenting with an ill will like those kine that drew the Ark which lowed on the way as they went Secondly they can endure the crosse more couragiously and beare those temptations that are more grievous than ordinary like Samson who without much ado took up the brazen gates on his shoulders Lastly they do endevor to win and draw not one or two or a few but many soules unto Christ for so it is mentioned of Barnabas that hee was a good man and that many were converted unto God by his meanes Chap. 26. All the Circles are found in the least Loadstone although not in the same largenâ—sse and all the habits though not the same degrees of graces in the least Christians THough a Loadstone which is strong doth surpasse a weake one in vertue by many degrees yet all of them both strong and weake doe agree in this That the two polar points and so many Tropicall Circles and one Aequinoctiall are seen in each of them as they are seen in the Globe of Heaven and Earth So if you cut some great Loadinto a thousand peeces there will be none of them so small but that you may find in it all the forenamed Mathematicall Circles So likewise there is not any Christian of so little faith of so small stature in Christianitie but that hee hath received from the fulnesse of Christ grace for grace although all of them have not the same measure and degree of severall graces yet they have the same number the same seed-plot of all vertues no otherwise than as the severall members lineaments of the parents may be clearely seene in an infant but one day old Chap. 27. One Loadstone helps another that is conveniently or fitly placed by it but hurts it if otherwise the like happeneth in the familiar entercourses both good and bad that men have one with another IF you gather a thousand flints into an heap one flint will neither receive damage or profit by another The case is far otherwise with Loadstones of which if you place one by another or if you cast many of them confusedly into one heap the one must needs draw either some losse and impediment or some vertue or benefit from that which is next unto it for if they doe accord in respect of the Magnetick rules and meet in tearms or points convenient for each ones natures so that the Southerne point of the one be disposed toward the Northerne point of the other the weake shall be drawne and cherished strengtheâ—ed by the strong But if it be placed in contrarie and inconvenient tearmes it shall be driven away and much weakened There happens in the friendship and societie of men something that is like unto this some good doth alwayes befall to a man by meanes of a good neighbour and some
while that way and so comes at neither of them but misseth them both Chap. 36. Effects of the same love in Christ and the Loadstone contrary to their firâ—â— actions and demeaners THe Loadstone is wholly composed of humblenesse love breathes out meere love void of all gall and bitternesse It was created for the use and benefit of mankinde and brings no damage or detriment to any If at any time it seemes to drive away Iron and expell it it doth it not out of any pride nor induced by any hatred but to this end only drives it away that being better affected and disposed in convenient tearmes or points it may then recall it and reduce it to itselfe by certaine windings and turnings So our Lord who is wholly and only good as transcendent in love and goodnesse as he is in greatnesse who was borne for the salvation of mankind drew all unto him he cast not any away that came unto him Hee gave a Repulse indeed to the woman of Canaan he chid her as if she had beene but a dog yet to no other end but that shee might make supplication unto him moâ—e earnestly hasten to him more vehemently and cleave to him more closely and with that minde doth he rebuke those that are his that he may not punish them he threatens that he may not smite them he judgeth them in this world that he may not condemne them in the worâ—d to come Chap. 37. A regenerate soule and a needle toucht with the Loadstone are of the same condition so likewise an unregâ—nerate soule and a needle of iron untoucht A Needle which is altogether of â—ron and not toucht with the Loadstone hath an equall aspect to all the parts of the world and resteth equally in all as it fals out If at any time it hath an aspect toward the Poles and doth rest towards them it is only by casualtie or meere chance without any instinct of nature without any proper vertue But being toucht and having once received vertue from the Loadstone then doth it alwaies only tend towards the Poles and turnes not aside to any other place unlesse it be overcome with love of the earth or constrained by externall force of another So likewise the meerely naturall and unregenerate soule is alwayes prone and eâ—clined to wicked and sinfull Arts. If peradventure at any time it performes any work materially good it doth it not out of any set purpose much lesse by habit but by hap-hazard as they are wont to say with a blind endevour as one that wants both sight and skill yet with his dart or javelin hits a Crow or a mark Now the same soule inspired instructed and wrought upon by God doth constantly direct all its actions to the glory of God according to the precepts of vertue and according to the Canon or rule of Gods word from