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CHAP. LXXIX. BUTLER. (Book 79)

I Have already in the foregoing Treatise sufficiently demonstrated, that a Disease doth not exist but in living Bodies, and that it hath not onely a vital body for its proper sub∣ject; but moreover, that the very intrinsecal Organ or Instrument of Life, is the work∣man of a Disease and its internal efficient. Yea I have demonstrated, that both the mat∣ter and spiritual air of the Archeus himself, is not onely the Object on which all the glas∣ses of Diseases are first sharpened; but also, that it is the very matter whereof, and about which the vehement motions, overflowings, and exorbitances of that workman do hap∣pen about his own destruction. Indeed that such is the foolish off-spring of Sin, while man turns himself away from God, nothing but thenceforth foolishly to convert all things into his own destruction. But seeing every thing in Nature subsisteth onely by a matter and an efficient Cause (the which also I have elsewhere most amply taught in a peculiar Treatise) and a thing in Nature doth therefore require to be defined onely by its immediate and proper matter, and its internal efficient Cause (for truly the whole essence of a thing, and its existence, are nothing besides a connexion of both the same Cau∣ses) certainly now it is sufficiently manifest, that a Disease is the very vital matter of the Archeus, into which the seminal Character or Idea of the Archeus being ill affected, is bred or inserted: Whether in the mean time the Archeus doth persevere in that his a∣bomination from the right path, I say, in a hurtful disjoynting, or next, shall spread the same Idea's of his Anger on some Product, and shall afterwards cease: that is even all one in a Disease; seeing it is unto this by accident, to be nourished or not, from a vio∣lent assaulting Cause: For truely the Archeus doth sometimes presently seal an Idea conceived by himself on some excrement of his Body, the which he prepareth, if he shall not find that excrement before prepared for him: From whence also, and wherein a Dis∣ease is thenceforth by it selfe able to subsist. But elsewhere the Archeus doth not wander far, without the matter defiled by him, and therefore he doth either increase the same by a continual nourishment, or through the conjoyning of a resembling mark, is admitted into the implanted Spirit of the Organs, and doth from thence, as from a Tower, either conti∣nually fight against the faculties or strength of the Members, or at least-wise doth sleep and awake at set Periods, because in the vital Principle he hath branded himself with the im∣planted Guest, and houshold Inhabitant of Life, and hath not flowed onely in the Spirit of the fluid Archeus.

Moreover, whatsoever of filths is cast in, admitted, or bred up through an error of living, whether that thing may follow the Family of a Procatarctical or foregoing principal Cause, or next, the Family of a Product; it is wholly altogether nothing but occasional: To wit, at the importunities whereof, the Archeus himself being sore shaken, doth repre∣sent the true Tragedy of a Disease.

From whence, first of all it is evident, that Diseases are as well real while they are silent and sleep, as those which happen being awakened in the meditation of their fit: I ought in∣deed, thus repeatingly to press the Tragedy of Diseases, if fruit be from a thing so unheard of, and of so great moment to be hoped for, unto those that shall succeed.

The Tree therefore and Fruits of a Disease being known, together with the connexi∣on and progress of concurring Causes; the Tree of Remedies is afterwards to be contem∣plated of, which is so greatly breathed after, and unknown hitherto.

First of all indeed, I have considered of a six fold Invasion of a Disease, and liberty of taking its possession: as if it were at first stirred up by the evil Spirit, therefore also should follow the Week of Creation. From whence also a sixfold houshold-stuffe of Remedies in Nature was continually to be considered, unless the Super-eminent Divine Goodness, had rather to communicate the figure of his Unity, every where issuingly erected in Na∣ture, unto mans Understanding: Because it is that which through the Unity of simplicity

hath most powerfully every where erected most rich Remedies against the slaughter of Diseases: Whereunto therefore, the more weak nature of mans Understanding being cherished by sloath, also easily hearkening, hath searched into the Secrets of Paracelsus; Whereby it might powerfully relieve all the Errors of defective Nature. We being now especially the more safe through this prop, shall hereafter attempt the vanquishments of Diseases, after that we shall behold the one onely Fountain of Life, now wandering from its scope, to have erected the whole entire predicament of Infirmities.

I deny not in the mean time, but that a Disease doth diversly enter into our harvest daily: But that (I say) it is daily received in divers Inns, and occasional Causes, which attempt treachery.

To wit, First of all, They do of necessity break in by a voluntary declining race of Nature, through a defect and extinguishment of the vital Faculties, from whence at length difficulties of the Functions, and their afterwards awakened Superfluities do arise.

2. They do happen unto us from an unequal strength of the Members, from whence there is presently an unequal temperature, or disorder, very much like to that aforesaid.

3. From the received Inordinacies of Life burthening the Faculties, and the Offices of these by their immoderateness: Under which slipperynesse or unconstancy of Life, Venus or carnal Lust, Blood-letting, and what sort soever of Lavishments of the Strength do war, and after the beginnings of Diseases do at length hasten an untimely Death.

4. Diseases do most manifestly proceed from Perturbations or Disturbances, or Passions of the Mind: And far more occultly, from the Riotous, or Immoderate and Voluntary Disturbances of the Archeus himself, or those being drawn or sprung from an occasional matter stirring them up. Of these especially there is a large Company, and a numerous Army led on us, being even hitherto not attributed to their own proper Causes, because unknown.

5. Diseases do break forth from the unclemency of the Heaven, through the Injuries of un∣stable tempests, and the unhappy draughts of Endemicks, whereby a hostile guest is drawn and ad∣mitted within, that it may make it self a Familiar.

6. Lastly, A Disease enters by external things rushing on us, to wit, Wounds, Breakings of Bones, Falls, Bruises, Burnings, Freezings, Stingings of Asps, &c. But at least-wise, all of them do lay in waite for the one Life, and from the Archeus its Defender, from whence they derive their Beginning.

Therefore in perpetually aiming at Unity, we shall contemplate of God, as the one on∣ly most glorious Fountain, President of Life, and one onely Permitter of all Diseases whatsoever: So also we shall occasionally, and the more amply reverence the same Giver of a Remedy, in the Unity of his own Type or Figure.

