The book of degrees, part 2 of 5

CHAP. X.

MOreover, 'tis observable that there are some things in which the Degrees (besides those that are Natural) do lie hid two wayes, and that, according to the two Bodies; as in Metals, Gems, and Stones: And according to this Opinion, Mercury is the chiefest amongst the Metals, and hath a certain peculiar Nature in it self, viz, Hot and Cold, nor can it be taken therefrom. Now then if a Metal be generated from thence, In Iron or Lead, it doth (besides this nature) get to it self another Nature, and so two Natures will be in one Substance: Wherefore henceforth Lead shall be instead of Mercury, if the Leaden Nature which it therewithall conceived, shall be accommodated, or appropriate to thy occasions. The like is to be judged of Tin, Silver, Iron, and Copper, forasmuch as they return into their own Body: After this manner 'tis also in Gems, the Liquor remains in its own nature, viz. In a Mercurial Nature: Now then if the Liquor be congealed into a Gem, it doth in like wise put on a twofold Nature, because they are again reduced into the first Liquor. The like is to be supposed concerning some common Stones or Pebles; also in some Herbs theres the like Nature: Wherefore read, and read over again, and then bring to Experience whatsoever is committed to thy Memory concerning the nature of things; but call it so to Experience, that thou maist not onely Opinion […]t[…] or Conjecture, but maist exactly know every thing for in these things lyes hid the true and certain Phisician or Naturalist.

The Second BOOK.

CHAP. I.

ALthough I have afore-written the Relolleum's according to the Reason and Nature of Heat and Cold, together with the innate Essence; yet notwithstanding, besides those things, there are others which the Ares of Nature hath produced; and this doth by many parts excel that which I have treated of in the former Books: And that I may begin from thence; first of all, If you would exactly speake of Accidental Complexions, you shall find that in this place of degrees, the Superior, or foregoing Relolleum's of Nature, are to be but little approved of, and that on this Account, Because throughout the whole Vniverse, there are two Natures in things which are both together in one substance, although the one of them appears onely) and these are an Innate Accident, and an Elemental Accident: Besides, Every thing in the nature of it self, is hot: For the first matter of things is hot perse; nor doth the Innate Accident change, because every one of the three principles in the Complexions, do consist or abide even unto their ultimate Matter, that is, look what manner they are discerned, or found in, before the Relolleum's. In the same manner do they remain so long as until the Relolleum departs. Therefore like as Experience comprehends, or perfects the End, in like manner the beginning i[…] manifested in, and by it self, yet notwithstanding before we come to those Simples which are in the degrees, 'tis to be observed, that neither their heat or cold is their Innate Accident, but rather an Elemental and External Accident.

CHAP. II.

MOreover, Nature doth not wholly emit, or let go any thing out of it self, the which a man skilful in Medicinal Affairs may easily apprehend, but it keeps the Innate Accident so long at the Matter or Body wherein the Accident is, remains: An example hereof you have in Fire for in this the Innate Accident is Heat, and is the nature of the three first Principles, which is manifestly Hot. Moreover it cannot otherwise be, but that together with the Heat, the substance passeth away, if you would translate, or bestow the Heat on another object. And although that Heat makes Warm, yet it is but a dead Heat, nor doth it heal a sickness, nor give any help, but it is a certain superfluous Heat, added to the Body from without. On this wise doth every Innate Accident open its virtue, & discover it, but without helping or succouring the sick. Therefore whatsoever is accomodated or fitted to be a Medicine for Diseases, must be thus prepared: In the first place, bring your Medicine to that which seperates the two Essences, the one in the Substance, the other in the spirit of life; For wheresoever you would administer a Medicine, even there 'tis expedient and necessary that the Spirit of Life departs from the substance, and accords with, or is suitable unto the offending-matter of the Disease, and then the Medicine will appear alone in its own Body, and this according to the nature of the three Principles: But the External, Elementated Accidents go to that place where the sickness doth lurk thereby I gather, that in the universal nature of things there is a twofold accident, an Innate, and an External; the Innate tends but little to Health, but the External onely doth, and in the fire there is nothing of an External Accident: Wherefore I affirm it to be an imperfect work of Nature.

