his Imaginations Words and Works for every Tree bears Fruits according to its Qualifications and Original Principles If Man would be so wise to stand still and give himself the leisure to consider these things then might he see into his own Essences and Qualitys and how every particular thing is supported by its Simile and that from hence springs such direful inclinations after these Bloody Bestial Meats and Foods Must it not be from the insulting Powers and divided Forms and Qualitys and proportionable Essences in the Central Powers for every Inclination and Desire doth proceed and arise from some Central Quality that wants Food to support it and according to the nature and quality of the Essences such a Mouth it hath and such Food it calls for Now if Men did in the least see into the Mysteries of themselves and understood any thing of this we should not need Arguments to convince them of the truth of what we have in several of our Writings endeavoured to make them sensible of viz. their deplorable State and Condition YOURS T. T. LETTER XX. Of the Right and Left Hands SIR I Have yours and also considered your Question viz. for what cause and reason Mankind in most Nations do teach their Off-spring not only to distinguish their Hands by the terms of Right and Left but all Parents as Fathers Mothers Nurses and Tutors do industriously accustom and teach them to use on all occasions one Hand more than the other that is the Right Hand which is a true Sign and Manifestation of mans Depravity and that he hath lost his way acting in the Dark without any true consideration sight or from Principles as we have more largely treated and shewed in our Writings For Nature nor Gods Law knows nothing of neither Right nor Left but they are words or terms by which the Antients distinguished good and evil Principles and not the Hands or Members of the Body as in the Cases of the Ninivites where it is said there were so many Thousands that did not know nor distinguish their Right Hands from their Left that is good from evil which to do is the greatest Blessing and highest degree of Illumination whatever some dull Souls may imagine to the contrary Now man is the only visible Creature that doth contain the true nature and property both of the visible and invisible World as being a compleat Image of God and of Nature being most wonderfully made and in him is contained all Mysteries both of Time and Eternity And so much as any Man doth truly know of himself and to that degree as he doth distinguish the Principle and in Words Powers and Operations of his own Composition so far he is capable to penetrate into and know of all Created Beings so that it is most clear and true that Man is compleat in all the Spiritual and Corporal Powers Principles and Properties there being nothing wanting to compleat Mans external and internal Happiness and Union but true Wisdom Sight and Understanding and to distinguish the use of the powers and principles he himself contains that is to understand the right from the wrong the evil from the good and how to compose unite and bring the great and most wonderful variety of his Nature into Unity or an equal Temperature this being wanting all his Actions and Methods of Life are done by chance or rather left-handedly that is from evil principles dulness and horrid Stupidity all the properties and qualifications of MansMind and the Members of his Body are equally useful when known and the Harmony neither of the one nor of the other cannot be made up or compleated if any property of the Mind or Member of the Body be wanting or defaced but all goes on in a right line or method are known distinguished and practised there being as is said before no Left-hand in Gods Law This Hand comes in at the Door of Ignorance where the Union of the parts are broken and divided where each Form Quality Inclination and Disposition becomes self-ful and sets up for Mastery which is the principle of the Mind and Spiritual Powers and also in the Members of the Body is rightly called the Left Hand as taking its Birth from Selfefulness or evil Principles being by Men so understood as when any Man does a thing badly that is termed Left-handedly and when a Man meets with Misfortunes in his Business such a one will be ready to say That he got over the Left Shoulder and this word is seldom used but when any thing is done irregular or when Losses and Misfortunes happen and if Man had not lost the Knowledge of God himself and of the Law of Nature the Operation of the Left Hand would not have had any Being in him but his Mind and Intellectual Powers being divided or stray'd from their Union or Harmony then they become Left-handed that is all the Out-goings Inclinations and Actions both of the Mind and Members of the Body have their Operations and Power of Action from Inequality that is from the Influences of the Evil Genius or Left Hand And as Mankind is fallen into the highest degree of Ignorance and Blindness in the Principles of his Mind and Understanding from whence the Power of all Actions in the Members proceed or take their Birth which is the Original Foundation not only of this Error in the Use of the Hands but likewise of all the other Members of the Body for where the Eye of the Mind is put out and where Ignorance possesseth there is no end of Error and Misfortune which can never be regulated till Men distinguish in themselves the Right Hand way from the Left that is Evil from Good Right from the Wrong Union from Disunion Discord from Concord and Equality from Inequality for from the Left Hand proceeds all disasterous and extream Operations and Methods both in the Mind and Members of the Body Nothing is done well that is done left-handedly that is from Ignorance and Blindness Is it not wonderfully strange and as it were miraculous too that in so many hundred Ages as have passed that Mankind should not know the right and proper Use of their principal Members of the Body by whose Actions the Life is preserved but when any Man is endued with a distinguishing Mind and doth thereby penetrate into the gross Ignorance and Degeneration of Mens Minds and Intellects then it will appear to be no wonder that Mankind does know no better for if the Mind be Dark and Ignorant all the Commands and Directions do issue forth and proceed in proportion for all Conduct both good and evil do proceed from within and therefore such as the Mind is suitable are the Actions and Methods of Life The Virtue and Vice of every Tree is discovered by its Fruit. In a word If your Understanding and Mind be left-handed all the Actions and Motions of your Members are in proportion and as the degrees of Wisdom or Ignorance all proceeds accordingly and
