AS there is a Corporall or Bodily Plague; which is by Physitians defined to be, A Com­mon Epidemicall disease, most acute, contagi­ous, and pernicious, that with its secret or close-lurking malignity, and Spiritfull poison invades and infects the heart and vitall spirits with all other parts of the body, suddainly and speedily over­throwing them by causing extreame putridnesse and raging di­stempers therein; shewing it selfe at the last, and for the most part, in spots, sores, or Carbuncles, together with other dange­rous and deadly Symptomes. So there is also a Spirituall or Soule-Plague 1 Kings: 8, 38., called Sinne, which according to Divines, is a transgression of Gods Law 1 Iohn. c. 3 v. 4. Rom. 7. v. 7, 8. cap. 4. v. 15. causing death Rom. 7. v. 9, 10, 11. cap. 5. 12, Deut. 30. Ezek. 18. temporall and eternall; and may, for its neare resemblance to the other Plague, be further described in the same termes with it: viz. An universall Rom. 3. v. 9, 10, 11. 12, 19. [...]3. 1 Iohn. c. 1. v. 8. 10. or epidemicall disease Ez. k. 34. v. 4. Math. 8. v. 17., most acute Gen. 6 5 Ps. 19. 1 [...]., conta­gious Isa [...]h [...]. 6. cap 24. 5. Psal. 106. 35. Re­vel 18. 4., and pernicious Levit. 26. Deut. 28. Rom. 6. 23. 1 Cor. 6. v 9, 10., that with its secret or close-lurking Psal. 19. 12. Rom. 7. 23. malignity and spiritfull poison Deut. 32. v. 33. Psal. 140. 3 James 3. v. 6. 8. invades and infects, &c.

THe first and most generall preservative against this infection is not named by the Author of the Physicall directions; for that (as I suppose) he thought it more dangerous to fly from this City, as the case then was, then to abide in it: it being better to fall into the hands of God, who in wrath remembers mercy; then into the hands of such mercilesse bloody men, as then did, and still doe lye in waite to de­vour us: howsoever I shall be bold to mention it, as being altogether requisite in that case that I shall apply it unto. The Preservative that I meane, is the flying from such Persons and places as are infected. 'Tis approved of in the Letter concerning the Body-Plague; provided, that they who would make use of that meanes have no publique or private bond upon them to the contrary, and that they doe not take that course, as an occasion to save their purses from contributing to the releife and support of those who stay behind them, and are in want; as also, that they do not trust too much upon their flight, as thinking themselves secur­ed thereby. But in the Allegory as it concernes the Soule Plague, the flying from Persons and plates infected, is not only a prescript of Councell but of Command; and the con­tagion cannot well be avoyded without it Numb. 16. 26. Jerem 51. 6. Rev. 18. 4. Tit. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 5. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Prov. 5. 8. and cap. 24. 21..

Whether men fly or not, let as many, as have not done it before, set their houses in Order, and settle their estates 2 Kings 20, 1. making the best provision they are able for their Wives and Children 1 Tim. 5. 8., and not forgetting the Poore Prov. 19. 17. and cap. 21, 13. Psal. 41. v. 1, 2, 3. Dan. 4. 27..

Have a care what Strangers thou receivest and entertain­est in thy house. To entertaine strangers especially in times [Page 12] of distresse, is an excellent meanes of preservation to a whole family, for thereby some have entertained Angels unawares Heb. 13. 2., and those such Angells as have preserved them and theirs from the universall destruction of that City wherein they have lived Gen. 19.: and 'tis a most acceptable thing both to God and Christ to entertaine some strangers Deutr 10. v. 18, 19. Job: 31. v: 32. Mat. 25. v: 35, 40. 3 E­pist John v: 5. Isaiah 58. 7. 8., and the excluding or neglecting them most distastfull Mat: 25. 43, 45.. Yet 'tis good to be­ware whom thou entertainest, lest otherwise thou chance to entertaine Devils in the forme of Angels. In particular beware of false Prophets, or false Teachers, who privily bring in damnable heresies, where e're they come, causing the way of truth by their pernicious wayes to be evill spoken of, and with their fained words make merchandise of mens soules 2 Pet: 2. v 1, 2, 3., you shall know them by those markes, by which Saint Peter describes them, such as the despising of govern­ment, carrying themselves presumptuously and selfe-will'dly; speaking evill of dignities 2 P [...]t: 2. from v: 10, to v: 20., &c. If any such come unto you, or any other that bring any other doctrine then what is consonant to the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, receive them not into your house, neither bid them God speed 2 Epist: John v: 10.. Be­ware also of all such as use to creep into houses, and lead Captive silly women, whether they be Prophets, or not 2 Tim: 3. 6., you shall know them also by those markes which Saint Paul sets them out by 2 Tim: 3. v: 3, 4, 5., if you be but carefull to observe them. And because you will say 'tis impossible to know whether strangers be such, or not, I would advise you to be the more carefull, that those strangers whom you do entertaine be able to shew you some way or other either by the re­port of others Act: 10. 22. and cap. 22. 12. Heb: 11. 39. 3 Epist: John v: 3, 6., or by their owne deportment James 2. 18. and cap: 3. v: 12, 13. Mat. 7. 16., some good testimoniall of their being free from all such infection or con­tagion. But if they cannot do that for the present. Not­withstanding use them humanely and intreat them kindly, so long as thou knowest nothing to the contrary, but that they are cleare and free, and that for his sake who shewed such kindnesse and compassion to thee, when thou wast a stranger to him and stript of all thou hadst that good was, and wounded and cast out into the high way ready to perish, [Page 13] those that knew thee, passing by thee, neither willing nor able to helpe thee. I meane Jesus Christ himselfe, who tells thee this of himselfe in a parable Luke 10. v: 30, 31. &c., and bids thee do the like I [...]: v 37.. Nay further; If thou suspect them or know them not to be free from infection, yet if they be in extreme want, make the best provision for them that thou canst with safety to thy selfe and family. And that still for his sake who entertained thee when thou wert a stranger to him and to all worth and goodnesse that might any wayes deserve the least kindnesse from him Ephes: 2. v: 12, 13, &c:, viz. their Lord and thine; they being his crea­tures Ezek: 18. 4. Mala: 2. 10. and bearing his image Gen: 9 6., as well as thy selfe, and stand­ing and falling only to him Rom: 14. 4.. And so I passe on to the preser­vatives prescribed in the Physicall Directions.

Dwelling houses are to be kept cleane, free from filth and ill smells; In particular, from usury and perjury Deu: 23 19. Psal. 15. 5 Ezek: 18. 13. cap. 22. 12. Prov. 28. 8. Zach. 5. 4. Mal. 3. 5., from coveteou­ousnesse, and Idolatry Prov. 28. 16. Luke 12 15. Psal. 10. 3. 1 Tim. 6. 10. Ephes. 5. 5. Deut. 7. 26. Exod. 20. 4. 5. Deut. 27. 15., from fornication and adultery Prov. 6. 26, 27, 28, 29, &c. 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. cap. 10, 8. Heb. 13. 4., from rioting and drunkenesse Isaiah 5. 11, 12, 22. cap. 22. 12, 13, 14. Prov. 23. 20. 21, 29, 30, 31. &c. Hos. 4. 11. 1 Cor: 6. 10. Rom: 13. 13. Galat. 5. 21., from chambering and wantonnesse Rom: 13. 13., from diceing and gameing Exod: 32. 6. Ephes [...] 5. 15, 16. Colos: 4, 5., from strife and envying Prov: 14. 30. Rom. 13. 13. James 3. 14. 15. Galat. 5. 21, from false weights and false wares Deut: 25. 13. Prov: 20, 10, 23. Amos 8. 6. Micah 6. 11., from false measures and false ballances Amos 8. 5. Micah 6. 10. Prov. 20. 10, 23., from the goods of the poore laid to pledge, and goods stollen or otherwise ill gotten Deut: 24 12, 13. Exod: 22. 26, 27. Zach: 5. 4. Micah 6 10. Prov. 16. 8. cap. 20. 17. cap: 21 6. Hab: 2. 6.; from the wages and hire of ser­vants and labourers unjustly detained and kept backe Levit. 19. 13. Deut: 24. 14. 15. Jerem: 22. 13. James 5. 4., from pride and excesse in ornaments of the body, or furniture of the house Prov. 15. 25. cap. 16. 5, 18. 1 Pet. 3. 3. Isa. 3. 18, 19, &c. 2 Kings 20. 13, 17. Nahum 2. 9., from sloth and Idlenesse Prov. 20. 4, 13. cap. 21. 25. Ezek. 16. 49. Prov. 31. 27. 1 Tim. 5. 13., from swearers and prophane persons Exod. 20 7. Levit. 19. 12. Hos. 4. 2, 3. Zach. 5. 3. Mat. 5. 34, 35. &c. Jam. [...]. 12. 1 Tim. 6. 20. Heb. 12. 15. 16., from lyars and slaunders Psal. 101. 5, 7. Prov. 12. 22. cap. 13. 5. John 8. 44. Ephes. 4. 25. Prov. 4. 24. James 4. 11. Rom. 1. 29. 30., from flatterrers and tale­carriers Prov. 29. 5. cap. 26. 20, 22, 24, 25. cap. 18, 8 Levit. 19. 16., and from whatsoever else may bring the wrath of God upon thee or thine Ephes. 5. 6.. And I advise thee also to looke to thy out-houses, as thy barnes and grainaries, that there be not found therein either corne hoarded up to make a dearth Prov. 11. 26., [Page 14] or Tithes with-held from these to whom they are due Malac. 3. 8, 9, 10, 11.. And in case thou build thy house or inlarge either it or the borders thereof, (I meane thy Gardens, walkes, and the like, have an e­speciall care that it be done without oppression or wrong to a­ny, least the violence and injustice done that way pull such plagues and vengeance upon thy house, as will never leave it, till it, or thee, if not thine after thee, be utterly rui­ned Isa. 5. 8, 9. Jerem. 2. 2. 13. Hab. 2. 9, 20, 11. Micah. 2. 2. 1 King. 2. Exo. 20. 17.