CHAP. III.

WHen Nature doth at first bring forth in its proper Element, then the Archeus doth prepare it according to the reason and nature of a private (or peculiar) Iliastes, so that the Ares doth plainly consist in the three Principles, and generates the substance of the body in the same thing; this Generation perse, is for the Bodies sake onely, that it may at pear the same with the Relolleum: But what is this to the sick? For the sire is even alike, a Relolleum Accident, also Snow, yet they heale not sicknesses, nor have they any power in themselves of curing Diseases, because they are a Relolleumper so. Besides, the External Elements do make the Cherio of nature, the which is also needful that you bring to the Relolleum, which although you take together with the Cherio, yet 'tis the Cherio that heals all the sicknesses: And in this place you are to observe concerning the Cherio, that the Cherio is no other thing then the Heat, or Coldness of those things which leaves the Body, and goes into Nature: An example whereof you have in Camphyr, for it hath its frigidity from the Cherio, and is therefore a most present help in Sufflatures, (or Windy sir[…] lings) but in the substance of its first Principles, it remains hot, even as Sulphur, and the spirit of Salt, together with the Mercuriality; so likewise Gems and Herbs. Moreover, whatsoever Nature produceth, hath its proper Cherio, that is, an Elemental, External Accident: Wherefore in this place of degrees I affirm, that one thing hath more Cherionick Heat, or Cherionick cold, then another: Thus hath the Archeus disposed all things, and that for the sake of the Microcosm.

CHAP. V.

BVT that you may the more clearly understand our Intention and Opinion, concerning the Compositions of Receipts, you are to observe, that like as I have before mentioned the Relollenm and Cherio; so in this place, 'tis expedient, that you again understand it, in reference to the Body, viz. thus, That such sicknesses, which are onely of a Cherionick nature, and lie hid in the Body, do descend into the Body without the destruction of the three first Principles of the Body it self; For as the […]iiastes in the four Elements doth, (mother-like) produce, [or bring forth] the Relolleum and Cherio, so doth Man stand in the four Elements, and doth receive (as it were hereditarily) those sicknesses that do now and then bud forth in the Body, so that they also in the end break forth into External Elementated sicknesses: Wherefore for the ordering of Cherionick Receipts, 'tis behavefull, that the External Elementated things, do leave and for sake their own Bodies, together with their substances, and decline, or turn into the Spirit of Life, for from thence is the sick person freed, or relieved: Therefore 'tis to be noted, that death is not Cherionicall, but Relolleaceous Nevertheless hence it is, that on what part soever it is turned or inclined, it cannot dye: For who can separate or take away that, which is an Individual, from that under which it lies hid? But in this place we speak of cold and hot Cherioes, and not Relolleums. As for the Rest of what may be here desired, You may read it in The Discourse of the Original of Diseases.

CHAP. V.

LIke as I have in the former Book, delivered in many and sundry Rules, the knowledge of the Nature of those things, which is either hot or cold: So in this place, the present Rule now to be observed i[…] concerning Hearbs: the most of which part are cold and dry, alias, moist: yea, and such as have in them a certain obscure viridity: Now although th[…] these are esteemed hot, yet are they truly cold is Vervain, shepherd, purse: Othersome are reputed cold, whereas they are hot, as Bugloss, Dill, and that on this Account: Because the Coagulated Humidity, brings by its Congealation, a most great driness, and the Resolved Siccity doth not resolve without some little moisture, because of the Cherionick Nature: For 'tis evident, that otherwise nothing can be begotten of the Element of the Earth, but it must be hot, nor of the Element of the Water, but it must be cold, for this is the Order of Nature: But that no such thing doth come to pass, the External Elementatedness is the reason thereof, for it corrupts and breaks the former Nature, Wherefore, 'tis to be heeded, and dealt with according as is its Cherionick-nature, that is, according to the Guidance of Experience: Likewise because the same Nature, whether it be hot or cold, doth not form the body, under which it lies hid, there's no need that you should pass so much for the Body, but bestow all your Experience, upon the three aforesaid Natures, according to what we have afore spoken in the first Book.

