The first SECTION.

WHen I had resolued on the Cure of the Mindes infirmitus, it seemed vnto me that the same could not be compleate, except the Body were also made harmoniously correspon­dent to harbour that Heauenly Light with his pretious Gifts, which our Sauiour promised before his Ascention to send vnto vs. Therefore, that both of them, like euen yoake-fellowes, might walke safely [Page 2] in this vale of Misery, I haue here inserted a New-found Cure for the Bodies health; Ut sit mens sana in corpore sano. But be­fore the discouery of this diuine Medicine, in comparison whereof the Elixir so much commended by our Paracelsians, is but vanity of Vannies, (for our Phisicke con­duceth to the health of the Minde, as of the Body) I wi [...], as a Preparatiue, minister and shew, how the Qualities of the Mind do follow the disposition of the Body.

It is most certayne, when the Body is free from supersiuous Excrements, and noysome Huinours, that then the Functi­ons and Operations of the Mind appeare more liuely, fresh, and most capable to re­ceiue in Wisdome and Knowledge, which caused a certaine Philosopher to purge him­selfe with Hellebore, before hee aduentu­red to write of deepe Mysteries. Euen so when the Minde is troubled, the Face be­w [...]ayes it, although a man would faine conceale it with all his cunning. Yea, sometimes the very Eyes will manifest the ioy that one conceaues in his heart. Nor is the Minde mooued onely with those motions and instruments of the Body, but likewise feeles great Alterations by such [Page 3] nourishments and ing [...]edients as we take into our Bodies. The which we see veri­fied in our debauched Gallants, and com­mon Drunkards, who seldome enter in­to quarrels in cold blood, but amongst their Pots of Wine and strong liquor, they passe Polyphemus and all his Cyclops. Others haue drunke away sorrow and care. The like mutation Saffron workes, for if a man commonly vse it in sance with his meate, it makes his heart light and iocound. And being taken in Mus [...]adine, or some heady wine, it workes so violent­ly, that the Taker becomes rauing madde with excessiue Mirth.

The often vse of Hares flesh causeth men to be f [...]arefull. As on th' other side, Beefe [...] English couragious and vndaun­ [...] in perills. And surely, I beleeue one of the chiefest causes of the Sauages in­humane cruelty proceedes through their [...] of W [...]lues and Bcares flesh. In my time I know a [...] Oxford a Poet, who after good [...] of S [...]ke would write his best Verses, according to that olde, saying:

[Page 4] It is reported, that Thomas Nash a scur­rilous Pamph [...]eter in Q. Elizabeths dayes, vsed to drinke Aqua vitae with Gun-powder to inspire his malicious spirit with [...]ayling matter to shame Doctor Haruey, and o­ther Aduersaries of his: Which infleming Po [...]ion wrought so eagerly vppon his Brame, that hee would often beate him­selfe about the noddle, and scratch the Walls round about him, vntill hee met with some extrauagant furious Termes, which as he imagined would blurre and lay sufficient aspersions vpon them. The like fiery prouocations the Turkes haue accustomed to take, when they went a­bout some desperate seruice; wherby they forced a new Bellona out of their mischie­nous hands.

Other some, like our fighting Cockes, haue vsed Garlike for that bloody pur­pose. Thus the Body is oftentimes turned Nolens volens, to serue and obey the mind, as the Minde likewise to follow the incli­nation of the Body. For what other fruit can a Body stuffed with corrupt humours, Choller, and Gall produce, but beastlike Passions? Whereas on the contrary, the Abstemious and Continent by their spa­ring [Page 5] Dyet do restrayne in time such ouer­flowings, and thereby prepare them­selues to be the purer vessels to contayne the Water of Life distilled from the Hea­uenly Comforter.

Euen as a thicke Cloud obscures the Sunne beames from our sight: So the vi­cious qualities of the Body darken the Mind, which is the great Eye or Light of the Body. And this is the cause, that when the one is grieued th' other is grieued, and when th' one is merry, th' other is so too. Therefore it is a thing to bee wished, that they were kept both in an equall propor­tion and symmetry with conuenient nou­rishments, recreations, exercise, and aboue all with spirituall food: Yea and other whiles, if need require, the Mistresse must correct her rebellions Seruant, that the Image of our great Creator bee not quite defaced.

But to returne to the Subiect wee haue in hand, the Body of Man is the most tem­perate of all other mortall Creatures, and therefore it may bee rightly termed the Golden Rule, measure, and square, whereby the Excesse of all other things may be ob­serued, and their different Faculties dis­cerned. [Page 6] And for this cause in respect of our humane Bodies, the fours Elements are noted to be Hot, Cold, Moist, and Dry: Here hence we gather, that the Flesh of Fowle is hot and dry, and that the Food of Fish is cold & moist, fit to engender flegme. Betwixt these as the Meane, are Earthly Creatures placed, and among these Mans Body hath the preheminence, as the best tempered vnder the Cope of Heauen. The which also varies according to the Cli­mate.

For our Northerne Nations are of a Col­der constitution then theirs, that liue within the Tropickes, or neere vnto them. And therefore the Ancient Phylosophers would not allow a temperate Body but with in a temperate Country. Neyther is this temper so constant in our temperate coun­tries, but the inequaltity of the Soyle, and S [...]ituation, controules this temper: For we haue Spring and Summer weather in places at the same instant, within a mile or two distant.

As for Example, in Dales and at the foote of Hils we fee [...]e it warme; whereas [Page 7] wee cannot endure long to stay on the Neighbouring Mountaynes by reason of Snow, or furious Winds, which likewise other-throw, or hinder the growth of Plantes and Corne sixe or seauen weekes later, then such as we finde in the bottom or lowest descent. The same alteration I haue seene in the Alpes and Pyrenae [...]n Moun­taynes, where I could be hold ripe Grapes and a fourishing Haruest in the Vallies; and Trauailing but a League higher vp to­wards the top of the Mountaynes, I might see nothing but horrid Rockes, Hayle, Snow, and Windes in that impetuous manner, that there a man would take September to be Ianuary. Moreouer, this change crosseth our Temper i [...] respect of Age; for Youth is more hot and moyst then more setled yeares. And that Dyet, which might be properly accommodated to olde men, perhaps would weaken or statue the younger sort. How then shall we be able to finde out this Golden meane and Temper in mans Body, when we are subiect to so many mutations? Do not we perceiue the very Beasts and vnreasonable creatures to go beyond vs in some of our noblest Organs? Do they not excell vs in [Page 8] the fiue sences, viz. The Boare in hearing; the Ounce in seeing; the Ape in tasting; the Vultur in smelling; and the Spider in tou­ching, as these ancient Verses imply?

This cannot bee denied in those Crea­tures; but because I am an ill Huntes-man, I will continue my conuersation with men; amongst which there is much diuer­sity for their seueral parts. Here stands a man with a most temperate Braine; there another with a sound Liuer; some are long breathed; some excell in the Temper of their Hearts; and in many of these wee might behold Actions, which tend vnto Vnity, as to their Center.

But in generall, of late yeares wee dege­nerate from that, which by our Baptisme we vowed to be; as in like manner wee haue crackt our Braines, shortned our breathing faculties, corrupted our Liuer, inframed our Blood, and all with excesse of varieties of meates and drinkes. We p [...]ate of the Holy Ghost, of the Temple of God; but let euery man examine his owne conscience, whether it bee possible that such a sanctified Guest could remaine in [Page 9] such an impure Body, which hath recei­ued into it so great store of Victualls, and the choysest, which the Ayre, Earth, and Sea could yeelde, and of the strongest Wines euen vnto vomiting.

If after this inquisition wee finde that the Spirit of God requires an vndefiled and purer seate to lodge in, then let vs sweep cleane, and do our best to purifie and pre­pare our Bodies to be tolerably meete to entertayne this sacred Messenger; for if hee knockes at the doore of our hearts, and we slight his Call, it is to bee feared hee will returne no more to such a nasty Roome, where the Master of the house neglects his dearest Land-Lord. To re­duce the World vnto a better Temper, the Body as well as the Minde, I had recourse to many Cures. I read Marsilius Ficinus his Worke concerning a Heauenly Body here on Earth, but there meeting with nothing but distractions, at the last I lighted on two Treatises, the one Publi­shed by Lodouico Cornario an Italian; and th' other by Lessius of Bruxels a learned Ie­suite, out of whose Precepts I collected this admirable Dyet, which whosoeuer hath the power to practise, hee shall [Page 10] quickly apprehend the difference betwixt a Table furnished with variety of meates, whose nature in digestion are contrary the one to th' other, and betwixt that simple Cheere, which conrented our Sauiour here on Earth with his Disciples. By the former spring all our sicknesses. By this latter of Sobriety we stint Concupiscence and after one quarter of a yeare our Bodies being accustomed to a set measure of meat and drinke, wee shall confesse, that say­ing of the Heath'nish Phylosopher, to iumpe aright with a reformed Christian: Turpe est homini non nosse mensuram ventres sui. It is a shamefull thing for an vnder­standing man not to know the measure of his owne Belly.

To wind vp this my Preparatiue in a word, when I had compared Lessius his obserua­tions with Daniels and his three Companions Dyet, and how by reason of their slender fare being but Pulse, they were in better state then those that fed on dainties, I con­cluded this new found dyet to be acceptable to Gods spirit, and if it awaites on Faith, it will serue for a Christians Purification be­fore Glorification.

[Page 11]The second SECTION.

BY the former Discourse it is appa­rant, that the Well-being and Health of Mans Body consists in obseruing the Golden Meane, which is Temperance in our Dyet, that is, cating and drinking no more, then the Stomacke can well di­gest, and that thereby the functions of the Minde bee not hindered nor made ob­scure by the excessiue Quantity. For this reason, and because Study and Contem­p [...]ation doe mightily hinder Concoction, they that are this way busied, must eate and drinkelesse, then those that be idle, or doe trauailc abroad.

