Themis Aurea, chapters 18–20

CHAP. XVIII. Concerning the advantage or disadvantage arising to Learning from the totall concealment, or discovery (as now is) of the Fraternity of the R. C.

I Cannot imagine that any man can justly accuse me for my prolixity on the the Lawes of the R. C. perhaps some may suck spider like out of wholsome flowers destructive poison; and that which to others is pleasant and sweet, to them disaffected may seeme loathsome and ugly: they erring and being vaine themselves, scoffe and laugh at our Fraternity, scorn their lawes; say they, what benefit shall we receive from the discovery of them? indeed we doe heare that many under that title doe abuse themselves, and cheat others, for by such relations they vent their sophisticated drugs, and confuse all methode in medicine.

We do not deny but that the best thing may be abused, but that is not to be charged upon the thing it selfe; but upon the person so imploying of it: so none can truly say that the Fraternity and Lawes thereof are unlawful, whose institution and intention may be justifyed; but yet envious persons who have devoted themselves to malice may carpe at them; and endeavour the dissatisfaction of mens minds, wherefore in this Chapter we will shew the profit and disprofit arising either from them detected or concealed.

There are four kinds of Good, Necessary, Honest, Pleasant and Profitable, by each of them men may be drawn to the affectation or disrelish of any Subject; the two first amongst these have the preheminency, the others are of less authority; but yet very often the latter prevaile above the first, and many had rather enjoy pleasure and profit sutable to their natures; then the others as being somewhat harsh, wherefore we will treat of them, but not as separated from necessary and honest Good.

To what purpose should there be such a Society, if the profit and benefit thereof should be wholly concealed? the Ethiopians and Jndians having never heard of their Fama and Confession are not taken with the Fraternity, but if they should believe that there is such a select company of men, yet they would be heedles[…], because they should receive no advantage by them: we care not for the richest minds, if we cannot enjoy them, and affaires translated at a great distance from us, are nothing to us, we do not take notice how the Jndians fight, and they neglect our Arts.

If the Fraternity had not made known themselves, there might seeme to have no great damage thereby accrewed to learning, since it is not more augmented; for heretofore cure of diseases, and preservations of health were practised and professed, the Sciences have been so reformed, especially the last hundred years past, that they have attained their utmost perfection: On the contrary if the Fraternity had been concealed, many might have great hopes and expectations of profit, for all kind of curiosity had been laid aside, men would not have vexed themselves with searching dilligently after them, whom they should with the greatest difficulty hardly find, so many desires had not been unsatisfied, so many promises frustrated, so many sighs and tears vain: lastly, no occasion of confusion, but, because all these things are so false and absurd we shall not think them worthy of an answer; we shall therefore proceed to the profit of the Fraternity as it is detected and made known. There is in the world such an abundance of all things by the diversity of Species; multitude of Individualls that it is almost impossible to discerne either their increase or decay. Hence is it that persons of Quality being taken away by death are not mist, because others do succeed them, and the rising Sun makes us take little notice of the Set.

Had the Fraternity not been discovered, the world had lacked nothing; for that which is unknown is not desired and sought after, & the absence of it is no loss, and we doubt not but that there are very many such things in nature: who ever dreamed of a new world now called America before it was found out? who thought of usefulness of writing and printing till they were invented? but now it is sufficiciently known what benefit the whole world receives by them, although there seemed before to be no want.

For as no line is so long, nor any body so big, to which something cannot be added; so the perfection of the world was not so absolute but that it was capable of addition.

Thus the detection of the Fraternity did encrease the worlds glory, and we shall shew after what manner, viz. by revealing secrets and finding out others much conducing to the profit of mankind.

The Poets report of Anteus that he fighting with Hercules, and by him beaten often to the ground, did as often recover himself by vertue received from the touch of the earth (for he was thought to be Sonne of the earth) by which help he was alwaies victorious, till he strove with Hercules, who finding out this mystery caught him in his armes and holding him in the aire crushed him to death. By Hercules is understood a laborious and skilfull Philosopher, by Anteus the subject to be wrought upon in which are contrary Qualifications: This matter is not easily known, because it lies hid every where, and at the same time lies open, understand the first in respect of mens intellects, the other in respect of Sense, and if it were known, yet the preparation is so difficult little good can be expected, The Philosophical earth is his Parent whose vertue is not easily attained, Hence it is that this Anteus is secretly strengthned from his mother, and so all endeavour of killing Anteus is in vain and to no purpose.

