Section II, Book 3, member 1, chapter 6: The admirable effects of sympathy (part 2 of 4)

An Addition.

Whereby, although it may be replied, that this Act of the Load-stone with the Load-stone, or it with the Iron, doth by effect seem to be limited, within a certain dimension, and therefore what I say, proveth not much as yet, for the unbounded dimension of the Magneticall bodie's emanation. I answer, That the sensible act, which is between the Load-stone and Load-stone, doth not argue, that because the two ponderous bodies, have their motion but at such a distance, therefore their spirits can extend themselves, or apply their beams no further: For it is one thing to operate sensibly, by a violent attraction of a heavy mass, and another thing for one Form onely, to embrace and concur in a naturall rejoycing sympathy with another. And this alteration, is verified even of such as are well practised in the Load-stone's property, by this following Problem.

3. Problem.

The Orbe of the internall or spirituall Magneticall virtue, doth extend it self at a larger distance, than the Orbe of any sensible, or externall, or visible motion can warrant: For the thing that is Magneticall, is effected in the extremity of it, a far off, although it doth not move by a locall motion: But if the Load-stone be applied nearer unto it, then will also the whole Magnetick mass move corporally unto it.

Whereby is acknowledged, that the virtuous extention of the Magnet, is farre beyond the limits of the Orbe of visible Magneticall motion. But I will prove it by degrees more evidently, namely that the starry influentiall virtue in the Magnet, extendeth it self beyond the limits of any sensible capacity.

4. Problem.

The needle touched Magnetically, will aspect the North-pole, even from the aequinoctiall point, which is an Argument of the unlimited extention of the Load-stones virtue. As for example: Let there be a long Load-stone prepared, and directly in the middle upon the aequinoctial B, where the Axis runneth, plant an incited needle, and it will look directly unto the North-pole A. Also if within the Orbe you place another incited needle without the Stone in C, it will also look directly upon the said Pole: whereby we may discern, the long distance which is between the aspect of the Magnet, and that of the incited body, namely 90 Degrees.

Again, each part or fragment that is divided from the Magnet, (be it animal, vegetable, or minerall) hath therefore the self-same dimension, because it is as well indued with his polar virtues, as the whole. And this is sufficiently testified by this Problem.

5. Problem.

If Magneticall subjects be divided, or any piece be broken off from it by any means, every part so broken off from the whole, will have an end as well Septentrional as Meridional, as well as the whole had. As for example: If a smaller part or piece be taken out of a greater Load-stone, it will be indued wich the same life and vigor, which the whole Magnet had, no otherwise then the child will, touching his life wholly correspond with the Father in life & parts; and it will be as it were a new creature, and will have his poles and aequinoctial as well as the whole Stone had. Also if an Iron-rod, as is that of the Curtain be hung up, and have his position North and South, without being touched (for being to god North and South, it will indue those properties, namely the polar virtues, and move in the aire being hung up by a thread, or put into a boat on the water, unto the North and South; If (I say) a small piece of the rod be broke off from the North part, it will have his North and South-pole, as well as the whole rod of Iron from the which it was broken.

Whereby it is apparent, that if every portion or fragment of the Load-stone or Iron, have his pole as well as the whole, then the spirit which is within, hath his relation or application with the Northern pole-star of the great world; and doth also behold the Southern Virtue, with his South-pole; for except there were the Scintil of the Anima mundi, which is in it and operateth in it, according unto the small proportion of it, no otherwise then it doth in the great world, it could not aspect each Pole, as it is observed by experience to do; and consequently as the actions of the Anima mundi are so catholick, that they cannot be limited; so are the spirituall, quintessentiall, or astralicall Emanations. I prove it further thus.

6. Problem.

If you take an Iron rod, made of good Iron, and hang it up in the aire on a thread, as if it were touched with a Load-stone, &c.

The Experience is this.

Take a straight piece of Iron or steel of six foot long, and a finger thick, hang it up in a close chamber, into the which there cometh no wind, (and therefore this experiment ought to be tried when the aire is calm, and the day not windy; and must hang on a silken thread, which is not twisted but woven; and the Iron must hang directly equilibrous, or in an equall ballance) and you shall discern it slowly to move, and by little and little to attain with his extremities or ends of the points of North and South, no otherwise then the needl's do in the Dialls, which are touched with the Load-stone.

Moreover, we shall find that the Load-stone, or any thing else, that is touched or excited by the Load-stone, will direct their aspect, being planted in small boats, on the needle on his vertical unto the North-pole.

The Conclusion.

