Mr. Culpepper's Treatise of aurum potabile Being a description of the three-fold world, viz. elementary celestial intellectual containing the knowledge necessary to the study of hermetick philosophy. Faithfully written by him in his life-time, and since his death, published by his wife.

OF THE CELESTIALL WORLD. SECT. II.

Proemium

BEfore we begin, we desire to pre∣mise these few things to all such as are studious in Philosophy, and in∣deed they shall finde them very neces∣sary.

1. That these inferiour Elemen•• which we have treated of in the for¦mer Section, have a mutuall sympath•• with the Coelestiall bodies, viz. th•• Sun, Moon, and Stars, and must need have, because they are all made out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one and the same Chaos.

2. That they are governed by th•• superiour as the more worthy, and th•• we prove by this argument, becau•••• this thing which we call obedience is to be found onely in the Elementa•• world.

3. We desire you to consider ser¦••ously, that motion is the cause of a change, both of growing and with••¦ring, both of being born and dying and although the action of movin•• shall continue in the generall, yet ev••¦ry particular motion begins and en•• in its proper time.

4. We also finde out, and it is a truth, that time it selfe is measured out by motion, and that the originall of all motion is in the Heavens, and parti∣cularly in the Sun; by which motion in the Heavens, the constant change and conversion of all things out of one thing into another proceeds; he hath not lived a Philosopher a Sum∣mer and a Winter, nay indeed not a day and a night, which ignorant of this.

5. Consider also that there is no way from the beginning to the end without a mean; for there is no pas∣sage from Spring to Autumne but by Summer, nor from Winter to Summer but by Spring; and if you heed it by the eye of reason, you shall finde that all changes follow these conversions of time and yeers; these conversions of times increase heat and drynesse, coldnesse and moysture, and both life and death, generation and corruption

increase and decrease of living crea∣tures, comes by reason of heat, cold nesse, drynesse and moysture.

6. If you consider it well, you sha•••• finde that the Coelestiall bodies tal•• them, quatenus bodies, are not change•• nor capable of change till the fina•• dissolution, but these Elementary b••∣dies are alwayes changing continually either increase or decrease, and neve•• stand at a stay; and if so, as is mo•••• certain, then of necessity the Coelesti•••••• bodies are by nature active, and the•••• Elementary bodies by nature passive•••• and it is that which is active whi•••• causeth or produceth alterations in th•••• which is passive; then it will follo•••• the Coelestiall bodies give the form 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all things, the Elementary world su•••••• ministers matter for this form.

7. The truth of this will appear 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we may make such a comparison) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all Handy crast Trades; in a Carpe••∣ter in building houses, a Brick-mak••

in making bricks, a Tailor in stitching garments; the Carpenter by his motion hews the timber-log into its proper form, the log subministers matter for the Carpenter to work upon; the Brick-maker makes the clay into the form of a brick, the clay subministers matter to this form; the Tailor cuts out and sows the cloth into the form of a garment, the cloth administers matter to this form: Just so for all the world it is between the Coelestiall and Elementary bodies, and can be denyed by none, unlesse any be so frantick to deny that to be in the Heavens, which is conspicuous upon the Earth; or that to be higher in dignity, which God hath made higher in place. We cannot but admire to see any should be so sottish to deny it, as ever saw it rain, or knew that the rain which comes from above made the Earth fruitfull.

8. All things are moved by the Sun, who by moving his owne body, moves the Creation, and thence comes a con∣tinual

acting and procreating faculty from thence comes that inbred he•••••• both in Animals and Seeds, and cause•••• them to produce their like; which pro∣duction is either good or bad, pure o•••• impure, small or great, according 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Luminaries receive good or bad•• friendly or inimicall Aspects or Raye•• from the five Planets; for as a Key 〈◊〉〈◊〉 formed either well or ill by a Smith according to the measure of heat, mag∣nitude, number, and manner of th•••• strokes and fi••ings, viz. according to the quan••ity of motion and skill o•••• him that moveth, and the goodnesse o•• the thing moved: Just so for all th•• world is the operation of the Coelestia•••• world upon the Elementary world; the•••• Sun and Moon form things either good or bad, perfect or imperfect, accor∣ding as they receive pure or impur•• Rayes from the five Planets, and ac∣cor••ing as they finde fit matter in the Elem••nts to work upon.

9. Consider, that as in the genera∣tion of Man; (for we confesse inge∣nuously we have much bettered our knowledge by the due consideration of that)

The first principle of Mans genera∣tion, is the first kindling of the Mi∣crocosmicall Sun in the midst of the Seed, even as the Sun is in the midst of the Creation, (of which we shall speak more in the next Section) and this Microcosmicall Sun procreateth and disposeth the rest of the parts of the body, according to his owne in∣ward force and power, according as he is supplyed with radicall mysture from the Microcosmall Moon, and fit matter from the Parents: so the Coele∣stiall Sun, which is the centrall Fire of the Creation, according as he is affected by the Moon and the five Planets moves and disposeth these in∣feriour and obedient bodies, whose

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office is to subminister matter for him and the Moon to work upon.

10. Here by the way, you see the errors of almost all Writers in Ana∣tomy; some hold the heart of man is first formed, and that forms all the rest of the parts; others hold, the Liver is first formed, and performs the same office; when indeed the one is as true as the other, yet both of them false, for it is the Microcosmical Sun is first formed in the body; and doth all.

Again; some hold the Heart moves the body of man; others hold, the Brain moves the Body and Heart also; a third holds, it is a force of the vi∣tall Blood in the Arteries: But if you let Reason be Judge, and that will quickly tell you, that if it be the Coe∣lestiall Sun that moves the Macro∣cosme, it must of necessity be the Mi∣crocosimicall Sun which moves the Microcosme.

11. To conclude, for we hate tedi∣ousnesse; We conceive the influence of the Heavens to conduce to the pro∣creation of all things here below after this manner.

1. The Elementary world is the wombe of all living creatures, both Minerals, Animals, and Vegetables; (we desire you once more to take notice, that we never include Man under the name of Animall, for we hold him to be a more noble creature, and made for another end and purpose, being an Epitome both of the Intellectuall, Coelestiall, and Elementary world, and therefore capable of the knowledge of either) it conceiveth them, nou∣risheth and cherisheth them being con∣ce••ved.

2. This Wombe is alwayes full of matter and usefull menstrues, fit for the forming, increasing, and conser∣ving bodies of all sorts, whether

they be Animals, Minerals, or Vege∣tables.

3. The Coelestiall Sun gives a vital Seed, and stirs up all to motion and action, dryeth, cherisheth, quickeneth, defendeth, and preserveth what it hath quickened, neither suffers he that which dyes, everlastingly to dye, nor that which is killed, never to live again.

