The manual of the philosophical medicinal stone, part 1 of 2

THE MANUAL OR, A TREATISE OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL, MEDECINAL STONE.

The PREFACE to the READER.

REader, Forasmuch as it hath pleased God to permit the Spirit of Medicine truly to Operate by Machaon, Podalirias, Apollo, and Hypocrates, &c. that so true Medicine […]hining through the Clouds, (for it cannot possibly be known fully and plainly by them) might proceed forth unto the light, and be manifestod unto […]n: He was also pleased by that same means to prohibit the spirit of Darkness from wholly suppressing and quenching the Light of Nature, whereby the Magnalia of God which lie hidden in Arcana's, Quintessences, Magisteries, and Elixirs, would have been unknown. God therefore hath ordained certain Mediums, that so the diligent search of such Arcana's and Mysteries might furthermore be implanted in […]n by the good Spirits, even as some men (there have been, […]h[…]) have received Angelical Natures from the Heaven in which the Angels are: Such men could afterwards (as being endowed with a perfect understanding of Nature) search thereinto, and into its daylie Course, more profoundly then other men, and compare the pure with the impure, and seperate these two, and so alter and change the Pure, that it seemed to some a thing impossible: For they (as being natural and true Physicians) do know how by convenient Medium's to help Nature, and to bring […]r by their Arts, to perfection: And therefore all imperfect and diabolical Operations, must give place to them, even as a lye doth to the truth and perfection. 'Tis beh[…]veful I say, that we speak the truth, if no would arrive to a happy End: And if it be absolutely lawful to lay hold upon the truth, let it be no shame to any one to seck it, whatsoever place is be in.

So then, let no body take it in evil part, that even I my self have loved it, and sought after it; for 'twas expedien: for me to follow Her, & not that She should have sought after me: Whosoever will see a strange City, he must not lye at home in his C[…]uch, nor must he be a rosting of Pears in his Chimney; 'tis not sitting that he should be made a Doctor there. There can be no famous Cosmographer made at his table only: Nor no Chyromancer in a Parlour: nor no Geomancer in a Cellar. So, neither can we obtain true Medicine without abundance of diligent search. 'Tis God that makes a true Phisician, but not without trouble and labour, as himself saith, viz. Thou shalt eat of the Labours of thy hands, and it shall be well with thee. Whereas therefore, to SEE, precedes the truth, & such things as the sight perceive[…], so the heart is accordingly either exhilerated, or affright[…]ned: I[…] will not be lost labour to me, nor any infamy, to visit (or go travelling into) other places, and to adhere to such men as fooles do contemn, that so I may try what lyes hid in the Limbus of the Earth, and may fulfil the Office and Duty of a true Phisician, that so Medicine may be administred to our Neighbours benefit, according to Gods appointment, and that least it should bring loss and damage rather then benefit: But this it not to be done by an idle, lazie man. Let him that will (therefore) set in his Couch: My journying to and fro delights me, together with such things as God and time permits me to search into, and see.

But, because of the Candid Readers, who desire to learn, and who love the Light of Nature, I have thought good to write this Book, that so they might know the foundation of my true Medicine, and may reject the tris[…]es of the evil Physicians, and may be in some measure able to defend my Cause against them: But I suppose that even these things will be accounted fabulous; For those […]gregious Fellows have very well known all these things long ago: And the Ass-like-Doctor hath long since had these things in his Budget, but yet he shall not so easily obtain them: For verily he that would understand this Book, must be a good Alchimist, such an one a[…] the Coales do not hurt, and such an one as is not tyred with the daylie smoake: So then, let these things be pleasing to whom they list, I will compel none; but this I say, That this will no[…] fall without some fruit, howsoever the lying Phisicians (my Adversaries) may blame and accuse me.

THE MANUEL OF THE STONE OF THE PHILOSOPHERS.

