observed and do effect the Cure not only in shorter time but much safer and with greater ease to the Patient For by this Philosophical Operation of repeating it so often it doth mightily advance and forward the Cure And Note that every fresh Application of this Homogenial-Poultice to the grieved part do add new and fresh Supplies of Vertue for in all Operations of this Nature the fine healing Spirituous Qualities thereof do first impart and give themselves forth which by a secret simpathetical Power do penetrate the whole and incorporate with their similes administring their sweet Vertues which gives a new Life to thâ— wounded Spirits and dismayed Oyles and do at the same time withstand and allay the fierce raging awakned or irritated poysonous Humours it being the way of Nature for all homogenial Bodies that have passed through any Preparation Digestion or Fermentation when aptly applied or joyned to any Proper Subject or thing For the fine cleansing healing Qualities and good Vertues do give themselves forth and joyn or incorporate with their Similes even as the fine sweet Spirituous Qualities of 〈◊〉 do imbibe or give themselves forth and incorporate with the hot Water inâ— our Mash-Tub in the method of Brewing therefore every Applycation does add new supplies of Vertue and strength to the wounded Spirits and draws forth and consumes the gross humidity and exalts the Essential Life of that part and are as refreshing to the wounded Spirits as the pleasant influences and salutiferous Breezes of Wind in a hot season For Note that the Spirits and fine Qualities of each thing are light volatile ready quick and powerful in Operation that in a moments time they penetrate even to the Center for every particular Quality in Nature has a Key in it self to open the Gate of its own Principle what Man in the World would believe the attractive inclination which the Load-stone has upon Iron if it did not appear to his sight the very same simpathetical Power have all other things though in some it is more occult And for this cause one Body works upon another by a certain natural attraction and simpathetical Inclination Thus the wise and wonderful Creator has endued every thing with an attractive and influential Vertue it is not therefore the gross Body of your Poultice that will do your Business that is full of corrupt and poysonous Humours which are awakened by the long Continuation thereof for these Reasons the long lying of Poultices and Plalsters on Wounds and Sores have no better Effects then the long Continuation or standing of the Liquor on the Mault in your Mash-Tub which if it continue more then two three or four Hours it will spoil and corrupt the whole for First as I said before the fine sweet Volatile Spirituous Vertues imbibes or incorporates themselves with the hot Liquor and then if there be not a separation made in two three or four Hours by drawing it off but the applycation continued then there will soon awaken another Quality of a gross harsh sour â—een Nature which with a rapid motion tinges or transmutes all the fine sweet healing Vertues into their own Qualities which all Brewers and good House-Wifes are sensible of the like is to be understood in the applycations of Poultices and Plaisters do not their long lying of them on the wounded or sore part cause them to smell four and stink when they have been continued on for twelve or twenty four Hours which do not only indanger the part and prolongs the Cure but it puts the patient to great Pain and Torment and often the Limb is cut off and sometimes the Life too which by this forementioned method might have been prevented for if Physitions and Chyrurgeons do not understand Nature then there can be no certainty in their Operations or Cures Also Note that during the time your Poutices Plaisters Ointments or Salves are making on the Fire that you keep them stirring by which you keep the fine Spirits and Qualities Living for by this stirring the friendly Powers and thin Spirits of the Air do penitrate the whole Mass or Body which incorporate and assist the Spirits and good Vertues and keep them from being Stagnated and Suffocated the Air being the Life of all things and where its Friendly influences and circulations are prevented the Life and Spirits becomes heavy dull and gross for these Reasons all Spoon-Meats made thin are sweeter and of a more quick penetrating Operation and Digection then those made thick therefore despise not our method nor our plain home bread Poultices I could produce many living Testimonies of its Success but it is needless since every Man's Experience that tries it will soon confirm the Truth of what is here delivered nor I am not much Solicitous whether I am credited or not it is the consideration of the publick good it may do to many poor People pomps me to publish it whether you will follow the forementioned Rules or not I have done my Duty in offering it and therefore am satisfied True and Natural Methods how to Cure all sorts of Cuts Bruises Pricks of Thornes Weapon's or any kind of Wounds Also Old Vlcers and to prevent Gangreans and other Evils whatsoever viz. To Cure Cutts TAke Spirit of Wine one Pint put in three Ounces of double refined Suger shake it together With this wash your Wound or Cut very well then take some of the same Spirit and mix so much Sugar as will make it as thick as a Salve clap this into the Wound then bind it up for Ten or Twelve hours after this open it wash it again with your Sugared Spirits very well then sow it up with a small Needle and Silk then temper a little Water Bread and Sugar together and lay a little on a Linnen Cloth and bind it on Repeat this every five Hours always washing the outside of your Wound with your forementioned Spirits This will Effect the Cure in a few Days provided the Humours be not too Venemous and the Parties keep themselves Temperate How to Cure Pricks in any Member of the Body Take one Pint of double Spirit of Wine three Ounces of double refined Sugar one Ounce of Camphir mix them well-together and if your Prick or Wound be deep then take ths Spirit and with a good Serringefrce it into the Wound then Temper some of this Camfired Spirit with Sugar as thick as a Salve clap this on the mouth of the Wound then bind it up with a Cloath that the Air may not penetrate the Wound repeat this every seven Hours for five or seven times every time Cleansing the Wound with your Serringe then â—ew it up laying the forementioned Poultis to it repeat it as you did the former and wash it every time you lay your Poultis on with said Spirits This doth likewise Cure with great ease and safety To Cure Old Vlcers Take one Pint of the best double Spirits of Wine half an Ounce of Aloes beaten three Ounces of
double refined Sugar half an Ounce of Mirrh and mix them well together Use it thus First wash your Ulcer with Rain Water very clean dropping some of the forementioned Spirits into your Ulcer then apply this Poultis following Take one Quart of Rain Water Parsley Mint and Balm of each a like Quantity cut small two Ounces of good Sugar as much Bread as will make it of a fit Consistency for a Poultis make it boyilng hot stirring it all the time then put a Glass of Wine Sider Ale or good Beer into it lay this Poultis on every three Hours always washing it with the Rain Water and Spirits If this Method be observed it will Cure almost to a Miracle To Cure Gaul's or the Skin being rubbed off by any accident Take Spirit of Wine and Vinegar mix it well together wash your Sore every Hour for a Day or two laying on it a Diaculum Plaister This will heal and Cure the most inveterate Gaul in a few Days time An Excellent Poultis to Cure Sore Breast's Take one Quart of Rain or River Water some Sorrel cut small half an Ounce of Coriander Seed beaten to Powder two Ounces of good brown Sugar as much Bread as will make it into a Poultis make it Boyling hot stirring it all the time then it is done Apply this every Hour or every two Hours as warm as your Blood on a Linnen Cloath for two or three Days more or less as you see occasion and remember to wash your Breast with good Water and fresh Butter beaten together every time you apply the Poultis and you need not doubt but with God's Blessing the Cure will be Effected in a short time A rare Poultis to allay all Swellings or