Ashmole’s annotations and discourses upon the preceding work, part 2 of 5

They know that the Production of things is Naturall, but the bringing forth of the vertue is not Naturall: because the things are Create, but the Vertues Increate.

Hence it is that the Power and Vertue is not in Plants, Stones, Mineralls, &c. (though we sensibly perceive the Effects from them) but tis that Universall and All-pier[…]ing Spirit, that One operative Vertue and immortall Seede of worldly things, that God in the beginning infused into the Chaos, which is every where Active and still flowes through the world in all kindes of things by Universall extension, and manifests it selfe by the aforesaid Productions. Which Spirit a true Artist knowes how-so to handle (though its activity be a[…] it were dul'd and streightly bound up, in the close Prison of Grosse and Earthie bodies) as to take it from Corporiety, free[…] it from Captivity, and let it loose that it may freely worke as it doth in the Aetheriall Bodies.

But the meanes whereby it is to be done (which is the first Preparation) all Philosophers have hitherto concealed. For,

To Create Magnesia they made no care,
In their Bookes largely to declare.
But how to Order it after its Creation,
They left poore Men without Consolation.

And unlesse God please to reve[…]le it, (like the Iewish Fire) it must be kept hidden, and till he doth there is no bumane industry can forcibly wrest the knowledge thereof out of the Almighties bands.

Si te fata vocant, aliter non.

Looke not then for it at the hand of Man, for tis the Gift of God onely.

A singlular gift and grace of th' Almighty.

Nil dat quod non habet, Man has it not, (that is,) he has it not to bestow where he will.

The Philosophers were y sworne eche one,
That they shulde discover it unto none,
Ne in no Boke it write in no manere,
For unto Christ it is solefe and deare:
That he wol […]t that it discovered be,
But where it liketh to his deite:
Man to inspire and eke for to defend,
Whan that him liketh: lo this is his end,

In fine, if any man be so blest as to discover and unvaile our Diana, he shall finde and confesse that he was beholding to Naturall Magick for directions at the Beginning, Midle, and End; and when it is wrought up to his highest degree of Perfection, he shall see things not fit to be written; for (may I aver it with awfull Reverence) Angelicall wisdome is to be obteyned by it.

Pag. 72. li. 25. Tasted our White Stone a parte.

UNlesse the Medicine be qualified as it ought, tis death to east the least Attome of it, because its Nature is so highly Vigorous and strong above that of Mans; For if its least parts are able to strike so fiercely and throughly into the Body of a base and corrupt Mettall, as to Tinge and Convert it into so high a degree as perfect Gold, how lesse able is the Body of Man to resist such a force, when its greatest strength is far inferiour to the weakest Mettall? I doe believe (and am confirm'd by severall Authors) that many Philosophers (having a desire to enjoy perfect Health,) have destroyed themselves by adventuring to take the Medicine inwardly, ere they knew the true use thereof, or how to qualifie it to be received by the Nature of Man without destruction.

Pa. 88. li. 15.

—The Red Stone is preservative,
Most precious thing to length my lyfe.

THis is the Stone which some builders up of life have refused, when in truth it was the cheife Stone in the Corner; It being produced from that undefiled vertue which is yet left with the Creature (as a small remainder of the First Blessing) and able to make a perfect union betweene the Body, Soule and Spirit, whilst our lively Fire, (that Medium between the Body and Spirit) by receiving this Aetheriall Medicine consisting of heavenly vertues (that consume the Impurities and Superfluities of the Body) is delivered from all Impediments, and the Body forced to agree with that incomparable Nature into which it is changing by so sweete and powerfull Compulsions, and consequently life Prorogued.

As touching the Prolongation of life, wee meete with some Presidents in Histories, and they not Fables, where by the Application of things inward or outward, the Spirit hath beene renewed, the Body strengthned the Vitall and Animall faculty quickned, decrepid and withered Age renewed, & Life inlarged. Besides these Relations, we perceive Nature is so curtéous to some kind of Creatures, as the Hart, Eagle, and Serpent, that she affords them meanes to obteine the benefit of Renovation (here Nature teaches them Naturall Magick, for tis no other) and why then may it not be granted to Man if sought after? Nay the consideration of this Favourable Blessing afforded to Animalls has been the principall ground whence many Philosophers have addicted themselves to the search of this Mistery, hoping that might not be denyed to Man, upon his search, which is bestowed gratis upon the Creature.

