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On the Philadelphian Gold
A Conference
betwixt
Philochrysus and Philadelphus
On the Philadelphian Gold.
Philochrysus: This was upon me to ask you. You may
remember then that you told me how the description of your city
which we then read, was more literal, than is easy to be believed,
and withal more mystical than it is possible for the wisest of
mortals to comprehend. And in particular you told me that it
was built first of true and substantial Gold; secondly of fine
Gold; thirdly of transparent or glassy Gold; and fourthly of
living Gold.
I desire now that you would answer me to all these particulars
in order. Do you then say that this city is built of true Gold,
and that it is not only metaphorically said to be built of Gold?
Is it as real and substantial, is it as visible and palpable,
and has it as many good qualities as this which I have now in
my hand?
Philadelphus: Yes, Philochrysus, I can assure you that
it is built of true and not metaphorical Gold, as some would
have it only to be. This Gold, I say, is no less real and substantial,
and no less visible and palpable to its inhabitants and has as
many, yea more, good qualities that that which you hold in your
hand, and seem so pleased with. I know that this is a strange
language, and I shall have much ado to make myself understood
by you but in any degree. Because I must speak of that which
you have never seen, or handled; though others have both seen
and handled of it, and you also may come in time to do the same.
So that it will be almost as hard a matter for one that is born
blind to understand the philosophy of colours, or one born deaf
the nature and distinction of sounds, as for you to comprehend
what I am about to say of a certain substance that is visible
to some but not to you, palpable to some but not to you; and
which therefore you have no kind of apprehension of.
Philochrysus: I promise to be very attentive. Do me
the favour but to satisfy me as far as you can.
Philadelphus: Well, I will endeavour your satisfaction,
after that you shall have answered me a question or two that
I have to propose to you.
Philochrysus: I am very ready to do it.
Philadelphus: Why do ye believe that piece of Gold
which ye showed me, to be true, real and substantial, and not
shadowy, figurative and accidental?
Philochrysus: Why do I believe so? I am not such a
stranger to the truth, as not to be able to distinguish it from
a shadow. A shadow will fly from me if I go to catch at it, but
this I can grasp fast enough. A shadow depends on the substance,
and on the position of the Sun which casts it. It has no figure
but from the substance, and that is always very faint and weak;
it cannot be touched, it has no ponderosity, no light, no power
in it. But this is ponderous, bright and powerful. You see me
touch it, and its figure is not faint or weak but vivid and strong,
without depending upon anything else. Wherever I move it, and
whatever the position of it may be to the Sun or light, it still
retains the same shape and the same substance. And now I have
it fast, I dare venture its flying away.
Philadelphus: I see you are well satisfied with yourself.
But pray tell me, how would you give a description of it, to
satisfy another that had never seen it, or perhaps never heard
of it; or if ever heard of it, yet not otherwise than as a figurative
sound to please children with, or as a rattle, a picture, a shadow,
a name without substance, without reality? How would you make
it to be understood to a Philosopher, and how to a merchant that
is no philosopher, supposing them both to be strangers to the
nature and use of this sovereign metal?
Philochrysus: Truly, Philadelphus, you begin to puzzle
me. And besides I cannot see whither all your windings and turnings
will at last lead me. Indeed, it would be a difficult matter
to resolve satisfactorily either a Philosopher or a merchant
concerning this dear precious metal, if they have not some manner
of notice of it beforehand. But since it is not unlawful to make
such a supposition, I am ready also to make such an answer as
I can.
I would therefore endeavour to satisfy them, by making use of
such ideas, images and conceptions which they are already acquainted
with; and by compounding them and dividing them, I would strive
to frame in the inquirer an idea, image and conception hereof,
which might approach as near as possible to the truth. As for
instance, if I were to discourse with a philosopher, whom I will
suppose to live in the remotest part of Tartary, or in some dark
corner near to the Northern Pole where mines of Gold were never
so much as heard of, and no name even found for it in the language
of the country. I would think in the first place what to call
it, that he might in some sort apprehend me, while I am discoursing
with him. Now because some Copper mines may be near to him, and
he may have both seen and handled and also tried several experiments
upon this metal, therefore I will call it fine Copper or perhaps
fine Brass, if this be likewise known to him. Then because I
must speak to him in his own terms, and he has used himself to
those of Mercury and Sulphur, I will tell him this fine Copper
is compounded of a pure Mercurial Water and a pure Sulphureous
earth, exactly proportioned and duly maturated and concocted
by the Sun-beams in some proper matrix or vessel.
Next I will, as far as I am able, show him the difference, both
in quantity and quality, of the compounding principles of this
fine Copper, and of his Copper. Whereupon I tell him that the
Mercurial Water, which enters into the composition of this fine
Copper, is not only more subtle, defecated and pure, than that
which is in that Gothic Copper of his, but also that it is there
in a much greater quantity. Likewise I tell him that the quantity
of the Brimstone or Sulphureous Earth, which enters into the
composition of the Gothic copper is greater than that which is
in this fine (which I call for distinction the Peruvian) Copper,
but that in the former it is more coarse than in the latter.
Herein lies the main difference of the Peruvian and the Gothic
Copper (which I must make my philosopher understand) as to the
composition of the principles both in the one and the other.
Which are both essentially the same, but diversified as well
according to quality as quantity. He must then confess to me,
that the Mercury in the Gothic Copper must needs be originally
infected and poisoned, and that there must be a defect in its
proportion: as likewise that the coarseness, the superfluity
and the combustibleness of its Sulphur are no inconsiderable
impediments to the perfection of this metal. And he will grant
me to this, I believe, though he never have seen the fine metal
of Peru, that there may be such a Copper there found as I do
describe, if there may be but a Mercury, or water of Life, freed
from its original infection and poison, and then fitly adapted
and conjoined with a proper Sulphur that shall be pure and of
an incombustible nature, so as not to diminish in the severest
fires.