TRYON's LETTERS UPON Several Occasions Viz. 1. Of Hearing 2. Of Smelling 3. Of Tasting 4. Of Seeing 5. Of Feeling 6. Of the Making of Coal-Fires 7. Of the Making of Bricks Tyles c. 8. Of Religion 9. Of Dropsies 10. Of various Opinions in Religion 11. Of the Humanity of Christ. 12. Of an Afflicted Mind 13. Of Faith Hope and Charity 14. Of God's Permission for Killing and Eating of Beasts 15. Of a Soldier 's Life 16. Of the Fountain of Darkness 17. Of the Fountain of Love and Light 18. Of Cleanness 19. Of Flesh-Broaths c. 20. Of the Right and Left Hands 21. Of the Corpulency of the Body 22. Of Fevers 23. Of Education 24. Of Smells 25. Of Predestination 26. Of Death 27. Of Judicial Astrology 28. Of Perpetual Motion 29. Of Musick 30. Of Languages 31. Of Times for Eating 32. To a Planter of Sugar 33. To a Gentleman in Barbadoes 34. To a Planter about the Manufactury of Cotton 35. Of the Making of Sugar 36. Of the Burial of Birds 37. Of Fermentation By THO. TRYON Author of the Way to Health Long Life and Happiness LONDON Printed for Geo. Conyers at the Ring and Eliz. Harris at the Harrow both in Little Britain 1700 TO THE READER THESE following Letters which were occasionally Written both at the Request of divers Friends and Country-men at home as well as of some Strangers from abroad their various Questions then readily answered according to that Capacity and Talent the Giver of all Gifts hath endued me withall in conformity to that grand and important Commandment of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ that we should not hide our Light under a Bushel but expose it on the House-top are now contrary to my original Intention in Writing exposed to publick View the Consideration of their being loose Papers and so subject by Time and other Casualties to be lost of my having the number Seventy in my view and daily expecting to be called to Inherit that Land which Adam the Great Father of Mortality hath entailed upon all his Posterity as also that the Publication of them might prove of some moment and advantage not only to private Persons but even to the publick in the present and future Ages together with the Auxilary Influences of some of my Friends and Acquaintance powerfully disposing of me thereunto tho' at the same time I cannot but expect to meet with some Readers who will alledge our Performance in this kind to be unnecessary seeing many of those Subjects here treated of have been already handled in some of my former Wriings and not only so but that in some of the said Letters themselves the same things seem to be repeated and insisted on again and again which even in the softest Language can be represented no otherwise than Tautology in us But to this it may be easily answered that Necessary and practical Truths cannot be too often taught and repeated till they are well understood learned and distinguished neither were the great Mysteries of Time and Eternity by any other Way or Method manifested or brought to light but only by a constant Repetition according to the Saying of the Great Apostle of the Gentiles that the visible things that appear and are constantly repeated shew the great and invisible Power of God And indeed it is impossible for any Mortal to speak or treat aright of God or Nature or to display the wonderful Operations of things and their respective Complexions without knowing and distinguishing the original Principles I mean the four grand Qualities which some of the ancient Philosophers called Sulphur Mercury and Salt but are since better and more familiarly understood by our common Names of Saltish Bitter and Sweet Qualities which are the said first Principles both in the Animal Vegetable and Mineral Kingdoms and according to their respective Degrees or Gradations in each Creature or Thing such not only is the Form Nature and Name thereof but he that can distinguish the Signature and which of these four hath the Ascending or Ruling Power in any Animal Herb Seed Tree or Mineral together with the Strength or Debility of the other three Qualities in their several degrees such an one according to his proportion of Knowledge and distinguishing Faculty is thereby rendred capable to judge of the Constituent parts of the said Thing or Creature and therefore no Man can pretend to know or prescribe the Nature Virtues or Vices of any Created Being without this Knowledge for you are to understand that all visible Beings or Creatures do arise and deduce their Birth from Number Weight and Measure that is from certain original Principles which the Great and Wonderful Creator hath limited them to or incircled in which are as so many Eternal Fountains from whence all the Great Noble and Beneficial Sciences Arts Trades and Employments in the World take their Birth and undoubtedly the nearer any one comes to or imitates Nature and God's Law that is his Original the more curious and excellent such a Person becomes thereby But for a more clear Illustration of this grand Truth even to meaner Capacities Are not the original Foundations and Principles of all Sciences Arts Trades and curious Inventions bounded and incircled within the compass of such and such Numbers and whatever curious Notion or Thing is brought