Contusions in any part of the Body Take one quart of Rain or River Water Rosemary and Balm cut small two Ounces of Sugar a Glass of Wine Sider Ale or good Beer as much good Bread as will make it into a Poultis make it boyling hot stirring of it all the while then it is done Lay this pretty thick on a Linnen Cloath as warm as your Blood every Hour or at least every two Hours for a Day two or three according to the occasion washing of it well with Spirit of Wine wherein Sugar is disolved This is a safe and secure remedy Another excellent Poultis to Disolve Ripen and Cure any Rising Swelling or Boyl in the Flesh viz. Take white Lilly Roots good Figgs boyl them soft in River or Rain Water then Temper them together add as much Bread as will make it thick enough for a Poultis add to this one Ounce of white Sugar and half an Ounce of Carrâ—way Seeds beaten to Powder stir them all together on the Fire till they are boyling hot then it is done Apply this Poultis every Hour washing the Grieved part with Ale and Sugar every time you lay the Poultis on this is a Noble Poultis and is likewise good to cure sore Breasts applyed as abovesaid The best Spirit of Scurvygrass is made Thus. Take the Leaves of Scurvygrass some Horse-Redish-Roots Scrapt small put this into a Glass or Earthen Vessel put to it as much strong double Spirit of Wine as will cover it stop this Vessel close and let it stand three Days and three Nights then Pour it off into Glass Bottles when settled you may put it into other Bottles and then it is fit for use This is called The plain Spirit of Scurvygrass and it is the best that is made you may take in a Morning of this Spirit from 60 to 80. or 90. Drops in good Water Beer Ale or Wine fasting two or three Hours after it then eat some of our Gruel with Bread How you may make this plain Spirit of Scurvygrass into a purging Spirit Take one Quart of this plain Spirit put into it one Ounce of Rozin of Scamony and half an Ounce of Rozin of Jallop both beaten to Powder let it stand one week andâ— then it will be fit for your use Take 50 60. or 80. Drops of this in a Glass of Ale Beer or Wine Drink plentifully of our thin Gruel after it staying within it will purge you very well and not gripe or but very little An Excellent Drink against the Stone Gravel and other Obstructions Take Scurvygrass Leaves the Seeds of Dorcas some Horse-Redish-Scrapt put them in an Earthen Vessel and then add as much White-wine as will cover the Herbs Seed and Roots let them stand five Days and Nights then pour it off and keep it in Glass Bottles it will continue good four or five weeks Take a Sack Glass of this and a like quantity of Water every Morning fast two Hours and then Drink at least a Quart of our thin Water-Gruel either of the cold or hot The constant use of this is not only a prevention and Cure but it moves most sorts of obstructions of the Stomack begets appetite Generates good Blood causing it to circulate freely How to purge by Herbs and Foods When you are minded to purge your self with both ease and safety and to preserve your Health then observe the following Method viz. In the Morning drink a Quart of our thin Water-gruel either the cold or the hot Eat a small piece of Bread with it at dinner take Spinnage Lettis Onions parsley and Sage wash them and Eat plentifully of them with your Food be it what it will at night Drink a like quantity of Gruel and Eat some good Bread as you did in the Morning this you must do for four or five or six Days together more or less as you see Occasion the like Method you are to observe If you would purge your self with Carrots Turnips and Parsnips as you did with Herbs with this Variation viz. Drink your Gruel and Eat your Bread Mornings and Nights and at Dinner Eat only Carrots Parsnips or Turnips boyled only in good Water and Eat them freely with no other thing but a little Salt and Bread during these several Days you may Purge your self to what degree you please Another way to Purge by Food 's and Drinks Drink in the Morning at several times three Pints or two Quarts of thin Watergruel at Dinner drink a Pint or a Quart at Night drink a Quart more and Eat some Bread This Method will Purge or at least will keep your Body open let your Foods at Dinner be what it will the Body being kept open and cool doth prevent and Cure Various Diseases in hot costive constitutions An excellent Poultis against the Headach Pain in the Side also a rare Remedy against the disease called St. Anthonies Fire Take Sage Parsley and Balm of each a like quantity cut small one Quart of Rain or River Water one Pint of Whitewine three Ounces of white Sugar two Ounces of Coriander Seed beaten as much good Bread as will make it fit for a Poultis mix them and stir them over the Fire till they are boyling hot then it is done
Spread this Poultis on a Linnen Cloath indifferent thick apply to the grieved part every Hour or two at most and by God's assistance it will effect the Cure to your Heart's desire An excellent Remedy against any Wound Stab Prick or Cut with a Sword or other Weapon Take Spirits of Wine with some double refined Sugar or other Sugar mixed with it Wash or Serringe your Wound with this Sugared Spirit very well then take a small quantity of the fine Powder of Refined Sugar and put into the said Wound and presently sow it up with a fine Needle and Silk the quicker you do it the better will the Cure be performed for the more the Air is kept out of it the better If this Method be observed it will do wonders the way of tenting is generally pernicious and prolongs the Cures of the above mentioned hurts keeping the Parts from closing or cementing for this prevents the flowing of the Humors and putrefaction and Nature does her own work without trouble cost or pain Pithagoras's Method and Advice to his Disciples viz. Whenever they had Occasion to make any Medicine Poultis Plaisters Decoctions of Herbs or any other thing they were always to be mindful to take of those things that their Genius did first dictate to them and not only the Herbs or Seeds grains or other things but likewise the number of their Composition that is how many ingredients they were to mix together the manner form and postures they were to observe in gathering of them also what Words Invocations and Prayers they use also naming the name of the Person they operate for expressing in words for whom they do it for to Cure such or such a Disease And if you would know more of this Read Pythagoras's Letters lately Printed by T. Sowle in White-Hârt-Court and observe th◠Methods and Numbers there treated off at large and your understanding will be enlightened if you are in good earnest and live in the Fear and under the Dominion of the Fountain of Benignity whose Signal Character is plainness Simplicity and Innocency An excellent remedy against all Old Inveterate Vlcer's and Sores occasioned by the Disease called The Kings Evil viz. First take Rain or River Water with which wash the Grieved part very clean then take strong Spirits mixed with white Sugar and wash it several times and fill up the Mouth or cover the Sore with Sugar and Spirits mixed thick then apply this following Poultis viz. Take two Quarts of Rain or River Water as much dried Wormwood as the Water will cover let it lie and infuse two Hours then strain it off and add as much good Bread as will make it thick add to it two or three Ounces of white Sugar with half or a Pint of good strong Beer or Wine then make it boyling hot stirring it all the time then it is done Apply this every two Hours as warm as your Blood washing the Sore every time with water and then with the Sugared Spirits as is mentioned before Remember that the Water wherein the Wormwood is infused two Hours must be cold and after the Ingredients are put in made boyling hot as in other Poulises An Vniversal fomentation for all Tumors Bruises Hard Swelled Members or parts of the Body Take a good quantity of dried Wormwood put it into two three four or five Quarts of Rain or River Water make it boyling hot then take it off the Fire and let it lie in the Water one Hour then add to every Quart of this Wormwood Liquor half a Pint of old Wines three Spoonfuls of good Spirit of Wine two Ounces of double refined Sugar and one Ounce of Salt of Tartar with this wash or foment the part very well for half