Medicina practica, or, Practical physick shewing the method of curing the most usual diseases happening to humane bodies ... : to which is added, the philosophick works of Hermes Trismegistus, Kalid Persicus, Geber Arabs, Artesius Longævus, Nicholas Flammel, Roger Bachon and George Ripley : all translated out of the best Latin editions into English ... : together with a singular comment upon the first book of Hermes, the most ancient of philosophers : the whole compleated in three books / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. XXVII. The Theological Interpretations given to these Hieroglyphicks, according to the Mind of Flammel the Author.

I. OVer against one of the Pillars of the Charnel-house, which I gave to the Church-yard of the Innocents, I caused to be painted a Man all black, who looks directly on these Hieroglyphicks, who pro∣nounces, I see a Wonder at which I am much amazed: Also three Plates of Iron and Copper, on the East, West, and South, of the a∣forenamed Arch where these Hieroglyphicks are, in the midst of the Church∣yard, representing the holy Passion and Resurrection of the Son of God.

II. Whose Interpretation in a Theological sense is, that this Black Man pro∣claims it a wonder as well to see the admirable Works of God, in the Transmuta∣tion of Metals, figured in those Hieroglyphicks, which he so attentively beholds, as to see the Resurrection of the Dead to the fearful and terrible Day of Judgment.

III. But the Earthen Ves∣sel on the right hand of these Figures, within the which there is a Pen-case and Ink∣horn (or rather a Vessel of Philosophy, if you take a∣way the Strings, and joyn the Pen-case near to the Ink∣horn) and the other two like it, on the two sides of the Fi∣gures of Peter and Paul, in the one of which is put N. for Nicholas, and in the o∣ther F. for Flammel, have no Theological sense, but only that as they are 3. in number, so that I have done

or performed the Magiste ry or Elixir three several times.

IV. So also these words NICHOLAS FLAM∣MEL and PERRE∣NELLE HIS WIFE, signifie nothing more than that I and my Wife, have given that Arch.

V. As to the third, fourth, and fifth Figures, by the sides whereof is written, How the Innocents were slain by the Commandment of He∣rod, Their Theological sense is well enough known by the very words only themselves.

VI. The two Dragons depicted together, the one within the other, black and blue in colour, and a Sable Field, whereof the one has Gilded Wings, the other has none at all, signifie Sin which is tied to our nature; the one having its original Birth from the other: of these Sins, some may be chased away, for they fly, having Wings: The other which has no Wings, and signifies the Sin against the Holy Ghost, can never be done away.

VII. The Gold on the Wings, shews that the great∣est of our Sins, arise from the Ungodly hunger after Gold, to wit, Covetousness: The black and blue colours, shew forth the Wicked de∣sires which ascend out of the bottomless and dark Pit of Hell.

VIII. These two Dra∣gons morally also represent, The Legions of Evil Spirits, which move always about us, and will accuse us before the Just Judge, at the dread∣ful Day of Judgment, whose business is to tempt and de∣stroy us.

IX. The Man and the Woman next them, of an Orange colour, in a field A∣zure and blue, shew that Mankind ought not to have their hope in this life: For the Orange colour, signifies hopelessness and despair: The Azure and blue on which they are depicted, pre∣monstrate Heaven, and

Thoughts of Heavenly things.

X. And the Motto's co∣ming from them, (viz. 1. Homo veniet ad Judicium Dei; Man must come to the Judgment of God. 2. Verè illa dies terribilis erat; That day will be terrible indeed;) are to put us in mind of those things, to the end, that keeping our selves from the Dragons, which are Sins, God may shew mercy unto us.

XI. Next after these things are depainted in a Field Green, two Men and one Woman rising again, of the which, one comes out of a Sepulchre, the other out of the Earth, all three of an exceeding white and pure colour, lifting up their Hands and Eyes towards Heaven.

XII. Over the heads of these are two Angels sound ing with Musical Instru∣ments, as if they had called these Dead to the Day of Judgment. Over these two Angels is the Figure of Our Lord Jesus Christ, holding the World in his hand, upon whose Head an Angel pla∣ceth a Crown, assisted by two other Angels, which say, O pater Omnipotens: O Jesu bone.

XIII. On the right side of this Figure is Paul the Apostle, cloathed with White and Yellow, with a Sword; at whose Feet is a Man kneeling, cloathed with a Gown of an Orange colour, with folds of black and white, which represents my self to the life, from which proceeds this Motto, Dele mala quae feci; blot out the Evils which I have done.

XIV. On the other side, on the left hand is Peter the Apostle with his Key, clo∣thed in Reddish Yellow, holding his hand upon a Woman kneeling, clothed in a Gown of Orange co∣lour also, which represents Perrenelle to the life, from whom proceeds this Motto, Christe precor esto pius; Christ I beseech thee be merciful.

XV. Behind each of these there is an Angel kneeling, the one of which saying, O Rex Sempiterne, O Eternal King: The other saying, Salve Domine Angelorum, Hail thou Lord of Angels. These things represent to the Vulgar (who know nothing of our matter) the Resur∣rection, and future Judg∣ment so clearly, that no∣thing more need be said a∣bout them.

XVI. Next after the three that are rising again, are two Angels more of an Orange colour, in a blue field saying, Surgite mortui, Ve∣nite ad judicium Domini mei; Arise you Dead, and come to the Judgment of Our God. This is Theologically inter∣preted also of the Resurre∣ction.

XVII. Then follow the last Figures, a Man of a Vermilion red in a Violet coloured Field, holding the Foot of a Winged Lyon of a Vermillion red also, and opening his Throat, as it were to devour the Man: thereby representing a Wic∣ked Man, in a Lethargy of Sin and Wickedness, dying without Repentance, who in that terrible day shall be delivered into the power of the Devil, signified by the Red roaring Lyon, who will devour and swallow him up.