4. The Moon subministers moysture to perfect and finish all this, and this is that which is called radicall moysture in the body of man, viz. the Micro∣cosmicall Moon. We confesse many have talked and written of radicall moysture, but few understand what it is; this preserveth the Elements and Elementary bodies from the scorching heat which motion causeth, and so temperateth the beams of the Sun, that they may not be extreme, that they may serve for conservation, and not for destruction.

5. Because the beams of the Coele∣stiall Sun and Moon, cannot passe to the Elementary world, but by a Me∣dium, viz. the Air, that's the reason Animals must needs breath, and all Vegetables and Minerals have an Ae∣riall spirit in them.

6. For as this Nature of ours makes use of the Microcosmicall Sun, to che∣rish, and quicken, and move the whole body; and of the Microcosmicall Moon, to feed the body, and all parts of the body, with radicall moysture, that so they may be conserved and not burnt up; so the Coelestiall Nature quickeneth and cherisheth things by the Coelestiall Sun, moystens them by the Moon, and preserves them by both.

7. Then consider, that as the Mi∣crocosmicall Sun and Moon make use of other parts of the body to assist them in their office, as the ventricles of the

Brain to apprehend, judge, and remem∣ber things; the Spleen to help the re∣tentive faculty, the Liver to make blood, and the Gall to clarifie it, be∣ing made; the Testicles, instruments of generation, and seminall vessels for procreation, &c. So the Macrocosmicall Sun and Moon make use of the five Planets for the effecting and varying things below, and tempering them di∣vers wayes, which is performed by their divers and various motions, else all the things that are generated in the world, would be of one nature and quality, and then the World could not subsist, nor Man neither; for he having all qualities in himself, can∣not subsist without any one of them.

Thus much shall suffice to have been spoken in generall, concerning what knowledge of the Coelestiall world is requisite to a Philosopher that stu∣dies this Art.

We come now to shew particularly what the office of the Sun, and Moon, and five Planets is; and we shall afford each of them a Chapter by it self.

OF THE SUN. CHAP. I.

IT would make a man admire, when he considers how plain the course of Nature is in all the actions of Nature, which are especially discovered to the Sons of men in the birth and conce∣ption of man himself: What the rea∣son should be of so many preposterous opinions now conversant in the brains of the Sons of men, we knowing that Admiration was the daughter of Igno∣rance, laboured in the first place to find

out their ignorance; we knew well enough Nature would make all men happy, according to that ancient Pro∣verb,

— Natura beatis Omnibus esse dedit, si quis cognoverit uti,

She hath enough, if men knew how to use it, To make them happy: Pray doe not abuse it.

The most probable cause of the Brain-sicknesses of our age, we shall shew you in the next Book; however, we consulted together which was the best way to obtain that knowledge which hath now been a long time al∣most lost in the world; and that we might proceed methodically in this, wee propounded two wayes to our

selves, whereby we might come to finde out the truth; those that account them∣selves learned, call the first an Argu∣ment à priore, and the second an Ar∣gument à posteriore.

I. We went to School to Nature, to see which way things were made in a Naturall way, and guided being made; and we supposed, that way we might come to know their Natures, by knowing of what matter, and by what means they were made.

II. We viewed the signatures in things that were made, we searched if that we might finde their Natures thereby; we perceived work enough in this for a man to busie his head about all the dayes of his life, and yet learn some∣thing every day.

We have heard of some that will un∣dertake (and they say, perform what they undertake) to tell a man what his diseases be, by the view of his counte∣nance. We confesse our selves either

through want of age, or experience, or something else, are not able alwayes to do it, yet we really beleeve it may be done; because,

1. We have read of a Physician that knew a young Prince was in love with his Mother in Law, because his pulse alwayes moved swifter when she was in his presence. It seems all Creatures have their proper beams as the Stars of heaven have.

2. We have read in Alkindus in his Treatise de Radiis, where he affirms, that every thing in the Elementary world contains its species in it selfe; for it is manifest, that every thing in this world, whether it be a Substance, or whether it be an Accident, casteth out its beams as the Stars do, or else it had not the fi∣gure of the Starry world in it selfe. The Fire (as it is most manifest) casteth out its beams to a certain di∣stance. The Earth sends out its beams of cold, of health, and of medicine;

and medicines taken into the body, or outwardly applyed to the body, dif∣fuse their beams through the whole bo∣dy of him that receives them; and every coloured body sendeth out its beams, by which it is perceived of what colour it is; whence it appears to be an apparent truth, that every thing which hath actuall existence in the Elementary world sends forth its beams, which fill the Elementary world after their own manner; and every place of this world contains the beams of all things, which are actually exi∣stent in every place; and as every thing differeth from another, so the beams of every thing differ in effect, and nature from the beams of all other things; by which it comes to passe that the opera∣tion of the beams is divers in all di∣vers things.

Much more Alkindus speaks, which for brevity sake we shall omit; yet the truth of this we conceive can be deny∣able to no man that doth but consider that he may smell many things when

he seeth them not; and then we in∣treat you but soberly to consider, that if the beams and signatures of Hearbs and Plants, &c. have their significa∣tions, must not the beams of the Sun, Moon, and Stars have much more, seeing they cause the variety and chan∣ges of the other, as Spring and Sum∣mer, Autumne and Winter evidently declare.

We have been very long upon gene∣ralls, yet nothing is tedious which is rationall.

We come now to speak of the Sun particularly, therefore we intreat you to consider,

1. That the Sun gives vitall heat to the whole Universe, to all and every part of the Creation.

By the Coelestial Sun was the Cen∣trall Sun in the Earth kindled, and also the Microcosmicall Sun in the Body of Man.

2. This Sun by his vitall heat quickens moysture, heat and moysture so quickened is the cause of the ge∣neration of all things are bred by heat and moysture.

3. Though it be true, that radical moist∣ure comes from the Moon, as we shall cleerly prove in the next Chapter; yet it is as true that it comes principally from her when she receives the full beams of the Sunne, as is palpably and apparently seen not onely in all shell-fishes, but also in the marrow both of men and beasts.

4. For as the Sun when he is up enlightens all the Hemisphere, and this light departs again when he is down; so our life remains so long as the Coelestiall Sun quickens the Micro∣cosmicall Sun; but when either the Coelestiall Sun fails in that office, or else the vessell that holds the Micro∣cosmicall

Sun is broken, life departs, and man dyes.

5. And this also is very agreeable to reason, that the Coelestiall Fire should have some center, from whence it should quicken, cherish, inspire, and move the Creation; it must have its place where he may keep his Court like a King, that so the Sons of Wisdome, reall Philosophers, such as preferre a drachm of knowledge before the ri∣ches of the whole world, may be in∣structed where to goe, and how, and which way by Art to help Nature in her operations; therefore the Eternall God, in mere mercy to mankinde, fixed its center in the Sun, that so his creatures which fear him, and hate covetousnesse, when they want vitall heat to quicken either themselves or their operations, they may know where to fetch it, if they know but how; and that they may easily know, if they doe but know themselves; it was not for nothing that wise Greek

so often exhorted men to know themselves.