to light must be done by a constant Repetition of those original Numbers and more particularly in the wonderful and demonstrative Science the Mathematicks whereby so many useful and excellent things are effected for the Preservation and Benefit of Mankind Is not all done and perfected by a constant and perpetual Repetition of Nine Figures And are not the Seven Notes the very Centre and Basis of all Musical Harmony both Vocal and Instrumental no Lesson Division Song or Tune being to be made or composed without the perpetual Repetition of them The like is to be understood of the most ingenious and admirable Art of Representation or Painting wherein by the apt mixtures of the Seven Colours for the original ones which are called perfect Colours do not exceed that number a Skilful Artist can represent the various Colours of Animals Vegetables Minerals c. The same may be farther demonstrated in Words and Speech and that too in a most wonderful manner it being a grand breach of the Mathematicks tho' few consider and apprehend it and what a strange thing is it that the vast and amazing varieties of things in the almost infinite Distributions of them together with their Productions Terms and Utensils for all Sciences Arts Occupations and curious Employments should be all moved distinguished and understood by the Composition of the Four and Twenty Letters without which no Man can understand or distinguish one thing from another which said Letters are but so many Notes or Figures that while each stands alone and is not joined to any other does not distinguish or express any thing that is intelligible and therefore are then of no Force Use
exemplify others and to add divers things in divers parts of them by way of Illustration which made them spin out to such a length as you see them and was wholly designed for the Reader 's Benefit and Satisfaction but if I have been so Unhappy as to fall short of my intended Aim I am sorry for it both upon his and my own account and heartily beg his Pardon who am His highly Oblig'd and Very humble Servant Thomas Tryon THE CONTENTS LEtter 1. Of the noble Sense of Hearing with the various Uses and great Benefits thereof Letter 2. Of the Sense of Smelling with its proper Seat Nature and Uses Letter 3. Of the Sense of Tasting and wherein also the great Mysteries thereof are set forth Letter 4. Of the Sense of Seeing and of its various Uses and Benefits Letter 5. Of the Sense of Feeling with its universal Benefits and Influences over the rest Letter 6. Of Fires and the best way to make Grates whereby a less quantity of Fuel is required and yet that rendreâ—… more useful and expeditious in the Preparation of Foods and upon other occasions than our common Fires Letter 7. Of the best Methods for Tempering of Clay Making of Mortar Tyles Flooring and Bricks together with an Account of different sorts of Earths and what Herbage Fruits Seeds Grains and Trees each is applicable to Letter 8. Of Religion with the Nature and Practice thereof and that the Knowledge of God and a Man's Self is the first step to all true and undefiled Religion Letter 9. Of Dropsies and the Nature of them with some Account of what Diet and Exercises such should use as also how to Retrench Expences by a Frugal Method of Living Letter 10. Of various Opinions in Religion and the Original Cause of those great Differences Oppressions and Violences proceeding therefrom with Remedies proposed for prevention thereof Letter 11. Of the Humanity of Christ shewing the Grounds from whence the great Differences concerning it do arise how it is to be understood and the great Benefits that accrew unto Mankind from it Letter 12. Of an Afflicted Mind and shewing how it may be prevented with some other Remarks Letter 13. Of Faith Hope and Charity with the Excellency and Benefit of each and how Mankind by practising the last imitates his Creator and renders himself capable of being United to all that is Good Letter 14. Of that part of Scripture wherein God commanded or rather permitted Beasts to be Killed and Eaten with the great Error of Mankind in misinterpreting the same and how they are rightly to be understood Letter 15. Of a Soldier 's Life shewing from what Principle that Bloody Employment takes its Birth how contradictory it is to the Divine Law and destructive to the Unity and Well-being of Mankind and that all other Creatures have an equal share in those Calamities Letter 16. Of the Fountain of Darkness with the Actions Employments and Inclinations arising therefrom and how they Govern in every particular Creature when evil Principles obtain the Ascendant Letter 17. Of the Fountain of Love and Light and what Actions Inclinations Dispositions Words and Works proceed therefrom and how they Govern in each particular Creature Letter 18. Of Cleanness with the Benefits thereof and the Mischief of the contrary as also what Foods in their Nature are clean and unclean Letter 19. Of Flesh Broaths and Potages and those made of Herbs Seeds and Grains with an Account of which is most clean and affords the best Nourishment Letter 20. Of the Right and Left Hands with the great Error of Peoples teaching their Children to distinguish them by such Terms Letter 21. Of the Corpulency of the Body with the Cause thereof and how to prevent and abate it Letter 22. Of the Nature and Causes of Fevers and how in some measure to prevent them Letter 23. Of Education wherein is set forth the right true and natural way of Bringing up Children Letter 24. Of the Nature of Smells and what Scents in their Original are Clean Good and Beneficial or the contrary Letter 25. Of Predestination and how it ought to be understood Letter 26. Of Death and why all Creatures especially Mankind are unwilling to Die Letter 27. Of the Science of Astrology wherein are shewed the Causes in Nature why Persons Born at one and the same minute and under the like Constellations are of different Shapes and Forms and of various Fortunes