Page:A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More.djvu/98

56 But secondly, who knows but it is so with poisonous Plants as vulgarly is phansied concerning Toads and other poisonous Serpents, that they lick the venome from off the Earth? so poisonous Plants may well draw to them all the malign juice and nourishment, that the other may be more pure and defæcate; as there are Receptacles in the Body of Man and Emunctories to drain them of superfluous Choler, Melancholy, and the like.

But lastly, it is very well known by them that know any thing in Nature and Physick, that those Herbs that the rude and ignorant would call Weeds are the Materials of very soveraign Medicines; that Aconitum hyemale or Winter-wolfs-bane, that otherwise is rank poison, is reported to prevail mightily against the bitings of Vipers and Scorpions, which Crollius assenteth unto; and that that Plant that bears death in the very name of it, Solanum lethiferum, prevents death by procuring sleep, if it be rightly apply'd in a Feaver. Nor are those things to be deemed unprofitable whose use we know not yet; for all is not to be known at once, that succeeding Ages may ever have something lest to gratifie themselves in their own discoveries.

3. We come now to the Signatures of Plants, which seem no less Argument that the highest Original of the works of Nature is some Understanding Principle, then that so careful provision of their Seed, Nay, indeed, this respects us more properly and adequately then the other, and is a certain Key to enter Man into the knowledge and use of the Treasures of Nature. I demand therefore, whether it be not a very easie and genuine inference, from the observing that several Herbs are marked with some mark or sign that intimates their virtue, what they are good for, and there being such a creature as Man in the world that can read and understand these signs and characters; hence to collect that the Authour both of Man and them knew the nature of them both: For it is like the Inscriptions upon Apothecaries Boxes, that the Matter of the Shop sets on that the Apprentice may read them; nay, it is better, for here is in Herbs inscribed the very nature and use of them, not the mere name. Nor is there any necessity that all should be thus signed, though some be, for the rarity of it is the delight: for otherwise it had been dull and cloying, too much harping upon the same string. And besides. Divine Providence would onely initiate and enter mankind into the useful knowledge of her Treasures, leaving the rest to imploy our industry, that we might not live like idle Loyterers and Truants: For the Theatre of the world is an exercise of Mans wit, not a lazy Polyanthea, or book of Common places. And therefore all things are in some measure obscure and intricate, that the sedulity of that divine Spark, the Soul of Man, may have matter of conquest and triumph, when he has done bravely by a superadvenient assistance of his God.

4. But that there be some Plants that bear a very evident Signature of their nature and use, I shall fully make good by these following instances.

Capillus Veneris, Polytrichon or Maiden-hair, the lye in which it is sodden or infus'd is good to wash the head, and make the Hair grow in those places that are more thin and bare. Rh