and governeth all things 313. That happy Man that doth live in and under the Divine Will and is governed by the Light and Love of Jesus Christ hath no strife about nor in Religion because in all things he hath resigned his Will unto Gods Will Countenances and Commends that which is good in all Men let their Form or Worship or Religion be what it will 314. Let no outward Opinion Form or Ceremony separate thee from having Union with thy Neighbour nor Meats nor Drinks nor any thing but Evil. 315. For there is nothing Recommends Man unto his Maker but Obedience to the Requirements of his Holy Spirit or Divine Principle of his Light and Love which leads all its Followers into Innocency and Concord 316. God is Love and he that loveth not his Neighbour whom he daily Communicates with cannot love God as the Scriptures of Truth do testify for Man is Gods Image 317. Remember that whatsoever Offence or Evil thou dost to thy Neighbour is also a Sin against God 318. There is no outward Religion or Form of Worship has power to reinvest Man again in his first Original State but only Faith in the Lord Jesus Love Humility and Obedience unto the Commands of the Lord and a peaceable innocent walking with his Neighbour 319. Therefore when thou considerest the varieties of Religion and Forms that Men do worship God in be sure to embrace that which tends most to the Glory of God and the good of thy Fellow Creatures and which most exalts Innocency and Well-doing for God will not be Invoked with Lip-service only and outward Ceremonies most of which hides the purer Pearl in the Rubbish of Formality and Hypocrisie 320. Above all things entertain and nourish good Thoughts for serious Thoughts and Meditations concerning our holy Creator are fed and increased by Divine Power and Understanding and kindles the Life of Love so that it longeth and continually hungreth after God and the teachings of his Spirit 321. Christ is the true Touchstone to the knowledge of things Divine and the Corner Stone to all Spiritual Buildings consider therefore in all thy ways whether thy Words and Actions do enter out of Love into Love and whether the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding be sought and desired 322. Remember that all Strife about the Divine Will of God whereby Men do despise one another though it may cover it self with a Mantle of Zeal doth yet in truth proceed from Self-hood and Pride for the Wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God 323. Such Disputations and Contentions do generally or for the most part arise from outward Reasonings vain Imaginations and Custom for if Men dwelleth in Innocency and willeth with his Creator what need he dispute about that which he enjoys and possesseth 324. Men ought in friendly sort to confer together and offer one another their Gifts and refined Knowledge in Love to try all things and hold fast that which is good and not to stand so stiff in their own Opinions as if they could not Err. 325. Man ought to consider what a mighty strong Enemy he hath within himself which continually suggesteth strange Thoughts and Apprehensions concerning God and his Will which often occasions Men to insult over one another whence Sects Parties and Factions about Religious Matters do arise 326. He that contends furiously about Religion 't is to be feared has no true Religion at all and that will force others to bow to his poor narrow Thoughts touching such sublime Mysteries gives a great sign that he neither knows God Nature nor himself nor has felt the Operation of the Divine Dove like Spirit of Peace in his Mind 327. 'T is certain all these Reasonings Disputes and Contentions about the differing Modes of Religion and outward Formalities must be left behind us like Elisha's Hair Mantle in the Wilderness of this World and the Will and all the properties of the Soul and Life must turn it self again unto God out of whom it proceeded and forsake all vain Imaginations and Lusts or else he can never come to the Divine and Beautifying Vision 328. Remember also that all such Strife and Alterations about the Testaments of Christ do arise in Mans Heart for want of Love and the Divine sight or skill in the Heavenly Mysteries which cannot be any otherwise obtained but only by turning the Will and Thoughts unto God by Temperance and Self-denial Innocency and Regeneration which is the true Eye-salve that clears the inward sight of the Understanding 329. As the great Eye of the Material World or Sun doth with its glorious friendly Beams and sweet Influences penetrate all outward Things and Bodies and fills them with its good Vertues whereby they are generated grow and increase and become useful and most pleasant The like but in a more sublime and mysterious manner is to be understood of the holy Spirit and Light of Jesus Christ viz. he animateth cherishes and governs all that doth resign their Wills unto his Sovereign Government over both Soul and Body and all Evil Inclinations and by its friendly and gracious Influences makes them grow and become pleasant Fruit in the Paradise of God and a right Branch on the good Vine in which Heavenly State God and Man are united and God dwells in this Spiritualized Man as the Sun dwelleth by its Influences in Fruits and Plants and maketh them fragrant and ripe for glory 330. For as the Material Heavens and Caelestial Bodies do by their Influences penetrate this gross lower World and all things therein giving them vertue and power so Christ penetrates the Converted Soul by his inward ruling power and resisteth the vain Lusts Wrath Violence and all other Evils that the Earthly Man is subject to 331. A Christian in all his ways must have three Guides Truth Charity and Wisdom Truth to go before him Charity and Wisdom on either side if any of the three be absent he wanders out of the way or stumbles You shall see some do hurt by following even Truths uncharitably and others whilst they would salve up a dangerous Error with Love have failed in their Wisdom and offended against Justice A Charitable Untruth and an Uncharitable Truth and an unwise management of Truth or Love are all to be avoided by him that would go with a right foot in the narrow way 332. Of making many Books there is no end saith the Wise Man but above all others Books of Quarrels and Controversies are apt to have no end for number as well as no good end or scope and effect upon either the Writers or the Readers 333. In all Disputes look how much there is of Passion so much there of is nothing to the purpose the eager Contenders raiseth such dust as puts out his own Eyes whilst he think to choke the Party he opposeth 334. Such violent Contemners works as for the most part they begin their Clamors without cause so they manage them without either Reason
and the Good will work forth its own Nature 414. The Good praiseth the Good and Evil exalteth the Evil. 415. All Creatures praiseth God except Man because they have kept his Law 416. The Fire the Air the Earth the Water and all their numerous off-springs do with one voice continually sing Hallalujahs unto their Creator 417. Consider the wonderful variety of Fruits Grains Seeds and Herbs and how they all praise the Lord in silence and thrusts forth their Virtues in Corcord 418. He that delights himself in violence and oppresseth the Creatures dishonoureth his Maker and perverts his way in Nature and makes his Creation groan 419. Consider what the Good is and its Nature and know for a Truth that all Violence and Oppression is as contrary to it as Light is to Darkness 420. Consider the wonderful Power of God and that he hath made all that Man might through all and by all know the Holy Creator and himself whose Image he bears 422. Note that it is the greatest Evil in the World not to know God for he that knoweth not his Maker knoweth not himself 423. He that knoweth God and the things that are becomes Divine whilst he lives in the Body 424. The Soul of Man hath a fiery Original but the Spirit of the Soul is friendly and of a Divine Nature and is that Holy Spark of Light that shines into and enlightens the Soul 425. The Soul being of the Nature of the Father but the Spirit of the Soul is of the Sons Property which does by its bright Beams enlighten the dark Father and by its friendly Influences moderates the fiery harshness of the Soul 426. The Soul thorough the friendly Power of the Divine Principle if it turn its Will thereinto may obtain Regeneration and be made better but worse it cannot 427. The Soul of Man is from that Principle in which God called himself a jealous God and a consuming Fire which thorough Disobedience to the pure Spirit or voice of Wisdom did and do to this day joyn it self with the Evil which Christ came to seek and to Save 428. That which is Divine cannot sin nor consent to any Evil but it is the Soul that hath falâ— and sinned against God viz. The Divine Principle 429. The Soul in its own Nature is fierce whose Ground is from the first Principle but the Spirit of the Soul is its Light or Sun which doth shine back into and replenish its harsh Father a true similitude we have in the outward Fire which is in its Original of a fierce harsh consuming Nature but its Sun which this harshness and fierceness do Generate viz. The Light is of a most pleasant friendly amiable quality and refreshing nature affording a good Essence 430. But if there were not Fire there would be no Light or at least the Light would not be manifest unto its self 431. The happiness of all Souls is to dwell in the Light and to become one with it and not in the Fire or in its own Principle or Nature 432. The true Joy of Man's Soul is to live in the Power of the Light but if there were but one Thing then there could be no manifestation or if there was no Sorrow Joy would not be known unto it self 433. Behold the whole Created Being with the Eyes of Understanding and then thou will see and find a Good and Evil in all things in Animals Vegetables and Minerals Also Sweet Sowerness Light and Darkness Heaven and Hell Father and Son which two grand Fountains do continually contend in each Thing and Creature for Victory which since the Fall of the Angels and Man the evil Properties or Principle have gotten the upper Dominion which do mightily hide or captivate all the friendly Paradisical Virtues in each Creature and Thing 434. Seeing then that all things have an Evil and Good in them how necessary is it for Men to joyn or choose the things that are most innocent and fâ—eest from the wrath or fierceness in Meats in Drinks Words and Works because the Essences of each Thing do in a secret and most powerful manner by simile incorporate with the Human Nature and according to their Natures increase and strengthen their like Properties 435. Hearken therefore unto the Divine Principle which is the Light of all Souls and the true living Virtue in all Things 436. The Soul of Man is liable to be made Evil by many things viz. by Sorrow Grief Pleasure Pain and many more But to be made Good but by one viz. The Holy Light and Love of Jesus Christ. 