But now to finde out this Measure, I confesse it a great difficulty by reason of the dinersities of mens Constitutions, Yeares, and Strength: For that Measure, which a­greeth [Page 12] with an o'de man, cannot square well with a young man, nor that of the strong man with the weake.

The Chollericke must haue his propor­tion differing from the Flegmaticke. These haue euery one a stomacke repugnant to one anothers nature: How then shall wee compose an exact Measure to reconcile these repugnances? Necessity requires vs to lookeafter this Soueraigne good, for the health of the Body and Soule; but Concu­piscence and our longing wills can hardly consent to be limitted. Yet notwithstand­ing, naturall reason bids vs to proserue Na­ture, although wee smart a little to enioy the more content.

Let vs then search out what proporti­on of meate and drink will serue a reasona­ble Creature; the which the easier to find, we must obserue these Rules. First, if one takes into his body ordinarily so much meate and drinke, that after the meale he feeles himselfe more heauy, sleepy, and lesse capable to conceiue matters of Di­uine knowledge, Sermons, or any kinde of Study, then hee was before his meale, let him rest assuredly, that hee hath ex­ceeded the Measure wee looke for. For [Page 13] it is not fit to feede and please the vegetatiue and sensuall part so much, that thereby the noblest part be offended, which is the Ani­mall and reasonable Faculty.

Wee must consider, that out of the aboundance of meates, which wee re­ceiue into our Bodies, there will arise Vapouis from the Stomacke vp to the Head, which will darken the Vnderstan­ding; and also store of Humours and Blood ingendred in the Liuer, M [...]lt, and Veines, which will inflame vpwards, and helpe with the former Vapours to ouer­cloud the cleare Rayes of Reason and Wisdome, which they would neuer do, if a man had not exceeded the lawfull mea­sure. O how much are they deceiued, who feeling themselues feeble in the mor­ning, runne speedily to Breake-fast, as though Nature languished for want of meate, when as in very deede their weak­nesse proceedes from the aboundance of Humours congested and gathered toge­ther, which by their ouer-much moy­sture haue stuft the Musckles and the si­newes, and stopt the passages of the spirits, so that the Scuruy and other Diseases creepe in by reason of those [Page 41] Obstructions and Oppilations. The like abuse some commit in their mornings draughts, which indeede is the chiefe cause of the Dropsies, Gouts, Coughes, and other moyst sicknesses.

Secondly, a man must not suddainely thinke to meete with this Measure, but by little and little by degrees hee must leaue of his former course of Dyet, and all by leasure proceede by diminishing his wounted fare, vntill hee arriues to that Quantity, that after his meale hee feeles none of the aboue named impediments to grieue his Head, or to hinder the Functions of his Minde.

Thirdly, although a certayne set quan­tity cannot rightly be prescribed by reason of the different natures of meates, and of the ages of men, yet notwithstanding it is lately tryed by experience, that for olde Persons, or for such as approach neere vnto it, or for some that feare some incurable sicknesse, twelue, thirteene, or foureteene Ounces of meate will serue a man for a day, accounting Bread, Flesh, Egges, or any such solid meate, and so many Ounces or some­what more of drinke. This measure I pre­scribe onely to aged persons, the sickely, [Page 15] to Clergy men, to Iudges, Schollers, or to such as are wholly addicted to their Bookes, to Maydes, and such sedentary or idle people, who vse not bodily exercise. Loao [...]i [...] Cornarie, Father Lessius and ma­ny others by late experience found this quantity to be sufficient.

Fourthly, as for the Quality of the meats, there is no great heed to be taken so that they exceede not in the quantity, if the meate distaste not the Appetite, and that the due measure be obserued. Among al the sorts of meates which we eate, those are commended, which are of least putrifacti­on. For wee see, that Fish and Flesh will taint sooner then Pulse or Corne. And there­fore Rice, Bread, or such as are made of them will agree best with Nature, for by experience it is sound, that the chiefe cause of the small Pockes, &c. comes of the eating of flesh too soone.

They which haue practised this Dyet, do highly commend Panades, or Gruell, which the Italians call Panat [...]llam, or Pul­ticulam, which is compounded of Bread and Water, or Brewis, or the like diuersi­fied with Butter, Oyle, Egges, Wine, Cur­rents, Cynamon, Sugar, Hony, Pepper, [Page 16] Saffron, Cinger, &c. because this kinde of meate is most easily to be concocted, be­ing ready to breed good blood, and very like to the Chyle, or that substantiall myce, which the Stomacke workes out of the Conco [...]tion of our meate.

The fifth Rule, for asmuch as all the difficulty for the obseruing of this mea­sure proceedes of sensuall appetite, and that this sensuall appetite springs of the appre­hension of Imagination, whereby varieties of meates are conceiued to bee very plea­sing to the sences, wee must doe our endea­uour to correct this depraued Imagination. For the correcting whereof, two things among others are chiefly to bee regarded First, that we with-draw our selues from the sight of such prouoaking and enticing dainties, as we read Epaminonda that va­liant Theban did, who being inuited to a friends house, and seeing the Table too fully replenished with delicacies, departed suddainly away. And afterwards beeing demaunded wherefore he went so rudely and hastily from thence; answered, because he thought his friend had prepared all that aboundant cheare, as a Sacrifice for the Gods; and not for necessary foode to mor­tall [Page 17] Men. Secondly, when wee are for­ced for manners sake to stay and behold such vaine Varieties, that wee imagine them not to be in very deede so delightfull, faire, and wholesome, as in outward shew they seeme to be, but that they are deceit­full baites to catch and e [...]snare his fantasie to feede on them for his destruction; and that when they passe through the Body, they are most loathsome Excrements, lea­uing poysoned relickes behind them to be conuerted into hurtfull humours. Euery thing when it is resolued into the first Principles and Elements will appeare in the true shape, which is no other but Corruption. And the more sweete it is, when it so resolued, it becomes the more sordide and st [...]nking, as may be noted by Suckets and such sugred Condited ware, whereas the Dung of Labourers is nothing so displeasing, for that they feede on sim­ple food, which Nature best approoues. To verifie this, let vs enquire whose Dung is most stinking, the Dogges or the De [...]es.

This Dyet composed of Bread is pure, simple, not subiect to Corruption, as o­ther nourishments be. And therefore I [Page 18] may well auerre, that it resembles that choyse food of Manna, which God besto­wed on the Israelites in the Wildernesse; the which as the Spanish Author in his Triall of Wits was of opinion, that for many Ge­nerations after it did reduce their Bodies to a more Temperate Constitution then my other Nations, in so much that their Seede did multiply, and their Minds were more purified, and prepared capable of Gods miraculous blessings, to inherite the land of Canaan, which their Fathers, whose longing thoughts were altogether set on the Onions, Garlike, and flesh-pots of Egypt. wherewith from their Infancy they had accustomed to feed on, were debarred off for their hardned hearts.

I prescribe not this Dyet, though solide and substantiall, to Labourers and Hindes, for their stomackes are like Ostridges, which can digest Iron, and by their Vio­lent motion can better away with Bull-Beefe, Ram Mutton, Beanes and Bacon, then with the daintiest meate in the World: As I hard that a Clownish Boore told my Vncle Sir Iohn Perrot, who on a time comming to visite him being his Te­nant and sicke, aduised him to eate some [Page 19] der meate, as Chicken or sucking Rab­bet; he answered him: Alas Maister, what shall I doe with such kinde of Meate, when I cannot eate the Bacon, which is as yel­low as the Golden Noble? I limit no such persons, no more then Galen did, when he Dedicated his Worke for the preserua­tion of Health De sanitate tuenda, not vnto the strong Complexioned and the Barbarous, as the Germanes, who were so accounted in those dayes; but vnto the ciuill and nice-b [...]ed Italians.

I present the discouery of this Secret, and the Practise of it, to them, that make a conscience of their Calling, not to wal­low like swinish Epicures in sensuall beastly pleasures, but as men resolued to liue so­berly, like Christians, who must acknow­ledge, that the Holy Ghost cannot long re­side in fat foggy Bodies, that make a God of their Bellies, and who for that cause doe still pamper themselues with delica­cies, and continue more houres at their gluttonous meales, swilling of sugred Sacke, and many cups of strong drinke, then they doe at their Prayers, or in the seruice of God.

S ^t. Paul, as likewise the first Christians, [Page 20] did often vse to mortifie their Bodies for feare of Temptations: I tame my Body (sayth hee) to bring it into subiection, least while I Preach to others, my selfe become a Cast [...]way.

But wee are so fa [...]ie from such mor­tifications, that wee cannot spare one mea [...]e in the Weeke, though it were to fa [...] a Neighbours life, or to conuert the expence of that mea [...]e to defend the Pub­l [...]cke State from ruine, or from Antichri­stian Tyra [...]y. And yet we must passe for reformed Christians. None must say, Blacke is our Eye, or that wee haue the least skarre abo [...]t vs. O that men would looke within them; and see whether that place bee fit to receiue the holy Comforter. If then they finde that my words be true, and that their Gurmandize and Intempe­tance [...]a [...]e obscured their Iudgements, whereby they were not able by reason of stupidity and dulnesse to fall to the Pra­ctise of a Sober Liuing, let them out of hand beginne to make some experience of this Dyet, if not continually, yet on those Fasting dayes, which our Church hath ordayned of Christian Policy, to pu­rifie a loathsome Carkases, and not as me­ritorious [Page 21] for satisfaction of Gods Iu­stice.

Thus the Israelites of old time were ad­uised to fast, and commaunded to Purifie their Bodies in another manner. The which the very Turkes and Iewes doe put in Practise at this day. And wherefore stands this Purification? but to prepare [...]oome for the spirituall Bridegroome? yea, and perhaps, this Abst [...]ence may ser [...]e for some qualification of his Iustice, al­though not for any satisfaction, Yet helpe to couer a Mult [...]ude of sinnes: As Saint Peter and Saint Iames wrot, specia [...]ly, if the estimate of what is spared, be confer­red on pious vses.

The third SECTION.

