The Wonders of the Lodestone, Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII. Of divers names by which the Load-stone is called, and how that every one of them may most conveniently be applied unto Christ.
foreign.—Non sum,
Tam lapis, ut lapidi numen inesse putem.
Let all men know, I am not such a one,
As thinke there is a Godhead in a stone.
I Am not so sencelesse, as that I should ascribe Divine honour unto a Stone, or think or speake of it more then it becoms me, or more then ought to be spoken, much lesse that I should make an equall comparison betweene a vile Stone and the Lord of life. Yet I see no impediment, but that I may liken the one to the other in some respects: Especially, because the Lord himselfe doth not disdaine to denominate himselfe a Corner-stone, and those that are his, the living Stones of a Temple, Now that which happens to Heroicall spirits, and men that are famous for vertuous Acts, that they obtaine diverse titles for increase of honour; because of their divers Dignities, and for their excellent sayings and deeds, the like happens unto the Load-stone, because of its many and notable vertues and wondrous effects, that so it might be honoured and adorn'd with divers names, of which there is none, that may not be applied to Christ by a kind of excellency, and more aptly, then to the Loadstone it selfe. That name which is peculiar to the English and Dutch, was impos'd upon it, by reason of Leading, directing, and shewing the way; neither can any one justly doubt, but that this stone was termed a Loadstone, quasi Leadstone, which name is agreeable to none more appositely then to Christ, who is the way, and guide of the way; who is the Leadstarre that directeth and leadeth his chosen to the Haven of Heaven. Among names of the second Ranke, it was also called Magnes, because of the great force and vertue of it, and the name foreign Herculean, because of the strength thereof, was famillar especially among the ancient Grecians, Shether,as also the name, foreign among the Hebrewes, a Retinendo, because of its retayning and holding of things.Iob. 10.28. Now Christ is the true and onelyonly Hercules, the Almighty which drawes unto him all things: Hee alone is so strong, that hee overcomes that strong one the Divell, He delivers his Servants by strong hand, and frees them from bondage; Out of whose hands no man doth pluck, or is able to pluck them. The name A foreign or Aymant, which is usuall among the Grecians or French may be put in the third place. This Stone being so called from its invincible hardnes, for it scarce feeles a Sa…e, Or File.or suffers any diminution thereby. And as Christ is a Load stone to such as disagree, and a corner-stone to such as be asunder or at variance; So to his enemies or those that wrestle against him, He is an unconquerable Adamant (both which we read in the Encomiums, or prayses of Athanasius) I say he is an unconquered Adamant: No force and assaults of enemies, no not the raging fury of Satan, that roaring Lion and red Dragon, nor the gates of Hell can be able to prevaile against him. The last name is Siderites, which it hath obtain'd from the Iron its ownenaturall Brother, bred up together in the same Bowells of their Mother Earth. For Iron is both an object, in drawing of which it delighteth, and a Medium, a meanes or Instrument whose attendance in drawing, it doth as it were rejoyce to have. In both respects, It is a wonder how Artificially and to the Life it expresseth and imitates Christ, who imbraceth us poore meane men, with Brotherly love, neither doth he refuse nor is ashamed to call us Brethren. Now as I shall explaine these severall things one by one, and something more at large; no man I suppose, will be so dainty, or so averse from these pleasanter Studies, that they shallbe unto him, any occasion of distast or disdaine. No man I thinke will be so Atheologicall or void of Divinity, as to make the Load-stone a Stone of offence.