However perhaps he will maintain, that I ought not altogether
to despise the Sulphureous Earth of his Gothick Copper; for that
though it were not so pure, fixed and permanent as that of the
other, yet it was of the very same essence and nature with it,
and therefore also might possibly come to be in like manner purified
and made incombustible.
And when I have brought him thus far, then I may speak unto him
of the several properties of our fine copper, and leave him to
compare them with those of that coarse sort which is only known
to him. And here if I could give him an exact calculation of
the weight of a cubical inch of the Peruvian Copper, comparing
it with a cubical inch of the Gothick and showing the preponderancy
of that above this, I should settle in him a just idea as to
one property of it. Another property is purity and clarity, which
I must in the next place give him to understand by deduction
from such ideas or conceptions which he has already admitted.
A third is its tincture, and here as I must heighten that idea
which he has entertained on one side, so I must lessen it on
the other, that this man may exactly quadrate with the original.
A fourth and main property which I am to tell him of is Fixation,
or the immortality and indefectibility of the tincture, life
or soul of this metallic body. Besides all which I may in the
fifth place discourse to him of the extreme ductability or rarefaction
of it; if it might not be too prodigious for his belief; and
sixthly, of its medicinal uses and qualities, which would afford
me a great variety of matters to entertain him with.
And thus I shall have in some degree satisfied my Tartarian or
my Gothick Philosopher, that the fine Copper of Peru is not metaphorical
or symbolical, as his poor country men, who have never seen it,
would persuade him: but that it is as truly, really and substantially
of a metallic nature and consistence, as that which he daily
handles for such. And he now begins to understand how this fine
copper, which I otherwise call Gold, is compounded of the same
(yet better graduated) principles, with a more exact proportion
than his, and that it is not metaphorically, but really a metallic
substance, more ponderous, and brighter than the other, also
of a bitter (though not so deep) Tincture, more fixed and ductile,
and lastly more proper for human bodies, to be used internally
or externally, when prepared according to Art.
So I take my leave of my Philosopher, and go next to my merchant.
Here I shall not have so much to do, as with the former. I need
only to mind him in brief of the several properties about which
I discoursed my philosopher, and then declare unto him the great
and excellent use thereof in commerce, so as more than four hundred
times to answer the other in common valuation, and often more
than five hundred.
Philadelphus: Tis enough, I find you like well the
subject that you are upon, but hope it will serve to lead you
into one that is far better. Of all that you have now said, nothing
will be found to be in vain, when I shall come to examine you.
The tables may come perhaps to be turned upon yourself. Wherefore
let me persuade you to try thoroughly, whether that be indeed
gold, which you believe to be so. But since you have been pleased
to satisfy me as to what I demanded, I am now most ready to satisfy
you, as to what was propounded; only I must first premise two
or three things that I may be understood by you. Wherefore be
now attentive and consider well what I am about to say.
Philochrysus: I will be sure Sir, to attend your motion,
for I begin to be very jealous, that you have been carrying on
all this while some plot to undermine me. But pray let us hear
your premises, and I promise to make the best use of all the
ears and eyes which I have.
Philadelphus: The first thing that I wish then to premise
is this, That the Divine Blessing was originally spoken forth
upon the whole Creation of God. Or as some would rather choose
to express it - It was outspoken into the Creation, that is,
by a real, vital and essential infusion engrafted into it. So
that whatever come out of the hands of God was good. No evil
should ever be derived from the Divine Being, who notwithstanding
the supreme liberty of Will, is necessitated when He acts, to
act according to Goodness. No sin nor death, no barrenness or
drought, no weakness or disproportion could at all proceed from
him. Wherefore he rejoicing, as it were, in the works of his
hands, pronounced them both severally and universally to be good,
yea very good, as considered in their whole system, and harmonious
union with each other.
Philochrysus: I must grant that you say. But I would
fain see to what purpose It will serve you.
Philadelphus: You may yet, before we part.
Philochrysus: I cannot deny but that God blessed the
whole Creation and that all the works of his hands are good.
Make your best of it.
Philadelphus: The second thing that I have to premise
is but as a corollary from the former, and is strengthened by
universal experience. It is this, The Works of the Creation are
not Now in the same State, as they were when they first came
out of the hands of God, or as when the Divine Blessing was pronounced
upon them, or outspoken onto them, yet with this limitation,
so far as they are within our Sphere or Orb. For experience doth
at this day too sufficiently attest that the creatures, whether
they be of the animal, vegetable or mineral kingdom, cannot be
all said to be good, howsoever they be considered, either separately
by themselves, or conjunctly in harmony with the rest. And whatever
may be pleaded on their behalf by some acute philosophers and
divines, that all the creatures are, even at this day, good;
though not positively, yet relatively, and with respect both
to their present constitution and the constitution of the world
in general, it is evident, to me at least, if either the undoubted
records of scripture, or the natural light of reason may judge
of the appeal, that all that they can say will, if it prove any
thing, certainly conduce to the very overturning of the positive
goodness of the Divine Being,and the introducing in the room
thereof a certain relative, hypothetical and imaginary goodness,
and to the building up a very odd and irregular system of the
Universe.
This if it were necessary, I might at large deduce through several
particulars, proving the absurdity and inconsistency of such
a supposition, that has been taken up of late by some men of
name, and by them too mush authorised to the dishonour of God,
though they might not perhaps design it so, as I am apt both
to hope and believe. But this would lead me out very far and
keep me too long from the resolution of the question in hand.