Wherefore, although I have elsewhere written by the way concerning Arcanums, eve∣ry one whereof in particular, doth mow down almost all Diseases with one onely Sythe, to wit, by a separation, and cleansing from superfluity; Yet those Secrets, even as they are most difficultly prepared, yea and ought to remain in secret for ever, in the possession of those of the Privy Counsel; So also the Cure, through the instituted help of the same, doth not so immediately respect Diseases, as in the first place either the foregoing occasi∣onal Cause of the same, or at least-wise, the later product of a Disease: And likewise those Arcanums of Remedies are most sparing, whereof the most part of Mortals is de∣prived and destitute of hope: And therfore, it doth not seem to me, that the Infinite Good∣nesse of God, would not be so issuingly or largly communicated and made known by so scanty a Remedy. Wherefore I conjecture, that the time is at hand, wherein the Almighty Goodness will manifest unto his Faithful ones, the knowledge and essence of Diseases hitherto unknown: But he hath not discovered the aforesaid Arcanums, but for the glory of his own Power, only unto a very few, least the Commerces of the World, should other∣wise perish. For neither is it otherwise to be believed, that the Divine Goodness after this intimate Essence of Diseases, being discovered, that he will afterwards also hide the endowed Remedies of his Unity from the Faithful ones, and that the healing of Diseases ought to be planted into Arcanums alone. Therefore it is meet or seasonable diligently to search into a Remedy, with my self, which by a single endeavour, may have respect un∣to

the Tree of the vitiated Archeus, after what manner soever he be altered. For truly, a certain entire thing is more formerly, Nature, than a corrupted thing: And therefore the Life and the Archeus, as they are simply the cause of its Being, they are more antient than is a Vice conceived in them: For as the immediate Cause of any indispositions, is the very Life it self; So surely the speculation of curing, and renewing of the Life being altered, or weakened, without all discomodity, and burden or pressure, is more princi∣pal, more intimate, more formerly by right, and more noble, than the curing which is perfected by Arcanums, or by the most excellent mundificatives or cleansers: For those Arcanums, although they do oftentimes respect, and cut off the more formerly occasion; Yet it is as it were secondary, as to curing, which proceedeth from internal Causes prima∣rily altered, and affected: And the which therefore do first and most principally require an appeasing of themselves by a natural indication, and that a most capital one of all: For truly Natures themselves have been of old known to be the Physitianesses of Diseases; even as also the vital Nature was reverenced under the covered Cloud of the Etymology of the Spirit making the assault, as the Maker, and Procreater of any kind of Diseases: Yet from the dayes of Hippocrates, unto Galen, and afterwards from thence the speculation of Diseases, remained and stood neglected. It is therefore scanty, and not very passable hitherto, whatsoever I have said concerning the manner of Curing, by pacifying and appeasing of the Archeus, to wit, by with-drawing or removing of his successive altera∣tions or interchangable courses: Wherefore in principally contemplating of the con∣joynting peace, quiet, and docibleness of the Archeus, I will first explain my self by some brief Histories.

There was a certain Irish-man, whose name was Butler, being sometime great with James King of England, he being detained in the prison of the Castle of Vilvord, and ta∣king pitty on Baillius a certain Franciscan Monk, a most famous Preacher of Gallo-Brittain, who was also imprisoned, having a formidable Erisipelas in his arme; on a certain evening when as the sick Monk did almost despaire, he swiftly tinged a certain little Stone in a spoonful of Almond Milk, and presently withdrew it thence: But he said unto the keep∣er of the Prison, reach this supping to that Monk, and how much soever he shall take thereupon, he shall be whole at least within a short hours space; which thing even so came to pass with the greatest admiration of the Keeper, and the sick Man not know∣ing from whence so sudden health had shined on him, seeing that he was ignorant that he had taken any thing; For his left Arm being before hugely swollen, fell down as that it could presently scarce be discerned from the other: On the morning following, I being intreated by great men, came to Vilvord as a witness of his deeds: Therefore I contracted a friendship with Butler.

Presently afterwards, I saw a poor old Woman a Landress, who from sixteen years of age or thereabouts, laboured with an intollerable Megrim, presently cured in my presence. Indeed he by the way, or lightly dipt the same little Stone in a spoonful of oyl of Olives, and presently cleansed the little Stone by licking of it, and laid it up into the sheath of his breast; but that spoonful of Oyl, he poured into a small bottle of Oyle, whereof one on∣ly drop he commanded to be anointed on the Head of the aforesaid old Woman, who was thereby straightway cured, and remained whole for some years, the which I attest: I was amazed, as if he were become another Mydas; but he smiling on me said:

My most dear Friend, unless thou come thitherto, so as to be able by one only Remedy, to cure every Disease, thou shalt remain in thy Young Beginnings, however old thou shalt become. I easily assented thereto, because I had learned that thing from the secrets of Paracelsus: and being now more confirmed by sight and hope: But I confess with a willing mind, that that new manner of curing, was unaccustomed and unknown unto me. I therefore said, that a young Prince of our Court, Vicount of Gaunt, Brother to the Prince of Epifuoy, of a very great House, was so wholly prostrated by the Gout, that he thence∣forth lay only on one side, being wretched, and deformed with many knots; he therefore taking hold of my right hand, said: wilt thou, that I cure that young Man; I will cure him for thy sake.

But I replyed: But he is of that obstinacy, that he had rather die, than to drink even but one only medicinal Potion.

Be it so, said Butler, for neither do I require any other thing, than that he do every morning touch the little Stone which thou seest, with the top of his tongue: For after three weeks from thence, let him wash the painful and unpainful knots dayly with his own Urin, and thou shalt soon afterwards see him cured, and soundly walking: go thy way, and tell him with joy, what I have said.

I therefore being glad, returned to Bruxells, and tells him what Butler had said.

