WEll did the Primitive Graecian give the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto Truth : whose Consanguinity , nay Consubstantiality of Essence with the Humane Soule which The breath of God , by an easy Metaph. the Divine Philosophy of Moses * * Gen. 2. ver. 7. hath defined to be the Breath of God , doth exactly make out that Etymology . For so uncessant a Magnetisme , or congenerous Love doth the Soule hold unto Truth , 1. that she can know no reall or permanent satisfaction , in the fruition of any other object ; but , like the Aguish magnetified Needle , reels to and fro , in a Phrensie of inquietude , distracted twixt various Apparitions , untill shee lye parallel unto the Center , or Vnity thereof : and having once fixed in that happy 2. position , she is , by an eternal union , identified or assimilated unto that twin of her self ; and in that mysterious penetration of homogeneal Forms , meets her Beatitude , which can never know any Defect , of Satiety , Alterity of Desires , or Remission of Intensity . Now , though the opacity of Original Sin hath so benighted the primitive Clarity of the Intellect , that it deplorably wanders in the infinite seductions of Error , and cannot recover that direct path , which leads to the Heaven of Verity , without the manuduction of Divine Light , in this Wilderness of Sorrow ; and though the Opticks of Flesh and Blood are too dim to endure to gaze upon the naked and entire Glories of Truth ; yet hath the exceeding Mercy of the Fountain of Light , furnished us with three faithful Guides , whose Conduct if we precisely follow , we may be reduced to that advantage of Knowledg , as will afford us a Pisgah Sight , or crepusculous prospect of her reflexive Beauties , now , and an assurance of being blessedly engulphed in the Abyss of her Pleasures , in the future . Those three Lines , perpetually deradiating from the Center of Truth ( the eternal 3. Principle of all Essences , and Soul of all Causalities ) are Religion , Reason , and Sense : all terminated in our Nature . The first leadeth us by the invisible Clue of 4. Faith , on towards the implicit and certain Apprehension of objects above the reach of the other two . The second bringeth us about , through the Circumambages and complex Labyrinth of Discourse ; and from the remote dependencies of Effects upon their particular Causes , ushereth us along by a subalternate Series , or Gradation unto the Science of their ultimate Approximation and Individuality . The last by a shorter Cut , or blunter method of Preception , directeth to the immediate and actual Knowledg of the Existence and exterior or manifest Qualities of Entities ; but leaveth the second to a laborious exploration of their abstruser Forms , or essential Quiddities : the repeated Acts of which apprehensive Power , informed by sensation , make up that body of Knowledg , called Experience . All which Pilots mutually conspire to steer our Mindes , perpendicularly 5. toward our satisfaction of the main end of our Creation : the reverential and fiduciary Contemplation of the Mercy , Wisdom , and Bounty of the Supream Essence . But so deeply immersed in Sensuality , are all the wretched Sons of Adam , that few can ascend so many degrees toward the height of their primitive Capacity , as with equal and constant paces to pursue the guidance of these genial Impressions . For if some may usurp the license of Concession , that the habit of Cognition by Faith doth smoothly result from the Idea's of religious Notions , either insensibly instilled into our infancy , and naturallized by custom ▪ or enthusiastically acquired , that is by the infusion of Light Supernatural , without much labor and difficulty precedent : yet none , that ever felt the weight of Ignorance , and endevoured to struggle from the oppression of it , through the Anxieties of study , will adventure on an assertion of such temerity , as that the satisfactory and certain Comprehension of most Natural Objects , is easie and familiar to our Reason . Since the subtilest speculation will evict , 6. that every the smallest piece of the Hexameron Fabrick ▪ carrieth in the narrow round of its single Ens , Abstrusity sufficient to empuzle the scrutiny of the most daring and Eagle-eyed Philosophy .