5. We shall be yet a little plainer with you, doe but seriously take notice of the common operations of the Sun, viz. how in Winter he prepares the Earth for Spring; in Spring, how he prepares it for Sum∣mer; in Summer, how he prepares it for Autumn; and in Autumn, how he prepares it for Winter: Nay, do but note how dayes-labour prepares a man for night-sleep, and night-sleep for dayes-labour: Heed but this with the eye of Reason, for plai∣ner then this thou shalt never be taught.

7. Take notice that all operations are perfected by the Sun, not upon a sudden, but by degrees, and re∣quire time and patie ce.

You see the Sun makes it day by degrees, and changes the seasons of the yeers by degrees, and that's the

the reason all sudden changes are averse to Nature.

8. The Coelestiall Sun causeth the Heliocentricall motion of the Earth, and all the Planets. The motion of the Earth upon her owne Axis, is caused by the Terrestriall Sun.

9. Both Coelestial and Terrestrial Sun joyn in the generation of things upon Earth, neither can there be any generation without both.

This will appear cleer to you, if you do but consider, that the vitall spirit of all seeds proceeds from the Coelestiall Sun; but yet they must be set in the Earth, that so they may take the influence of the Ter∣restriall Sun, that so they may grow, and bring forth their in∣crease.

Lastly, the Coelestiall Sun is in the Creation like a mighty Prince in a Kingdome, onely he is neither ty∣rannicall nor covetous, nor yet will he be flattered; for as a Prince distri∣buteth offices to people, both great and small offices, according as their capacity is to perform them; some things he acts himselfe, some he permits others to act, and some he commands; he prescribes one ad∣ministration to one man, another office to another man, and a third to a third: Even so doth the Sun in the Creation; for,

1. He gives light to the whole Creation.

2. He gives motion to it, whence proceeds that heat which quickens all things.

3. This motion heats and clari∣fies the Air, from whence men and

boasts come to breath, and there∣fore the Latins derive Spiritus from spiro.

4. According as this spirit is re∣tent or remisse, vehement or not ve∣hement, benevolent or malevolent, according to the administration of other Planets, so is the qualities and appetites of things below, either a∣cute or dull, vehement or mode∣rate.

5. The truth of this is cleerly seen in Vegetables; for Leeks and Onyons are hot, by the administra∣tion of Mars; Lettice and Purs∣lance cold, by the administration of the Moon; Hemlock, and Hen∣bane stupefying, by the administra∣tion of Saturn.

Heed this well in all your Philo∣sophicall operations.

6. As in a Kingdome it lies in the power of a Prince, to redresse

what wrongs his Officers or Admi∣strators commit upon his Subjects; so also in the Universe, it lies in the power of the Sun to rectifie the evil influence of the rest of the Planets, and he will doe it to such Philoso∣phers as know him.

And so much shall suffice to have been spoken concerning the Sun, we shall be a little briefer in the rest.

OF THE MOON. CHAP. II.

AS concerning the Moon, we de∣sire you to consider,

I. That by her generation is perfe∣cted in all things here below, and with out her nothing can be perfected, no more then a Man could beget a Child without the help of a Woman; for though the Sun give vitall heat to the Creation, yet this vi∣tall heat will consume, and not

preserve, were there not radicall moysture; for the Moon adds that moysture to the heat of the Sun, without which the Sun could gene∣rate nothing in the World: So also Philosophers have their owne peculiar Suns and Moons, where∣with they perfect their operations; as also their Saturns, and their Mer∣curies.

And here let us give you war∣ning once more, that when Philoso∣phers speak of their Sun, or their Moon, or their Saturne, or their Mercury, they intend not the vul∣gar or common Sun and Moon, but things far different, things which are in all things, and to be found every where, but no where to be bought for money.

We dare write no plainer, search them out in your selves, there you may soonest finde them.

2. In the Habitable world she answers to the Menstruum of the world, and concocts it, giving con∣cocted moysture to all Creatures, both Minerall, Animall, and Vege∣table; for as the Sun quickens them, and gives vitall heat to them, so the Moon subministers radicall moysture to them.

3. Philosophers know how to fetch radicall moysture in their ope∣rations from their owne Philosophi∣call Moon, when they can but finde her in the Philosophicall Sea, for she is not alwayes to be found there; for though the tree of the Moon alwayes grow upon the bank, yet is not the fruit at all times to be gathered.

The Poets layed downe this in some places very truly, though very fabulously. We confesse we cannot much blame them in so doing, since God hath opened the eyes of our

understanding to conceive of some of the deep mysteries that are layed downe in scripture; for God hath laid down his will and meaning in the Scripture to the Sons of men in deep mysteries, and though most men understand the Letter, yet few understand the mystery, which is the cause of all those er∣rors in judgement now amongst us; and of all that fighting both of tongues and hands, whereby so many men have lost their lives, and yet the truth more obscured; and the ancient Philosophers cou∣ched their truths under Riddles, that so none might understand them but such to whom God pleased to reveal them, which are those who live above this present world. So the ancient Poets delivered excel∣lent truths under fables, of which this of Virgil was one.

Munere quinetiam lanae (si credere dignum est) Pan Deus Arcadia captam, te Luna, fefellit, Per nemora alta vocans, nec tu asper∣nata vocantem.

By help of Wool (if it you will be∣lieve) Pan the Arcadian god, did once de∣ceive, And caught the Moon; when to her he did cry Out of the Wood; nor did she once deny.

4. What the operation of the Moon is in the Elementary world (and Philosophers must make use of their Philosophicall Moon in like manner, else they will bring their Hogs to a fair Market) may be cleerly seen, if we look no far∣ther then the generation of Man, in which thou mayest see a lively Epi∣tome both of the operations of the Sun and her.

5. In the generation of all things in the Elementary world, as the Sun gives heat, so the Moon gives moy∣sture, and that's the reason that the generation and growth of all things is performed by heat and moy∣sture.

6. The truth of this is more cleerly shewn no where then in the Conception of Man; for the seed of both sexes being mixed, the Mother furnisheth the conception

with excrementitious blood, called Menstruis, which she receives by means of what food she eats or drinks; which the Microcosmicall Sun in the Embryon by his heat compels into a mass, ferments it by concoction, and forms into the shape of a Man.

7. Just so for all the world the Moon doth in the Macrocosme; for by her swift circulation about the Earth, she receives the virtue of the Sun and the five Planets, from which like a Mother she gives nou∣rishment and growth to things below, in the Elementary world.

8. The Earth like a Wombe re∣ceives the vitall heat of the Coele∣stiall Sun, and the radicall moysture of the Coelestiall Moon, which the Centrall Sun in the bowels of the Earth concocts (as the stomach concocts food) and makes it fit nourishment for the severall Ideas in the Elementary world.

9. Thus are all things in the Elementary world, both Minerals, Animals, and Vegetables, first for∣med in the Earth, till at last they live, and being alive, they grow to perfection, being nourished by the same breasts of the Sun and Moon. Heed this carefully in all Philoso∣phicall preparations; if you do not forget it in the study of Aurum Po∣tabile, you cannot do amisse.

