of a Society, or Creature, were not dissolved and dispersed, those
Creatures might be restored to their former condition of Life, if
they were put, or received, into the Restoring Beds: As for example,
A dry and withered Rood of some Vegetable, although the Parts of that
Vegetable be, as we say, dead; yet, they are often restored by the
means of some Arts: also, dead Sprigs will, by Art, receive new Life.
The Minor Part's Opinion, was, That if there were such actions of
Nature, as Restoring actions; yet, they could not be the Poysing
Actions, nor the Artificial Actions: for, not any dead Creature can be
restored by Art.
III.
Some of the Gravest Parts of my Mind, made this following Discourse to
some other Parts of my Mind.
_Dear Associates_, There hath been many Human Societies, that have
perswaded themselves, That there are such Restoring Actions of Nature,
which will restore, not only a Dead, but a Dispersed Society; by reason
they have observed, That Vegetables seem to dye in one Season, and
to revive in another: as also, that the Artificial Actions of Human
Creatures, can produce several Artificial Effects, that resemble those
we name _Natural_; which hath occasioned many Human Creatures to wast
their Time and Estates, with Fire and Furnace, cruelly torturing the
Productions of Nature, to make their Experiments. Also, they trouble
themselves with poring and peeping through Telescopes, Microscopes,
and the like Toyish Arts, which neither get Profit, nor improve their
Understanding: for, all such Arts prove rather ignorant Follies, than
wise Considerations; Art being so weak and defective, that it cannot so
much assist, as it doth hinder Nature: but, there is as much difference
between Art and Nature, as between a Statue and a Man; and yet Artists
believe they can perfect what by Nature is defective; so that they
can rectifie Nature's Irregularities; and do excuse some of their
Artificial actions, saying, they only endeavour to hasten the actions
of Nature: as if Nature were slower than Art, because a Carver can cut
a Figure or Statue of a Man, having all his Materials ready at hand,
before a Child can be finished in the Breeding-Bed. But, Art being the
sporting and toyish actions of Nature, we will not consider them at
this time.
But, _Dear Associates_, if there be any such things in Nature, as
_Restoring-Beds_, which most of our Society are willing to believe;
yet, those Beds cannot possibly be _Artificial_, but must be _Natural
Beds_. Nor can any one particular sort of Bed, be a general Restorer:
for, every several Sort or Kind, requires a Bed, or Womb, that is
proper for their Sorts or Kinds: so that, there must be as many sorts,
at least, and kinds of Beds, as there are kinds of Creatures: but, what
those Wombs or Beds are, we Human Creatures do not know; nor do we know
whether there be any such things in this World: but, if there be such
things in this World, we cannot conceive where they are.
IV.
After the former Discourse, the Parts of my Mind were a little
sad: but, after many and frequent Disputes and Arguments, they all
agreed, That there are Restoring Beds, or Wombs, in Nature: but that
to describe their Conceptions of those Restoring Beds, was only to
describe Opinions, but not known Truths: and their Opinions were, That
those Beds are as lasting as Gold, or Quick-silver: for, though they
may be occasioned to alter their Exterior Form; yet, not their Interior
or Innate Nature. But, mistake not my Mind's Opinion: for, their
Opinion is not, That those Beds are Gold, or Quicksilver: for, their
Opinion was, That neither Gold, or Quicksilver, were Restorers of Life:
but, if they were Restorers, they could restore no other Creatures,
but only dead Metals, by reason several Creatures require several
Restoring Beds proper to their Sorts or Kinds: so that a Mineral Kind
or Sort, could not restore an Animal Kind or Sort; because there was no
such thing in Nature, as the Elixir, or Philosophers-Stone, which the
Chymists believe to be some Deity, that can restore all Sorts and Kinds.
V.