IF you would (by Vulcan's Art) frame the Philosophers Stone, which for very weighty causes we call a perpetual or perfect Bals[…]m; you are first of all to know and consider how that Stone is to be placed materially before thy Eyes, and be made visible and sensible; and likewise how the virtue or fire thereof may come forth and be known. But for the clearer setting forth of this my intention, let's borrow an Example of Common Fire, viz. By what means the virtue or power thereof shews it self, and becomes visible: And that is done on this wise. First of all by the Vulcanick Art is Fire smitten out of the Flint: Now indeed this Fire can do nothing unless it hath such a matter as is friendly to it, upon which 'tis capable to operate, such as is Wood, Rosin, Oyle, or such like things, as it is naturally easily combustible; When therefore the said Fire lights upon some such a like thing, it proceeds on to an uncessant operation, unless it be destroyed or impeaded by its contrary, or unless the fuel sail by which it multiplies it self; for if Wood or such like be put thereto, then doth its force become stronger and stronger, and so it alwayes operates until there be no more fuel put thereunto. Now then, as the Fire exerciseth & shews its operation in the Wood, even so is the same thing done with the Stone of the Philosophers, or the perpetual Balsom in Mans Body.

If that Stone be made by a prudent Phisician, out of a convenient matter, and by a philosophick manner, and (after a due consideration of all the circumstances of man) it be administred unto him, it doth then renovate and restore the Organs of Life, in such wise as if Wood were put to a Fire, by which the well-nigh dead Fire is cherished, and a shining and clear Flame procured: From hence therefore 'tis evident, that there's much placed in the matter of this Balsom, forasmuch as 'tis behoveful that it have a singular Harmony with the body of man, and may so exercise its virtue, as that the Human Body may be safe from all the accidents as might be able to happen thereunto from such a matter.

And therefore there is not onely much placed in the preparation of the Stone or Balsom, but 'tis much more behooveful to know the true matter it self, that is thereto sit; and furthermore, to prepare and use it as is sitting, viz. soberly and prudently, that so such a Medicine may be able to purge away all the desilements of the Blood, and other superfluities, and may induce Health in the room of the Disease. 'Tis therefore expedient for a true and honest Phisician, to have a good knowledge, and not to regard ambition and pomp, nor to appoint things doubtful or contrary, nor to trust an Apothecary too much, but well to know the Disease and Diseased, or otherwise ye will alwayes heal sinisterly, and will get nothing thence-from, but onely this, viz. The sick is deluded, and only deceived by the pride and ignorance of the foolish & unmeet Physician But this is a great sin, and such as wil not go unpunished: For what is it else but a voluntary wickedness, viz. For any one to demand money, and a reward for that which he knows Nothing of, and yet he'le be a Master, but with infamy enough; For many men do dis-esteem money, and not regard it, could they but be rightly advised and informed: But if this be not done, they lose both their Bodies, and Fortunes: And yet nevertheless 'tis counted a praise to demand money and fees; but believe it he that lists, for my part I'le reckon of such a Doctor after another-gess-manner: For 'tis manifest, that of such Doctors (who in their own conceits are most highly learned) there's not a tenth part that hath a right knowledge of Simples, and much less that are certain of what they command to be done, and how the Medicine is boiled by the Apothecary; so it often comes to pass, that such a Doctor orders such or such a simple to be taken in his composition, which himself never knew, and haply the Apothecary much less; and verily it frequently is so, that the Apothecary hath it not at all; and yet this Medicine must be called Perfect, and the sick must drink it off as a good Medicine, and pay deer enough for it, but as to the Event, that the Patient feels; for although it be no wayes profitable to him as to his health, yet 'tis profitable to the Doctor and Apothecary, as to the filling of their Purses. But if the Doctor and Apothecary themselves should be possest with the like Disease, they would not take such a like Medicine: Therefore it may well be guest, how miserably and wickedly they act, and that 'tis most highly necessary for them to order their Affairs otherwise, to amend their errors, and to follow better things: But I fear 'twill be a hard matter to tame and master old Dogs.

But to return to my purpose, (from whence a just zeal to the miserable and forlorn sick persons withdrew me) and to give satisfaction concerning it, I say, That it is not so much expedient onely to prate or boast of the Philosophers Stone, but 'tis necessary that that Stone be framed and prepared out of a convenient Matter, and be discreetly used: But know, that many of the Ancients have in their parabolical writings sufficiently discovered that Matter, and have, moreover, disclosed the Operation under figurate expressions, but yet have not wholly, and perfectly, manifested it; that so the foolish ones might not abuse it, and yet their sons might not have it hidden from them.