Therefore Osyris being about to travel into India did not unadvisedly consult with Prometheus, joyn Mercury as a Governour, and Hercules as President of the Provinces, by whose direction and his own industry he alwaies accomplished his end, he used Vulcans shop, the golden house where Apis is fed and nourished, for those three forementioned have their severall offices in the Philosophical worke: but some may say what is this to the Fraternity of the R. C.? it properly appertaines to them, for they have overcome Anteus, they have sufficiently declared their Herculean strength, the wit of Mercury, and the Providence of Prometheus: This, this is the knowledge in which the Fraternity is skilled, fetched from the innermost depths of nature; which to neglect or to suffer to perish were folly and madness: There is no Chymist who understands not what we mean.

They who take a voyage to the East-Indies, cannot be without sweet fresh water, and if they finde out a spring, they take a speciall notice of it, set it down in their writings, that others travelling that way may enjoy the like benefit, much greater reason is there that in the Philosophical voyage, having gotten a fountain sending forth pleasant streames, which can easily quench thirst and satisfie, how great reason is there that this should be highly esteemed and valued: I mean here the Philosophers living water and not any dead, which when once attained, the whole businesse will succeed, for the whole work is perfected by one artifice, by one way, by one fire which is natural (not neglecting the other three, unnatural, against nature and occasional) in one vessell, at one time, with one labour, which must be cautiously understood. 2. The Book M alwaies in the hand and minde of the Fraternity, and transmitted still to posterity, doth sufficiently lay open the knowledge of this Nature, in which Book is contained the perfection of all the Arts, beginning with the Heavens and descending to lower Sciences. For the mind of a wise man covets after the knowledge of all truths, to confute errours, and to adorne it selfe with glory and excellency, but this is not obtained by idle vain Speculation; but by diligent practise which is the onely true wisdome: 3. I have spoken enough before of their remedies for the cure of diseases. 4. The Brethren lastly have a secret of incredible vertue, by which they can give Piety, justice and truth the upperhand in any person whom they affect, and suppress the opposite vices, but it is not my duty to express what this is: I beseech the Great God who governeth the whole world by his providence, so to dispose of all things that such mysteries may never be lost, but that the whole world may receive benefit thereby; and that hereafter men may not think it sufficient superficially to look into nature; but deeply prying into it may have more knowledge of God the Center, and praise him alwaies for his Goodness.

CHAP. XIX. That many Fables have passed under the name of the Fraternity, raised by the multitude who alwaies misjudge of that which they doe not understand.

It cannot be otherwise, the Fraternity being in respect of it selfe well known, in respect of the persons thereof concealed, but that many strange, horrible, and incredible falsities should be cast upon them: for if we hear, see, or by any other sense have experienced any thing, yet in discourse this will be altered, if not altogether changed, because he that relates will either adde or diminish; and the other not apprehending it aright, or perhaps failing in memory, or for affection favouring or envying the business, will unfaithfully report it: They who want those two faculties of memory and judgment are not competent judges in matters of so great concernment; what can a blind witness affirme that he saw? one deaf that he heard? or one not capable of understanding that he apprehended? for all these mistake one thing for another, they blame the subject and not themselves; they supoose all things as low as their parts, and because they want abilities, they acknowledge no deficiency: whoever they are who ignorantly or maliciously doe cast out any words aiming thereby to wrong the Fraternity, doe onely expose themselves; but let these geese kept onely to fill the belly leave off to hisse at our Swans: The water of which we now speak, is not that in which fishes doe swimme; neither is this a fit study for such doltes and blocks. Leave off to discover what you are by your idle words: Learned and wise men are not censured by them, and why should they receive evill for good? But some may aske, what Fables are thus vented against the Fraternity? we answer, that many have detracted and traduced their innocent Fama and harmless confession, that they have accounted them Hereticks, Necromancers, deceivers, disturbers of the Commonwealth: O harsh times, O evill manners! what is the world come to when slanders shall pass for Truths, and they who devote themselves to God, holiness, and make the Scripture their Rule, shall be called hereticks, when they who study the depths of Nature shall be accounted conjurers, when they who make it their business to doe good to others, shall be esteemed cheaters; lastly when they who doe to their utmost power advantage their Countrey, shall be held the greatest enemies thereof?

I can think these absurd railors to be none others then those who are imployed in the distillation of simple waters for Apothecaries; they hate nothing more then learning, and count themselves so much happier by how much more ignorant; and some (I confess) acting from a more noble and divine principle, have enlarged minds, willing and desirous to contain the Universe, who doe not onely imploy their time in study and meditation, but experiment what they learne; a wise man endeavours after the knowledge of all things; as a Prince hath intelligence of all transactions, and as by the one he is distinguished from a fool, so by the other from a peasant; But the Fraternity doe imitate both, so that nothing is wanting to hinder their perfection.

