vineyarde diligently and faithfully which is a part of charitie For the Lord God who searcheth the hearts and reiâ—… and looketh into mens thoughts Eccles 23. whose eies are 〈◊〉 thousand times brighter then the Sunne beholding all the wayes and workes of men he I say knowetâ— all the minde will intent desire and affection of 〈◊〉 faithfull seruants Psal 38. and their gronings are not hiddâ—… from him Surely all the faithfull disposers and towards of the holy mysteries and secrets of God 〈◊〉 of the manifold graces of Iesus Christ haue grâ—… cause to lament these euill and woful daies Reuel 12. wherein the diuell is come downe to the inhabitants of the earth that is to those that are giuen to the woâ—… and fleshly lusts and to bewaile the blindnesse 〈◊〉 hardnes of mans heart whose imaginations are 〈◊〉 euen from his youth Gen. 8. and the great wickednesse 〈◊〉 man on the earth so that the earth is corrupt before God Gen. 6. and filled with crueltie because all flesh 〈◊〉 corrupt his way vpon earth For euen as it was in 〈◊〉 dayes before the deluge or floud when those obâ—…rate and obstinate Giants contemned the preachiâ—… and despised the warnings of Noe the friend of God the eight person a preacher of righteousnesse 2. Pet. 2. 1 Pet. 3. yea rather were disobedient vnto our Sauiour who in spirit preached vnto them by the mouth of Noe So now it is to be feared Ierem. 9. yea rather with heades full of water and with eyes that haue a fountaine of teares the pastours of Christs flocke haue cause to weepe day and night because so many wanton worldlings lie weltring in wickednesse and turne the grace of God into voluptuousnesse Iude. beeing fulled asleepe in carelesnesse and caried headlong to perdition with contempt of the worde of God Ephes 2. 2. Tim. 2. Now vndoubtedly is the time come wherein the prince of darkenes beareth such sway in the children of disobedience and holdeth so many disobedient wretches captiue at his will Now doth that malicious aduersarie that roring lion walke and let about 1. Pet. 5. seeking and gaping for his pray most perniciously deuoureth so many sillie miserable and succourles soules cruelly Now because the hirelings of whom we haue to too many care not for the sheepe Iohn 10. but leaue them without succour and defence and flie from them the woolfe commeth vpon them with insaciable rapacitie and greedinesse and catcheth and scattereth the sheepe and maketh lamentable hauocke of the poore afflicted flock of Iesus Christ Now verelie yea euen now at this present Reuel 12. the great Dragon that olde Serpent called the diuell and Satan sheweth his rage and hath great wrath because he knoweth that hee hath but a short time Mat. 4. For hee is the Prince of this worlde which title he vsurpeth and chalengeth to himselfe and he rideth vpon wanton wicked worldlings as it were vpon a horse And this is the cause that there bee so many workers of iniquitie Mat. 7. 2. Thess 3. so little faith on earth so fewe faithfull followers of Christ We are they vpon whome the ende of the worlde is come for whereas the Apostle sayth Hebr. 9. that Christ in the ende of the worlde hath appeared once to put away sin by the sacrifice of himselfe To which worâ— the Apostle Saint Peter agreeth 1. Pet. 4. and saith Nowe the end of all things is at hand how much more now may this our time and age bee called the ende siâ— that we are come so much nearer vnto the day of the Lord For now all those euils calamities sorrowes which our Sauiour foretolde should come vpon the earth are come in deed and those true prophecies of the infallible truth it self are now most certeinly fulfilled Mat. 24. and most manifestly verified For iniquitie is increased yea it aboundeth and hath the vpper hand vpoÌ„ the face of the whole earth Charitie is cold yea it is extreemly frozen The Disciples of Christ are afflicted yea they are hated and persecuted euerie where among all nations And although indeed here in England the light of the louing mercifull countenance of our good gracious long suffering God doth now at this present shine among vs most coÌ„fortablie blessed be his holy name therfore yet it is to be feared yea surely it is rather to be expected that our sinfull securitie noughtie negligence and horrible ingratitude will verie shortly and sooner then many thinke turne away his fauourable face from vs and set his face with heauie displeasure and indignation against vs and take away these his great blessings of peace tranquillitie trueth and prosperitie from vs. For when they shall say peace and safetie 1. Thess 5. then shall suddaine destruction come vpon them Ought not we then to looke dailie and continually for these imminent perilles and punishments Seeing therefore that all these calamities and afflictions present are iustly come vpon this wicked worlde and manie mâ— grieuous sorrowes are to be looked for 2. Pet. 3. what maner persons ought wee to bee in holy conuersation and godlines looking for and hasting vnto the comming of the day of God Howe great cause haue wee to watch that we may be readie for the