But the Potentate answered; Go to tell Butler, that if he restore me, as thou hast said, I will give him as much as he shall require; demand the price, and I will willingly sequester that which is deposited, for his security. And when I declared that thing to Butler on the day fol∣lowing, he was wroth, and said: That Prince is mad, or witless, and miserable, and there∣fore neither will I ever help him: for neither do I stand in need of his money, neither do I yeild or am I inferiour unto him. Yea, neither could I ever induce him to performwhat he had before promised: Wherefore I began to doubt, least the foregoing things which I had seen, were as it were dreams.

It happened in the mean time, that a Friend, overseer and master of the Glassen Furnace at Antwerp, being exceeding fat, most earnestly requested of Butler to be freed from the trouble of his fatness; unto whom Butler offered a small piece of that little Stone, that he might once every morning lick or speedily touch it with the top of his Tongue. And within three weeks I saw his Breast made more straight or narrow by one span, and him to have lived no less whole afterwards: Wherefore I began again to believe that the same thing might have happened in the aforesaid gouty Prince, which he had pro∣mised.

In the mean time, I sent to Vilvard, to Butler for a Remedy, in the case of Poyson occa∣sionally given me by a secret Enemy: For I miserably languished, all my joynts were pained, and my pulse, Vehement, being at length become an intermitting one, did ac∣company the faintings of my Mind, and extinguishment of my strength. Butler being as yet detained in Prison, forthwith commanded my houshold Servant whom I had sent, that he should bring unto him a small bottle of Oyl of Olives, and his little Stone afore∣said being tinged therein (as at other times) he sent that Oyl unto me; and bad him, that with one only small drop of the Oyl, I should anoint only one place of the pain, or all particular places if I would; the which I did, and yet felt no help thereby. In the mean time, my Enemy according to his lot being about to die, bad that pardon should be craved of me for his Sin, and so I knew that I had taken Poyson, the which I suspe∣cted: And therefore also I procured with all care, to extinguish the slow Venom; and through the Grace of God favouring me, I escaped.

My Wife was now for some Months, oppressed with a pain of the Muscle of her right Arm, so as that she could neither lift up her Hand, and much less lift any thing upwards: And moreover by reason of Grief and Sorrow for me, she now by degrees languished in both her Legs, from the Foot, even unto the Groine, with a cruel Oedema, the which did in its pit, shew the foot-step of ones finger dipped into it even unto the second joynt: For because she had contracted these Oedema's by reason of the grief for my tribulation, a Medicine was despised so long as her grief ceased not: She therefore seeing the work of Butlers Oyl to be vain on me, and being willing before some Gentlewomen to mock my credulity, anointed one only drop of that Oyl on her right Arm, and straightway it be∣ing freely moved, was beyond hope restored, together with its former strength: we all admired at the wonder of so sudden an event; wherefore she anointed the Ankles of both her Legs with one only drop on both sides, being spread about on the circle of the Ankle; and presently within less than a quarter of an hour, all the Oedema vanished away: she also through Gods favour, liveth as yet nineteen Years since, in health.

A certain Hand-maid, as soon as she heard that thing to have happened in her Mistris, required some drops of that Oyl, because she had thrice suffered an Erisipelas, in her right Leg, it being badly cured, she shewed a leaden-coulered Leg and swollen, from the Knee even unto the Toes; in the evening therefore, at her going to bed, she rubs four drops of that Oyl on the hurt part, and in the morning there appeared no footstep of the former Malady; so that she, who now before could scarce go into the Market in one day, the same morning went unto the Temple of the holy God-bearing Virgin, in Laken, and cheerfully returned, and broguht me Water from the spring of Saint Ann, being far re∣mote from thence.

Which thing being heard, a certain Gentlewoman a Widow, being now afflicted for many Months in both her Arms, that she could never lift her hand upwards, was by a few drops of that Oyl, in one only evening, presently restored into full health, and so remained.

Afterwards I asked Butler, why so many Women should be presently cured; but that I, while I most sharply conflicted with Death it self, being also environed with Pains of all my Joynts and Organs, should not feel any ease? But he asked me, with what Disease

I had laboured? And when he understood that Poyson had given a Beginning unto the Disease: He said: Because the Cause, had come from within to without, the Oyl ought to be taken into the Body, or the little Stone to be touched with the Tongue: Because the pain or grief being cherished within, was not Local, or External: I observed also that the Oyl, did by degrees uncloath it self of the efficacy of Healing; because the little Stone being light∣ly tinged in it, had not pithily changed the Oyl throughout its whole Body, but had only blessed it with a delible or obliterable be-sprinkling of an Odour: For truly that little Stone did present in the Eyes, and Tongue, Sea Salt spread abroad or rarefied; and it is sufficiently known, that Salt is not to be very intimately mixed with Oyl.

Butler also cured an Abbatess, sufficiently known, who for eighteen years had had her right Arm swollen with an unwonted depriving of Motion, and her fingers stretched out, and unmovable, only by the touching of her Tongue at the little Stone. But very many being witnesses of these Wonders, presently suspected some hidden Sorcery and Diaboli∣cal compact: For the common People hath it already for an antient custom, that what∣soever honest thing their ignorance hath determined not to know, they do for a privy shift of Ignorance, refer that thing unto the juggles of the Evil Spirit: But I could not decline so far, because the Remedies were supposed to be Natural, neither having any thing besides an unwonted quantity. For neither Ceremonies, Words, nor any other suspected thing was required: for neither is it lawful according to Mans power of under∣standing, to refer the Glory of God shewn forth in Nature, unto the evil Spirit: For none of those Women had required aid of Butler, as from Necromancy any way suspected; yea the things were at first made trial of with smiling, and without Faith and Confidence: Yet this kind of easiness, and speediness of curing, shall as yet long remain suspected by many: for the wit of the vulgar, being unconstant and idle in hard and unwonted matters, is alwayes ready for judgements of the same tenour, by reason of their facility, and therefore also is weak or flaggy; for they do more willingly consecrate so great a boun∣ty of restitution unto diabolical deceit, than to divine goodness, the Framer, Lover, Saviour, Refiesher of humane Nature, and Father of the poor. And that thing indeed not only in the common People, but also in those that are learned, who follow, and rashly search into the Beginnings of healing, being not yet instructed, or observing the common, and blockish Rule: Because they are alwayes wise as Children, who have never gone over their Mothers threshold, being a fraid at every Fable. For indeed they who have not hitherto known the whole circuit of Diseases to be concluded within the Spirit of Life, which maketh the assault, or if they hereafter reading my Studies by the way, shall im∣print on themselves this moment or concernment of healing; nevertheless, because they have been already before accustomed from the very Beginnings of their Studies, to the precepts of the Humourists, they will easily at length depart from me, and leap back unto the accustomed and antient Opinions of the Schooles.