an Hour together or more resting one Hour and in the Interim apply this following Poultis viz. Take two or three Handfuls of the Green Leaves of Sorrel infuse them in two Quarts of boyling Water one Hour Strain it off and add to this Water as much good Mault Flower as will make it thick to every Quart put half a Pint of Ale and two Ounces of double refined Sugar apply it warm every Hour fomenting the part as you are taught before and you need not doubt but it will have a good Effect and Cure to Admiration A Famous Poultis against Sprains Take two or three Quarts of good Water and a Quart of good strong Beer four Ounces of refined Sugar make this just boyle then put in it as much fresh gathered Thyme as the Liquor will cover make it ready to boil again and then Strain it from the Herbs and add to it as much Brown Bread as will make it thick stir this over the Fire till it be boiling hot then it is done Add to this three Ounces of Spirits of Wine stirring it all well together spread this thick on a Linnen Cloath and apply it every three Hours as warm as your Blood A good Method to Cure Sprains if you cannot have the Forementioned Poultis viz. So soon as you have Sprained any Member of your Body then presently put that part into cold Water wherein some Wood-Ashes are put continue the grieved part one Hour or at least half an Hour this will give you ease and have a good Effect An Excellent Wash against all old Aches and Sciatica's in any part or Member of the Body Take Rain Water in March April May Iune or Iuly and keep it in Glass Bottles open standing either without Doors or in Airy Rooms wash your infirm part three times a Day Very well the Water must be cold and the Part or Member must not be kept warmer then is usual This do for two three or four weeks if you have occasion but in many this Method will effect the Cure much sooner An Excellent Method to Cure the Sores occasioned by the Disease called The King 's Evil. Fist take Water wherein Wormwood is infused wash the Sore part very well then take Spirits of Wine Mault or Sider mixed with Sugar and wash it again then apply this following Poultis viz. Take three Pints or two Quarts of Rain or River Water make it boil then put into it as much Hyssop as the Water will just cover continue it on the Fire till it boil then take it off and Strain it add to this Liquor as much Bread as will make it thick to every Quart put two Ounces of Refined Sugar and half a Pint of Ale spread this pretty thick on a Linnen Cloath and repeat the application every Hour two or three the oftner the better the like is to be understood in all applications of this Nature as we have demonstrated in our Book Entituled The Good Hous-wife made a Doctor A rare Poultis against all Inflamation◠Rhumes and other Sores in the Eyes viz. First wash your Eyes with Rain or other good Water then apply this following Poultis viz. Take one Quart of Water the whites of three Eggs beaten well together with
Poyson in the Body it does so powerfully strengthen and awaken it that in a moment it over comes the pure Oyl of Life and the pure Spirits become suffocated and then the Natural Life is at an end for every Property in Nature both in the evil and also in the good does with highest diligence seck out its likeness and wheresoever it findeth its Simile there it joyns forces and mightily stirreth up its own Quality which when it happens in the Evil Nature as it does in Brandy Rumm Rack and other Distilled Liquors then it endangers the Health and Wellfare of the Body Nor is it otherwise in all sorts of Food and other Drinks if the pure Vertue thereof be separated or any way destroyed for then forth with the darâ— Brimstony Spirit is set at lâ—berty which before the Separation the Balsamick Body and pure Spirits did qualifie and hold Captive that it could not manifest its self in its own Nature but being separated from the good Properties and Friendly Principle this dark fiery sulphurous Spirit becomes of a furious Nature and Operation endeavouring to bring all in Subjection to it self therefore such Liquors or Spirits frequently taken burn up the Radical Moisture and Natural Heat and are grreedy devourers of the sweet Oyl in the Body whence proceeds General Obstructions Crude Windy Humours Consumptions unnatural Heats and Flushings loss of Appetite Reachings to Vomit and many other Disorders and if those of the Female Sex take to drink such Spirits as of late years they do too frequently the Evils are doubled unto them 2. In all the before-mentioned Spirits that have passed through those cruel harsh Fires where the Air hath not its free Egress and Regress the pure Spirit and sweet Body is totally destroyed which is the Root of Motion and Fermentation therefore such Spirits will not Work or Ferment as all other Drinks and Liquors will even water it self but you may put what quantity of Sugar you will to Brandy Ramm or any other Distilled Spirits they will continue a strong Fire void of Moâ—ion or Fermentation this doth further declare that all the good Principles and Vertues are destroyed by the Preparation and that there remains only a strong fixed Fire which has its Uses in Physick as is mentioned before but not otherwise 3. Such Spirits being frequently drunk do generate various Diseases according to each Mans Nature and Constitution and the Climate whether hot or cold for they do powerfully Prey upon the Natural Heat consuming the sweet Oyl and pure Spirits for the Balsamick Body and pure Spirits of all such Liquors being destroyed in the Preparation they become an Extream which Nature in her simplicity hates and for this Cause such Liquors cannot Administer any Proper or Agreeable Nourishment to the Body or to the pure Spirits it cannot give what it hath not it hath only Power to awaken the Central Heat or Fire which ought not to have been kindled and this it doth by a Sympathetical Operation for all Meats and Drinks have power in the Body to awaken and strengthen their likeness for this reason all Wise Men Skilled in the Mysteries of Nature have commended simple Meats and Drinks because most such things are as it were equal in their Parts having no manifest Quality that does predominate violently over the other but yet contains a sufficient Noarishment for the Body and also for the Spirit for Meats and Drinks ought to be equal in their parts the Spirit ought not to be separated from the Body nor the Body from the Spirit but both ought to be Administred together for the Body without the Spirit is of a gross heavy dull or dead Nature and the Spirit without the Body is too violent and fiery but the Health of Mans Body and Mind doth chiefly consist in the equality of both do not all Meats and Drinks wherein any Quality or Property of Nature is â—xtream whether it be in Vertue or Harmfulness if not sparingly taken certainly discompose the Harmony both of the Body and Mind For every Quality begets its likeness and so on the contrary Concord and Harmony are tain'd by their likenesses if there be not a Sympathetical agreement between the Stomach and the Meats and Drinks both in Quality and Quantity the Unity and Concord of the Properties of Nature are immediately broken whence proceeds various Diseases according to the degrees of the Disorder This every one ought to understand or else they may unadvisedly lay heavier Burdens than Nature can bear for most Diseases are generated through surplusage of Nourishment For unto weak Heats there ought to be Administred a proportionable Food but stronger Heats will admit of stronger Foods and greater quantity which all Persons might know if they would but observe the Operation of their own Natures for no Health nor Harmony can be continued where the parts do disagree aniong themselves What Harmony can the most skilful Master of Musick make if the strings of his Instruments be some too sharp and others too flat even so it is in the Elements of the Body and also in the Mind 4. For Man is the most Beautiful and Perfectest of all God's Creation and â—is Image called by the Antients the lesser World for in him is contained the true Nature and Properties of all Elements Numbers Weights and Measures therefore Man is both capable of and and â—lable to receive all all Impressions and to be influenced by all things he communicates with or joyns