The vvonders of the load-stone. Or, The load-stone newly reduc't into a divine and morall vse. By Samuel Ward, of Ipswich. B.D.

A Preface to the Reader, wherein is contained the Scope and Argument of the following Treatise.

* 1.1THe Chymists doe make equall in number, and assigne those seaven Mettals that are in the bow∣els of the earth,* 1.2 to so many Planets that are in the Orbes of heaven;* 1.3 the Load∣stone not regarding the most excellent of these,* 1.4 and uni∣versally neglecting other ma∣teriall substances,* 1.5 doth draw onely iron unto it, in whose friendship as it were, and

serviceable company to at∣tend upon it,* 1.6 it doth much delight; such is the condition of Bookes,* 1.7 of which though there be an innumerable com∣pany that abound everywhere, yet every one hath its Mag∣neticke Genius,* 1.8 fitted to the disposition of the Reader, whereby it doth allure unto it, the eyes and hearts of ma∣ny, and being allured, doth in a manner bewitch them, neither doth every ones affe∣ction or phantasie draw him with lesse force▪ then the Loadstone doth Iron. If thou beest a Philosopher, the wōders of the Loadstone then which there is nothing found more pleasant or excel∣lent in the whole Theater of nature, will draw thee hither.

If thou beest a Christian, Christ will draw thee hither, as also his graces en∣graven 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 Phi∣losophy besides, wayting upon Divi∣nity, 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 fol∣lowed Dion, not the Historian, but that Orator which was most deare un∣to Trajan, and for his eloquence sur∣named Chrysostome, or golden∣mouth, 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 there∣of. Now this Chria, as Vosius Leo∣pard, ••nd others describe it) is not a painted or feigned, but a lively Em∣bleme, where either the person is re∣sembled to the thing, or somewhat is done and pla••'t before the eyes of the body, which may more speedily pene∣trate 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 ••old it sufficient, to be the ••••a••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 mig••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, af••er the fashion of a servant, did wash t••eir feet with ••ater, and ••••ped them with a linnen cloth that he might herby leave this vertue, which is necessary for all, though least acceptable, most chi••f••y re∣commended 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 mo••e slowly stirre up the mind, which come to be knowne by the••r windings and turnings, then those which

doe presently incurre to it by the win∣dowes of the eyes; where••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 benevo∣lent 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 experi∣ments, 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 cu∣rious about matter, and manner of stile, I would have th••e consider, that one thing of Plinie, that it is not lawfull to ga••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 sub∣ject, shall draw hither, if thou receive the least delight, or pro∣fit this shall be to him a sufficient reward for his labour, who ne∣ver presumed to expect for him∣selfe, or his meditations, any better lot or lucke, then happe∣neth 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 abili∣tie, at spare houres, to mingle Di∣vine things with Philosophicall,

Morall with Divine, and profita∣ble with pleasant; And this he was desirous to let thee under∣stand, Who is,

Thine in the Lord Iesus, who is all Loadstone and the most excellent. S. W

Notes

• * 1.1

  Crollius, p. 77 Plane▪ tis.
• * 1.2

  1 Lead to Saturne, ♄
• * 1.3

  2 Tin to Iupiter, ♃
• * 1.4

  3 Iron to••punc; Mars, ♂ 4 Gold to the Sun, ☉
• * 1.5

  5 Brasse to Venus, ♀
• * 1.6

  6 Quicke silver to Mercury, ☿
• * 1.7

  7 Silver to the Moone, ☽
• * 1.8

  Clemens Alex. p. 176. Edit Grotii.