OF THE
NATVRE
Of Things.
THE NINTH BOOK.
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.