Letter 28. Of the Perpetual Motion wherein is shewed the Impossibility of the Humane Nature's being capable of it as being Diametrically opposite to all God's Methods and Laws Letter 29. Of the noble Science of Musick with the Defects of the best Teachers of it and Methods proposed for the speediest and certainest way to attain to the highest Perfection therein to which is added somewhat concerning the Art of right Speaking and Reading Letter 30. Of Languages and the easiest way for a Person in Years to attain to the true Pronunciatiâ—… of any Foreign Tongue Letter 31. Of the Times of Eating wherein in shewed that about 8 in the Morning and 3 or 4 in the Afternoon is the most proper Season with the Reason thereof Letter 32. To a Planter of Sugar concerning the Premoting of the Cotton Manufactury in our Plantation Letter 33. To a Gentleman in Barbadoes concerniâ—… the first Settlement Growth and Decay of our Sugâ—… Plantations and the necessity they lye under of Planâ—… ing other Vegetations c. Letter 34. To a Planter touching the Manufactuâ—… of Cotton wherein the Necessity and Advantagâ—… thereof is amply considered Letter 35. Of the Making of Sugar wherein the Myâ—… stery of it from the very first Planting of the Caâ—… to its highest pitch of Refining is Explicated wiâ—… the vast Benefits that do accrew therefrom to Engâ—… land where also the Art of Distilling is handled Letter 36. Of the Burial of Birds how unaccountaâ—… it is and the Author's Conceptions thereupon Letter 37. Of Fermentation with the Nature and Oâ—… riginal Invention thereof wherein is also shewed hâ—… Pernicious and Destructive Fermented Liquors 〈◊〉 to Mankind Twenty Seven Philosophical Letters UPON Several Occasions LETTER I. Of the Sense of Hearing SIR I Perceive by your Letter that you have been mightily affected with a Consideration of the Senses in admiring the wonderful Composition of the Organs and the nice and exquisite manner of their Operation for your encouragement to proceed in so commendable and useful Speculation I shall endeavour to Suggest some hints of Meditation to you which perhaps you have not yet thought of I Shall begin with the Ear that noble and brave Sense of Hearing and descant a little upon its Use and Benefits and the great disadvantages Mankind is subjected to through the want of it it is placed in the most Intelligible part of Man It has its residence in the Head and is therefore capable to distinguish between the good and evil qualities of Sounds For Man being a compleat Image or
Thinking to you will be as prejudicial as hard â—…king will be to another In my Opinion the best Method 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 settle your Affairs limit your self to a convenient Compedâ—…y and spend your days in such Company as is most suitable 〈◊〉 your Humor and Disposition and as much as you can avoid 〈◊〉 being Agitated and Suspended between the Extreams of 〈◊〉 and Fear I mean as to the Affairs and Business of this World for when those Passions have got the Possession of Weak 〈◊〉 Crasy Natures they not only wound the Health continue 〈◊〉 advance Diseases but becloud and darken the Minds Intelâ—… Powers and pure Spirits for when the Human Properties 〈◊〉 Weak and Distempered the Natural Spirits are in proportiâ—… Weak and Languid This Sir with my best Respects be pleased to accept from Your assured Friend T. T. LETTER XIII Of Faith Hope and Charity SIR I Have yours of the 8th instant and shall Answer the Contents as well as I am aâ—…le your desire is to know the Original and True Ground of Faith Hope and Charity and which of the three is most Essential to Man and most like unto God Now Faith Hope and Charity have three Grounds or Originals froâ—… whence their variety doth proceed viz. From the grand Fountains or Principles in Mens Souls the first carries in iâ—… Power Courage Fierceness Violence Covetousness c. from the second arises Love Good-will Mercy Compassion c. aâ—… this has the Name and Nature of Goodness Virtue c. From the third proceeds Wordly-Mindedness Intemperance Disorde Vain-Games Laughing Jesting c. Now according to the Custom of each Country or Place and as these three have obtaâ—…ed the Government in the Soul from thence springs Faith Hope and Charity if the Inclinations of a Man be kindled in the first then such an one hopes to Kill Destroy and Oppress his Fellow Creatures but if the Divine Fountain of God's Love and Liâ—… obtains the Government then such do Hope Will and Deâ—… not only the Preservation of themselves but also the Peace aâ—… Well-being of the whole Creation but if the Soul be kindâ—… with the Spirit of this World and subjected to its Governmâ—… then a Man's Hopes are Worldly and Selfish from this Degâ—… racy of Man from the Unity of the Original Forms Principâ—… and Powers and his not distinguishing the Nature and Operaâ—…on of each doth not only arise the wonderful Varieties and Coâ—…fusions in Opinions but also the variety of Faith Hope aâ—… Charity each according to the Power of that Form that has â—…tained the Ascendant in the Soul together with the Custom 〈◊〉 Countries and the Dictates of their Priests and Teachers every Quality or Principle that has obtained the Government Labouring with its highest diligence to accomplish its own Work 〈◊〉 strengthen its Victory by violently Resisting and Opposing 〈◊〉 that is contrary to its self if it were not so how is it poâ—… for a Man to believe he doth God good Service and hope foâ—… Reward in this World and another for Killing those of his 〈◊〉 Kind and Oppressing all others and at the same time 〈◊〉 Death for a Vain Idle or empty Opinion Faith or Hope Igâ—…rance and Living under base Customs and divided Forms 〈◊〉 the Original of most Mens Faith and Hope they are Airy Principles and of evil Consequences if they have not their Birth from Love and Light Charity is an Essential Power oâ—… Divine Virtue Nothing does so much Resemble God and recommend Man to him for he gives