himself unto as all sorts of Meats Drinks Imployments Communications and whatever else he suffers his Will or Desires to enter into the same things have power respectively to awaken their Similes therefore all extreams are perilous to the Health If Men and women were but sensible of the danger and terrible Diseases that are contracted by the frequent eating and drinking of those things that are unequal in themselves as Brandy Rumm and other Spirituous Drinks and high prepared Foods they would not so eagerly desire them Do not all or most that do accustome themselves to such things quickly spoil their their Healths Nature is Simple and Innocent and the Simplicity thereof cannot be continued but by Sobriety and Temperance in Meats and Drinks that are simple and harmless which will not only gratifie Nature but contribute both due and moist Nourishment for beyond all lushious fat compounded Dishes of the Richest Food and Spirituous Drinks as it appears by many hundreds of poor People who are constrained by pure necessity not by Wisdom to live for the most part on simple Food and mean Drinks their Labour hard Cloathing thin open Air cold Houses small Fires hard Beds standing on Earthen Floors by all which means they are not only preserv'd in better Health but also enabled to endure Labour with more ease and pleasure than the Intemperately Supet flâ—ous can lie a Bed or sit by the Fire O then how excellent are the ways of Temperance and Sobriety They free the
its free Circulation causing the pure natural Spirits whose habitation is in the Blood to become impure whence arises a general indisposition over the whole Body Therefore all that love their own Health or the good of their Children ought to refrain such hurtful Food and learn to know that Brandy Tobacco and all such things are to be taken sparingly and no otherwise than as People take Physick CAAP. II. Of Flesh and its Operation in the Body and also on the Senses That the continual eating thereof without the due distinction of proper Times and Seasons does darken the Spirits and distempers Nature Likewise of the Exellency of Herbs Fruits and their inward Operation on the Body and Mind THE eating of Flesh was not allowed or practised in the first and purer Ages when Men gave themselves to the Study of Wisdom viz. To the Knowledge of themselves and were partakers of God's Secrets in Divine and Humane things and enjoy'd Health and long Life drawn out to the Age of many hundred years For thus the Holy Scripiure tells us Gen. 1. The Lord said Behold I have given to you every Herb bearing Seed which is upon the Face of all the Earth and every Tree in which it the Fruit of a Tree yielding Seed to you it shall be for Meat And in another place it is said Flesh with the Blood thereof you shall not eat It is not said That the Lord made all Creatures for Man to eat as I have heard many affirm but he made them for his own Glory and Eternal Honour and for the manifestation of his Wonders and that Men should have Dominion over all Creatures and Created things which Man hath lost by suffering his desires and imaginations to enter into the Bestial Nature which does by degrees captivate the Noble parts in Men. But the Wise Ancients for divers Ages of the World did know but little of the variety of Flesh and strong Drinks or of compounded Dishes of twenty sorts of things most of them of disagreeing Natures No their Food was simple and natural easie to be procured without oppression to themselves or to any of God's Creatures as Herbs Fruits and Grains and pure Water for drink which things are endued with a most simple Nature and Operation which neither dulleth the Head by Fumes nor stupifies the Senses by Surplusage of Nourishment but being well prepared and eaten moderately do nourish by way of Simile its like qualities in the Body being of lighter digestion and of a more Airy Operation than Flesh being also void of all Inclinations Senses or Passions of Love or Hate whose Original is more clean and nearer the Unity in Nature therefore the Philosophical Antients in former Ages incouraged the eating of Herbs Fruits and Grains but on the contrary made Laws against the common eating of Flesh without distinction The Great and most Illuminated Prophet Moses did not admit the Children of Israel to eat any Flesh during their forty years March through the Wilderness 'T is true when the People did Murmur the Lord being provoked gave them Flesh in his Wrath and afterwards when they were admitted to eat Flesh it was with such distinctions and with so many circumstances as could not be performed but by abundance of labour and trouble and other inconveniencies by which Laws and Observations many of God's Creatures became of little or no use in the Creation as Swine and the like if indeed they had only been made for Men to eat But the Lord never commanded his People in any Age to abstain from any thing but it was always for their preservation for Abstinence Cleanness and Sobriety in Meats Drinks Exercises and Communications do work wonderful Effects and have a Sympathetical Operation both in the Body and Senses rendering the Observers thereof Healthful with brisk powerful Spirits watchful prndent of good forecast able to give Council and for matters of Learning they do easily grow to an Excellency in the knowledge of themselves and in all other things whereunto they do apply themselves And as for Prayers Meditations and Contemplations they do perform them with great Facility Pleasure and Spiritual delight being always fresh in their Minds and free from Diseases in their Bodies By this way of Sobriety Cleanness and Temeperance many of the Antients became admirable both in Divine and Humane Wisdom 't is well known how Scrupulously the Pythagoreans one of the most Learned and Mysterious of all the Sects of Gentile Philosophers abstained from Flesh. The Divine Writer and great Prophet Moses testifies that God made Man in his own Image and that he should have Dominion over all things or Creatures not that he should eat all things or hurt himself by devouring them nor suffer his desires to enter into them nor theirs into him for Man is a Prince in this World and in him is contained the true Nature of all the inferior Creatures for it it were not so he could not be their Prince nor be sustained by them And tho' Man was made greater than other Creature that is visible and to be Lord over all yet nevertheless he having a Simile with the Nature of all things is thereby rendered capable to be wrought on by every inferior thing he shall suffer his desires to enter into and by degrees he is liable to become captivated unto that thing be it either good or or evil for every like as I told you before works on and awakens its likeness This was the reason why Moses commanded that unclean Beasts should not be eaten that the Humane Nature might not mix or incorporate in it self the Beastial qualities for every indvidual Man has essentially in him the true Natures and Essences of all the Beasts of the Field and Fishes of the Sea as also of all Herbs and Fruits Stones and Minerals and whasoever else can be thought of for it this were not so then Man would not be subject to be wrought on by all neitheir would the various sorts of food agree with him or nourish him The wise Antients understanding this and that every thing had power to attract unto it self such matter out of all things as is capable to nourish its own Body therefore in those days the eating of Flesh was not in such Reputation as of late years it hath been especially as it is in England who do make it their chief Food all Vegetables and Fruits being in themselves of a clean simple Nature and Operation which being well prepared and temperately eaten have only power to waken their Similies in the Body and Senses as foresaid But on the contrary all Beasts especially unclean Beasts are enduâ—d with all kind of Beastial Passions as Anger Revenge Covetousness Love and Hate which Dispositions and Passions of the Flesh but especially the Blood doth retain after such Animals are killed and for that reason it was that the Blood of all sorts of Beasts was so strictly forbidden for the essential Spirits dwell in the Blood