Wherefore it is made manifest, that the extention of the Load-stone's spirituall or formall Emanation; as also that of other Magneticall bodies, is not to be limited, being that they do act and apply their beams, unto the very state of the Pole-star, and the Pole-star by his like emitted influences, doth operate reciprocally and apply unto or aspect the Load-stone, and so make a continuated Spirituall union betwixt them, being that we ocularly discern, that both it and the Iron, doth diligently, and with a manifest Sympathy aspect, and actually move unto the said star. And then, after this is well considered, let us but think and ponder the distance, which is between the Pole-star and the Magnet, namely betwixt the eighth Sphere, and the earth, and he will perceive it to be in a manner infinite and incommensurable, and consequently the emitted beams of the Load-stone, cannot by any phantasticall Sphere, of sensible and sensuall Philosophers, be comprehended or limited. But if the act of the Pole-star on the Magnet be denied. And Fracastorius his opinion, with that of many other learned men, be received, namely that the Load-stone, the Iron, and the needle touched, do tend unto the North-pole, by reason of the attraction of certain Rocks of Load-stone, which are in the Hyperboreal mountains; if this opinion (I say) were admitted to be true, yet may we see by it, that the act of the Magnet, and the actuall respect, which the Magneticall body beareth unto it, is not to be limited; being that so they will be observed to co-operate from the aequinoctiall, unto the Northern Hyperborean Rocks. But this opinion hath been proved false by us in another place, and shall hereafter be demonstrated by us to be so. We will now come to our Application, touching this first Article.

Application.

The first and second Problem teacheth us, that there is such a celestiall or astralicall subtle spirit, in all magneticall bodies of the earth, as is in the heavenly ones, and consequently, that the beams of each of them may penetrate as far, though they be not discerned by sense, as the beams of each star. By this therefore we may be assured, that mans heavenly spirit being of a more pure and subtle a stuff, than is that of the Load-stone, may send forth the astralicall beams of his vertue, not onely to the mark that the Load-stone aimeth at, but also unto the highest throne of divinity. Again, hereby it is argued, that the spirit in the transplanted blood, is able to operate at any distance on the wound; and the beamy spirit of the wound again, to co-operate, and have a continuated union and respect unto one another.

The third instructeth us, that though the oyntment and blood in it do not appear mobil or movable at a far distance, yet they may co-operate and be conjoyned with the spirit of the wounded, at an unknown proportion of space,

By the fourth and fifth we learn, that the extension of the northern bloods aspect unto the southern, may be so far, as the aequinoctiall is from the pole, namely, 90 degrees. But, I say, that as the northern and southern emanation of the soul of the world, filleth all the cavity of the world, so also by it, and in it, may this act of that soul in man extend it self, far beyond the capacity of flesh and blood and therefore is onely intellectually to be understood.

By the fifth, that each particle of mans blood, or spirituall Mummy, being divided from the whole, hath all the parts or proportions in it ideally described, that the whole hath, and therefore doth operate as well with a northern, as southern aspect, and consequently draweth down from the heavens a like property, as occasion is given: For so this one Spirit is said to come from the four winds, and yet it is but one spirit in essence, though four-fold in property; for it was by the vertue of it, that the dead, mentioned by the Prophet, did rise again. And therefore so far as the north wind or south winds extension may be, so far is this spirit in man able to send forth his spirituall beam.

I will come now unto the proof of the second.

Touching the second Article, which sheweth the acute penetration of this spirit, and that it is effected without any impediment, contrary unto some ignorant persons opinion, who think, that castles, stones, woods, hills, and such like, may hinder the penetration of this subtle and all-penetrating spirit: The proof is made by these problematicall demonstrations.

Demonstrations confirming this Member's second Article. 1 Problem.

Neither fire, nor water, nor earth, can hinder the ingressive action, or piercing vertue of the Load-stone upon the Iron, being it is proved by experience, that it sucketh and draweth it unto him quite through them; as for example, If a candle, or flame of fire, be interposed between the Load-stone, and a small piece of wyer, you shall find the piece of Iron will leap quite through the flame unto the Load-stone. In like manner, the Needle on his turn-pin, will, for all the interposition of a flame, turn unto the Load-stone, and that with the same celerity that it would do in the open aire. So that you may see by this experiment, that the coition of these magneticall bodies are not hindred by fire. Also if water or earth be interposed between them, it will do the like.

There is another Problem, which expresseth the unresistable penetrative vertue of this, more effectually, in these terms.