However, Philochrysus, if at any other time you think it worth
your while to demand a particular satisfaction as to this point,
I shall be most willing to give it to you.
Philochrysus: I thank you, Philadelphus. At present
I am well enough satisfied in this matter; yea so much as I have
often with my self admired, even when bit by a flea, how any
could be serious in pleading for the perfection of the present
constitution of the World of Nature, as if it never had been
better, or was never to be better; but after it shall have lasted
out such a term, that it must return back again into its primitive
state of nothingness; by the most dreadful dissolution through
Fire. This their catastrophe of Our World, I must confess, did
never very well please me; but did always stick.
Philadelphus: Its is then granted by you that the present
constitution of this terrestrial world in which we live, is not
so perfect and good as it was originally brought forth by God,
and that it may, by the gift of god, recover again its original
constitution.
Philochrysus: It is granted.
Philadelphus: Well! Answer me now this one question.
Which do you now think best deserves to be called by this or
that name, that which is most perfect in its kind, and that which
comes up most really to the true and original frame of its nature,
or that which falls short of it, and is very Imperfect as to
its kind?
As for instance, you take two sheep, or two horses, and of these
let one be placed at the right hand and the other at the left.
Suppose now the horse at the right hand to have all the most
excellent features and proportions of an horse, and that at the
left to have none of them at all, but to be very mean and despicable.
Suppose also the sheep at the right hand, to be very plump and
fat, and to wear a Golden Fleece upon its back, and that at the
left to be lean, deformed and leprous. Will you hereupon say
that the horse at the left hand is a real horse, but that at
the right a metaphorical one? Or that the sheep at the left is
a true sheep, but not that at the right? And will you not rather
say that these by approaching nearer to the perfection of their
nature, and to the original integrity and beauty in which they
were first both brought forth from the Divine exemplar, do less
deserve to be called figurative or allegorical than the other.
Philochrysus: So indeed it seems to me, if either of
these may be called a figurative sheep, or a figurative horse,
it must be the left-handed ones, who come not up to the primitive
constitution of their nature, into which the divine blessing
was spoken, but have fallen under the curse, and suffered the
depravation of their first pure form, according to the supposition
that is granted you. And if any one had ever seen such an other
but such lean and deformed sheep, or such ill conditioned and
disproportioned jakes, verily I say should much condemn his rashness,
if he should say there were no other, but positively conclude
these to be the best of the kind, and that above them are but
hypothetical metaphors, or poetical expressions of somewhat transcending
nature. Yea I should be a little angry if he should be so obstinate
as to stand out against the authentic relations of ocular witness,
or go to oblige me to deny my own senses, because his have not
had the same experience which mine also had.
Philadelphus: Suppose also that you have two bushels
of wheat, the one whereof is half full of chaff, the other perfectly
cleansed, the one blighted, the other large grained and sound.
Would you say that the blighted and chaffy corn is only real
and substantial, but the sound and the cleansed to be no more
than a metaphor or a shadow. I believe not.
Suppose once more that you have two pips of Spanish wine, the
one natural and unsophisticated, clean and sprightly, the other
pipe sophisticated and filled up half with water: and that you
have tasted only of the latter. Would you say that this only
is true wine, and not the other?
Philochrysus: No, Philadelphus, I think I should not
so far expose my own judgment. And though I should not have tasted
of the finest wine, yet would I not say there is no better than
that I have tasted; and assert that what I am told of the other
is only fancy or figure.
Philadelphus: Now my dear Philochrysus, Hold to your
words. For I see two pieces of gold, the one as at your right
hand, the other is at your left, the one celestial gold, the
other terrestrial gold, like as there are bodies celestial and
bodied terrestrial. The gold of your left hand you see and handle,
and say therefore that it is substantial. The gold of the right
hand you see not neither can you handle, and conclude therefore
that it is shadowy. The reason whereof is this. The former has
a peculiar virtue in it to blind that eye by which the former
Gold may be discerned, and to induce such a paralytic numbness
and deadness on all one part of the man that has a lust after
it, that he cannot possibly feel or handle the other till his
disease be first removed from him. But as for me, that Gold which
you call substantial, I should of the two rather choose to call
shadowy Gold, and that which you think to be shadowy and figurative,
I must call substantial and real, on far greater reasons than
you have produced to move me to the contrary.
Philochrysus: I cannot but believe my senses. You shall
not easily persuade me out of them. For if they deceive me, I
can be certain of nothing.
Philadelphus: Be not afraid: you may keep your senses
still for me. Since the senses deceive none; but it is the judgment
which is made upon them that may be erroneous. Take care therefore
that you judge not amiss, and think that to be in the object
itself which is nothing but an impression produced by it upon
the sensory. But tell me, do you ever dream?
Philochrysus: Yes I do.
Philadelphus: You may then remember how you thought
that you have seen, felt and handled various objects which have
vanished away as soon as you awakened.
Philochrysus: I do. And particularly I call to mind,
how I have sometime thought myself to be rolling among bags of
gold. So that it has been no small trouble to me to find myself
undeceived in the morning.
Philadelphus: Forget not this. The application will
not be difficult, and very nearly concerns you, my friend. Philochrysus,
you are in a dream at this very instant, and you will certainly
find yourself undeceived in the morning, when your senses that
are now locked up in sleep shall recover themselves.