them burn too fierce which sets Nature into a Rage awakening the Central Spirits till all parts of the Body burn like Fire till the Oyl be consumed and Nature begins to languish becoming dull heavy and stupid The very same Operation have all Food in the Body and on the Spirits and Senses but more slowly and hidden for great meals of Food makes dull when first eaten for all the time Nature is a digesting and making separation which is four five or six hours a doing and then Nature begins to be brisk and lightsome for what the Stomach and Natural Heat do perform as to Fermentation and Separation with the Food is done to Natures Hand by Art in all sorts of strong Drinks therefore all such fermented strong Drinks have a present Operation but let Drink be ever so strong if it have not passed through Fermentation and Separation it will lie heavy on the Stomach and send dark and dulling fumes into the Head if a quantity be drunk Therefore great Meals of strong rich Food do endanger the Health more than proportionable drinking of strong Drinks especially in hot Countries and in Summer time in colder Climates That Dispositions and Inclinations are chang'd and alter'd by Food may further appear in all or most unclean Creatures are they not made much fiercer if raw flesh and blood be given them their wrathful unclean Nature being thereby enraged and made stronger And is not the very flesh of those Creatures Men feed on altered either for the better or worse according to the nature of their Food what a vast difference shall there be as to the goodness or badness wholesomness or unwholesomeness of the Milk of the very same Cow when she feeds upon fresh delicate Grass Herbs and Flowers and when she is kept on course Brewers Grains or the like The Elements of Man's Body and natural Spirits are compounded of the same matter as other Creatures are and in respects subject to the same or like alterations only the Holy Light and Grace of God which enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World if obeyed is sufficient to subdue most natural Inclinations and to keep them within the bounds of Temperance indeed this Gift is the only power by which a Man may overcome the Evil and deny himself 2. Flesh is not so clean a Food as Herbs Seeds and Fruits for all forts of Animals are subject to various Passions but on the contrary all or most Vegetables have a more simple and innocent Original therefore their Operation on the Body and Senses is as simple having no power to awaken any property in the Body but what is like themselves Furthermore we see that no Creatures that are clean will eat Flesh except they be taught it and brought to it by degrees on the other side all such Animals as naturally will eat Flesh are by all means counted unclean as Dogs Cats Bears Wolves Foxes and many others both in the Sea and Land and most Men will avoid the eating of such Creatures as being unclean in the Root of their Natures Therefore they desire such Food as hath affinity with them for every Creature rejoyceth in its likeness The Prophet Moses well understood this when he commanded that unclean Creatures and Blood should not be eaten because the Blood as is mentioned before doth not only contain the Spirits but the very Humour Dispositions and Inclinations of the Creature therefore it was to be killed and dressed after such a manner by which the Blood and superfluous matter was extinguished and if Flesh should now be prepared after their way we should not account it to have half the Vertue as it hath in our way of preparation Indeed the way of killing and preparing of Flesh and Fish that the Law-giver prescribed to his People was to cleanse the Flesh from all Blood in which stand the Spirits and all the Dispositions and Inclinations of the Creature lie hid By this means the Uniting of the Bestial Nature with the Human was in a great measure prevented and for no other reason all unclean Beasts Fowls and Fishes were so severely forbidden All Created things have but one only Ground and Original Every particular Creature contains the true Nature and Properties of the whole only the qualities are in several degrees one having one quality strong and another the Center For in every Creature one of the forms or properties do carry the upward Dominion and other qualities lye as it were hid but some times do manifest themselves but that property which is weakest may be awakened and made strong by its Simile as often comes to pass From this very ground proceeds all Sympathy and Antipathy Concord and Discord in this World For all those whose predominate qualities stand nearest and have affinity to each other such are friendly one to another but those whose predominate Properties have Antipathy each to other such slight one another and if the Grace and Holy Light of God do not restrain them they are very apt to speak Evil and Backbite one another The same is to be understood in the Divine Principle of God's Love those that through the Blessing and Favour of the Lord have obtained the Holy Gifts of the Spirit be it more or less all such People have affinity and bear good will each to other except the false Prophet's Opinion get in amongst them which is a Ravening Wolf Every thing rejoyceth in its likeness and the contrary in its death therefore it is highly convenient for every man to consider the Variety and the Possibility of its own Nature and that in himself is contained the true Nature of every thing in the visible and invisible World and that he bears a Simile with all things and is both capable and liable to be drawn either to Vice or Vertue by every thing he joyns himself to whether Meats Drinks Communications or whatever else a Man suffers his Will or Desires to run out after or enter into the same thing hath power to awaken its likeness and for this cause all the Wise Men and Prophets have advised to Cleanness and Sobriety and to the reading of Good Mens Books which do stir up the good Faculties in the Soul for all Books do bear the Image and Spirits of him that wrote them and so by Simile do awaken the like Spirit and Desire and so on the contrary if young or old give themselves to the reading of Plays or Books of Romances they will powerfully awaken by Simile the vain wanton Nature which before lay as it were hid Therefore it was said in the Revelations Come out from amongst them and be ye separated lest you partake of their Evils 3. The Reason why most People love and so much desire Flesh more than either Herbs Fruits or Grains is not because it doth afford either better Nourishment or is pleasanter to the Pallate or Stomach but it chiefly is because Man is departed in his Mind and desires from the
and regress all such Matter is destroyed whence such Vermin is produced The Original of these Creatures called Bugs is from Putrifaction occasioned by stinking Scents and Vapours which do proceed from the Bodies and Nature of Men and Women and the mixing or incorporating of these Vapours with moist and sulphurous Airs For where there is no Heat nor Humidity there can begin no Putrifaction Therefore all that have attributed the Generation of this Vermin to Wood as Bedsteads and the like are grosly mistaken in the Productions of Nature for there is no Matter in Wood that can generate such a Vermin it being productive only or chiefly of two Creatures in England viz. of Wood-Lice and a small Worm These Wood-Lice are never generated but in places where the Sun and Air have not their free Influences so that there is store of Humidity contracted and when the Sun comes to such Degrees of the Zodiack this Creature is generated which is of as different a Nature from Bugs as sweet Wood is from a stinking Bed Also Wood does breed a certain small Worm but never till the Salts Nature and Power is decayed through length of time then the Air enters it which does presently cause it to contract a hâ—mid Quality from whence proceeds Putrifaction whereof when the Sun is Powerful this Worm is bred But so long as Wood continues sound and is kept dry the Air having its free Influences on it I affirm That no sort of Wood ever breeds any kind of Vermin 4. There are many also that attribute the Generation of this Creature to Hogs Hair which being mixed with Lime and Houses Plaistered with it does occasion say they the Generation of Bugs Now it is most certain that there is no possibility in Nature for this Production for no kind of Hair ever