If thou live neere to any infected or suspected houses (such as are all where-houses and play-houses Prov. 2. 18, 19. c. 7. 27. c. 9. 18. c. 3. 33. c. 14. 9. 13. Ecstes. 7. 4. Ephes. 5. 4., the most Tavernes and Tippling-houses Prov. 20 1. cap. 23. 20, 29. 30. Isa, 5. 11, 12, Isa. 28. 8. and, as thou mayest certainely conclude all such houses as abound with much of that filthinesse and un­cleanesse but now mentioned) keepe thy Windowes Jerem. 9. 21. and thy doores Genes: 4. 7. Exod: 12. 22, 23. towards those places especially, close shut, so close that no ayre infected or corrupted with the putrid and poy­sonous malignity of such places get into thy house. And give a strict charge to thy family, that none of them pre­sume either to gaze much out of thy Windowes Job: 31. 1. M [...]: 5. 28. 2 Sam: 11. 2. 2 Kings 9. 30., or to sit long or often at thy doores Prov: 7. 11. 12. cap: 9. 18, 14.; but let every one of them, as well as thy selfe, retire often to their chambers and other the most private places of thy house, and there fill their eyes with teares, their hearts with groanes, and their mouthes with pray­ers and strong cries Isa: 26, 20, 21. Mat: 6. 6..

In houses farther off from infection, thou mayest use more Liberty and set open both windowes and doores more freely, yet not without observing how the winde stands; for though the Southerly windes of ease and prosperity do most please the most of men; yet the Northerly blasts of trouble and adversity are most wholsome: the former generating corruption and putrifaction, or at least disposing thereunto, the latter helping both to preserve and keepe from it, as also to purge and cleanse it Deut. 6. 10, 11, 12, cap 8. 10, 11, 12, &c. cap: 32. 15. Psal: 78. 34. Psal. 106. and 107. Job: 21. from v: 7. 10 v 16. Psal: 73. from v: 3, 10 v: 15. Hos: 5. 15. cap. 6. 1. Psal: 119. 67, 71. Heb: 12, from v. 6. to v: 12..

Fires are to be made in houses infected and the neighbouring houses, and in Churches as times of publike prayers and preach­ing, and at all publike meetings, not in the chimnies of houses only, but in moveable pannes. &c. But of all fires in houses the fire of love and charity Psal: 133. 1. 1 Cor 23. from v: 1, to v: 9. Mat. 22. 37, 39, 40. cap: 5. 44, 45. John 13. 34. 35. Rom: 13. 9. 10. 1 Epist: John a. v: 10, 11. cap: 3. 14. 18. cap: 4. 12, 20 Luk: 7. 47. Ephe. 5. 25, 33. Rom. 12. 9 1 Pet: 1. 22. Exod. 32. 32. Rom. 9. 3., the fire of Zeale for Gods wor­ship [Page 15] and glory Psal. 69. 9. Psal. 119. 139. Psal. 39. 4. Jerem. 20. 9. [...]. 32. 32. Rome. 9. 30. Num. 25. 7, 8. 2 King. 23. from v. 1. to v. 26. Revel, 3. 15. 16., fire of fervency in prayer James 5. 16. Rom: 12. 12, Colos: 4 2. 1 Pet: 4 7. 1 Cor. 14, 15. Rom. 12. 11. Exod, 14. 15. Jonah 3. 8. Heb 5. 7. Luke 18. 1. 2, &c., the fire of holy indignation against sinne and uncleanesse Exod. 32. 19. Num. 25. v. 7, 8. Deut. 13. v. 6, 8, 9. 2 King. 23. Psal. 101. v. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. Jer. 20. 9 Psal. 39. 4. and 119, v. 158. &, 139. v 21. 22. Pro. 8. v. 13., are incomparably the best, and proper for moveable pannes, the breasts and hearts of men. The same fires are also the best that can be used in our Churches, and in all our other publike meetings at season­able opportunities, but beware of strange fire in Gods house, 'tis most pernicious Levit. 10 v. 1, 2.. The principall thing whereof these fires are to be made, is the heart of thy best Oake, thy selfe Pro. 23. 26. Deut. 6. 5 Ps. 66. v. 8. Jer. 20. 9 Psal. 39. 3. Psal. 108. 1 Zach. 11. 2., well dryed, from it's corrupt sap and moysture Psal, 66. 18 Pro. 11, 20. cap. 6. 18. 1 Tim. 1. 5. James 4. 8., by the peirc­ing beames of the Sunne of righteousnesse Malaki. 4. 2.: Some strange smelling herbs, or Aromaticall plants gathered out of Gods owne Garden Cant, 4. v. 12, 13, 14, 16., and cast into those fires when they are fla­ming or burning, will make an admirable perfume, and adde much to thy safety. There mayest thou also have such sweet waters Cant. 4. 15., as are not to be matcht for vertue and efficacy, by the richest distillations or extractions that art can boast of; and if thou drinke them, or sprinkle them on thy burning heart, thou wilt finde thy animal and vitali spirits exceeding­ly recreated and refreshed, and so wonderfully strengthened and corroborated in their withstanding and repelling all ve­nime and putrefaction. Fayle not of perfuming thy house, chamber or closet▪ or all of them twice or thrice every day [...]: (as much oftner as thou pleasest, or seeft cause Luke 21, 36. Eph. 6. 18. 1 Thes. 5 17.) with the incense of prayer Psal. 141. 2 Numb. 16 46., and, if thou be so well stored, with a few drops of penitent teares Psal. 39. 12. If. 38. 5. Heb. 5. 7. cast thereon.

Besides all this, the richer sort if they regard their health, should make themselves fuming candles or cakes of mercy, and almes to the poore. Nothing not already prescribed, burnes or smels better either to rich mens comfort and secu­rity, or to poore mens refreshment and preservation a and [...] better Antidot can scarce be used Deut. 15. v. 7. 8, 10. Pro. 14. 21 31. cap. 19. 17. cap. 28. v. 27. Psal 41, v. 2, 2, 3, Dan. 4. 27. Mat. 19 21. Acts, 10. 31. Is. 58 7. 8 9 10. Phil. 4. 18..