As it has formerly been declared, The Parts of my Mind were generally
of opinion, That it was, at least, probable, there were such things
in Nature as _Restoring-Beds_, or _Wombs_. The next Opinion was, That
these Beds were of several Kinds or Sorts, viz. Animal, Vegetable,
Mineral, and Elemental: so that every Kind or Sort, is a general
Restorer of the Lives of their Kind or Sort. As for example, An Animal
_Restoring-Bed_, may restore any dead Animal, to his former Animal
Life, in case the Animal Roots or Seeds, (which we name, the _Vital
Parts_) were not divided and dispersed, but inclosed, or inurned, so
that no other Animal could come to feed on those Roots and Seeds of the
dead Animal Body; and in case the Body was so closely kept, though dead
many years, if it was put into a _Restoring-Bed_, that Animal Creature
would reunite to the former Animal Life and Form.
But then there arose this Argument, _That if the Bodies of the dead
Animals, did corrupt and dissolve of themselves, as most dead Animal
Bodies do; Whether, after their Dissolution, they could be Restored?_
The Minor Part's Opinion was, That those dissolved Bodies, being
dissolved, or divided, and their Parts out of their places, could not
be restored.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, They might be restored; first, Because,
though the Parts may be divided; yet, they were not annihilated. The
next, That those divided Parts were not so separated and dispersed,
as to be united to other Societies: Wherefore, if all those dead
Animal Parts were put into a _Restoring-Womb_, or _Bed_; the Bed would
occasion those Parts to place themselves into their proper Order and
Form.
VI.
After the former Discourse, some of the Parts of my Mind were sad, to
think, that those that had been embowelled, were made incapable of ever
being restored; and, that it was a greater cruelty to murder a dead
man, and to rob him of his Interior Parts; than to murder a living man,
and yet suffer his whole Body to lye peaceably in the Urn, or Grave.
But, the other Parts endeavouring to comfort those sad Parts, made this
Argument, viz. _Whether it might not probably be, that the Bones or
Carcase of a Human Creature, were the Root of Human Life? and if so,
then if all the Parts were dissolved, and none were left undissolved,
but the bare Carcase; they might be restored to life._
The sad Part's Opinion, was, That it was impossible they could be
restored, by reason the Roots of Human Life, were those we name the
_Vital Parts_; and those being divided from the Carcase, and dispersed,
and united unto other Societies, could not meet and joyn into their
former state of Life, or Society, so as to be the same Man.
The Comforting Parts were of opinion, It was not probable that the
Fleshy and Spungy Parts, being the Branches of Human Life, could also
be the Roots. Wherefore, in all probability, the Bones were the Roots;
and the Bones being the Roots, if the bare Carcase of a Man should be
put into a Restoring Bed, all the Fleshy and Spungy Parts, both those
that were the Exterior, and those that were Interior, would spring and
encrease to their full Maturity.
The sad Part's Opinion, was, That if the Bones were the Roots; and
that, from the Roots, all the Exterior and Interior Parts, belonging
to a Human Creature, should spring, and so encrease to full Maturity;
yet, those Branches would not be the same they were, viz. the same
Parts of the same Man; and besides, those Branches would rather be new
Productions, than Restorations.
The Comforting Part's Opinion, was, That though the Branches were new,
the Carcase, as the Root, being the same, the Man would be the same:
for, though the Spungy and Fleshy Parts, divide and unite from Home,
and to Forrein Parts; yet, the Man is the same: and to prove that the
Bony Parts are the Roots of Human Life, doth it not happen, That if the
Flesh be cut from the Bone, and the Bone be left bare; yet, in time,
the bone produces new flesh: but, if any bone be separated from the
Body, that Bone cannot be restored; nor can a new bone spring forth,
nor can the divided bone be joyned or knit to the body, as it was
before: for, although a broken bone may be set; yet, a divided bone
cannot be rejoyned: All which Arguments, were a sufficient proof, That
the Bones were the Roots of Life.
The Sad Part's Argument, was, That it was well known, that if any
of the Vital Parts of a Human Creature, as the Liver, Lungs, Heart,
Kidneys, and the like, were decayed, pierced, or wounded, the Human
Creature dyed, by reason those Parts are incurable.
The Comforting Parts were of opinion, That there were many less Causes
which did often occasion Human Death; yet, those Causes were not the
Roots of Life: nor were those Parts the Roots of Life, although those
Parts which we name _Vital_, were the chief Branches of Human Life.