freely to all his Off-spring without Respect of Person and receives nothing Charity is the only thing whereon our Eternal Happiness as well as Temporal depends as is clear by the Judgment pronounced on the Goats on his Left Hand by our Saviour Christ he doth not Condemn them because they had not Faith nor Hope or that they were Turks Iews Infidels Christians or distinguisht by any other Name or Modes of Religion but their Sentence was possitive for not having Charity not rightly and liberally disposing their Gifts the Lord had endued and entrusted them with and made them Stewards of I was an Hungry Naked and in Prison and you relieved me not c. Charity is Substantial the first and last true Step in Religion 'T is a cheap and easy Religion that consists in Faith Hope and a few good Words but Charity touches to the Quick and trys what Metal a Man is made of by this you shall know you are of God if you Love one another all the rest is but a Lip-service a vain â—…rivolous Dream and Shadow of Worship having no Agreement with God nor Foundation in Nature being Invisible Qualifications as St. Iames 〈◊〉 Faith and Hope are dead without Works Jesus Christ in the State of his Humiliation Taught nothing more than this Doâ—…ne as his whole Practice was doing Good so his Preaching 〈◊〉 a continual Inculcation of Love and Charity for in whomâ—…ver these Essential Virtues dwell and enjoy-their free Exerâ—…se and Vegitation no Question is to be made but such have 〈◊〉 sufficient Portion of those Invisible and Sublime Virtues of â—…th and Hope I am Sir Your Unfeigned Friend T. T. LETTER XIV Of GOD's Permission for the Eating of Flesh. SIR 〈◊〉 â—…m extreamly pleased that my Answer to your last met with 〈◊〉 so good a Reception which encourages me to hope you â—…ll find no less satisfaction in what I shall briefly observe concerning the Question you make how those Scriptures which intimate God to have commanded or permitted Beasts and under graduated Creaturs to be Killed and Eateâ—… are to be understood In Answer whereunto it is to be considered that Man had long before such Command or Permission Eaten of the Tâ—… of Knowledge the Tree of Good and Evil whereby he had separated and estranged himself from the Unity of God's Light and Love so that the Spirit of his Understanding became Blind and he grew an utter Stranger to himself and his own Composition which is called a Degeneracy or Fall which subjected him to the influence of the divided Powers or Forms and became totally Ignorant of the Primitive and Original state of Unity wherein he was Created by which means Wrath and Violence gained the Ascendant over Man's Will and Affections according to the Dignification and Power of each calling Good Evil and Evil Good subduing all the Desires and Faculties of the Soul 〈◊〉 the Tyranny and Obedience of the Wrathful Fiery Envious Powers and Forms where each Quality or Principle Industriously oppose and domineer over one another till the prevailing and superior Quality issues forth its Command which may in oâ—… Sense be called the Command or Permission of God given iâ—… Wrath and Fierceness as a Punishment for the Violation of his Pure and Primitive Law of Love and Light It is manifest thâ—… all the Cruelty and Barbarity we see daily Exercised in destroâ—…ing the Peace and Well-being of one another And Inferior Creatures who were Created for
Mankind may assure himself that he is not more mistaken in any one thing than in this viz. To give such unnatural and almost monstrous Directions to his Off-spring or Children from one Generation to another to deny them the proper and true Use of their principal Members the Hands from whose Use proceeds most or all the principal Actions and Curiosities that Support not only the Life but Pleasure and Beauty too This selfish Ignorance of Teaching and Whipping Children principally to the Use of that which they are pleased to call the Right Hand doth at the same time disable the other Hand wrongfully called or rather nick-named the Left so that it doth not only dwindle and become weak but as it were useless in comparison what it would be if it were equally used with the other for each Member doth grow strong or weak more or less useful as they are Exercised in Action which is the Root of Strength and Agility for Nature is neâ—…r forgetful of Supporting and Supplying her Children with what is needful and proper for their Preservation and this is evident in all her Operations and Methods Are not all sorts of Cattel and Creatures that are used and accustomed to moderate Labour do not they grow strong and fit for the Labour or Exercise that they are put to as Horses is not their Strength encreased in general through their whole Bodies and also in particular Members if any one part be put to bear more Labour or Hardship than another doth not that Member or Part if not too much oppress'd grow in some proportion strong and thereby the abler to bear it The like is to be understood in all the Parts and Members of a Man he that uses any Labour wherein the Back is chiefly concerned in the performance thereof that Part grows thereby stronger than otherwise it would and he that uses to Digg as Gardeners Brick-makers and the like are not their Legs and Arms much stronger than other Mens and that Leg or Arm that is most used or that the Labour lyes hardest on provided it be not too great that grows strongest and the other seems to dwindle and becomes weak or impotent Now one Member Arm Hand or Leg is not made more strong or apt for the doing and performing any kind of Labour Art or Science than the other but it is only Use and Custom that makes all that for each Part or Member of Man's Body doth contain and is endued with the true Nature Properties and Humors of the whole and is thereby rendred capable when Assaulted or Oppressed with Labour to send for Aid and extract Virtue and Power from all the adjacent Members and Parts of the whole Body and according to the