But whereas they are but a few that have followed them, and that have aptly set upon the thing, these secrets have, in process of time, been, as 'twere, blotted out of remembrance, and Galenical fables have crept into the room thereof: But as the foundation thereof was at first laid, so doth it even yet stand in the same state, or rather grow daily worse and worse: This you may see in their Herbaries, how do they torment themselves therein? How do the Germanes mix Italy with Germany; when as, notwithstanding, Germany doth not need those ultramarine herbs, but hath even sufficiency of perfect medicine in her self. And therefore lest the truth should be constreined to give place to a Lye, and least the darknesses of Galen, and his Complices, should quench or suppress the Light of nature in medicine, it is expedient for me Theophrastus to speak in this little book, not as an imaginary Physician, but as a knowing one, and as such an one as is not ashamed of his actions in Medicine, and who (by the grace of God assisting) have had good proof and experience in many sick persons, such as thou Galenist du[…]st not to have visited: Tell me now, thou Galenical Doctor, from whence came thy foundation? Do'st thou not place the bridle upon the horses tail? Didst thou ever cure the Gout? Didst thou ever dare to go to the Leprous? Hast thou cured the Dropsie? I believe, and that upon good reason, that thou wilt be mute, and suffer Theophrastus to be thy Master. But if thou wilt learn, learn and see what I shall here write and say; viz. That the body of man hath no need of thy Herby-chariot, especially in Chronick and long continued diseases, the which (by reason of Ignorance) thou callest wholly incurable; for thy Herbs are too too weak for these diseases, and cannot, of their own nature, find out the Centre of the disease.

Neither wilt thou be able to do any thing with thy Pills, unless to purge the Excrements onely; and withall, because of their inconveniency, thou oft expellest the good with the bad; the which cannot possibly bee done, without the great dammage of the sick; and therefore well might those Pills have been omitted: Furthermore, neither do thy Syrups profit any thing, yea rather are as a thing of no value; and bring such a nauseate to him that takes them, because of their horrible and loath some favour, that they burthen the sick, and do afterwards induce gripings and danger, and do operate against nature.

But now I'le leave the rest of thy absurd and improper medicaments, for that they fight directly against nature, nor should be made use of by any means. Whereas, therefore, those things that I have spoken are true, and that ther's no true medicine to be found in Galen, Rhasis, or Mesue, that can set upon the said diseases in their root, and purge them out, (even as the fire mundisies the skin of the Salamander;) it necessarily follows, that the Cure of Theophrastus is far different from the Galelenical Fantasies, and that his Curing flows forth from the fountain of Nature; otherwise Theophrastus should be as reproach-worthy as they.

If therefore we would follow Nature, and use natural medicine, let us see what things they are, amongst all the others, that are most convenient in medicine for the body of man; viz. for the Conserving it (by reason of their virtue and efficacie) in soundness and health, even to the term of the predestinated death.

This then, if considered of, I doubt not but that 'twill be on all hands Consest, that Metalline things have the greatest agreement with the body of man; and that the perfect Metalls, by reason of their perfection, but principally their radical humidity, are able to do much upon the body of man: for that a man is also a partaker of that Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, which doth in some measure, though hidden, […]est in mettals, and metalline things. Now then like is to be applied to like, the which is wonderfully profitable to nature, so it be rightly done, the which is a great secret in Medicine, yea, may be called an Arcanum.

What wonder therefore, is it, if excellent, unheard of, and inseparable Cures do follow, and such as ignorant men accounted impossible to be done?

But that I may not digress any further, I must for brevities sake, here hint what I have determined to write in this Book; for I have a mind of treating more clearly here in this place concerning true medicine, then elsewhere. But we have afore toldhow man hath his original of Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt, even as Metals have; this therefore being sufficiently declared in the book, P ARAMIRV M, 'tis needless to repeat it here, wherefore I shall only shew you, how the aforesaid Stone of the Philosophers may be known, and in some measure prepared: Know therefore of a Certainty, that there's nothing so small, out of which any thing is to be made, that can stand without Form; for all things are Formed, generated, multiplied, and destroied in their Concordancy, and propet agreeableness, and do shew their Originality, whereby it may be perceived, what it was in the beginning; and that, that same also must be in the Vltimate matter, and that, that which runs, or steps in between, is like to that imperfection which nature admixeth in the Generation.