As for that reproach they lie under concerning their disturbing of the Commonwealth, it is altogether false and by them coined; therefore let it return upon the first broachers of it, to whom it properly belongs as being their owne: they might justly complain of such indignities offered to them, but they account it vertuous to suffer.

That there are so many Heresies abroad in the world, is not to be charged upon the holy Scripture; but the obstinacy of men forcing the text to confirme their will, is to be check'd; so it is no fault of the Fraternity that they are abused, but theirs who are so wicked as to calumniate them; for if to accuse any man were sufficient to prove him guilty, justice and injustice, truth and falshood, white and black would not be distinguished, which is altogether unreasonable.

CHAP. XX. That the Brethren of the R. C. doe neither dreame of, hope for, or indeavour any Reformation in the world by Religion, the conversion of the Jewes, or by the Policies of Enthusiasts which seemingly would be established by Scripture, but that they both acknowledge and shew themselves lovers of truth & justice.

AS that which in the day time most runs in mens thoughts, doth in the night disturbe and work upon their Fancies; so every man is careful to let no opportunity slip of indeavouring to accomplish his intention; they who set their minds upon riches, are very laborious and painful to advance their estates; they who bend their thoughts to change Commonwealths, to alter Religion, to innovate the Arts, make use of very often most despicable instruments to doe their business: from this spring head hath issued many murmuring streames; such Causes (I say) have produced many tumults and confusions in Commonwealths, where men have been acted by vain thoughts and foolish dreames, as it now doth evidently appeare both in the Anabaptists and Enthusiasts: are there not many even in this our age, who being ambitious to be ringleaders in new waies, instead of a Reformation, have disturbed all order, and law? they forsooth would have Religion and Learning suit with their fantastical opinions.

As soone as these had heard of this Honourable Society, they assured themselves that their desires would have an happy issue; for knowing that these Brethren were able in learning and riches, they doubted not but that they would imploy both those talents to cause an Universal Reformation in the world; they therefore immediately promised to themselves one Empire, one Religion, unity and concord; but in all these things they were belyed and abused; for they did never assert any such things; neither is there any ground of them in their writings: Out of their Books something may be gathered concerning the Reformation of the Arts which was indeavoured by the first Author about 217. years agoe, about A. C. 1400. and at that time they had need of a Reformation; witness the labour and study of eminent men who have to good purpose spent their time to promote learning, as Rudolphus Agricola, Erasmus Roterodamus, D. Lutherius, Philippus Melanchthonus, Theop. Paracelsus, Joh. Regiomontanus, Copernicus with many others: and there is no doubt but the Arts may be more encreased, their lustre more polished, many more secrets discovered. But herein Religion is not at all concerned. Let Rome therefore that Whore of Babylon, and her Idolatrous affecting an Ecclesiastical tyranny, who with mennacies makes not onely inferiors, but Kings their slaves and vassals, who belch out proud words against the true Church of God, without any attempt of the Fraternity, forsaking their toies and vanities, their blasphemy & prophaness, return into the right way; so may a reformation be produced, and piety and religion shall flourish. I fear yet that these as they who are rich and powerful will not judge that true which may any waies prejudice them, they I doubt will not embrace naked Truth, honest simplicity: But such Reformations belong more to God then man, who can turn the hearts of men at his pleasure, and so dispose all affaires that a severe checke may be put to the growth of Popery. However the Brethren (as all good men ought) count it their duty to pray for and expect such a Reformation: the business lies more in the inlightning of the understanding, then changing the will, which is Gods own work; for he gives to doe and will as he thinks fit: who can (although he had the power of miracles) convert the obstinate Jewes, when the scripture more confounds them and becomes a stumbling-block? Observe how their own writings doe disagree; how one thwarts another; and yet they consider not that wherein is concord. As for your Enthusiasts their Revelations of which they so much boast, are sometimes to Sin, but that cannot be from God; doe they not dreame interpretations on scripture, and when either the Devill doth delude them or they are distracted, they count their conditions happy: they acknowledge no superiority, though commanded and allowed in the Scriptures: But our Brethren have alwaies had one amongst them as chiefe and governour to whom they are obedient; they pitty such persons whom they finde cheated and often possessed; lastly, as it is impossible to separate heat from fire, so its as impossible to separate Vertue from this Society: they bestow their time in duty to God, in diligent of search of the scripture, in charity, in healing gratis, in experimenting the secrets of Nature: they have the true Astronomy, the true Physicks, Mathematicks, Medicine and Chymistry by which they are able to produce rare and wonderful effects; they are very labourious, frugall, temperate, secret, true; lastly, make it their business to be profitable and beneficial to all men, of whom when we have spoken the highest Commendations, we must confess our insufficiency to reach their worth.

FINIS.