breeds any living Creature except it be put into Water or Mud when the Sun is powerful and then this Creature thus generated retains its first Species viz. a Hair with a live Head which was its Element from whence it proceeded but if you take it out of the Water it presently dies so also it doth when the Sun declines in heat as most â—orts of Vermin that are bred through Heat and Moisture do But Hair being mixed with Lime all Matter of Generation is thereby totally destroyed For Lime does chiefly contain a harsh fiery keen sharp coroding quality it is so sharp that it does destroy all Life and is as contrary to it as Light is to Darkness the predominant quality in it is the Salts Nature from which no living Creature can be produced Besides if there were never so much Mater in Hair for the Generation of such Vermin Lime would destroy it for in Lime there is only a Sal-nitral fiery Vertue 5. If the Reasons before-mentioned be not sufficient to convince the Ignorant of their erroneous Opinions in this particular then I hope the following one will which is more familiar to every one It hath never been krown that this troublesome Vermin was ever seen in Ware-houses Kitchins Parlors Dining rooms or any places were Beds have never been except they have by accident been brought into such Rooms or Ware-houses by Furniture of Chambers that have been troubled with them though all such places have the same Funiture as Chambers except Beds 6. From the same Substance or Matter whence Bugs are bred is also occasioned the Generation of many nasty Diseases in the Blood so that the destruction of the Matter that breeds them is of greater consequence than most People are sensible of And if these following Rules be observed I dare affirm That the Generation of Bugs will cease and also many other Inconveniencies and Distempers that are got by this sort of Uncleanness will be avoided First You are to destroy all Press-Bedsteads which stand in corners of Rooms being made up with Boards so close that the Air cannot penctrate or dry up and consume the moist sulphurous Vapours that are contracted These sorts of Beds that stand so are apt to have them more than others Also you are to set your other sorts of Beds as near as you can in the most Airy places of your Rooms exposing them to the Air the most part of the day with your Chamber-Windows open that the Air may freely pass which is the most excellent Element that does sweeten all things and prevents Putrifaction In the Night also you ought not to have your Window-Curtains drawn nor your Curtains that are about your Beds for it hinders the sweet refreshing Influences of the Air so that the Air of all close places becomes of a hot sulphurous Nature and Operation the thin pure Vapours which do wonderfully refesh Nature are as it were suffocated And this preventing the Influences of the Air is in an especial manner observable when People are sick or out of order as though the sweet pleasant Air had been the cause of their Disease such Rooms being so very close with great fires in them that if a healthy Person do but continue three or four hours in them the fulsom Steams and thick Vapours will much disorder him and take away the edge of his Appetite And if so what will the Operation be on those Spirits who are weak and disordered with Distempers What is more pleasant and healthful than good Air It chears and comforts the Spirits it opens the Passages of the Joynts and Nerves it purifies the Blood creates an Appetite increasing Strength and Vigour But on the contrary hot thick sulphurous Airs do not only obstruct the passages of the Spirits but suffocate them loading the Joynts and Nerves with evil Juices whereby the Limbs and Members become full of pain causing a general tenderness to possess the whole Body and destroying the Appetite and the power of the Digestive Faculty in the Stomach Also do not all Houses and Places grow musty and contract too great store of Moisture if the Air be any way prevented by Window-shutters or the like that it cannot have its free egress and regress Therefore moderate Cloathing hard Beds Houses that stand so as that the pleasant Bâ—iezes of Wind may air and refresh them and also Houses that are full of Windows are to be preferr'd for where the Air hath not its free Influences the Spirit becomes dull and heavâ— this being the true Life of the Spirit in everything 7. Now the certain Means and Way not only to prevent the Generation of this Vermin but also to preserve Health and Strength are Straw or rather Chaff-Beds with Ticks of Canvas and Quilts made of Wooll or Flocks to lay on them which certainly is the most easie and pleasant Lodging that can be invented and a little Custom will make it appear friendly to Nature and in every respect far beyond the softest Feather-Beds on which when a Man lies down he sinks into them as into an hole with Banks rising on each side of him especially if two lie together when first they
But when the Poor Neighbours whom Christ came to save as well as the others knock at the Door you either pretend you have nothing for them or else assign them the worst and coursest Fare a sorry pittance of Bull-Beef or a little Parboil'd Meat out of which you have extracted all the Nutritive Virtue to inrich your Plum Pottage even such as the Proud Wives and Miniking Daughters would scarce offer to their Negro Nos'd Dogs that are their Table and Lap Companions tho' one of the most Ravenous and Uncleanest Creatures in Nature And indeed since Man's Degeneration he delights much in the Converse and Company of the worst and vilest of Animals especially of such as are capable of being made by his wicked Industry his Butchers to hunt tear worry and torment the other Creatures of greater Value and Innocency which is accasioned by Simile because himself is departed from Innocence into Wrath and Fierceness For the same Reason the Rich and Proud cannot endure the Cries or Conversation of the Poor and Humble and therefore rarely Visit or willingly admit them into their Presence and when they crave an Alms will presently like Churlish Nabals reproach them as Idle Persons that spend their Money and time in Ale-Houses or drinking of Brandy when in truth this Reproof is not so much for Admonishment as to excuse your felves from giving them Relief and so at once saveboth your Monâ—y and your Credit as the Proverb hath it tho' at the same time you your selves set them the worst Examples by wallowing in all kind of Excess Intemperance and waste of the good Creatures of God And what is all this but vile Hypocrisy If idle expence of time and unnecessary Tippling be so great a Crime as renders men unworthy of common Mercies why do you practice it If you Indulge your selves therein why do you upbraid these poor Creatures that have far greater Temptations thereunto It may reasonably be supposed That scarce less than an Hundred Thousand Pounds has excused the City of London and Suburhs in unjustifiable Expences and Superfluity this very Christmas and if so what vast Sums may have been consumed in the Nation How common is it at such times especially for a Man to be almost jostled down or otherwise abused by Drunken Men and Boys and to have his Ears bor'd and the Air infected and the Streets polluted with Vollies of horrid Oaths Curses Execrations and Blasphemies O foolish People Bethink your selves turn from these and the like Ungodly Vanities and Abominations and observe this time and all other the short Moments of your fleeting Lives to the Ends for which the one was Instituted and the other lent you consider how uneasie and dreadfully prejudicial these courses will prove both to Soul and Body at the last Audit how incapable they render you of Answering the great Ends for which you were Created and sent into the World Let every one remember that he is but a Steward here and if God has given him a Benjamin's Portion more than is needful for himself and Family as many thousands have then it is his Duty to Improve the same by shewing Mercy â—o all and to distribute to the Needy the Fatherless and the Widow in special manner for with such Sacrifices is our heavenly Father well pleased nothing being capable of rendring us so like our Maker as mercifulness and Deeds of Charity for he makes his Sun to shine on the Just and Unjust and the