2 Problem.

Iron is allured onely by an immateriall act, or an incorporeall process, which doth operate, and is conceived in an Iron subject, as in a continuated homogeniall body, and therefore it hath no need of large or wide passages: And for this reason, the Iron is moved and drawn by the Load-stone it self; and again, the Iron doth draw the Load-stone it self, and a concourse, or a meeting together in a unity, is made by their beams, although that thi[…]k bodies be interposed as sticklers between them.

So that you see, that the putting or applying of thi[…]k sub[…]tances between the Iron and the Load-stone, cannot hinder the coition of spirits; which is a token, that the influentiall or formall spirit cannot be impedited in hi[…]otion. And therefore […]his subtle spirit, whi[…]h hath his beginning from the soul of the world, is said by the wisest Philosopher, Omnia permeare entia, […]o pass or travers all things.

But yet more plainly.

3 Problem.

The Load-stone, without any frication or rubbing, or being exsiccated by heat, or perfused with moysture, in the aire in the water, doth provoke and allure unto it magneticall subjects, and also solid as well-compacted bodies, as thick boards, or tables of stone, or grosse plates of mettle, as silver, gold or brass, being put between.

And Ridley saith, That although such substances as be not magneticall, be placed between the Needle and the Load-stone, yet they cannot hinder the orbe and proceeding of the magnetick vigour: As for example, If a Load-stone should be placed in a box of wood, stone, tinne, silver, or brass, yet the Loadstone will extend his magneticall orbe.

Application.

I conclude therefore by this typicall expression, that the emissions of mans vitall spirits are so subtle, and so piercing, that no interposed bodies are able to hinder it in its motion to his pretended mark, nor yet the magneticall blood in the oyntment being excited, can be hindred in his concou[…]e o[…] union, with the same southern […]r vivifying spirit, and that especially, because the formall spirits of the one is continued and homogeneal unto the other. I proceed now unto the sixt Member of the foresaid Proposition.

The sixt Member of the Proposition, with the Proofs,

Sixtly, that after a Body (be it Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral) is made, by a transplantation of another bodies spirits, magneticall, or a magnet, unto that other body; it doth, by attracting of its beloved's spirits unto it, impart unto them of that vertue and property, which appertaineth unto it self; insomu[…]h that as the lover doth participate with the nature of the beloved, so also the beloved doth partake and share with the lover's condition, especially if they be homogeneall in kind, and reciprocall in affection.

Certain Problematicall Demonstrations, to confirm this member of the fore-said Proposition. 1 Problem.

Quodlibet corpus cui Mummia viva in alio homine propinatur, illicò fit magnes: Every body, to whom the lively Mummy from a man is given or administred, is forthwith made a Magnet.

Application.

This Problem is animal, and not mineral, but it inferreth, that by the transplanting of mans bloody spirits into the oyntment, the oyntment is forthwith become magneticall and attractive; even as before I told you, that the hair and nails being planted or grafted on the Oke, make it forthwith, by communicating of the spirits of the one with the spirits of the other, attractive and magnetick.

2 Problema Magneticum.

The Load-stone hath nothing, neither can do any thing, which the Iron being excited cannot do; and that not onely by contact, but at a reasonable distance.

Application.

Neither can the live man's spirit perform any action, that the dead blood transplanted in the Salve, by the Magneticall assistance of the Salve, cannot perform: yea verily, it goeth yet further; for it inspireth into the wound a Sanative influence.

3. Problem.

Iron being touched, doth recreate another Iron, and instructeth it unto Magneticall motions; so that it draweth unto it a third. As for example: The Load-stone being applied unto A, it draweth unto it the piece of wier B; and also after B, it draweth C, and after C, it draweth D.

Application.

The Iron B, is compared unto the spirits, that are first animated by the lively spirits in man, and that animates the Oyntment's spirits, which are of a Microcosmicall nature, by reason of Uzneas volatil salt, which is the receptacle of such vegetating and vivifying Spirits as give life unto man, save onely they are of a Northern property, and as it were dead: These spirits in Oyntment are referred unto C, which work and operate, being so excited in D; which importeth the emitted spirits of the wounded man: so that we see, that it is but one and the same continuated Spirit, which putteth into action the three severall Subjects, and their spirits, namely the blood transported, the Oyntment and the Body of the wounded.

4 Problem.

The Load-stone and the veine of Iron are all one, and have all one matrix, and are found in one Mine as twins; yea, and the robust Magnet, hath Iron in it. And therefore the Iron which is extracted from them both, hath all the Magneticall virtues, as well in the vein, as being made by separation, but more weakly, except it be excited by the Load-stone, and added unto it by capping: For so it will be stronger in his Magneticall power, than the Load-stone it self.