It is apparent that our Diseases proceed chiefly from Transplantation (though I deny not but some Hereditary Corruption is intail'd upon Posterity, from the decaying, mouldering, and rotten Natures of our Ancestors) for, by what we Eate or Drinke as Nourishment; the corrupt and harmfull, nay deathfull qualities, which the Divine malediction lodged in created things, is removed from them into our Bodyes, and there grow up and multiply till (having heightned the Sal, Sulphur and Mercury, into an irreconcileable Contestation, through the impurities wherewith they are loaded and burthened) they introduce a miserable decay, which consequently become a Death: and this is the sooner hastned if thereunto we adde the heavy loade of Luxuriousnesse and Glutony. Yet is not this Death Naturall but Accidentall, and (as may appeare by what has been said) a Death arising out of the fruits of the greate World which growes up by Transplantation, the Rebellious Disobedience of man provoking God to plant a Death in every thing that he had made, by the Curse wherewith he had cursed the Earth. And to this the Doctrine which the Angell taught Esdras is agreeable.

And though it is appointed all must dye, against which Decree no Elixir has power to resist, yet this Medicine is a remedy for the particular corruption of Man, to keep back those greifes and diseases which usually accompany & molest Old Age; insomuch, that that Death which man eates in his Bread may be brought to a Seperation, and consequently (in the comfort of an Uninterrupted Health) spin out his thread of life to the longest end of that Nature fallen from Originall Justice. For tis a certaine truth that what we receive into our Bodies, of that, Nature findes two Substances, the (one with a Gladsome appetite,) she retaines to feede Vitality, the other (with an abhor'd dislike) she expells, as not onely uselesse but Putresactive and Dangerous: and if thereupon we throughly advise with our selves we must needes confesse Her way is best to be imitated, in seperating the Pure from the Impure, (which are joyned together in every thing) before we make use of them, and where she does manifestly Substract and Divide, let us not there add and multiplie; for doubtlesse the Faecis profit nothing, nay in sick p[…]rsons they plainely oppresse the penetrating vertue of the Spirit it selfe, and commit that seperating Art to the diseased Body, which through weaknesse is not able to performe the Taske.

The Brevity of Life came in with the Fall of Adam, and though some of the Antients before the Flood lived almost a thousand yeares, yet certainely their lives were prorogued by the use of this Medicine, with which they well knew how to seperate and correct the obnoxious Qualities of all things, and I much question whether the generality of Persons then lived so long, or onely those who were the (z) true Ancestors; of Abraham, they not being alwaies the eldest and first begotten of the Patriarks, but such as God ch[…]se out of the Family to continue the line, and had (by the permission of God, as a singular and peculiar blessing) this Secret Traditionally committed to them.

Pa. 89. li. 27.

—I never made assay
Of the Red worke before this day.

HEnce some affirme that Norton neither had nor knew how to make the Red Medicine, but that's not so, for to the time of publishing his Ordinall, 'tis true, he had not a second time gon about to make it, and why?

The cause appeareth in this Boke before,
When Hee was robbed then Hee would no more.

Yet that he was formerly at worke, made it, and was robb'd thereof appeares also before, where he saith the Merchants Wife stole it from him, and that the misfortune thereof deterr'd him from making further progresse therein. Besides, he avers his Master taught it him, and that he fully nw how to make it, for so himself witnesseth.

I had with Grace the true Doctrine
Of Confection of the Red Medicine.

And lastly, in the latter end of the 5. Chap. of the aforesaid Ordinall, Norton truly and cleerely declares how it is made; unto which I refer the Reader.

Pag. 99. li. 31.

Wherefore they being in warke of Generacion,
Have most obedience to Constellation.