For look what Liquor Men do once, in a new Vessel steep; Its Odour, whether Sweet or Sour, it will long after keep.

They will again easily betake themselves unto the importunities of Decumbent, or falling down Humours: But I in a more near search, being unwilling to refer the bene∣fits of God unto the Devil, have first of all certainly found, that all things in Nature, do consist of an invisible Seed: That they begin I say, are supported, and ruled by a Be∣ing which the great God began from an imaginating Desire, or derived Power, and which remains afterwards throughout the whole duration of their Essence and being. But that afterwards things are made visible, or are [this something] onely by the cloathing and apparelling of Bodies espoused unto it self. But I have taught that Diseases do by a stronger reason, arise from a more invisible Seed: Wherefore that the Diseasifying Idea is only to be Vanquished, Abolished, and Extinguished; because a Disease is a monstrous, and equivocal or doubtful generated Being, and off-spring of Sin, not adhering therefore to the Humane Species, but only to individual Persons after an irregular manner: Because seeing, that after the fall, it began almost from a [non-being.]

For in more fully looking into the matter; first of all, very many Maludies do depart by reason of Amulets or Pomanders being hung on the outside of the Body; even as is plain to be seen, in the Plague, Falling-sicknesse, and other Diseases.

In the next place, whosoever he be, who shall rejoyce to have a Towel which was withdrawn from a pestilent Ulcer, or desiled with the sweat of him that hath the Pestilence applyed unto himself, nor doth fear in himself, that the Plague can thereby naturally be

communicated unto himself; we have seen health restored, as with the anointing o•• Butlers Oyl: For truly a Sympathetical Remedy hath been of late made manifest, which cureth at a far distance.

A certain Doctor of Divinity related to me, that seeing he could not conceive, that in Vitriol there did subsist a natural faculty of curing an absent Wound, if it were be∣sprinkled on a bloody Towel: Therefore also, that he reputed that curing to happen through the work of the Devil; but on the other hand, that he had seen some experiences made by honest Men: Therefore in a doubtful matter, and case of Conscience, that he had made trial of the thing in this manner: To wit, he sprinkled the Pouder of the best Vitriol, on a bloody Towel, with an express protestation, that he was unwilling to ex∣perience any thing, or to be hereafter cured, if there were even the least co-operation of a contract, or of the evil Spirit; yet that he saw the Wound to be healed sooner than was wont, and the Blood also to be presently allayed: And therefore that afterwards, he believed that natural Causes, although unknown to us, did operate in the aforesaid Sym∣pathetical Cure: The which nevertheless, being not yet sufficiently understood by its Causes, is as yet rejected, only as for the enticements of Satan, by this Argu∣ment.

A natural Agent, that it may act, ought to be applyed and most nearly to approach unto the Patient.

But a Sympathetical Remedy, ought not to be most nearly applyed unto the Patient.

Therefore a Sympathetical Remedy is not a natural Agent.

I Answer; if it be understood, that a natural Agent ought immediately to touch the Patient whereon it most nearly acteth, with an immediateness of Supposition, but remote∣ly through the mediation of other Bodies laying between or interposing, whereby that immediateness is communicated to an object at a distance:

The Major Proposition is granted:

Because it is sufficient that the Agent doth touch the Patient, or its proper Object, and that at a distance immediately, with an immediateness of virtue.

And therefore, then the Minor Proposition is denyed:

Because a Sympathetical Remedy ought immediately to be present, by an immediate∣ness of supposition, in that subject into which the action is first received, but not in the part affected, whereinto it is secondarily and ultimately received by supposed mediating Organs, wandring, and being extended by an interval: For Fire is not in the hand of him that is heated, nor is the Sun or the Heaven in the Chamber. But Sympathetical Re∣medies have at this day been made known to be like unto influences in this; to wit, that not only the Air, but a covered Rock, and thick or dark Bodies, are the capable Subject and Organ of this action, no less than of a Starry influence: For neither doth any thing hinder in sublunary things, whereby God could not, or would not have made those in some sort, less alike in this thing: Seeing that the manners of the Grand-Father, do sometimes not shine forth in the Son, but in the modern Nephew: A sound also doth ••i••rce far, &c. thorow the Bodies suitably or exactly shut: Wherefore if thou art amazed •••• the sphear of activity in Sympathetical things, and dost allow of them in Astral or starry Bodies, thou mayest either grieve for thy Ignorance of those, or for thy credulity of these: For truly the principle of an action of Sympathy, is a faculty akin to influences, acting by an in-beam∣ing into an object appropriated unto it self: And God hath known why those things are thus made or do thus come to pass: Who hath endowed his created things, according to his own Pleasure: For he was at liberty to deliver his natural Endowments, even to the most abjected thing;s neither can a Christian derive those gifts into the Devil, without Punishment: But neither do I in this place contemplate of Sympathetical Remedies, as that I believe the little Stone of Butler to act by a Sympathetical faculty: For truly this Stone takes away a distance of the object, and gives an application unto the object: To wit, it is a Remedy familiar unto Mans Archeus, and its virtue is graduated unto a thousand fold, by the goodness of God: And therefore it hath respect unto the peace and quiet of the Archeus in his own Simplicity: For let Young Beginners, before the Ter∣rours of their Judgement, have regard, that a Member at the biting of a Snake, doth pre∣sently hugely swell, with great pain, by reason of the storm of the imbittered Archeus, and that the Angry sting doth by its stroak, presently stir up an hard, painful, and composed Tumour: For what if the Leprosie, or Plague, can speedily defile us with its Contagion, what shall hinder, whereby our Archeus shall the less willingly receive the Contagion of so most powerful a Remedy, if he be defiled by Poysons against his will? If at least there ought to be in Nature, a like authority of a Remedy, and of Poyson, of divine goodness