CHAP. VI.

LAstly, the Physician is to observe the bodies of such things, as […], for all those Bodies in which these things lie hid, are nothing else but […] Liquor, under which is hidden that which is Cherioni[…]al[…], but the liquor is Congealed in like manner, in or with its own Element, even as the Iliastes hath brought it forth; wherefore the separations of Nature do again resolve that which Nature hath Congealed, and in this resolution the two aforesaid Natures are separated.

Hence 'tis evident that the Externall Elementated things of Nature, are the Relolleum-accident of Nature, and, being apart, do not partake of any Virtue: So likewise 'tis clear, that the other Nature is fully and most perfectly present, in such things as abide in their proper Innated, and in their proper Accidental Quality; both of them in their separation: From these things 'tis evident, that there's nothing, in-born, hot or cold; but that which is Innase doth neither profit, or disprofit any one

Yet besides, there is another certain Nature, which induceth an heat or cold; according to which we judge of the heat or the cold, viz. by the Cherionicall Testimony or Touchstone; by the mediation of which, every sickness is to be healed; for, that same Frigidity or heat, doth, upon its ingress or entring in, incline to, or betake it self unto the sickness or distemper; the which its Innate property doth never affect. All these things are to be found in the Book Of the Conjunctions of things in the Proprieties of the two Natures, according to the three Principles; and that according to the prescription of Philosophy. Moreover, you shall see the Order of the Degrees in the following Chapters, and that, according to the reason and Nature of their Elements.

CHAP VII.

These things following are of an hot nature, such things as come forth from the Earth do possess the first Degree of Heat.

• Dittander.
• Lyons foot.
• Anthor, or Rosemary flowers.
• Lacca.
• Dadder of Time.
• Fig.
• Broom.
• Costus.
• Pennyroyal.
• Humulus.
• Lencopiper.
• Hartwort.
• Cretamus.
• Scammony.
• Teazels.
• Basill.
• Horehound.
• Sagapen.
• Agrimony.
• G[…]ntian.
• Eaecampane.
• Cipress.
• Great spurge.
• Gallingall.
• Phili[…]endala.
• Blouawort.
• Laudanum
• Claves.
• Moncks Rhubarb.
• Macropiper.
• Fonrel.
• Granes of Paradise.
• Civonia.
• Bawme.
• Chamepitis.
• Badellium.
• Fumitory.
• Thistle.
• Cheiry. Mellilot.
• Clary.
• Fi[…]la.
• Calamus.
• Hirundinaria
• P[…]o[…]y
• Ginger.
• Flammula.
• Herb of Paradise.
• Lavender.
• Mustard.
• Calbanum.
• Gamandrea.
• Liquorish.
• Succory.
• Cubebs.
• Cardamoms.
• Marjoram.
• Mother of Time.
• Opopanax.
• Ammoniacum.

Aireal things do claim the second Degree of Heat:

• Tereniabin.
• Nube.
• Chaos.
• Ilech.

Such things as proceed forth from the Water, are in the third Degree of Heat.

• Vitriol.
• Sulphur.
• The Golden Talck.
• Copper.
• The Topas.
• Carniola.
• Both sorts of Arsenick, Red and White.
• The Kakimia of Salt.
• The Granat.
• The Red Marcasite.
• Congealed Salt.
• Sal Gem.
• Gold.
• Smaragdine.
• Copprose.
• Molten Salt.
• Argent Vive.
• Realgar.
• The Kakimia of Sulphur.
• The Chimeaolae Calcis The Iacynth.
• The Crisolite.
• Ogorum.
• Feathered Allum.
• The Ruby.

