The Spiritual Chemist, Meditations · Meditation 27
Meditation XXVII. Ʋpon the Weapon Salve.
VVHo was the Author of this Weapon Salve, cannot certainly be affirmed: Some attribute it to Paracelſus, who was very pregnant in myſterious Inventions: others to one Parmenſis Anſhelmus an Italian, who was called a Saint, as Simon Magus of old, the great power of God, though both were no better then grand Sorcerers. But whoever he were, the Ointment is much famed (yet not altogether unqueſtioned) for its ſtrange manner of healing and curing of wounds, differing from other Phyſicall Applications in a double reſpect: The one is, that it is applyed not to the perſon who receives the wounds, but to the active Inſtrument that inflicts it, which is a ſubject not at all capable of ſickneſs, or ſanity, of eaſe or pain, and ſo cannot be receptive of the alterative power of the Oyntment, which, if it work by a vertual contact, muſt neceſſarily have the intermedial Bodies to participate of it. The other is, that this Salve effects its Cure at diſtances, which are inconſiſtent with the Rules of a mediate Contact, it heales the Patient when he is a hundred miles off, as well as when he is near; and that requires a vicinity of place, as well as a right diſpoſition of the Medium. Now theſe differences, though they have ſerved to heighten its eſteem in the apprehenſions of many, and have given occaſion to Learned Men, who are great admirers of Sympathies, to Write for it, or to be fautors of it; yet others of no leſs worth and repute have divided from them, and have ſlighted it as an empty vanity, or cenſured it as a Magical impiety. For my part I am not ſatisfied with ſuch ſubtill nicities as are uſed to defend it, of common and univerſal Spirits, which convey the action of the remedy unto the part, and conjoyn the vertue of bodies far disjoyned, neither can I think it worthy of ſuch ſpeculations; it commonly healing but ſimple wounds, and ſuch, which being kept clean, need no other hand then that of Nature, and the Balſam of the proper part. But there is a Weapon Salve of which it is eaſie to ſpeak much, but Impoſſible to ſay enough; ſo full it is of divine and myſterious wonders, if we conſider either what it is, or what the cures are which it effects, or what the diſtance is in which it operates. Would you know what this Salve is? it is the Blood of Chriſt Crucified, whoſe ſufferings do all turn to the advantage of Believers: the Blood is his, but the Balme is theirs; the Thornes are his, but the Crown is theirs; the Price is his, but the Purchaſe is theirs: Would you hear what Cures it doth? it healeth inveterate Ulcers, and mortal Wounds; it extinguiſheth the Fiery Darts of Satan; it drawes forth the Venom of the Sting of Death; it eaſeth Preſſures; it deſtroyeth Yokes, and what not, that riſeth up as a let or barr 10 a Believers life or happineſs. Would you know the extent of its vertue, and at what a diſtance it operates? Paul tells us, that by the Blood of his Croſs Chriſt hath reconciled all things unto himſelf, whether they be things in Earth, or things in Heaven. There is no Perſon that can ſtand ſo remote, or be at any ſuch Angle; or Corner of the Earth, but he may partake of the influence of it, if he do but caſt up an eye of Faith towards Heaven, and be as fully healed as any other. Like as the ſtung Iſraelite who lay in the utmoſt part of the Camp did receive equal benefit by looking to the Brazen Serpent, with him that ſtood next unto the Pole upon which it was Erected. O therefore let not any, who are excerciſed with Spiritual Conflicts caſt away their Confidence, but fight the good fight of Faith unto the end: for though they be not invulnerable, yet none of their Wounds are incurable. The Blood of Chriſt is more powerful to Save, than Sin, or other Enemies to Deſtroy; elſe the great end of Chriſts Coming into the World, of being a Phyſician to the Sick, a Deliverer to the Captive, an Healer of the Broken-Hearted would be in vain, and all the Saints muſt be ſtill in their Sins. Set then Faith on work ye that Faint and Droop in your Mindes; and ſay not, who ſhall go up for us to Heaven, and bring this Salve-unto us that we may liye? or who ſhall go over the Sea for us and bring this Soveraigne Balme of Gilead unto us, that we may be healed by it? Do but Believe and the Cure is wrought. Faith is the Inſtrument which makes a vertual Contact between Chriſt and every Believer: It receives healing Grace from him, and ſtraitwayes conveys it unto the Subject in which it is to terminate. For as Futurition in reſpect of the Exiſtency of things is no prejud…ce to the Eye of Faith in the beholding of them as preſent; So neither is diſtance of place any hinderance to the efficacy of the touch of Faith, but that it may forthwith tranſmit the Sanative Efflux of Chriſts Blood unto him, who by Faith toucheth him: The Woman that laboured many yeares of the Bloody Iſſue, in the ſame inſtant that She touched the Hem of Chriſts Garment, felt in her ſelf, that She was healed of her Plague. But I am jealous, that whileſt I commend this ſacred remedy, ſome preſumptuous Sinner, who is more apt to abuſe Grace, than a Wounded Spirit to improve it, ſhould make no other uſe of it than to think he may ſin ſecurely, and needs not fear what bruiſes and wounds he contracts, ſeeing the Cure is certain and ſpeedy. I can therefore do no leſs then expreſs my ſelf in an holy Indignation againſt ſuch, who would make the precious Blood of my Saviour ſubſervient to their luſts, deſiring rather to be freed from the danger than from the Dominion of their ſins. O my Soul come not thou into their ſecret; unto their Aſſembly mine Honour be not thou united: Curſed be their luſts, for they are vile, and their deſires for they are devilliſh. Let me bleſs God who hath made me whole, and ſin no more, leaſt a worſe thing come unto me.