which scope or mark if the regenerate man at any time erre by infirmitie or by force of some strong tentation that comes to passe altogether besides his intention and against the designe of his will Hence it is that the works of carnall and meerly civill men although outwardly glorious and goodly to see to are little acceptable to God But the works of holy men though imperfect and besprinkled with spots doe not only find pardon but also favor in Gods sight and that for Christ his sake not for any merit of theirs for God is wont to weigh their workes not so much by their acts as by their ends Chap. 38. Of the small estimation and scarcenesse of Loadstones Christians and of their native places THere are now abundance of Loadstones in severall places so that their too much familiaritie or frequencie hath brought them into contempt among the vulgar with whom nothing is counted pretious but that which is scarce There is no Region almost no Iron-mine wherin Loadstones may not be found that is to say common Loadstones of no note of no vertue there are few very excellent notable and strong In like sort there are abundance of men in every place but few noble learned and wise Of Christians in name and title there is no small store and they are very cheap But of such as are truly faithfull and behave themselves as worthy of so great a title there is a great deale of scarsitie and dearth in all places If any enquire of the place Region where the best kind of Load-stones are bred In times past Magnesia did yeeld the most famous from whence it is acknowledged their name is derived But now in that place there are either none at all or such as are very barren in vertue the ordinarie sort are brought from Eâ—be and Norway but the best and such as are of the strongest sort are broght hither from Bengala and China and from those places that are more than usually hot It is most certaine that there is not any particular Nation or Land that doth perpetually enjoy this priviledge but as it pleaseth the God of nature he doth sometimes blesse one Countrey sometimes another with this condition In like manner at Antioch in those ancient times the first Christians obtained both their name and Seat but in Beraea were the most Noble England is reputed of late a most plentifull Island and most happy Mother of holy and learned men yet notwithstanding God hath his freedome to honour at his pleasure any other Church with this renowned Praerogative Chap. 39. Wee doe not search out the causes of hidden things to no purpose though we doe it subtilly yet it is but unprofitably Divines and Philosophers may more easily more successefully find out the effects and use of the same IF any one enquire a reason why I have not as yet produced any opinion of mine owne concerning the causes and reasons of the wonderfull secret effects of the Loadstone Let him know that this is the cause For that it seemes to Boetius and others not onely very hard but also â—ltogether unpossible to assigne a certain and determinate reason thereof Nature would have many things to be hid in the bosome and lap of her Majesty which it would not have the unâ—erstanding of man to attaine to the knowledge thereof and which it hath left rather to be admired than to be searched out Yet there want not some who imagine Clement that the affinity which it hath with the Iron is an evident and sufficient reason of the Loadstones drawing of it Plutarch Others affirme that certaine incorporall and Spirituall evaporations and issues that proceed out of the Loadstone are the causes thereof most do fly to that common Sanctuary of Philosopheâ—s Gallen holding thâ—t a secret quality engendred naturally in the Loadstone by the spirit that wrought in the composing of stones is the cause of it We poore mortals are not only pur blinde as Owles but as Moles we are almost quite blind in searching out the causes of things we labour in
vaine in these subtill disquisitions and spend the strength of our wits to no end How much more uprofitably and unprosperously have the Schoole men employed their houres and endevours in searching out and declaring the causes of Goâ—s election and mans vocation whilst they excogitated that the reason hereof was Gods fore-seeing of mens saith or their works or affirmed that any thing else out of Gâ—d was the cause of thiâ— divine decreâ— and distinctâ—â—n or difference made betweene men Tâ—e mysteries of his Empire must bee reserved and left unto God who will not suffer his servants without punishment to look so curiously into the Ark of his secrets the Bethshemites in times past suffered for this pride and folly Predestination is an incomprehensible impenetrable depth and bottomlesse pit Some divine mysteries are unsearchable and cannot be found out which if God had revealed unto us peradventure hee would have forbidden them to bee published and discovered and surely men might with greater commendation and profit employ the strength of their wits more earnestly and intentively about those things which pertaine to the practice and use of humane life and such as tend to the confirmation and making sure of our election and calling than about these things If a man happens to meet with a fruitfull tree he neither digs up the earth that is about it nor uncovers the root but lookes upon the