Such things as come forth from the Fire, affect the fourth Degree of Heat.

• The Hot Lightning.
• Every Aetna.
• The Hot Hail.

CHAP. VIII.

The following things are of a Cold Nature. Such things as are produced out of the Earth are Cold in the first Degree.

• DOdder.
• Strawberries.
• Comfrye.
• Brancursine.
• The Mandrake.
• The Rose.
• Acetum.
• Cic[…]nidion.
• Chesnuts.
• Water-Lilly.
• Lentils.
• Eyebright.
• The bitter Ve[…]ch.
• Mallows.
• Herb-Mercury.
• The Pomegranate.
• The four greater cold seeds.
• The Flowers of Mulbery.
• Ribes.
• Dates.
• Beans. Galls.
• Crispula. Ath.
• The Gourd.
• The kinds of Sanders.
• Tragacanth.
• Nightshade.
• High Taper.
• Lettice.
• Endive.
• Gladwin.
• The flower of bread Corn.
• Henbane.
• Purslane.
• Citron.
• The kinds of myrabolanes.
• Ripe Apples.
• The fourlesser cold seeds.
• Melon.
• Snapdraggon.
• Pisa.
• Darnell.
• Lilley of the Valley.
• Cowcumbers.
• The greater Arrow head.
• Fleawort.
• The kinds of Poppies.

Such things as are produced from the Ayre, possess the second Degree of Cold.

• As Nebulgea.

Such things as proceed from the Water possess the third Degree of Cold.

• LEad.
• Camphire.
• The white Kakimia.
• Electrum terrae.
• Thallena alterrea.
• Thallena frigida.
• Antimony.
• Hoematites.
• The 3 sorts of Tin.
• Alumen de glacie.
• The silver marcasite
• Iron.
• Silver.
• Alumen Entali.
• White talk.
• The three kinds of Corrals.
• Lotho.
• Aqua glariona.

Such as are produced from the Fire, are of the fourth Degree of Cold.

• Crystall.
• Arles.
• The Baeryll.
• Cold lightening.
• Citrinoeus.
• Cold Hail.
• Citrinula.
• Snow.
• Ice.

CHAP. IX.

TIS therefore to be observed, that by what reason or consideration every thing proceeds from the Elements, by the same Reason also doth it posses the same degree, according to the aforesaid Rules: Moreover, whatsoever sensitive thing exists from the Elements, the following figure will discover.

The subsequent Sensitives which proceed from the Earth, do occupy the first degree of Heat, as,

• Men.
• Children or Boys.
• Capricorn, or the Goat.
• Leopards.
• Lyons.
• Horses.
• Oxen.
• Bears.
• Rams.
• Wolves.
• Cocks,
• Foxes,
• And such like.

The following Animals born from the Ayre, do obtain the second Degree of Heat.

• The Eagle.
• Ostritch.
• Phoenex,
• Swallow.
• Sparrow,
• Heron, &c.

And all flying, living creatures, except such as are in the Water.

Those which are generated from the Water, have the third Degree of Heat.

• Castor.

These from the fire, are of the fourth Degree.

• The Salamander.

The following things are of a Cold Nature.

Those things that are of the Earth, possess the first Degree of Cold, as

• Women.
• Maids.
• Cows.
• Menstruums
• Every Sperm.

Those of the Ayre, the second degree of cold, as

• Pidgeons.
• Storks.

Those of the Water the third degree, as

• Fishes.
• Worms.
• Tortoises.
• Frogs.

Those of the fire do possess the fourth Degree of Cold.

• Gnavi, (alias Gnani)
• Zommi.

CHAP. X.

BEsides, there are other Simples which by means of a composition, attain to the second degree: these, albeit they do not altogether or wholly follow their proper degrees, according to the Reason and Nature of the Elements; yet such as are in the first degree, attain the second; those in the second, the third; and those in the third, the fourth, as appears in the subsequent figure.