Philochrysus: In a dream say you? Nay, then the whole
world is a dream. All that I do is dream and fancy, and whatever
I behold or handle is but a shadow. Will you make all the world
beside yourself to be in a dream? Will you make all the hurly-burlies
in it, all the traffickings, negotiations, and wars, with all
manner of transactions, private and public, civil and religious,
to be nothing more but the sportive imaginations of the night?
Will you make nothing to be real or substantial of what is seen,
felt , heard or understood by us poor mortals? Sure,Phildelphus,
you are no sceptic.
Philadelphus: No, I am an eclectic. But yet I have
found the good of scepticism, as to many things that you believe.
And if it go not too far, it is the foundation of all solid knowledge,
natural, political or divine. Wherefore, however strange it may
appear to you, it is not very far from the truth, to say that
this world, with all that is in it, is but a dream or a shadow
when compared with the invisible worlds. I am afraid to press
you too much with these matters, and therefore I only said it
is not very far from the truth to say so, but the indubitable
records wherein in manifestly the finger of God, would bear me
out, if I should say that it is the very truth itself. Search
into these and you will find enough to open your eyes and let
you see that the form of this World passeth away, and that all
that belongs to it is no more than as a vision of the might,
which flies away with the day break. My thoughts have been formerly
the same with yours: the poisoned cup from the hand of the Fair
Harlot, whom I have mentioned to you, cast me into a deep sleep.
And in it I remember, I had just the same dreams which you have
now. I thought terrestrial gold was as substantial as you imagine
it to be, and of the celestial gold I had no manner of apprehension;
but was contented to look on it as a figure and not as a substance.
But I was roused out of my sleep by a swift messenger out of
the Heavenly Philadelphia, upon which all the enchanted scenes
of the night immediately fled away, and I awakened recovering
the senses which had been before chained up, and then I quickly
perceived my errors. Ah! Philochrysus! Awake! Awake! There stands
now at your right hand one of the citizens of that beautiful
city, who holds before him a medal made of the same gold, which
he would present to you, if you would but suffer your eyes to
be opened, and would not hold so fast the shadow.
Philochrysus: What mean you to do with me? Oh! A little
more sleep, a little more slumber, a little more of this worlds,
and then I awake. Disturb me not.
Philadelphus: He talks in his sleep. Ho! Ho! Philochrysus.
You will not yet be awakened I find. I will therefore for a little
time grant you your hearts desire, and this once, suppose that
you are not asleep while you sleep, but that your dream is a
reality, and all the conclusions that you have made from the
exercise of your outward senses to be true. For by parity of
reason (even granting what you say) as you do conclude the terrestrial
gold to be true, real and substantial, I do conclude the celestial
to be so, and much more so. If you plead sensation for yours,
I know those that plead it for ours, and that deserve as much
(at least) to be believed as any that you bring. But lest you
might not so readily believe or apprehend perhaps the witnesses
that I could produce, I will proceed with you as you would do
with your Goth or Tartar, that had never heard of the gold mines
of Peru. Wherefore I must needs tell you that if the Peruvian
gold be true gold, then the Philadelphian gold deserves also
of right so to be called, yea is much better qualified of the
two to bear this name, as it is more perfect in its kind, and
as it more nearly approaches then the former to the true and
original frame of pure and undefiled nature, exactly compounded
according to the divine exemplar, and duly concocted in the bowels
of the everlasting mountains, the mountains of the Sun and the
Mountains of the Moon. Whence, supposing the difference of Philadelphian
and Peruvian Gold to be, as the difference of Peruvian and Gothic
Copper; this will not hinder but that the Philadelphian Gold,
both according to the greater purity of its constituent principles
(as without the least alloy of the curse) and the most exact
proportion of then, may well deserve to be looked on no less
real than the Peruvian.
Philochrysus: If it be so, pray dear Philadelphus,
give me some of it, that I may make a proof.
Philadelphus: You are not yet out of your dream, you
know not what you say. For you neither understand what manner
of Gold this is, neither who it is that can give it. It may be
called to you by a thousand names, but I do assure you that it
is true and proved gold. And let me tell you that your gold,
or the false brass of Peru, is not constituted of Principles
altogether pure and defected, but mixed with some close and inherent
imperfections. Neither are the proportions adjusted according
to perfect Nature, but only according to the perfect constitution
of this terrestrial orb. The curse that has entered into the
whole lower Creation has also entered into this, and it is not
a perfect metal, except with respect to the lapsed and broken
frame of this our Earth.
Philochrysus: Hah! Philadelphus! I am wondering where
you will run at last. I am not so much in a dream, but I can
laugh at these amusements of yours. Did ever any before deny
Gold to be a perfect metal?
Philadelphus: Mistake me not. I do not deny it to be
a perfect metal with respect to the present order of things in
their Fallen State. But I do positively aver that it is not a
perfect metal with respect to that primitive and original order
of Beings which proceeded immediately from God through His Word,
wherein and whereby they subsist; but that it partakes of the
curse, as well as all the other subjects of the mineral or metallic
kingdom, though not in the same degree. Now there is an Inherent
curse, and there is also an Adherent Curse, and of both of these
it more or less participates.
Philochrysus: Pray what do you mean by an Inherent
Curse, and how do you appropriate it to the Terrestrial Gold.
Philadelphus: Know what is the Blessing and you cannot
fail to know what is the Curse in Nature. There is an Inherent
Blessing in every creature, and there is also an Adherent Blessing.
Without the former God could never have pronounced them good,
and without the latter they could never have been serviceable
to man, or to the rest of their fellow creatures. A privation,
or loss, in either of these kinds, is called the Curse. And as
it has diverse degrees and is variously specified, so takes it
up diverse names, as Death, Darkness, Hades, Sheol, the Turba,
the Left Hand, the Seed of the Serpent, the Mist out of the Earth,
Lilith, Arimanius, Poison, the Blood of the Old Dragon, the Prisons,
the North, and many others.