fruit with longing eyes and plucks them with greedy hands And indeed it had turned lesse to the destruction of Adam and his off-spring and more to their salvation if hee had eaten the fruit of the Tree of life and had not tasted at all of the fruit of the Tree of knowledge Chap. 40. Of the slanders and abuseâ— to â—hich Loadstones as also great men and their affaires are lyable HItherto have I conâ—inued in rehearsing the various and â—xcellent uses of the Loadstone hereafter I will comprehend in few words the abuses thereof and those fables also which passing to and fro through the mouthes of men have gotten some beliefe among the credulous multitude especially such as that is concerning Mahomets Iron Tombe that hangs as they say in the Ayre in a Chappell sceiled with Loadstones which they who travaile as far as Mecha doe constantly affirme to be false This I conjecture to be sprung from another fable somewhat neere of kin unto it which Pliny relates of that Master-Builder Dinocrates who began to cover with Loadstones the roofe of Arsinoe's Temple at Alexandria that her Image or Picture might seeme to hang in the Ayre in the meane time it fell out that the Artificer died and Ptolomy also who commanded this to be made for his Sister Of the same kind are those fained tales of Serapion that he could open doores and lockes that he could stay Ships in the midst of their course that he could extract nailes out of them by the helpe of a Loadstone Like unto this is that of Arnoldus de villa nova who affirmed that the devils might be put to flight by this meanes and that of Marbodaeus Gallus who said it was the best Philter or Medicâ—ne to procure love and that wives are by it reconciled to their husbands and husbands reconciled to their wives unto which his Commentator Pictorius adds this for a Surplusage that it makes the possessors of it very acceptable to Princes and eloquent It is also an usuall thing with Couseners of plaine Countrey people and for Mountebancks under pretence of the vertues and effects thereof to seek earnestly for credit and estimation to that plaister which in Latine is tearmed Armarium and is commonly called the weapon salve having Sympathy with other things wrought upon by the Stars Besides Famianus Strada a man excellent for penning any kinde of discourse hath feigned a notable couple of Tales and as I beleeve to exercise his wit and practise his writing which because they are briefe and pleasant or full of mirth I shall not thinke much to set them downe here fully The first is according to the Patterne of Lucretius his Verse and treats of a most expedite nere way to write unto friends without any Carrier or sending of Letters and that only by the helpe of a Loadstone after this manner Magnesi genus est Lapidis mirabile c. A Loadstone of strange kind there is to which if you apply Some iron substance instruments to write then by and by They draw not only vertue thence and motion amaine Vnto the Northerne Pole to turne and toward Charles his waine But also all among themselves in strange and wondrous sort Those instruments the Loadstone toucht you shall see them resort Vnto one place of motion yea so that if by chance But one of them doe move at Rome the other will advance It selfe to this and though far off will instantly remove And turn to it with speed by League and Natures secret love Well then if thou would'st understand of thy far-distant Mate To whom no letter can be sent then take a plaine round plate That 's large and wide then write therin the A B C letters all In order as by children learn'd these place on brims withall Of this round plate and in the midst each way set downe the Iron Pen Which touch'd the Loadstone that It may be turn'd and then Touch any letter which thou wilt by this example frame Another table for thy friend in forme the verie same Having those outward brims alike and Iron Instrument Toucht by one Loadstone which thy friend that to depart is bent May carry with him then you must among your selves appoint What time the Iron Pen shall move and at the Letters point Things so compos'd if thou desir'st for to salute thy friend Which busied is farre off from home in earths extreamest end Then take the Table in thy hand the turning Iron touch Thou seest the Letters on the brim dispos'd in order such As thou shalt need them to frame words to them thy pen direct Somtimes to this and somtimes that thy purpose to effect Vntill that oft this Instrument thus turning all about Thou hast in order all thy thoughts discribed and set out 'T is strange to be believ'd thy friend which is farre off doth see The rolling Iron move with speed from all enforcement free Now here now there then he that knowes this feat is at a stay Observes the Guidance of the Pen toucht and followes every way Hee reades the Letters that were which being together brought He now perceives what needfull is which by this meanes was wrought Besides the friend when that he sees the Instrument to stand May touch the letters and rescribe and answer out of hand As he shall thinke conveâ—ient O that this way to write Were once in common use that all might letters thus endite A Letter then more speedily and safely to and fro Might passe without all feare of theeves and streams to overflow A Prince might then dispatch himselfe