The SIMPLES.

• The Rose.
• The Violet.
• Nightshade.
• Anthera.
• Water-lilly.
• Chamomel.
• Flowers of Mullein.
• Flowers of Hypericon.
• Flowers of Centaury.
• Flowers of Selfheal.

The Addition of Composition.

• OYle.
• Burning Wine.
• Crude Vinegre nAnd every fatness.
• Vinegre distilled.

Moreover, although the Nature of it self, be not so Cold, yet a Composition reduceth […]t to that pass, that by an addition, the second Degree of heat or cold may break forth; and this is evident in Oyle of Roses, and in Rosed Vinegre, and others of that kind. Some things also there are, which otherwise, are in the third Degree that attain the fourth Degree, as Vinegre Campherated, the Oyle of Lead, &c. There are besides, some Degrees, which by separation, Aseend from the first into the fourth Degree; and like wise from the third into the fourth: and this shall be evidenced in the third Book of Spagyricall Degrees. Moreover, there are some things which are not at all augmented or advanced forwards, as Snow and Ice, and that because of the Nature of the Relolleum. Some things also there are, which unless they are prepared, do not draw out their Nature, as the Sperm of Frogs, Chrysall, and Sulphur[…]: Likewise some things may be reduced from an hot Degree into a cold, as Gems; othersome from a cold into an hot Degree as Camphire, Corrals, &c. Lastly, there are things which in their preparation, loose a Degree, as those things which are Congealed or Resolved: Likewise such things as in their Corporeal Substance, operate nothing at all, a[…] the Oyle of juniper, and others of that kind: What else may be here desired in this place, will be taught by Experience.

FINIS.

The Third BOOK.

CHAP. I.

IT is to be observed, in the Frontespeece of this third Book, that, besides those Essences which I have mentioned in the former Books; there is another Nature, or Essence, distinct from the former; Which is called a fifth Essence, or as the Philosophers term it, an Elemental Accident; or as the Ancient Physicks terms it, a Specifick form. But it is called a fifth Essence, on this Account, because four Essences lie hid in the three first Principles: Therefore the Elemental accident, and that which in this place is called a Quintessence, hath a Nature neither hot nor cold, and is without all complexion in it self: But that I may the more clearly discover it by an Example, tis the Quintessence introduceth firm Health alone, like that fortitude and vigour, or firm Health, which is in a man without any complexion, and is prolonged and continued to the end or termination of it selfe. Thus doth the virtue lye hid in Nature: For whatsoever drives out sicknesses, is no other thing then a certain comfortative, even as the driving out of an Enemy by an acquisition of force and power. As for the nature of things, 'tis to be supposed that there is nothing amongst natural things that is (alias, but is) destitute of virtue, unless it be of a laxative nature, and that is (alias, because it is) as much as a Quintessence, for that it is an Accident without a complexion. Although Frigidity doth sometimes loosen, and sometimes heat, yet 'tis preternatural, and is by reason of the virtue of the Relolleaceous Nature: But whatsoever operates according to Nature, is the quintessence of that thing: For hereunto is the virtue disposed, viz. that it may take the filth away from the body even as Incarnatives do (in the healing of Vlcers) induce new flesh, by this means (or, on this account) that by their interveening virtue the peccant matter may be removed: these three things are of a threefold Essence, but 'ti but one virtue; which by a proper just title, may be called a Quintessence.

CHAP. II.

