The Signature of All Things — trans. John Ellistone (1651)

38. This we find very effectually in the Magic, this also the Physician must know, that all Sicknesses arise from the Loathing in the Form of Nature: As when one Form in the Life is superior, if then a contrary Thing quite opposite to its Property be by Force introduced into it, let it be either from the Stars, or from the Elements, or from the seven Forms of Life, then it deprives this superior [or chiefest] Form (which is the Leader and Ruler of the Life) of its Strength and Power in its Salt; then the Mercury of this superior Form begins effectually to Work, that is, to Hunger and loath, and if he gets not his own peculiar Property, understand the bodily Form, which is chief in the Body among the seven Properties or Forms, then he enkindles himself in his own Poison-Source according to his vital Property, and does so forcibly strive so long, till he becomes fiery, and then he awakes his own Mars, and his own Saturn, which impress him, and consume the Flesh of the Body in the Poison-Fire, and wholly consume the Oil of Light; even then the Life's Light goes out, and it is past Recovery.

39. But if the Form of Life, wherein Mercury is inflamed in the Loathing in the Anguish and Poison-Source, may obtain that Property into its Hunger, of which the Spirit and Body is chief, then he obtains his own natural Food, of which he lives, and does again rejoice, and puts away the Nauseate, and then the Nauseate dissipates [or dissolves] and is spewed out; but the Physician must have a Care, whether or no that Thing which he will administer to his Patient be in its Property strong also in the same Essence, from whence the Nauseate is risen in the Body.

40. As for Example; A jovial Man receives a Nauseate [or Loathing] from the Lunar Property; now if the Physician knew that he had so gotten his Nauseate, and Prepared him a jovial Cure according to the Hunger of his own Spirit or Mercury, this now would be right; but if the Moon's Property be strong in the Salt which he would administer for the Nauseate, then he gives him a Nauseate; but if the jovial Cure be free from the Moon, then the jovial Mercury receives its own Food with great Desire, and quits the Nauseate: And thus it is likewise with Diseases which arise in the Salniter, viz. from Fear or Frightening; thereto belongs also such a Flagrat as the first was, and then there is a present Cure, or such an Herb, wherein the Salniter lies in such a Property as it lies in that Man.

41. I know, and it is shewn me, that the Sophister will cavil at me, because I write, that the divine Power is in the Fruit, that God's Power does appropriate itself into the Generation of Nature: But hear, my dear Friend, become seeing, I ask thee, How was Paradise in this World? Was it also manifest in Nature? Was it also in the Fruit? Was it in the World, or without the World? Did Paradise stand in God's Power, or in the Elements? Was the Power of God manifest in the World, or hidden? Or what is the Curse of the Earth, and the putting of Adam and Eve out of Paradise? Then tell me, Does not God dwell also in Time? Is not God all in all? It is written, Am not I he who filleth all things? Also, Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and Glory, from Eternity to Eternity.

42. Here consider thyself, and leave me uncensured: I do not say, that the Nature is God, much less the Fruit proceeding from the Earth; but I say, God gives Power to every Life, be it good or bad, to each Thing according to its Desire, for he himself is All; and yet he is not called God according to every Being, but according to the Light wherewith he dwells in Himself and shines with his Power through all his Beings; He gives in his Power to all his Beings and Works, and each Thing receives his Power according to its Property; one takes Darkness, the other Light; each Hunger desires its Property, and yet the whole Essence [or Being] is all God's, be it Evil or Good, for from him and through him are all Things, what is not of his Love, that is of his Anger. Paradise is yet in the World, but Man is not therein, unless he be born again of God; then as to that new Regeneration he is therein, and not with the Adam of the four Elements. O that we would but once learn to know ourselves, and even understand it by the created Essence [or Being].

43. Lo! in Saturn there lies Gold shut up in a very disesteemed and contemptible Form and Manner, which indeed resembles no Metal; and though it be cast into the Fire and melted, yet a Man shall have nothing, but a contemptible Matter void of any Form of Virtue, till the Artist takes it in Hand, and uses the right Process about it, and then it is manifest what was therein.