EPISTLE TO THE READER. y 
First, The admirable Harmony of the Creation is herein seen, in the influence of 
Stars upon Herbs and the Body of Man, how one part of the Creation is subservient 
to another, and all for the use of Man, whereby the infinite power and wisdom of God 
in the Creation appears; and if I do not admire at the simplicity of the Ranters, never 
trust me; who but viewing the Creation can hold such a sottish opinion, as that it was 
_ from eternity, when the mysteries of it are so clear to every eye? but that Scripture 
_ shall be verified to them, Rom. i. 20. “The invisible things of him from the Creation of 
“the World are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his 
“Eternal Power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”—And a Poet could teach 
them a better lesson: 
“Because out of thy thoughts God shall not pass, 
“His image stamped is on every grass.” 
This indeed is true, God has stamped his image on every creature, and therefore 
_ the abuse of the creature is a great sin; but how much the more doth the wisdom and 
| excellency of God appear, if we consider the harmony of the Creation in the virtue and 
operation of every Herb? 
Secondly, Hereby you may know what infinite knowledge Adam had in his inno- 
cence, that by looking upon a creature, he was able to give it a name according to his 
: nature; and by knowing that, thou mayest know how great thy fall was, and be hum- 
) bled for it even in this respect, because hereby thou art so ignorant. 
| Thirdly, Here is the right way for thee to begin the study of Physic, if thou art 
minded to begin at the right end, for here thou hast the reason of the whole art. I wrote 
| before in certain Astrological Lectures, which I read, and printed, intituled, Astrolo- 
: gical Judgment of Diseases, what planet caused (as a second cause) every disease, how - 
it might be found out what planet caused it; here thou hast what planet cures it by 
_ Sympathy and Antipathy; and this brings me to my last promise, viz. 
Instructions for the right use of the book. 
And herein let me promise a word or two, the Herbs, Plants, &c. are now in the 
book appropriated to their proper planets. Therefore, 
First, Consider what planet causeth the disease: that thou mayest find in my afore- 
_ said Judgment of Diseases. 
Secondly, Consider what part of the body is afflicted by the disease, and whether 
_ it lies in the flesh, or blood, or bones, or ventricles. 
Thirdly, Consider by what planet the afflicted part of the body is governed: that 
_ my Judgment of Diseases will inform you also. 
Fourthly, You may oppose diseases by Herbs of the planet opposite to the planet — 
that causeth them: as diseases of Jupiter by Herbs of Mercury, and the contrary; 
| diseases of the Luminaries by Herbs of Saturn, and the contrary; diseases of Mars 
es a ey 