10. Some Philosophers hold that the Microcosmicall Moon keeps her Court in the brain of Man, and that we conceive might probably give the first rise of that foolish opinion of Ar••stotle's, viz. that the brain was cold and moyst, and tempered and allayed the heat of the Heart; whereas there proceeds nothing from the Brain to the Heart, but onely one small Nerve, and the least childe in Anatomy knows well enough that it is not

the office of the Nerves to convey coldnesse and moysture to the Body.

You see what low principles those which our Dons account famous men, were guided by, and that they understood the letter, and not the meaning of Philosophy.

Also, because they held the Mi∣crocosmicall Moon kept her Court in the Brain, that we conceive was the reason why such as are afflicted in the Brain, are commonly said to be Lunatick.

11. Onely take notice of thus much, and so we shall conclude this Chapter. That seeing the Moon so variously applyes, sometimes to this Star, and sometimes to that, seeing she is alwayes inconstant, alwayes varying; this is the reason of those inconstancies in all things here be∣low, which the eternall and onely wise God hath caused to be, that so his people seeing no constancy in

this world, should look for it in another world hereafter, when this shall be no more.

And thus much for this Chapter.

CHAP. III. OF SATURN.

THose things which the Vulgar call Elements, are indeed and in truth nothing lesse but compounds mightily commixed, and that appears in that they are convertable the one into another, and are daily changed into one another; he that knowes not how to doe that, will never get Au∣rum Potabile; and according to the measure of this conversion proceeds all the varieties of things below in the Elementary world: for the Pla∣nets operate upon things below very variously, of which we come now to speak: And first we begin with Sa∣turn, concerning whom

1 All know what an ill name he hath gotten amongst the Sons of men. He is called an infortune, nay, the greatest of infortunes, malevolent,

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and a destroyer of Nature, and what not? If all the rest of the Planets had hired men to have spoken against him, they could not have given him worse language: yet as bad as they make of him, Nature can produce nothing in the Elementary world without his assistance; neither can Philosophers either make Aurum Potabile, or the Philosophers Stone, without his helpe.

2 It is confessed he is cold and dry, and therefore inimicall to both the Luminaries: To the heat of the Sun by his coldnesse to the moisture of the Moon by his drynesse; but if you please to look a little further, you may see, especially if you put on your spe∣ctacles.

1 There must of necessity be some∣thing to counterpoise or ballance the heat of the Sun, and moisture of the Moon, or else there could not possible be any Generation: All things upon the earth, must needs be as the earth her selfe is, Ponderibus librata suis.

2 The composition of the earth it

selfe is made up of contraries, else it could not be a sutable place for the things in it: And if it be composed by contraries, it must needs be also maintain'd by contraries, which could not be, unlesse the influence of Saturn, or some other Planet, were contrary to the influence of the Luminaries.

3 It is impossible that either the heat of the Sun, or moisture of the Moon could be fixed, if there were not a Planet of a contrary nature to them both: And he is yet to goe to School to Philosophy, that knowes not that without fixation there can∣not be Generation.

4 That there may be a harmony in the Creation, that so the Creation may stand and not fall by a composition of contraries, consider, that there is a simpathy as well as an antipathy be∣tween Saturn and the Luminaries; for he agrees with the Sun in drinesse, and with the Moon incoldnesse.

3 The Nature and disposition of Saturn was a little more wisely and excellently described by one in the Verses.

Nigra semi facies, tardus gradus, hor∣rida barbar, Et cani crines, & membra aeffeta se∣nect â: Ingenio tamen ipse bonus, nec inutile pectus Consilijs, constans{que} animi, prudens{que} futuri.

Black face, slow pace, with hoary beard and hair Stooping with age, old Saturn doth appear, But yet he wanteth not a speciall braine, Nor constant soule; good counsell doth remaine Within his brest, he wisely can pre∣sage What is to happen in the worlds last Age.

4 Saturn chiefly Rules over the Earth by reason of his coldnesse and drynesse, and therefore he cherisheth its qualities, and helps it forward to∣ward

Generation: For,

1 He stops and stayes the beams of the Celestial Sun and Moon. You know Joyners make fast their boards before they can plaine them; for no∣thing can be wrought upon unlesse it be fixed, neither can any thing be pro∣duced by the beams of the Sun and Moon in the Elementary world, unless they be fixed.

2 His inimicallnesse to the Sun and Moon by reason of contrariety of in∣fluences, conduceth something to the putrifaction of things, and without putrifaction there can be no Genera∣tion, it being an old and true adage, Corruptio unius est Generatio alterius.

3 He stands the world in the same steed that the bones (over which he rules) doe the body of man; for he fixeth, setleth, upholdeth, and helpeth to maintaine all things.

Thus you see that Saturn, as much as they cry out against him for a de∣stroyer of Nature, yet he is a helper of Nature in all her actions.

5 The Spleen answers to him in

the body of man, and so doth Lead amongst Minerals. We have spoken as much as is needfull to a Philoso∣pher.

6 Because Omne nimium virtitur in vitium, we will not deny but Saturn hath his vices (and so hath Jupiter al∣so, as we shall shew in the next Chap∣ter) which that you may avoid in your Hermeticall works, we shall lay them downe here Physically; any Philosopher may apply so many as are needfull Philosophically.

1 He afflicts the body of man with coldnesse and drynesse, stirs up perni∣cious humours which have been long bred in the bodies of men, especially of old men: He stirres up madnesse, melancholly and paine in the joynts, paines and swellings of the Spleen, Ruptures, Foractures, and Dilocati∣ons, Feavers, Pestilence and Quartane Agues, Drowning and Shipwrack, Tooth-ach, Strangling, Poysoning and Witchcraft, Impurites in the act of Copulation, Barrennesse and Widow∣hood, Captivity and Beggery, these

proceed from the malignity of the Star: And if he threaten death in a Nativity, he effects it one of these wayes, according as he is posited or joyned with other Starres; and by some of these means he may (if not prevented) spoyle Philosophicall pre∣parations.

2 By his cold and dry quality he in∣fects the very minde of man with Covetousnesse (and then he may well be called the greatest infortu∣nate) Envy, Solitarinesse, Austerity, Dissimulation, Sadnesse, Grief, Deceit, and Sloathfulnesse.

Thus much for Saturn, and also of this Chapter.

CHAP. IV. OF JUPITER.

IT is well knowne to all that have studied Astrology, the Houses of Saturn are opposite to the Houses of the Luminaries, but the reason of this few know, viz. why Capricorn and Aquary are the Houses of Saturn. We shall clear this in the first place, that so we might make way for that which followes.

