The Wonders of the Lodestone, Preface – To the reader
A Preface to the Reader, wherein is contained the Scope and Argument of the following Treatise.
Crollius, p. 77 Plane▪ tis.THe Chymists doe make equall in number, and assigne those seaven Mettals that are in the bowels of the earth,1 Lead to Saturne, ♄ to so many Planets that are in the Orbes of heaven;2 Tin to Iupiter, ♃ the Loadstone not regarding the most excellent of these,3 Iron to…punc; Mars, ♂ 4 Gold to the Sun, ☉ and universally neglecting other materiall substances,5 Brasse to Venus, ♀ doth draw onelyonly iron unto it, in whose friendship as it were, and serviceable company to attend upon it,6 Quicke silver to Mercury, ☿ it doth much delight; such is the condition of Bookes,7 Silver to the Moone, ☽ of which though there be an innumerable company that abound everywhere, yet every one hath its Magneticke Genius,Clemens Alex. p. 176. Edit Grotii. fitted to the disposition of the Reader, whereby it doth allure unto it, the eyes and hearts of many, and being allured, doth in a manner bewitch them, neither doth every ones affection or phantasie draw him with lesse force▪ then the Loadstone doth Iron. If thou beest a Philosopher, the wōders of the Loadstone then which there is nothing found more pleasant or excellent in the whole Theater of nature, will draw thee hither. If thou beest a Christian, Christ will draw thee hither, as also his graces engraven in a lively manner upon the Loadstone by the finger of God, If thou beest a Divine, many places of Scripture seemingly repugnant, that are briefly illustrated, will draw thee hither, as also those knotty School doubts, which are resolved by the way. If thou beest a Poet, this whole Booke is a kind of Poem, If a Rhetorician, here thou hast a continued Allegorie, and Philosophy besides, wayting upon Divinity, yeelding light unto it; one while as it becommeth an humble hand-maid, another while as a modest Gentleman Vsher, in which particular I have followed Dion, not the Historian, but that Orator which was most deare unto Trajan, and for his eloquence surnamed Chrysostome, or goldenmouth, I have also imitated, the skill of Husbandmen, who graffe fruitfull branches of a good kind, upon wild plants, that of barren and bitter, they may become fruitfull and sweet; Here thou hast a Chria, or an exercise of Rhethoricke most effectuall to teach, move, and delight, which had his name imposed, from the use and profit thereof. Now this Chria, as Vosius Leopard, …nd others describe it) is not a painted or feigned, but a lively Embleme, where either the person is resembled to the thing, or somewhat is done and pla…'t before the eyes of the body, which may more speedily penetrate the sharpe sight of the mind, more strongly move the affections, and more faithfully sticke to the memory, which kind of cunning, or artificiall skill, the Prophets both of the Old and New Testament have often used, whereby they might more deepely imprint, their Propecies in the eyes of their Auditors. So Agabus held it not sufficient to foretell the bonds of Paul, but he bound himselfe also with Pauls Girdle: nor did the Lord Iesus …old it sufficient, to be the …a…her and pattern of humility, but he plac't also a little Infant in the midst of the Apostles, in a most high place, whereby he mig…t point out unto them, that he should be the greatest among them, which endeavoured to be the least; moreover at the last, hee himselfe also being clothed, af…er the fashion of a servant, did wash t…eir feet with …ater, and …ped them with a linnen cloth that he might herby leave this vertue, which is necessary for all, though least acceptable, most chi…f…y recommended to all his servants; for though the eares are rightly tearmed by Fabulists, the senses of Minerva, or of wisedome, or instruction, yet doe those things mo…e slowly stirre up the mind, which come to be knowne by the…r windings and turnings, then those which doe presently incurre to it by the windowes of the eyes; where…ore in briefe, thou art to be intreated at the very first, to procure unto thy selfe a stone, which is of great vertue, or to goe unto some one that hath such a stone in his possession, whereby thou maiest be both a diligent spectator, and also a benevolent Reader. Vnlesse thou be both, both of us shall be frustrated of our ends, thou of thy profit and pleasure in reading, I of my scope and labour in writing; for here are divers experiments, of which if thou beest not an Eye witnesse, they shall not loose onelyonly all their grace, but also thy beliefe, and their end. But if thou professest thy selfe among Criticks, such as are curious about matter, and manner of stile, I would have th…e consider, that one thing of Plinie, that it is not lawfull to ga…nish a Diamond. The Loadstone is of the like condition, not onelyonly for hardnesse, as very scarcely admitting a penne of steele, as also for the innate vertue, which refuseth and disdaines all borrowed ornaments. To conclude, whosoever thou art, whom either the noveltie or utility of the subject, shall draw hither, if thou receive the least delight, or profit this shall be to him a sufficient reward for his labour, who never presumed to expect for himselfe, or his meditations, any better lot or lucke, then happeneth to the Loadstone, that it should be of great use, but of little esteeme and reputation with many, nor did he for any other respect, then somewhat to please thee, and much to profit thee, endeavour according to his abilitie, at spare houres, to mingle Divine things with Philosophicall, Morall with Divine, and profitable with pleasant; And this he was desirous to let thee understand, Who is,
Thine in the Lord Iesus, who is all Loadstone and the most excellent. S. W
TO THE READER.
Christian Reader
THe Scripture discommends that servant who hid his Talent and exercised it not, aend indeed our time being but short, yet precious, must not be negligently let slip, we are not onelyonly borne for our selves, every man must labour to doe some good to the Country and Commonwealth wherein he lives, We must be accomptable for our times of leasure when we are freed from other more serious affaires, Tam otii quam negotii ratio habenda est, Therefore in the late long vacation I was willing to imploy my selfe about the translation of this following Discourse, which I thought fit and worthy to be presented to the vi…wes of our English subjects, having already received a gracious approbation from his Royall Majestie. And further I was induc't to undertake this worke that the divine ap…lications cont…ined therein might be known to all, as well as to Schollers, the meaner sort having more need of sensible H…eroglyphiks, and exemplary helps, to accomplish their salvations, then the wise and great Rabbies, againe, I had an ayme herein, that ignorant Mariners who have onelyonly gained a piece of the use of the Loadstone by a practicall observation, that they might s…yle in safety, might now by the knowledg… of this booke, when they looke on their Compasse, find out a way by applying to their owne hearts, the admirable contemplations contained therein, to steere t…eir owne soules to the haven of heaven, as well as their shippes to the harbour. Besides the Authour, whom I doe highly honour for his integrity of life, and eminency of learning, of whom I would speake more, but that I will not offend his humility and modesty, I say the Authour himselfe, who hath a commanding power in me, did request me to undertake this taske, and I am glad, if my Pensill hath in some measure, taken out to the life so curious a Prototype, howsoever (Courtious and Christian Reader) I have resolved to venture upon thy favourable acceptance, and to desire thee to interpret this interpretation to the best, in hope of which I remaine,
Thine to my power, Harb. Grimeston.