And if Truth be the most desiderable Good , and yet the most difficult to obtain ; as on the one side , I have reason to applaud my vow , of unravelling my short thread of life , in the constant and eager search of this inestimable treasure ; so have I also opportunity to hope , from all heads of Candor and Discretion , to receive a Charitable Consideration and Forgiveness of my frail mistakes and deviations , on the other ; especially in my attempts of exploring the Causes , and manner of some operations of Nature , whose occult Efficiencies seem rather proposed to exercise , and perplex , then satisfie our desires of Comprehension . Among which knotty pieces , every intelligent man will readily account the Theory of Magnetism , or more plainly , the secret power of Natural Actives , working on analogous and determnate 7. Passives , by invisible Emanations , or an Influential Energy , transmissive to remote distance ; and more particularly , the Argument of Helmont , in this discourse . Concerning which subject , I shall , in some part , recede from my first intentions of Neutrality , to conform to the incitements , and pacifie the importunity of some Friends , in the concise and extemporary delivery of my own Conceptions : though I stand fully convinced , as well of the vast disparity 'twixt the nerves of my Wit , and the considerable gravity of this Theme ; as of the impendent danger of various censures , arising from the irreconcileable discord of Opinion in some , and the rancor or livid Prevarication of others , to both which Hydraes , I must become exposed .

Having premised this preparatory Apology : I shall henceforward chain my extravagant Pen , to the sole indagation of this admirable ( though secret , and therefore vulgarly despised ) Verity ; and allow it no wider range then what the modest rules of a Preface will admit . Wherefore I come directly to the examination of the Hoti , or matter of Fact .

That Wounds have been frequently cured with more 8. expedition , and less torment , then usually follow upon the use and daily renovation of Topical vulneraries ; by the Confermentation of the Mumy , in the blood effluxed , and still retaining to Vitality , with the Balsamical Faculty of the Magnetical remedies : I must firmly beleeve , until my Scepticity may be allowed to be so insolent , as to affront the evidence of my own sense , and question the verity of some Relations , whose Authors are persons of such confessed integrity , that their single Attestations oblige my faith , equal with the strongest demonstration . Among many other Experiments , made by my self , I shall select and relate onely one : and that most ample and pertinent .

Upon an ardent dispute , with a Doctor of Theology , 9. reverend for his Piety and Learning , concerning the Legitimate use of the Sympathetick Powder ; that I might at one stab destroy his inveterate Presumption , that the Capital Energy of that Magnetical Remedy , adored for the sanation of wounds at distance , did proceed rather from the Sophistical Activity of that Impostor , who gave the first incurable wound unto humanity , derived by the mediation of an implicit Compact , then from any native and genuine endowment of the Vitriol : I prevailed with him , to enterprize an Experiment of the efficacy thereof after this manner . Having furnished him , both with the Powder , and a cloth distained with the blood of a Gentleman , freshly wounded , and not yet dressed by any Chirurgeon : I also directed him in the Application . At the performance whereof , he made solemn profession , that he did utterly disavow all Confederacy , immediate or secondary , with Satan , all expectance of his concurrence , and coefficiency , and all confidence in the cooperation of intense Imagination : as also , that he adventured on this tryal , onely for information of his judgment , whether it lie in the destiny of Natural Agents , to transmit their Virtue unto , and execute the Commission of their specifical Proprieties upon objects at distance . However , within few hours , the Patient ( wholly ignorant of the means used ) found his blood retired to its wonted rivulets , and the lips of his large wound perfectly Consolidated . Upon which admirable success , the Divine , having also haply met with a cure for the nicety of his Conscience , from a prevaricate Adversary , became a fervent Proselyte , to our Doctrine of Magnetism : soon after writing his Palinodia , in these words ; Indubitanter credo , Causas Naturales , quanquam nobisignotas , operari in praefata sympathetica sanatione .

