Chemical-Philosophical Treatise on Natural and Supernatural Things

by which the Magi from the east were instructed, who judged by divine inspiration and lawful art. It is the same art which the ancients before us obtained, and which the Egyptians and Arabs possessed, who, before the invention of writing, noted and observed things through signs, characters, and other things of that kind. Nor is the use of these rituals forbidden, which we read in Scripture that Christ Himself employed; "And taking the children, He laid hands upon them and blessed them." But whatever in these things is contrary to GOD and His word is deservedly to be rejected and not permitted, because it is certain that it is done not by GOD but by the Devil himself. But supernatural things that are not adverse to GOD or His word are referred to Magic, which is without peril to the soul.

Regarding visions, which occur frequently to the men of GOD, they also deservedly claim a place for themselves among things alien to nature. For whatever a man ought to attain by the mind through speculation is supernatural; conversely, that which a man can touch, perceive, and grasp is natural.

The third order of natural and supernatural things consists in Medicine, in the virtue of any thing. This Medicine of any thing must first be elicited from a speculable, comprehensible, and natural body, and be advanced into a more improved, spiritual, and supernatural operation, so that the spirit, which was infused and granted to the body in the beginning for life, may be liberated and enabled to penetrate for operation. This is like the spiritual nature and fire, to which its vents are left for burning, nor is anything an impediment to it which could suffocate, extinguish, and intercept the burning life,