1. You may remember we told you in the former Chapter, that Sa∣turn fixes the influences both of the Sun and Moon, and stops the unbri∣dled motion of their beames; for though the Sun and Moon be the au∣thors of all Generation, and growth, in that sence that the father and the mother are Authors of a Child; yet such is the unequall disposition of man, that unlesse their beams were

qualified by the other Planets, they would be found to be little better then venomous, nay, perhaps the strongest poyson in the world. We intreat you not to mistake us, neither the Astrolo∣gers whom we honour, think we slan∣der the Sun and Moon in the least. That is properly poyson which is in∣imicall to a particular individuall. For example, a Toad is poyson to a man, yet is it very good nourishment to a Duck, and a Duck fed with nothing but Toads and water, proves very good nourishment to a man. If you will not believe this, aske the next Musitian you meet, whether one con∣cord will not sweeten two discords, and make them harmony.

2 As great a prevarication as there is between a concord and a discord in Musick, is there between Saturn and the Luminaries, therefore the Anci∣ents, not without cause, place his mansions opposite to the Houses of the Luminaries.

3 We told you before that all things were fixed by coldnesse and dryness;

the next peece of Ice you see will prove what we say is truth; therefore Capricorn a cold and dry Signe, is alot∣ted for one of his Mansions.

4 But because there must be putri∣faction of the one, before there can be production of the other, therefore A∣quary the other house of Saturn, being hot and moist, makes them the fitter for putrifaction.

5 Pray to God to open the eyes of your understanding. Hagar could not see the Well before God opened her eyes: Neither could Elisha's man see the Angels which compassed him round about. We shall deliver you the whole truth briefly.

6 Saturn in Capricorn, and Aquary, fixes the beams of the Luminaries, Ju∣piter in Pisces putrifies them, Mars in Aries calcines them, Venus in Taurus makes them fruitfull, Mercury in Ge∣mini indues them with a spirit; Is it possible an Astrologer should live halfe a year, and not give the Moral to this Fable?

7 But we must recall our thoughts

to Jupiter, who presently steps in and begins to putrifie what Saturn hath fixed, and that's the reason Sagitarius and Pisces were alotted for his Mansi∣ons, because they are contignous to the houses of Saturn in each side, and they cast Trine to the houses of each Luminary, whereby they assisting Ju∣piter, and Jupiter them, a putrifaction cannot chuse but be made, and being made, be turned to a very good use.

8 We care not greatly now if we tell you why Jupiter is called a fortune, he is a Star hot and moist in quality; or to speak more like Philosophers, his Radij hot and moist; for one Star is as hot and as cold as another: And because he agrees with the Sun in heat, and the Moon in moisture

9 Be but pleased to consider that the whole Heavens are divided into two Semi-circles, the one of which begins at the beginning of Leo, and ends at the latter end of Capricorn, or beginning of Aquary, which you will, and is called the Solar semi-circle; the other begins at the latter end of

Cancer, and makes a Retrograde mo∣tion to the beginning of Aquary, for women use to fall backwards, and is called the Lunar semi-circle.

10. Then doe but so much as con∣sider, that in the Solar semi-circle, the house of Saturn is Capricorn, cold, and therefore contrary to the Sun, who quickens by his heat; but Aquary in the Lunar semi-circle is hot, contrary to the disposition of the Moone; wherefore Saturn stops and fixeth both their beams, and causeth them to putrifie.

11 We can teach men no better way what the wonderfull works of God in the Creation are, then by bringing them home to their owne bodies; and this was the reason that wise man, whom our Priests call a Heathen, we mean Solon, said, The first step to knowledge was for a man to know himselfe. The meat being taken down into the stomack, Saturn fixeth it there, and putrifies it by meditation of the Spleen, and turns it into such a nasty, loathsome, and venomous quality, as

would turne the strongest stomack to smell to; this loathsome stuffe Jupiter takes and concocts againe, and by me∣diation of the Liver turns it into most pure blood, which afterwards Mars calcines, as we shall shew by and by.

12 We told you before that all things were generated by the Sun and Moon, then which nothing is truer; yet are not the other Planets uselesse, as we shall explain a little, because upon this depends the key of the whole work, as in the body of man; for a plainer and more familiar exam∣ple cannot be; it is the Microcosmi∣call Sun and Moon which beget their like, and cherish it being begotten; yet they make use of certaine vessels to ferment the seed of others to con∣coct it, of a third sort to keep it being concocted, and of a fourth to cast it out, just so for all the world doth the Celestiall Sun and Moon in genera∣ting things here below, and so must Philosophers also in their operations, or else they will make nine pences, and when they expect the harvest of

all their paines and care, they will set downe and scratch their heads with a paire of fools nailes: We dare pre∣sume the way will scarce ever be taught plainer; when you want any thing in your operation, look for it in your selves, you may sooner find a thing in the Epitomy, then in the Text.

13 Thus you see that whatsoever rayes the Luminaries let fall upon the earth; after Saturn hath fixed and pu∣trified them, Jupiter by his friendly and temperate beams concocts them, and from being venemous makes them wholsome and healthfull.

14 Indeed Jupiter performs the same office in the M••crocosm, that the sense of feeling doth in the Microcosme, by which sense all the rest of the senses subsist; and when that leaves any part of the body, the part of the bo∣dy so left is dead: Now feeling con∣sists of heat, coldnesse, drynesse, and moysture equally ballanced; and this plainly appears, that it is only accesse in some of the first qualities, which

are the objects of this sense; you can∣not feele the weight of a feather, be∣cause it hath no excesse in weight; neither if heat and cold be equally tempered in any subject, are they dis∣cerned by feeling; just so Jupiter by his equall temper, preserves the same harmony in the Creation. This is enough to a Philosopher.

15 But Jupiter, as great a fortune as they make of him, hath his infirmi∣ties also as well as Saturn, and those shrewd ones also, such as will as soon, if not sooner, spoyle your Hermetical operations, as those of Saturn: We shall give you them in a Physical way, as we did the former (Nam nobis nudis non datur venia promere verbis) or at least-wise so many of them as may be applyed to our Philosophicall in∣tents.

• 1 He causeth all diseases of the Blood, especially inflammations, as Pleurisies, Quinseyes, Inflammation of the Lungs, &c.
• 2 He causeth wind in the body, especially such as proceeds from too

• much air mixed with the blood.
• 3. He causeth blastings with light∣ning, that's the reason the Poets attri∣buted thunder, and lightning to him.
• 4 He causes all diseases of heat and moysture.
• 5 He causeth hypocrisie and dissi∣mulation, a couple of bad qualities in a Philosopher.
• 6 He causeth inordinate lust.
• 7 By stimulating matters to Ge∣neration before the due time or before they are sufficiently cleansed and pu∣rified, he often produceth monstrous conceptions, and as monstrous births, both in the Microcosm, and in the Macrocosm.

And let this suffice to have spoken of Jupiter.

CHAP. V. OF MARS.