Application.

In like manner, the blood in the wounded person, and that which is transplanted to be purified, and comforted in the Oyntment, came out of one and the same vein, and have all one matrix, and therefore that extracted blood, hath in it all the Magneticall virtues, but more weakly, and more in puissance than in act, except it be excited by the Southern fountain of blood, and capped with the Balsamick nature of the unguent, For being so prepared, namely incited and addressed, it will have his own Northern power, and that Balsamick and attractive virtue of the Uznea, is so powerfull in his Northern Saturnine condition, that it suddenly sealeth up and arresteth by congelation, the Southern blood that floweth; even as the Northern wind converteth the aire into fix, and immobil snow or hail.

5 Problem.

The Load stone and the Iron, among all other bodies that are known unto us, are more near in nature and condition unto the earth; for they have in them a substance that is most genuine and homogeniall, and approaching unto the earth. And therefore these three do agree in nature together.

Application.

By this it appeareth, what near reference there is, between the body of Man, which we compare rightly unto the Earth, and the blood which issueth out of the veins of the Earth referred to the Load stone, and the Ointment indued with a bloody spirit, and which was extracted out of blood: For the fat and the Uznea, and Mummy were of blood: For Scriptures tell us, that the Soul of the flesh, and consequently of the fat and bones, is in the blood. Whereby we may see, that though these three do differ in bodily Substance, yet they agree in the homogeniety of spirit. And therfore it is no marvel, though there is a continuity between the spirit of the bodily blood, and that transplanted; neither also ought we much to wonder at the naturall commerce, which is between the bloody spirits, and the Oyntment, that so sudden a union should be made between them, and that it should forthwith become a Magnet, adopted onely in his Balsamick and sanative operation: for the wound, being that it is guided and directed by these bloody spirits, which are transplanted in it, and, after animation, did convert the beams of his nature unto his like, being as near in spirit and property unto the wounded man's blood, as is a piece of Iron, or Load-stone, which is broken from off the whole, which accordeth in every respect with the spirit of his Father, from whence it sprung. So also we see, that though the Macrocosmicall aire doth seem to va[…]y in nature, according to his position, (for the Northern aire is cold, the Southern or aequinoctiall is hot); yet it is but one spirit, howsoever it is divided into this o[…] that cloud. And again, the internall or formal Spirit, which animateth diversly the four winds, is but one and the same indivisible spirit, (as the Prophet Ezekiel telleth us). In like manner, it is but one and the same identity of spirit, which acteth in the wound, the conveyed blood and the Oyntment, being all three, as it were but one blood, as the Apostle taught the Athenians, that all men came of one blood, and consequently of one spirit in the blood. I prove it also by this Problem.

6. Problem.

Attraction is made in the primary bodies, and these are nearest unto one another, and of a mutuall consent, among themselves, by reason of their identity, in condition. And for this reason the Load-stone draweth the Load-stone, and Iron draweth Iron, and earth of them all draweth earth; and again, each of them draweth another.

Application.

Hence therefore is gathered a reason, why blood draweth blood, and one body his like, and the Oyntment being animated by one and the same nature, doth attract his like unto him. And therefore Paracelsus saith justly, Quodlibet corpus, cui Mummia viva in alio homine propinatur, illicò fit magnes: Every body that drinketh or takeeth inwardly the lively Mummy of another man, is forthwith made a Magnet. And therefore we may say justly, seeing experience hath made it manifest, that every Microcosmical Oyntment, that hath imbibed or comprehended the spiritual Mummy of another man's blood, is forthwith made a Magnet, and by the incitation of the Mummial spirit, which it containeth, doth greedily thirst, and covet after his like. And for that reason draweth, and allureth it unto it; thereby to impart as well unto it, as it doth communicate his vivifying property unto his attractor. I could say much more, to prove the reason of the strong attraction of this Oyntment, after it is animated with the live man's spirits: but I shall be too redious; and again, I shall touch it in the consequence; and for that reason, I will leave this member to proceed to the seventh.

The seventh Member of the Proposition with the Proofs.

Seventhly, that the Agent which causeth the Alien or strange body, much more that which is of his consanguinity, to be come Magnetick, and affectionate, or concupiscible, and that by a kind of proximity in nature, is the bloody spirit transplanted into the animal unguent, or vegetable plant, (of which I have spoken before) the which spirit also is the director or guider unto the unctuous Magnet, to operate magnetically upon the subject, and his spirit from whence it was derived; the which spirit, if it be strong and potent, it worketh potently; if debil or weak, it operateth but weakly.