and of Maladies? Let us consider I pray you, that so sudden a Flux of Maladies, may in like manner presently go back or return, being appeased by an opposite re-flux: For I have seen one, whose Fingers had promised the Disease Panaritium, being devided per∣haps unto the largness of his Arm, and had miserably tortured him for some restless Nights, whereabout the Blood, and fresh Skin of a mold being wrapped, they by the morrow morning had restored the Finger together with rest in the Night: For reason required, that the Antidote ought even at the least to be equivolent with the Poyson: For the most swift Antidote of Ornietanus, in Poyson, being taken, and that raging even unto Convulsi∣ons, doth so presently suppress all Anguishes, and instant soundings, as if there were no Poyson admitted within: Because as a Disease is a defect of Nature, and the straying Archeus; So a Remedy is of meer divine goodness; the which also having slidden down into Nature, ought, as to equalize every defect, so also wholly to overcome it. There∣fore in one respect, the Remedy is far more powerful and famous than the fault, and therefore also less in quantity, and far more swift than delay: And that largeness and nobleness of Power, doth not so much concern a superiority, which with growth or increase is attained by little and little through the obtainments of Maturities, as a present and effective majesty of things, whereby the medicinal thing it self being unfolded by an en∣dowed virtue, doth free, and restrain the Archeus from Impediments and Furies, and also doth imprint an eminent excellency of a helping faculty, for which things sake it was created: These things it performeth by the manner and swiftness of its operation: But besides, as to that which concerneth the Remedies of so great goodness, and the efficacy of these;

First of all, it is manifest, that that little Stone of Butler, however lightly it be tinged in one only spoonful of Oyl, if that spoonful of Oyl be poured into a Can of Oyl, yea into an Hogshead of Oyl, it shall also be made a Remedy; no otherwise than as a pestilent Odour doth infect a whole Vessel with its contagion. What if the Odour of a Sympathe∣tical Remedy, being sprinckled on a Towel with a few drops of Blood, be able to help a Wound, a Bone-breach, yea and an Ulcer, and to appease the disturbed Archeus at a far distance; what wonder is it, if a Remedy being administred to the Sick party himself, doth do that? Yea neither do the Remedies of Chyrurgions cure otherwise, than only by touching at the wounded part; because Emplaisters or Oyls, do not enter into the vital composition of the bottom, or into the nourishment of the wounded part. But in topical Ulcers bred and made in a place, such as are the Cancer, Wolf, &c. Indeed the touching only of a powerful Remedy, is sufficient to extinguish the Poyson there arisen from the wroth Archeus: And let the same and equal Judgment be concerning Apostems, Excrescences, Impostumated Ulcers, and those sealed in a place it self, although first bred from elsewhere, but devolved, and at length deposited in a place; because an ex∣ternal besmearing of a Remedy, doth by a certain attainment of co-touching, tame the whole Archeus, no otherwise than as the Tooth of a mad Dog, although it be most exactly scoured in the Wind, yet doth sometimes bring madness: So also the Remedies of our little Stone, do heal internal Affects; Yet they do the more and sooner dart forth their Effects, if they are received in at the Mouth, no otherwise than as some Poysons are void, unless they are derived or brought down into the open Skin. But if these kind of Remedies shall but even lightly touch at the Tongue, it is no wonder if that they presently affect the whole Archeus with their powerful benevolence, and appease the straying Ar∣cheus from his fury, and asswage him from all imbitteredness: Because that little Stone is of the Nature of a Salt, which is in no wise melted in the Oyl, neither doth any thing materially depart from it, which may be received in the Oyl wherein it is tinged, be∣sides a gentle Odour, such as is the Odour of a pestilent impression in the Plague. And a flourish or Essay of this little Stone, hath seemed to me to be in the holy Scriptures: That the Maker of sweet Oyls, shall compose the Paints or Varnishes of Sweetness, neither shall his Works be consummated or come to an end: That is, although the little Stone be tinged in Oyl, yet scarce a point of its medicinal Virtue is diminished. Therefore if this excelling Remedy be taken inwardly, it then doth not only change the venal Blood into a Medicine like a Balsam, but the very Excrements of a Man themselves (to wit, his Urin) do remain tinged with its super-eminent goodness: No otherwise than as the Eggs of a Hen do savour of beech-Corn being eaten, and as the Urin of a sucking Infant doth smell of Anise, if the Nurse hath taken the Oyl of Anise in at the Mouth: And even as the Urin smells of eaten Asparagus; So also the Urin by its own washing or anointing, doth cure every Disease residing in the habit of the Body.

Indeed, such is the goodness of God, that one only little Stone is sufficient for many

ten thousands, that the Physitian may not excuse himself about the Poor, discussing the charges of costs.

In brief, all Diseases are cured by one only Remedy, to wit, by anointing, or by touch∣ing of the Tongue, or tasting alone: Because the Tongue is like unot an open Skin, espe∣cially if the succeeding Spittle be presently swallowed. But that there is so great a Power of this Remedy to be demonstrated, not only from Poysons, and so from the similitude of a pestilent Air; but that because the Remedy ought to be far more Powerful than every Malady, if it ought to overcome it, and that indeed swiftly, and so, that it ought after some sort to express the seal of divine goodness: Wherefore from the betokening of Phylosophy it self, I presently conjectured, that that Remedy doth require:

First of all, that it be a Body once raised up, and once destroyed, and afterwards as it were after its Resurrection, after some sort glorified: And therefore that neither may it be thenceforth any longer defileable by sublimary Vices, and mischievous Acts or Injuries.