The benediction now of both kinds may be lessened, hidden or
removed either in part of in whole. The Adherent Benediction
may possibly admit of a total remove and separation, but the
inherent can never do this without the destruction and annihilation
of the subject wherein it is. Whence though it may be hid, yet
can it never be separated without the entire disunion of its
constituent and vital principles. Which are not perishable, but
endure the same, notwithstanding all the cortices, veils, and
coverings, wherewith they may be overcast or oppressed, and which
are said to be under the president-ship of so many evil Angels.
Behold then here is Wisdom to take away the Inherent Curse from
the creature, and to cause the disappeared Blessing to reappear,
and exert forth itself. Now shall you understand how this curse
is to be appropriated to the terrestrial Gold, and how the contrary
Blessing is to be predicated of the celestial. But in the first
place you are to take notice, that as the inherent is here less
than in any other subjects of the same Kingdom and Order, so
the Adherent Curse is greater. In the second place you are to
observe that the primary and Radical principles being (as to
us) invisible in themselves, the secondary and elementary, which
may be made visible, can be here only examined into.
In the third place, I am now to acquaint you that these elementary
principles, which I call also Spermatical, as I call the former
Seminal, are vastly different in the state of pure and of corrupt
Nature.
For in pure nature there is found a bright living crystalline
water, full of spirit, power and energy; but in Nature corrupted
there is a water that is opposite to this, being without Light,
Life, or purity, without spirituality or strength, and void of
all benign efficacy. Wherefore as a stagnated pool remote from
the sun beams, or as a dead insipid phlegm, is not to be regarded
or valued, so likewise there is found a bright, living and crystalline
earth (such as hath been, and such as will be, and such as is
even at this time, when it appears not, except to some few) which
is sometimes compared to fine silver, and is called the Salt
of the Earth. And in this Blessed earth is locked up the Spirit,
Energy and Seed of the Mineral and vegetable kingdoms in their
purest constitution, yea and of the animal too. For that it contains
in itself the Fire of Nature, by which the wheel of her Magia,
according to all the seven forms and spirits is set to work.
On the contrary there is a dull, dead and opaceous earth that
is mixed more or less with all terrestrial subjects, and that
may by Art be separated from them. This is the Curse of the Earth
which must be taken away and dissolved, before the Blessed and
new Earth can appear, wherefore it is called the Damned Earth.
Philochrysus: I hope you will not say that there is
any of what the Chymists call Damned Earth in this our Gold.
For I cannot bear the thought of it. Pray therefore explain yourself
here a little.
Philadelphus: It is you yourself that make the particular
application, for I did not. And indeed, Sir, I was almost afraid
to touch you so near the quick. But if your Gold, Philochrysus,
be a terrestrial subject (which you will scarce deny) then I
am sure it must have some share of this Damned earth in it. For
the Curse has not a command to stop when it came to a mine of
Gold, but like a leaven it passed through and through, and infected
the whole earth, and all that belonged to it. There might not
indeed so much of it here abide as elsewhere, and therefore I
said there was less of the Inherent Curse in this, than in any
other subject of the same kingdom or order. Yet there is some,
and that too very considerable, if either reason or experience
may be allowed to pass the judgment. But this would lead us too
far into a Philosophical disquisition.
Let it suffice at present to consider whether what a vulgar and
ordinary artist may be able to give an ocular demonstration of
in the greatest part of earthly subjects, an expert master may
not be as able to give the same in All?
Wherefore be not angry, dear sir, at what I have asserted, but
learn to bear the thought of what will be so much your disappointment,
as to let you see the fair idol of your heart is not so lovely
as you have imagined it to be, and that it is not all true gold
that glisters in your hand.
There is a Damned Earth Terra Damnata et Maledicta that cleaves
so fast to it, as is not (easily) to be separated by the refiners
art. And I am informed from credible testimonies, that whosoever
shall be understanding in heart and skillful in hand, to separate
this vile earth from the precious Solar Earth in the body of
Terrestrial Gold, shall find the quantity of the former (however
small when compared to the inferior metals) to exceed the other.
And if what is related concerning the degradation of Gold by
an eminent and curious eye-witness of this nation, whom all the
philosophical and Christian world stands obliged to (and who
had this generous and noble design to vindicate Religion from
all sectarian polity or partiality, and to establish it upon
solid and immutable grounds, be true; and if also the daily experiments)
made even in ordinary laboratories of the possibility of its
supergradation and Exaltation, by losing in its weight, and so
possessing an higher Tincture and Clarity, may deserve any credit:
Then is it certain that it may still arrive to an higher degree
both of Fixation and Purity, than it could ever meet with in
the Bowels of the Accursed earth.
But whether this can ever be quite set free from its Inherent
Curse or no, is not so material to our present purpose. However
there is a vein, I can assure you, of Paradisical Gold, which
not having been with it infected, is by Moses pronounced to be
good, (Genesis 2, 12). And yet even this is no more to be compared
with the Philadelphian or Sionitical Gold, than the Peruvian
is with it. Hereby you may, in part I hope apprehend what is
meant both by the Blessing and the Curse, which are inherent
in this Metallic body.
Philochrysus: I do, I think, pretty well understand
you. But pray what do you mean by an Adherent Curse, and how
is that to be appropriated to the Terrestrial Gold?