MArs though he be commonly called an infortune, yet if his op∣perations be heedfully viewed, you shall find him as helpfull to Nature, and by consequence to all hermetique preparations (of which Aurum potabile is one of the greatest, neither shall it yeeld in dignity to any, the Philoso∣phers stone excepted,) as any of the rest of the planets, and indeed if we should speak the truth, we must tell you really we do not know that the influence of one planet is more neces∣sary then the influence of another, but to come home to Mars, who else would be angry, we desire you to consider.

1 After Saturn hath fixed and puri∣fied things in Nature, and Jupiter lay∣ed the foundation of their Vegetable growth, Mars comes in and blowes the

Bellowes hard, that so he may increase the heat, and this doth a Philosopher two notable good turnes.

1 It calcines his matter, that so by a second production in may be made better th••n it was at the first. An Al∣chymist will tell how much calcin'd Vitriol is stronger then crude; and a Sope-boyler can tell you how much calcin'd Ashes are stronger then others.

2 It urgeth on all things to moti∣on, and by Philosophicall motion Philosophicall time is found out, even as the time of the day is found out by the seeming motion of the Sun; This you will confesse to be a truth, if you doe but consider, that when you are angry, your thoughts are swifter and quicker by half, then they are when you are pleased. But to pro∣ceed.

2 Mars clarifies that putrifaction which Jupiter causeth in his digestion, and makes all things fluid in the bo∣dy of man. There is scarce a Physi∣tian breathing, though he be never so

great a Dunce, but he knowes this well enough, that the blood in our bodies is clarified and made fluid by Chollor; and if he doe so in the Mi∣crocosm, Philosophy will teach any one that knowes what it is, that it must of necessity doe the same in the Macrocosm.

3 By his heat he is assistant in di∣stributing vital heat to the Creation, and urgeth forward the motion of the rayes of the Sun; this we suppose to be the reason why Astrologers say, He is the Suns Captaine Generall, and why the Sun is exalted in his house; It is pity Astrologers study Philoso∣phy no more, that they might the bet∣ter be able to give a reason for their own Principles.

4 Because he is hot and dry, he is Diametricall opposite to the operati∣on of the Moone, and therefore he calcines and clarifies the radicall moy∣sture both in the Macrocosm, and in the Microcosm; he also causeth it to keep its Center, that so it may not dissipate it selfe too much, or in plain

tearms, exhaust it selfe all in seed; nay more then that, that which will seem stranger, it fortifies radicall moi∣sture, by opposing it, for indeed, with∣out opposition the world could not subsist, because it consists of contra∣rieties; and therefore the one must needs strengthen the other, and cau∣seth it to make head against what op∣poseth it; and this need be doubtfull to none that ever sate still and blow∣ed the fire.

5 As all things are bred and gene∣rated by heat and moysture, as they are fixed by coldnesse and drynesse, as we told you before: So in the vege∣table Generation in man, there must needs be some exsuperance or aboun∣ding, this Mars by his heat exhales, and converts into excrements, that so they may be cast out from the pure.

6 He heats and quickens the pow∣ers of the other Planets, and stirs them up to action; he is amongst the Pla∣nets like a Criminall Magistrate in a Common-wealth, he punisheth their slacknesse, and seeth they be not idle.

7 We care not greatly if we give a reason why at the first Mars came to be called an infortune, or at least-wise what we conceive to be the reason, what is this, Because by his congru∣ity with the Sun he either increaseth the vitall spirit in quantity, or maketh it too hot in quality; a strange positi∣on; let us see if we can make it good. To effect which, consider,

1 That there might be no confu∣sion in those active causes, the first Principles, because they are contrary the one to the other, and therefore knowne Enemies; but that all things may flow from one head, as God is one, therefore God drew all the force of working, and virtue of begetting into one narrow round compasse, and this is that which we call the Sun.

2 This he placed in the Centre of the Creation, that from thence his virtue might be sent out, spread, and bestowed equally about the world, to make one generall heat, light, life, na∣ture, and cause of all things.

3 God cast in the knowne foure

fighting enemies, viz. The Elements, and set all the rest of the Creation in a restlesse race too and fro, this way and that way, that so by their various influences upon contrary qualities, there might be a continuall change of things here below, that so man should Centre in nothing but in God him∣selfe, when he sees all other things are subject to change.

4 After God had done so, he crea∣ted man after his owne Image, and infused a spirit into him, cloathed with a fine windy coat of the cleanest super-celestial Aire, from that place which Philosophers call Aether, if you will from the third Heavens.

5 In the Generation of man, when our life in the lusting parts thereof, is by the bellowes of thought stirred up and moved to action; it sends forth out of every part of the body the hot naturall spirit, or breath of begetting cloathed with a Garment of seed, which is cut out from the dewy part of our meat, ready to be turned into our own like, if not already turning.

6 Give us leave here a little by the way, to have one word or two with Aristotle, who is not ashamed to aver That the seed of man is an excrement, whereas if it were our businesse in hand, we could easily prove that it is the best juyce in all our body, and the finest workmanship which is made of all our food, and that's the reason the immoderate use of Venery weakens Nature so much. But to proceed.

7 This fine Oyle or food of life af∣ter it hath remained forty dayes in the double naturall heat of the begetting spirit and the womb, is formed and fashioned into the shape of a man.

8 Now is radicall moysture at its full growth and perfection, and daily decreases, even to the time of dissolu∣tion, for the Child in the womb is put over by Nature for the rest of its nourishment, to the Menstru's of the mother, and she can add nothing to the food of life, if she could, a man might live for ever, she onely adds to the increase of the body.

9 As mans body lives by food, so

doth the spirit also, and consumes the radicall moysture, which is indeed its proper food, and when it hath consu∣med that, sometimes it consumes the body also, as is evidently seene in Hectique Feavers.

10 To make this evident by an ex∣ample; No longer then you add combustible matter to the fire, no lon∣ger will that burn, but goes immedi∣ately out, so soon as that is consumed, even so the fine Aetheriall spirit of man feeds upon that fine fatnesse which is indeed its food, and in truth his tye to the body of man, which is commonly called radicall moysture; and when he hath consumed it, away flies he as fast as be came, and leaves his old Host at six and seavens.

11 Then we intreat you to consi∣der, and so we have done, that if the vitall spirit be not great, a little radi∣call moysture will serve the turne, for its food, and out of the slack working of them, small store of refuse breath and smoke ariseth, to make any great need of fresh and open aire to cleanse ••••d feed them, as it appears in Flyes,

which live all the winter without aire; but if the vitall heat be great and lively, great store of radicall moysture is required to feed it.

12 Thus you have the reason, as we conceive, why Mars was at the first accounted a malignant, because he increaseth the violence of the vi∣tall heat, and thereby the sooner con∣sumeth radicall moysture, to which he is inimicall, and so causeth death. But to proceed.