IT remayneth now, that I propose, what Commodities this set Dyet produceth: First, it preserues a man free from all sicknesses, for it keepes backe all the Humours and watrish spirits, which arise from the Stomacke to the Head. It cures the Go [...]t, the Dropsie, the Astmaticke Pas­sions, the Cough, and Catarrhes, it hinde­reth Crudities and raw f [...]gmaticke hu­mours, which indeede are the ingendring causes of all diseases. It bridles and keeps all the Humours in such an equall temper, that none shall offend eyther in Quantity, or in Quality: for indeede all our sicknesses proceed from Repletion, sauing some few which proceede of Famine, in taking more sustenance then Nature requires, or the Stomacke can well digest. For mani­festation whereof, we see, that all Disea­ses are cured by Euacuations. Blood letting is vsed to [...]ase Nature. And so are Purga­tious [Page 23] taken to free the Body of that insup­portable load of filthy matter, which by Gluttony was ingendred. Nor will one Purge sustice. But before an ordinary sicknesse be remooued, the Apothecary must minister many Nauseatiue and bitter Potions able to weary the strongest Na­ture. For at the first, the first Region, as Physitians call it, must be purged; that is, the Guts and entrailes. Secondly, the Liuer. And lastly, the Veines must bee emptied of their watrish Humors and ex­crements.

And it is holden for certaine, that in e­uery two yeares there is such store of ill humors and excrements ingendred in the Body, that a Vessell of one hundred Ounces wil scarce contayne them.

These humours being let alone, will corrupt in processe of time, and wil cause a man to fall into some deadly sicknesse. And commonly, most people, which dye in their Beds, before they arriue to ex­treamity of old age, doe perish by these ouer-abounding Humors, which they heaped within them through their exces­siue Feasts and Belly-cheere.

The second Commodity, that comes by [Page 24] this orderly Dyet is, that it doth not one­ly defend a man from those superfluous Humors within the Body, but likewise it fortifieth him agaynst outward Causes; for hee which hath his Body pure with temperate humors, shall easier endure the ini [...]ries and discommodities of cold or hot weather and of [...]oylesome labour, then he that liues licentiously. Yea, and if he be wounded in his body, he will speedily re­couer.

The reason is, because very little fluxe of any offending humor can fall into the wounded part, which in other bodies is wont to inflame; yea, and sometime it will cause a griping Convulsion, or a vio­lent Fea [...]er. An which our temperate ha­bit of bodily Mould shall neuer once bee af­fected with; for there is as much diffe­rence betwixt them, as the [...]e is betwixt a perfe [...]t Ch [...]ensian Procellane, and our roughest earthen Vessels.

Lastly, it preserues a man from the Plogue, for there is nothing heere to spa [...], no matter to worke vpon, which was verified insober Socrates, who not­withstanding that the Plag [...]e had of­tentimes [Page 25] wasted Athens, yet hee was neuer sicke eyther of that, or any other disease.

The third Commodity is, that it cau­seth not onely Health, dut a [...]so Long Life, in so much that when hee dyeth, hee feeles no such pangs and torments, as other men vse to haue, for hee falls, like an Apple fully ripe, euen by meere reso­lution, mildly, and gently away. The bond of a Temperate mans Body and Soule is dissolued onely, when the Radi­call moysture is spent; like vnto a Lampe, which is extinguished when the Oy [...]e is quite consumed. For euen as a Lampe may bee put out three manner of wayes:

First, by outward violence, as by v [...]he­ment wind.

Secondly, by powring too much wa­ter vpon it, wherewith the pure Liquor of the Oyle is oppressed.

Thirdly, by the vt [...]er consumption of the Oyle: So Mans Life, which is com­pared to a burning Lampe, may bee extin­guished three wayes.

First, by the Sword, Drowning, or such like violent death.

[Page 26] Secondly, by the superfluity or depra­ued quality of the Humours, wherewith the naturall moysture is corrupted. Third­ly, when this moysture is spent by the length of time. If a man dyes by reason of eyther of the two former wayes, there must ensue a great commotion in Nature, and therefore he feeles extraordinary grie­ [...]ances, when the bond of Nature is thus [...]o [...]ently before the day and ripe time compelled to bee dissolued. But by the third manner of dissolution a man feeles no paine at all, because the Temperature is all by leasure dissolued from within him, and because the gentle moysture, which feedes the Body, becomes wasted together with the naturall heate at the same instant, when the Soule departes. And thus shall our Dyeted persons dye, except they bee [...] forced by some outward Accident.

The fourth Commodity is, that it makes the Body Actiue, Light, Liuely, and ready to all motions and exercise: For heauinesse, lazinesse, and the oppression of Nature pro­ceede from the aboundance of Humours which destroy the passages of the Spirits, and besiedging the [...]ovnts, they ouer moy­sture them at last. Therefore when this a­boundance [Page 27] of Humors is diminished or ta­ken away by a Regular Dyet, the very cause of dulnesse and heauinesse is also ta­ken away, and then the pores and passages of the Spirits are made broad and more open.

The fourth SECTION.

AS the Body feeles seuerall benefits by this admirable Dyet, so the Minde partakes of no lesse commodities: First, it brings Health and Vigour to the outward sences, for the sence of See­ing becomes darkned in aged Persons, by reason that the Optick nerues are ouer-char­ged with superfiuous humours or vapors, whereby the animall spirit, which serues for the vse of the Sight, eyther is obseu­red, or else is not able to minister asmuch matter, as is sufficient to make the Sight perfect.

[Page 28] This impediment is remooued, or at least much diminished by Sobriety, and Ab­stinence from those things which fill the Head with fumes, of which kinde are all fat things, and Bu [...]ter excessiuely taken, raw Onions, Garlike, strong Wine, o­muddy Beere or A [...]e. Or if at the worst their sights bee somewhat dimme or red­dish, the Oyn [...]ment of Tu [...] with a i. t. e. Aloes wi [...]auayle them. Or if the feare a greater griefe, the Iuice of Stonecrop will [...] the pin and the Web.

The sence of Hearing is hindred by the defluxion of raw Humors from the B [...]aine, into the Organ of Hearing, or into the si­newes which serues it. By which meanes a man becomes thicke of Hearing, or deafe on that side where the Defluxion hap­neth. A temperate Dyet will preuent this Defluxion, and with a few locall medi­cines, vnlesse the deafenesse be inueterate, it will quite expell it.

As for the Sence of Tasting, it is cer­tayne, that the Taste of a Temperate man is farre more quicke, sharpe, and pleasing, then it is in the Glutton, and Drunkard, who by reason of Chollericke or brackish Humors, whether they bee ingend [...]ed in [Page 29] the Head, or in the stomacke, takes all Meates otherwise then they are in deede.

Another Commodity, which a Tempe­rate Dyet brings to the Soule, is that it m [...]ti­gateth Affectors or P [...]ssions, chu [...]fl [...] melan­cholly and Anger. Wee see by experience, that they in whom Cho [...]r and Melan­choily bea [...]e Dominion, if they bee not in conuenient time p [...]ged of those Hu­mors, they fall into strange and violent sicknesses, as Lunacy and Fre [...]zy, especi­ally if they bee suffered to get footing in the Braine and there to ens [...]ame. If it bee sharpe, and falls into the tunicles of the Stomacke, it causeth a man to become very Ra [...]enous: If there be aboundance of blood, it makes a man Leacherous, chiefy, if there bee some windy matter crept into it.

The Reason is, because the Affections of the Minde do follow the apprehension of the Fantasy; and the apprehension of the Fantasy is conformable to the disposi­tion of the Body, and to the Humours which bea [...]e rule in the Body. Hence it is, that the Chollericke doe dreame of Fires, Flames, Warres, and Slaughters. [Page 30] The Melancholick dreame of Darknes, bu­rialls, Sepulchers, Sprights, of deepe pits, fearefull flights, and of the like trouble­some things. The Flegmatick [...] dreame of Rame, Ri [...]ers, Lakes, Shipwracke, drow­ning, &c The Sa [...]guine dreame of Ban­quets, Loue, Ioyes, &c. All these with their Causes are auoyded by a sober Dyet; for insteed of bad there are ingendred no­thing but true and good Blood, Choller, Flegme, and Melancholly, so that their in­ward conditions are wel composed, gentle, Milde, Demure, and quiet, neuer ministring any cause of Debate, but with Sobriety and Patience taking all things in good part.

The third Commodity, which a sober Dye [...] brings with it, is the safety of me­mory. which is wont to be impayred and hu [...]t by reason of cold Humours, which haue seized on the Braine, and is very o­minous to the intemperate or aged per­son. This inconuenience is speedily cured by an orderly Dyet, with abstayning from ho [...] liq [...]urs and fuming drinkes, vnlesse it be in sin [...]l quantity. For although Wine and strong drinke bee hote, yet it causeth [Page 31] colde sicknesses beeing often taken, as Coughes, Distillations, the Pose, the Apo­plexie, or Palsie.

The fourth Commodity is, the liuely Vi­gour of the Minde, in Reasoning, Iudging, in Inuention, and in an apter Disposition to conceiue or receiue Diuine Mysteries. Heere hence it comes to passe, that they, which obserue a sparing Dyet are watch­full, circumspect, prouident, and sound of Iudgement: Whatsoeuer spirituall or men­tall exercise they take in hand, they com­monly excell in that kinde of knowledge, which they undertake. The reason is, be­cause their thoughts are abstracted and seuered from this base earthly mould to Heauenly Contemplation, and to those high Angelical raptures, of which f [...]esh and blood can hardly enter into the Conside­ration.

I beleeue very few in these dayes may be sayd to be thus Diuinely disposed, for I will stand vnto it, that except they haue some power of Abstinence together with that vnspotted Faith, which the Prote­stant Church holds, they shall neuer passe for men truely Religious, nor shine with that bright Light of Vnderstanding to con­t [...]mne [Page 32] the Vanities of this seducing World, nor receiue that solace in their spirits to conceiue themselues as it were in Paradise familiar with God. For doubt­lesse they that are thus Regularly dyeted, if they haue but a graine of Faith, as it is Written, they may worke wonders, and perhaps performe mi [...]acles. They shall see strange Visions, and be rapt vp, as St. Paule was, into the Heau [...]ns for some small time to receiue spirituall consolati­ons, the which if these Reuelations and Consolations conc [...]rne onely themselues, they must not blabbe them abroad, vnlesse their publication be more for the glory of God, then for their owne Hypocriticall prayse.

