Hermippus Redivivus (Volume 1); Or, the Sage's Triumph Over Old Age and Te Grave, Wherein, a Method Is Laid Down for Prolonging the Life and Vigour of

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1885. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Therk are two sorts of People whose Interest it is particularly to decry this Doctrine on a Supposition that it is destructive of their own, to which they are prodigiously, and perhaps unreasonably addicted: I mean the Astrologers and Hermetic Philosophers. I shall examine what both may object, rather for the Entertainment and satisfaction, than for the Conviction of the wiser Part of the World, who are already well enough apprized of the Credit due to these Virtuosi; and when I have done this, I shall draw to a speedy Conclusion, from an Assurance that nothing more can be necessary to establish the Probability of this Method for preserving Health and Life, and for defending our Bodies from the Infirmities of old Age as long as their Constitutions will permit. The modern Patrons of Astrology, for such it seems there are, will probably pretend, that this Notion of Hermippus was a mere Fancy, and that if he really reached to an Age so advanced, it was not through the Assistance derived from the Breath of Virgins, but from the happy Position of the Heavenly Bodies at the Time of his Birth. It is, however, lucky for me, that they can never make good this Objection, because I presume their Art will not furnish them with the means of Constructing any Scheme of his Nativity. I know they may plead the Authority of Thomas Aquinas,1 and other great Men who have given into these Opinions. I know, too, that they may produce some extraordinary Instances of the Verification of Astrological Predictions; particularly those of Basil, who was so famous at Florence, and of La Brosse, at Paris, who were particularly happy in guessing at future Events, and in having their Predictions recorded by Historians of Credit. The former of these foretold to Cosmo de Medici, then a private Ci...