An especially care must be had of thy wearing clothes, for that they being of a loose porous spongie substance, are ve [...]y apt to receive and retaine contagion. And we are told by good Authors that have written of the Plague, that some­times [Page 16] the poyson thereof hath layen in clothes, and other things of that nature, which have beene layed aside before they have beene well ayred, not onely divers monthes, but yeares, and then infected all that have medled with them: the experience of divers amongst us can witnesse much in this particular. And 'tis further to be noted, that the poyso­nous seed of this contagion being in a garment, doth passe from thence, not onely into the living bodyes of men, but also into things without life; as namely, from one garment into another, and doth sometimes so lurke in garments, that it hurteth not him in whose garment it is, and yet infects and kils others that come neere it. It behoveth every one then to be very carefull of his wearing apparell; as they were of old commanded to be, when the Plague of Leprousie Levit. cap. 13. & 14. was in any place, or other foule diseases Levit. cap. 15., And to that purpose be ad­vised to avoyd all fantasticall affected fashions of garments Zeph 1. 8. Is. 3. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. the contagion thereof being very catching. The fashion of open breasts, how common soever amongst women, is very infectious, and some men may with more safety come neere breasts full of Plague-spots, then such breasts: for the uncovering of the breasts, is, for the most part, a symptome of excesse of lustfull heate in the body: and the laying open to common view that reserved repose of modest love Pro. 5. 19., is a strong temptation to immodest desires to take up their lodg­ing there Hos. 2, v. 2., as supposing those breasts not unwilling to be bruised Ezech. 23. v. 3. 8., that are willing so to be exposed. Neither is this all the danger; (though it be danger enough, one would thinke, to hazard the losse of thine owne, and others soules, by thy fond and wanton attiring thy body) but thou hast cause to feare, lest thy making naked, and discovering those parts, which thou shouldst not, provoke God to strip thee of all thy apparell and ornaments, and leave thee naked and bare to thy shame and confusion here, as well as to thy con­demnation hereafter Is. 3. 17, 18. Ezek. 16. v. 37. 39. cap. 23 v. 26▪ 28, 29, 34. Hos. 2, v. 3.. Blacke spots and patches, and other paintings and pargetings of the face, as constantly worne by some as any other dresse or attire, are most fouly contagious, & although now (the more is the pity) they are become the [Page 17] weare of some honest and honourable personages, yet they are suspected to have had their first originall from that pestilentiall disease, called luet venerea, a very sore infe­ctions Plague: and notwithstanding that they are by some re­puted to render faces the fayrer, yet the more sober and chast judge such faces, and their whole bodyes not alitle the fouler for them 1 King. 9. v. 30. Pro. 7. 13. Je [...]. 3. v. 3 cap. 4. v. 30. Nalt. 3. 5. Hos, 3. 2 sower [...] that place thus. Let her put away her for­nications from her face &c.: and let such faces take heed they doe not one day gather other blacknesse Nahu. 2, 10. Lam. 4. 9.; therefore weare no more on thy face, then thou wilt be willing to appeare with before the face of thy judge. Superfluity and excesse in apparell is also exceeding dangerous, especially in times of Gods, wrath. We reade of men threatned to be cut off for it, and that (as 'tis thought by divers of good judgement) not onely for being effeminate themselves, as too many Phanta­stickes use to be in their unmanly habits and fancies, but for suffering and maintaining their wives and children in that their folly and vanity Is. 3. from v. 16. 10 26. 1 Pet. 3. v. 3 4, 5. 1 Tim. 2, v. 9.. There is no little danger likewise at such times, and more particularly on dayes of publique hu­miliation, to weare soft rayments or costly apparell, which may be worne by such as are of place and dignity, on other dayes and at other times. Our best clothes are then our worst, and our worst, even sackecloth, is then our best 1 Chron. 21. 16. If. 22. 12. cap. 32. 11. Joel. 1, 13. Jonah. 3. v. 5, 6.. Garments polluted with blood, though but in the very skirts thereof J [...]. 2. 34. Lamen. 4. 13., or foyled with vomits Heb. 2, 15 16. Pro, 23. 20., or bespotted with the flesh Epist. Jud. 23., or o­therwise defiled with any uncleannesse, are not to be toucht or come neere to with safety, Whatsoever garments thou put on, let them be perfumed with some of that myrrhe, aloes and Cassia, whereof our Saviours Garments are sayed to smell Psal. 45. v. 8., that is, with humiliation 2 Pet. 5. v. 5., mortification Rom. 8. 13., righteous­nesse Job. 29. v. 14., and other Graces Colos 3. 12. wherewith his humane nature was filled and abounded, and of which fulnesse we have all recei­ved grace for grace John 1. 14. 16..

When thou goost abroad, it is good to lay thy hand on thy mouth till thou have an opportunity of opening it to some good purpose Eccles. 3. v. 7. Amo. 5, 13. Pro 31. v. 8. 9. Jer. 20. 9 Psal. 39. 1. 2. Pro. 10. 8. 19. 21., and then when thou doest open it, be sure there be salt in thy mouth, mixt with some herbe of grace Colos. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Ephes. 4. 29., Spices also are very good to hold in thy mouth, so that they [Page 18] be some of those which growe in that inclosed Garden be­fore-named Cant: 4. 12. 13, 14, 16.. Some rootes are excellent to chew on; but there is no roote that thou mayest confide in, save the roote of Jesse Rom. 15. 12. and that I advise thee above all things to trust in; for it never fayled any that trusted in it Nahum: 1. 7. Rom. 10. 11, H. b: 13. 5, 6.. In thy hand I approve of a spunge dipped in vineger; so that it minde thee of him, who for thy sake had a spunge filled with vineger given him to drinke Mat. 27. 48.. A toast of the bread of sorrows Psal: 1 27. 2. so they be not worldly sorrowes, called by one (though I approve not that apellation) browne bread, dipped in teares, and held patiently to the nose, proves very often an excellent preservative James 1. 2, 3, 4.. A little Mark: 12, 42, 43, 44. penny-royall in thy hand, or if need require, and thou have it Act 3. 6. 2 Cor: 8. 12., a pretty quantity of the best Mint fresh gathered James 5. 3., is admirable good; when thou meetest with some poore people, or comest neare an Hospitall or Almes-house, to cast amongst them: it helpes to preserve both them and thy selfe Prov: 11. 24. 2 Cor. 9. from 6. 10 14 Psal. 4 [...]. 1, 2, 3..

Persons of better ranke shall do well to use more of these Mark, 12, 41. 2 Cor. 9. 6. when they stirre abroad; but better then these I know not any: the richest Pomanders made of Lodanum, Benzoin, San­ders, Storax, Myrrhe, Saffron, Amber, Camphyre, Muske, &c. though excellent in their kinde, are not to be named with them.

Enter not into the path, and goe not in the way, where in thou knowest any infected or suspected persons use to walke, but avoyde it, passe not neare it, turne from it, and passe away Prov: 4. 14. 15.: more particularly and specially, be carefull to avoyd and not to come neare, the way of the Rebell Numb. 16. 24. E­pist. Jud: 11. Prov. 24 21., the way of the where Prov. 2. 18, 19, c. 5. 5, 6, 8. c. 7. 25, 26, 27., the way of blood-thirsty Epist. Jud: 11. Prov. 1. 11, 15., the way of the cove­teous Epist. Jud. 11. Prov. 1, 19. and the way of the Idolater Deut. 13. 6. 8, 2 Cor. 6. 16, 17..

Be no lesse carefull to shunne an infected and suspected, houses, such as thou wert before advertised of: And if thou happen to come neere any such ere thou art aware, or upon necessary occasion; and in thy passing by heare any singing and roaring, or (as they call it) making merry therein, be thou truly sorry for them, and let fall a teare or sigh at the least in their behalfe, as for men in a desperate condition: for [Page 19] besides that such behaviour at such a time Isa: 22. 12, 13. Ezek. 21. 10. and in such a place strongly argues that a strange raving giddinesse or light-headednesse hath possessed them, a notorious symptome that the poyson or infection hath gotten into their braines; such carriage is usually accompanied, or followed at the heeles, with a deep lethargicall senselessenesse, another dead­ly symptome of the Plague, from which very few recover.

If thou passe by any house that hath a red crosse, or The Lord have mercie upon us on the doore: be ashamed that any doore should be better furnished then thy heart: and there­fore let the sight thereof minde thee of getting the doore posts of thy heart marked with the bloud of the Lambe, that so the destroying Angell, which smote that house, may passe over thine Exod. 12, 21, 22, 23. John 1, 29., and pray thou heartily, what thou findest written on such a doore customarily, that the Lord would have mercy upon all that remaine alive within it James 5. 15..