But, at last, they all agreed in this opinion, That the _Bones_, were
the Roots; the _Marrow_, the Sapp, and the _Vitals_, the chief branches
of Life. Also, they agreed, That when an Human Life was restored, the
bones did first fill with some Oylie Juyces; and from the bones, and
the sap or juyce of the bones, did all the Parts belonging to a Human
Creature, spring forth, and grow up to Maturity: and certainly, _Not to
disturb_ the _Bones of the dead_, was a Holy and Religious Charge to
Human Creatures.
VII.
After the pacifying the Sad Parts of my Mind, their Argument was,
_That, supposing Creatures could be restored; whether they should be
restored as when they were first produced; or, as when they were at the
perfection of their Age; or, as when they were at old Age?_
But, after many Disputes, they all agreed, That those that should be
restored, should be restored to that degree of Age and Strength, which
is the most perfect: and, as all Productions arrived towards Perfection
by degrees; so those that were restored, should return to Perfection
by degrees, if they were past the perfect time of their age: and those
that were not arrived to their Perfection, before they dyed, should
arrive to it, however, as those that had it: so that, both _Youth_ and
_Age_, shall meet in Perfection: for, as the one encreases, as it were,
forward; so the other return to their Strength and Perfection of their
past Age.
VIII.
After the former Opinions, the Parts of my Mind were somewhat puzled in
their _Arguments_ concerning the degrees of the Restoring Times; as,
_Whether Restoration was done by a General Act, or by Degrees?_
The most Doubting Part's Opinion, was, That it was not natural to
Restore, although it was natural to Produce; and, that all Natural
Productions, were by degrees: but, for Restorations, (being not Natural
Productions) they could not be done by degrees: and therefore the
Action of Restoration, was but as one Action, although of many Parts.
The Believing Parts of my Mind were of opinion, That all Nature's
Actions, being by degrees, all Restorations were also by degrees.
The Doubting Part's Opinion was, That there were some actions that had
no degrees: for, One action might signifie a Thousand.
The other Part's Opinion was, That a Thousand actions, or degrees, were
in the figure of One.
The Doubting Parts were of opinion, That it was impossible. But, at
last, they agreed, That the Restoring actions were by degrees.
IX.
The Parts of my Mind were divided into Minor and Major Parts, about the
Time or Degrees of Restoration of Human Creatures.
The Minor's Opinion was, That the Restoring actions of Nature, were so
much quicker than the Producing actions, that a Human Creature might be
restored in a Months time; whereas the production of a Human Creature
was in ten Months: for, though a Human Creature may Quicken at Three
Months time; yet, it was not fully Ripe for Birth, before the time of
Ten Months.
The Major Part's Opinion was, That Restoration was according as the
Creature was Dissolved: for, a Man that was newly dead; or not so long
dead, that his Parts were not yet divided; that Man might be restored
to Life in an Hour's time, or less: but, if all the Parts, excepting
the bare Carcase, were dissolved, there would require as long a time in
Restoring, as in Producing.
The Minor's Opinion, was, That the Restoring-time, was no longer than
the time of Quickning.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That though the Exterior Form or Frame
of a Child, might be before the Quickning; yet, it was not a perfect
Animal, until it was Quick: and although it might be a perfect Animal
when it was Quick; yet, not ripe, that is, not at the full Perfection
of a Human Creature. As it is with Fruits: for, a Green Plumb is not
like a Ripe Plumb; but, any Green Fruit, is like a Dead Fruit, in
comparison of a Ripe Fruit.
At last, the Parts of my Mind did agree, That if a Human Creature was
dissolved, excepting the bare Carcase; it would require Ten Months time
ere it could perfectly be restored: for, the Springing Parts would
require so long a time ere they could come to full Maturity.
X.