comming of the Lord Happie are those wise virgins who hauing oyle in their lampes Mat. 25. are readie to meete the blessed bridegroome Iesus Christ and do enter with him vnto the glorious mariage of him that most louing husband with his Church that is the congregation of all faithfull soules dispersed vpon the face of the whole earth and knit together in one by faith and by the confession of his holy name through the operation of his holy Spirite Ephes 5. Which Church hee hath sanctified and appointed to bee his spouse or bride holy chaste and without reprehension Mat. 22. Happie are those ghests that come in thither clothed and adorned with the most precious wedding garment of his righteousnesse of a pure affection and vpright conscience wherewith all they are inuested that assuredly and constantly beleeue in him and in whome by his righteousnesse grace reigneth vnto euerlasting life Happie are those seruants whom their lord when he coÌ„meth shall find well doing Mat. 24. Luke 12. 19. For such good faithfull seruants wil the Lord himselfe commend in the presence and hearing of their brethren and make them partakers possessours of his vnspeakable ioyes Happie are they that so continue to the end for they shal be saued These are they that be clothed with white garments eueÌ„ with the innocencie sinceritie perfect righteousnes of that immaculate lambe Reuel 7. whoÌ„ he hath purged washed cleansed and purified with his most precious blood These are they whom hee that rideth on the red horse persecuteth Reuel 6. euen Satan with his blooddie tyrannie But the Lord will for their sakes shorten these euill wofull
growing on trees called Polipodie sene rubarbe wilde or bastard saffroÌ„ or as we call it English saffron epithyme which is a weed that groweth winding about thyme and hath a flower like thyme It is vsed as a gentle purger of melancholie cassia manna which is a maner of dew congelated on trees and plants and so is gathered in certaine countreys and reserued as a gentle purger of choler It is also called Melaerium As for scamonie the roote of the herbe tripolium commonly called Turbit Mezereon and such like strong purgatiue medicines doe debilitate and ouerthrowe the strength and therefore are not to bee ministred but vnto them that bee of strong nature and constitution when as a shrewd knotte requireth a shrewd wedge Things that binde the belly But if the belly be more loose then is conuenient for the health it may be stinted and stayed with often vsing of red mynt and with the confection or syrop therof tempered with honie which is euery where to be had in the Apothecaries shoppes Quinces likewise that haue tender mosinesse any confection of them do binde corroborate the belly likewise red roses To these may you adde medlers before they come to their kindly moystnes softnes and tendernes in like maner heppes whose kernell within is full of stones but they are of a sweet and pleasant taste and therewithall tarte and binding Rhus Ponticum which our countrey 〈◊〉 Ribes or Respes which stirreth vp the appâ—tite marueilously and driueth away the abâ—…ring and loathing which a weak stomack 〈◊〉 when it is ready to vomite and strengthneth â—… with vertue retentiue especiallie in sumâ—… time when as cholericke humor washeth 〈◊〉 intrayles much and prouoketh fluxe to which vse and effect the iuice therof being tempered with sugar What it is that Auicenna calleth Rob. which Auicenna calleth Rob in singular medicine and ready remedy for it stayeth the panch that is annoyed with too great a fluxe it raiseth vp the weaknesse of the appetite and stirreth vp a good desire to eate as doe also pomegranates hauing within them red kernels full of corners which bee iâ— taste somtime sweete somtime tarte Studious and politique persons must often times purge the pores by which the excrements are euacuated CHAP. 28. The pores are ordained to purge the excrements GOD the Creator of mans body hath not without great cause and good consideration made so many passages and wayes for the purging out of humors and the clensing forth of excrements lest in very deede man shoulde happen to bee ouerthrowen with the great abundance of them and bee suffocated and â—trangled with the vapours which proceede from them So the head purgeth and exoneâ—ateth it selfe by the nostrels eares and roufe of the mouth with spitting and sneesing The breast and lungs bringe out fleume by the artery of the voyce or windepipe with coughing The stomacke or ventricle draweth out the pumpe or sinke by vomite and belchings The bowels cleanse themselues by the belly or panche and shutting foorth venâ—ositie at the backe doore doe washe the gutter cleane from fylth and dregges The reynes and bladder deriue and cary the vrine by the passages and conduits thereof And the superficiall or outward parte of the body dryueth out the soote-like vapours and sweat-breeding exhalations by the skin that is full of pores and hath a passage thorow it by many little holes Wherefore seeing that the body cannot continue in sound and perfect health vnlesse all