For it pleaseth God oftentimes to send or infuse messages to confirme his seruants in their constant courses. As I remember in the Booke of Martyres a Holy man bee­ing in Queene Maries dayes to be brought to the Stake for the Faiths sake, the night before complayned to one Austin his Friend, that since his Imprisonment hee had no secret enco [...]ragement of the Holy Ghost to continue stedfast; but on the con­trary hee found himselfe very heauy, and [Page 33] somewhat loath to dye. But the next day as hee was lead towards the Stake to be burned, hee met the sayd Austin by the way, to whom this Good man cryed out with great ioy, laying his hand on his heart: O Austin, Austin, he is come, he is come; meaning, the Holy Ghost, of whose absence hee had bewayled the night be­fore.

I deny not, but there may bee many Saints here in our dayes, but surely they take not the right course to make their Election sure, if they mortifie not their Bodies sometimes, when rebellious Pas­sions are like to breake out into combu­stion, or else that they be endowed with this powerfull vertue of Abstinence, as I doe heere prescribe. Nor are they to bee counted perfect Diuines, which can only discourse of Diuinity, Preach eloquent Sermons, or dispute of profound Myste­ries; but Hee is the true Messenger of God, who liues according to our Sa [...]iours life, and his Apostles, or at the least doth his en­deauour to imitate them, as neere as hee can.

And in what outward seruice can a man draw neerer vnto them, then in Sobriety, [Page 34] and Abstinence? For, as Faith is the inward ground of the Spirituall building of GODS Church: So Abstinence, I hold to bee after a sort, the secondary and outward foun­dation of this great structure, aswell be­cause it remooues those lets, which might preiudice our vnderstanding, as also because by it wee meete with many singular good helpes to prepare the Fa­culties of the Minde to bee more cleare and ready to embrace that course of Life, which best pleaseth our Creaetor.

Therefore, as Lessius writes, Seeing that our proceeding or Progresse in Spirituall maet­ters doe depend vpon the vse of Understand­ing, or that intellect, which is infused in the Soule, and vppon Faith, which resides in this Understanding, wee cannot loue that which is good or prosite in that Loue; nor hate that which is euill, or grow in ha­tred of that euill, except it bee first pro­pounded and discussed in the Vnderstanding, to stirre vp and mooue our Affections for that Vertuous purpose.

Whe [...]e hence it comes to passe, that they who haue lodged Diuine matters in their Vnderstanding, as the Apostles did, and such as followed their steppes, [Page 35] they shall easily cont [...]mne all Earthly Goods, and climbe vp to the high degree of Sanctity and Holinesse, and for that cause at the last they shall obtayne for their reward a glorious Crowne in Hea­uen. For the Will of man doth easily conforme it selfe to the Iudgement of the Vnderstanding, when a matter is not there rashly, and suddainly propoun­ded, but with deliberation deepely, and with length of time discussed and deba­ted. Whereby it appeares that those things, which doe hinder, darken, or make difficult the Functions of the Minde, for the most part are the Causes, why in knowledge, or in the O [...]ices of P [...]ety, or in Ho [...]inesse of life wee arriue not to the wished and illustrious d [...]g [...]ee of Per­fection.

By the Premisses it is apparant, that Temperance, or Sobriety is of great e [...] ­cacy and power both to ex [...]nguish those impediments, which e [...]lipseour iudgments from meditating on the bright beames of Vnderstanding, and the true course of our Saluation, and therefore it may not vnfitly bee called The secondary Founda­tion of wisdome and of our spiritual progresse. [Page 36] For what bee the lets that make vs so vn­apt to spirituall knowledge; are they not the superfluous limidities of the Braine, the obstructions of the Braines pores and passages, the aboundance of Blood, the heate of the Spirits, which spring from Blood and Choller, or the Humors of Me­lancholly, which assault the Head and Braine? All which may be preuented by a well ordred Dyet.

The fifth Commodity, which this Dyet brings with it against the inw [...]rd motions is, that it asswageth or rooteth out the flames of lustfull desires, which annoy both Body and Soule. And surely next to the Grace of God, nothing auailes more; for a Sober Dyet takes away first the Matter, which is the aboundance of Windy sperme. Secondly, the impulsiue Cause, which is the needlesse store of the animall Spirits, whereby that Sperme is expelled. And thirdly, the prouoking Cause, which is the imagination of venereous doings. This Imagination stirres vp chiefly the Passion of Concupiscence, which presently mooues the Spirits to expulsion, and these spirits being so mooued to expulsion doe vehemently vrge, yea, and doe per­forme [Page 37] the Deede, vnlesse the Will chance to restrayne the same.

All these abhominations are chased a­way, or at the least corrected by a Tem­perate Dyet. The which whosoeuer pra­ctizeth, shall finde himselfe free from such perturbations, so that our Papists need not afflict their Bodies, as many of them do, with languishing Fasts, Bodily labours, Whip-cords, Wyres of Steele, going bare­foote, or with lying on the cold ground, so benumming, or making Brawne of their Carkasses, that might by this manner of Dyet be sustayned with vigorous and liuely heate to sympathize and correspond with the Functions of the Minde; where, as in a Glasse, the whole Man, though outwardly made but of Dust and Ashes, may behold from within him, the very Image of the incomprehensible God, both in Vnity and Tri­nity, except his iudgement bee eclipsed with [...]rronious motions.

The fift SECTION.

THere was a Sect among the Iewes, called the Essen [...], who when as they could not in their consciences brook to liue in Ierusalem, betwixt the Pharisees and the Saducees, by reason of the Hypocrisie, and Dissimulation of the one; and the lycentious liuing of the o­ther, retired themselues to a Desert neere the Lake of Asphaltes, not farre from Ie­vicho, and there gaue themselues to a Tem­perate Dyet, with extraordinary Fastes, whereby most of them liued aboue 100. yeares.

Paulus Theb [...]us, about the age of 15. yeares o [...]d, during the Persecution vnder Decius the Romane Emperour, beeing dis­contented for the losse of his Father, and liketo be betrayed for a Christian by a co­u [...]tous Hypocrite, that was married to his Sister, because hee might enioy his [Page 39] Patrimony, fled into a solitary place, and there hid himselfe in a Caue, at the foote of a Rocke, neere to which place grew a great Palme Tree, vpon whose fruite hee daily fed. They write, that for the space of 60. yeares a Rauen euery day at nine a Clocke, brought him halfe a loafe of bread, and that his apparrell was made of the leaues of the Palme tree.

St. H [...]erome reports, that from the time which hee entred into this retired place, which was about the yeare 260. vntill the end of his life, hee neuer departed thence, hauing continued there 110. yeares.

St. Anthony. who instituted an Hermita life in Aegypt, borne of Noble and Reli­gious Parents, and being about 20. yeares old, sold his estate, and bestowed part vpon his Sister, and distributed the res­due to the Poore. And retiring himselfe from the World, he built himselfe a Cor­tage in a place remote from Company, where hee liued a most austere and strict life. He dyed about the yeare 345. hauing liued 105. yeares. His dyet was only bread and water, sauing that hee added broath or Pottage to his sustenance, when he was ex­ceeding old, as Athanasius witnesseth. [Page 40] Hee was so famous in his latter dayes for his Holy and Deuout life, that Empe­rours, Kings, and Princes sent vnto him for his Counsell, and recommended them­selues to his Prayers.

Cariton an Iconian by birth, hauing en­dured much troubles vnder Aurelian for the Christian Faith, in the end being en­larged out of Prison during the Raigne of the Emperour Tacitus, which succeeded him, and going to see Ierusalem, they write that hee was taken Prisoner by a Company of Theeues, who bound his hands, and put an Iron chayne about his necke, and so led him into a Desert place, neere vnto the dead Sea, or Sodomes Lake. Afterwards, these Theeues going foorth for more boo [...]ies, a Viper came into their Caue, and dranke of the Vessell, where the Theeues kept their Wine: the which shee poysoned, so that when the Theeues d [...]anke thereof, they all dyed instantly. And they say, that Caritons bonds at the very same time were miraculously broken or loosned, inso much that hee remained Master of their wealth, whereof he com­municated the most part to the persecuted Christians, that were fied into those De­serts, [Page 41] and with the rest hee built a Religi­ous house, where hee liued for the most part vpon Bread, Rootes, and Water. He ended his dayes vnder Constantine the se­cond, and Constantius his brother, being a­boue 100. yeares old.

Iames the Hermite a Persian by Nati­on, liued by a very sparing Dyet, aboue 104 yeares, as Theodoret writes.

St. Macarius one of the Fathers, which assisted at the Counsell of Nice, liued 92. yeares.

St. Epiphanius whose learned workes we haue, liued 115. yeares.

Arcenius Schoole-master to Arcadius the Emperour, liued 120. yeares, with admi­rable abstinence.

Simeon Stilites liued 109. yeares, with incredible parsimony, Sobriety, and Tem­perance.

St. Romuald and Italian, liued 120. yeares, with a very straight Dyet, whereof hee spent one hundred yeares in a Religious house.

Iohannes de Temporibus liued 300. yeares, euen from Charlemaines time, vnder whom hee serued as a Souldier, vntill our Westerne Christians set out for the [Page 42] Conquest of the Holy Land.

Vdalricus Bishop of Padua, a man of wonderfull Abstinence liued one hun­dred and fiue yeares.

Venerable Bede, a Saxo [...] borne, whose Writings wee read, liued 92. yeares in a Monastery, euer since he was seauen yeares of age.

