A book of renovation and restauration, part 1 of 2

A BOOK OF RENOVATION AND RESTAURATION, By THEOPHRASTUS a Philosopher and Phisician of GERMANY, called PARACELSUS the Great.

WE are (in the first place) to understand, in the Creation of things, what Restauration and Renovation are; what those things be which restore and renovates and also what this is that can be renewed, and restored: Indeed all Minerals are thus brought unto a youthfulness, are renewed, and repaired, insomuch that rusty Iron may be again reduced into new Iron; and the Verdigreece, or flos Aeris, into its Copper: Likewise, Midium into Lead, and Saturn into Mercury (alias, the […]alx of Iupiter into Tin.) So then Renovation, and Restaurtation (in this place) is that which reduceth a destroyed, or rusty, or consumed [Mineral] to its juvenility and perfect essence. But yet notwithstanding this Renovation which we have here induced, cannot be compared (in the least) to that Restauration, and Renovation which we pretend to expound: for although that Rust and Verdigreece be not a Mettal, yet nevertheless, 'tis not […] yet perished or consumed in its Mettalick essence, and therefore it cannot (in this place) be made use of […]y way of comparison, for the explaining of our intent and meaning concerning Restauration and Renovation, because such Rusts, nor Ablutions, doth not at all happen in Mankind; thence comes it to pass, that men not at all need such a kind of Reduction.

But now if after this manner, a decreasing or consuming hap to befall an old, or decreped man, (as if […] were a kind of rustinesse in his substance) then may […] body be on such wise reduced from his decrepit degr[…] unto juvenility, and it is a reduction from any whatsoever disease unto health; but yet this is not the thi[…] which we (at present) will write of. Moreover this a[…] so may be accompted of as a kind of Restauration when a metall is naturally made out of Salt, Sulphur and Mercury: This perfection being accomplisht, ar[…] brought into a perfect metal, this metal may again easily return into its three first Principles, so that i[…] Salt, sulphur and Mercury may again be made apparent, as they were at the first Generation thereof, insomuch that the metalline Essence may wholly passe away, and it be no more a metal. Thus may it also happen, viz. that the matter of the three Principles m[…] return into a metall, as afore, as for example, if […] the three Principles of Copper there be again mad[…] Copper, &c. This (now) in metalls, is likewise a Restauration or Renovation, when there is a certain generation made of a metal formerly perfect, into a perfect an[…] compleat mettall again. But yet' that is not to be esteemed of as a Renovation and restauration, if it be compare[…] to a man; because we cannot (in the least) be reduced into our three Principles, or be brought into our Sperm out of which we may be again renewed and restored (as we spake above concerning metals.) For so it would come to passe, that we could then have power of bettering our selves by a second generation, better then the first was, or as iron, which being reduced into its three first Principles, and afterwards into silver, or gold is by this same made incorruptible, or as ♄︎ which is again reduced unto its own Mercury, and at length changed into an incorruptible metall; Even so then should we be able to effect or create an incorruptible Creature out of our selves, the which (notwithstanding) we have no power to do; for we want that first matter, nor can we go back into the irreducibility of our appointed and ordained state, but must proceed on, as we have begun; for there is no way by which we may be able to recover, for to have this thing out of which we proceeded.