the partes thereof bee well ordered and in good state and fulfill euery one their function and office without any annoyaunce or hurte care and diligence must bee employed herein specially that no disorder or distemperance growe vp in the bodie whereby the action or working of the instruments thereof might either bee marred or made worse For the minde vseth the ministerie of these and thereby bringeth to passe excellent enterprises If some disease molest if the head bee troubled with heauinesse if fleume be grieuous if the 〈◊〉 or strangurie or dropping of the vrine doâ— vexe if dimnesse or blearenesse corrupt the eyes if the handes or feete bee afflicted with the gowte Horat. in Arte. If any man with noysome scabbe or iaundise troubled be mans minde can not speedily fulfill or execute any office affayres or businesse appointed For which cause those men may bee reputed wise which seeke to haue regard of health to purge and clense the body and the partes thereof from all excrements For so the mind or intellectiue power is more cleare and made the more apt able and conuenient for euery action A great sorte of men neglecting all comely and due order and hauing no respect of health doe gape for riches and are onely and wholly bent vnto the desire of getting and scraping of worldly goods together when as yet notwithstanding sound health is better then golde Health is better theÌ„ golde and nothing more worthy to bee wished for then the tranquilitie and quietnesse of the minde Horace confirmeth the same in these verses Horat. lib. 1 epistol 12. Ad Iccium If belly and sides be well in health and feete doe feele no paine What greater good in royall wealth can to a King remayne No house no ferme no heape of coyne the owners body saues From feuers nor from cares the minde which tosse like raging waues And to the ende he might bring euery man to a temperate and moderate vse of things he addeth further Horat. lib. 1 Epistol 2. Ad Lollium The owner must be sound in health if he minde well to vse His substance and acquired wealth and counsaile not refuse To which wordes the wise Hebrue plainly and wholly agreeth thus Eccles 30. Better it is to bee poore being whole and strong then to bee rich and not to haue health Health and good liking is aboue all golde and a sound bodie is better thaÌ„ great riches There is no riches better then health of bodie nor any delight greater theÌ„ the gladnesse of the minde and ioy of the heart Wisd 4. Eccles 30. Therefore felicitie must not bee measured by the abundant plenty of riches or prosperous successe of things but by perfect health and vnreproueable soundnesse of body and mind For in very deede that man both liueth and hath the fruition of health and welfare which enioyeth the pleasure commoditie of these things without any annoyance or inconuenience Holesome precepts necessary and requisite aswell for the minde as for the body CAP. 29. THere bee three thinges accompted very holesome in the opinion and iudgement of all men and therefore it is meet for euery man to obserue them namely To feede without fulnesse Not to refuse labour To conserue the seed of nature To the which I haue opposed iump so many very vnholsome things which do not only bring sicknes diseases but also do accelerate old age before the time and destroy men with hasty death vz. To bee stuffed
as it were the hope thereof in my hands when I consider your courtesie affabilitie and bountie towards all men but specially towards them in whome some signification and token of Godlie zeale vertue and industrie not coloured with hipocrisie doth appeare So that if your christiaÌ„ modesty would suffer your praises to be emblazed to your face your bountifulnes in the propagatioÌ„ of the gospell of Iesus Christ the preferment of good learning you being a benigne patrone of them both deserueth to be more highly coÌ„decorated theÌ„ this my barbarous epistle can possibile reach vnto Wherfore your worshipp vouchsafing to graunt this my humble sute in the chearful acceptauÌ„ce of this my trauaile I shall thinke my selfe most bound to your benignity shal haue great cause during life to pray to God the father for his son Christ Iesus sake to increase in you great pleÌ„ty of his good gracious giftes and to lift vp his merciful and louing countenance vpon you all the daies of your long life led in holinesse righteousnes acceptable vnto him to accumulate blesse you with worship renowne prosperity felicitie And wheÌ„ our bodies shall be restored to a far better state of life and ioyned togither to their soules to giue you the most happie fruition and possession of eternitie immortalitie and most blessed life that shall neuer in euerlasting continuaunce of time be chaunged Amen Your worships most humble Henry kinder The Preface to the Reader THe whole sum and effect of all diuine and humane philosophie wherein all kinde of excellent and exquisite knowledge consisteth tendeth chiefly vnto this scope and may be comprehended brieflie in these two cardinall and principall precepts namely To know God and To know a mans