But to descend to our owne times, I will conclude with one excellent example of Lodou [...]co Cornario a Venetian Gentle­man, whose Treatise with Lessius his An­notations ministred vnto mee my chiefe Light for the discouery of this New-found Dyet, liued aboue 100. yeares. In his youth he spent his time very lycentiously, insomuch that when hee was [...]5. yeares of age, hee fell to be wonderfully crazed, and diseased with a paine in his Stomacke, and oftentimes in his side, and also infested with the Gout, and wi [...]h a spice of a Fea­uer. In this manner hee languished vntill hee came to forty yeares. And then the Physitians gaue him ouer for a dead man, yet with some hope, that whereas their Physicke could not restore him to his health, yet perhaps hee might prolong his life, if he could betake himselfe to a set sp [...] ­ring [Page 43] Dyet, the which I haue prescribed here. Coruario seeing no other helpe, and being loath to dye in the midst of his age, and flourishing time, by little and little fe [...] vnto it, and within halfe a yeare was deli­uered of the most part of his griefes. But before the yeare went about, he was quite rid of all sicknesses. And so continued all his life after, with singular great content­ment in his Minde and Body. When he was 83. he made a pleasant Comedy, which is a worke of iouiall youth, Partus Iuven­tutis: For, as hee writes, hee found him­selfe of such an excellent Temper in Body and Minde, that hee would not exchange his Age at those yeares with any Young man whatsoeuer, that did not obserue his Dyet; and hee hoped to liue as long as the other. Hee could at those yeares get vp a Horse-back as light and as nimble, as when he was but 24. Hee was alwayes merry, neuer once angry nor sad, but of that ad­mirable temper, that all the H [...]mours of his Body were in an equall proportion, as it were Harmoniously compacted, in somuch that during the time that hee vsed this Dyet, he neuer after sic [...]e­ned.

[Page 44] His sleepe was moderate, his Dreames sweete and pleasing; and his Hearing and sences sound, his vnderstanding so pure and lightsome, that at 95. yeares o [...]d hee wrot a Booke to the Clergy in commendation of Sobriety, and this Dyet.

Among Princes, that by temperate Dy­et prolonged their liues; I will instant on­ly on two, the Emperour Augustus, and Queene Elizabeth of England, whereof the former liued neere eighty yeares, and was so abstemious, that hee neuer dranke but thrice at one meale. And the other did seldome eate but one sort of meate, rose e­uer with an appetite, and liued about 70. yeares.

Now let me question our Paracelsians, who beleeue such strange Miracles of their El [...]x [...]r and Potable Gold, whether Arnol­dus de Villa Noua, Raymundus Lullius, Frier Bacon, Ripley, or any other, whom they flatter themselues to haue had the knowledge of the Phylosophers Stone, whe­ther, I say, any of these did liue longer, or in better health, in Body and Minde, then Cornario, or some of these did? If they can prooue, that their great Mai­sters [Page 45] haue liued as long as Ours, then let mee put them further in minde, that Paracelsus himselfe their principall Patron dyed at forty eight: whereas Galen, who a [...]firmes that euer since hee attayned to twenty eight yeares, hee obserued a Temperate Dyet, which profited him so much, that thereby hee escaped free from all violent sicknesses, all his Life time after, and liued vntill hee was a­boue an hundred yeares old, as Hippo­crates and Herodicus before him, onely by reason of a sober Dyet without Phy­sicke, prolonged their liues to one hun­dred yeares.

The sixt SECTION.

THe Effect of this New-found Dyet, is singular great, and the Fruites in­estimable: For thereby Old Age, which is held to be an incurable sick­nesse; and a tedious misery, becomes fresh, greene, liuely, sprightfull, and flourishing. Now, after long Experience which a man hath learned in the World, hee is able to iudge by comparing his present estate with the Vanities of his fore-passed man­ner of liuing, of the Causes, why GOD, sent him into the World, and by what meanes hee may thence forwards recouer and redeeme the idle time which hee hath spent, to the glory of God, and the safe­guard of his Soule, which but for the great mercy of his Sauiour, hee hath foo­lishly forfeited. Then, he cannot but con­temne earthly thoughts, and with a braue resolution scorne to fixe his Minde on [Page 47] things, which like a Dreame will passe a­way suddainly, remembring that saying in the Gospell: O Foole, this night will I take away thy Soule, and then whose shall those goods be which thou hast prepared, and hea­ped together? Then, hee will acutely see, that there is no cause for him to ioyne Fie [...]d to Field, Farme to Farme, or Lord­ship to Lordship. For if he obserue this Dyet, hee needes not bee at such former charge for Gut-worke, or to please his sen­suall Pa [...]a [...]e, as hee hath beene at to the ha­zard of his Health, and more of his Soule. He will find that a very final reuenew will s [...]ice him, and that now hee shall be the better able to distribute the ouer-p [...]us to his Christian Neighbours, or bestow the same on some monuments for the honour of his Redeemer, who gaue him the grace and power to leaue off his former super­fluities and noysome Varieties: Then, he shall perceiue that ten yeares redeemed and conferred in this order of life, will better him more then 20. yeares in such irregular vame courses, as he before had fruitlessely consumed. Then, seeing himselfe at more ease and contentment in spirit, with a well composed nature without rashnesse, or in­perate [Page 48] Passions, hee may accommodate his Minde to Prayers, to the seruice of God, and to doe workes of Charity. For no extrauagant businesse can fall out to in­terpose betwixt him and Heauenly cogita­tions, as he vsed to haue when hee dealt a­bout matters of worldly profit. But per­haps some will say, who will pine him­selfe, and loose so many dainty morcels, to enioy a few yeares longer then our fore-Fathers?

To these I answere, that the addition of a few yeares more to a man that begins to leaue off sinne, and to bee borne a new man Regenerated vnto God through Christ, ought to be dearer then all the de­licate cheare of the World, which cannot come to passe, while the Body is heauy, and pressed downe with a load of fat, and grosse Humours. For of all the meate, which a man eates, let him consider how little of it turnes to nourishment or Chyle within the Body, and how much goes to excrements, to superfluous Blood, and to those humours, which one day, and in processe of time will cause some grieuous sicknesse, if not mortall, and hee will [Page 49] iudge my Counsell for Sobriety to be from God, and sent from Heauen in these latter dayes, to assist him in his Christian Pro­gresse to Saluation.

At first is all the difficulty and hardest labour, by reason of the contrary custome, and for that the Stomacke is stretched out at large, and as the French man sayth, as Hollow as Saint Benets Boote. But this difficulty is quickly taken away, if euery day by leas [...]re he with-draw and diminish somewhat of his vsuall Dyet, vntill such time, as hee comes to the stinted measure. And after that the Stomacke is once con­tracted and made narrower; then there is no more difficulty nor trouble, but that hee may easily continue his Sober Dyes, because that small Quantity doth answere and well agree with Nature, and the ca­pacity of the Stomacke, onely the danger is, that after the Dyet is accustomed, it must be continued still, for Alteration is somewhat dangerous.

The like examp ewe see in them, who in Lent do at the first finde it grieuous to abstayne from their Breake-fast or Supper, but after a few dayes they make nothing of it; no more then those doe, who are [Page 50] commaunded by their Physitians to re­fraine from some kinde of accustomed meate, which giues ill nourishment to some dangerous disease, although it bee very pleasing to their Appetite. In like manner doe not wee often see, that some of our Land souldiers hauing beene long at Sea, and there limitted in time of scar­city to a set quantity of slender Victualls doe fall into Fluxes and languishing sicke­nesses, if suddainly at their first Landing, they breake that limited and set measure? And how comes that to passe? But be­cause the Stomacke hath beene kept for many dayes more straightned, narrower, and more contracted, whereby their sud­daine falling into a larger Dyet without re­gard had to that violent oppression of na­ture, which ought not to bee so altered, but by degrees, is the chiefe cause of their Fluxe [...].

Therefore men of experience will take heede at their Landing of this excesse, and reduce their Stomackes by little and little to receiue in such meate, and that in smal quan [...]ity at the first, as shall not offend them after wards. They will content themselues with Broathes and weake [Page 51] meates for the first three or foure dayes, or if they feare such Fluxes, as they haue reason for it, they will take the iuice of ground Iuy, or the Broath of Rice, or the Syrup of Poppy, foure or fiue mornings after their Landing; yea, and perhaps they will Physicke themselues with Rheubarbe, aswell to purge themselues of that taint, which they got a Ship-board, as to streng­then their Stomackes: Or else they will swallow two or three dayes together, (but not without a Preparatiue or Glister, before hand,) those which the Arabiaens call the Blessed Pi's of Aloes, which are compounded of Aloes, Mirrh, and Saffron, the which likewise beeing infused in some Liquor, to be taken in times of Pestience, or Calentures, are found miraculous. Or if they feare the Scuruy, a Disease sprung from Oppilations in the Stomacke, and now a dayes too common, dee seize on them, they will not negle [...]t in time to take the iuyce of Lemons, Turneps, or else the Sa [...]t of Scuruy-grasse, or the iuyce it selfe in some pleasing Liquour.

But to returne, where I haue digressed▪ admit, that this Dyet were somewhat grieuous at the first, let them consider. [Page 52] how they are forced other-whiles to en­dure a more grieuous Pennance at their Physitians hands, when they must take most loathsome Medicines, whereat Na­ture trembles to thinke of, as our finest Gentle-women for the Greene-sicknesse are constrayned to take Powder of Steele, &c. whereas the troublesomnesse of our Dyet is recompeneed with wonderfull great commodities and singular fruite. For a Temperate Dyet makes the Body Light, Pure, Healthfull, preserues it from diseases and stinking corruption. It pro­longeth life vntill extreame old Age. It makes one sleepe quietly, and pleasantly. It makes our meate taste the more sauou­ring and acceptable. It brings soundnesse to the Sences, quicknesse to the Memory, cleare iudgement to the Wit, it asswageth the rage of vnruly Passions, beates downe and breakes the fury of vnlawfull Lust, and driues away anger and sorrow.