nature of the Labour or Employment Strength is by this means Communicated Every particular Thing or created Being is an Image and Likeness of the whole with only this difference the Qualities and Principles are in one thing strong and in another weak following each other in degrees which is the Original of that wonderful and amazing variety of Complexions the Members of the Body are like the various Seeds Sowed in the Earth each being compleat that is endued with the nature of the whole only the four Grand Qualities differ in their degrees of Strength Weakness and Government so that every Seed is thereby made capable to attract Virtue and a suitable Juice or Nourishment to strengthen and support its self against all unequal Operations and fierce Invasions of the Elements This secret or mystical Method the most wonderful Creator hath centrally given to all created Beings according to the degrees and nature of each Thing or Creature for this cause the unequal Use of the Members be it in what kind it will proves detrimental to the Body in general but more especially to particular Parts 〈◊〉 that Part or Member that is most used doth become strong by drawing Virtue and Strength from its neighbouring Part or Partner and so render one Part more useful and the other less which is nothing else but an addition of Inequality which takes its Original Birth from Ignorance and the Inequality of the Mind â—…nd Intellects which doth mightily hurt Mankind rendring him much more unapt in his Trade or Employment the Arms and Hands being the chief and principal Members that are employed in most or all Arts Trades and Employments How awkard is it for Ship-carpenters or others of that Trade to perform any part of their Work with the Left Hand though it lies never so fair for that Hand and as contrary to the Right so that not having an equal Use of the one as well as the other Men are pâ—…t to a Shift and are not only longer about it but perplexed too so that most or all Men are as it were Fetter'd by being accustomed to improper and unnatural Methods for nothing can make a Man's Business so easy and familiar as the equal Use of their Hands and Arms they being the head Springs and principal Engins in all or most Business Trades and Employments whatsoever Why is our Left Hand as we use it more weak and unskilful in the performance of every Action than the Right it is for no other reason than that it hath â—…ot been used properly or rather rightly God and his Handmaid Nature have endued them with a like or proportionable Strength and Parts there being no difference but what the Mother and Nurse have made whose whole Business is to make one Lame and the other Strong so that the Right may be thereby capable to do and perform the Business of both which Method doth diametrically oppose not only Nature but render half our Members useless and of little value and as Children are equally capable of learning and speaking of one Tongue or Language as well and readily as another by hearing it spoke even so they are in the Use of their Hands both in Writing and all other Arts and Employments The Errors that arise from this and other ill Managements are almost beyond number for as is said before the too much use of one Hand or Member and the too little of another doth powerfully strengthen the one and weaken the other for as is mentioned before that which is most used doth attract Strength and draw Vertue from the whole but more especially from its Partner or Brother Member by which many young People especially of the Female Sex grow Deformed whereas if they did use their Members equally such things for the most part would be prevented more especially if the other Methods taught in our Books were observed What an unthinking untoward unknowing unskilful unmindful unregenerate unfaithful Creature Man is become as blind and dark as Hell much to be Pitied knowing little or nothing of those Principles he is compounded of or operated by neither of his Body nor Mind though he do continually communicate with both but what can be said or who is able to mend this dark Age so
fit them to be Butchers and â—…ill Men with ease and without trouble or the least regret as Butchers Kill Beasts but to be â—…ble of being Commanders over the Sons of â—…ceness and Oppression viz. Soldiers also another part of 〈◊〉 Mâ—…n of Honour and Title are of High â—…roud Lofty Tempers 〈◊〉 Oppressors of the Poor being Gluttons Druâ—…ds general Waâ—…ters of God's Creatures which doth not only draw on them a multitude of cruel tormenting Diseases but disturbed Minds uneasy Beds and guilty Consciences too Now when these things are considered and the true Nature and Principles of them and whence those great and numerous Croud of Calamities proceed then such an one will not â—…rvel that most Mens Dying-beds are so burthensome and anxious both to the Body and Mind more especially when we consider the 〈◊〉 part or greatest number are cut off in their younger Age or Strength which makes our Separation from the material things of this World many degrees more burthensome â—…rrible and frighâ—…ful to all sorts and degrees of People Now this cutting off the Life so early even in Childhood and in Youth or Strength of our Yâ—…s is undoubtedly occasioned by the Intemperances Uncleannesses and Disorders of our Fore-fâ—…thers with the addition this present Age makes doth cut off the greatest number of Maâ—…ind which doth mâ—…re cleâ—…ly appear when we consider the amazing variety and 〈◊〉 â—…fspring of the four Woâ—…ds or Elements viz. The underâ—…duated Creatures do not things in the Mineral Kingdom arrive to Maturity as Metals Stones and any other things belonging to the Element of Earth and do not Vegetables do the same whose variety in Nature are beyond Humane Number great part whereof doth sustain the Life of Man The like is to be understood of the inferior Animals or Beasts do not the greatest number live to old Age or the highest Limit of