There is therefore a twofold Restauration or Renovation. One is what we have brought and declared about metals; The other is when an old Image is renewed with fresh colours, that so it appears fresh and new as it was at first; but yet we are not for this Cause to understand in this place, that there is made a new matter out of the old; but that the old image is palliated, and cloaked as it were, so as to appear new; and therefore, neither may this be called a Restauration, in reference to the Renovation and Restauration of a man: But Renovation and Restauration are to be understood after this manner, viz. That his Radicall moisture acting or governing, and exercising the Spirit of life, be not diminished or driven backward, but be rather augmented and promoted in its vertues, as a tree that hath help administred unto it for the Production of its flowers and fruits, the which falling off, and being gone, there are others produced again as afore: But although that this example here made use of doth not on every side serve for the Declaration of our alledged opinion; yet neverthelesse it affords us the understanding of making an advance or promotion of the Radicall moisture of life, as we have demonstrated in the tree. And verily we would have you to apprehend of Renovation and Restauration after this manner, viz. that it is not to be done in the radical humidity, but in that which is born of the said humidity, and draweth, or deriveth, its Originality, materially and corporally. For, even as a Bell made by fusion, doth not at all receive its sound from the To[…] or note, that 'tis framed unto, but from the body; so the Restauration or Renovation doth not receive its operation in the spirit of life, but in that which makes, and effects it; that is, the one is Material, and the other […] Substantial, or spiritual. But, when all this, in which the radical moisture is, shall be mundified, its Tone will be also mundified: and by how much the better its Tone is, so much the better will the body be. And when we say that the radical humidity proceeds from bodies and members, we intend and mean after this manner, That the radical moisture it self, and that which proceeds thence from, are; even as the root and the tree is; one whereof cannot at all live and subsist without the other: In like manner is it to be (here) understood, that these two are so united and conjoyned, that they cannot be separated: therefore the radical humidity, and spirit of life, with the moisture of life, is in the bodies and members, even as the Tone or Note in a Metal, which is not seen, but only heard: for the spirit of life, and the radical humidity, are truly in bodies; therefore it will be a foolish thing for us to endeavour to amend it, or to renew the body by it, but 'tis expedient and […]it, that the body and the matter, (which are born and risen, or sprung off, and with it) be renewed and restored. From thence, then, may it be collected, that Restauration and Renovation is a Transmutation of those members, nor parts, as exist in the body, superfluously; so that every such thing as proceedeth from the body and from the radical humidity, may fall off, and new may be born in the place thereof; even as we spake of trees, all the leaves of which, its flowers, fruits, and excrescences do fall off, and again spring up, and yet the Wood it self is not changed, so as to fall off, and other to be born again, but remains: even so likewise the radical humidity remains; that is, the life in the body, and (with it) the body do cast off the hairs, nails, and teeth, and then afterwards the like of them are re-born, and grow again. This therefore is restauration, and renovation, by which this same thing as is to be renewed and restored, is so restored and renovated: for every Restauration and Renovation is made in the superfluities, and in those things that rise and grow out of the substance: So then, it may be sufficiently understood what way it is that the body may be restored and renewed by: and (from the demonstrations we have made) viz. from those superfluities that are not of so material a growth, as the hair, teeth, skin, and nails; for these are in the body as certain superfluous things, and do not pass into the corporal matters, or substance, but remain in their own Essence, like as are the Four Complexions, alias humors, […]ne whereof proceeds from coldness and moisture, which is born and retained in the whole body, and hath no peculiar place, nor beginning from whence it may proceed, as is proved [in our Discourse] of the Four Complexions. A Second proceeds from things contrary to the former, viz. from heat and dryness, and even this also is so in the body, and hath no peculiar abiding or original, and it likewise causeth, or maketh moisture. The Third is cold and dry, and its way of birth is the same with the Others. The Fourth is hot and moist, and doth proceed even as doth the rest.

Here you are to observe that it happens that all those Four Humours are not alwayes in all bodies, but sometimes one of them only, sometimes two, sometimes three, and otherwhile four; This also is to be heeded, as concerning them, that they are consumed and expelled in the Renovation and Restauration, for this reason, because the nature and life of man can very well persist and abide without them, and doth not at all need them, for they are only superfluities; like as the feces are in Wine, or as the s[…]um and sroth flowing there from in the Vintage-time.

This likewise is to be believed concerning the Four Complexions appearing in a man, that they are not to be renovated and restored because they spring not from any either greater or lesser member: nor are they in the bloud, nor in the flesh, or such like: Neither is it true, that the sanguinc Complexion proceeds from the Liver, by reason of the very much-abounding quantity of bloud; or that Melancholly proceeds from the Spl[…]n, or Choler from the Gall, and Phlegm from the Brain, and such like; for verily the aforesaid Members do not give any man his Complexion, but the Complexions happen to a man even in his Nativity, and abide even till his death. But we undertake not to dispute hereof in this place, for as much as it would be too too wide from our text of Renovation and Restauration.

Whereas therefore none of the Four Complexions hath any place or original in the said bodies, but they exist in the spirit of life, and in the radical humidity: therefore the Complexions cannot be renovated, not restored; but where the body shall be clarified, the nature of them is also clarified.

Moreover we also signifie this, by our text, viz. That the division, and distinction of Complexions according to Age, Country, and Regiment, is not at all to be cured, because there are no Complexions imprinted in the body, from these three: It may happen indeed that old Age may inforce a sadness in bodies, but yet that it no Complexion: So likewise the Country or Region may induce Phlegm, but yet that Complexion is not therefore Phlegmatick. So Choler may cause one to have a yellow colour, but these things have no place of discussing here, for they are declared in our treating of the Construction, or framing, of the body. There's a peculiar understanding requisite for Divisions (or Distinctions) of this sort, wherein is to be noted that they are not only Humours, but also sometimes Minerals, sometimes Corruptions; all which are superfluities against nature and strength: The like may be said concerning the principal Members, for these resist Renovation and Restauration, thus, viz these perceive not those (qualities of renewing, &c.) nor receive they them unto themselves; but every thing that passeth through them, and is prepared with, or by them; they receive and admit of it as Nutriment only, and not as a Medicament: but yet, if haply any humours or superfluities should be in them, they would be expelled. Even so then is it to be equally understood of the other Members, viz. the bones, marrow, brain, heart, liver, lungs, reins, milt, stomach, intestines, gristles, muscles; and also as concerning the Bloud, you are to know, that corruption, or superfluity, may be even in it; yet this is only accidental: And even so may it be equally-alike understood as concerning the Flesh; and verily this accident is purged away in the Renovation and Restauration; not that there is to be made other bloud, but that the evil be removed there-from, and the good be preserved, and predominates. The same consideration is to be had concerning the flesh. But that we may briefly explain what those things are that may be restored and renewed, know, That the Leprosie, Falling-sickness, Madness, Pustules, or Pox, the Gouts of the Fact, of the Hands, and of the Joints, and many other such like, may be taken away by the Renovation and Restauration, unless there hap to be a Disease that had its Original even from the Nativity, for that will not be removed.