selfe For these two exceeding great and large branches of wisedome reaching by faith but not by curiositie euen to the throne of the Maiestie of God aboue al heauens Ephes 4. and spreading and stretching forth themselues ouer all the workes of God in nature are not only verie necessarie vnto vertuous life and godly conuersation but also verie expedient behouefull vnto euerlasting life and saluation These be the two readie steps by which we must ascend vp vnto the onely perfect and true doore of eternall life euen Iesus Christ the Authour Captaine and finisher of our faith by whom whosoeuer entreth he shall be saued and shall go in and our and finde pasture that is Iohn 10. shall enioy the gift of grace the treasure of truth the food of immortalitie The knowledge of God is acquired by two maner of studies or meditatioÌ„s First by the contemplation and consideration of his glorious excellent and wonderfull workes for the inuisible things of him that is to say his eternal power and Godhead Rom. 1. are seene by the creation of the worlde being considered in his workes Secondly God is knowen by his word and he will be found of them which seeke him therein diligently and desirously Prou. 8. For so sayth the wisedome of God by Salomon I loue them that loue me and they that seeke me early shall find me Vnto theÌ„ therefore which studiously meditate in the holy Scriptures and attentiuely heare the Gospel preached God doth reueale and make knowne the richer of his glorious mysteries which riches is Christ mâ—… the hope of glorie For by the sincere preaching of him euery man is admonished Coloss 1. euery man is taught in all wisdome that euery man may be presented perfect in Christ Iesus The knowledge of a mans selfe is attained likewise by two intentiue cogitations and diligent considerations which do both proceed from the most pure fountaine of the infallible worde of God The one is if a man ponder and consider well the excellencie of his creation Gen. 1. Coloss 3. 1 Cor. 11. Iam. 1. The other is if a maâ— beholde himselfe in the worde of God and looke iâ— the perfect lawe of libertie and continue therein For Gods worde is a glasse wherein we must behold our selues and become like vnto him And therin he shall see Eccles 17. that as the wise man sayth God hath created man of the earth and turned him vnto it againe He hath giuen him the number of daies and certaine times and power of the thinges that are vpon â—arth He clothed theÌ„ with strength as they had need and made them according to his image Hee filled them with knowledge of vnderstanding and shewed them good and euill He set his eie vpon their hearts declaring vnto them his noble workes And gaue them occasion to reioice perpetually in his miracles thâ—… they should prudently declare his workes and thaâ— the elect should praise his holie name together The Philosophers hauing some taste and feeling of this knowledge euen by the lawe and instinct of nature although they were destitute of the law of the holy spirite and of grace that commeth by the faith of Iesus Christ called this studious meditation a contemplatiue life or speculatiue science wherin whosoeuer doth employ his trauaile and diligence industriously and giue his heart to search and finde out wisedom by all things that are done vnder the heauen Eccl. 1. that is to say of all the workes of God in the wonderfull workmanship and creation of the world so far forth and so much as the lord God the giuer of wisedome and of all good giftes doth distribute and deuide to euerie man in such maner as it pleaseth him such measure as he knoweth euery man hath neede of he shall surely find and vndoubtedly proue yea euen by experience that in this life ther is no felicitie Genes 47. Hebr. 11. 1. Ioh. 5. Iob. 14. Galat. 5. Eccles 2. that this world is nothing els but a perillous pilgrimage a maze of miserie a surging sea of sorowes and troubles a continual conflict a wretched warfare a gulfe of greefes a huge heape of iniquities and a wast wildernes full of vanities and vexation of the spirite that there is no profite vnder the sun For thus hath it pleased the lord the Creatour and conseruatour of all things by his excellent wisedome Eccles 1. to humble the heart of man in this sore trauaile that he hath giuen to the sonnes of men in the consideration of mans fraile state and miserable condition and to eleuate extoll and lift vp his mind in looking and aspiring vnto heaueÌ„ly things to the end that he should Cic. 4. Acad quest in Somn. Scip. as Cicero saieth with an high noble and inuincible heart contemne these humaine visible corruptible earthly mortal caducal traunsitory momentanythings as the Apostle saieth Philipp 3. follow hard toward the marke for the prise of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus sighing desiring to be cloathed with our house which is from heauen 2. Cor. 5. And seeke those things which are aboue set our affections on heauenly things Coloss 3.