their Circle or Law except some who are subject to the Drudgery and Tyranny of Man as Horses and the like for should these great numbers and variety of Creatures be liable and subject to but half the Disorders Intemperances Uncleanness Depravity and Diseases Mankind is what an addition of Misery would it multiply on Man or how could he Subsist or be Supported and his Life preserved by them for should the greatest part of Fruits Grains and Herbage be Cut off or Blasted in the Bud or the Off-spring or Young ones of Cows Horses and other inferiour Ranks of Creatures be Cut off or subject to Distempers what a great Perplexity would it be on the Humane Race for nothing has kept them from being invaded by various Casualties and Sicknesses and preserving them in living to their highest Limits but only their continuation within the Circle of their Law that God and Nature have subjected them to and under which if they had at any time disobeyed or broken then the very same Flood-gate of Evil and Misery would immediately have fallen on them 〈◊〉 it hath done on Man Therefore it is most evident that the great numbers of unclean cruel Diseases short Lives and immature Deaths and 〈◊〉 thousand other Evils come in upon him as soon as he disobeyed his Creator and the undefiled Law of Nature the obeying and living within the Limits thereof is the â—…ond and Preservation of all the Under-graduates and the contrary is the melancholy House of Death and Misery as appears by the many Troubles and Perplexities that 〈◊〉 the Humane Race for should Mankind be divided 〈◊〉 Ten parts more than Nine of them Dies and are Cut off either 〈◊〉 Childhood or in the Prime of their Strength and Age many do thereby leave poor helpless miserable Wives and Children behind them who are exposed to all kinds of Violences Oppressions and Wants and are under no better Circumstances than a Ship without either Pilot or Rudder Now my Friend I do not doubt but when you have considered the fore-mentioned Particulars you will be satisfied wherefore Mankind are so deeply concerned in and do so much fear and dread Death Likewise there are several material causes in the common meâ—… of Mens Lives that â—…ing melancholly imaginations and troubles to the Dying Person besides what we have before mentioned viz. in Parents giving precedents and educating their Off-spring in all or most of the grand Vices our Great Prophet â—…sus Christ hath strictly forbidden on peril of his high Displeasure The first thing they teach their Children is the 3 grand Vices Gluttony Pride and Idleness which are the common roads and inlets to all other Evils as Passion Violence and Uncleanness which do diametrically oppose Justice Mercy and that great and Universal Sacrament Charity for which Holy Vertue Our Lord and Saviour justified and saved the Sheep on his Right Hand commanding them to enter in and inherit the Eternal Paradice whose Gates alway stands open to the Children of Wisdom and Obedience Is not Fighting and Oppression become the honourablest Employment and are not our Children trained up in the use of Arms and Violence to kill and oppress not only those of our Kind but spread their Venom also over all the undergraduated Inhabitants of Heaven and Earth who all become Victims to their fierceness and cruelties being altogether as it were dispossessed of common Humanity for which Practises all the Goats on the Left Hand were Condemned for â—…he Salvation and Preservation both in Time and Eternity is intailed not only on Christians but also on all other Nations and Religions on no other condition than to observe and live in the â—…ower and practice oâ—… Gods Commands the particulars of which our Divine Patron and Principles of Wisdom do command and enjoyn all his Disciples unto and all that act contrary thereto â—…doubtedly 〈◊〉 his displeasure Do not most Men that are endued with plentiful Talents and Blessings of this World live â—…th themselves and Off-spring in one degree of Luxury or other and is it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for â—…ple of all sortâ—… and Religions to break that great and important Coâ—…dment that is to 〈◊〉 and give the beâ—… and câ—…oicest 〈◊〉 and Drinks to 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 in no need 〈◊〉 kind of 〈◊〉 and that are able to 〈◊〉 and Feastâ—… 〈◊〉 whiâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ly one of the greatest Eâ—…ls but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inconâ—… to each Party preventing them from doing such deeds oâ—… Charity which otherwise they would be capable of How willing are thousands to Treat themselves and Friends â—…th Bottleâ—… of Wine and with costly Dishes of Meat and at the same time are unwilling to give one Shilling to relieve their necessitous and wanting Neighbour and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other things and agreeable practiâ—…es to this most that have wherewithall do subject themseâ—… 〈◊〉 and as to 〈◊〉 Talkative or Discouâ—… part it producâ—… that great and 〈◊〉 effect of Folly Laughter which the Tutoâ—… of such 〈◊〉 Methods call pleasure and a sort of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—… 〈◊〉 Mankind could not 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 than exposing it to Sale as it were by Inch