If the Magistrates shall obance to forget or neglect their duty and the publike safety so farre as to tolerate any une­cessary publique meetings or concourse of people, such as Wakes, Feasts, Theatricall sports, Campings, or Football­playes, Dauncings, or the like pastimes: have a care thou do not forget or neglect thine owne duty and safety so farre, as to be present at any of them, or to approach neer them, unlesse it be to reprove them Ephes. 5. 11..

The forsaking or absenting thy selfe from the publike As­semblies in the house of God, as the manner of some is, I can in no wise approve Heb. 10, 25. Psal, 84.. but rather I counsell thee to frequent them the oftener; provided that thou goe prepared with some inward and outward Antidotes and preservatives before and after prescribed, taking with thee thy Bible in thy hand, and something in thy purse or pocket for the poore. For be­sides that God hath promised his owne especiall presence at such meetings at all times Mat, 18. 20.; he hath also declared more then ordinary acceptance of such prayers and other religious performances as are presented to him in that place in a Plague-time 2 Sam. 24. 18, 25. 1 Kings, c. 8. 37, 38. 39.. And, which is worth our inquiring into, ve­ry few, if any, of those who have beene infected with the [Page 20] Plague, either in this or in any other contagious time, could say, and say truly, and upon certainty, that they caught the infection, or the infection them, by frequenting the house of God, either to pray unto him, or to heare his word preacht unto them.

Go not forth early in the morning: to be sure, not before thou have offered up thy morning sacrifice of prayer and praise to God Psal: 5. v: 3., both in thy Closet Math: 6. 6., and with thy family, if thou hast any Josh 12 24, 15. Genes: 18. 19. Psal: 101. 1, 2. Acts: 10. 2.. And whensoever thou goest forth, 'tis dangerous to goe out fasting, but what I would advise thee to eate, thou shalt heare by and by, when I come to speake of thy dyet.

Wash thy mouth Prov: 13. 3. c: 18. 7. c: 4. 24. every morning with fountaine or spring water Prov: 18. 4. wherein Sage, that especially of Jerusalem Isa: 2, 3., hath beene infused: and so keepe it cleane from all filth, parti­cularly from swearing, lying, slandering, (whereof you were warned before) murmuring against God, or against those Rulers and Powers which are ordained by him, principally the supreame power, the King Numb: 14, 36. 37 1 Cor: 10. 10. Numb 16, 11, 41. Exod. 22 28. c. 16. 8.. And if washing thy mouth will not serve for the through cleansing of thy tongue, scrape it soundly, rather then suffer it to be foule; for death and life are in the power of the tongue Prov. 18, 21.; and 'tis naturally full of dead­ly poyson, which unlesse it be well lookt to, instantly set­teth on fire the whole course of nature, and is it selfe set on fire of Hell James 3. 6, 8.. Thy teeth must not be altogether neglected; for much filth may, and usually doth stick close to them Job 16 9. Psal. 35. 16 Psal. 37. 12. Prov. 30. 14.; which happily may be one reason why men shalbe hereafter so much tormented in them Mat. 8. 12., as they are not a little here.

Be not abroad too late at night; for the Pestilence it selfe walketh in darknesse Psal. 91. 6.; and in the night time of all times else, the most fowly contagious use to stirre abroad 1 Thes. 5. 7. Job. 24. 13, 14, 15, 16. Prov. 7. 9. seeking whom they may infect.

In the morning before thou goe out of thy house, or whe­ther thou stirre out or not, be sure to breake thy fast: but understand me aright; Concerning publike and private fasts and the observation there­of. Se afterwards in Diet. I would not have thee to breake the' publike religious Fast, if any be appointed by the supreme Magistrate, no nor thine owne private religious fast, resolv­ed on for thy selfe alone, or for thine owne family with thee; [Page 21] for so farre thy power extends; but that is the utmost ex­tent of a private fast, and they, who goe farther in appoynt­ing a Fast, incroach upon the Princes royall power, whosoe­ver they are. The taking those things which I prescribe, is no breach, I am sure, of either of these fasts, but an helpe to the better keeping of both; and, as farre as I yet apprehend, the taking of such things, as are in such times prescribed by the Physitians, or otherwise communicated for preservation, is in that respect the like; The fast, that I advise thee to breake, is that fast whereunto every man, through the aboun­dance of corruption that is in him, is most naturally inclined, viz. the absteining from all spirituall food and nourish­ment Amos. 8. 12. 1 Cor. 10 v. 3, 4., &c. and this fast thou must breake in the time of Plague especially. Thou needest not eate much in quantity: Every morning a little butter made of the sincere milke of Gods word 1 Pe [...]. 2. v. 2. Prov. 30. v. 33., with some leaves of herbe of Grace Heb. 13. v. 9. 2 Pet: 3. v. 18., or else a good draught next thy heart of that milke it selfe, warme from the teats of the Old or New Testament, mixt with faith and love 2 Tim. 1, v. 13. Heb. 4. 2., is most Soveraigne against all infection 2 Tim. 3. v. 15. 16, 17. Iohn 5. 39. Math, 22. 29. Rom. 15. 4..