fructifying Dews of his upper Chambers to fall with equality and affords his great and noble Elements viz the Earth the Water and the Air with all their numberless productions to all Creatures without respect of Persons or Things Therefore we are not to think our selves excused from doing good and relieving necessitous Persons though pehhaps they have not improved their Time and Talents to the best advantage but rather from thence reflect what vain and unprofitable Servants we have been our selves and how unworthy of any of those Mercies we enjoy And the better to accomplish and render us capable of discharging these necessary Duties let all that would be good Christians in earnest betake themselves to the good and wholsome Rules of Sobriâ—ty Temperance Cleanness and Order in Meats and Drinks which will not only make them more able to contribute to the necessities of their Poor Neighbours but preserve their Bodies and Spirits sound vigorous healthful and prompt to all good actions a sober or irregular Diet having far greater power not only on the corporeal parts but also on the Mind it self to improve or weaken it than most in our days imagine Did not our Fore-fathers live to wonderful Ages in perfect Health whilst their Foods were simple and innocent consisting chiefly if not wholly as before the Flood of Herbs Fruits and Grains with pure Water for Drink which of aâ—l other is most natural those Holy Patriarchs did not live by Slaughter and Violence nor make their Stomachs the Burial Places of dead Bodies nor did they ransack the furthest corners of the Earth for Dainties Their Provision was Innocent and simple cheap and ready at hand whereby they became able as fire is quencht by withdrawing of Fuel to check and regulate the extravagant motions of the Mind and Insurrections of the Flesh. Hence some of the Antients have delivered it as a Maxime That none could understand God and his wonderful Works or enjoy Health and long Life but those that abstain from Flesh Wine and Vices bounding their desires according to the Ends and Necessities of Nature not for insatiate Appetite or vain Customs for were Uncleanness and Intemperance reigns the Soul is so subjected to a gross unweildy and polluted Body that it cannot discern things Coelestial but Sobriety and Purity renders it the Temple of God wherein his blessed Spirit delights to dwell and communicate his Gifts and Graces so that where we see Temperance and Abstinence we may justly expect a Concatenation of all other Virtues because there no Superfluous matter is bred that may clog the Organs of the Body or render them indisposed for the Operations of the Soul nor can the manifold Benefits and Advantages thereby acrewing be conceived or understood by any but those only that have abandon'd Riot and Superfluity for nothing but Personal Practise and Perseverance therein can make a Man a competent Judge in this matter which I seriously recommended to all that would enjoy Health of Body or Mind For the Power of Temperance and Sobriety proceeds from an inward Principle and they endow their Observers with the Riches both of Time and Eternity making us truly sensible of God's Blessings The full Stomach loaths Ho Figuratively put for the choicest and most delicate Foods but to the hungry every bitter thing is sweet saith the wise King How pleasant how relishing how refreshing is every Man's dish of Food to the sober Mind and well prepared Stomach And how ready are such Men to give the
that grand Tyrant Custom to Enslave both their Souls and Bodies Now an Hundred Thousand Shillings is Fifteen Thousand Pounds And then it is not to be doubted but generally more is spent in Drink than Victuals There are more than an Hundred Thousand Persons that lavish away daily above Twelve Pence in Wine Brandy and other strong Liquors which Expence if forborn but one day in a Week and bestow'd as aforesaid would amount to Five Thousand Pounds more which makes in the whole Twenty Thousand Pounds per Week and this justly distributed would supply Eighty Thousand Families at Five Shillings per Week a piece Or otherwise the one half might be imploy'd in the Maintenance of Threescore Thousand Families and the other half to build Schools and Hospitals for the Education of the poor Children and Orphans and other Miserable People Thousands being destroyed yearly for want of Food and other Conveniencies of Life And can we now suffer such a number of poor Souls to perish for want rather than abridge and deny our Palates and insatiate Paunches some unnecessary nay pernicious Danties only one day in a Week Let us then no longer make a God of our Bellies but endeavour to deserve our Saviour's Eulogy I was an hungry and you gave me Meat Now considering the great Scarcity and Dearness of Corn and other Provisions whereby the Families of Poor People especially those out of Imployment are become very pressing and deplorable I count it no worthless Service to the Publick to inform the World of the Benefit and Cheapness of Dressing and Eating of Corn Food with the Variety of their Preparations as they are very wholsom and salutiferously used in many Countries where they they have very little of any sort of other Diet. For this is to be noted that the Flower of Wheat Barâ—ey Oats or any other Grain made into Paps or Gruels by a little boyling doth not only advance them in quantity and strength but it renders them more agreeable to the Stomach their Digestion is more easie and more nutrimental And a Man may live as well if not better with a half or third quantity of Flower so prepared than even with baked Bread that is with half a Pound of Wheat or Oaâ—meal Flower made into Pap with Water than with a pound of like Flower made into Bread And this Pap will support both Health and Strength to a higher degree making a Man more brisk and lively free from Drought and Heat or any other Obstructions eating a small quantity of Bread with the Pap or between whiles For the first Invention of Bread was not intended to be eaâ—en alone but with fat Foods as a good Sauce or Ingredient to mix with drink up or allay the Oyliness of such things and to render them more apt for Separation and Digestion For all Fat or Oyly Bodies furr the Passages and obstruct the Stomach and are extream heavy and hard to be divided By which means in all Countries where People feed much on fat succulent Foods the common Distempers are Feavers Gout Stone Gravel and Wind all which are occasion'd by the Oyliness and Greasiness of their Foods and too great a quantity which naturally generates thick cloddy Blood dull and impure Spirits which hinder the Circulation of them both And Experience teaches that in the Eastern Country where People live much on Corn Food those cruel Distempers are hardly known Now it is to be observed that all Floweâ—s in their own Nature if eaten â—ry are very stopping but when they are diluted and prepared with a proper quantity of Water they become of anoâ—ther Operation and Nature as is manifest in all Gruels Paps and Spoonmeaâ—s made thereof When the Flower of any Corn is made into a strong Paste or Dough wiâ—h a small quanâ—ity of Water and bak'd in the sulphurous fierce heat of the Oven the moisture being too small in quantity for the Sal-nitral Vertues or Oyly Spirituous qualities to soak or imbibâ— themselves in the strong nutritive Powers or gellius glewy qualities which is the band of Nature are by the predominancy of the Heat broken as a Man would break a Stick in sunder Therefore Bread will not thicken when put into Milk Water c. and boyled but easily separate and not at all incorporate and become one Body with the Water as Flower will before it is baked So that the making Flower into Bread by baking of it doth not consume the quantity but the natural quality of Corn also and too frequently eaten alone will obstruct the Stomach and all the subservient Vessels 'T is true indeed Bread as it is generally eaten is a very good thing and of great use tho' in it self but of little Nourishment however being eaten with fat Food it mightily helps Concoction But Flower when dress'd after the forementioned method affords the most Nourishment especially if there be good Pot Herbs added But if you would divert and gratifie the Stomach with a dryer and harder sort of Food which Nature sometimes