Hence it follows, that therefore it ought to be stronger by a thousand fold, than any pestilent Venom, and to be operative in a more absolute manner; Seeing the Poyson of the Plague is simple, and sits in a corporal Air: For a Pestilent Poyson, is indeed the more familiarly co-fermented, by reason of a humane Symbole or co-resemblance, but it is not therefore a more powerful Poyson: For a Poyson doth indeed, produce a Poyson according to the Rule, and Ferment of the former Poyson, but it cannot exalt the Power of its Product above it self. But in a Remedy rising again from Death, the bountiful good∣ness of its simple. Being is increased unto a thousand fold, and through the thin Odour of its co-touching, it is diffused, and enlarged into the Mean, and presently bears com∣mand over the Archeus its Object: To wit, that he may compose himself according to Peace and Virtue: For so the Arcanum introduceth the Foster-child of its Power, there is a hope and jubilee of the Archeus, truly existing, and super-eminent in the Life.

In the next place, I have considered that this Remedy is not of the Monarchy of Vege∣tables, because it is that which doth easily spring up, and obtain too slippery or fading Sprouts or Linages, and the which therefore are scarce renewed by Art; because they are those which like unto living Creatures, do easily die under the Artists hand; yet do they scarce rise again from Death, seeing they do either wholly perish under the tryal of the Fire, and loose their former Virtues; or if they may seem as it were to rise again, yet they are rather new Beings, altogether secluded from the path of their Predecessors and Parents.

But whatsoever Paracelsus promiseth concerning his four Arcanums of his Archidoxals, that they have a Super-elementary, and almost an infinite Virtue: for the first, which sup∣poseth his Homunculus, it is so horrible as not to be spoken of, Sodomitical, Diabolical, and in no respect to be mentioned. But the other three are Chymical ones, whereunto a promise of extending themselves even unto a tenth Generation, doth not belong: But I speak in this place of a Paint or Varnish, the Works whereof shall not be consummated; neither shall there be a Disease or Poyson resisting it: or as the Text hath it, There shall not be a Medicine of destruction in the Earth, and the Almighty hath made all Nations of the Earth curable.

But by a more full looking into the matter; all Diseases, because they issue from the fountain of the Archeus, de give place, either by reason of Amulets being hung on the Body, and Medicines bound about the same; or by reason of Baths, Ointments, and Emplaisters, whereof there is not the least uniting with the Diseasie Body, but only an Odour is offered; or if they are received inwardly, and are digested as Medicines, yet they are even presently transchanged into the Stomack, and do presently put on strange sa∣vours and figures of qualities, as they do even fully put off every condition of their former Life, unless they had rather be accounted ungrateful, or poysonsome: Yea they are after∣wards altogether so truly transchanged, that they do wholly leave behind them the Image of their former act of perfection, or may scarce be reputed to have possessed it: In this re∣spect indeed, are they for that Cause, taken in a great quantity, or abundance, that they may seem the more inwardly to breath some very small matter into a Man: And with what great dammage that is done, they have known, who have sometimes experienced, that to live medicinally, is to live most miserably. Therefore scarce any thing of those Medicines which are taken into the Body, doth resemble its former Being; and if it doth shew it forth, woe to the Receiver. Wherefore if there were any Virtue in a Medicine, surely that was before it laid aside its own proper Nature, and antient Being: for it hath

presently failed, assoon as it hath represented only its Odour: Therefore the force of e∣very Medicine is well nigh concluded in the co-touching of its Odour, and in almost a certain momentary perfuming: Neither is there therefore, so great reason for a disturbed Rumour, to wit, because the Oyls seasoned by the little Stone, do presently cure by their Odour: Let them therefore be the murmurings of Young Beginners about the accustom∣ednesses of parts nourished: They are altogether vain, although it shall seem Wonders unto Wits not yet meditating of unwonted matters, but being accustomed unto a sub∣scription alone; to wit, after what manner, the Archeus being driven into Fury, being so suddenly touched even with a white wand of Peace, doth fall asleep, or being corrected, doth abstain from his own mischief begun: But surely that is less to be wondred at; see∣ing every thing doth naturally desire to be, and remain, and easily abstains from its own hurt, so it be made, or be tractable for the pacifying of its conceived Grief, or Fury. What if a Flux of Blood, an Ulcer, Wound, Bone-breach, may be presently restrained, and safely healed, if the out-hunted venal Blood, corrupt Pus, or Sanies, be over-cover∣ed with an absent Remedy? shall not the little Stone season the Oyl with its co-touching, that it may be able, being be-smeared or anointed, to cure a Disease laying hid under it? For truly no other thing is denoted by these Words: The Maker of sweet Oyntments shall Compose the Paints or Varnishes of Sweetnesse; neither shall his Works be Consummated or come to an end. For why shall the little Stone touching at the Tongue, less cure, than Woolfes-bane doth cause the Tongue to swell by its co-touching? God hath made benefits in respect of Diseases, at least, equal in authority, if not much more famous, and more: So far is it, that I should consecrate these kind of Effects to the Devil; that I am the more powerfully moved in admiring of the divine Goodness, to adore the most ready mercies of Jesus Christ my Lord, whereby without the Labour of Physitians, Apothecaries, and others, who like Lice, are fatted only by others Miseries; to wit, whereby the miserably Sick are the more safely and speedily holpen.

Indeed Examples of these things, have of late been made manifest in external Diseases, to wit, in Wounds and Ulcers, that we may repay the Honour due to God, out of the midst of our Ignorance of Causes, and may cease to refer those things unto wicked Juggles, and uncertain Superstitions, and so unto the Works of Satan, which are the issuing Pledges of divine Love, manifested from God in the most afflicted Seasons of the deep Ig∣norance of Medicine, for the comfort of the Miserable and Poor, who indeed would be cal∣led the Father of the Poor, because he ought so to be.

I say this kinde of Sympathetical Remedy in Wounds, hath first, and that now of late (by the permission of God) bewraied it self, to wit, that we may by degrees, be led by the Hand, from external, and the more appearing Diseases, unto the reliefes of internal, and the more abstruse Diseases: But that Diseases should almost by the least point of a Medi∣cine be put to flight: To wit, that Butler could cure some ten thousands every year, by almost an infinite Faculty or Virtue, the Text hath perswaded me; That the Works of that Maker of sweet Oyls, shall not be Consummated or come to an end.