437. Also by Meats Drinks Communications Words and Works which do darken and put the Eye of the Mind out 438. The Divine Principle or Holy Light is the pure sweet friendly Power and Essential Virtue in all things especially in the Human Nature but thorough Sin most hid or captivated it 439. None are made partaker of the true Knowledge of God and his Holy Mysteries in Nature but only such as addict themselves to Innocency and Self-denial 440. Those that see but the least spark of the Good and are made partakers thereof do count the State of Man in this World poor low and miserable 441. He that would know Divine Things and understand the highest Good must as it were hate the Body and all Beastial Inclinations for no Man can equally enjoy both 442. Light and Darkness is set before every Man and as a prise the one is as near as the other and the Will of the Soul is free and which soever it enters into unto that he becomes a Subject 443. Consider the wonderful Power of the Soul if it be enlightned by the true Spirit of Wisdom it can then in the Wisdom do all things as it ought to Gods Praise and its own Comfort 444. Consider that the use of mean simple Meats Drinks Cloathing Household stuff and Furnitures are great friends unto Mens Souls it cuts off Covetousness in the Bud frees the Body from great Labours and Cares also from Suspition Passion Sorrow and most kinds of Evil. 445. For no Man will be so concern'd or angry with his Servant for loosing or breaking a wooden Spoon as for a Silver the like is to be understood in all other things 446. Look not therefore on the Rich and Mighty and what they do but what 's honest and sutable to Natures wants 447. Moderation and meaness in Meats Drinks Cloathing and Furniture will in a manner prevent the many troubles and wants that attends most Families 448. He that does know the true Virtue of mean things will never desire the trouble of getting of the Needles Trifles Nothing being more pleasant than to imitate Nature 449. If thou wouldst enjoy Health and Strength in old Age live soberly in Youth and visit not the shades of Venus too often for the secretly wounds her Lovers with incurable Diseases 450. The Original of most Mans Grief and continual Trouble is his suffering his Will and Desire to
wander after many things most of which are not needful nor natural 451. Consider that the often Tilling and Dunging of Land especially with Soil that proceeds from variety of Creatures both Dead and Living do as it were suffocate or wound the pure falniteral Virtues and sweet Qualities of such Earth and in all particulars endues the Fruits with those Ranciâ— Properties which the Dung did in it self contain and convey thereunto 452. The like holds Good in the Human Earth or Nature and indeed in a far higher Degree for all Foods do as it were consist of Body and Soul that is of a gross and of a spirituous Property the First answers to our Bodies and the finer or spiritous Parts to our Spirits and each from each receives its Aliment respectively for from clean Meats and Drinks is generated well tempred Blood and of the goodness of that the Spirits depends in a great measure the Dispositions Inclinations Words Works and Actions for their Essences do not depart 453. Great are the Powers of Meats and Drinks which if understood together with the secret Sympathetical Operation of Things Men would more desire and endeavour after mean simple Food and Drinks than they do 454. Temperance is a Divine Gift and the Foundation of all Wisdom and right Knowing is within a Mans Self 455. Sobriety and Self-Denial do always fortifie the observers thereof against many Evils and prepares the Mind to be the Temple of God 456. All the Prophets and Holy Seers as Moses and Elias who through Temperance and the great benefit of clean Foods Moses could guide his Body as if he had been a Spirit and made his Face to shine 457. Those that would preserve the Body and Mind in Health ought by simple Innocent Meats and Drinks preserve their Spirits potent which cannot be done but by Temperance and Cleanness 458. The Prophet Daniel and his Companions was sensible of the great Power and good Virtue of clean Meats and Drinks when they were threatned with the Kings Displeasure if they would not Eat of the various sorts of Meats that came from the Kings Table but they contented themselves with Fruits and Grains and pure Water for Drink 459. Was not the Sobriety and Cleanness of the Racobites well pleasing to the Lord in that they had Faithfully observed the Commandment of their Fathers as to Moderation that Ionadah should never want a Man to stand before the Lord. 460. Did not the Prophet Iohn content himself with Locust and wild Honey which our Saviour Christ saith That there was not a greater Prophet Born of a Woman 461. And Iames the Brother of our Saviour was eminent for his Sobriety and Abstinence as Eusebius Reports He Eat no Flesh Drank no Wine nor strong Drink and wore no Woollen Garments 462. Was not the Mother of Sampson commanded by the Angel of the Lord to abstain from Wine and strong Drink during the time of her being with Child and so was Sampson her Son who the Lord indued with great Strength which continued with him so long as he observed the Rules of Temperance and Simplicity 463. Temperance Cleanness and Abstinence have wonderful Power to preserve both Soul and Body none can be sensible of the excellent Virtues thereof but such only as live in the practice 464. Some of the Wise Antients have delivered it as a Maxim That none could understand God and his Works and enjoy perfect Health of the Body and Mind but those that abstain from Flesh Wine and Vices 465. Know for a Truth that there is no other way to preserve the most pure friendly principle of God in Man but only by Temperance Cleanness Gentleness and to avoid Passions 466. For the Divine Light and Guide of Mankind cannot nor will not endure any kind of Violence or Oppression without great prejudice it is in its own Nature so tender gentle meek and friendly all Passions Cares Perturbations violent motions of the Body Covetousness Intemperance in Meats or Drinks either in quality or quantity robust Imployments evil Communications or too often visiting the Shades of Venus or any other irregular motion either of the Body or Mind do powerfully oppress violate keep under and hinder the operation of this bonus Genius or good Principle of Gods Love and Light which is the true quallifier and moderator of the harsh dark or evil Nature in all Things as well as in Man 467. The very same is to be understood in all Vegitatives Animals and Minerals the Virtue and good Power in every thing is so meek friendly and aimable that it will not endure any harsh motion or violent Operation without manifest prejudice as is most clear in all preparations both of Food and Physick the best Properties in all Things do suffer first by reason of its Meakness 468. It is very easie in all preparations of Food and Physick to evaporate suffocate or wound the good Virtues in a thing and increase harshness but very haâ—d and difficult to advance the Divine Principle or Properties and on the other side abate or moderate the dark harsh Properties 469. For the harsh Bitterness or dark Form are the Root viz. the first and last in all Things therefore the strong fixed power of the Salts property cannot be destroyed in any thing being a branch of the Original as witness Lott's Wife being precipitated into a Pillar of Salt that is into the original dark Principle for she looked back that is into the Root 470 But the Sons property or Holy Light which is generated out and from all the Powers of the Father do shine back into all the Powers of the Father and enlighten them that they become joyful which is the Holy Glance or Light or Divine Principle and good Power in all Things which Mankind ought to have regard unto and to chuse unto himself all those things that stands in the nearest Affinity with it 471. This principle as is said before is mild meek and most full of all Virtue and Divine Power therefore all things both in the Animal Vegitable and Mineral Kingdom that stand in their quallifying and operation nearest equallity and are most simple meek and friendly all such Things are the nearest and most agreeing to this Divine thing in Man 472. For this very Cause the Holy Prophets and Philosophers in all Ages have so much recommended the most innocent simple Meats Drinks Exercises Imployments and Communications for all such things stands nearest unto the simple meek Principle of Gods Love in Mans Heart and they do powerfully stir up and increase their likeness both in the Body Soul and Spirit and have far greater power to excite the good than the unseeing can apprehend the like is to be understood of their contraries Good begets Goodness and Vertue and the Evil begets Evilness and Vice 473. Consider the great care and trouble Men do take in the getting of Money even to the hazard of Body and Soul which when obtained do very frequently