Here our Author refers to the Rules of Astrologie for Electing a time wherein to begin the Philosophicall worke, and that plainly appeares by the following lines, in which he chalkes out an Election fitly relating to the Businesse.

In the operative part of this Science the Rules of Astronomie and Astrologie (as elsewhere I have said) are to be consulted with.

For in Astronomie thou must have right good feeling,
Or else in this Boke thow schalt have simple believing.

So that Elections, (whose Calculatory part belongs to Astronomie, but the Judiciary to Astrologie) are very necessary to begin this worke with; and the paines that Norton hath taken manifests no lesse, most Authors hinting the same, although we take but little notice thereof. For

Such simple kindes unformed and unwrought,
Must craftily be guided till the end be sought.
All which season they have more obedience,
Above formed Natures to sterrs Influence.

Generally in all El[…]ctions the Efficacy of the Starrs are used as it were, by a certaine application made thereof to those unformed Natures that are to be wrought upon; whereby to further the working thereof, and make them more available to our purpose. For since both inferiour and superiour Causes concur to every effect, it followeth that if the one be not considered as well as the other, this Negligence will beget Error. And by such Elections as good use may be made of the Celestiall influences, as a Physitian doth of the variety of Herbes. Agreeable to which is that of Ptolomy Aphor. 8. A Iuditious man helpes forward the Celestiall operation, even as a discreet Husbandman assists Nature in his plowing and preparing the Ground. But Nativities are the Radices of Elections, and therefore we ought chiefly to looke backe upon them as the principall Root and Foundation of all Operations, and next to them the quality of the Thing we intend to fit, must be respected: so that by an apt position of Heaven, and fortifying the Planets and Houses in the Nativity of the Operator, and making them agree with the thing signified; the Impression made by that Influence, will abundantly augment the Operation.

And this is upheld by very evident reason of Nature, for (saith a learned Gent. whose Defence of Iudiciall Astrologie (so long since published) stands hitherto firme & unconfuted, notwithstanding all the whifling Assaults of any Adversary) the Celestiall Influences never cease to flow into us, and therefore not unlikely that the like position or Configuration to that under which we are borne, may by like, impression and influence increase and strengthen the operation of the former, more then it would if the Nativity were considered alone. And upon these grounds Norton advises to make Elections like those he layes downe.

Unlesse then your Nativity pretend infection,
In contrariety to this Election.

Which is the same in effect with that of Ptolomy, where he saith to this purpose, viz. Though an Election of a Day or houre be well made, yet will it prove of little advantage unlesse sutably constituted to the scheame of the Nativity, because else it cannot divert that evill which in the Nativity the Planets threatned: and hence it comes that Actions Thrive or Miscarry (though begun at one and the same time,) according as the position of Heaven then agrees with the Nativity of the Persons that manage them.

As touching the Necessity of Elections, to be used in Dyet, Building, Dwelling, Apparell, and the severall Actions of our Life, let any that would be satisfied, read Marcellus, Ficinus, Hesiode, Cato, Virgil, Vatro, Columella, Pliny, who (and generally all Philosophers) ordered their affaires of planting, sowing, lopping, &c. by them.

For in those things (here below) which have no sence (as well as those that have) the Heavenly Influences alwaies make Impression according to the measure and Capacity of the Subject, and doe evidently manifest their Dominion in them, for nothing is more powerful then their Influences, when Impressiō is once made. Witnesse their power in Plants, Herbes, Corne, and what is Vegitable, whose Seeds diversly prosper, or decay, according to the state of the ☽︎ with the ☉︎ at the time of their sowing. This the Husband-mans Experience can tell the world, and the Sun's Annuall Accesse and Recesse makes manifest to the sence.

And great Reason there is in Nature why the Moons condition ought chiefly to be observed, for she is the Planet neerest the Earth, and appointed as it were the V[…]hiculum of all other heavenly Influences unto what is Sublunary, and in that regard she is properly called An Instrument of the Armies from above: according to whose present Condition things are steered; for if she be Fortunate by good Aspects, happy by Position, swift of Course, and increasing in Light, things thrive apace and flourish; But the contrary if she suffer. Impediments. We may ordinarily observe how poorely and slowly the Seeds of Plants grow up, nay many times languish and degenerate into an unkindly Quality and Tast, if sowne in the Waine of the Moone, and the Reason is because the Moysture and Sapp that should feed them is exceedingly diminished; yet it is the fittest tyme for cutting downe Timber, or what else we would preserve from decaying.