This justification was extorted from a professed Enemy : 10. a second remarkable Example , I have received from the mouth of a professed Friend , to the speculation of vulnerary Magnetism ; which is right worthy of recital , as well in regard of the Experimentator , as of the rare effect ensuing . Sir K. Digby ( a noble Person , who hath built up his Reason to so transcendent a height of Knowledg , as may seem not much beneath the state of man in innocence ) immediately before his late exile , was pleased to tell me ▪ that not many yeers past , Mr. James Howel ( who planted the Vocal Forest ) interceding betwixt two Brothers of the sword , received a dangerous wound through the Arm : By the violent pain whereof , and other grievous Accidents concomitant , he was suddenly dejected into extream Debility and Danger . That in this forlorn plight , despairing to finde ease or benefit , by the fruitless continuance of Chirurgery , and fearing the speedy invasion of a Grangraen ; he consulted Sir K. D. who having procured a Garter cruentate , wherewith the hurt was first bound up , inspersed thereon , without the privacy of Master Howel , a convenient quantity of Roman Vitriol . That the Powder no sooner touched upon the blood , in the Garter , then the Patient cryed out , that he felt an intolerable shooting , and penetrative torment , in his Arm : which soon vanished , upon the remove of all Emplasters and other Topical Applications , enjoyned by Sir K. D. That thenceforward , for three days , all former symptomes departed , the part recovered its pristine lively Colour , and manifest Incarnation and Consolidation ensued : but then Sir K. D. to compleat his Experiment , dipt the Garter in a sawcer of Vineger , and placed it upon glowing coals ; soon whereupon the Patient relapsed into an extream Agony , and all former evils instantly recurred . And finally , that having obtained this plenary satisfaction , of the sympathy maintained betwixt the blood extravenated , and that yet conserved in the veins ; as also of the Soveraign Balsamick Faculty of the Vitriol : he took again the Garter out from the Vineger , gently dryed it , and freshly dressed it with the Powder ; whereupon the Sanation proceeded with such admirable success , that within few days , there remained onely a handsom Cicatrice , to witness there was once a wound .

Other Cures , so neer allied to Miracle , as the former , and no less conspicuous , have been wrought , with the same Magnetical Balsam , by Sir Gilbert 〈◊〉 , upon upon many wounded in the Kings Army ; chiefly in the Western Expedition : of which few Gent. Attendant on His Majesty , in that march , can be ignorant .

So substantial and authentick are these Relations , and so frequently others also of the same kinde are obtruded upon vulgar observation ; that I shall think requisite , to supersede the enrolment of any other evidence conductive to the illustration of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when I shall have fel'd that Goliah , which I espie coming from the Army of the Philistins , to the opinion of the Influential 11. operation of Magnetical Remedies , to bid defiance to my self , or any other Champion thereof : that is , the mighty Objection , that the Consolidation of Wounds , is the sole and entire Work of Nature , performed by the proper Balsam of the blood , flowing to the part wounded ; and that therefore we may seem grosly deluded in our election of the Cause , erroneously adscribing the whole Arm of the Energy , to that unconcerned Principle , which indeed hath not so much as a finger in the business . Against this Gyant , I shall send onely two smooth stones : and those taken out of the scrip , or single stock of my own Reason .