Strangers but Love and do good even to thy Enemies for otherwise thou doest but usurp not deserve the Name of a Christian 11. Lye not for Gain nor never let Interest so byass thy Understanding and Mind as Justice cannot stand upright 12. Give the Lord Praises for all things because he is the Fountain of all things 13. Boast not of thy own Acts though thou dost exceed in Arts or Sciences but consider whatever thou canst do more then thy Neighbour is the Gift of the Lord and not thine be not therefore proud of that which is none of thy own 14. Know that Satisfaction is the greatest Riches and Content the only thing that makes Men Happy 15. A little supports Natures Wants but the whole World cannot satisfie a Wantons Desires 16. Think not therefore those only Happy that have great Possessions for as little supplies the real Necessities of a King as of a Begger 17. Riches and Honour will not satisfie the Mind and Soul of Man because there is no simile between them every thing must have its own Food or else that groans and dies that which is Incorporeal must have Incorporeal Food 18. For as the wants of Nature cannot be enlarged equal to Mens Riches so neither can their Pleasures be augmented without doing Nature an injury 19. Riches are commonly snares therefore rather to be shunned then greedly sought after except it be to do good and to support â—he poor and needy 20. What advantage is it for a Man to be worth 10000 l. per Annum except he could Eat and Drink proportionably and lengthen â—ut all sensible Pleasures accordingly and if he could it would but make him the more a Beast and render him uncapable of enjoying the true Pleasures in this World and Eternity 21. Therefore always entertain in thy Microcosmical Castle those three grand Friends of Mankind Humility Patience and Temperance 22. Whenever you Eat or Drink Do it saith Wisdom in Remembrance of me that is fear my Name and submit to the guidance of my Spirit who will teach the Sons of Wisdom all things necessary 23. Desire not variety of Meats nor Drinks for fear the Soul be overwhelmed in the dark Clouds of Wrath and Sorrow 24. Eat not to dullness for that is a token of Gluttony and a forerunner of Diseases 25. Delight not in Meats and Drinks that are too strong for Nature but always let Nature be stronger then your Food 26. Prolong not the Pleasures of the Palat by improper mixtures or wanton Sauces beyond the necessities of the Stomach for whatsoever is superfluously received is a burden to Nature and the Seed-Plot of Diseases 27. Eat not before your former Food be concocted if you would avoid Crudities and varieties of Distempers 28. Moderate Fasting is a most excellent Physician both for the Body and Mind 29. Do not Eat or Drink any thing that is hotter then your Blood except in a Physical way for fear lest you infect the Fountain of Life with a Scorbutick Humour 30. Apply your selves to Wisdom that you may find out the right proportion of Meats and Drinks and observe weight and measure in both 31. Observe proper times of Eating viz. 8 or 9 in the morning and 3 or 4 afternoon 32. Let your Food be simple and Drinks innocent and learn of Wisdom and Experience how to prepare them aright 33. Delight not your selves with ill Customs rather suspect all that you see commonly practised for the multitude is the Master of Errors and the Tutor of Fools 34. Moderate Hunger cleanseth all the Vessels of the Stomach makes the Spirits brisk and puts new thoughts into the Soul rendring a Man fit to give the Lord Thanks for all his Blessings 35. Remember that in all your preparations of Food that you preserve the most subtle Essential parts for after the gross Body is opened and digested the purer Spiritual Vertues are on the Wing and apt to evaporate and will suffer violence if Care be not taken 36. Note that all Meats and Drinks do awaken nourish and beget their similes in the Body and their Essences never depart but are Incorporated and become Essential 37. For the Blood Spirit Sences Dispositions Inclinations and whole Complexion of the Body and Faculties of the Soul becomes better or worse according to the Nature Simplicity or the Contrary of Meats and Drinks which is most clear and manifest in the Milk of Cows Butter Cheese Flesh and Herbs the Goodness and the Contrary is according to the Food and all Herbage as the Land is better or worse and Compost laid thereon 38. Observe to take Food proper for every Season for Winter requires stronger harder and more drier Food than the Summer as also more Succulent the Spring Foods of a middle Nature in the Summer let your Foods be light of digestion as various sorts of Milk Meats Gruels Herbs Bread and Butter Bread and Oyl Bread and Raisons and the like and have a care of your Health in August September and November especially as to quantity and quality for then is most danger of Sickness and Surfeits 39. Refrain at all times such Foods as cannot be procured without violence and oppression 40. For know that all the inferior Creatures when hurt do cry and send forth their Complaints to their Maker or grand Fountain whence they proceeded 41. Be not insensible that every Creature doth bear the Image of the great Creator according to the Nature of each and that he is the Vital Power in all things 42. Therefore let none take pleasure to offer violence to that Life lest he awaken the fierce wrath and bring danger to his own Soul 43. But let Mercy and Compassion dwell plentifully in your Hearts that you may be comprehended in the friendly Principle of Gods Love and Holy Light 44. Be a friend to every thing that 's Good and then every thing will be a friend to thee and co-operate for thy good and welfare 45. Refrain all manner of Robustick Sports and Plays for fear of being precipitated into wrath and violence 46. Give no place to Idleness but use Lawful and Innocent Exercises 47. Forbear Riding except it be on necessity but use Walking and going on Foot for such Exercises do propagate Health Strength and Agility of Body and Mind 48. Refrain Hunting Hawking Shooting and all violent oppressive Exercises and instead thereof spend your spare time in Gardening Planting and Cultivating the Earth which will afford both an innocent Pleasure and Profit to Body and Mind 49. Lend not an Ear to Tale-bearers nor please your selves with the Company of Backbiters for they are great Evils and hard to be Cured 50. By Abstinency a Man can extinguish Exorbitant Desires as a raging Fire is abated by withdrawing of Fuel 51. Therefore when your Inclinations leads you to any Evil or that which is contrary to Reason and Temperance put a period forthwith thereunto by a firm Resolution and Promise not to communicate with such things
Art thou a Man of an Estate remember that thou art but Gods Stewart therefore do good to the Needy and let thy Farms such a Pennyworth that thy Tenants may comfortably live and pay thy Rent with chearfulness of Heart so will their Souls bless thee and thou shalt be rich both in Time and Eternity 249. Art thou a Husbandman or Farmer then shew mercy and compassion to all thy Servants and also to thy Beasts by whose Labour thou art sustained and thy Fields shall be fruitful for Mercy powerfully attracts the Divine Bounty and sweet Influences of God and his Handmaid Nature 250. Art thou an Heir or dost thou Inherit an Estate gotten by thy Forefathers by Wars and Manslaughter or any other kind of Injustice Fraud or Violence remember Gehuzie's Leprosie sticks thereunto and the Curse is near thee wherefore do not rest nor call it thy Right before thou hast made Retalliation or Restitution either to those from whom it was taken or if they were not known then by giving most part of it to the Poor seeing it is the effects of Violence and the utter ruine of many Hundreds of poor distressed People that never offended thee nor thy Forefathers fail not to make satisfaction 251. Maids and Women that are subject to Fumes Vapours and Headach will do well to forbear most sorts of fat Succulent Foods or of hard Concoction and particularly all baked Foods as Pudding Pye Crust and likewise strong hard stale or bitter Drinks 252. Sudden Frights Surprizes Excess of Joy Fear Love Hate Sorrow are very injurious to them 253. If your Stomachs be obstructed or furred eat Bread and Water-gruel sometimes with Herbs without Butter Sugar or Fruit or skimm'd Milk and Bread which will carry the offending Matter downwards and disburden Nature 254. Nothing hurts Nature more then too great a quantity of Food for it powerfully â—â—â—ds fumes up into the Head and generates 〈◊〉 in all the Body so do all Foods preperâ—d by Fire if eaten hot 255. Accustom your self to eat cold Foods espâ—câ—â—lly in moderate Seasons 256. All sorts of Wines are pernicious to the Female Sex except allayed with Water and yet more mischievous are all Brandies or other Spirituous Liquors made by Distillation 257. For all Women should remember that their Natural Heats are much weaker then Mens and therefore they ought to use double the Care and Temperance in the Conduct of their Lives as to Meats and Drinks Passions and Exercises and the like 258. The same Rules Mothers and Nurses ought to observe in their Diet for Children if they would have them healthy 259. Observe that all Foods contain three forms properties or qualities viz. a strong harsh poysonous Fire either cold or hot which in all things is the Root of Life and Motion 2dly A most pure friendly property which is sweet Oyly and Balsamick a Moderater or an allayer of all harshness and astringency 3dly A phlegmy gross Body which do cover hide or contain in its Bowels the other two the Holy Trinity is manifested in all the three Kingdoms of the Human Nature which is a most wonderful Mystery 260. But in some things or Foods the Fathers property in the Fire is most potent and then such are of a harsh bitter hot or poysonous Spirit and phlegmatick Body and of strong gross taste and smell subject to Corruption and therefore such Foods ought in a special manner to be avoided and of that fort are most Flesh and Fish as having lost all its pure Vertues and Spirits by Deaths baneful Stroke 261. For since every sort of Food begets its likeness and awakens respectively their own properties in the Body Spirits and Soul their essences never departs but incorporates themselves with the Lifes Spirits therefore all innocent simple Foods as Herbs Seeds Grains and Fruits do best suit and agree with harmless innocent People 262. All inclinations to Meats and Drinks do arise from that property that is most strongly awakened or has got the chief dominion in the Lifes Spirit 263. Thus all Beasts desires a Food proportionable to their Natures as Dogs Bears Lyons one sort and Cowes and Horses another 264. The same is to be understood in Men every thing does naturally and powerfully though as it were in an insensible way attract unto it self such Food or Matter as is capable to nourish its own Body therefore it is said by the Illuminated Moses that Adam and Eve were betrayed by eating and undoubtedly if Adam had continued in Innocency then innocent Food would have satisfied him 265. Can any thing be more unjust or unreasonable not to do as thou desirest to be done unto thou desirest the Lord to forgive thee then do thou the like to thy Neighbour 266. Thou desirest to enjoy thy peace and freedom in the worship of God then deny not thy Neighbour the like Priviledges 267. Consider that thou hast but a little while to live in this World and that there must be an account given of all things 268. Think what it is to lie on thy Death-Bed when all the pleasure of Life withdraw themselves and bid thee Eternally adieu 269. Then thou wilt be left alone though thou wert Lord over millions nor can any force of Armed Men defend thee from that Mortal Stroke 270. When all thy Acquaintance shall fly from thee as if they were frighted and then thou must pass into the Melancholy Shades and enter upon unchangeable Eternity where none of thy great Men or Lovers can help thee 271. Fear thy Creator therefore and do good in this time of thy Pilgrimage that thou mayest have Treasures in the World to come for none can help thee but only the great Iehovah 272. Wait at the Altar of the Lord and pray that he would open the Gates of Wisdom unto thee 273. For Wisdom and Understanding is in the secret Chamber and not amongst the Multitude 274. Remember that God is to be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth therefore let not forms or outward modes of Worship make divisions between thee and thy Neighbour provided he be a good Man that is one that fears God and loves his Neighbour and doth good for evil 275. Be not offended because another Man is not like thee for God is not offended at such unlikeness but our making our selves unlike him by Sin who hath made no two things altogether alike in the World and we are all the works of his Hands 276. And most true it is that the Lord hath made all Men to differ and vary as much in their Minds Inclinations Dispositions and Understandings as in their outward face of Body or Compleâ—iâ—n 277. Give 〈◊〉 allowance to all People that are 〈…〉 and educated amongst Turks 〈◊〉 or other Religions that are strange to 〈◊〉 considering that if thou hadst been educated there thou wouldst have been as they and 〈◊〉 otherwise 278. Therefore without despising or hateing them bless God that he hath more mercifully disposed of thee under greater
