Several Tracts Pertaining to the Archidoxa

names, signs, figures, pantacula talismanic symbols, the consecrated Seals of Solomon, crowns, scepters, belts, rings, and all such ceremonies be, tear them up, and throw them away—in which they have set their trust for so long, which should preserve and surely protect them in their operations of dangerous experiments, that is, when they want to call upon, conjure, or constrain a spirit. For these are held to be the true, genuine pantacula against evil spirits, before which they all recoil and become fearful, as many of them as are in the four elements. Now, however, one might say to this, and unjustly accuse me, that I am a breaker of the third commandment of the first Table of Moses, where God says: Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain. Which sensible person can truthfully say that I have used the name of God in vain, misused it, or angered God with it, since I do not use it like the sorcerers, but only for man in his highest needs, where otherwise there is no more help to be had? For here, the aurum potabile potable gold, Quinta Essentia auri fifth essence of gold, or Tinctura Solis tincture of the Sun, or other such arcana secret remedies can do some help, which are otherwise of great virtue. For every physician must know whence every disease comes and has taken its origin. If it has arisen and fallen from evil food and drink, such as from fruit, herbs, and other such fruits of the earth, then one must help again with the arcana of herbs and roots, etc. Likewise, if a disease has fallen upon someone from causes of minerals or metals, one must also help again with the same arcana, for they do not regard or take the former ones of herbs and roots. Thus, if the influence of the heaven has added or brought a disease upon one, neither the arcana of herbs, roots, nor the arcana of minerals or metals can do any help, but it must be helped astronomically again through an influence, as is written of the perlicaria a plant/remedy. Thus also, if a supernatural cause, sorcery, or magical intervention of the ascendants is added as a disease or pain, none of the previous three can help at all, but there must be