The first seems to be of weight : and so requires the 12. Care of more then one minute , to fit it in the sling of my Discourse . I conceive ( with submission to the reprehension of riper Philosophy ) that immediately upon the Solution of unity , in any part , the ambient Aer , of 13. its own primigenious constitution , intensely Cold , and by Accident also repleted with the various Evaporations , or Aporrhoea's of mixt bodies , especially such as are then suffering the Act of Putrefaction , violently invadeth the part ; and thereupon impresseth an exotick miasm , or noxious Diathesis : which disposing the blood , successively arriving at the wound , to Putrefaction , by the intervention of Fermentation , caused by some gradual Acidity ( for proved it may be , that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Corruption , must be Acidum Extraneum , succeeding upon a desertion of vital Heat ) introduced , maketh the same wholly unfit for the Nutrition , and destructive to the Incarnation , or reunion of the sides of the orifice . Against this Hostile Acidum , Nature instantly ariseth in Arms , sends a large supply of Arterial Blood ( Vital spirits I understand none at least in a disjunctive acception ) and doubleth both the strength and number of her Pulses ; insomuch that most times , the overcharged part suffereth an increase of Pain and Intumescence , from the distension of its vessels , membranes and intermusculary Capacities : but finding her self too weak to expel so subtle and potent an enemy , encamped within her borders , though she cannot preserve the blood from submission to the tyranny of this Putrefactive Acidity , in some degree , and so not transmute it into a laudable Cement , to soder up the disunion ; yet she so far hindreth ( especially in green wounds ) the dilatation of Corruption , that she subdues the revolted blood into the form of a white Purulent Effluxion , which is therefore to be accounted an infallible signal , that Nature is not yet evirate , but holds out bravely , and if relieved in time , will be an happy Conqueress . This Exotick Acidity , by the forementioned means impressed upon the sides of the Wound , I 14. apprehend to be the sole Impediment , that defeateth the design of Nature , in the Redintegration of the Unity of any part , infringed by external violence : and that 15. by the rule of Consequence , the onely way of Assistance to Nature in this exigence , is the destruction , or Extinction of that Alien Impression ; the Factor of Putrefaction , by the specifical Counterviolence of some superior Antagonist . Now Pyrotechnical Philosophy , 16. and the Mechanick Experiments of Chymistry , have sufficiently instructed us : that every Acidum is , at first encounter , subdued by any Alchahal , or Lixivial Salt ; as is autoptically demonstrable , in the sudden Transformation of the Spirit of Vitriol into Alumen , by the inspersion of Mercury dulcified . The same effect may be also exemplified in the Acid Spirit of Sulphur , which for ever loseth its native Acidity , and in a moment degenerateth into an aluminous sweetness , at the Conjunction of the Salt of Tartar , resolved into an oyl by Deliquium . For which reason also ( as Helmont hath profoundly observed * * In ●…ami●… ▪ Blas Humanum nuncupato . ) our Traumatick or vulnerary Potions , which as well in regard of the Balsamical Plants , 17. as of the stony Concretion found in the stomacks of Creafish , entering their Composition , acquire upon decoction , a Lixivial Tincture , or Alchahal ; are most laudable , because in truth most smartly operative , Medicaments , in all wide Perforations or Incisions of the body : as hath been found true , by the unquestionable testimony of Experience * * Lege Guidon . pa●… . 2. Chirurg. par. cap. 9. Amb●…os . Paraeum lib. 18. cap. 28. Joh. Andr ▪ 〈◊〉 Cruce , de vuln●…r . tract. 2. l. 〈◊〉 . c. 〈◊〉 . Fallop . de Vulner . c. 14. Jero . Fabric ab Aquapendent . l. 2. c. 24. S●…mert . l. 5. part . 〈◊〉 . sect. 1. cap. 9. , and sounds consonant to Reason . Since by reason of their Lixivial Salt , which doubtless passeth the several Concoctions , viribus haud multum castratis , they stand è diametro , opposed to the Putrefactive Acidity , the Capital Remora that impedeth the Consolidation of all Wounds and Ulcers . And 18. whether Roman vitriol may not be justly referred to the Classis of Saline juices Concreted , or Alchahal Salts , since it must be a parergy here to dispute it , I shall with industry leave , as well to the experiment of its easie Eliquation upon the access of any Humidity , as to the decision of the most knowing Mineralogists * * Consule Agricolam , lib. 3. de Natura Fossilium , p. 212. Fallop . lib. 4. de Aquis Medicat . cap. 8. Dioscorid . l. 5. cap. 68. . Who also have unanimously esteemed it , as the Sacra Anohora , or Panchreston , for the cure of Cheironian Ulcers , and inveterate Wounds : though the Cardinal efficacy ▪ and manner of its operation , may well be thought to have continued in darkness , until of late the light of Helmonts Furnace had the honor of its revealment . And I am bold to conjecture , that upon this 19. single hint , of the incomparable Balsamical or Mu●…l Vi●…t●…e of Vitriol , Helmont first founded the invention of his admired Drif , or universal Medicine ; whose master Ingredients are Sal Marinus , Vitriolum Veneris , and 〈◊〉 * * Ad sinem tract . Butl●… ▪ 〈◊〉 by the omnipotent Odor , or radial activity whereof , he rashly imagined , that all irregularities , exorbitances , and excandescence of the humane Archius , or Vital Spirit , may be rectified , reclaimed , and calmed , and that in a moment .