Philadelphus: The Adherent Curse is that which adheres
or cleaves to the Creature, by external application, and not
by Internal Constitution, or composition. And here by external
application I mean not barely any outward abuse of the same whatever,
but also (and chiefly) any degree of adhesion of the Human Soul
to it, how intrinsic soever, and the more intrinsic still the
more dangerous, it being foreign, incongruous, and extrinsic
both to the Soul, and to the creature which she seeks to cleave
as to her blessing. Now though your terrestrial Gold has indeed
not so much of the inherent, yet has it far more of the Adherent
Curse, which is much the worst of the two. And though it should
be never so perfect as to its composition, that avails not if
this other Curse sticks to it. Yea, on the contrary, this will
be so much the greater and the heavier, as in the case of the
Tartarization [2 Peter, 2, 4.] of those angels who kept not their
first estate of adhesion to the Original Beauty and Goodness,
and in that of the Golden Calf of Israel, concerning which the
Jews have to this very day a celebrated proverb, that no punishment
is ever inflicted upon them in which there is not some portion
of this calf. And I fear the same may be justly applicable not
to them alone. What Evil of Sin is there in the whole world that
is not perpetrated for the sake of it? And what Evil of pain,
or dreadful judgments by the Divine nemesis have not already
been pulled down upon particular persons, upon families and upon
whole kingdoms? Behold, and consider the times of old; what examples
all histories both sacred and profane doth give you. To conclude,
how many are there that for the sake of this, labour the greatest
part of their lives in the very fire, who at length reap nought
but smoke and dross, in the room of those Golden Mountains which
they hereby imagined to themselves? And how many weary themselves
all their lives for very vanity, while being deceived with the
false show of an adhering blessing, they find only misery and
repentance; who, had they taken but half that pains to discover
the Paradisical or Philadelphian mine of Gold, would never have
been left in such plunges at the last? Behold all this proceeds
from its Adherent Curse. Remember, prithee Philochrysus, the
dying aphorism of the richest Subject of the world at that time,
as well as the best politician, and the most faithful servant;
which famous aphorism is, I suppose, not unknown to you.
Philochrysus: You mean, I know the saying of that great
man, which he left in his legacy to posterity: Had I but taken
but half that pains to serve my God, as I took to serve my Prince,
he would not now have deserted me.
Philadelphus: I do so. And withal I assure you, my
good friend, that if you were but half as diligent in seeking
after the celestial, as you are in seeking after the terrestrial
Gold, you would be experimentally convinced that I have spoken
nothing to you all this while but the very Truth, and you would
find yourself possessed of substance instead of vanity.
Philochrysus: I am at a loss. I know not what to make
of that which you say. Disturb me not out of my sleep. For I
would rather dream on at the old rate, than be molested. Have
pity on me, and depart from me. For I am Philochrysus. I am a
lover of that what you have contemptibly nick-named terrestrial
Gold. The which to me is a Celestial substance. But you will
hardly allow it to be a substance at all, that so you may the
more exalt the Gold (as you call it) of your own country, which
I must call imaginary. Tell me not then that mine is vanity,
or the shadow only of a substance. Neither speak to me of labouring
for smoke and dross. I know what is substance, I thank my stars,
and I can distinguish between what is true and what is counterfeit.
Mine hath been tried in the Fire, and weighed in the balance.
It hath stood in the one; and in the other hath been found to
have its just weight. Can you also pretend to this?
Philadelphus: Yes, more than pretend. Mine is indeed
Gold tried in the Fire, and it has been also weighed in the balance
as well as yours. And let me tell you besides, that your gold
shall never be able to endure this fire-trial, but shall fly
away in it as lead and dross. And one grain of the Gold of my
City if put into the balance will preponderate this whole room
full of yours. Whence the Crown that is mad out of this Gold
is called emphatically a weight of Glory and an Hyperbolical
or excessive weight, yea a far exceeding and Hyperbolically Hyperbolical
weight [2 Corinthians 4,17.] So far exceeds the celestial Gold
in preponderosity the terrestrial Gold when weighed together,
as no hyperbole can reach. It exceeds in like manner in clarity
and lustre, in fixation and permanency, in the superexcellency
of its Tincture, in ductibility and divisibility; and in all
manner of medicinal uses both for Spirit, Soul and Body, all
which it revives, exhilarates and perfects. And in the last place
all the merchandise of your World is not to be compared with
it. This alone can truly and really and lastingly make you rich.
It would not be difficult to particularize each of these, and
to show hereby the reality and substantiality of this Gold that
I plead for, not only equally with, but far above that which
is dug out of the Earth. But all that can be said hereupon, would
but serve so much the more to exasperate you if you comprehend
it not, or will not attend to it. In vain therefore would it
be for me to give you (at present) a particular description of
its several properties, as also of its constituent principles
and the manner of their union. I must wait to do that till those
senses which are fallen asleep in you shall come to be awakened.
But I am therefore sent that I might rouse you out of your sleep.
Forgive me that I thus wake you. O Philochrysus! what has become
of the eye-salve of Sophia? Arise and anoint your eyes.
Philochrysus: Hold! I think I now begin to see. I must
confess that I can now see the possibility of what you drive
at, but that it is actually so, I cannot yet perceive. I remember
I was once a little acquainted with one that might possibly be
of your society, and I did hear him exclaim from the pulpit in
this manner: "Think ye, ye shall be set up as pillars in
the Temple of God to uphold it? or that you shall be full of
gold in you pockets, of the finest gold tried in the Fire, like
the rich men of the Earth? and to ruffle it in silks, and fine
raiment as those in princes' courts? Do you think that these
things are here meant in these promises made to the Seven Churches?