And then I ought to believe that thing, as being an eye Witness, that the touching of his little Stone hath blessed first a spoonful of Oyl, and afterwards a whole little Bottle of Oyl, with a medicinal Virtue.

Indeed, I have tried and attempted many things, and that long, about the framing of that little Stone. I have learned indeed, that in the family of Vegetables, there is the Herb Chameleon, and likewise Arsmart, which by their touching alone, do presently take away cruel Diseases, or at least-wise do ease them: I have seen I say, the Bone of the Arm of a Toad, presently to take away the Toothach, at the first co-touching; some things to take away the Falling-Sickness, and the like Calamities: Therefore I have believed, that in the Herby Family, a Remedy doth also lay hid for every Disease; but surely that they do only obtain an efficacy of particular Diseases, but do never ascend un∣to a universal and renowned Government over every Disease. Wherefore I ran over unto the race of Minerals, which is enriched with a long Flux of time or ages.

First of all, that the Virtue of Stones is great, I ought to believe, being admonished by the holy Scriptures. And first of all, I knew that every colour, and power of Gems or pretious Stones, is begged from Metallick ones: Because although Metallick Faculties are enclosed in Gems, by reason of the hardness of their Christal, yet they are commend∣ed in the holy Scriptures for great ones: Therefore I consider, that in Metallick Bodies, the same Faculties or Virtues of Gems, do more familiarly converse with us: For Picus in some Books unto his Wife, doth narrowly search, why Gold is of so great Price, also according to the will and esteem of the Lord: But he was not able to determine his

Question: For it is certain and not to be doubted, that the names of the Planets are put upon the seven Mettals, as whereon the Celestial Virtues, we may believe, are so clear∣ly or famously conferred: But at least-wise, let them be the nourishing or milky Juice of the whole terrestrial Globe: And therefore also for the price of things, and the desires, and rewards of frequent handlings. But the Father of the Poor hath not disposed of Sol and Lune, of Gold I say, and Silver, for the uses of Diseases in the Poor, for whom not∣withstanding, he hath been eminetly careful; and therefore he hath so firmly shut up Gold and Silver, that they do for the most part, mock every endeavour of Artificers; so that when they are thought to be most opened, they have slackened nothing from their an∣tient bolts. But Quick-silver, although it seem to be a certain trembling thing, and so al∣so in this respect, very passable; yet there is nothing in the whole race of Nature alike con-closed; even as elsewhere, I have in a long Tract demonstrated against our fugitive Servants. Therefore scarce the hundred thousandth of Artificers (not only of labouring Servants) doth obtain the Arcanums which are to be prepared of Sol, Lune, and Mercury.

There are therefore four Mettals besides, which do more easily obey the guidance, and desire of Artificers: So that Paracelsus doth not vainly boast, that with Lead alone, he was able to vanquish, perhaps two hundred sorts of Diseases: And nothing doth so alike victoriously act into the radical moisture, as the first Being of Copper, or is more boun∣tifull unto long Life, than the Sulphur of Vitriol: Because it is that which doth therefore point out the Sulphur of the Phylosophers.

Finally, Mars, although he be the cheapest in price, and despised for his numerous off-spring; yet he is not reputed (by Paracelsus) the last, from his fighting Na∣ture.

Truly, Metallick Bodies are e••••ally closed with the Seal of a safe or harmless Homoge∣niety, or sameliness of kinde, a cording to their Mercuries; but their Sulphurs are never wroth with us, they afford mutual converses, if so be they are rendred familiar unto us.

Furthermore, I a long time, and carefully, so meditated about the Stone of Butler, that I thought of nothing else at the time of dreaming: For I did oftentimes see the young ones of Chymistry taking preat gains, who should pour forth bright-shining Trochies, like unto the little Stone of Butler: Wherefore I long afterwards attempted the framing thereof; and at length, although I affirmed something to my self, to be undoubtedly the same little Stone which I had seen in Butlers possession; yet the business succeeded not according to my desire: And at length I knew, that my errours had proceeded from an accustomed and antient errour of the Schooles: For how many soever have hitherto in∣tended to heal by a removal of the occasional Cause, these consequently and necessari∣ly, have had need of a certain delay, and quantity of a Remedy; to wit, whereby they might attain a superiority: But they who shall hereafter intend to trample on a Disease only by a restauration, and restitution of the successive alteration of the Archeus, to wit, they contending to induce a placable Ferment; Surely these Men shall attain their scope, by despising the quantity of a Remedy, and only by the touch of a fermental Odour. I there∣fore being as yet seduced by an antient Errour, Ignorant of a Diseasifying Essence, did believe that every great Disease was to be put to flight, not but by the great quantity of a Remedy, and a long delay of healing: To wit, I meting out the greatness of a Remedy, not indeed from a Power of Endowment; but from the meer, and only abounding of its quantity. For I, after the manner of the Schooles, deriving Examples from artificial things, have also erred with the Doctrine of the same: For I being seduced, thought, as two Horses do draw more strongly than one alone, and a whole Loaf nourisheth more powerfully than a Crum thereof; so likewise I thought, that for a restorative Remedy of the Archeus, the quantity of Ounces, and Drams was required, which might exceed the products of Diseases in strength, and weight. Indeed I had not yet laid aside the contracted blemish of an antient Errour, whereby Diseases are measured only by their occasional Cause, and the weight thereof; but not by the true efficient Cause of Diseases: For I being as yet sufficiently confirmed, did not yet call to mind, that every Disease was framed and governed by the Archeus of Life, to wit, by the Life it self: And much less did I as yet thorowly weigh, that the erring Life would not be conquered, and subdued by the quantity of a Remedy: Wherefore I soon again considered of what I said before: To wit, That the Tooth of a mad Dog, of a Viper, of a wood Serpent or Land Snake, although their Spittle were first cleansed or wiped off in a Garment, yet that it would kill by its touching alone, without any of its quantity. I considered likewise, that a Liquor