Having thus brought within the reach of verismillty ; that , in many wounds , all the vigor of Nature cannot suffice to the ejection of that forein Acor , that hath once made an encroachment upon her tender confines ; and that upon the first charge , the usurper must surrender , at the access of a Lixivial Traumatick Salt ▪ It remaineth onely that we bring it quite home to our intended scope , and make a short enquiry , Whether the 20. Sanative Faculty of Vitriol , may not be conceded so long●…manous and extensive , as to produce the same effect , at distance . And this we must do with exceeding brevity : in this respect , that this speculation doth more properly belong to our disquisition of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or Causalities of Hoplochrism . I am bound to believe , that in the infinite Magazine of Nature are to be found various 21. Agents , no●… obliged to the dull conditions of an immediate Corporeal Contact ; but richly endowed with an Influential or Radial activity ▪ ( so have I taken the liberty to Christen it , in reference to the Cognition and n●…er Analogy , betwixt the manner of the Stars transmitting their Influence , by invisible Deradiations ; and the imperceptible Emissions streaming , in a semi-immaterial thread of Atomes * * Hinc corpus Paris , i. e. Naturae universae , el●…gantissimè depingitur hirsutum , propter rerum radios ; radii enim sunt tanquam Naturae crines , sive villi , atque omnia se●…è v●…l magis v●…l minus radiosa sunt : quod in facultate visus est manifestissimum ; nec minus in omni virtute & operatione ad distans . Quicquid enim operatur ad distans , id etiam radios emittere rect●… dici potest , &c. F●… . Bacon . de sapient . veterum , fab 6. 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 bodies ▪ qualified with this kinde of Astral Faculty ; which arriving at a determinate object , though 〈◊〉 at indeterminable distance , nimbly operate upon it , to the full satisfaction of the particular end , preordained in the primitive Intellect of the Creato●… ▪ ) 〈◊〉 conceive also , that Vitriol hath a very just title to the prenogative of being listed in the Inventory of these Astral Natures ▪ and that when the powder thereof is applied to the blood , effused out of a wound , the Balsamical Faculty of it is not confined to a meer Topical Operation ▪ but being conducted by the Manial 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the blood , which undoubtedly , by a Congenerous Magnetism , holdeth a certain sympathy with that Fountain , from whence it was derived , ( as is to ●…a●…ety of satisfaction demonstrated by Hilmont ) 〈◊〉 a stream of subti●…ted Atomes , extendeth to the individual Wound , and there operateth to the Deletion or ext●…rpation of the Acid Impression , against which ●…carrieth a Seminal Antipathy ▪ If this be thus 〈◊〉 I may be sooner destitute of leasure ▪ then substantial Arguments ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 22. force ▪ that it was either Ignorance , or Prevacation , that first contrived this detractive objection ▪ 〈◊〉 the dignity of Hoplochristical Remedies ▪ as also , that Nature ( though according to the great Apho●… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ Naturae ▪ sunt Medicatrices , I allow her to be the prime and proxime Causatrix of all Sanation ; and all Medicaments no more but Auxiliatory , or Adjuvant , by the modification of excessive preternatural Qualities , and remove of Impediments ) is not always able to play the Chiron to her self , but in this Case , owes much of the honor of her safety and conquest , to the assistant power , and amicable coefficiency of the Vitriol . The same also I desire should be understood , of the Magnetical manner of operation proper to the Armary U●…guent , though I apprehend the Ingredients of that Magnale , to work rather by a Confermentation of Analogous Mumies united . If I have not thrown this Peble home , nor directly to the mark : ●…was because I had neither time to take full aym , nor elbow room to extend their sinews of Reason so far , as my self desired .