At meales, let thy food be such as may be easily digested; Eate no bread that is gotten by grinding of the faces of the poore Isa. 3. 15., and let neither bread of secrecies Prov. 9. v. 17., especially that which is cut from anothers loafe Prov. 2. v. 16, 17, 18, 19. cap. 6 from v. 24, to the end., nor bread of deceit Prov. 20. v. 17., nor any other bread of wickednesse Prov. 4. 17. come within thy lips. Eate nothing that is uncleane or defiled, as all meates are, that are not received with thanksgiving, & so sanctified by the word of God and prayer 1 Tim. 4. v. 4, 5.. Be content with such food as God sends thee Phil, 4, 12. 2. Tim, 6. 8., and lust not for other Numb. 11, v. 4. 33.: tast not of meat that hath bloud in it Genis. 9. v. A. 5, 6.; and if thou come where dainties are, and be a man given to appetite, put thy knife to thy throat; and desire them not Prov. 23. v. 1, 2, 3.. And because I would have thee know as well what to eate, as what to abstaine from, let me assure thee, that the onely bread and flesh, in which thou mayest confide, is that bread which is called the bread of God, or the bread of life, or the bread from heaven, and that flesh which is called flesh and meate indeed John 6.. This bread and flesh if thou canst feed on it by a true and a lively faith, my life for thine, no plague shall [Page 22] hurt thee Ib.. Eate thereof every day more or lesse according to that provision which thou hast made; and as oft 1 Cor. 11. v. 25. 26. as thou are invited; if thy appetite be good, doe but examine thy selfe, and eate freely of it at thy Lords Table 1 Cor: 11. v. 27, 28, 29. cap. 10 v. 21.. To prescribe what particular meates every man should, or should not eate, were not onely ridiculous but impossible, so different and contrary are severall mens tempers and constitutions, and so much also, upon occasionall alterations, doth the same mans temper and constitution differ from it selfe. Those meates which are wholsome for some, are little lesse then poison to others; and that which at one time nourisheth a man, may at another time helpe to destroy the same man. Wherefore I advise every wise man that regards his health and safety to consult in point of dyet that Phisitian who hath fairely taken upon him the care and cure of him Ma [...]: 2, 7 Heb: 13. v. 17. 1 Pet. 5. 2. Act. 20, v. 17. 26, 27, 28. T [...]: 1. 5., or (as our Church al­lowes in such a case) if need require some other discreet lear­ned Physitian In the second ex­hortation before the Confession at the Communion., on whose skill or fidelity he more relies, For Sauce, Salt and Savery discourse is excellent condiment Colos. 4. 6. Ephes. 4. 29.; but if to thy sweet meate, God send thee sowre or sharp Sauce despise it not Prov: 3. v. 11, 12., for although it be unpleasing to many palats, yet 'tis und oubtedly the most wholsome Heb. 12. v. 11.. One sort of milks I prescribed before to be taken next thy heart in the mor­ning, and that milke I here againe recommend to be taken 1 Pet. 2. v. 2. Numb. 11 6. Psal: 119 v. 20. 40. at thy meales, provided still that it be mixt with faith, and that it be eaten with a good appetite without the least nausea­ting; for if it be so eaten, it neither corrupteth in the sto­macke, nor causeth any obstructions, (which are the prime reasons why Physitians inhibite milke in time of infection) but it helps to cleanse Ephes. 5. 26. Psal. 119. v. 9. the Liver, and scoure Psal. 119. v. 11. 104. 105. the Stomack, and keepes from all intemperate heate of the heart and other parts Psal. 119. v. 23. 51. 61. 69 157. 161., and withall is most incomparably cordiall for comfor­ting the Spirits, and strengthening the vitall parts Psal: 119. v. 50. 52. 92. 93. 111. 143.. Fish I approve of, on those daies wherein our lawes require it to be eaten 2, & 3. Ed. 6. cap. 19. 5, & 6. Ed. 6. cap: 3. 5 Eliz. cap. 5. Rom. 13. 2. 1 Pet. 2, v. 13, 14, &c.; so that it be eaten in obedience to that politicall ju­dicious constitution for the maintenance of our Navy, Fisher­men, and Sea-men, and for the preservation of flesh, especial­ly of beefe and veale 2, & 3. Ed 6. cap. 19. 5 Eliz. cap. 5.: and not in conformity to any super­stitious [Page 23] rules or Canons, for the maintenance of those Fisher­men belonging to the See of Rome, and for preservation of their Calves and other Cattle Ib.. But it is not safe to adven­ture upon all fish that comes to the net, no nor upon all that comes to that Angle neither. Fish that is sound and firme and fairely taken, may be eaten without danger; but fish taken in other mens waters, or troubled waters, is never such Prov. 29. 24. Zach. 5. 3, 4. Numb. 16. 42. Act. 5. v. 36. 37, Isa. 17. v. 112, 14. Zach. 14. 13.; and therefore to be utterly avoided. Fish that is taken by poiso­ning or intoxicating them 1 Sam. 15, 23, Ga­lat. 3. 1., or by the Angle of deceit H [...]b: 1, 15., or by the net of hypocrisy Ib., or by the degree of violence and ra­pine Ib., (the prime wayes that those great Fishers neare Lon­don upon the bankes of Thames use in these times) may per­chance be sweet in the mouth, but either they prove very ill of digestion, or being digested, generate onely putrid and corrupt humours, which dispose and expose the eaters there­of to all manner of plagues and diseases See the places now cited for every parti­cular.. Some Fruits are of admirable virtue against all infection, as fruits worthy of repen­tance Math: 3. v. 8:, the fruit of wisedome Prov. 8. v. 19., the fruit of righteousnesse Philip: 1, 11., and all the other fruits of the Spirit Galat. 5. v. 22, 23.: Other fruits are as deadly poisonous, as the fruit of the wicked Prov: 10. 16., the fruit of our owne way Prov: 1, v. 31., and all the fruits of the flesh, commonly called, the workes of the flesh Gal. 5. v. 19, 20, 21.. Thou canst not then be too carefull in choosing thy fruits, remembring what the eating but a little fruit that was forbidden, cost thy first parents and their po­sterity downe to thy very selfe Genes: 3., as also what super-excellent fruit is to be had, if care be had in the choosing it Ezek: 47, 12. Revel. 22. 2.. Strong wines or strong drinke, unlesse very moderately taken, is ex­ceeding dangerous Prov: 20 v. 1.; but excesse in drinke or meate much more Prov: 23. v. 20, 21. 29, 30, &c. Eph. 5. 18.. Some kind of emptinesse is very bad, and therefore the contrary is prescribed Col. 1. 9. Eph 5. 18.: nay'tis not safe to appeare empty-handed before the Lord Exod: 23, 15. cap. 34 20. Deu 16, v. 16.. But the avoiding all such emptinesse both of heart and hand is most consistent with such fasting as the time of Plague calls for and God accepts; And therefore though I allow not emptinesse, yet I cannot but magnify fasting as one of the best courses that can be taken either to prevent or expell the Plague, if it be observed ac­cording to the following prescript. When a Publique Fast [Page 20] is proclaimed or called by the Supreame Magistrate, (which in this Kingdome is the King (and the King onely, to whom the constituting and appointing of a fast solely apperteines Chro [...]: 20 v. 3. Jonah 3. v. 7. Ez. 8. 21. 1 S [...]m 7 v. 5. 6.; faile not to keepe it with all due observation, abstaining from all meate and drinke Dan. 10. v. 3., except what in case of necessity is pre­scribed by the Physitian, as also from all pleasure and daily la­bour Isa, 58. V. 3.; powring out more then ordinary prayers and supplica­tions Jod: 1. 13 c. 2. 17., rending thy heart Jo [...]l: 2. v. 13., and watering thy cheekes with thy teares Joel: 2. v. 11., loosing the bands of wickednesse, and shewing mer­cy to the poore Isa: 58. v. 6, 7.: For such a fast is most acceptable to God, and prevalent with him Is [...]: 58. v. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Joe [...]: 2. from. v. 12, 10 v. 28.. But when a Publique Fast is ei­ther appointed by such as have not the Supreame power, (like that of Jezebell appointed in the Kings name 1 King: 21., and as such fasts commonly are) for the better colour of murdering the innocent, and taking possession of their inheritance Ib., or else is observed onely for debate and strife, and to smile with the sist of wickednesse Isa, 58. 4., and not according to those necessary conditions of a truly religious fast but now named; Such a fast, instead of pacifying Gods wrath, doth much more in­cense it Ib: v. 3, 4, 5.. And O my Soule come not thou into their secret: unto their Assembly mine honour be not thou united G [...]n [...]: 49. 6.. Private fast­ing by thy selfe alone or with thy family is of singular vertue Nehem. 1. 4. Esther: 4. 16. Psal. 35 [...] 13. Dan. 9 3. 1 King: 21 v. 27, 29. Luk: 2 37. Mat: 6. v. 17, 18. Mark: 9. 29., though not of like force with the publicke 2 Chr: 20. Jonah: 3. 1 Sam: 7 Isa: 58. 10. 2.: but be sure thy private fasting be private, otherwise it looseth all it's vertue, and thou all benefit by it Mat: 6 v. 16..

Where there is fulnesse or corruption of bloud in any; as, in such a plentifull peaceable land, as this lately was, the most mens blouds are too ranke, and too high, too suddainly rising up­on small or no occasion, and too often boyling, too much tain­ted with ease and idlenesse, and divers other wayes foulely cor­rupted; In such a case letting bloud is fit and necessary Rom: 13. v. 4. Gen. 9. 6. Deut 13. Num. 25, 8. Levit. 26. v. 25. Psa: 78. 34.: but care must he had that too much be not taken away; for that suddainly ruines the parties that are so dealt with, and brings the guilt of bloud upon them that so deale with them. The bleeding by horseleeches I like not, for that they cry allwayes give, give; that is, give us more bloud, give us more bloud, or that which is valued by some as their bloud Prov. 30, 15.; take heed [Page 25] therefore that thou suffer not these to fasten on thee. And if thou make use of a Physitian or Chirurgion to let thee bloud, beware of those new-upstart Quacks at London, notorious­ly infamous for bloud-letting throughout the Christian world Nahu. 3. 1. Is. 1. 21. Zeph. 3. v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Ezek, 22. v. 25, 27. Macah. 3. v. 10, 11..

Where the humours are corrupted, and where they much abound, and so are neere to corruption (as who can say he hath not such humors in him Pro. 20. 9. Job. 15. v. 15, 16 1 Epist. Jo. 1. 8, 10.) there purging Physicke is ve­ry necessary 2 Cor 7. 1. Ezek. 24. 13., so that it be not too strong and violent. A pret­ty quantity of Rubarb of Patience, infused in wine of cheer­fulnesse on the fire of Tryall, is approvedly good for the purgeing of all cholericke and melancholy humors Pro. 15. 18. Heb. 10, v. 34 36, Rom. 5. 3, 4. J [...]. 1. v. 2, 3, 4 Heb. 12 v. 1. Colos. 1, 11, 1 Pe. 2. 20. cap. 1. 7.; or (where they are to be had) the Quintessence of the one, and the extract of the other, made into such pilles as may well be swallowed, are admirable. Aloes of sorrow for sin taken in conserve of amendment of life, is excellent for purge­ing both those and all other ill humors whatsoever Ez [...]k. 18. v. 21, 22, 27, 28, 30. 2 Cor. 7. 10. Acts 3. 19.. Not to perplex thee with multitude of purgations. Take the Spi­rit of the feare of the Lord Is. 11. 2. Pro. 1. 7. cap. 10, 27. cap, 14. 27. Holy-thistle of compunctions Act. 2, 37 Ps. 51. 17. If. 66. 2. 2. Cor. 7 10, 11., A­loes of confession Ps. 51. 3. Ps. 32. 5. Pro 28. v. 13. 1. Epis. John 1. 9., wormewood of bitter hatred of sinne Pro. 8. 15. Ps. 97. v. 10. Ps [...]9, 104, 128., stampt or beaten together in the mortar of Conscience Rom. 2, 15. 1 Joh. 3 v. 20., then put to them the roote of faith Heb. 11., infused in the blood of the true Vine John 15. 1. 1 John 1 v.7, on the fire of Gods love to thee Rom 8 37, 39. 1 John 4. 9, 10., and thy love to God and thy brother John 14. v. 21, 23. 1 Epist. John 4. from v. 7. to the end.: and so mixing them all together with the Spirit of grace and supplication Zach. 12. 10., and some sugar or honey of Gods promises Ps. 119. v. 103. 2 Cor. 7. 1. drinke a sound draught next thy heart, till the teares stand in thy eyes Joel. 2. v. 12. 13., and be confident it will purge thee abundantly.