The Question being stated, _Whether the Restoring-Bed, was a Fleshy
Bed_; All the Parts of my Mind, after many Disputes, agreed, That
it could not be a Fleshy Bed, by reason the nature of Flesh is
so corruptible, dissolvable, and easie to be dissolved, that it
could not possibly be of such a lasting nature, as is required for
_Restoring-Beds_. But yet, they agreed, they were like Flesh, for
Softness, or Spunginess; as also, for Colour. Also, they agreed,
That the Animal _Restoring-Bed_, was of such a Nature or Property,
that it could dilate and contract, as it had occasion; in so much,
that it could contract to the compass of the smallest, or extend to
the magnitude of the largest Animal. Also, they did agree, That it
was somewhat like the Stomack of a Human Creature, or of the like
Animal, that could open and shut the Orifice; and that when an Animal
Creature was put into the _Restoring-Bed_, it would immediately
inclose the Animal: and when it had caused a perfect Restoration, the
_Restoring-Bed_ would open it self, and deliver it to its own Liberty.
XI.
Another Question amongst the Parts of my Mind concerning
_Restoring-Beds_, or _Wombs_, was: _That in case there were such
Restoring-Beds in Nature, as in all probability there were; Where could
those Restoring-Beds be?_ viz. _Whether there were any in this World?
If not in this World, in any other World?_
The Minor Parts were of opinion, There were none in this World; but,
that there were some in other Worlds.
The Major Part's Opinion, was, That there were such Beds; but, that
Human Creatures would not know them, though they could perceive them:
nor, if they could perceive them, could they tell how to make use of
them.
At last they all agreed, That those _Restoring-Beds_ were in the
Center of the World: but, where the Center is, no Human Creature, no,
not the most Subtile and _Learned Mathematicians, Geometricians_, or
_Astrologers_, could, with their most Laborious Arts, and Subtile
Observations, know; and therefore, unless by a special Decree from God,
no such Restoration can be made.
XII.
The Parts of my Mind were very studious to conceive where the Center of
the World was: Some of the Parts of my Mind was of opinion, That there
were four Centers, _viz._ A Center in the Earth, a Center in the Air, a
Center in the Sea, and a Center in the Element of Fire.
Upon which Opinion, the Parts of my Mind divided into Minor and Major
Parts.
The Minor Parts were of opinion, That there were Centers in all the
Four Elemental Parts; and that the _Restoring-Beds_, were only of four
Kinds: but yet, there might be many several sorts of each particular
Kind; and that each particular Kind, with all the several Sorts, was
produced in each particular Elemental Center.
The Major Part was of opinion, That there might be infinite Centers,
if there were infinite Worlds: also, there might be many Centers in
this World; for, every round Globe hath a Center. But, their Opinion
concerning the _Restoring-Beds_, was, That they were in the Center of
the Globe of our whole World, and not of any of the Parts of the World:
for, the _Air_ could have but an uncertain Center; neither could the
_Water_ have a very solid Center; and the _Earth_ was too solid to have
a Center, consisting of the Four kinds of Elements: neither could the
Elemental _Fire_ have such a Center, as to breed such different kinds
and sorts of _Beds_, as the _Restoring-Beds_ are, because many of them
are quite of a different nature from the nature of Elemental Fire:
wherefore, it must be the Center of the World, which must consist of
all the Elemental kinds.
XIII.
After the former _Argument_, the Parts of my Mind were very studious in
conceiving, where the Center of the whole Universe of this our World,
might be: at last they all agreed, It was the _Sea_, which is the
Watry Element: for, the _Sea_ is inclosed with the _Airy, Fiery_, and
_Earthy_ Parts of the Universe, and therefore must be the Center. And,
though the Sea was the Center of the World; yet, there was a Center of
the Sea: so that, there was a Center in a Center; in which Center, were
the _Restoring-Beds_.
XIV.
After the former Conceptions, the Parts of my Mind were very studious,
to conceive where the Center's Center might be. But, they could not
possibly conceive it, by reason they could not possibly imagine how
large, and of what compass the Sea may be of: for they did verily
believe, that the utmost extension of the Sea, is not, as yet, known
to Human-Kind: for, that Circle about which the Ships of _Cavendishe_,
and _Drake_, did swim, might be, in comparison to the whole Body of the
Sea, but such a Circle as a Boy may occasion, with throwing a small
Stone, or such like thing, into a Pond of Water.