The other , I am confident , will hit our Enemy in the forehead . If the Effect of Hoplochrism be not constant 23. and ●…vocal , but doth ordinarily confess an Alterity or Variation from Good to Evil , conform to the friendship or enmity of any Third Natural Agent associated , at the Arbitrary Election of the Experimentator , that is , if from the Counter-activity of intemperate Heat , Actual or Potential , of any venenate o●… deleterious Quality , corrosive and septical Medicament , putrefactive Acidity , &c. consubstantially applied unto , and confermentate with the Mumy of the blood , and magnetically 24. sympathetick Remedy , there immediately arise 〈◊〉 Reincrudescence of the Wound , and a Recidivation or return of all oppressive symptomes dependent : then is it established , beyond the question of any the most Pyrrhonian Incredulity , that the Sanation of Wounds ; at distance , is not rightly adscriptive to the single power of Nature , converting the blood successively distilling from its intersected Condu●…ts , into a genial Balsam ; but more properly attributary to the confederate virtue of the Vnguent or Powder , idiosyncratically opposed to the essential hostility of that Acid Vulture , which ravenously devours the Ca●…bium , or rorid destillament ordained for the Vegetation and Reunition of the wounded part . But the Hypothesis is uncontroulable upon the evidence of Sir K. D. his Experiment , in tossing the life of Master Howel , from hazard to safety , from safety to hazard , and back to durable safety again , at pleasure : therefore is the Inference also sound and justifiable . For the propense submission of Nature , to the fury of a deleterious influence , transmitted from a remote Enemy , by the mediation or convoy of the Mumial Effluviums , shot from the extravenated blood back to its vital fountain ; doth implicitely manifest her emolument and relief received , by the same invisible transvection ▪ from the grateful and congenerous deradiations , or individuated Magnetism of a remote Friend . Since Contraries ever imply the necessary existence each of other .

Another Block there is , at which not onely the herd 25. of Fools , but even the greatest Clerks use to stumble , in their quest of this Secret . Requisite it is ( say they ) that every Natural Agent be immediately applied to its determinate Patient ; otherwise , its specifical Activity , though neer so potent and expedite , must be lost in a fruitless expence , and unsatisfaction of its particular end ; but the Sympathetical Remedy is not topically approximated to the Wound ; therefore must it be , either no Natural Remedy , or a vain and inefficacious one , at best . But this Argument , though at first appearance plausible , weigheth not one grain in the ballance of more exact Reason , against our theory , and may be easily blown out of the way , by this distinctive Answer . If it be understood , that every Natural Agent ought immediately , immediatione suppositi , to touch the Patient , upon which its virtue is proximely to be discharged , but remo●…ely , by th●… mediation of otherbodies interjacent , by which the Power of the Active is communicated to the distant Passive : w●… willingly grant the truth of the Major , to be solid and undeniable , in regard , i●… suffic●…h to the support of our Magnetism , that the Active touch upon the Passive o●… Object proper and remote , immediatione virtutis . And therefore we cannot but smile at the weakness and incongruity of the Minor ; because the Sympathe●…k . Remedy ought immediately ▪ immediatione suppositi , to touch that subject , upon which its virtue is first received : but not the part affected , on which the virtue is secondarily and ultimately received and terminated , by the interposition of accommodate instruments , whether bodies situate at convehi●… intervals , or continuate by succession of parts . For thus , by the same extension of a medium , do we warm our hands at the fire ▪ and the S●… transmits his vigorous influence and heat , to our 〈◊〉 Globe ▪ And in this degree of ( affinity , are Sympathetical Medicaments allied unto ●…lesti ●…nfluences ▪ insomuch , that not onely the A●… , but vast Rocks of Adamant , Walls , and any the most compacted and opace bodies are subjects qualified to admit and convoy this Magnetical Virtue , to its peculiar object , no less then any the most potent Astral Transmission . Vpon which ground , if any stick at the vast and unlimitted extension of that Sphear of Activity , assigned by the immense Bounty of Nature , ●…nto Sympathetical R●…dies ; and yet can 〈◊〉 conc●… an ●…finite O●… of 〈◊〉 unto ●…elestial Influxes : he hath very great cause , either to lament his Ignorance of those , or repent his Credulity of these . And I profess , that if my rude ●…ar may have the liberty to judg , Principium Actionis Sympathetica , est Facultas influentiis affinis , 〈◊〉 per irradiationem in objectum sibi appropriatum : sounds as like an Axiom of constant truth , as Idem Accidens non mig●… de subjecto in subjectum .