was known unto me, wherewith, the Hand being gently anointed, and it being dryed up, if the Chin of a Man should touch at that Hand, the haires of the Beard, Eye∣brows, and of the whole Body, would a little after fall off: For if these kind of Poysons do by a gentle touching extinguish the vegetative Life; yea and that of the haires, which do oftentimes grow after burial; that also, Porestative or Powerful Remedies, to wit, those which will restrain the Errours of the Life, only by their touch, would by an easie Compendium or breviary, and without any perceivable quantity, besmeare, and pacific the Archeus. Indeed I was the more slowly able to apprehend that thing, being partly pre∣vented by the aforesaid Errours of the Schools; and partly because I saw, that if Poysons did kill by one only grain, they did the more powerfully, and speedily effect that by one dram: For I did not yet thorowly consider, that all Diseases did proceed from the Archeus, erring, or enraged; and so that a Potestative Remedy, hath a super-eminent, and no vulgar goodness, whereby it restoreth the Errours of the wroth and angry Archeus: And much less had I as yet thorowly weighed, that therefore a Potestative Medicine ought to be inwardly admitted, as it were without the knowledge of the Archeus: Otherwise, if he doth suspect his turbulency of indignation and alteration, to be set upon, or attemp∣ted by Remedies, certainly he presently falls down into furies, he will not admit of help∣ful things, who being himself now Apogaeal or remote from his Center, doth through his own Errour, prove exorbitant, and will rise up into a greater wrothfulness, and concepti∣ons of stubbornness, the fabrick of his own Diseasifying Idea. Wherefore I have most nearly approached unto the touchings of Butler, with the top of the Tongue alone, or un∣to Remedies administred in the weight of half a grain: For I (for want of a name) have called the little Stone of Butler, and a Potestative, and Fermental Remedy of that sort, after our mother Tongue, Drif; which denoteth a virgin Sand or Earth; and likewise in sensi∣tive Creatures, a chasing or expelling Animosity or Sturdiness; no otherwise than as boyling Sand doth shake off whatsoever forreign thing is inserted in it,

Therefore first; I will shew the things required in Drif, and afterwards the manner of its composition; so far as is permitted to a Phylosopher, I will declare, least I shall pros∣trate Roses before Swine.

1. Drif therefore, first of all, even as I have said, requires, that it be a certain Metallick Body: Because it is that which by its long delay, doth signifie constancy, but not a hastened Cor∣ruption: And it hath compleated its circle of generation, through a long favour of the Heaven: and it seemeth to be that which by a particular ordination, is directed by the Almighty for the help of the Miserable and Poor.

2. Drif is not of those unwonted Arcanums not bestowed by God, but on a very few Adeptists, they only being certain of his choice Disciples: For truly, our Drif seemeth to be only ordained for the comfort of the Poor.

3. Drif requireth, that it be indeed of a Natural Body, partaker of a Metallick bounty, but that before, it be first made obedient and openea by Death; not indeed with an extinguishment of its Virtues or Faculties, or like a Carcass dying of its own accord; but the benefits of its natural Endowments being retained, that it be unlocked by the Artificer, being free from its bolts, and as it were raised up again; yea that it be an enriched, and plainly a new Being, and rising afresh from the fire.

4. And therefore it ought to have risen again, being as it were altogether Volatile after Death, and spiritual, or to be twice or thrice sublimed, with other things added unto it.

5. But because volatile things do soon perish, are dispersed, and dissolved, even before they are admitted within, do pierce, and draw their excellencies out of their Bosome, or so are able to pacifie the Archeus: therefore Drif requires, that after its volatility being obtained, it be con∣nexed unto a certain friendly Body, whereby it may be detained, and in its Bride-bed be communi∣cable unto mans Body, and grateful and familiar unto our Archeus: And therefore, it ought to ob∣tain that thing, as it were a middle place between a Body that is easily and not easily difflable or to be blown away: And likewise it ought to be connexed unto its mean, while its heat being now almost at the highest, it shall be mild; to wit, least the volatitle Body, in the co-kniting, do in a great part of it, fly away.

6. And for this cause, it ought to be plainly fermental, not onely in its constancy of Body, but in the extension of its virtues; so that through the least participation of its Odour it may be able to extend its virtues into the Archeus, and to sleepifie and asswage the same.

In which Six Particulars, as Drif is described; so in a like Number its Composition is discovered.

First of all, In the Book of the Disease of the Stone, in the dainty dish for Young Beginners, I have explained a manner of Distilling, whereby the Spirit of Sea-Salt is drawn or allured forth with Potters Earth being dried. For the Salt of the Sea is akin unto us, and desireable by us, nei∣ther is it adverse unto us in any of its Tenour. Therefore for Drif, the residing Salt of the Sea, remaining in its Dreg is required, to wit, it being extracted from its Dreg or Lee, which is cal∣led the Caput Mortuum or Dead Head. That Salt, I say, being now spoiled of its Spirits, doth desire strange ones, and doth lay them up within it self: yet it doth not altogether stubbornly fix them.

2. I have likewise taught, That the first Being of Venus or Copper, cannot be sequestred but by the Death and Separation of its Mercury from its Sulphur: But moreover, that neither is that Sulphur to be had but in the possession of Adeptists, whose number as it is choice and most rare, so also it is altogether small.

3. I have taught moreover, That in Vitriol, however its Venus being now depraved, and the more often distilled, yet that the very actual Venus doth as yet remain.

4. Wherefore Drif it self requires at least-wise a Sequestration of the Venus from the Feces or Dreg of the Vitriol, which is not otherwise compleated than by Subliming.

5. Which Sublimation is also of necessity made and perfected by a forreign fermental Being; yet altogether friendly to the Archeus.

6. Therefore the Sea Salt extracted out of its Dreg, being poured forth, before its every way co-thickening; Let about a threefold quantity of the Being of Venus, being raised again by Sub∣liming, and accompanied with its strange or forreign Ferment, be co-mixed with it: and present∣ly let the roof be covered. But when they shall become wholly cold, beat them into a Powder under Marble, and adjoyn thereto, about a tenfold quantity of Usnea or the Moss of a Dead Man's Skul, in respect of the Ens or Being of Venus. Which Powder compact thou into Trochies upon a Stone, with mouth or fish-glew being dissolved: And thou hast a Noble Medicine.