Of the Signature of Naturall things.
n this Booke it is convenient for us speaking of the Signature of things in the first place, to declare by whom things are signed, and who the Signator is, and how many things there be that are signed. You must therefore know, that things that are signed are of 3 sorts. The first sort of them Man signs: the second, the Archeius: the third, the stars of supernaturall things. Therefore upon this account there are three Signators: Man, the Archeius, and Stars.
Moreover, you must note, that impressions signed by men do bring with them a perfect knowledge, and judgement of hid things, and impart the knowledg of their hid vertues, and faculties.
The markes of the Stars cause Prophecies, and Presages, and declare the supernaturall vertues of things, and take out the true judgements, and signes, in Geomancy, Chiromancy, Physiognomy, Hydromancy, Pyromancy, Necromancy, Astronomy, the Berillisticall art, and other Astrall sciences.
But that wee may explain briefly, and truly all the signes, or markes, it wil be necessary in the first place, that wee speak of those signes of which Man is the Signer. Those being understood; you may the more rightly understand the rest, whether naturall, or supernaturall. It is therefore known, that the Iews carry about them, upon their cloak, or coat a yellow sign. And this is nothing else but that mark, by which they would have you, when you meet them, to know that they are Iews. So a Serjeant is known by his divers coloured coat, or sleeve. So every Magistrate apparells his servants with his own colours, and liveries.
Every Mechanick marks his work with a certaine signe, that every one may know whose work it is.
For which end Carriers wear the liverie of their master, or city, that it may be known whom they serve and from whence they travell, that thereby they may goe the safer.
So every Souldier wears a marke, or badge, as colours, black, white, yellow, green, blew, or red, &c. that he may be distinguished from the enemie. Hence it may bee known that this is Cesars souldier, that the Kings, this an Italian, this a French souldier, &c.
These are signes which belong to order, or office, of which many more may bee reckoned up. But yet because wee have intended to describe the signes of naturall, and supernaturall things, wee shal not fill up this booke with other signes.
As concerning those signes, which Man makes, which doe not only respect order, office, or name, but conduce to the knowing of his knowledge, age, dignity, degree, &c. You must know concerning Money, that every kind thereof hath its peculiar triall, and marke, by which it is known, how much it is valued at, who is the Master of it, and in what place it is usually currant. Hence is that German Proverb, Money is no where more in request then where it was coined.
The same also is to bee understood of things that are looked upon and examined by men sworn and appointed for that purpose, before they bee signed: as Cloth which is marked with peculiar marks, by which it may be known, that in examining they were found good, and proved. Why is a seal put upon Letters, but that there is a certain bond, which it is lawfull for no man to violate? For a seal is a confirmation of Letters, whence they are of all men accounted ratified. Without a seale an Acquitance is void, and of no force.
After the same manner many things are marked with few letters, names, or words, as books, which being writ upon the outside but with one word, doe presently shew what is contained within.
The same rule also there is for glasses and boxes in Apothecaries shops, all which are discerned by peculiar names, or papers put upon them. Unlesse that were done, who could discern so many Waters, Liquors, Syrups, Oyles, Powders, Seeds, Unguents, &c. and all simples? After the same manner doth the Alchymist in his Elabatorie mark with names, and papers all Waters, Liquors, Spirits, Oyles, Flegms, Crocus, Alcali, and all species, that thereby hee may when there is occasion make use of any of them, and know them: without the help of which his memory could never bear them.
So also may all houses and buildings bee marked with numbers or figures, that the age of every one of them by the first sight of the number may presently be known.
These and other things that are marked I was willing to shew to you, that these being comprehended, I might bee the better understood by you in the rest, and so the signification of every thing might bee the more plain, and clear.