No, No, dream of no such things, for I say there is not one word
true according to the letter.
Philadelphus: I do say that every word, every syllable,
every letter is true, and that there are real and substantial
pillars in the Temple of God, real and substantial Gold in the
City of God, and real and substantial raiment worn by the citizens
thereof. And yet at the same time, I do assert that there is
no Word, syllable or letter true, if strictly taken according
to that low idea which the natural man has fixed to these words.
For as much as there is a more than hyperbolical excess in the
difference of one from the other. As each property by itself
considered will manifest. And if you are convinced of the possibility
(at least) of what I have said, you must acknowledge the actual
existence hereof. For that there can be no other reason invented
whereby you deny it, but its impossibility and inconsistency.
Philochrysus: I resign therefore, and yield to you,
that the City of Philadelphia may be built of true, real and
substantial Gold, which has nothing of the curse either Inherent
or Adherent sticking to it, according to the sense that the describer
means, or that you explain, though not according to that which
the natural man would have.
Philadelphus: You comprehend me right. I shall therefore
proceed. I said then, in the second place, that it is built of
fine Gold, much more fine and higher graduated than any you can
ever have seen. This you may in part already understand by what
has been said hitherto. But here I shall much more stand in need
of words whereby to express myself.
Philochrysus: I long greatly to hear you speak distinctly
of this Superfine and supergraduated Gold. I shall not forget
what you have said. Therefore proceed on.
Philadelphus: You need but remember your Gothic philosopher.
Consider also that there is a twofold body, There is a material
and elementary body, and there is an spiritual and a heavenly
body. The one is gross, the other fine.
Philochrysus: I can understand perfectly what you mean
by the former, but the notion of an immaterial body seems to
me the very same contradiction as that of an immaterial substance
seemed to an eminent asserter of materialism called Philautus.
If you had but him to deal with, he would make work, I believe,
with your non-elementary and spiritual body.
Philadelphus: It may be so. But I never feared the
strength of reasoning in Philautus, though I know him pretty
well, and all his principles whether in Philosophy, Divinity
or politics are opposite to mine. He is the express character
of the natural man throughout, and in his works everywhere you
have the most lively image of the Fallen State of Nature, whereof
great advantage may be made by the wise, it being no where that
I know so deeply and philosophically handled. This indeed he
mistakes for the true and original State of Nature; but herein
he speaks well enough, and true enough, as a natural or animal
Man, and without deviating, most exactly follows his principles
wherever they lead him. On the other side the most learned and
profound of all his answerers very admirably both describes and
demonstrates the true and original state of Nature, such as it
was, and such as it shall be again, but not such as it is at
present. As for Philautus he is not dead, but lives in his disciples,
and will live as long as the present corrupt state of Nature
shall remain upon the Earth. For the Psyche in man is never able
to penetrate beyond the image; only the pure spirit of Sophia
can reach to the life, which is so imaged out in discourse. Hence
he who had only the Psyche, was not able to distinguish betwixt
the one and the other, but he took them both to be the same.
So finding in the origination of several languages that a Spirit
was imaged forth or signified by Breath, he presently concludes
that the Spirit and Breath were one and the same, and consequently
that all Spirits (as such) were material and corporeal beings.
he in the like manner, finding in the verbal image of substance
was expressed that which stands under, or props up somewhat,
entertained immediately a most gross and sensible conception
hereof, and tied it down to matter. So then nothing could be
a greater absurdity to him, or a more manifest contradiction,
than to believe an immaterial substance, that is an immaterial
matter. Now among those who have a great and just abhorrence
for his sentiments, all are not set free themselves from the
very same method of argumentation, as from a numerous induction
of instances might be verified if need were.
Wherefore I shall only beg of you what is highly necessary in
order to your understanding of what I speak, and to your passing
a judgment thereupon, that you content not yourself with the
lax and popular sense of a word, as that which is generally very
equivocal, but that you seek out the strict and close idea that
is to be affixed to it, for the removal of all ambiguity in the
terms, and the distinction of the image from its original, or
(as the Schools would rather speak) of the Signum from Signatum,
the sign from the thing signified.
Philochrysus: It is very just what you require, Phildelphus.
None can gainsay this method, after what the celebrated author
of An Essay on Human Understanding, together with a French philosopher
of the first magnitude , have written on it, shall be looked
into. Wherefore tell me in the first place, what you mean by
Substance?
Philadelphus: Hereby I understand that which hath both
Essence and Existence, being created by God, and made capable
of bearing up, or supporting various modes of Being.
Philochrysus: What do you mean by Body?
Philadelphus: Hereby I understand a substance that
is extended, and is capable of various modes of Extension. Two
of which modes are penetrability and impenetrability.
Philochrysus: Is penetrability then a mode of extension?
I always thought that all matter was impenetrable.
Philadelphus: True. All Matter is impenetrable, but
all body is not. And penetrability is as much a mode of extension
as impenetrability. For where there is no co-extension there
is no penetration, and where there is no penetration there can
be no life. Without therefore all Nature were dead, it remains
that extended substances may be penetrated. Now there are extended
substances, or rather one extended substance (of which I may
speak to you hereafter) which can penetrate others, but which
cannot be penetrated by any. There are also extended substances
which can penetrate others by co-extension, and which may themselves
also be penetrated by others. lastly there are extended substances
or bodies which cannot penetrate others, but which may be penetrated
by them. Thus by the outward light of this world, which is a
body of the second order, the Earth may be penetrated, which
can neither penetrate it or any other substance.
Philochrysus: What do you mean by Matter?
Philadelphus: Hereby I understand a body that is impenetrable,
and divisible, and which is capable of various modes of division.