Thurneisserus (among many other admirable and usefull Observations) gives us the Position of Heaven under which severall Plants are Impregnated with the greatest vertue, the gathering of which at such times, for Phisicall uses, deserves to be taken notice of; for the notable difference that evidently appeares betwixt their virtues and the vertues of such as are gathered without that Consideration. In a word, by Elections we may Governe, Order and Produce things as we please: Faber quis q; Fortunae propriae.

Pag. 100. li. 1. Is a direct and firie Ascendant.

IN this and the first Ten following lines, are laid downe the Authors Rules for framing an Election by, agreeable to which he erect you Scheames (about the Latitude of 51. degrees) that are placed before the sixth Chap. which I have caused to be exactly Copied from the Originall, though some Planets, I must acknowledg, are not placed in that exact order (for houses and signes) as Astronomicall Rules direct, and the Doctrine of Astrologie requireth. For Example, In the first House of the first Figure you have ☿︎ in 7. degr. of ♐︎, the Ascendent in 2. degr. of ♐︎, and then the ☉︎ in the 18. Degr. of the same signe; whereas the 2. degr of ♐︎ being fewer degrees of that Signe then 7. (wherein ☿︎ is placed) should Antecede it. Againe in the second Figure you have both ☿︎ and the ☽︎ in the 11th House thereof, who should of Right be posited in the 10th. because the 20th degree of ♎︎ is the Cuspe of the 11th, and therefore all Planets in lesser degrees of that Signe are falling into the 10th. Besides you have ♀︎ placed in every Figure so remote from the ☉︎, that Astronomers must count it absurd, since she is never above 48. degr. Elongated from him; and yet in the third Figure she comes not within the compasse of a * Aspect, nay in the second she is almost in 8 to him.

For their Position; I could have placed them in Houses according to Art, but I rather let them stand as I found them in the Originall, being well assured they were thus Posited by Designe, and not through Ignorance or Mistake; for our Author manifests himselfe a learned Astrologian, and too wary a Pen-man to be guilty of either. And though it may seem contrary to Art for the Position of ♀︎ to be so far distant from the ☉︎, yet tis agreeable to his Rule of Election that she is so often placed in the 4th House (especially seeing the Signe falls out to be there in which she is exalted) because he appoints the Lord thereof to be fortunate, For this is Thesaurum absconditum of old Clerks.

Withall, the Planets as they stand here placed in Signes and Houses are not so as that these Figures were the Elected times for the Authors owne Operations (or any others in that Faculty) but are rather fained and invented, onely to bring them within the compasse of his Rules. And to satisfie my selfe herein, I have taken some paines to Calculate the places of the Planets for severall years about the Authors time, but cannot finde the three Superiors and place of the ☉︎ to be in those Signes wherein he has posited them.

It is also worthy of our Observation to see how the Author continues his Vailes and Shadows, as in other parts of the Mistery, so likewise in the very Figures of some of the Planets, for he does not exhibite them under the Characters commonly now (or then) used, but Hierogliphically in Figures agreeable to their Natures, yet diversitie of Names (or Figures) makes no diversitie in the th[…]ngs they signifie: For ♄︎ is pointed out by a Spade, ♃︎ by a Miter, ♂︎ by an Arrow, ♀︎ by a beautifull Face, ☿︎ by the figure (in those daies) usually stamped upon the Reverse of our English Coyne: Onely the ☉︎ and ☽︎ are left us in that fashion the Auncients bestowed upon them.

Pag. 100. li. 32.

Trust not to all Astrologers, I saie whi[…]:
For that Art is as […]ecret as Alkimie.

