The history of the Royal Society of London, for the Improving of Natural Knowledge / By Tho. Sprat.

  • Thomas Sprat
Date:
1702
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the Royal Society of London, for the Improving of Natural Knowledge / By Tho. Sprat. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (J^or A L SO C IE T r. The next Philofophers, whom I fhall touch upon, Se<S are the Chymifis, who have been more numerous, in this later Age, then ever before. And without que- ^ls' Irion, they have lighted upon the right Inftrument of great productions, and alterations : which mu ft for the moft part be perform’d by Fire. They may be divided into three ranks : Such, as look after the knowledge of Nature in general : Such, as feek out, and prepare Medicines : and fuel], as fearch after riches,by Tranfmutations,and the great Elixir. The two firft, have been very fuccefsful, in feparating, compounding,and changing the parts of things: and in ihewing the admirable powers of Nature, in the railing of new confiftencies, figures, colors, and vertues of Bodies. And from their labors, the true Ploilofophy is like to receive the nobleft Improve¬ ments. But the pretenfions of the Third kind, are not onely to indow us, with all the benefits of this life, but with Immortality it fel£ And their luccefs lias been as final!, as their defign was extravagant. Their Writers involve them in luch darknefs; that I fcarce know, which was the greateft task, to un- demand their meaning, or to efFedt it. And in the chafe of the Philofophers Stone, they are fo earned, that they are fcarce capable of any other thoughts : fo that if an Experiment lye never fo little out of their rode, it is free from their difoovery : as I have heard of fome creatures in Africk, which ftill going a violent pace ftraight on, and not being able to turn themfelves, can never get any prey, but what they meet juft in their way. This fecret they pro» fecute fb impetuoufly,that they believe they fee fome footfteps of it, in every line of MofeSj Solomon, or Virgil. The truth is, they are downright Enthufiafts about
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