XV.
The last Conception of my Mind, concerning _Restoring-Beds_, was,
That the Parts of my Mind did conceive, That the Center of the whole
Universe, was the Sea; and in the Center of the Sea, was a small
Island; and in the Center of the Island, was a Creature, like (in the
outward Form) to a great and high Rock: Not that this Rock was Stone;
but, it was of such a nature, (by the natural Compositions of Parts)
that it was compounded of Parts of all the principal Kinds and Sorts
of the Creatures of this World, viz. Of _Elemental, Animal, Mineral_,
and _Vegetable_ kinds: and, being of such a nature, did produce, out
of it self, all kinds and sorts of _Restoring-Beds_; whereof, some
sorts were so loose, that they only hung by Strings, or Nerves: others
stuck close. Some were produced at the top, or upper parts: others
were produced out of the middle parts; and some were produced from
the lower parts, or at the bottom. In short, the Opinion of the Parts
of my Mind, was, That this Rocky Creature was all covered with its
own Productions; which Productions were of all Kinds and Sorts: not
that they were numerous; but, various Productions: also, that these
various Productions, were _Restoring-Beds_: for, the nature of this
Rocky Creature, is as lasting as the Sun, or other Planets; which was
the reason that those Productions are not subject to decay, as other
Productions are: nor can they produce new Creatures; but only restore
former Creatures; as, those that had been Produced, and were partly
Dissolved.
THE CONCLUSION.
After the Wisest Parts of my Mind had ended their _Arguments_, there
being some of the Dullest, and the most Unbelieving, or rather, Strange
Parts of my Mind, that had retired into the _Glandula_ of my Brain,
which is a kind of a Kernel; which they made use of, instead of a
Pulpit: out of which, they declared their Opinions, thus:
_Dear Associates_, We, that were not Parties of your Disputations, or
Argumentations, concerning _Restoring-Beds_; being retired into the
_Glandula_ of the Brain, where we have been informed by the Nerves, and
Sensitive Spirits, of your wise Opinions, and subtile Arguments,
Considering that your Conclusion was as improbable, if not as
impossible, as the Chymical _Philosophers-Stone_, or _Elixir_; We
desire you (being Parts of one and the same Society) not to trouble the
whole Society, in the search of that, which, if it was in Nature, will
never be found. But to prevent, that your painful Studies, and witty
Arguments, be not buried in Oblivion; We advise you, To perswade the
Sensitive Parts of our Society, to record them, so that they may be
divulged to all the Societies of our own Kind or Sort of Creatures; as
_Chymists_ do, who, after they have wasted their Times and Estates, to
gain the _Philosophers-Stone_, or _Elixir_; write Books to teach it to
the Sons of Art: which is impossible, at least, very improbable, ever
to be learn'd, there being no such Art in Nature: but, were it possible
such an Art was to be obtained; yet, when obtained, the Artist would
never divulge it in Print. But, those great Practitioners, finding,
after much Loss and Pains, nothing but Despair, write Books of that
Art; which, instead of the _Elixir_, did produce _Despair_; which
again, though produced by Art, did produce, naturally, that Vice,
named _Malice_; and _Malice_, being a Pregnant Seed, sowed upon the
Fertile Ground of their Writings, produces so much Mischief, that many
men of good Estates, have been undone, in following their Rules in
_Chymistry_: And if your Books should be as succesful as _Chymistry_
hath been (I dare not say, among _Fools_; but) amongst Credulous Men;
your Books will cause as much Mischief as theirs have done; not by the
ways of _Fire_, but by the ways of _Water_: for, your Books send men
to Sea, a much Cooler Element than _Fire_; but, more Dangerous than
_Chymical Fire_, unless _Chymical Fire_ be _Hell-Fire_.
Upon which Discourse, the rest of my Thoughts were very angry, and
pull'd them out of their Pulpit, the _Glandula_; and not only so, but
put them out of their Society, believing they were a Factious Party,
which, in time, might cause the Society's Dissolution.
FINIS.