see commonly vnwise men to doe which haue intangled themselues with a superstitious kind of life or haue wasted much time in an vnpleasant stile forme of speaking not vsed of the learned and haue much a doe to leaue it In this respect me think A prayse of Italy and Greece Italie the nurse of studies and Greece the fountayne of learning is worthy to bee commended for trading and trayning vp the tender age in all the best Sciences which manner of instruction France and Germanie ceaseth not to follow For by this means it commeth to passe that young men instructed with purenesse of wordes and elegancie of speech doe soone and speedily attaine to the knowledge of things Iudgement censure or opinion concerning heathen or prophane writers CHAP. 13. ALthough there bee some Those things which polish adorne the stile and tongue must be imbraced which because they caÌ„not rightly nor indifferently esteem iudge of things do conteÌ„ptuously abandon vtterly reiect prophane authors as improperly vnfitly they tearme them will haue no examples fetched from them either of polishing the speech or of ordering the life yet in my iudgement they are not to be dispised For Poets Orators Comedi-makers Tragedie writers Historiographers are a good help for studious youngmen vnto the knowledge of thinges and of wordes vnto liberall and natural Sciences vnto sounde sure and well grounded learning The commoditie of the finer more polished literature study of humanitie yea and they doo sette open an easie ready entraunce to the same Good cause truly great reason there is that these studies are commendably entituled and worthily coÌ„meÌ„ded with the name of humanitie fine kind of learning because indeed they endew and inuest the tender and budding age with gentlenesse meekenesse and courteous conditions Men also that be more growne in yeares and of ripe age doo by this studie of humanitie delight and recreate themselues honestly and shake off such tediousnesse as is commonly incident to them that haue many great businesses and weightie affaires Which thing was the cause that besides other writers that were of the true faith and of right iudgement and opinion In Epist ad Nepot S. Basile called by sirname the Great inuited and counsailed his nephew to reade Orators and Poets diligently The office and duetie of a Poet and what profit studious youth and men also of good yeares may reape by reading of Poets CHAP. 14. The intent and purpose and practist of a Poet. HOw perfectly and exactly a Poet being very like to an Orator teacheth ordereth and enformeth children in such speech and behauiour as is most decent and conuenient for which cause he is accounted to bee the master of liberall artes and comely conuersation Horace dooth properly shew in elegant verse Lib. 2. Epis ad Augustum A Poet is a perfect informer of maners The tender maffling mouth of childe the Poet formeth well From talke wherewith minde is deâ—ilde his cares he dooth repell And straight his heart he brings in frame with louely lessons so From wrath and rancour to refraine and enuie to let go Of deedes well don he makes report each time how men should knowe Examples giues and great comfort to poore and sick dooth showe The Poet also dooth inculcate into the minde of young and tender age certaine other profitable precepts not seuerely not threatningly not imperiously least they should bee discouraged and leaue of so good a purpose but handleth entreateth them gently mildly sweetely pleasantly and with such moderation and cunning skill as hostlers and horsebreakers doo with gentle stroaking and clapping and noyse made with their mouth accustome noble and stout stomacked horses to praunce and leape vp and with cunning nimblenesse of their feete Virgil. Georg. 3. To bounce so brauely on the ground with swift stout lofty pase Moreouer these pleasant delights and recreations of studies do not onely stir vp animate quicken the huelinesse of the spirit and power of the minde in young men striplings but they are also coÌ„modious profitable to meÌ„ of greater age whensoeuer they may haue conuenient leasure from troublesome businesses and encumbrances of the common wealth and weightie and earnest affayres of ciuil policie Poetrie is the most ancient of artes Theophâ—…stus and likewise Cicero and Fabius do affirâ— that the generation of Poets is of great antiquitie and very auncient and much commended of the olde world Lib. 10. c. 1. For it is certaine and well knowen that by them the barbarous straying and sauage people wandring here there like wilde beasts were drawen together and brought to ciuill societie of life as Horace hath expressed in prety pleasant verse In art Poet. The excellent praise of a Poet. The sacred Poet Orpheus the Gods interpreter The sauage people did restraine froÌ„ barbarique murther And filthy feeding for which cause the Tigres he to taâ—… And Lions rage to mitigate is sayd with lasting fame Amphion fouÌ„der of the Towres of thebes with souÌ„d of 〈◊〉 Reported is to moue the rocks with sweet intreating suâ—e To lead theÌ„ as he list This was in old time wisdom plaine The publique things from priuate goods the sacred from prophane Discerning