Doctor Robert Fludd (Robertus de Fluctibus) : the English Rosicrucian : life and writings / by J. B. Craven.

  • Craven, J. B. (James Brown), 1850-1924.
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Doctor Robert Fludd (Robertus de Fluctibus) : the English Rosicrucian : life and writings / by J. B. Craven. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    witchcraft/’ with a wonder that King James (of blessed memory) would suffer such a man to live and write in his kingdom. Fludd’s excusing Roger Bacon, Trithemius, Agrippa, Ficinus, “ and Fratres Rosae Crucis from being caco-magicians/’ is enough to cause him to be suspected. '' His directions are that the weapon be left in the Unguent pot till the Patient be cured, and that the wound be kept cleane with a linnen cloath, wet every morning in his urine.” A horse may also be cured if pricked with a nayle, if the nayle be left sticking in the unguent pot.” Fourteen pages of Foster’s quarto deal with Fludd’s theories. The ingredients of the ungent, its supporters agree, have their beginning and aliment from the blood. In the blood reside the vitall spirits ; in the vitall spirits the soul after her hidden manner. This causeth the blood to have recourse by syrnpatheticall harmony to the mass of blood in the body. For the spirit of the blood shed is carried by the ayre (which is the carrier of the spirits of everything) to his body. This spirit going by this ayre, in a direct invisible line, carrieth the sanative virtue from the anointed weapon to the wounded party.” The “ sun beames” act in the same manner between heaven and earth. Foster denies that ‘‘ scull-moss, or bones, mummy and man’s fat have (though they may be medicinable) any natural T)alsame or radicall humour residing in them.” He denies that spirits or souls reside in separated blood. He also denies Master Doctor’s carrier, viz., his direct invisible line.” The comparison of the sun’s beams is not pertinent. It is above, the ‘‘ eye ” of the whole world. As a fire cannot burn or heat at a great distance, neither can the unguent have any proportion, ’tis little in respect of the patient.” The Doctor’s cold, dead, dry, corrupted blood cannot sympathize with moyst, living, ]'>erfect blood in the body.” ‘‘ Blood sucked by the Divell from witches, which remains with him, and sympathizing with the blood in the witches’ bodies, changes their nature.” How can this be ? “A substance, corporeall, remain with the Divell, a Spirit and