Light and Means of Knowledge 279. God loveth and preserveth all his Creatures do tâ—ou imitate him 280. God is no respecter of Persons endeavour to be like him 281. Be sober and patient and then be assured that all things shall work together for thy good 282. Endeavour to keep thy Instrument in Tune that thy hidden Lute may Harmonize both in the Day and in the Night 283. Temperance generates good Blood and fine Spirits whence proceeds calm and equal Inclinations and Dispositions with good Words and Works 284. It is the very foundation of all Virtue and the parent of Humanity and Charity it attracts the good out of all Things and potently resists the Evil. 285. It is the Mother of Pity Compassion and Mercy gives the opportunity of time and mature Consideration opposing all Passions and irregular Inclinations 286. It is the only Friend of Charity and Enemy of Wantonness the Nurse of Plenty and the very radix of a sound and healthy Generation 287. It eases the Body from hard and sore Labours the Mind from carking Cares and Perturbations 288. It makes the Poor Man Rich and enables the Rich to employ their Substance to the Ends for which God intrusted them therewith 289. As it was Intemperance that shut the Gates of Paradice against Man so Temperance and Order are the only Keys that opens them and establisheth him again in Innocence and well-Doing 290. For Temperance brings Man again near unto his first Innocent Estate and fits him to live again in the Garden of Pleasure amongst the innocent Herbs and Fruits and prepares him for the Consummation of Happiness in the Coelestial Paradice 291. Know for a certainty that no Man can understand and see into the Mysteries of the outward Principle or the Nature of Things but only by the inward Eye and Gift of God 292. For can any know the true Nature and Operation of any one Thing but by a continued Practise and Experience thereof 293. For Example Wouldst thou know the true Virtue and particular Operation of Bread then Eat that only for a Month with Drink viz. Ale 294. Wouldst thou take Food in a Physical way to open and cleanse thy Body and its Passages or to prevent or help great Costiveness or hard binding of the Body Bread and Drink only for 3 or 4 Weeks will bravely cleanse and open some Bodies 295. Bread and boiled Herbs of various sorts Eaten only with Salt without Butter will do the same in others for they open and loosen the Belly more powerfully than the former 298. Bread and raw Milk Eaten for a Month or Oyl and Bread will do it in some People 297. Bread and Raisons Eaten for a Week two or three without other Foods will effect it in others 298. Therefore let every one make Trial what agrees best with his particular Constitution and follow the same for some competent time that he may judge not rashly but from Experience 299. There is nothing in the World can do us good but God and therefore give up thy Will unto the guidence of his Holy Spirit 300. Should Hell its self shoot all its Fiery Darts against us if our Wills be Right that is if it be informed by and conformed unto the Divine Will they then can do us no hurt 301. God will not hurt us nor wicked Men nor Devils cannot hurt us if we will nothing but Gods Will. 302. Therefore by imbracing the Holy Principle and hearkning to the Voice of Wisdom walking in the Paths of Innocency with Temperance Sobriety Purity and doing all the Good we can to all and avoiding Evil and Violence to any of the Creation Let us endeavour to have our Wills enlarged to the extent of Gods own Will and give way unto the Influences of his Holy Spirit so shall we escape the Snares of the Evil one and pass with safety through the Evil day enjoying Happiness both here and hereafter 303. No Man can stand in a certain State of Virtue except the Soul thorough Divine Sight and the power of the Will re-enter and continue in the Centre whence it proceeded 304. The Soul is sprung from the Father of all Beings and the true Spirit of the Soul from Gods Word and Holy Will in the second Principle or Sons Property and therefore its real Establishment must be in its first Ground viz. In the second Principle of Light and Love without being Centered there iâ— runs to and through in mere uncertainty and spends its days altogether in Vanity and Vexation 305. The true cause of all Violence and Oppression is also of all Strife and fierce disputing about God and his Will and Worship is because Mens Understandings hath departed from its right Center and the Properties of his Soul are entred into Discord and Inequality viz. from the guidance of Godâ— Word into the Beastial Life where the Wilâ— and all the Imaginations through the Sence do act in Self-Lust and Creaturely Speculation without Divine sight 306. Understand that the human Life and all Things in this visible Universe is an out-flowing of the great Power of God therefore the Soul ought to re-enter and continuâ— in the Divine Principle of Gods Light and Love and not enter with its Will into Beastiallity for if it do it presently looseth the Divine Sight and Power and Self-Knowledge gets the Dominion which do darken the truâ— Pearl of Understanding 307. Self-hood and outward Learning cannot see into nor apprehend the Divine Mysteries neither material nor immaterial Beings the first being but the out-flowing forming or Figure of the last nor can the outward Reason with all its Learning and Philosophy comprehend them until the Soul and Will do re-enter into the Divine out-flowing Will of the Lord which makes all Things manifest 308. Whatsoever imagineth or willeth contrary to the Holy Principle or Word that made all Things such are captivated in the Babilonical Reasoning part and cannot see into the intrinsick value of any Thing 309. The Soul of Man hath its Original from the Lord and is therefore Immortal and Everlasting and for this Cause it cannot rest or 〈◊〉 satisfied without injoying him though it were possest of or vested with the greatest Treasures of this World and the more it 〈◊〉 seeks for Satisfaction in the Things of 〈◊〉 World the further it is off from its true Mother and the necessary State of Regeneration 310. Strife and Contention about Religion and the Divine Mysteries are for the most part unprofitable and proceeds from Self-Perceptibility 311. For there cannot be any Comprehension true Understanding or Knowledge of God nor a Mans own Nature except Man do with earnestness enter in Self-Denial which is the right Path that leads towards the new Birth 312. Reason must forsake its Self and live no longer in Contention but sink down into the Center out of which it is departed that so it may be a Dwelling or Temple for God wherein the Divine Will and friendly Love of God worketh
wonderful Beings in the intellectual internal World of which this outward is but a Similitude and the reason why we cannot comprehend or see the Angels is because our outward Eyes are Earthy and not sublime enough to perceive Spiritual Essences every Eye sees no farther then into its own radix 391. Note that the Sence Sees Hears Smells Tastes and Feels all visible and sensual and elimental Things as being its Mother whence these sensual Powers have proceeded 392. But the Eye of the good Mind or Spirit of the Soul when it is not beclouded by the forementioned sensual Properties and grosser Elements Sees Smells Tastes Feels and Hears the Intellectual and Angelical Beings 393. And therefore in time of Sleep when the outward gross Sences and Properties are stilled or as a Man may properly say Dead then the good Genius and Holy Angels have more freer recourse and communication with the Soul and Intellects and does reveal and foretell wonderful Things in Dreams which when the Body and Sences are awake they cannot do because their gross and external Eliments and Sences are powerful and do predominate and hide the intellectual Pearl 394. Nothing is a greater Magnet to attract good Angels and the communication of pure Spirits then Innocency and the Child-like Nature therefore it is said by our Saviour of Children Their Angels behold that Face of the Father 395. It was a witty and true Speech of the obscure Philosopher Heraclitus that all Men awake are in one common World but when we sleep each Man goes into a several World by himself which thô it be but a World of Fancies as to the outward Eliments and Sences nevertheless it is the true Image of the Little World which is in every Mans Heart for the Imaginations when the Sences are asleep do not only shew the present State of each Man's Soul and what Property do carry the upper Dominion but also what our Dispositions Complexions and Inclinations are waking and as many in their Dreams reveal those their Secrets to others which they would never have done awake so all may and do discover to themselves in their Sleep those Secret Inclinations which after much searching they could not have found out waking therefore we need not doubt but as God heretofore hath taught future things in Dreams so still he teacheth the present estate of the Heart this way some Dreams 't is true are from our Selves vain and idle like our selves others are Divine which teach us Good or moves us to Good and others Devilish which sollicits us to Evil for Man is fall'n into the Good and Evil Nature therefore let the Night teach us what we are and the Day what we should be so shall neither Night nor Day be spent unprofitably 396. Entertain Innocency and be not weary of well-doing but daily endeavour to increase in Self-denial Abstemiousness Temperance and Purity and to moderate the fierce wrathful Spirit