But whereas such Accidents may be separated by Vulcan, least they might do somewhat that may be an hindrance, Nature may in this case be amended: and this is likewise done in this Stone; for if thou wouldst make it of the right proper matter (the which may bee well enough known by the aforementioned circumstances) 'tis necessary that thou take from it its superfluities, and frame, multiply, and augment it in its Concordancy, or uniformity, like another, or third thing: for without its Concordancy it cannot be thus done, for Nature hath left it imperfect here, forasmuch as it hath not framed the Stone, but the proper Matter, and is hindered by accidents, whereby 'tis uncapable of doing those things that the Stone, when prepared, is able to effect: and therefore such a Matter, without preparation, is, in respect of the Stone, but an half and imperfect thing, and stands not in any Concordancy, and Harmony, whereby it may be called perfect, or may be helpful for the health of mans body. The Microcosm affords thee an example of this thing: for behold, man as formed by the working Framer, into a man onely, is not an whole & perfect work, whilst standing out of his concordancy, but is but an half-work, until the framing of the woman suitable to him, and then he is a complete entire work.

But both of them are Earth; and so now these two Earths do constitute, or make up an entire man, capable of Augmentation and Growth; and this is done by the thus framed concordancy. In such wise must be done with the Philosophers Stone, if you would have it Renovate as well Men as Metals: If it be unburthened of its superfluous Accidents, and placed in its Concordancy, it causeth wonderful effects in all Diseases: Except this be done, all your Attempts thereabouts are but vain.

But now if you would thus place it into its Concordancy, 'tis expedient that you reduce it into its First Matter, that so the Male may act upon the Female, and that its outside may be turned inwards, and its inside outwards, and that both the seeds, viz. the Male and Female, may be inclosed in their own concordancy, and be by Vulcan's help brought to a more then perfect condition, and be exalted in their degree, and withall, may from it self pour in all virtue, (as being a clarified, temperate, and qualified Essence) into mans Body, & likewise into Metals, and may render them sound & whole, driving out all the desilements by way of expulsion, and that the good in the blood of man may thereby be drawn to the due places, by the means of attraction, that so the Microcosms which is posited in the Limbus of the Earth, and framed of the Earth, may by this Medicine as being like himself, be Radically, and not imaginarily, but most assuredly restored to health, or preserved therein. This therefore, is a Mystery of Nature, and such a secret as every Physician ought necessarily to know; And indeed every one that's born of the Astral Medicine is capable of comprehending it: But that I may more clearly describe the Matter, and the preparation of a Medicine so excellent, that so an entrance may be given to the Sons of Learning, who love the truth.

You must know, that Nature hath given us a certain thing in which (as in a chest) are mysteriously concluded, or comprehended 1. 2. 3. the vertue and power whereof is more then enough sufficient for the conservation of the health of the Microcosm, insomuch that after preparation, it expels all imperfections, and is a true Defensive against old Age, and by us is called a Balsom.

But now you must first know what thing it is that Nature hath placed such a number in; for I cannot describe it thee more clearly, for many reasons

But as to the preparation thereof, neither Galen, Rhasis, or Mesue, understood it, nor shall those that follow them attain it: For this Medicine hath such a preparation, as your Pill-sellers attain not unto, and much less for an Helvetian-Calf to apprehend. Moreover it hath as it were celestial and singular operations; for it doth purifie and renovate by (as 'twere) a regenerating way as you may read more at large in my Archidoxis; and withall, well and advisedly take notice of the Original and the Essence, together with the vertue of Metals and Metalick things. He therefore that hath ears to heare, let him hear and see whether or no Theophrastus writeth lyes or truth, and whether or no he speaks groundlesly and from the Devil, as thou Sophister triflest and supposest, who art thy self invironed with the Devil, […]yes and Darkness, and callest nothing Good but what thy foolish head is able to comprehend, and what serves for thy fancy without any previous labour: For thou seest but with one Eye, and erroneously wandrest, nor goest thou to the right Window of the Kitchin: But yet thou maist without offending me, wind about thy intricate thred, and search for the Centre of the Labyrinth amongst the dark stars. But notwithstanding, if thou shalt at any time hap to make use of thy Wisdom, and consider what thing the Paracelsian-Art is founded upon, and how lame thy hotch-potch-fragments are, there would not be that contrariety betwixt thee and Paracelsus: For, as concerning the things whereof I now do, and shall briefly write, whereby my Astral Disciples may apprehend and enjoy them, and glory of them; these things I say, may by the diligence of such an one as is not ashamed to learn, be well understood, there being nothing so difficult but may be known, and learned by labour and study.

The practice therefore of this Work, is as follows.