8 Mars hath also his faults in all Philosophicall preparations, and those not a few; we shall give them Phisically, as we did the former, and leave every man to be his own In∣terpreter; and we shall be pretty large in them, because they are more subject to Philosophicall operations, or at least Philosophicall operations are more subject to them, then to the faults of all the rest of the Planets, for by his intemperate heat and torrid drynesse, he causeth many vices both to the body and mind of man, as also to Hermeticall operation, which you may easily perceive by what followes.

• 1 Warres.
• 2 Brawling.
• 3 Contention.
• 4 Violence.
• 5 Enmity.
• 6 Disgrace.
• 7 Banishment.
• 8 Losse of Virginity.
• 9 Adultery.
• 10 Sodomy.
• 11 Incest.
• 12 Abortion.
• 13 Perfidionsnesse.
• 14 Anger.
• 15 Rash actions.
• 16 Breaking of Vessells.
• 17 Over heat.
• 18 Impatience.
• 19 Thest.
• 20 Perjury.
• 21 Wounds.
• 22 Mutilation.
• 23 Slaughter.
• 24 Rapine.
• 25 Barrennesse.
• 26 Torments.
• 27 Feavers.

• 28 Wounds.
• 29 Ʋlcers.
• 30 Burnings.
• 31 Danger by
  • ...Fire.
  • ...Iron.
  • ...Pride.
  • ...Prating.
• 32 Sentence of the Judge.
• 33 Precipitations.
• 34 Hurt by foure footed Beasts.

If you doe but consider, That Mars can operate no otherwise in the Mi∣crocosm, then he doth in the Macro∣cosm, the meaning is easily under∣stood.

CHAP. VI. OF VENUS.

THe chief operation of Mars in the Common-wealth of Na∣ture, is by his heat to prepare and cal∣cine matter for seed, which Venus comes afterwards, which by her kind moisture makes fruitfull; and this is the Morall of those Poeticall Fables of the adultery of Mars and Venus, be∣cause they are both so infinite neces∣sary, both for the making of seed, and Generation of man; for as Mars by his exceeding heat and dryness tends but little to Generation, but burnes rather than cherisheth, calcines rather then quickens, so Venus being cold and moist, tends not at all to Genera∣tion, without the help of Mars; for all Generation is performed by heat and moisture.

Let us now see a little Philosophi∣cally how we can make Mars and Ve∣nus

agree in Philosophicall prepara∣tions, and we will give it you onely by a parallel taken from our own bo∣dies, therefore be pleased to consider,

1 All the quoile and fighting in a mans body which causeth him some∣times to be merrie, sometimes sad, sometimes loving, sometimes hating, somtimes joyous, somtimes grievous, sometimes angry, sometimes pleased, sometimes sick, and sometimes in health, together with all the other changes in a mans life, proceeds from the fighting and quarrelling of those foure first knowne enemies within him, viz. Heat, Coldnesse, Drinesse, and Moisture, and he that knowes how this comes to passe in man, who is a perfect and compleat Microcosm, may easily know how this comes to passe in the world, and what the rea∣son is that men fall out, and fight, and kill one another; whereas nature teacheth men to love & preserve one another; and he that knowes it in the Microcosm, or Macrocosm, and know∣eth it not in Philosophy, is not like to be taught by us.

2 These foure first Principles, or noted Enemies, which you will, which can never be reconciled if the strength of one of them be never so little greater then the strength of his fel∣lowes, he subdues, digesteth, and turneth them into his owne Nature, he eats them up, and is strengthned by them.

3 But if his unlikes and contraries be equall in power with him, and so prove his matches, then neither de∣voureth each other, but both stand amazed and dulled; and this is that they call an equall mixture of the foure first Principles, and by this equall mixture our life and health is maintained.

4 For example; Fire which is ve∣ry hot, and something dry withall, and water which is very cold, and moist withall, if both these be in e∣quall power in mans body, they dull the violence of one another, but nei∣ther of both can be lost or destroyed, but if this water by heat of the fire (it being too strong for it) be turned

into aire, then it is partly like the fire, and if it be not friendly to it, yet at least-wise it is its weaker foe, and so yields to it, and strengthens the nature of the fire, for all Alchymists know, that the more aire you give the fire, the more fairer it burns; but if this aire gets more watery moisture and coldnesse, as is clearly seen in mi∣sty and foggy weather, it will easily overcome the fire, and eat him up, and that's the reason foggy weather makes men cough, by breathing in a moist aire.

5 Now the harmony of the world consists by a consent or dulling of the foure first famous Enemies, even as Musick is a harmony made by consent of concords, and discords; for when this harmony between the foure first Principles, is in the least broken, they begin to stir and fight and strive for superiority, till at last one conquers the rest; this is that which in our bo∣dies we call paine and disease.

6 At last when one first Principle gets the Lordship and dominion over

all the rest, he turns them all into his own nature, and then the old consent and knot of life is broken, lost, and spoyled, and still goes downward till man return to the earth from whence he came.

7 To give you an example of this in a dead man.

1 When the breath is out of the body, the naturall fire waxeth luke∣warm presently, and in a short time is devoured by aire.

2 The aire presently waxeth thick, cold, and watrish, putrifies, and by putrifaction breeds a Generation of Vermine, and presently vanisheth in a watry filth.

3 The water waxeth dry and hea∣vie, and still dryer and dryer, till it be all devoured by earth, from whence man set forth at beginning.

We have now shewed, and we hope sufficiently too, the Reasons of the op∣posite qualities of Venus and Mars, see∣ing unlesse they were opposite, and equally opposite in the acting and generating of things here below, the

world could not multiply. Come we now particularly to show you what the Office of Venus is in this our Her∣meticall medicine.

1. We desire you to take notice, that you here have the reason why Venus, being a cold planet, should be the A••••hor of g••ne••ation seeing all generation i•• caused by heat and moistu••••. The heat of Mars fitteth the Elementary world for her cold and moist influence, that so the se∣cond production of things, by nature might be better then the first.

2. As the Celestiall Sun makes use of the heat of Mars to calcine things and fit•• them for procreation, so the Celestiall moon in like manner makes use of Venus to moisten them, that so they may be fitt to generate and thats the reason the Poets faigned V••nus to be born in the Sea, because the Anci∣ents held the Centrall or Terrestiall Moon to be there.

3. Considering what an antipathy there is between Mars and Venus, and yet what a simpathy they hold one

with another in generation, you may easily find out the reason of that sim∣pathy and antipathy of things gene∣rated.

4. If you take notice how all things are bettered by a second Ge∣neration, and that so palpably (or else what need a woman boyl water and Oat-meale to make Pottage) what need any man question but that Aurum Potabile, yea and the Phyloso∣phers Stone also is attainable.

5. As there is one sort of heat wich cherisheth, and another sort or measure whch burneth, so there is one certaine measure of moisture also to be observed both in generating and nourishing; for too much moi∣ture in hermeticall preparations will spoile all, for Omne nimium vertitur in vitium, this just and certaine mea∣of moisture, Venus by most held to give to the world, and therefore she obtained the name of a fortune.

