Nicholas Culpeper
Introduction to The English Physitian 1652
... then I considered that all Medicines were compounded of Herbs, Roots, Flowers, Seeds &c. and this first set me awork in studying the Nature of Simples, most of which I knew by sight before, and indeed all the Authors I could reade gave me but little satisfaction in this particular, or none at all; I cannot build my faith upon authors words, nor beleeve a thing because they say it, and could wish every bodie were of my mind in this, to labor to be able to give a reason for every thing they say or do; they say reason makes a man differ from a Beast, if that be true, pray what are they that instead of Reason for their judgment, quote old Authors, perhaps their Authors knew a reason for what they Wrote, perhaps they did not, what is that to us, do we know it? Truly in writing this Work first, to satisfie my self I drew out all the Vertues of vulgar Herbs, Plants, and Trees &c. out of the best and most approved Authors I had or could get, and having done so, I set my self to studie the Reason of them; I knew well enough the whol world and every thing in it was formed of a Composition of contrary Elements, and in such a harmony as must needs shew the wisdom and Power of a great God. I knew as well this Creation though thus composed of contraries was one united Body, and man an Epitome of it, I knew those various affections in man in respect of Sickness and Health were caused Naturally (though God may have other ends best known to himself) by the various operations of the Macrocosm; and I could not be ignorant, that as the Cause is, so must the Cure be, and therefore he that would know the Reason of the operation of Herbs must look up as high as the Stars; I alwaies found the Disease vary according to the various motion of the Stars, and this is enough one would think to teach a man by the Effect where the Cause lay: Then to find out the Reason of the Operation of Herbs, Plants, &c. by the Stars went I, and herein I could find but few Authors, but those as full of nonsense and contradictions as an Egg is full of meat, this being little pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two Brothers, Dr. REASON, and Dr. EXPERIENCE, by whose advice together with the help of Dr. DILLIGENCE, I at last obtained my desires, and being warned by Mr. HONESTY, a stranger in our daies to publish it to the World, I have done it.