The practise of chymicall, and hermeticall physicke, for the preseruation of health. Written in Latin by Iosephus Quersitanus, Doctor of Phisicke. And translated into English, by Thomas Timme, minister

THE FORE-SPEECH TO the Reader.

ALbeit the profession of Theologie, stan∣deth vpon the infallible foundation of Gods Word, yet among Diuines, there haue risen diuers opinions and Sects. A∣mong the 〈…〉〈…〉 people) were Pharisies, Saduces, Esseis, and Gaulenists: beside the false worship of Turkes, Affricans, Tartars, Persians, Cataians, and Indians. Among Christians, there are Papists and Protestants. The Pa∣pists, which call themselues Catholiques, haue diuided them∣selues into Dominicans, Franciscans, Iesuits, Seminaries, Secu∣lars, Scotists, Tomists, Occamists, &c. Among Protestants, haue sprung vp, Anabaptists, Familists, and Brownists.

As in Diuine, so in Humane Sciences speculatiue, grounded only vpon probable coniectures, there haue risen also among the Professors thereof, diuers and contrary opinions, & Sec∣taries. Among the Phylosophers, were Stoicks, Peripaticks, Platonists, Cinnicks, and Epicures. Among Physitians, there are Empericks, Dogmaticks, Methodici, or Abbreuiators, and Para∣celsians.

The more part of these, plunged in humane error, & mis∣led by carnal respects, as singularitie, enuie, pride and ambi∣tion, hath dissented from others of sound and vpright iudge∣ment. But some of these ayming at perfection, and hauing the aduantage of succession and other helpes, haue by Tyme procreated a plaine and naked truth. For this latter Age of the world, abounding in all maner of Learning, & with men of mature and pregnant wits, haue greatly inlarged, illustra∣ted,

and refined all Artes and Sciences.

If Therfore Endymions diligence, which first found out the course of the Moone: If Amphions Musical brayne, which first conceiued Harmonie: If Appolonius Memphites, whose industrie first described the Anatomie of mans body: If Chy∣ron, which first discerned the vertue of Hearbes, and taught Aesculapius Physicke: If Hermes Trismegistus, the first that reached & attained the Aethereal and Quintessentiall Physick: If (I say) these, and many others, in their rare inuentions, haue deserued singular commendation: then Hypocrates, Ga∣len, Discorides, Ʋalerius Cordus, Paracelsus, learned Quersita∣nus, & others moe, which haue added any thing to the enlar∣ging and perfecting of that noble Science of Physicke, are to be imbraced and honoured, albeit they agree not together in opinion for that they all by their labours haue sought the good of mankinde.* 1.1 Honour therefore the Physitian (saith Iesus Syrach) for the Lord hath created him, and giuen men knowledge, that he might be glorified in his wonderous workes.

But some Readers of their works, not carrying this mo∣deration, like Midas, preferre Pan before Appollo, condem∣ning Chymicall Physicke, Halchymie, and the Spagericke Art, as too curious, dangerous, and desperate to bee dealt withall. Alleaging also (which is too true) that many Hal∣chymists are notable Sophysticators and deceiuers.

The meaning of some, by these and such like preten∣ces, is nothing else, but like bad and vnskilfull Herborists, to sowe Rocket, and to weede Endiue. Yet let such car∣pers know, that the abuse of Art doth not abrogate the right vse thereof. For as if the tree be blasted that blossomes, the fault is in the winde, & not in the roote: so the fault is not to be ascribed to Arte, which is not in Arte, but the Artificer which is vnworthy the name. And in very deed, it were to be wished, for common vtillities sake, that all such cozoners and deceiuers, might be banished out of Cittie and Countrey, and from all societie of honest men, which without lawfull allow∣ance, take vpon them such professing and practise: or at the least, that they might be restrayned, that through their leaud∣nes, that art be not disgraced, which the ancients did not let to

call Holy. And for my part, I doubt not, but that one Aomus or other, wil recompence me with Balme, and say that I am out of my element, in that I being a professed Diuine, should take vpon me to meddle with Physicke, & to publish that in the vulgar tongue, which was more fit to be in the Latine, as I found it.

To this I answer, that a generalitie in humane learning, be∣seemeth a Diuine: and of all Sciences none more sutable to profession than Physick, as I could easily proue by many rea∣sons. And therfore the wisedom of Christ appointed the my∣racles, wrought by himself & his Apostles, to consist chiefly in healing corporal infirmities. S. Luke was both a professed Physitian, & an Euangelist. It cannot be but a commenda∣ble labour, & a charitable worke in whomsoeuer, to seeke by good means to preserue life,* 1.2 be it but of thy neighbors Oxe, or Asse: This my labor I am sure is wel intended, hosoeuer cōstrued. But a wand thrust neuer so right into the water, see∣meth crooked or broken: euen so a bad heart misconceiueth good actions. As concerning the publishing of this in Eng∣lish, I haue these Inducements. First, the common good of all men. For euen the ignorant shall learne hereby, to haue in high reputation (as is fitting) that which before they vnder∣stood not, & so wil the more readily in time of need haue re∣course to the learned Physitian. Moreouer, if the knowledge of holy writ be conuenient for al sorts of men, as the Physick proper for the soule, why should not natural Phylosophy, and Physick speculatiue, be common likewise to al for the health of the body?* 1.3 Therfore herein, I say as Moses said: Enuiest thou for me? I would al the Lords people were Prophets. So I wish, that all which are capable, had the true speculatiue knowledge of Physick. Then should Physick and Phylosophy, not only haue a more great and general esteeme, but also euery meane Apo∣thecarie, the Physitians left hand, should wel vnderstand how to Elixerate, which is greatly to be wished.

As for the time which I haue spent herein, it is my gaine: happily extracted from idle time, whereas otherwise for my recreation, I might vnhappily haue done nothing: and yet haue not neglected my pastorall function.

If therefore (courteous Reader) by this my painfull plea∣sure, thou mayest procure to thy selfe, but one scruple of knowledge more than before thou haddest, and in time of neede, one dramme of health, it is that which I seeke, wishing thee thy full contentment in all the gifts and graces of God, to thy further profite, and to Gods glorie: to whose protection, I now leaue thee.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eccle. 38.
• * 1.2

  Luke 14. verse 5.
• * 1.3

  Num. 11. 29.