AStrologie is a profound Science: The depth this Art lyes obscur'd in, is not to be reach't by every vulgar Plumet that attempts to sound it. Never was any Age so pester'd with a multitude of Pretenders, who would be accounted (and stick not to style themselves) Masters, yet are not worthy to weare the Badge of illustrious Urania. And (oh to be lamented!) the swar[…]e is likely to increase, untill through their Ignorance they become the ridiculous object of the Enemies to Astrologie; (would that were all,) and Eclipse the glory of that light, which if Judiciously dispens'd to the World would cause admiration; but unskilfully expos'd, become the scorne and contempt of the Vulgar.

He that understands no more of Astrologie (nor will make a further use of it) then to quack with a few Tearmes in an Horary Question; is no more worthy to be esteemed an Astrologian then Hee who hath onely learnt Hebrew may be accounted a Caballisticall Rabbi. Tis true, he may be so fraught with words, as to amuse the unlearned, with the Canting noyse thereof, but what is that if compared to the full and intire knowledge of the Language? Yet of this sort at present are start up divers Illiterate Professors (and Women are of the Number) who even make Astrologie the Bawd & Pander to all manner of Iniquity, prostituting Chast Urania to be abus'd by every adulterate Interest. And what willbe the issue (I wish it may prove no Prophefie) ere long Astrologie shall be cried down as an Impostor, because it is made use of as a Stale to all bad Practises, and a laudable Faculty to bolster up the legerdimane of a Cheate. And besides having now growne famous by the true Predictions of some of her able and honest Sons, shall grow into as much disgrace and infamy, by the unskilfull Prognosticks of ignorant Illegitimate Bastards: who rather then they will accuse themselves when they faile of truth in their Judgments, will not stick to condemne Astrologie it selfe as defective and lame, in what their slothfull negligence or ignorant blindnesse was not able to finde out. And therefore Norton here speaks truly, that Astrologie (take it with all its Comprehensions) is as Secret or Misterious as Alchimy, and as difficult to be throughly and perfectly understood.

There are in Astrologie (I confesse) shallow Brookes, through which young Tyroes may wade; but withall, there are deepe Foards, over which even the Gyants themselves must swim. Such is the Doctrine of Nativities, Directions, Annuall Revolutions and what else depends thereupon, belonging to Man, the litle World: and beyond these, those of Comets, Eclipses, Great Conjunctions and Revolutions, that refer to the greate World. These are subjects of Eminency, and being judiciously handled Magnifie the Art. But,

Many men weene which doth them reade,
That they d[…]e understande them when they do not indeede.

I know some few Artists have satisfactorily manifested what excellency of Skill there is in Judging an Horary Question, and how much of truth may be drawne from that branch of Art; But they are those that are throughly read in all other parts of Actrologia; for such only are able to give a true Resolution to the Querent, and from the events of their considerate Predictions, bring Honour to the Art, and gaine Reputation to Themselves.

Pag. 104. li. 20. Ordeine therefore to fetch breath from your Foote.

IN regard of the violent Nature of the Medicine which is deadly indeed, because its Nature is so infinitely strong above Mans, that it overcomes his Spirits and poysons him; Norton therefore lets fall a hinte, what Parts an Operator ought to Arme, and whence to fetch Breath: Meaning thereby, that those Orifices of the Body be closely stopt (through which there is so open a passage, that a Strong vapour would fly as speedily as lightning into the inmost parts) while the Vessell is opening. But how to breathe the while is the Difficulty. We have Practises something neere it, as of those who attempt to lye long under Water, &c.

And therefore let this be a Caution sufficient to young Practisers in this Science, that when they worke upon a Matter, and bring it (as they suppose) to some perfection, if they can indure the opening of their Vessell without being Armed, they may rest satisfied that nothing is more certaine then that their Matter is not the Philosophers Mercury, and their Practise erronious.

Pag. 105. li. 17.

Now have I taught you every thing by Name.

— Hoc tibi dictum
Tollememor:

THis Verse ought to be heedfully observed by the Student in this Science, for he speaks a reall truth, Nihil praetermissum quod à quovis dici possit. Nothing being wanting, nor nothing left out that is needfull to be knowne to compleate this greate Worke: which many have not the happinesse to apprehend, though it should be more plainely discovered unto them. Much alike unfortunate as those that Sandivogius speaks of, to whom he had intimated the Art from word to word, but they could by no meanes understand him, yet would be accounted Philosophers.