by the Lambs Nature for light and darkness are near unto every Man 397. The evil Nature and wrathful Spirit cannot be any otherwise overcome but by the sweet friendly Nature and predominancy of the love and light of God in Jesus Christ for nothing can make the Wrath of the Father to bow but only the inshining light and satisfaction of the Son 398. But when Man gives himself up into the intire government of the Divine Principle or Gospel of the Son of God then is fulfilled that of Isaiah the Prophet the Wolf and the Lamb shall Feed together and the Lyon Eat Hay like an Ox and there is no killing or devouring no violence or oppression in all the Holy Mountain 399. All immoderations are Enemies as to Health so to Peace he that desires more wants as much as he that has nothing the Drunken-man is as Thirsty as the Sweating Traveller settle therefore thy Mind in Perswasion of the worthlessness of all outward Things hanker not after that which it may be thou canst never obtain and art sure not long to enjoy 400. A sincere Christian for the sweet Fruit he bares to God and Man is compared to the noblest of all Plants the Vine now as the most generous Vine if it be not Pruned runs out into many superfluous Branches and are apt like Ephraim of old to wax wanton if not cut short of their Desires and Pruned with Afflictions if it be Painful to Bleed 't is worse to Wither 't is better we should be Pruned to grow then cut up to burn 401. As there is one common end to all good Men to wit Salvation and one Author of it viz. Christ so there is but one way to it that is to say doing well and suffering evil bare and forbear abstain and sustain is the proper Motto of a Christian. 402. He that would obtain the Gift of Concord must content himself with mean Things for simplicity both in Meats Drinks Cloaths Houses Furniture Imployments Words and Works have a near affinity with the friendly Principle of Gods Love in Man 403. All things both Corporeal and Incorporeal do powerfully and sympathetically attract and incorporate with its likeness therefore mind well what thou joynest thy self unto 404. None can know nor understand the mystical and powerful Operations of God in both the inward and outward Nature of Things but such as abandon the ways of the many and enter with their Wills into the one 405. Remember thou dost Pennance when thou hast committed any Sin against God by abstaining from such things that was the occasion of the Evil. 406. That which thou seest the multitude so eagerly persue do thou do the contrary 407. When thou huntest oppressest or killest any of the Inferior Creatures which makes them Cry Sigh and Groan Consider from what Principle or Properties in thee such violent fierce Inclinations arise whether from the Right or Left hand of God 408. When any Creature is hurt it sends up its Sighs and Groans to its Creator even as Men do under Oppression every Creature flies unto his Fountain for safeguard from whence it proceeded for he is their Life and Well-being if any think otherwise the Truth is hid from their Eyes 409. Consider Death or the parting of the Body from the Soul and how unwilling all Creatures are to come unto that point The mercifull shall find mercy saith our Prophet 410. Look and behold the Sun the Glorious Eye of the World whose Beams and Living power is equally friendly unto all things whether they be Good or Evil as the Scriptures of Truth do testifie The Sun shines on the Iust and Vnjust imitate â—â—is Glorious Body Envy dwelleth not in the Tabernacle of the Lord. 411. There is not any thing that Man can do that is well-pleasing to his Maker if Unity and Concord be wanting 412. Mans Fall was his suffering Discord and Inequality to enter into his Soul and it is his Fall to this day but his Regeneration is Unity and Concord 413. Stand still and cease from Evil
and more applauded Crafts tend unto but either Violence Oppression and the Destruction of Men or to fraud and Cousenage or to Gluttony Drunkenness Luxury and Effeminacy or to Pride and Vanity 7. What kind of Property or Principle was that in Man which first invented and daily improves the use of Warlike Weapons to kill murther and destroy those of their own Kind as well as oâ—her inferior innocent Creatures that raked into the bowels of Hell for Brimstone Nitre Saltpetre to furnish them with Gunpowder and Studied the Art of Mining and Blowing up their natural Brethren by Hundreds at a blast Did not all such things originally arise from the Bottomless Pit that deep dark poysonous Abyss of Fierceness and Wrath And still from the same horrid Fountain do proceed all new Inventions that tend to the Destruction of Man wherein it may be observed that Christians have been more unhappily Ingenious than those they call Heathens which is much to be lamented though the latter have so far learnt of them that now they are grown no less expert in the mischievous uses of those Inventions and not seldom do therewith plague and destroy the Original Authors 8. From what Principle in Man did the Invention of Ships arise or what real Necessity was there for the same has the most merciful and bounteous Creator planted Man in any Country which does not afford sufficient to supply all the necessities of Nature For Did not those millions that inhabited those vast Regions since called America subsist without the Art of Navigation any further than meer Nature taught them for many Ages before Columbus could boast of discovering a new World how many have been swallowed up by the vast Ocean through means of Seafaring Attempts which seldom had better aim than either to Disquiet Conquer and Roâ— Innocent peaceable People or to obtain such things as are not at all needful but serve only to please the vanity of the multitude and procure Diseases 9. Considering the certain and inevitable danger that attends Navigation we may justly say that all things brought from remote parts by Seâ— are the price of Blood Now if a Prince cause a single Man to be put to Death or one privately kill another or if a Man hang or drown himself here on shoar then what a great deal of trouble it makes amongst the Relations and also the People which indeed when done by the Hands of Justice is much to be lamented that People should live so contrary to Human Society that there should be any kind of cause for killing of Human Creatures but there do daily many thousands expose their Lives in going to Sea to fetch superfluities that serve only to promote Vanity and Diseases and when they loose their Lives and perish through their own Folly and ill Conduct little or no notice is taken of it as in one Storm thousands of Men sink to the bottom of the Sea in their Ships laden with Spices Wines and the like which if they had brought to Land they nor no others could not have sustained their Hunger and Lives one Week but could have done abundance of hurt to the Eaters and Drinkers thereof 10. What Tongue or Pen can express the hazards the horrors the miseries that People expose themselves to in Tempests at Sea and to what purpose to fetch Wanton Men Pearls to hang at the Ears of their more Wanton Mistresses to bring Pepper to strew over our Cucumbers Mangoes for our Mutton or Claret Florence Wine Brandy and a thousand other Strong Liquors to Intoxicate our Gallants and make them spend their Means ruine their Healths shorten their Lives be mad quarrel kill one another and so to be hang'd for 't Certainly did our friendly courteous Women and nice Ladies and others pretending to Piety and Conscience consider all this they would not be so fond of these foreign Need-nots but rather be of David's mind touching the Water his Soldiers procured which he counted the price of Blood and though he had need of it yet he would not receive nor drink it 11. What Principle or Property in Man was it that first invented all Strong Intoxicated Drinks which do chiefly serve to destroy Mens Souls and Bodies Did not he that first invented the making of Wine commit one of the greatest Evils through Drunkenness which is still the grand cause and in-let of Adulteries Whoredom Murders Blasphemies and all kind of Diseases and Oppressions both of Body and Mind whence it is clear that this Invention did proceed from the Bitter Root 12. From whence did and do the daily Inventions Compositions and Preposterous mixtures of Foods proceed which merely serves to stupify the Intellectuals and distemper the Body with incurable Diseases doth not all such pernicious Inventions proceed and arise from the Poysonous Root as also all Plays Games Fine Cloaths Rich Furniture Stately Buildings as Pyramids and a thousand sorts of stately Structures of vast Charge invincible Labour and Hazards to those that build them Will any body say that such things are necessary to the Life and well-being of Man Are they not rather contrary to the Command of our Lord Having Food and Raiment be ye therewith content The Excellency of clean Foods especially of Bread 1. AS a Medicine drives its Qualities from the Ingrediencies as a Building is weak or strong according to the proportion of the materials and good Workmanship in joyning them together So Meats and Drinks whereby Men are nourished and sustained in this mortal State have a far greater Influence and Operation not only on the outward Body and Senses but also on the Intellectual Faculties or Soul than the vulgar does imagine for the Spirit makes all things Essential 2. Bread being the equallest aâ—e cleanest of all Foods as wherein the four Grand Qualities stand at the nearest harmony deserves to be stiled the Staff of Life because it affords a firm clean nourishment and pure Spirits excelling any other particular Food whence the Great Light of the World has honoured it so far as to pronounce it the Symbal of his Body For as the Divine Principle or Human Friendly Nature will incorporate qualifie and allay the out-goings of the harsh wrathful bitter Spirit and bring all into Concord and Equality whereby the inward Sences of the Soul and intellectual Powers taste fâ—el and imbrace each other in Love and Harmony The like is to be understood of Bread it qualifies and allays the Discord and Inequality of all other Foods and so renders it fit for the health of the Body and Mind 3. Bread was the principal Food the Creator ordained for Man after the Fall it having the first place before all other Foods therefore the Lord said In the sweat of thy Brows thou shalt eat thy Bread for all other things that Man needs to feed on can be prepared without Labour or with very little as Herbs Fruits c. but there goes considerable pains to the procuring of Bread and