little contributed in as much as what from the one and the other cause we do experimentally find there is not one of Thirty or Forty that ever attains to any competency of knowledge in this Art or to perform a Part at Sight so that their Time Labour and Money spent therein is much worse and redounds more to their damage than if so much had been given clearly away for the Tree is not only lost but even the Season for Planting and Sowing also Wherefore upon the whole matter it must necessarily follow that if shorter easier and quicker Methods be not gone upon for the obtaining a competent stock of Knowledge and assurance in it than is now generally taught it will be the part of every considerate Person to desist from the pursuit of it and to engage and advise others as much as he can to the contrary But Sir your longing and earnest desire after Wisdom and true Knowledge having penetrated into the very Center of my Magia or Magick Powers as I may call them has generated many thoughts and true Mathematical Notions in my Head concerning thisScience ofMusick which I shall make bold toMidwife into the World in due Season whether with or without the leave of our Musical Gentlemen but first communicate them unto you for your approbation and satisfaction and having premised that I have already shewed in my Book Entituled A way to Health the Excellency of Musick in General and particularly the principles and Birth as Sounds and Harmony to which I referr you I shall endeavour in this place to lay down a short and easy way and method for Learners to obtain a competent Knowledge of this noble Science The first thing then that you are to teach your Children whom you design for Musick is to read and know the proper Names and the Notes and the Gamut and to distinguish them in their several places and distances Secondly you are to teach them the time and length of each Note by expressing them with the Voice and motion of the Foot if it be Instrumentals but if Vocal then with the motion of the Hand and this any Musical Child will readily learn and perform in less than four Months if they be kept to the practice thereof but two or three hours in a day When that is done then teach them to strike the Notes with the Bow or Finger according to what Musick it is and be sure to make them keep and constantly beat the time of each Note with the foot and never suffer them to neglect the motion of it or of the Hand and as soon as they can strike the Strings any thing clear and firm then proceed to some easy Lesson not to strike one Note or Bar without measuring of them with the motion of the foot and Voice too and tho' the Child cannot Sing them yet in Speaking of them in time together with the fore-mentioned motion of the foot will not only confirm them in the dividing of the time but also beget a natural motion and habit both in the Members of the Body and Intellect or Mind too Or else you may teach Children to strike the Strings then make them to do it in time always using the motion of the Foot or Hand and so proceed never suffering them to neglect the said motion of the Foot and Speaking or Voice which is a double confirmation and will give the Learner assurance making them to understand the dividing of time much sooner Now by either of these Methods you may learn any Child of Six Seven or Eight years of Age to play any indifferent Lesson Base or Division at sight within the space of one year which I caused one to do in less than Ten Months and when he could do that learned to Sing and take out all indifferent Songs without a Master in four Months space for the greatest difficulty in learning of this noble Science consists chiefly in understanding of the Time since by the wonderful and secret Art of dividing it all Musical Harmony is performed and without it there is none either in Man or Birds but only a Voice Tone or Noise undistinguishable and therefore Musical Harmony is nothing else but a proper and most natural method of Talking in Tune or a kind of a Simpathetical agreement between Words Tones and Sounds divided into longer or shorter Sentences which can never be nicely or properly performed either in Vocal or Instrumental Musick but only by the motion of the Members of the Body as well as the Intellectual part of Man For all Arts Sciences and Trades whatsoever are learnt by a three-fold Method or Birth the first whereof is done by opening the hidden or Magick powers in us vulgarly called Thoughts or Imaginations the second is when those Thoughts or Desires are formed into Words or Sentences and the third Birth is the putting of these two into Motion and Action whereby Thoughts and Words become in a kind Essential Substantial or Material which so long as the Art or Science remains in the Magia only could never obtain Essentiality but continued as an Ideal power and as it were unknown easily cut off lost or forgot But when the Thoughts or Magick Powers are formed into Words they then become more External and do thereby obtain as I may say a Sidaereal or Airy Body which is much more difficult to be obliterated than that which is retained in the Thoughts or Magia of the Mind but still Words being no more than a composition of the Airy Powers can by no means become really substantial but only by being put into Action which is clearly demonstrated and understood in the learning of all Arts Sciences Trades and Employments not but that the Five Senses may be made capable of great Distinguishings and Understandings by being accustomed to hear Musical Harmony but they can never perform or do any thing except such do midwife the Magick Powers of Hearing into Words Motion and Action which Crowns the whole with Essentiallity and gives it an existence and therefore it s almost impossible for any Person to be a compleat Artist in any common Trade Art or Science by the use of the Sense only except such things be performed by the Motions and Actions of the Body and Members thereof for while any Art remains in the Magia only of Thoughts or Words it can never be performed from that very reason or constitution of such Bodies if I may call them so which are invisible and as it were Aethereal and cannot be incircled or made Essential so that our Thoughts and Imaginations pass and repass leaving no Precedent or Foot-steps behind them that any thing can be learned thereby and tho' Words may be said to approach nearer unto a Corporiety than Thoughts yet they being too slender and their Airy Bodies invisible they cannot make such a deep impression nor become so substantial and significant as the Motions or the Members of the Body and for this cause