To conclude, it conioynes, cements, and as it were glues and scrues together the Soule and Body with such an harmonicall admired temper, that with a quiet Con­science, Apostolicall patience, and with a Magnanimous sparkling spirit, partaking [Page 53] equally of Mirth and Grauity, hee shall soone perceiue himselfe metamorphozed and changed of a sensuall Creature to bee a man of Reason; of a darke besotted ap­prehension, now suddainly become one of the hopefull Children of God, illumi­nated with Vnderstanding to ponder, iudge, & discusse of Caelestiall matters, tou­ching the Mysteries of our Saluation, of Faith, Grace, the Resurrection, Beatitude, and the difference betwixt Humane and Diuine policy, betwixt Saint Michael the Archa [...]gell, and the Spirituall Dra­go [...]; betwixt the Heauenly Ierusalem, and the most reformed Common-Wealth a­mong mortall men. And lastly, hee shall be able to apprehend, how Sinne and the Prince of the Ayre, are linked in one, to confirme Mens hardned hearts in their owne accursed Courses.

The seuenth SECTION.

PVrification must go before Glorificati­on. For before a man can assume a Glorified immortall Body in Heauen, it is necessary the whole man bee pu­rified heere on Earth, the Soule by Faith, and the Body by Abstinence. After this life we must not relye on Apocriphall dreames of a third place, by Capriccious Schoolemen called Purgatory, like to the Poets Eliz [...]an Fields. But at our departure out of this World we must repeate the same Words, which our Sauiour spake at the giuing vp the Ghost, Consummatum est, it is finished. Wee haue fought in this World a good fight, wee haue abstayned from Carnall and worldly Temptations. Otherwise, [Page 55] wee go out, but as halfe Christians, and being luke-warme, Christ will not know vs, if wee stand on bare Faith, without the fruites of Faith, which must not one­ly spring in vs towards our owne Bodies, but by example and good workes towards our fellowes, the members of Christ. O how much do the Capuchins and Carth [...] ­sians goe beyond vs in Abstinence, and in contemning the World! And if they had the Faith, which we professe, and did not too much macerate and deface the handy­worke of GOD, vppon a meritorious Baalish hope, surely, they might bee sayd to see with two eyes, and we but with one eye, and being better purified then wee, they were assured of that Glorification, which wee expect.

I doubt no [...] but some heere will taxe me, that I sauour a little of Pharisaicall Popish leauen, because I insist on the Bo­dies Purification, as if I derogated from Faith, which onely iustifieth, and that all meates are tollerable, let a man eate and drinke neuer so much, as long as they are sanctified with our ordinary Graces of thanksgiuing, though sayd by roat or cooled zeale.

[Page 56] And that wee cannot transgresse in what enters into the Body, seeing that all things were purified and made cleare by Christ, according to St. Peters Vision about Cor­nelius,

These Libertines would faine couer their Epicurean excesse with Sophisticall daubings, but they heede not my ayme, who with St. Paul professe, that all things are cleane to the cleane. It is the Quantity, and not the Quality of the Meates, or Drinkes, which I reprooue. If I should tell them further, that the cause why Mo­ses forbad the Israclites the eating of Swines flesh was, for that hee fore-saw, that the same in those hote Countries would breede It [...]h and Scabs, and that it did become the Hely Nation, to keepe their Vessells better purified, then to ap­peare in the House of GOD so polluted; surely I beleeue, they would take me for [...] Iew, aswell as a Romanist. Why were Lepers, and those that had running Issues debarred from the Temple, insomuch that their King so diseased, was repulsed to en­ter? Was it not because God loued a pu­rified cleane Body, [...]ather then a mangy person? Specially, if through his owne [Page 57] disordered manner of liuing, or the Di­uine Vengeance he became so defiled? In respect whereof, it is conuenient that we doe our best endeauours to purifie that place, which is destinated for the Holy Ghost, by abstayning from alluring meats of diuerse natures at the same Mea [...]e. Go to the Physitian before thou be sicke, (saith the Wise man.) Before Gluttony and Drun­kennes hale vs into the Prison of sicknesses, let vs take heede of their causes, and not finde fault with Friends, who without Fee or rewards haue opened them the way to Purification, and a sober liuing. Because Lessius and Cornario being Papists late [...]y re­newed and brought to Light this admira­ble Dyet, shall wee disdayne their whole­some Counsell?

This vncharitablenesse leads to Errour what we finde among Papists Praise-wor­thy, and not repugnant to Faith, we ought to embrace and cheerish. By that reason we should haue no Discipline, no Canon Law, nor any ciuill Order for the gouern­ment of the Church against Ref [...]a [...]aries and gyddy headed Heretickes, if we con­demne all that wee borrow from them. For our Religion it selfe, though after­wards [Page 58] eclipsed, was propagated and sent into this Iland from the Bishop of Rome. Because their Mine yeeldes not the finest Oare, shall we not refine the Oare, and pu­rifie the Gold, that comes from them? yea, though it came exsterquilinio out of their Dunghill, with many dregs and filth, we must not reiect and altogether debase what we receiued from them, as long as it tends to our profit or edification. We ought to commend them for their laudable Fasts, their Almes-giuing, and their continent liues; I meane some few of them, which were indeed most continent, and not mini­ster occasion of scandall in our Christian calling, to make them the more obstinate, and obdurate. St. Paul could haue wished neuer to eate meate, whilst he liued, if hee thought, that that kinde of meate offended his Brother; where as some of vs on the contrary, would e [...]te Flesh on Good Friday, euen to dispite them. By this indiscreete and vncharitable carriage towards them, in things indifferent, many Soules haue fallen away from our Church, and left those skars, which will continue (I feare) to the worlds end. So tractable in this indiffe­rent course was Peter Mo [...]lins that Religi­ous Minister of France, when hee heard [Page 59] how some of our English Preachers chose rather to bee silenced, then to weare the Surplice: O I would to God, sayth he, that I were bound to go in a Fooles coate through Pa­ris all the dayes of my life, so that I were Li­censed to Preach the Gospell there. And so an English Co [...]ntesse heretofore, was con­tent to ride through Couentry starke na­ked at Noone day, so that she might gayne freedome for that Towne, which for their common and future good, shee afterwards most zealously performed. Now to ad­uance forwards, and thereupon to conclude our worke of Purification, to be brought to passe by abstinence, and our newfound Dyet, it is lookt for, that I should first cu [...]e some of those infirmities, which are already growne through Repletion, and disorders. Among which, I behold the Lunges, which waxe old sooner then the rest of the mem­bers, as Aristotle affirmed. And the reason is, because they are subiect to all kind of ex­crements. For they receiue catarrhes, coughs, and other fi [...]thy matter from the Braine, besides excrementicious blood, which is ingendred there, and turnes to purulent matter, which render them foule & filthy, as our late A [...]atomists haue found, as [...]ve [...]as that, which comes from the head, and what [Page 60] ber is made so impure, must needes grow soonest old.

For which cause those Persons, whose breath doth stinke by reason of the impu­rities of the Lunges, shall waxe old soo­ner then others. As on the contrary, those whose breath smells well, or doth not stinke whilest they are Fasting, may liue much longer. For the abating or correct­ing of this viscous, clammy, and mattry stuffe, which is there ingendred, or fallen from the Braine, nothing anayles more then this our Dyet, after that the same hath bene practised and vsed two or three Moneths, such impurities will cease of their owne accord.

But for feare the Diseased party may in the meane time suffocate and perish, like the Horse, that starued, while the Grasse grew; let him that is troubled with a vio­lent Cough, which is accounted but a Symptome, mingle some Manna well sifted, and a little Saffron with his Panade, Broth, or Gr [...]ell, and that being vsed for fiue, or sixe dayes together, will by gentle Purges by little and little consume away the cause; yea, and will supply the place of an Expe­cterall, aswell as any of those Medicaments [Page 61] which they call Becchica, or else they may use three or foure drops of the Syrupe of Tobacco in two spoonefuls of Hysop water, or in default thereof, a peece of Tobacco it selfe rowled and chewed in the Mouth, before meate, for foure or fiue dayes toge­ther, will performe the C [...]re, or in case of necessity, let him drinke but once an O [...]nce of the Iuyce of the Blew-Flower-de Luce root called Ir [...]s, newly gathered, bea­ten, and strayned, with sug [...]ed Water, and some Saffron; and though the Party were at the very poynt ready to bee choaked with these s [...]my and grosse h [...]mours, and could not rest, but sit vp wheezing, and without sleepe; yet within two or three houres, (as it were by Miracle) hee shall auoyde by Vomit, and Stooles, the causes of his deadly distemper. Or else let him take twenty, or twenty fiue graines of Pantomagogon in Pils, with the Powder of Lycoras, once euery second day for a weeke, and these will gently purge a [...]l the Humours.

And these Pi [...]s I hold to bee singular good to preuent many other diseases, and not so loathsome as most Medicines be.

Next, the Braine presents it selfe to my [Page 62] View, the indisposition whereof may be discouered by the Heate, or Coldnesse. If it be ouer hot, it causeth distillations in­to the Lunges, Lunacies, &c.

For the Cure whereof, some Lettice may bee boyled with our Dyet, or the greene leaues of Poppy, and in defaulte thereof their seedes, or their Syrupes. In that case Diacodion, which is composed of white Poppy, with sugred Water a­lone, or mixt with our Diet is of admi­rable operation both to coole, and to pro­cure sleepe. To which as a Cau [...]at, I wish such distempered persons to beware, how they keepe their Heads too warme with Night-Caps; for thereby I haue obserued that many haue vnaduisedly miscarried. For the cold distemper of the Braine, ac­companed with Moysture: the smoake of Tobacco with a drop or two of the Oyle of Anny-seed is expedient, if the Party be not too narrow breasted, or else trou­bled with the fits of Asthma.