all inferior Creatures all comes from the same dark Root 5. The second grand Principle or Fountain is the holy meek Light which proceeds from and is continually begotten and generated by the Father and it is of a most amiable and blessed nature and this is the true Light and Spirit of the Soul which throughout shines or tinges all the haâ—sh Astringent Qualities of the Father and also the Soul of Man which is as is mentioned before of the same nature for without this blessed power the Human Soul is but a dark Fierce Fire and an House of Death but if a Man suffers his Will which in it self is free to enter into this amiable and blessed meek Principle of Light and Love and will freely and humbly give up him or her self to this most gracious Spirit to be guided ruled and conducted in all its ways then it becomes enlightned and all its harsh dark fierce ardours becomes as it were changed quallified and made meek gentle and courteous this is the good genus happy Demon or good Angel guardian of every one that hearkeneth unto and will be sure to bring him to Tranquility and Bliss this is the Pearl of great value which every one ought to seek with the highest Diligence for when this good Principle comes once to bear Rule in Man's Soul than from its Blessed Nature do all the Reasonings arise and proceed and are tinged therewith as Water-tast's of those Minerals from or through which they pass and such Peoples discourses shall not be vain empty fallacious sophistical pernitious or unfruitful but sound efficacious and fruitful in every good Word and Work for that Man shall not only have his Conversation as it were with Salt administring Grace to the Hearers but likewise will with all diligence abandon Pride Covetousness stately High-mindedness Envy Malice Cruelty oppressing Violence Fighting and Killing not only of one another but of all other inferior graduated Creatures and so contributes as much as in him lies to deliver the whole Creation and Creatures into that Glorious State or Liberty of the Sons of God which the Apostle saith they groan and travel in pain to be delivered into 6. The Third Principle or Fountain is the outward visible World viz. The four Elements the Sun Stars and all the Operations of the outward Nature of which Men and all other Creatures are made and constituted as to their Bodies and Senses and if Man should degrade himself and immerse himself too far into this External Nature or Principal doating with all his Affections on these inferior things and supposing his chief Happiness therein to consist whereby the Spirit of the Great World is suffered to predominate and bear sway in the Heart then all his Reason and Understanding is formed by and continually generated from vain trifling outward Objects so that thenceforth all foolish and wicked Customs easily take place in him and hurry his Mind at their pleasure from one Passion to another till he arrives at the most foolish debauchery and extravagance as a Man that has given up his Soul to sensual Love the desire of Money or earthly Honour and the like or is it be but to the cruel exercise of Hunting or the foolish diversion of Gaming and Dancing each of these persons whose Minds are taken up and amused with that particular to which he has Intailed himself and accordingly not only all his own Discourses borders thereupon but he esteems any thing another can say to be impertinent and absurd thus to an ambitious Spirit that designs the Conquest of Kingdoms and building himself an airy Name to be much talk'd of in the present and future Ages as a brave Fellow the desperate Mischiefs he has done nothing is so acceptable as to speak or hear of deep Policies of State and sutable stratagems of War of raising and disciplining Martial Troops of Diving into the Councils of Princes and contriving Projects of Greatness but all this the besotted Inamorate cryes out against as the silliest toil that ever Mortal undertook and avows there is no Affair in this World so important as good Cloaths neat Address and curious Compliments to obtain the Grace and Favour of his good Mistriss whilst the covetous Miser that wears his Heart in his Fob and his Brains in his Bags laughs at them both as the most egregious Coxcombs that ever the Sun did yet shine upon and will allow no Conversation to be since that does not Treat of Debtor and Creditor Houses Lands Sales Mortgages Executions and Fifty per Cent. yet both he and the rest are run down as stupid Animals Masters of not one dram of Reason or good Sense by a brisk Spark who makes Wit and Repartee the Grand business of Life and will not disown himself to be the Author of a well taking Play for the place of Chancellor or a thousand Guines paid down on the Nail for he swears a Man ought not to value himself on the hapâ— hazard of Birth Pelfe or Fortune but the true Riches of the Mind which with him are only high Talking extravagant Drinking and wild Thinking thus we see that each Man does prise himself upon and value things just as he has plunged his Spirit and Inclinations into them by a habitual Custom and Affection 7. Hence it is thâ—t all wicked and foolish usages take place in Man as intemperateness either in Diet called Gluttony or of Liquors which is called Drunkenness so Swearing Lying vain Plays and Games fashions of superfluous Garments idle Jeasting Jearing and many ridiculous Sports and Pastimes as the Multitude calls them do proceed and most or all these things by inuring themselves thereunto become their Reoson for from thence comes that vulgar Saying which is swallowed as a Maxim We had as good be out of the World as out of the Fashion and to speak truly they had much better be out of this wicked fantastick World than to follow its Vanities which leads all its followers into or joyns them with the first darke fierce principle of Wrath and Perdition for all that is vain and fantastick is called Reason when the Souls of Mankind are swallowed up in this Principle But from what has been said and a prospect of the Actions and Conversations of Men we may readily be enabled to make Judgment from what root each Man 's reasoning proceeds and whether they tend A Bill of Fare Of several excellent Dishes of Food easily procured without Flesh and Blood or the Dying groans of God's innocent and harmless Creatures which do as far exceed those made of Flesh and Fish as the Light doth Darkness or the Day the Night and will satisfie all the wants of Nature to the highest Degree which Banquet I present to the Sons of Wisdom and to all such as shall obtain that happy Condition as to decline that depraved Custom of Killing and Eating their Fellow-Creatures and whose desire is to Live accordin to the innocent Law of Nature and do
Sweet in which Sugar Spices or Spanish Fruits are mixed 93. Be strangers to the East and West-India Commodities as Nutmegs Cloves Mace Cinnamon Ginger and the like 94. Keep your self as â—â—ch as may be from eating fat succulent Food 95. Refrain also Foods in which many things of contrary Natures are mixed or compounded 96. Be careful the quantity of your Food be not too great for most of this Complexion are free Eaters and for the most part the pleasure of the Palate in Eating and Drinking does continue many degrees beyond the necessity of Nature 97. Refrain eating of Eggs and rich Broths but eat freely of all mean simple Foods as Water-gruel Herbs Bread and the like also Milk as it comes from the Cow but Flesh Cheese Butter and the like be sparing in 98. Apple-Pies where there is no Butter in the Crust is a good Food eaten with Butter 99. Flower and Water Flower and Milk Flower and Milk and Water prepared as we have taught in the Good Houswife made a Doctor are excellent Foods 100. Many sorts of Herbs in their seasons if mixed and prepared as we have Taught are very suitable Foods 101. Bread and good Drink eaten alone without either Butter Cheese or Flesh is a most excellent Food as also all moist cooling Foods are proper for all People but more especially for this Complexion and young People in general 102. But remember to eat dry Food once a day especially in Winter for then the Air is moist and subject to Humidity 103. In the heat of Summer eat Gruels and other Spoon-meats as frequently as you will it hurts not 104 For in that Season the Natural Heat is not so potent as in Winter or Cold weather and therefore the Foods ought not to be so hard and strong but more mild and easier of Concoction 105. Accustom your self to Order and it will become easy 106. Use Exercises that are gentle especially in the Morning before you Eat or Drink for one Hour or two 107. Take example from Wise Men and not from Fools 108. Gaze not on the Multitude but turn thy Eye inward 109. Be diligent and learn the Nature of Things and to know their intrinsick Virtues especially of those Things you Eat and Drink because the Great Creator hath endued all things with a certain Power to beget their Similes in the Body and Mind for the Body and Spirit of every Man is daily Generated made and sustained by those things he Eats and Drinks and their Essences departs not from him which is a point highly to be considered 110. Be your own Cook and trust not a Blind Man to prepare your Food 111. Be able to give a Reason for all you do for Tradition is a blind Guide 112. Esteem not a thing because a Friend did it but learn to have Eyes of your own 113. Say not in your Heart that my Grandfather Father and Mother did so and so and I believe they were as wise as you and therefore I will do so too for such Sayings are Tokens of stubborn and incurable Folly 114. Keep a proper weight and measure in all things 115. Refrain the frequent company of Women especially such as have outlived Shamefac'dness 116. Water is the most kindly and natural Drink especially for all young People 117. Frequent not Alehouses nor Taverns nor let your Voices be heard in any such places except upon urgent occasions 118. Spend your leasure time in Reading good Books for they beget the Image of Virtue in them that peruse them 119. Meditate on the Law of the Lord and the wonderful things that are as you are about your occasions and the good Genius that the Lord hath granted you shall open such Mysteries as you are capable of 120. Be diligent in Exercise spend no time in waste for Idleness is the Mother of many Mischiefs 121. Consider the Heavens the Sun Moon and wonderful variety of Stars all busie in that Motion and comely Order that the Blessed Creator set them in the beginning 122. Look upon the Earth and the vast variety of its product all is in a comly Order every thing putting forth its Virtue in harmony without grudging or envying the beautiful Form of each other 123. Suffer not therefore thy cholerick Fire to burn so furiously but allay it with the sweet Influences of the Waters of Shiâ—ock or the Love and Light of the Lord that enlightneth every one in a Measure 124. Consider