Issues or fontinels in the remoter parts of the body, made by some cauterie of externall troubles and afflictions, are ve­ry good for keeping the poyson fr [...]m the more principall parts Rom. 8, 28. Heb. 12 11, Psal. 119. v. 67. 71., but there is so much danger in the returning of the humors upon the stopping of such issues, and the corrupti­on that is purged out by them, without inward purgations, [Page 26] is so little Psal. 78. v. 32, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41. 42. Amos. 4. from v. 6. to the 12. If. 1. 5. 2 Pet. 2. v. 22., that I advise you by all meanes to keepe to those inward purgatives now mentioned, Pag. prae. whether any outward issues be made or not.

Vomiting, if there be cause, is very necessary, As if any have swallowed ought, that he cannot well digest: or though his stomacke be such that he can digest it for the present, as he thinkes well enough: yet 'tis knowne to be such, as if it be not cast up againe, it will trouble the sto­mack a long while after, and perhaps corrupt his very bloud, and that to his Childrens Children, as all things that are un­justly gotten or wrongfully detained will do, more or lesse Pro. 28. 8. ca. 13. 22. Eccles. 5. from v. 13. 10 v. 18 Ja. 5 1 2, 3 4.

In such a case, if thou have swallowed any such thing, never suffer thy selfe to rest till thou have vomited it up a­gaine; or else be sure God will either make thee to vo­mit it up and thy Children that have eaten of it with thee, or else, if he suffer it to remaine with thee and them, it shall be to bring a curse and a consumption on both Ib. & Job. 20 from v. 10. to the end. Job. 1. cap. 27. v. 13. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Zach 5. 3, 4. Now to procure vomit in such a case, If the oile of love to God and obedience to his Commandement, will not worke with thee as to turne thy stomacke Luke 19. v. 8. Jo. 14 v. 21 23.; take the extract of severall dreadfull sentences in sacred writ denounced against those who swallowe such things such as those new cited let I and K., mixed with the bitter water of the curse Deut. 27. 26. cap. 28. from v. 15. to the end Zach 5. 3., and some of the Spirit of the feare of the Lord before prescribed, boyled together in thy Conscience, heate with the sense of Gods wrath Pro. 18. 14. Ps. 2 12., and of thine own appearing before the tribunall 2 Cor. 5. v. 10 11., and so drinke it off as hot as thou canst well endure it; and if this do not make thee cast it up, I know not what will.

Exercise with moderation is most healthfull; as the ex­ercising thy selfe in thy calling, by stirring up that gift which God hath given thee for the enabling thee therein 1 Cor. 7. 20, 24. 2 [...]. 1, 6. Exod. 35. 30, 31, 32, &c. Rom. 12, 6, 7, 8, 11.. This ex­ercise will keepe both thy body and minde from a world of corruption, which would otherwise through idlenesse or bad employment growe upon thee Ezek, 16. 49. Pr. 31. 27. 2 Sam. 11. 2. 1 Ti. 5. 13.. But the prime exercise of all, is to exercise thy selfe unto Godlynesse 1 Tim. 4. 7, 8., so as to have al­wayes a conscience voide of offence towards God and towards men Acts 24. 16.. And if the Plague should feise upon thee whilst thou art thus exercising thy selfe, happy will it be for thee to be [Page 27] found so doing Mat. 24. 46., whereas to be found idle or ill employed at such a time Mat. 24, 48, 49, 50, 51., gives the Plague the more power over thee, as finding more corruption in thee to lay hold on Pro. 24. 30, 31., and thee out of that way wherein God hath promised to protect and keepe thee Psa. 91. 9, 1, 11, Psal. 33, 18, 19. Psal, 144, 20..

The last meanes of preservation according to the com­mon prescrips of Physicians, is that which ought to be the first and chiefest in the care and practise of every wise man. Namely, the fortifying and defending the heart and vitall parts by Cordials, against the venime and poyson of that perni­cious disease. For although there be no member, no entrall, no part or particle of the whole body of man, which doth not feele the insulting cruelty and rageing tyranny of this acute destroying disease; yet of all the rest the heart is the most infected, corrupted, tortured and afflicted with its pe­stiferous venome; because the heart is the magazine of a­ctive heat, the royall fort of life, and the fountaine of all the vitall Spirits; which being once vanquished and taken, the victory over all the other parts of man is most easie and ex­pedite: and it is the nature and property of all poyson, e­specially of this most subtle and deadly poyson, chiefely and principally to assault and invade, and so to wast and ruine the native heat, and vitall spirits, and in them life it selfe. It may, and doth make its way to the heart by, or through o­ther parts of the body, and so perhaps shewes it selfe in them first: but 'tis the surprising and overcomming the heart which it principally aimes, and drives at. Take this either literally of the Body-Plague, or Allegorically of the Soule-Plague; you will finde it most true of both. The heart is the principall subject of the Plague of the body; so Physitians; The heart, (that is, the understanding, will, and affections) is the principall subject of the Plague of the soule, so the Scriptures 1 K. 8. 38. Gen. 6. 5. Mat. 15. 19. Eccle. 8. 11. Deut. 29. 18. 19. Jer. 11. 8. cap. 17. 9.. Above all things then have a care to preserve thy heart Pro. 4. 23. Deu. 11 [...] 16, 18., Which is to be done chiefly these two wayes. 1 By purgatives. 2 By Cordials. For purga­tives I can prescribe no better then those before advised. And for Cordials, because there are so many excellent ones, [Page 28] and particular mens, tempers and cases are so different. I ad­vise every one to make his addresse (as before in point of diet) to some discreet learned expert Divine-Physitian of knowne honesty and integrity; and unlesse there be some very good reason to the contrary, rather to his own Physici­an that hath undertaken the care of him, and best knowes his state, then to any other Sc Dyet. let. F. G.: and to be counselled by him, so farre as he shall finde his Counsell agreeable to God, revea­led in his word 1 John. 4. 1. Is. 8. 20. Ma. 16. 6. cap. 23. v. 2, 3. Act. 17. 11.. But in case thou be any danger more then ordinary, and canst not have recourse to any such Phy­sitian. Take the Spirit of wisedome and the feare of the Lord Is. 1 [...]. 2., as before, the Spirit of obedience to Gods commands 1 Sam. 15 22. Deu. 28. from v. 1. to v. 15., the Spirit of truth righteousnesse and mercy Pro. 3. v. 3, 4. cap. 11. 4, 6. cap. 16. 6. cap. 20. 28. Zach. 8. 16. c. 7. v. 9., the Spirit of promise E [...]h [...]s 1. 13,, the Spirit of love and a sound minde 2 Tim. 1. 7., the Spirit of meekenesse and humility Is. 57. 15. cap. 66, 2, 1 Pet. 3. 4. Mat. 5. 5., the Spirit of temperance and sobri­ety Galat. 5. 23. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Tit. 2. 12. 1 Thes. 5. v. 6, 8., the Spirit of prayer and fasting Zach. 12, 10. Joel. 2. 12. 2 K, 20. v. 2, 5., the Spirit of zeale Num. 25. 7, 8., the Spirit of discretion Pro. 2, 11., the Roote of Faith, Hope and Cha­rity 1 Cor. 13. James. 2., v. 14. 15, 16, 17, &c. the seed of Gods Word Luke. 8. 11., the flowre of the Lilly of purity Ma. 5. 8. 1 Ti. 1. 51 c. 2. 8.. Conserve of Roses of Chastity and modesty 1 Pe. 3 2. Ti. 2. 5. Mat. 5. 28., two hands full of bounty and liberality to the poore D [...]ut. 15. 7, 8 pr [...]. 11, 25. cap. 28. v. 27. 2 Cor. 9. 6.. the Elixar of patience Heb. to 34, 36. Rom. 5. v. 3 4 Jam. 1. v. 2, 3, 4., the powder of contempt of the world Philip. 3. v. 7, 8. 1 John 2. 15. 16., Sale of good Speech Col [...]s. 4. 6, the tincture of the meditation of Death Eccles. 11. v. 8. Judgement Eccles. 11. v 9, cap. 12. 14, 2 Pet. 3. v. 10. 11. and hell Mat. 5. 29 30, ca. 10. v. 28., and with all these that which is the Aurum potabile, Bezoar, Methridate, Diascordium, Tria­cle, Quintessence of Pearle, of all ingredieuts that can be thought on, viz [...] sanguis Christi, the blood of Christ 1 John.1. v. 7. cap. 2. v. 2 John 6. v. 54, 55, 56. Rom. 3. 25. cap. 5. v. 9. Eph. 1. 7. Colos. 1. 20. 1 Pet 1. v. 18. 19. Heb. 9. 14,. Mix all these in the wine of Cheerfulnesse Rom. 14. 17. cap. 15 13. Philip. 4. v. 4., and the water of true repentance Acts▪ 2. v. 38. cap. 3 19 Ezek. 18: v. 21. 27, 30., and take of it dayly more or lesse according as there is cause. It never fayled any.