FOR the knowledge of those degrees which are of a Q. intessentiality, and especially of those things that comfort, there are in the first place requisite four observable things: First, What ever is of the earth, obtains the first degree of Health. Secondly, Whatsoever is of the Air, affects the second degree. Thirdly, What ever is of the Water, possesseth the third degree. Fourthly, Whatsoever is begotten by the fire, claims the fourth degree. Moreover, he labours in vain, whoever he be, that thinks to extract a Quintessence out of Terrestrial things, equal to that which is extracted out of the Ayre. In like sort that thing which is from the Ayre can never be compared to that which hath its rise from the VVater: And thus are you also to judge concerning the fourth Element; an example you have in the extraction of the Quintessence out of Colondine. 'Tis in vain to endeavour by the Quintessence of Celondine, to attain to, or match the Quintessence of the Phoenix: and likewise by the Quintessence of the Phoenix to equallize the Quintessence of Gold; likewise by the Quintessence of Gold to match the Quintessence of Fire. Although that in Celendine, Bawm, Valerian, there is a greater Arcanum then it in the rest, (Herbs:) yet is there such an excelling precedency in the degrees, that that Arcanum is much transcended by many parts. So in every degree one thing is of an higher state then another; therefore amongst the Earthly terrene things 'tis to be observed, whether or no Celondine outstrips Bawm and Bawm, Valerian; the like Judgement is to bé had concerning the other three Elements.

CHAP. III.

WHatever I have treated of in the former chapters, hath been onely to this end, that I might descend unto the following signs of Degrees, and that so it might be made manifest by what means or order the Degrees in the Elements consist: For I am not ignorant of the great dissention of Platearius, Dioscorides, Serapio, from this point; and of the others also, which have been followers of them, who have written many things of a Quintessence, but falsly.

But thou, whoever thou art, seek the knowledge of this Quintessence from Experience, for so shalt thou find out the Degrees in their division. But that it may also be manifested by what means Diseases may be driven out by the Quintessence, thou must first of all diligently observe the concordance or coherence of things and diseases; for some virtues give an assault onely in the Synodoia, othersome in the Mania, or Madness; others in the Aschlyte, others in the Lethargy, &c. And this is to be imputed to the concordant property. I esteem it worth knowing in this place, that which lyes hidden in Nature, as in Gelutta, or the Herb Chameleon, and Bawm, which renovate and convey away the Disease without any virtue of the Degrees, viz. in renovating and repairing the former Juvenility, or Youthfulness and Lustiness: But by what reason or cause, and by what virtue these things are done, is declared in the Book of Long Life, as some certain peculiar Mysteries, which (besides Arcanum's) are in the Nature of things. Wherefore I think it expedient to pass them over in this place, that so I may prosecute what I have begun, concerning the degrees of the four Elements. And although here are many and sundry virtues which do overcome and conquer Diseases, some by their diaphoretick Nature, others by a Narcotick, others by other properties; yet as for these things, I refer them to those that give their mind to Theorems and Speculations.

CHAP. IV.

EVery Confortative it temperate: In this place the Substance will impead or hinder nothing, be it cold, or be it hot; yet notwithstanding it will not at all endamage the Quintessence in its work: Moreover, every Specifick is a Quintessence, without any corrupting, (or breaking) of its own body: Besides, there is nothing temperate but the Quintessence; all kinds of bodies are Elementated in nature, and in their proper accident.

The degrees of Health.

Such things as proceed forth from the Earth, do possess the first degree of health, as

All kindes of

• Herbs.
• Seeds.
• Roots.
• Sponges.
• Animals.
• Flowers.
• Barks.
• Fruits.

The things of the Ayre have the second degree, as all kinds of Birds.

Those of the Water have the third degree, as

All kindes of

• Metals.
• Marcasites.
• Kakimeaes.
• Salts.
• Minerals.
• Rosinous Sulphurs.
• Fishes.
• Gems.
• Stones.

The things of the Fire the fourth Degree.

• The Tincture.
• The Stone of the Philosophers.

Albeit there are some other virtues also so be observed, which lye hid in Herbs, and not in flying things, nor in Metals, even as the Vrsina, the Carlina, or the Carline thistle, declare, the which admit in themselves other different virtues besides the degree, amongst which also is the Smaragdine, which (besides others) admits of another […] in it self; yet they tend not at all to be […] onely external virtues, and do not at all […]