But as concerning the Leprosie, or if there be in the body any more grievous Disease then that is, you are to know that there is to be made a Transmutation thereof in the body. not that there be made a seperation of the Pure from the Impure, but that the Leprosie be converted into Health, even as Copper and Iron are into Gold: Nor ought any one to admire at this same Transmutation, for Renovation and Restauration do consume even a[…] the fire consumeth all the Falsities and Impurities that are in Gold or Silver, and leaves them pure and clean: By the same way are the Falling sickness & Gout removed; for so all things that are in the whole body are renewed by the flesh and blood, together with all the others therein concluded; for even as Alcali mundifies the Leprous Mercury into the best Silver, even so the Renovation and Restauration do transmute the body into a good essence, as is said before.

So then Renovation and Restauration drives forth whatsoever is superfluous in the body, and contrary to Nature, and changeth all that which Nature doth not stand in need of, or which shall be of no moment or virtue, into good: Likewise it restores all things, and causeth them to grow again, as we said above: It reduceth the whole body into youthfulness, &c. and that for this reason, Because Nothing of those things as are in Nature it self, is able to resist them.

But now we come to consider the way by which the body may be restored and renewed, viz. 'Tis done by that kindling (of a renewing. and restoring Medicament) which it hath in the spirit of Life, and in the Radical humidity; by the which kindling the aforementioned Operations are made like to the burning vertues of a Nettle: Who is so quick-sighted as to be able rightly to search out such kind of virtues, when as they do not appear (in that action) so materially as they art sensibly known to be? After this manner also even Renovation and Restauration of nature are as 'twere assisting-approaches made by such virtues as we are not able to express. Now we evidently know that every visible thing is cleansed and purged by fire; for so Nature requires that this very thing be done by fire, that is not possible to be done by any other thing. And therefore we understand a twofold fire, viz. A Material and an Essential Fire; the Material operates by a Flame, the Essential by the Essence and Virtues like Cantharides that burn the skin, and raise blisters, like to the most violent fire; And yet notwithstanding they are not fire, (in the […]east) nor are they so perceptible to the sight, like as fire is: The same likewise doth Crowfoot and Nettles do, as we have oft times said.

'Tis in like manner evident unto us that the Renovation and Restauration (when they come into the body, or are conjoined with it by union) do perfect their Operations after this way, viz. There is such an operation as is made in the Mercury of Saturn or Mars, the which are put into the fire with their Realgars; and although neither of them be hot or fiery, yet are they burnt like wood, and the perfect Metal is found in the bottom, though it appeared altogether leporous before.

Likewise who is there that can search and find out what means it comes to pass by, that when Migdalio shall have been most vehemently melted with Vitriul, it becomes Copper, and in all respects like to true Copper, and yet it had not any similitude of Copper afore: even so are we to understand concerning Renovation and Restauration, viz. That they perfect their Operations like to Lime or Calx, which is extinguished or quenched with water, and purifies it self, and the force and ac[…]imony thereof is taken away by the essential fire, and extinguished. The Renovation and Restauration of our Nature is much resembling that of the Halcyon, or King-fisher, the which Bird is renovated by his own proper nature. Hence then, there are many more such like things to be found as have a power of doing that, and of them we have made mention sundry wayes in our Archidoxis, or much rather, in our Secrets, from whence a very many might be brought, but that their digression from our present Text of Renovation and Restauration, would be too much; such things as we there demonstrate, the same are to be understood in like manner here in this place concerning Renovation in our reiterated assertion, viz. That we cannot sufficiently or certainly know how the fire operates, although we see that it consumes the wood; for it overcomes and absumes all other things by the vehemency of its heat: But omitting this, wee'l betake our selves to another thing.

So then having abundantly enough spoken hitherto concerning the beginning of Renovation and Restauration, let us now go on to discover those things which d[…] renovate and restore; We have indeed taught the prepreparation of them in our Archidoxis, and have given them their proper Names by which they may be known and heeded. Now wee'l set down the Compositions of them, but in the first place their process: Now when we speak of, and teach you concerning simple Medicines and Arcana'es, 'tis to be understood that the operations thereof are done diversly; for there are some things to be found which do even violently cleanse the Leprosie, and do drive away no other Disease so well as they do that; and yet nevertheless are (as to Renovation and Restauration) perfect; besides which, in the distinctions of Diseases of this kind, are the Quintessence, the Magistery, and Element of Antimony, the which doth so cleanse the body from the Leprosie, even as it doth purge Gold and Silver melted therein, in whom it leaves no footsteps of Impurity. So likewise the Element of Sol, and its Quintessence, as also its Oile, and Aurum Potabite, do take away the Leprosie, together with all Diseases, and do renovate and restore; so likewise the Quintessence of Hellebor, of Colandine, of Bawm, Valerian, Saffron, Manna, and Betony, do renew the body, those Diseases abovementioned being excepted, for they do not drive them away.