right to separate giue God men their own The bed defiled to forbid let nuptial lawes be knowne Towns Cities great to build and graue good lawes 〈◊〉 wood Such fame and name haue Poets diuine their works are thought so good Of the vse and commoditie of Histories CHAP. 15. FOrasmuch as an historie that is to say a true and trustie narration reciting and telling of exploites and things done hath in it no lesse profite then pleasure and besides the pleasantnesse of reading bringeth very much fruite of wisedome it is meâ— to that euery man exercise himselfe in the same studiously But by the way let Titus Liniâ—s tell vs the vse fruit and commoditie of histories Amongst all things which thou knowest this is a thing specially auailable for thy health and profite saith he The vse and commoditie of histories The commendation of an history out of Liuie That thou mayest beholde the documents of euery example euen as though they were placed and set in a famous and renowmed monument Out of them thou mayst take that which is good for thee and the common wealth to follow bytâ— in thou mayst beware of those actions and enterprises whose beginning with dishonestie haue their ende shame and reproch and such to eschew So in like maner when as one demaunded of Zeno by what meanes a man might be made happy If saith he a man earnestly beholde the age that is past that is if he mark and consider the actes and deedes of his fore-elders view well the monuments and renowmed memoriall of men of olde time The iudgement of Cicero concerning an historie For a historie as Cicero witnesseth De Oratore is
reuiued For Musick with her harmony good concordance instrumēts which sound tunably doth not only delight the eares with sweetnes of the soūds but also by the same melodious noise piercing and passing throughout all the arteries and pipes of the body stirreth vp and quickneth the spirites both vital and animall and dispersing the darke dimnesse and mistie dulnesse of the mind maketh the vnderstanding liuely cheereful and actiue This was the cause that Pythagoras vsed Fab. lib. 1. cap. 7. as soone as he was awaked to moue and stir vp his mind with a harpe to the end it might be the more prone ready to fulfill such functions and accomplish such publique dueties as the day required And when he went to sleepe he was wont to mittigate his minde againe with a lute to the end he might make his affections more quiet Cii 1. Tuscul So we read that Epaminondas prince of Greece sung and played on instruments properly and trimly and all Grece as Cicero testifieth reputed great learning to consist in sweet modulation of voyces and musical strings and he that was vnskilfull of that arte was accompted the lesse learned So in the old world they were wont at their royall tables to haue the famous facts excellent acts of noble and renowmed personages Louers of musick in old time such as were honored like Gods sweetly sung vpō the harp For thus Virgil writeth Virgil. lib. 1 Aeneid Hayrie Iopas with great sound of gilde a harpe doth sing Those things which famous Atlas taught he playes on pleasant string Hee telleth of the wandring moone and trauailes of the Sunne From whence mankind and beasts and rain and fire their course begunne The starre that stands behind the tayle of greater beare the signe The rainy seuen stars and the seuen which in the north combine Why in the winter dayes the Sunne it selfe in Ocean sea Makes hast to dip or what those nights doth cause so long to stay The Hebrues refused not the pleasant recreation delight of musick And besides other monuments the history of Dauid sheweth plainly that the Hebrues also had the vse and benefite of this delitesome recreation and that the same of famous and worthy men was trimly adorned and highly esteemed For that princely prophet was accustomed to sing holy hymnes and Psalmes to the harpe 1. King 16. Dauid honoureth God with instrumēts of musick and with his sweete melodiously sounding harpe to mitigate and asswage the furious minde of Saul when hee was vexed of the ill spirit and troubled with melancholie and so to bring the king to a better reformed and more quiet mind Also the prophet Helisaeus being angred and molested with the importunate calling of kings 4. King 3. Helisaeus is delighted with musick desired that a minstrell should bee brought vnto him by whose harmonie and musicall melodie hee appeased his minde and so when all perturbations and disquietnesse was driuen away the troublous motions and passions brought to rest hee being inspired with the Spirit of God beginneth to prophesie and to foreshewe to the three kinges those thinges which should come to passe The holy Bible sheweth plainly euery where that musick was wont to bee vsed also at feasts For the wise man taking a similitude of pearles garnished with golde saith thus Eccle. 