Seeing then a Man may be in the true Path and not know it to be so, it behoves the serious Student earnestly to desire of God to remove from his Mind al thoughts without understanding, to make him a Child of the light as of the Day, that his Eyes may behold the right, and his Eye-lids direct his wayes. That his Dayes be not spent in vanity, nor his Yeares wast doing nothing: but that one Day may teach another, and one Night add knowledge to another, And then he shall find that though this Author has opened his Mouth in a Parable, yet he hath declared [or made plain] hard Sentences of Old.

For in this Ordinall (he sets you out of doubt,)
Is nothing set wrong, nor no point left out.

Pag. 106. li. 21.

In the yeare of Christ MCCCCLXXVII.
This Worke was begun—

IN the search I have made after Authentique Manuscripts to compleate this Worke, a private Gentleman lent me a very faire one of Norton's Ordinall, which I chiefly followed; yet not admitting to compare it with fourteen other Copies. It was written in Velame and in an auntient sert Hand, very exact and exceeding neate. The Figures (whence I caused these herewith printed to be Graved) being also most neatly & exquisitely lym'd, and better work then that which was Henry the seventh's own Booke, (as I am informed by those that have seene both.) It had placed in the midle and bottome of the Compartiments of Flowers, Birds and Beasts, the Nevell's Coate of Armes, with others which that Family quartered. This induced me to believe it to be the Originall (or one exactly Copied from it) presented by the Author to George Nevell then Arch-Bishop of Yorke, who was a most wealthy and Magnificent Bishop; as appeares not onely by the rich Iewell he offered at Beckens Tombe, but for the greate and stately Entertainment he provided at More in Hartfordshire for Edward the 4th: to make which more Magnificent he brought forth a vast Treasure of Plate, that he had hid during the distractions of former yeares, all which the King seised upon with his Money and Goods then valued at 20000 l. (a farre more considerable sum of Money in those dayes, then now;) and made of the Arch-Bishops Mitre (set with preclous Stones) a Crowne for himself.

I have beene informed that there was greate Correspondency betweene this Arch-Bishop and the Hermetique Philosophers of his time, and this is partly confirmed to me from Ripley's Dedication of his Medulla to him, Ann. 1476. as also the presentation of this of Norton's Ordinall; for though I finde the said Arch-Bishop dyed the same yeare this Ordinall was begun to be written, yet the certaine time of that yeare I cannot yet learne; But it was towards the latter end thereof, when his Successor (Lawrence Booth) was Consecrate, viz. 25. Sept. Besides, in all probability he lay not long sick, because he dyed (at Birthlow) upon a Iourney from Yorke: So that the Booke might be finished and presented, (or if not presented, yet intended) before he dyed, though begun but the lame yeere.

Pag. 107. The Compounde of Alchymie, &c.

THis Worke (which is also called the Twelve Gates) was pen'd by Sir George Ripley, and formerly set forth in print by Ralph Rabbards; I have compared it with severall other Manuscript Copies, amongst which I happily met with one written neere about the time that Ripley lived, (and in these Streames of Learning the more clearest and without the least of Mixture is to be found neerest the Spring-head,) the which I most relyed upon. Yet where they differ, the Reader (if this Copy please not) may make use of the former.

It appeares at the end of this Worke, that it was written in the yeare 1471. which I the rather take notice of, because I have met with a kind of Retractation of Ripley's beginning,

Falix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.

Wherein he beseeches all men, wheresoever they shall meete with any of his Experiments written by Him, or that go under his Name, (from the yeare 1450. to the yeare 1470.) either to burne them or afford them no Credit, being written according to his este[…]me, nor proofe; and which (afterwards upon tryall) he found false and vaine: for soe long was he seeking the Stone, but in the truth of practise had not found it, till towards the end of that yeare, and then (saith He) Inveni quem diligit anima mea.