So that all Matter is Body, but all Body is not Matter. By impenetrable
I mean not that which cannot be at all penetrated, but I mean
that which is not to be penetrated by any thing of its own order,
and which itself can penetrate nothing.
Philochrysus: How can the same Body be impenetrable
and divisible?
Philadelphus: Because it is impenetrable, therefore
it is divisible into parts. For if it could be penetrated, then
would there be no need of division, or separation of the parts?
Wherefore that which is penetrable is also indivisible, or rather
indiscerpible, and consequently incorruptible.
Philochrysus: I comprehend your meaning. And now I
conceive what is your notion of an immaterial or Spiritual Body
called likewise a Non-elementary (which is a Quintessential)
or heavenly Body; Namely, that it is an extended substance, penetrable,
penetrative, indivisible, indiscepible, and incorruptible. As
on the contrary your notion of a material and elementary body
must be this, that it is an extended substance, impenetrable,
penetrated, divisible, discerpible and corruptible. I begin consequently
to understand a little your notion of Material and Spiritual,
of Elementary and Heavenly Gold, and why you call the one gross
and the other fine Gold. But notwithstanding that I conceive
how the Material and Elementary Gold is an extended Substance
which is impenetrable to all terrestrial bodies, and may be penetrated
by the Celestial, which is also divisible into parts, yea Discerpible
into the minutest atoms, yet can I not easily yield that it should
be corruptible.
Philadelphus: All that is compounded of Elements must
be more or less corruptible. And though certain elementary bodies
may have arrived at some degree of incorruptibility, yet it is
but a degree, it being impossible for them to be ever perfectly
freed from corruption, but by a dissolution and a resuscitation.
For this is a most assured maxim, that all things must be perfected
upon the cross and all things must be tried by Fire Without passing
through the Cross there is no resurrection, without passing through
the Fire there is no Fixation or Incorruption, no Purification
or Spiritualization. Hence the messenger of the Covenant of Immortality
is by a certain prophet compared to a refiners Fire, who saith
of him that he shall purify the Priesthood and purge them as
Gold that they may rightly offer the sacrifice of Minha to Jehovah.
Hence also a great and wise King saith, the word (or outflowing
emanation of the Lord is refined; and again he cries out Thy
Word is exceedingly refined most fine and pure. And likewise
this very Word of the Lord or the Word the Lord saith to the
shepherds of Israel: I will refine them as Silver is refined,
and will try them as Gold is tried. And elsewhere he saith, I
have refined thee melted thee down, and then brought thee out
of the furnace. For this cause the precious Sons of Zion are
compared to fine gold, and the Angelical man who appeared to
Daniel had his loins Girded with fine Gold of Ophir. From this
also an account may be given why the Altar of Incense was made
of refined Gold, together with the Ark and the Cherubims, also
why Wisdom's oracle is so often compared to fine Gold; and lastly
why the Shulamite describes both the head and the feet of her
beloved to be as of fine Gold, that is such an indivisible, indiscerpible
and incorruptible substance, as being extended is therefore a
body, and as possessing all the properties of the material and
gross Gold, is therefore a spiritual body, or immaterial and
celestial gold.
Philochrysus: I must confess that I have always taken
a spiritual body to be a contradiction in terms, for I never
heard otherwise before but that Spirit and Body were contraries.
But now I begin to mistrust that I have not been used rightly
to apply ideas to words.
Philadelphus: Your diffidence is well grounded. For
I do not find that Spirit and Body are anywhere opposed as contraries
in those writings which command the greatest authority and deference
above all others to them. I find indeed frequently spirit and
flesh to be set as opposites, but spirit and body never. Nay
I find it there expressly asserted that there is a natural body,
and there is a spiritual body. And so in like manner there is
a natural Gold and there is a spiritual, which surpasseth the
former, as the spiritual Body of the Resurrection doth this Natural
and Elementary body which we now wear about us. Moreover the
same highly mystic author tells those who being immersed in the
flesh had no notion of a Spiritual or Heavenly Body, any more
than you had.
Philochrysus: There are also Celestial Bodies (of a
spiritual and heavenly property) and Bodies Terrestrial (of a
material and earthly property as common gold but the Glory of
the Celestial is one, and the glory of the Terrestrial is another;
that is, the glory of the Philadelphian Gold differs from the
glory of the Peruvian, as far as heaven is from Earth.
Philochrysus: You extremely amaze me, good Philadelphus,
to tell me that the City from whence you are named is built of
such fine gold. But pray now go on, if you are not weary, to
satisfy me in the third place, whether it be built of Transparent
and Glassy Gold.
Philadelphus: Be not over hasty, but take time to meditate
upon what I (through the assistance of the Good Spirit) have
freely communicated to you. Neither have I done yet with the
former, for I am not yet come to the top of the ladder with you.
Perhaps your head may be giddy in endeavouring to reach it at
this present. Wherefore though I cannot be ever weary of discoursing
these matters, yet I will now take my leave of you with one parallel
instance, which you may digest against we meet the next time.
Consider what difference there is betwixt the faeces of any terrestrial
subject, from which the spirit is separated, and the Spirit itself
of that very subject (which is a Spiritual Body) when seven times
rectified; and hereby as in a glass you may discern how far that
Gross and Earthly Gold I am speaking of, wherewith the Holy City
of my brethren is built. In the meanwhile I shall leave with
you this Hieroglyphical figure of a star being the mark of this
Gold, and also of the city, showing its constituent parts the
Water and Fire of the Philadelphians; it manifold and wonderful
properties, how it is formed, and how it is made to multiply
itself.
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