that Passion is thy greatest Enemy stand still therefore when thou feelest such Fires begin to kindle and take Wisdom to thy aid 125. Be not too quick in speaking or answering a Question but remember that your Fire burns fierce make a pause therefore that you may Speak and Answer with Wisdom 126. Do not entertain high or proud Thoughts of your Self or your own Doings 127. Despise not thy Inferior for you are both made of one and the same Matter 128. Suffer not dark and melancholy Thoughts to perplex your Soul but consider the Cause and how by Wisdom to prevent and cut them off in the bud 129. Neither be affrighted at terrible Dreams or Visions but consider the Root and what Property of the Sevenfold Nature do carry the upper Dominion in your Complexion and endeavour to moderate it by Wisdom and Order for all such Dreams and Visions arises and proceeds from the dark Root 130. Art thou subject to the Head-ach Vapors or the like then be moderate in Exercise and take such gentle simple Meats both in quantity and quality which may allay such disorders for there is greater power in Food and Drink than most imagine 131. Wound not thy Self with thy own Arrows by imagining Mischiefs which perhaps may never happen nor bring thy Souâ— into Sorrow for that which is above thy powâ—er to help 132. Consider that God doth all things by his wonderful Providence therefore Fight not against him 133. Take not the death of Friends Children and the like too deeply to Heart for it is the Will of God in whose good pleasure are the issues of their own Lives nor canst thou thy self preserve it one Hour but must bow to that Great Hand when thy appointed time is come 134. Moderate thy Passions therefore by Wisdom and sound Reason and suffer not thy Soul to be captivated in the House of Mourning and Sorrow 135. Give off all hard Labours before your Spirits are too much spent or wasted 136. Be cautious how you drink any kind of strong Drink for they are an Enemy to your Constitution and increase Diseases 137. Be content and use your self to all mean and simple Foods as Water-gruel Bread and Butter various sorts of Herbs both boiled and raw sundry sorts of Food made of Milk Fruits Applepies and the like 138. Raw Eggs with Bread is an excellent Food it being the best way of eating them a little use will render them very pleasant 139. Mild Ale and mild Beer are the most simple Drinks except Water which
if used from Childhood exceeds all other especially for the Female Sex 140. Art thou troubled with Coughs and Stopages of the Breast or phlegmatick gross Humors then use gentle and proper Exercises sometimes on high Plains and at other times by Rivers sides also all sorts of Field-imployments 141. Let your Cloathing be moderate your Beds clean sweet hard and your Rooms airy 142. Let your Food be simple Water-gruel eaten only with Bread and seasoned with Salt cleanseth the Stomack and Breast 143. Flomery and Boniclabber eaten only with good well baked Bread are most excellent Foods to allay and prevent such diseases 144. Eat Bread plentifully and sometimes Butter with good Ale but refrain Flesh and Fish 145. Be sparing of eating of Cheese and Butter and all sorts of fat Foods for they obstruct all such People and increase their Diseases 146. Eat Herbs frequently especially raw with Oyl Vinegar and Salt or with Bread and Butter Vinegar and Salt they cleanse and free the passages and cause long windedness 147. Raw Eggs with Bread are also a very good Food for this sort of People to make whole Meals of 148. Be moderate in the quantity of thy Food which will abate the Humors fine the Blood and render the Spirits brisk and lively 149. Keep your proper times of Eating and remember that you do neither Eat nor Drink between Meals 150. Follow this regular course of Diet for 6 or 8 Months with constant and firm Resolutions and you will certainly find an alteration to your Hearts content for you will become brisk lively and strong able to perform all kinds of Exercises with far more ease and delight than before 151. Art thou troubled with the Stone then drink Water for a constancy and eat all mild and friendly Foods as Water-gruel with Onions Leeks Garlick or Dandelion infused in it according to our Book Intituled The Good Housewife made a Doctor 152. Eat all mild moderate Herbs that are of a cooling Nature both boiled and sometimes raw with Bread Butter or Oyl and Vinegar 153. Eat good store of Bread nay live a week 2 or 3 with Bread and good Ale Water-gruel only made after our Directions in the Book Intituled Monthly Observations of Health 154. Refrain all salt sharp Foods as Cheese Flesh Fish which later may with advantage be wholly left off 155. Abandon all Foods in which any kind of Spices Sugars or other sweet things are mixed 156. Are your Children afflicted with the Rickets Blotches Boils Scabs or Leprous Diseases then give them good tendance and let all their Linen Woollen and Beds be kept very clean and Sweet 157. Let their Bed-cloaths and Apparel not be too hot but moderate and have a special care that they do not exceed in the quantity of their Food 158. Let their Foods be clean as thin Water-gruel with Bread and Salt but not Butter Fruit Spices nor Sugar in it for all such things are pernicious and increase such Diseases 159. Raw Milk and Bread after it hath stood 5 or 6 hours or more as is mentioned before also Milk Water and Flower seasoned with Salt Flomery and Bonny-clabbor are rare Foods for them 160. Let them eat good store of Bread and drink small Ale 161. Use them to eat raw Sallets seasoned as aforesaid but remember that they do not meddle with Flesh nor Fish and eat both Butter and Cheese very sparingly for such things increase their Diseases 162. Let them not eat Water-pap Sugar-sops or the like but Bread soaked in good Water is an excellent cleansing and most grateful Food for most or all Children especially for such distempers 163. If they Suck let their Mothers or Nurses observe the like Order and Temperance in Meats Drinks and Exercises which being observed will either prevent such Diseases or cure them 164. If thou art in a wasting Consumptive Condition then I refer thee to the practice of these Foods set down at large for that purpose in our Good Housewife made a Doctor 165. Those that would prevent and Cure the Gout may proceed a great way towards it if the before-mentioned Rules be observed and for young People that are subject to Bleeding the same will prevent or remedy it 166. The like abstenency from superfluity and unclean Foods and strong Drinks and using proper Labours and Exercises are the only means under God to prevent all sorts of Fevers and Agues by cleansing the passages from evil Juices and superfluous Matter it also thins the Blood and makes it Circulate freely generates pure brisk Spirits whence proceeds good Dispositions and clean Inclinations making the Body strong and powerful and the Mind and all the Sences fit for the Study of Wisdom and Virtue 167. Therefore let none disdain this simâ—â—e Child-like way of living and Self-denial â—â—fore they have either well considered or 〈◊〉 these Rules into practice 168. But it is the custom of the multiâ—â—de to Read by rote and judge without â—xperience so fond they are of their Master 〈◊〉 Tyrant Tradition 169. Know this for a certain Truth that â—â—mperance and Self-denial are the Chamâ—â—on-virtues of a Christian. 170. Therefore remember to be moderate 〈◊〉 Eating and Drinking especially Eating 〈◊〉 thô not esteemed so it to most is 〈◊〉 one of the most difficult and hardest 〈◊〉 for a Christian to observe 171. So rare it is that any escapes free of 〈◊〉 Natural and Insinuating Evils of Intemâ—â—rance in Meats and Drinks and so few that 〈◊〉 by experience and practice know and are 〈◊〉 of the excellency of Temperance 〈◊〉 the advantages it brings to the Body 〈◊〉 more especially to the Mind and all the â—â—â—ellectual Powers of Nature 172. The Thoughts and Words of Men 〈◊〉 three-fold and are all generated and 〈◊〉 by a three-fold Spirit one of which 〈◊〉 always predominant in each Thought 〈◊〉 and Work 173. The first is the Original dark 〈◊〉 or property of the Fire whence all 〈◊〉 Wrath Envy and Revenge do proceed 〈◊〉 the Root of all Life and Motion and if this property do predominate in a Mans Soul it is both dangerous and pernitious 174. The second Property or Principle is the most gracious friendly aimable Love and Light viz. a Spark of that Holy Word that hath made and do always make and generate all that is made which the Man of God saith Enlightens every Man that comes into the World which our Lord Christ calls the Tallent and some the Conscience 175. Now from this good Principle do arise and proceed all good Thoughts Meditations Words and Works it is the Witness that condemns in every Man the evil of his way and Judges them and leads Men out of evil into good and by its friendly Influences and Councel it mightily endeavours to allay all the Furious Harsh Passions Pride Vain-glory Covetousness Envy Back-biting Fighting Killing and all Violence which do proceed from the dark Original or unregenerated Principle or Wrathful Nature and is the Blessed Genius that leads and teaches all