32. Similitudes of musick pearles Like as the Carbuncle stone shineth that is set in golde so doth musick and melodie with moderate drinking of wine adorne the feast He sayth moreouer Like as the Smaragde the greenenesse whereof is very bright and insatiable commonly called Amarant commendeth the golde so is the sweete symphonie of fingers in a mery feast But lest any man consume too much time or bee occupied in such entising delights and allurements more then is conuenient he sheweth among his good precepts what ought to be more esteemed and regarded then this delectable recreation with these words Eccle. 40. Esai reproueth great wine drinkers Wine and minstrilsie reioyce the minde and heart but the loue of wisdome more then they both Esai indeede reprooueth wine bibbers and such as are continually giuen to banquetting and delight themselues sweetly and pleasantly with musicall instruments but it is because they haue so great minde of their owne pleasures that they haue no respect of the Creator nor be thankfull to God from whose bountifulnesse all things doe flow for any of those things which they in their welfare doe plenteously and abundantly enioy For thus he threatneth them Esai 5. Woe to you that rise early to follow drunkennes and to quaffe so vntill the euening that ye are set on fire with wine The harpe lute timbrell and pipe is at your feaste ye regarde not the worke of the Lord neither do ye consider the workes of his hands that is to say ye haue not your eyes and your minde erected and lifted vp vnto him from whose goodnes benignitie and liberalitie these things do proceede The Prophet Amos in effect hath the like wordes who with these kind of threatnings doth as it were pluck by the eares and sharply rebuke them that liue lasciuiously wantonly and ryotously Amos rebuketh drunkards and wine bibbers Amos. 6. Woe to you which are wealthy in Sion which go pompously which lie in yuory beds play the wantōs on your couches which sing to the sound of the psalterie and drink wine in goblets and are annointed with the best oyntmēt but none of you is moued to haue cōpassion on the calamitie of your poore brethren or is sory for the misery of the afflicted ye haue no regard nor respect of the needy nor exhibite thankefulnesse to God for so great benefites Therefore the pleasant delight of musick and therewithal the moderate vse of wine and good cheere by which the drowsie dull and faynt spirits are quickned cōforted reuiued by which melācholike fumes are dispersed is blamelesse deserueth not to be reprehended of any sowre sad and vnpleasant Stoick vnlesse by the abuse and vnmeasurable cōtinuance of these things men waxe forgetfull of the due seruice and worship of God and of their owne saluation Exercise lesse laborious Amongst exercises that be milde soft and gētle and lesse troublous or laborious cariages are reckoned which bee done either on horse back or in a wagon or in a shippe also and walkings abroad in the open aire which a man may haue in garden alleys and in vineyards that be spread and stretched in great length The pleasātnes of gardens refresheth the minde running on frames and ioyned together throughout so that vnder such a fayre greene vault and chamberlike roufe of flourishing vine leaues is as holesome walking as in the open pleasant field And when a man walketh if he happen to waxe weary well dressed and trimmed gardens are not without prety seats made in finely wrought arbours vmbrages or shadowing places To
and widowes of the passions of the wombe or late fluxion of their naturall euacuations or when they defer the time of mariage too long and then be matched in matrimony For the minde is so troubled and affected by meanes of noyous fumes blacke and grosse vapours like vnto soote of a chimney that they thinke thēselues to be vexed of some hurtfull spirite and perswade themselues that the Diuell assayleth their minde and driueth them vnto many absurd inconuenient foolish and odious imaginations Vnto which noyful malady attempting first incision or cutting open of the vaine for Phlebotomy or bloudletting about the ancles holesome herbes are applied in medicine which may deliuer them from such accidents as namely these Mugworth Sauory Peny royall or Pulioll royall Organum or Organie Clary Moreouer among herbes which doe ease and helpe afflicted minds and keep them harmelesse from the diuell or from conceiuing imagination of him or from poysoned fumes which doe annoy and corrupt the brain these be reckoned Rew Squilla or sea onyon namely Rew Squilla or sea onion of the iuyce whereof both the syrupe oxymel and vineger is confected Osteritium cōmonly called Magistrantia Angelica or Imperiall a kinde of fenell gyant or of the herbe that groweth in Syria the iuyce whereof is called of the Apothecaries Asadulcis Belzoe or Belzoin cōmonly called Beniamin or rather Benzwin Alisson Madder the herbe called the lesser Madder wherwith they vse to colour skinnes which herbe remedieth the madnesse of a dog and healeth them also that bee bitten of a mad dog which affection hurt and griefe is not vnlike to those which are vexed of Satan and incensed with furious raging Rosemary Rosemary purgeth the house and a stalke of this herbe or a stemme or braunch of the bodie of this tree hāged on the threshold driueth