6. But as great a fortune as she is held to be, she may doe mischeifs enough, if not heedfully looked too;

for she makes mens bodyes very vo∣luptuous, cowardly, immode••••▪ much given to women, and alwayes averse to study, unless it be in such bookes as are in sheet••.

7▪ If she must be a fortune because she furthereth Generation, then is Mars a fortune as well as she; for he adds heat, as well as s••e adds moisture, he tempers her moisture, as well as she tempers his heat.

8. However, this is true enough, that as Magistrates in a Common∣wealth leave inferiour businesses to be acted by their Substitutes, of which they have divers in Authority under them; so in matters of procreation, and increase, the Sun leaves the mat∣ter of heat to Mars, and in matter of moisture the Moon leaves it to Venus. He that is a Philosopher knowes well enough how by the Sun and Moon to rectifie the errors or neglects of ei∣ther Substitute, and can goe boldly to the Sun and Moon at any time for re∣dresse, and shall never be ••enyed Ju∣stice.

9 And here by the way you may see in what an equal ballance Nature governs things; and from thence you may sore a little higher, and know what Government is best pleasing to the God of Nature: If Kings and Magistrates would Governe so, what gallant lives might men live upon Earth? But the contrary appearing, bids the Sons of wisedome expect and hope for Heaven, where all shall be amended.

To proceed.

10 As the Sun gives vitall heat to the Creation, which stirres up to action in Generation, and the Moon moistens the rayes of the Sun, least he should burne rather then comfort; end again the Sun heats the rayes of the Moon, least they should conjeale rather then moisten: Just so for all the world it is betwixt Mars and Venus, in respect of multiplication; for just as the Sun and Moon gene∣rate, so Mars and Venus multiply, and that Mars and Venus have this

multiplying quality, appeares in this, in that their bodies are near∣est the Earth, amongst the other Planets.

And thus much may suffice for this Chapter.

CHAP. VII. OF MERCURY.

WEE are now come to treat of Mercury, and having looked up ••nd downe for him, we could not find him, which made us think at first he was run away from us, as he did from the Alchymist; but after we had made a little more diligent search after him, we quickly discovered him, and then we found he was eve∣ry where.

• 1 We found him in Gold, and then he was ••ure Sol.
• 2 We found him in Luna, and there he was pure Silver.
• 3 We found him in Lead, and then he was pure Saturn.
• 4 We found him in Jupiter, and then he was pure Tyn, &c.

Whilst we were admiring at his versattill Nature, and how volattill

he was, and yet we had read long a∣goe in the works of many Astrolo∣gers, that Mercury assumed the nature of every Planet he was joyned wi••h, or aspected to, and we understood the letter of it well before, but never the mysticall meaning till now, which made us conceit that many Histories had Philosophicall mysteries in them. But whilst we were deeply conside∣ring this, in came a company of Philo∣sophers, and their businesse was to seek Mercury, as we did, and because he was so volattile and unconstant, making fooles of such as are fooles; but alwayes obedient to the Sons of wisedome, we resolved to take dili∣gent notice how they caught him, and what they did with him after they had caught him.

And here we saw most wonderfull strange, and mysterious things, such as it is not lawfull to speak plainly, at leastwise till such times as plaine dealingcomes again to be in fashion: Yet we shall relate very truly what we saw, if they seem Riddles, look after

the meaning of them, as we did, you have the same means we had, and if you are no idler in Hermeticall studies th••n we have been, there is no que∣stion but you may as easily catch him as we have done.

But let us return again to the Phi∣losophers whom we saw searching for Mercury.

1 We saw them search for him in the fire, and there they found him and calcin'd him with his like, and fixed him, neither did he once offer to fly away, but followed read••ly, and did▪ whatsoever they comm••nded him, because they went to work with him in a naturall way.

2 We saw them search after him in the aire, and there also they found him, and mixed him with his like, in equall weight and proportion, there also they fixed him with ease, and without any relunctancy, and put him in their pockets, and did what they pleased with him.

3 Wee see them search for him in the water, and there

they found him, and by mixing him with his like, they fixed ••im with ease and pleasure, and made him their servant, neither did he once gainsay.

4 We saw some other most won∣derfull things almost incredible, yet most true.

• 1 We saw them calcine fire.
  • 1 Into aire.
  • 2 Into no aire.
• 2 We say them boyle aire.
  • 1 Into water.
  • 2 Into no water.

We had also the happinesse to s••e how they did this, and how they made Aurum Potabile when they had done it, but in plainer tearms it must not be revealed, nor upon our credits never will.

We have now shewed you what the Nature of Mercury is, amongst the Elements, and Elementary body, and how Philosophers deale with him: We shall now in a few words declare to you what he is in the Heavens, and leave you to busie your brains about

the harmony between them, and so we shall conclude this Section.

1 He is changed into so many qua∣lities, as he meets with Stars, yet be∣cause naturally he rules over reason, he makes their influence rationall to the Sons of men, indeed he causes that harmony which is between the motions of the heavens, and mans bo∣dy; therefore the Poets called him, The Messenger of the Gods, and say, that he brought down the will and com∣mand of the Gods to the Sons of men, which if you will construe Philoso∣phically, and without prejudice, it is no more then thus.

• 1 The Sun gives vitall heat to the Creation.
• 2 The Moon gives radicall moi∣sture.
• 3 Saturn fixeth this, and putri∣fies it.
• 4 Jupiter turnes it into nourish∣ment.
• 5 Mars calcines it.
• 6 Venus makes it fruitfull.
• 7 Mercury makes it rationall.

A word or two to prove the last would not doe amisse, and in so doing we will not exceed the dimensions of mans body: There∣fore consider,

1 If you cast an eye upon your owne bodies, you shall find that Mercury causeth such a pene∣trating and acute humour, which stirres up the mind of man to con∣templation, and inquiry after the Reasons of things, and this is that causes that imbred desire of know∣ledge which is in the Sons of men. And this appeares plainly to be a truth, if we doe but consider, that the stronger Mercury is at the Nativity of any, the more thirst∣ing desire they have after Know∣ledge.

2 He stirres up all the spirits to action and motion, which causeth those various fancies in the body of man, the variety of which seeks after the variety of knowledge of things, and finds them being sought

for, the which Saturn fixeth, being found, and that's the reason Astro∣logers say Saturn and Mercury are such friends.

3 The Excellencies which Mer∣cury bestowes upon the World we have shewed:

We shall onely speak a word or two of what inconveniences he bringeth to the body of man, and if you can find them readily in the Epitomy, you may easily find them in the Book.

1 In the body he causeth

• Madnesse,
• Doting,

And all Diseases of the brain, which disturb reason, all diseases of mind. In the body

• Coughs,
• Falling Sicknesse,
• Appoplexy &c.

2 To the mind he gives

• Folly,
• Lying,
• Unsettlednesse,

• Unfaithfullnesse,
• Evill thoughts,

And as bad actions; from whence many times arise many Calamities.

So much for the Second Section.