But oftentimes the Braine may suffer by reason of outward Causes, as Frost, or Cold windes in the same manner, as the Lunges are, for both alike are impayred by Cold, that they might the sooner become [Page 63] weakned and old, and that by reason of re­spiration. For both these Members doe breath and respire, the Braine for the per­ception of smells, and the Lunges more a­boundantly, for the recreation of the heart. Therefore both these Members doe secret­ly through their Pores and passages draw in the Ayre, and do receiue their impres­sions, which happen not to any of th' other Members. For this discommodity, where­to our Northerne Nations are much sub­iect, thet haue lately armed themselues with Hoodes agaynst Raine, Snow, and Tempests; and if before their iournies they annoynt the soles of their feete with that excellent Oyle of Euphorbium, or of Pepper, and stop their [...]ares with Cotton or bumbase dipt in Oyle of An [...]seed, or with Cyuet: They neede not feare distem­pers through Cold, as long a so as Englands Golden Fleece is able to furnish them with Outward Defences. But wee haue cause to doubt a greater inconu [...]nience then, a mo­mentary cold, which commonly with the weather for sake the hold; for if it prooue an extreame Frost, or blustring Windes, specially after [...]ainy Weather, which occa­sion the cuils aforenamed, that treacherous guest, the Sc [...]ruy, the store-house of al diseases, [Page 64] Farrago omnium morborum, (which some haue mistaken for a spice of the Catholick Disease:) may get possession within the Body.

And this happens both by the Sunnes absence, and for that the skinne, and all the outward Pores are stopt, thickned, and congealed with Cold, so that there is no place left for the venting of Euaporati­ons, and Exhalations out of the Body. And therefore they are driuen backe coagula­ted, where those Vapours are forced for want of vent to assault the inward parts, and at length they domineere, and cause Oppilations and stoppages, so that the liue­ly Spirits cannot performe their Offices. Heere hence it fals out, that some of these tainted exhalations are carried vpwards to the Eyes, Eares, Nose, and to the Teeth, and Gummes; and other-whiles to the Breast, or else they descend downe to the Legges.

A spoonefull of the Iuyce of Lemons at a time, or the luyce of Scuruy-graf [...]e, or the salt of it, as I shewed in the for­mer Section, mixt with our Panade, will remooue this Suruy-baggage. And for the putrified Gummes, a drop or two of the [Page 65] Oyle of Vitrioll, or some Vnguentum Ae­gyptiacum applyed vnto them, will speedi­ly cure them.

I neede not correct the Stomacke, but with the owne simple Dyet, yet if at first by reason of the suddaine alteration, which I haue notwithstanding here expresly for­bidden, and on the contrary aduised them to proceede by degrees from twenty oun­ces, to foureteene, or twelue, and by so many, or a little more of drinke, to bee di­minished within a moneth: Then if the Stomacke should become somewhat fain­ting, a cup of Wine and Sugar added to the Dyet, or in extremity Cinamon water, Anniseed, Worme-wood water, or Manus Christi, or Ginger-bread, will quickely restore the cowardly Stomacke. But if the Midriffe rise, or any winde, which our Dyet will speedily chase away, Vineger Scilliticke, or Sea Onion will keepe it downe. Afterwards, if they chance to breake this Dyet, if it be but for a meale or two, I wish them to fast the next meale after, although it were more com­mendable Esu [...]ire inter epulas, to rise vp with an Appetite.

For the Stone, if Walter Caries Quin­tessence [Page 66] of Goates Blood, which in his Farewell to Physicke, he cals the Hammer for the Stone, may not be gotten, let the Party take Goates Blood, and vse it after the Arabian manner: That is, dried in the O [...]en, and drunke in some Liquour. More Medicines I could lay downe, for this and other sicknesses, but that I doubt our Practitioners of Physicke would indite me for intiusion into their Profession; al­beit I thinke they will bee more offended with me for the Publishing of this Dietary Cure, then for any other Quarrell. For I make no question, but the same will both preuent and heale more Diseases, then all their Recipes grounded but vpon coniectu­rall Prognostickes for the most part, like vnto our Almanackes.

Me thinkes, if it were nothing else but for the auoyding of Physitians Fees, and Ap [...]th [...]caries Bils, that were a motiue suf­ficient to enduce vs to liue soberly. Whereto might bee added the shortning of our dayes, which their Drugges doe cause, besides the poysoned relicks, which they leaue behind them in the Body. For we must vnderstand, that all Purgations, specially Electuaries soluble, haue some ve­nemous [Page 67] quality in them, and likewise that the good humours aswell as the bad are exhausted by them, to the future decay of health, and the treacherous wasting of the Oyle of Life. The like fatall in­conuenience comes by Blood letting.

The eight SECTION.

THe Disasters which hapned to my Lord Baltimore and his Colony the last Winter at Feriland, in our New-land Plantation, by reason of the Scuruy, haue mooued mee to inserte some more specifique Remedies against that Disease, which not onely in those Climates beares dominion, but likewise heere in England, although hooded with other Titles, yet commonly sprung of the same causes.

[Page 68] For sometimes the Scuruy is ingendred of outward Causes, and sometimes from within the Body, or from both. And therefore they that dwell neere the Sea­side, where the North-east Windes rage, are most subiect to this infirmity. Before the sayd Lord euer beganne his Plantation, he cannot deny, but I aduised him to erect his Habitation in the bottome of the Bay at Aquafort, two leagues distant from that Place, which for ought I heare, is not much to be discommended, and more into the Land, where my people had wintred two yeares before, and found no such in­conuenience. Nay, his Lordship himselfe suspected the place; sor [...] his Letters hee complayned that vnlesse hee might be be­holding to me for the assignment of both those places out of my Grant, he was in a manner disheartned to plante on that Coast, by reason of the Easterly Windes, which with the Mountaynes of Ice float­ing from Estotiland, and other Northerne Countries towards New-found land, ren­dred that Easterly shore exceeding cold. Yet notwithstanding, his Lordship beeing perswaded by some, which had more ex­perience in the gainefull Trade of Fishing, [Page 69] then in the Scituation of a commodious Seate for the Wintring of his new Inhabi­tants, bestowed all his charge of building at Fertland, the coldest harbour of the Land, where those furious Windes and Icy Mountaynes doe play, and beate the greatest part of the Yeare. Whereas, if hee had built eyther at Aquafort, or in the Westerly part in the Bay of Placentia, which hath aboue 50. miles ouer-land, betwixt it and that Easterne shore, his enterprize had suceeeded most luckily: And so this of Fertland, might haue serued well for his profit in the Fishing, and also for a pleasant Summer dwelling.

Sir Francis Tanfield, vnder the right ho­nourable the Lord Vicount Faulkland, con­tinued two yeares, but three leagues more Southward at Renooz, and did well e­nough, in which place likewise my Colony remayned one Winter without any such mortall accidents. But all Winters, I con­fesse, are not alike in that Country, no more then they are here with vs in Europe. Yea and here too in the same paralell, the season differs. Who will imagine, that wee in Wales haue lesse Snow and Frosts then London and Essex? And yet by experience [Page 70] wee finde it so, whereof the very cause proceeds from the Easterne windes, whose rigorous force before they arriue ouer land into our Westerne parts, cannot but be much broken and abated.

Besides these Winds, snows, and Fr [...]sts, the Scuruy is ingendred by earing of those meates which are of corrupted iuice, raw, cold, salted, or of ill nourishment, which breede grosse blood and melancholly. A­mong which I reckon Bacon, Fish, Beanes, Pease, &c. And among Drinkes, I ranke all strong liquors whatsoeuer, specially, if they be taken in Frosty weather, when the Stomacke ouer abounds with heate, and consequently at that time most subiect to infiamations, which, when the Th [...] comes, will certainely breake out into some dangerous disease.

Do but obserue how the Sap of Plants and Hearbes in Frosty seasons descends downe to the Roote, as to the last refuge and helpe in Nature? The which Plants if we should refresh with Chalke or Lime, well may they flourish for a little while, but their Fruite and themselues are of no continuance. The like I may say of such, as by strong liquors doe conceiue, that [Page 71] they fortisie and comfort their stomackes in cold weather, when as indeed they get but a sparkling heate like a blast, that will quickly extinguish: From hence arise the Scuruy, Catarrhes, Rhumes, Coughs, Feuers, &c.

But leauing these Causes, I will proceed to the Cure of this fatall sicknesse, which now a dayes prooues a stumbling stone to the wisest Physitians, by reason of the ma­nifold symptomes and infirmities which accompany it, able to deceiue Aesculapius himselfe.

First, let the party, that feares or sus­pects himselfe tainted, change or ayre his apparrell, putting on cleane shifts and linnen.

Secondly, let him sleepe in boorded Roomes, and if hee bee able, to haue his Chamber Wainscotted, or well dryed of those dampish sauours, which stone or earthen walls are wont to euaporate and breath out.

Thirdly, let him beate and burne one Acre of Land round about his dwelling.

Fourthly, let him eate those meats, which are tender, light of digestiō, that will not be soone corrupted, chiefly fresh meats with [Page 72] dited sauce, but moderately, and without excesse.

Fiftly, let him often vse the expressions of Currans, Prunes, or Reasins, or Dia­prunis, or some of these in broath made with Manna, Cassia, Tama [...]ind, or Seene. For these will loosen the Belly by their moysture and slippery faculty, whose whayish humours the Melt or Spleene is accustomed to steale away, and so by ma­king it selfe great and bigge to impouerish and infeeble the rest of the Members.

Sixtly, for an exquisite Purgation after a Glister, or Preparatiue first vsed, which might be of Oximel. with some of the a­forenamed Expressions, let him take of the roote of Rheubarbe, or Mechoacan three dragmes, Hermodactilis two dragms, Turbith three dragmes, an ounce of Dia­gredium, two scruples of Cinnamon and Ginger, three pound of Sugar. Of this Purgation, let the party take one ounce, or sixe dragmes at a time.

Seauenthly, after these Purgations, which must be taken euery day, or euery second day, while it lasteth, let him vse bathes made of Brimstone or Branne once a weeke to attenuate the skinne, whereby [Page 73] the Vapours of the Body may the easier exhale out. But for twelue houres after bathing hee must not stirre out of doores. Whosoeuer will vse these Obseruations, not neglecting those, which I haue gene­rally deliuered in the former Sections, as Antiscorbutica, to preuent the Seuruy, hee may rest assuredly not to become infe [...]ted with the Disease, and if he be tainted, he shall speedily recouer.