away diuels and the infection of pestilence Palmae Christi And so doth also that herbe which in euery place is commonly knowne by the name of Palma or Palmus Christi because the leaues of it are in fashion like vnto a hand stretched out Things good against falling sicknes So likewise Corrall Pyonie Mistelden doe expell the falling sicknesse if they bee either hanged on the necke or giuen to drinke in wine Of which remedies if any man think that some may be exhibited and ministred for the driuing out of diuels then away with all vanitie and heathnish superstition away with all babling prayers and such kind of outlandish or straunge countrey words wherewith the professors of Magicall Artes do commonly bring to passe their enchauntments and sorceries Herbs haue their effect of God If herbes haue any effectuall operation or power as experience doth plainly shewe that they haue remember that they haue it of the Lord. For all medicines and medicinable stemmes and herbes which are applied vnto mens bodies are not effectuall nor haue the effect of restoring health in respect of themselues or by their owne vertue but by the gift and goodnesse of God Therfore if thou intend to doe some good cure by the helpe of herbes doe not put thy trust in the herbes but in God For so shall thy enterprise haue such good happe and prosperous successe in driuing away diseases as thou wouldest wish to haue Otherwise this endeuour goeth wrong way to worke and the euent thereof deceiueth the skilfull professour of the Arte when as he doth neither wey in his minde the power of the Creator nor trusteth in him of whom all things haue and receiue their effect Why king Asa obtayned not his health 2. Paral. 16. 2. Paral. 16. For this cause Asa king of Iuda when he was afflicted striken with very vehemēt griefe payn in his feete and sought not God nor asked remedie of him but trusted onely to Phisitions hee felt no ease nor helpe by their fomentations but dyed of the gowte as the historie doth testifie For God doth not forbid men to vse the helpe of Phisitions but to trust in them too much and to haue no regard of him which maketh hole and giueth health Psal 62. and by whose gift all things are effectuall Moreouer those men doe fondly and superstitiously and doe attempt a thing not altogither differing from idolatrie who in their enchauntments vse herbes consecrated with certaine counterfait prayers or doe also labour to expell diseases with them by theyr sorcerie So they applye and vse Ferne or Brake gathered in the night season when the Sunne entring into Cancer is at the highest and the day at the longest Rew Herbs must not be applied to Magicall enchauntments three leaued grasse or Trifoyle and Veruaine mixed in their Magicall delusions wherewith they deceiue and blind the rude and ignorant people to the ende they may scrape and get something from them and beguile them of their money And yet for all that those vayne craftsmen doe neuer become rich men This aduertisement haue I thought conuenient and necessarie to bee annexed to this treatise O studious reader to admonish euery man to abstaine from Magicall enchauntments and to marke well and consider of whome the ayde succour and safegarde of health and soundnesse must bee asked and sought and in what manner reiecting heathnish vanitie and superstition wee ought to vse those prest and readie remedies which GOD of his great goodnesse and bountifull liberalitie hath plentifullie and aboundantlie graunted vnto vs. Of the maiestie and power of the most highest and how many diuers titles and names are attributed and ascribed vnto that one onely substance of GOD distinct and diuided into three equall persons By the contemplation whereof mans minde conceiueth tranquillitie and comfort and most effectuall faith and trust towards God CHAP. 59. The nature of God is vnsearchable BEcause GOD that most excellent most mightie and puissant nature and the very eternall minde or spirite free and cleare from all mortall mixture and congelation extendeth himselfe so exceedingly as cannot bee measured and dilateth stretcheth and sheddeth foorth himselfe so farre on euery side as cannot bee comprehended who ruleth and gouerneth euerie thing Ioh. 1. and endueth them with his power for that cause that same one deitie for this vertue power excellent and mightie operation is highly entituled with diuers names and nobly renowmed celebrated and adorned with many glorious testifications of prayse and honour both of the Hebrewes and also among other nations that haue had anie knowledge of the Godhead So in the sacred and holie historie the Lorde is called El Eloim Adonai Emanuel God hath sundrie names Of the which names euery one signifieth peculiar strength and might and attributeth great power vnto GOD the which hee exerciseth and executeth on thinges here beneath For which cause when hee set foorth published and ordained the commaundements of his lawe to bee carefully kept and obserued of the Iewes to the ende that greater authoritie and higher worshippe might the more honourablie and