If for want of taking and making use of these preserva­tives mentioned, thou finde all these or any of these dange­rous Symptomes following, As first, A payne in thy head, that it is a trouble to thee to lift up thine eyes to heaven Psal, 123, v. 1. 2. John 11. 41 Mat. 13. 15, Psal. 17, 11., or to incline thine eares to wholesome instruction Jer, 7. 24, 26, cap. 11. 8. cap. 17. 23., or to bow [Page 29] thy head to God 2 Chron. 29. 30. ▪ or to thy superiour Genes. 43. 28. 1 Sa. 24 8.. 2 A swimming or dizinesse in thy head, Genes. 24. v. 26. Exo, 12, 27. that thou knowest not or regardest not what, or of whom, or to whom thou speakest Pro. 10. v. 19. cap.; and thinkest that other things move out of course, when the fault is onely in thine own braines Iude v. 10. 16. Nu. 16. 3 Overmuch waking when thou shouldest sleepe, 13. 3. cap. 16. 23. c. 18 7. cap. 17 27. Ja. 1. 19. Iude v. 8. 10. either to doe mischiefe to others Pro. 4. 16., or to scrape together wealth for thy selfe Psal. 127. 2 Eccles. 4. 8. cap. 5. 12., or to commit any other iniquity. 4 Overmuch drousinesse and sleepinesse, ei­ther when thou shouldest be praying Mar. 26. 40, 41., or hearing the word of God Acts 20 9.; or when thou shouldest be about the workes of thy calling Pro. 6. 9, 10 [...] 11.. 5 Fainting or swooning, whether it be at others tribulations Ephes. 3. 13., of under thine owne chastisement and corre­ction Pro. 3. 11 H [...]b. 12. 3; whether it be in beleiving Luke 22. 32. or praying Luke 18. 1.; or any kind of well-doing 2 Thes 3. 13.. 6 Vomiting or pronenesse thereunto, especially upon the eating of wholesome food Num. 21. 5. Ioh 6.. 7 Wearinesse without cause, as with well-doing Galat. 6. 9., or in suffering for Christs sake, or thine owne chastisement Pro. 3 11. Heb. 12, 3. 12.. 8 Losse of appetite; to that which is good Is. 26, 8. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Mat. 5. v. 6.. 9 Much thirsting after earthly things Exod 17. 3. Pr. 21. 26. Eccles. 4. 8.. 10 Extraordinary loosenesse, either of body or minde 1 Pet. 4. v., 3. 4. Rom.. Upon the finding of any of these Symptomes, v. 58 and v. 60 Ps. 50 17, Is. 30. v. 10. Jere: 20, 8 cap. 43. 1, 2. especially divers of them concurring betake thee to thy preservatives prescribed both evacuative and Cordiall; Amos 7. 10. as thou lovest thy life: And upon the taking thereof, if thou sweat well, though thou labour under it the more for the present, it will very much conduce to thy ease afterwards, and to thy preservation Mat. 11. 28.. It cost him that tooke thy infirmity and bare thy sicknesse Mat. 8. 17. a terrible sweat, Luke 22. 44. and unlesse the thought of that sweat, the sense of thine owne condition and of Gods wrath, together with the virtue and strength of thy Physicke doe provoke some sweas in thee, 1. 21, 1 Tim. 6, 5. I conceive thee to be in a very ill case, little better then desperate. 2 Tim. 3. 8. 1 Pet. 1. But in thy sweating observe these rules. 13. Jam. 1. 8. cap. 4. 8. I Consider that 'tis not the violent or long sweating, so as to weaken thee, or oppresse thy Spirits overmuch, that will do thee good; but the kinde free sweating according to thy strength Every one that is sensible both of his own sin and Gods wrath, cannot make his let swim, nor doth not feele the wrath of God so hot and so heavy upon him, as some doe, Ps 6. Ps. 22, Ps. 38. Ps. 42. Ps. 88.. 2 Doe not thinke all the danger over, upon once [Page 30] or twice sweating; for the subtetly of the disease is such, that being once or twice (sometimes oftner) repelled from the heart and vitall parts, it still lurkes in some secret angle of the body, and will returne againe Deut. 9. from v. 7. to the end. Psal: 78. unlesse it be more strongly opposed; and therefore be sure to continue thy pre­servatives after thy sweats John 8. 31. c. 15. 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 16.. 3 Take heed of sleeping too soone after a sweat, for it is very dangerous Mat. 26. 40, 41., 4 Have a care of cooling thy selfe, and be content to have it done as the great Physitian thinkes fit Mat. 26. 38, 39, 42 compared with Luke 22, 44.. 1 Epist John 2. 24. Lastly, take of thy Cordiall be­fore prescribed, Co [...]os. 4 2, 1 Cor. 15. 58. 2 Cor. 5. 6. lest otherwise thy strength fayle thee, and indanger thee that way Psal. 27. 13, 14.. Eph [...]s. 5. 20. Philip.

Thus have I shewen thee the best meanes for preservation that I could recall for the present. 4 4. Acts. 24. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 9. And if any Doctor, Batch­elor, or other Practitioner in Divinity Physick, can shew me any errour in any of these prescripts, Deut. 16. 15. 1 Cor. 16. 13. Ephes. 6. 18. 1 Pet. 5. 8. I shall willingly cor­rect it: Or if he shall prescribe any, that are more accurate, I shall amongst others most humbly thanke him for it.

