The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 46 · Section 15
Physicians.
Sir GEORGE RIPLEY, (whether Knight or Priest, not so soon decided) was undoubtedly born at Ripley in this County, though some have wrongfully entituled Surry to his Na…vity. That York-shire was the place of his birth, will be evidenced by his relation of Kindred, reckoned up by*In his Medulla, towards the end thereof, to G. Nevil Archbishop of York. himself, viz.
1. …. 2. Riple…. 3. Madlay. 4. VVilloughby. 5. Burham. 6. VVaterton. 7. Flemming. 8. Talboyes, Families found in York-shire and Lincoln-shire; but, if sought for in Surrey, to be met with at Nonesuch. Secondly, it appeareth by his preferment, being Canon of Bridlington in this County; and to clear all,*Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 8. …. 19. In patria Eboracensi, saith my Author.
But Philemon Holland hath not only erroniously misplaced, but (which is worse) opprobriously miscalled him, in his description of Surrey;
In the next Village of Ripley was born G. de Ripley, a ringleader of our Alchimists, and a mystical Impostor;
Words not appearing in the Latine Britannia, and therefore Holland herein no Translator of Cambden, but traducer of Ripley.
Leaving this Land, he went over into Italy, and there studied twenty years together in pursuance of the Philosophers Stone, and …ound it in the year 1470. as some collect from those his words then written in his Book; Juveni quem diligit anima mea, (spoken by the Spouse. Cant. 3. 4.) so bold is he with Scripture in that kind.
An English Gentleman of good credit reported, that in his travels abroad, he saw a Record in the Isle of Malta, which declares, that Sir George Ripley gave yearly to those Knights of Rhodes▪ *Theatrum Chem. Brit. pag. 458.One hundred thousand pounds, towards maintaining the war (then on foot) against the Turks. This vast donation makes some suspect this Sir George for a Knight (who by this might have been Eques Auratus) though indeed never more than Sir Priest▪ and Canon of Bridlington.
Returning into his native Country, and desiring to repose his old age (no Philosophers Stone to quiet retirement) he was dispensed with by the Pope to leave his Canons place, (as too full of employment) and became a Carmelite-Anchorite at Boston in Lincolnshire, where he wrote no fewer than 25. Books, though his Compound of Alchimy carrieth away the credit of all the rest. It presenteth the Reader with the twelve gates, leading to the making of the Philosophers Stone, which are thus reckoned up in order,
1. Calcination.
2. Solution.
3. Separation.
4. Conjunction.
5. Putrefaction.
6. Congelation.
7. …ibation.
8. Sublimation.
9. Fermentation.
10. Exaltation.
11. Multiplication.
12. Projection.
Oh for a Key (saith the Common Reader) to open these Gates, and expound the meaning of these words, which are familiar to the knowing in this mystery. But such who are disaffected thereunto, (what Art hath not enemies?) demand whether these gates be to let in, or let out the Philosophers Stone, seeing Projection the last of all, proves but a Project, producing nothing in effect.
We must not forget, how the said Sir George beseecheth all men, wheresoever they shall meet with any of his Experiments written by him, or that go under his name (from the year 1450. to the year 1470.) either to burn them, or afford them no credit, being written according to his esteem not proofe; and which (upon trial) he afterwards found false and vaine.
For mine own part, I believe his Philosophy truer than his Chimical Divinity; for so may I call his Work, wherein he endeavours to equal in merit for mankind, the compassion of the Virgin Mary, with the passion of Christ. He died about the year of our Lord 1492. and some of his Works are since exactly set forth, by my worthy and accomplished Friend Elias Ashmole, Esqire, in his Theatrum Chimicum Britannicum.
THOMAS JOHNSON was born in this County, not far from * Hull, bred anSo his near Kinsman and Apothecary living on Snow-hill informed me. Apothecary in London, where he attained to be the best Herbalist of his age in England, making Additions to the Edition of Gerard. A man of such modesty, that knowing so Much, he would own the knowledge of Nothing. The University of Oxford bestowed on him the Honourary degree of Doctor in Physick; and his loyalty engaged him on the Kings side, in our late Civil Warre. When in Basing House a dangerous piece of service was to be done, this Doctor (who publickly pretended not to Valour) undertook and performed it. Yet afterwards he lost his life in the siege of the same House, and was (to my knowledge) generally lamented of those, who were of an opposite judgement. But let us bestow this Epitaph upon him,
Hic Johnsone jaces, sed si mors cederet herbis
Arte fugata tua, cederet illa tuis.
Here Iohnson lies: could Physick fence deaths dart,
Sure death had bin declined by his art.
His Death happened Anno Dom. 1644.