And now for the poorer sort, who per­haps are not able to prouide themselues of the premisses, they may eyther purge themselues with those Pils called Panto­magogon in the precedent Section described, or take three graines of Stibium in a cup of Beere steeped and beaten to powder, e­uery second day for a weeke together. And to preuent the Scuruy, wee haue tryed in New-found land, that the tops and leaues of Turneps, or Radish being boyled, is a soueraigne helpe. And also that Neetle­seede, and Hony, with a little Wormwood is expedient.

To conclude, Goose-dung being mixed with Meale and Butter, will serue for a Pultes to the tumours or outward griefes, caused through this sicknesse to abate the [Page 74] inflammations, and the spots, and vlcers; yea, and if their stomackes could away with the loathsome taste with a few cloues in drinke, it will cure the Scuruy sud­dainely, as they in Zealand haue often tryed.

[Page 77]The ninth SECTION.

SYrupus acetosus simplex in this case, is highly commended by Ranzouius, as also to preuent Feuers, which kinde of Syrupe is made of Water-sugar, and Vinegar, as Oximell is made with ho­ny. Hee that vseth the same shall hardly bee infected with any kinde of Feauer, nor be troubled with the Asthmaticke passion, or Tysicke.

In the beginning of a Feauer, the Syrup, or Looch of Poppy, is conuenient both to coole the Body, and to procure sleepe. And so is a Glister or Suppositary, in the beginning of any sicknesse.

A Friend of mine who had beene sundry Voyages in the Indies, and within the Tropickes assured me, that when most of his People had beene often sicke at Sea of [Page 78] Calentures and burning Feuers, hee euer escaped. And the meanes which hee dis­closed vnto me were these: He vsed euery day to sip a spoonefull of the iuice of Le­mons, and in default thereof, he accustomed to drinke often a beuerage of Vinegar and Water. And lastly, euery day hee bathed and washed his fundament with cold wa­ter, which is the chiefest way, that the Turkes, Arabians, and Moores doe purifie themselues before their Saba [...]thes, and during the time of their Fasts. Aboue all, our Dyet, or that which our Mariners call Lob-lolly, will serue them for nourishment at Sea.

The tenth SECTION.

FOr the shutting vp of these particu­lar Cures, I will insert this Corollary, which I wish all them that haue a care of their healths, daily to reuolue in their mindes, being drawne out of Hip­pocrates his golden Aphorismes: That whatsoeuer Nourishment enters into an [Page 85] impure Body, will make it the more im­pure.

But there is one Sicknesse more, which rightly may be stiled the Northerre Ca­tholicke, crept among vs within these for­ty yeares, the sinne of Drunkennesse, brought hither out of Germany, and the Low-Countries, which beares such sway, that few merite the name of Gallants, or sociable Creatures, vn [...]esse they can Ca­rouse more Cups, then the large Body of a Camell is able to brooke, without great al­teration in Nature.

For the suppressing of this odious sick­nesse, we haue laudable Acts of Parliament, but for want of due execution of the Lawes it increaseth to the great displeasure of Al­mighty God, the scandall of our Religi­on, and the grieuous disturbance of their Bodies, which wee see drooping away daily, before the date of life conditiona­ly granted vnto vs by our Creator. What shall wee do in this desperate case? Our Statutes faile to remedy this euill: Our Preachers with their thundring Woes misse to reforme it: The carefull Cure is neglected; for most men now a dayes doe more intend their priuate ends, then the [Page 86] publicke good. Only this prouident Coun­se [...]l is left, which I submit in most hum­ble manner to the higher Powers, that some more Additions bee enacted, that in such places as lye remote from the meri­dian of the Fountayne of Iustice, all blind Ale-houses bee suddainly put downe, that none be Licensed, except they were worth twenty pounds at the least in Goods, able to keepe Bedding, with sufficient mans meate, and Horse-meate, that all such as frequent these infamous Houses, especially within seauen miles of their dwelling places, or vpon the Lords Day, may bee bound to their good behauiour, and that during the time of their Bonds, they to be debarred of bearing Witnesse betweene party and party, seeing that it is likely common Drunkards care not what they sweare.

Secondly, that they shall not vexe their Neighbours with Law-suites, vntill they be released and become new men: Or else, that they shall stand as persons Out-lawed▪ or Excommunicated out of true Christi­ans Society.

Thirdly, that those Officers, in whose diuision these offences shall bee commit­ted, [Page 87] shall without delay see the Penalt­ties ordayned by Law inflicted, and tha [...] the negligent as accessary bee seuerely-punished.

Fourthly, and because Seruants in most of our Gentries Houses are also in­fected with this Pestilent abhomination, it were fit, that they build new Cellars neere their Parlours, where their Mai­sters Eye might curbe them, if they meete not with sober Butlers to restraine them.

In these latter times people are be­come so besotted with this abhomina­ble Vice, that no Admonition can pre­uayle to with-draw them from it: Whereas in times past the very sight of a Drunkard was as rare as a Goblins; Yea, and if it chanced that any one were but seene reeling in the Streetes, the very Boyes would whoote, and laugh him to scorne, vntill such time as the Magistrate or the Gouernour came, and brought him to the Stockes, or commit­ted him to prison.

But now it is growne so common, that they account it a glorious Act, [Page 88] and the Musick must play while the health goes round.

It is recorded, that the godly Mouica the mother of St. Augustine, beeing but once vpbrayded by a Seruant in the house, that she loued the Wine bottle, she took it for such a disgrace, that neuer after shee dranke one drop of Wine more, as long as shee liued.

Platerus makes mention in his practize of Physicke, that hee knew a Noble-man who being diseased of the Goute, and in­formed by his Physitian that his drinking of Wine and strong Liquor had caused his infirmity, he made a vowe neuer to drink any such Liquor more, which hee religi­ously kept, and in the stead thereof drank nothing but small Cider, or Veriuice. Whereby he was quite cured of the Gout, without any other Medicine.

The like I haue heard of an Hydropicke person, who hauing experimented, that drinke produced and augmented his Di­sease, hee resolued neuer to drinke more, but contenting himselfe with Broathes, and the like moyst suppings, hee was neuer after-wards troubled with the Dropsie.

[Page 89] To draw our Newlanders Cure now to a Period, let mee intreate all them, which haue any feeling of Sobriety, and of the necessity, wherein our Christian Common wealth stands at this present time, to lay aside their captious Criticismes, and car­ping censures, together with their need­lesse Feasts, and in good earnest to em­brace my Counsell in some measure, if they cannot as yet apply their wills to the stint, which is heere prescribed. I know the impediment proceedes of Custome, and this Custome can hardly bee altered, (ex­cept the Spirit of God will co-operate,) without some offence to concupiscence. Such is the lamentable obstinacy of many hare-brain'd worldlings now a dayes, that Parents cannot without great difficul­ty with-draw their owne Bowels from following their boone Companions, and roaring Gallants, whose conuersation but for a few dayes they haue frequented. How much harder then is it to diswade men from those prouocations, which from their Childe-hood they haue continued? The most part presuming on their Consti­tutions and present strength, suppose, that all the Meate, which they ordinarily feede [Page 90] vppon, and the Carouses which they swallow, cannot much impayre them. Nay, they will constantly auouch, that it is a signe of Health to drinke Healths, or to eate soundly, whereas they bee but baytes of Pleasure, so that Greedinesse knowes not, where Necessity should [...]e ended, or Nature limitted, as Saint Augustine a­gaynst Iulian, Lib. 4. Cap. 14. Existiman­tes nos adhuc agere negotium valetudinis, cum agamus potius voluptatis. It a nescit cupiditas, vbi finiatur Necessitas. But men of vnderstanding will consider, that most of the Bodies sicknesses and vnruly Passions doe arise from the wanton Palate, and that whatsoeuer enters into the Bo­dy, which the Stomacke cannot perfectly concoct, must needes exceede the true Quantity, which Nature allowes, and so turne to noysome Humours at the last, in despite of Nature.

Yee that bee Parents, shall heere learne to weane your Infants with a better Dyet, then with Flesh and Fish; which will rotte and corrupt their tender bo­dies.

Yee, that be Rich, accept of this Trea­sure, Diuine Sobriety, which will infuse [Page 91] into your hearts, modest content­ment.

Yee, that be Poore, shall heere learne Frugality, at a cheepe rate.

Yee, that bee Young, shall bee taught Continency.

Yee, that are Elder, and therfore should be wiser, shall meete here with health and long life.

Heere, yee shall finde all your Sences re­fin'd, aswell the Inward as the Outward. Heere, from temperate heate issue tempe­rate Effects. The Blood spreads gently through the Veines; the Spirits through the Arteries: And the Soule by Vertue of this Heauenly Gift, beeing as it were dis­charged of her Massie load, and loathsome Lumpe, hath now some experience of her Liberty, aud that by this Puri­fication shee is not farre from Glorifica­tions.

In a word, Deare Country-men, con­demne not this Cure before you Read, or make some tryall of the Substance. The time requires it. For the Misery of Ini­quity is permitted to acte the last Tragedy of Spirituall Wickednesse in Heauenly matters.

[Page 92] But yee who are enabled to liue tempe­rately, neede not feare as long as yee con­tinue stedfast in Faith: Your Olde men shall dreame Heauenly Dreames, your Young men shall see Visions, your Sonnes and Daughters shall Prophesie, your Seruants and Maides shall bee inspired with the Holy Ghost, according to the Prophesie of I [...]l.

The first SICTION.

Morstua, Mors Christi, Fraus mundi, gloria Coeli; Et Dolor Inferni sunt meditanda tibi.

The second SECTION.

[Page 110]The third SECTION.

[Page 112]The fourth SECTION.

The fift SECTION.

The fift SECTION.

[Page 128]The seuenth SICTION.

[Page 133]The eighth SECTION.