Now for Curation, I observe that that Reverend Physiti­an, whose method I have kept the most close to of any's, adds very little for the curing of the Plague to what he had prescribed for the preserving from it, Psal. 38. Genes. 4. 13. Mat. 27. 3, 4, 5. except it be for curing the botches, sores, or Carbuncles. And as I apprehend, he therefore doth so, first, because the same physicke, especially the Cordiall Physicke, that is good for preservation, is as good as can be thought on, in ordinary cases, for cure, only where need requires, as it doth in the most, the quantity of the ingredients must be augmented. Secondly, because mens tempers and constitutions as I before told you are so differ­ent, and in a manner contrary, and the poyson of the disease infecteth and corrupteth in such different wayes and degrees that 'tis not good, scarce safe either for Physitian or the par­ties infected to adventure upon any Physicke, without the advise (where 'tis to be had and time permits) of some able Physitian, whom they shall please to acquaint with their particular present state and condition. The like course upon the like reasons shall I observe in these my Hyperphysicall Directions. For generall curative Physicke, in generall cases, [Page 31] where any are infected, (as who can say I am cleane Prov. 20. 9. John 15. 15, 16. 1 John 1, 8 [...] 10.?) I know no better, then what I have acquainted you with, by way of preservatives: onely the quantity of the ingredients, and so of the Doses The quantity of the severall ingredients and particular doses both for preservation and curanen, I there­fore omitted because their nature is such as cannot be proporti­oned., is to be increased, as there is cause. And for particular cases I once againe, as before, advise every man that desires to deale safely for himselfe, and would have his Physitian to deale so too, by all meanes to repaire (if he have the Liberty) to some discreet learned Divine Physitian for his particular counsell concerning his particular state See before Diet. let. F. G., and after his prayers to God to direct his Physitian aright in his counselling, punctually to follow his counsell, so farre, as his counsell is agreable to Gods revealed will See Cordialls let. D. And for botches and sores, when thy infection and corruption is growne to such tumors Is [...]. 1. 6, Psal. 38. 5. 7.. take for a great Onyon, strong de­testation Psal. 97. 10. Prov. 8. 13. of the filchinesse and loathsomenesse of Sinne Ez [...]k, 16. 4, 5, 6. Isa. 64. 6. 2 Pet: 2. 22. Psal: 38. 5, 7. Ezck: 24. 6. 11, 12, 13., and put into it instead of Rue, as much bitter sorrow for Sinne 2 Cor: 7. 9, 10. Ps. 38. 6, 8. Psal. 6. 6, 7., as thou canst possibly crowd it, together with some of that Treacle which is made of those vipers which Christ himselfe slew, viz, Sinne, the Divell, Death, the Grave, and Hell; 1 Cor. [...]5. 54. 55. 56. 57.; then heat it well at the fire of the sense of Gods indignation a­gainst sinne and sinners Jerem 4. 4. Isa. 66, 15. Nahum. 1. 6. and so apply it by the hand of faith Mat. 9. 22. 29. as hot as thou canst endure it to the tumour. Psal. 51. 17. Joel. 1. 13. c: 2. 12, 13. I dare warrant thee it will soone draw thy sore to an head and breake it. But then thou must be carefull that thou wash that part well, Mat: 26. 75. Luke 7. 38. wherein the sore Isa. 1. 6, 16. is, with some teares of unfeigned repen­tance Isa. 22. 12. c: 38. 5. Joel. 2. 12., and bath it throughly in that fountaine, which is set open for sinne and uncleanesse Zach. 13. 1. John. 19. 34., and that will both cleanse and heale thy sore, be it never so foule and dangerous 1 John 1. 7..

When thou art made whole, forget not to returne thanks to that great Physitian that cured thee Luke 17. 15. 16, 17, 18.. Galat. 3. 11, 14. Eph. 2. 8. Rom. 14. 23. And sinne no more, left a worse thing happen to thee John 5. 14..

DWelling-houses are to be kept cleane, free from filth, and ill smells, the Windowes neare infected houses kept close with Glasse, or oyled, waxed paper, that light, but no infected aire, may come in. In houses farther from infection, windowes open sometimes, toward wholsome aire and wind.

Fires to be made in houses infected, and the neighbouring hou­ses, and in Churches, at times of publike Prayers and Preaching, and at all publique meetings, not in Chimnies onely, but in move­able pannes; the fires made with dry wood, Oake, Ashe, Beech, dry Vine-branches, Willow, Baytree, Rosemary sticks, &c. Juni­per, Rosemary, dryed, Bay-leaves, Angelica, Lavender, Sage, Hyssope, Marioram, Thyme, Mints, Balme, Pitch, Tarre, Rosin, Turpentine, Frankincense; some of these cast on the coales, to perfume the house.

Richer persons may have suming candles or cakes, made with Benzoin, Storax, Muske, &c. For which order shall be given by the Physitians, if any please to have them, and be not otherwise provided. Oake boughs, Ashe, Willow, Bay leaves, Hysope, Ma­rioram, Thyme, Lavander, Mints, Rosemary, Fennell, Sage, Worm­wood, Meadsweet, &c. may be laid in the Chimnies and Win­dowes.

Sometimes the fume of Vineger, Rosewater, and Rosemary, and Cloves, over the fire.

Wearing cloathes perfumed with juniper, red Sanders, or Rose­mary hurned.

Going abroad, or talking with any, it is good to hold in the Mouth, a clove or two, a peece of Nutmeg, Zedoary, Angelica, Gentian, Tormentill, or Enulacampana root; in the hand a Sponge dipped in Vineger and Rosewater, wherein Rosemary, Sage, Angelica, or Rue have beene infused, or a toast of browne bread dipped therein, tied up in a linned cloath, or the Sponge in a [Page 34] Juniper or Ivory box with holes. For persons of better ranke, Pomanders made of Ladanum, Benzoin, red and white Sanders, Storax, Myrrhe, Saffron, Amber, Camphyre, Muske, &c.

Go not forth early in the Morning, nor fasting; eate not much: Sage and butter, a Potched Egge with Vineger, or such like will suffice; be not late abroad at night. In the Morning wash the Mouth with water wherein Sage hath beene boyled or infu­sed, and rub thy teeth with the leaves.

Take a spoon full of quicke wine vineger, Cordialls. wherein worme­wood chopped hath been infused. Take Figges good and clean thirty, Wallnut kernells pilled twenty, (if to be had) greene Rue picked a good handfull, Salt one spoonfull, stampe them, and incorporate them together, take the quantity of a Prune, a child as much as a Hasell nut. More pleasing; conserve of Wood-sorrell, Borage, Sage, of each one ounce, Harts-horne a dragme, Bole-Armeniake two drams, yellow Sanders halfe a dram, Saffron the weight of 3 ^d, syrupe of Wood-sorrell, as much as will make it into a most electuary; take as much as a good Nutmeg, twice or thrice a day. London treacle the weight of 8d. first in the morning with conserve of Roses, fasting one ho­wer after it; treacle-water two spoonfulls, with one dramme of Mithridate, Dyet. Confectio liberaus, or Electuary de Ovo. Dyet, meats of easy digestion, sauce sowre. sharpe, sorrell, Lemon, Vi­neger, Verjuyce, &c. Forbeare Milky meats, Custard, &c. Fish slimy as Eeles, &c. raw fruits, and strong Wines; excesse in meat or drinke is dangerous. Fasting, or much emptinesse is bad.

If there be fulnesse of bloud, Bleeding. letting bloud is fit, but not much, rather repeated.

If the body be bound, Purging. a Suppository with hony and salt. If ful­nesse of putrid humours, Aloes the weight of 6 ^d, in the pappe of a roasted apple; or pilles of Ruffus a dram once a Weeke. For persons of quality, other proper purges, as the present condition shall require, potion, &c. and an Issue or fontanell, in Arme or Legge, Issue. if there be cause; and vomits proper if need be. Vo­mits easy to be had; sallet-oyle three spoonfulls, juyce of ra­dish-root one spoonfull, or oxymell of squilles two spoonfulls, oyle and posset drinke. Exercise moderate.

[Page 35] Signes of infection appearing, Infection. viz. fainting, swooning, vomi­ting, or pronenesse thereto, heavinesse, wearinesse without cause, losse of appetite, much thirst, divers of these concurring, let bloud or purge, or both, as cause requireth, the first or second day, no botch or fore appearing. Then defend the heart with Cordialls formerly prescribed. Let the party sweat with Carduus, or Ma­rigold posset-drinke, London treacle two drams, or with wood sorrell water five spoonfulls, treacle water one spoonfull, and London treacle a dram and a halfe.

If a tumor, botch or sore appeare, Botch. let the inside of the arme, thigh, or calfe of the legge be blistered with Cantharides pow­der two drammes, with vineger and leaven. Take a great Ony­on, hollow it, put into it Venice-treacle one dramme, a figge and a little Rue cut small, roast it soft, close stopped, in a wet paper under the Embers, apply it hot to the Tumour, let one lye three houres. Or a pultesse of Mallowes two handfulls, two lilly roots cut and bruised, twelve figges sliced, boyle all well in water, stampe them, put to it three spoonfulls of oyle of Lillies, apply it, and shift it thrice a day. When it is broken, take the yolke of an Egge, hony of Roses one ounce, Turpentine halfe an ounce, London treacle, or Venice, and Methridate, and Saint Johns wort oyle, each one dramme, a little meale flower, mix all together, lay it to the sore, upon leather, changing it twice a day. Or a hot loafe out of the Oven. Or three Lilly roots roasted, beaten and applyed; burne the plaisters, &c. taken off the body.

Those that escape, are to be purged before they goe abroad; those that dye, are to be buried in remote places, and deep in the ground.