loves make the Flower into small Dumplins so called but little bigger than Crown pieces put them into boyling Water and let them boyl quick they will presently be done This sort of boyled Bread does not only afford more and better Nourishment but is pleasanter to the Palate and more satisfactory to the Stomach This may be called boyled Bread and is best without Salt or any other Ingredient Therefore Flower properly diluted and prepared best agrees with the Eaters if it be the most part of your Food then thick is best However thin is very healthful between whiles But such as live upon solid fat Food their Gruels ought to be thin which will better cleanse the Vessels of the Stomach and Ureters preserve Nature and prevent the Generation of the Stone c. and Rickets in Children Now Fish Flesh c. are loaded with a gross Phlegmatick Body and the frequent eating thereof cannot but affect the Eater with the like Qualities As is manifest from those Cattle that feed on green Food as Grass c. Are not such Beasts less able to travel and labour and is not their Flesh more gross apter to putrifie and Salt it self will not preserve it from Corruption On the contrary such Beasts as feed on Corn Hay c. which are dry they are not only strong and able to endure Labour and Travel but their Flesh is more firm and substantial and durable when salted than the former We deceive our selves if we judge that Flesh hath much Nourishment because it hath much Juice or Matter By the same reason Grass would have more good Nourishment and Strength in it than Corn But the more gross Matter and Phlegmatick Juices any thing is loaded with the weaker and fainter that thing is and consequently more subject to decay and distemper the Spirits being but few and those that are dull Cloudy and impure So that upon the whole matter Flesh Fish and Fowl c. cannot
have the Preheminence of Foods Neither are they indued with so much nor so good Nourishment as Corn Foods But here we must give way to the prevailing Tyrant Custom which is the Champion I am to make War against and as the Foods of Beasts are better or worseâ— clean or substantial their Health Strength and Ability are according The like is to be understood of the Food Men live on for it is not as is said before the gross Juices that affords the true Nourishment but the fine light volatile Spirituous Vertues for this cause most are greatly mistaken that attribute so great and good Nourishment to Flesh and Fish Indeed they are full of gross Matters and Juices which do serve chiefly to cloud the finer Vertues and true Life which do also add Weight and not Spirit so that the great Eaters thereof become dull and heavy loading Nature with too great quantities of Phlegmatick Juices and Humours which do not only oppress Nature in all her Operations but is the Root of many Diseases both of the Body and Mind Green Corn and Grass are endued with more Substance and Juices than either Hay or Corn but it is Earthly and Gross and affords a Nourishment of a like Nature The more any thing is loaded or endued with Gross or Corrupt Matter the sooner it falls into Putrifaction But on the contrary the dryer firmer and more Spirituous any thing is the longer it will endure and be preserved from Corruption But of all things Men eat Flesh and Fish do sâ—oner decay because of the abundance of gross Matter it does contain which does as it were in a moments time cloud and suffocate the fine Sal-nitral Vertues I am sure that a Man may make a better Meal with half a Penny-worth of Wheat-Flower made into Pap and half a Penny-worth of Bread to eat with it and a little Salt and be as strong brisk and able to perform any Labour as he that makes the best Meal he can with either Flesh or Fish So great is the Ignorance Folly Blindness false Opinion and Custom of those that call themselves the Learned Pray tell me what kind of Ignorance and Madness does possess the Poor Labouring Man that hath but Six Pence or One Shilling to buy Food for his whole Family and to lay it out in a Sheeps Head and Gethers or an Oxes Liver which is his whole Stock and the best Food that can be expected from it is a little Corrupt Broth or Putrified Pottage when with five times less charge in Flower he might have procured a far better Meal being made into Pap or Gruel with a little Bread and Salt It is also to be noted that those that live on Corn Food have not occasion to drink Strong or Cordial Drinks as those that eat Flesh and Fish the first being more spiriâ—uous and warming the last Cold Phlegmatick and Gross and harder of Concoction 'T is likewise observable that half the quantity of Wine or strong Drink will exhillerate a Man that lives on CornFood to as high a degree as double the quantity will those that feed on Flesh c. which is a good Argument that Corn Food affords the cleanest and finest Nourishment and breeds the best Blood and Humours the Spirits being as it were always upon the Wing and consequently apter to be moved The Complexion of Fish and Flesh is Cold and Phlegmatick but whilst living they are for the most part of a hot lively-brisk Temperament each according to its Nature and the Food they live on But when the great Powers of Life are destroyed by the baneful stroak of the Butcher all the airy brisk Vertues bid the Corpâ— adue and the whole Mass becomes a lump of a sad Melancholick Nature and Operation what Notions soever some have to the contrary The True and most Natural Method of Preparing the forementioned Pottage Gruels and Paps made of Flower Pease c. TAke one Ounce of Wheatâ— flower which is a small Spoonful make a Point of Water near boyling hot temper your Flower with 3 or 4 Spoonfuls of cold Water then stir it into your hot Water keep it stirring on your Fire till it boyls up then it is at the thickest and is compleatly prepared add some Salt and a few crums of Bread letting it stand till it be almost cold this makes an excellent Meal for any Child from five or six years of Age to ten or twelve Or you may make it thus Take an Onion cut it 〈◊〉 boyl it in your Water a few minutes then add your temper'd Flower as before seasoning it with Salt and some Crums of Bread this eats very pleasant and is very satisfactory to the Stomach Onions are very wholsom in Pottages and Gruels they naturally warm and open the Obstructions of the Brest and Ureters and are not prejudicial to the Head nor Eyes when temperately used Another TAke two Ounces of Flower beaten or mixed with cold Water stir this into one Pint and a half of hot Water till it boyls up adding Salt and a little Bread and those that have no Bread may boyl an Onion in the Water before the Flower is put in this eaten makes a brave noble Exhillerating Meal for a Man which costs little more than one Farthing notwithstanding Corn is at such a high Price after this manner you may make what quantity you please thicker or thinner as it agrees best with you thick is best for strong Healthy People and for such as Labour thin is more advantagious for sick People or such as are troubled with foul Stomachs and obstructed Ureters a mean or middle sort is most proper for those that are of a soft Imployment or live a Sedentary Life Oatmeal Pottage TAke a Quart of Water make it boyling hot then take a large Spoonful of small or ground Oatmeal or somewhat better than a Spoonful temper it with cold Water then set it on your Fire till it begins to boyl up then brew it again and it is done add Salt and a little Bread letting of it stand till it be almost cold with this alone a Man may make as good a Meal as with all the Varities the four Elements afford for it renders the common Eater thereof strong lively and healthful Or you make it thus if it be for a Meal without other things make your Water boyling hot then take an Onion and some Pot-Herbs let your Herbs and Onions boyl a little time in your Water before you brew or stir the tempered Oatmeal after which you must stir your Oatmeal in till it boyl up or begins to boyl then it is done adding Salt and Bread this a most pleasant and wholsome Pottage and very nourishing but such as loves it plain may have it so and others that will have it with Pot-Herbs without an Onion may please themselves it 's a brave Food whether with or without Herbs But give me leave to tell you that for such as live only on such Flowered or