things and are swifter then the Wind so that near and afar off is all alike to them 210. Know also that this Invisible Eternal Spark as it is an Image of its Creator so it is always in motion and as active when the Body and sences are asleep as in the day from whence proceeds Dreams for that which is Eternal standeth not still 211. How strange then and yet how true it is that this Excellent Dignified Creature Man should be the grand Trouble of the World and the Enrager of all the Elements 212. For from whom proceeds Tumults Wars Noise Killing Fighting Oppression Violence Disorder Hatred Malice Backbiting Jearing Scoffing Vain Plays and all kind of Evil is it not Man that is the Author and Actor of all these Tragedies 213. For he having descended and throughout his depraved Will entred into the first Principle or fierce Wrath of God and the savage nature of this External Principle has thereby subjected himself to every inferior thing and becomes the lowest and most miserablest of mortal Creatures 214. Therefore look about and into thy self Man and seriously consider the cause of this thy Degeneration 215. In the next place apply thy self to the Voice of Wisdom viz. to thy Redeemer Jesus Christ that came to seek and save that which was lost 216. Draw near with thy Will and Desires unto Him to be guided by His Holy Spirit to learn of Him and to be Obedient unto His Voice 217. He alone gives Bread to the Hungry and Ease to the Weary He will give and teach thee all that is wanting and restore what thou hast lost 218. His Yoak is easie and His Burden is light from this Divine Fountain flows Rivers of living Waters let all drink freely which will infallibly cure them of all their old desperate Distempers 219. As thou increasest in Knowledge remember that thou dost increase in Obedience Separation and Self-denial or else thou shalt increase in Sorrow as the Wise Man saith 220. Reveal not thine own secrets nor those of others committed to thy Breast 221. Make much of the Wisdom the Lord hath endued thee with and cast not thy Pearls before Swine 222. Count not thy Blood that runs in thy Veins better then thy poor Neighbours for God made both of one Lump and all proceed from one Stock 223. Consider and let it dwell upon thy Mind and Understanding that nothing makes Man acceptable before his blessed Creator but only Virtue and Obedience to his Commandments 224. As to the Things and Goods of this World Death equals all Men. 225. When thou seest Lame Crooked Decriped People or such who labour under any cruel or loathsom Diseases let it not only move pity and compassion but in a special manner give the Lord hearty Acknowledgement of his wonderful favour that he has not made thee so 226. Take not so much care to get Money as to spend it well 227. Consider that he that spends Talents daily must use ways to get them which being oftentimes unjust prove hazardous to the Health both of Body and Mind 228. He that has attained the true knowledge of himself is very rich and knows as his wants are but small so they are very easily supplied 229. After hard Walking or tedious Labours or any kind of Exercise that has exhausted your Spirits remember to Rest before you Eat or Drink 230. But if there be a necessity of Eating and Drinking do it sparingly and of Foods of easie concoction 231. Much talking for weakly People and upon weariness is injurious to Health 232. Silence does wonderfully recover the Natural Spirits and beget appetite and gives many advantages to the Mind 233. Eat not in a morning before you Labour or Travel or if you do let it be things easie and in small quantity 234. But when you Labour or Travel remember to Eat and Drink before your Spirits grow flat or are wasted or else you hurt Nature and procure Diseases 235. After long Fasting or on great Stomachs be sure to observe the Rules of Temperance and proportion and beware then of too great a quantity which at such times is very apt to steal upon a Man and insnare him into heaviness and indispositions 236. He that considers the power of Simpathy and Antipathy may avoid many Inconveniencies 237. Be friendly to all things for by Love every thing is attracted and made better 238. But Violence and Oppression do not only separate Man from his Creator but also from the Good in all things and increaseth Enmity 239. Art thou a Person Saturnine Sower Melancholy Dogged Envious and subject to suspect Divine Providence then turn the Eye of thy Mind inwards and hearken and learn of Wisdom that thou mayest withstand this Evil Genius by Faith in God and following Wisdoms Voice 240. Art thou a Martialist Proud Fiery and Passionate then allay those Storms by the meek and gentle Influences of Wisdom and stand still and hear what the Lord will teach thee 241. Art thou a Jovial Person inclined to Religion have a care thou dost not disallow that in others that thou dost allow in thy self 242. Art thou a Venial Person inclined to Plays Games Dancings lewd obscene Musick and Women then call upon the Lady Faith and Prayer for strength and embrace Temperance and Sobriety and as much as in thee lies avoid the sight and company of Lewd or petulent wanton Women 243. Art thou a Mercurian apt to speak much and to little purpose to boast and lie and unfixed and irresolute in thy thoughts call upon the Lord for Wisdom who will teach thee both Wisdom Silence and Stability 244. Art thou under the government of the Moon and subject by inclination to Revelling Swearing Drinking and all kinds of Wantonness then turn towards Wisdom and pray against these Vices and also oppose them by all the contrary Virtues as Silence Temperance Self-denial and the like 245. Such whose Labours and Exercises are but little and whose Lives are sedentary ought to remember that their Meats and Drinks ought to be proportionable viz. more mean and simple then those that labour hard but the quite contrary is now a-days practised which brings upon them many great mischiefs 246. Art thou a poor Man and hard Laborious then forget not Frugality and Temperance which if embraced will chear and comfort thy Heart and make thee as rich as a Prince and both sufficiently supply thy Wants and ease thee from immoderate Labour of Body and care of Mind See our Book Intituled Wisdoms Call or a Dialogue between Sophronio and Guloso where this is demonstrated at large and that the great Wants poor People suffers and the hard Labours they undergo is chiefly through their want of Wisdom and Temperance and a discreet choice of Foods 247. If Men did take but half the pains in the Study of Virtue and Wisdom as they do to obtain the perishing Goods of this World they might be Crowned with Temporal and Eternal Happiness 248.
not himself or what is a Man the better if he have himself and wants all others or what is he the nearer if he have himself and others and yet want God or in fine what boots it me to be a Man if I be either Wrathful Proud or Envious 352. He is Rich enough that wants not Necessaries he is great enough that is his one Master and he is Happy enough that Lives and Dies well 353. Even the best Things ill used becomes Evil and on the other side the worst Things used well turns to Good a good Tongue used to Deceit a good Wife used to defend Errors a strong Arm to Murther Authority to Oppress a good Profession to Dissemble and Cheat People are all Evil contrariwise as Poysons may in wholsome Medicines Afflictions and Sins by a good use proves of great Advantage 354. There is nothing more easie than Lipp Divinity and Breath Religion to discourse of Spiritual Matters from the Tongue of others but to hear it spoke from the Soul to feel the Power of Religion in our Hearts subduing our Affections and mortifying our Lusts and to express it out of the Truth of Experience is both rare and hard and yet without this the other is nothing worth but will rather increase our Condemnation 355. The Soul of Man through Evil and Disobedience has broken it self off from Gods Holy Will whence Darkness and all Misery doth overwhelm him and seperate him from that Equallity and Temperature he was made to live in and so becomes Blind as to God and Virtue 356. Nor can any way or means restore him but the Love of God viz. by being Obedient unto the Spirit of Iesus Christ which opposeth all Fierce Wrath Violence Oppression and other Poysonous Influences of the Serpent and leads Man into Humility Love Innocency Self-Denial which are the Fruits of the New-Birth 357. Note that all Things do most ardently covet a suitable Food so that neither Body nor Spirits can subsist without it hath proper Aliment and according to that Principle that predominates either Good or Evil so are clean innocent Meats and Drinks or their contraries desired or used 358. In all the fierce savages of the Desart and Beasts of Prey wherein the Poisonous Wrath doth predominate yet is not this wild and untamed Nature any Evil or Perplexity to them because such their fierce Inclinations and Beastial Dispositions are all according to their radix so that they enjoy as much Delight and Pleasure as the more clean and tractable Animals do 359. But still the very sight and looks of these fierce Creatures are a terrour to the more gentle and friendly Natures of clean Beasts so that what is an evil or terrour to one thing is the cause of Delight and Joy to another for every Creatures highest Satisfaction consists in its living and continuing in the Power and Operation of that Principle wherein it was originally made or brought forth 360. Therefore Man being made in the Image of God all Uncleanness Wrath Violence Oppression and Beastiality are the Troubles and Snares of his Soul because he was made in and to another Principle viz. to live in the Divine Power and Operation of the Holy Light and Love of God 361. The same is to be understood of the fallen Angels their Evil and Misery is that they have through Pride Envy and evil Inclinations immers'd themselves into another Principle than what they were made for they were formed by the Divine Powers to live in the light and love of God Fierceness and Pride was not manifest in their first State therefore Wrath and Darkness is their Pain and Torment 362. But wild Beasts of Prey were made and derive their predominant property from the Wrath of the outward Nature which hath its Original from the inward and to live in and to it and consequently have as much Pleasure and Delight in their Being as the more friendly tame Beasts have who were made from the more benign and equal Nature and though some Beasts are wild and cruel yet they are not to be despised or too cruelly used since they were made so in the Roots of their Natures by the All-wise Creator and are not fallen from their first Estate 363. He that entertains Violence in the Centre of his Heart is comprehended in the Fierce Wrathful Nature or Principle of Darkness be his Form of Religion what it will 364. No Man can Honour God nor bring Glory to him in his Love principle of Light but only by bringing down his Will and Desires even from the Centre of his Heart into Innocency and Well-doing 365. But all Men in the World do Honour and Glorifie God either in his Love or Anger according to what Principle they live in For as the Apostle saith The Sober and Virtuous are a sweet savour unto the Lord of Peace in the Holy Power of his Kingdom of Love and Light and on the other side the Wicked are a savour of Death in the Kingdom of Wrath Fierceness and Eternal Woe 366. As Earthly Princes cannot possibly punish so they cannot prescribe Laws to Mens Souls nor does it concern the Temporal State of this World how Men do Worship their Maker provided they yield Obedience to the Civil Laws of their Country and pay their Tribute and live innocent sober Lives for such Subjects are so far from being dangerous to the Governments that they are the grand preservers of the Peace and Happiness of those Countries wherein they live 367. Man knows very little of the wonderful Work of God in the outward visible Nature but much less of the invisible Mystical Spiritual Kingdom from whence all the external Forms Figures Shapes Bodies and Virtues proceed 368. He that is Angry or Contends with his Brother about outward Forms and Ceremonies in Religion provided Men be Virtuous and fear the Lord does really fight and contend with their great Creator who hath made all Men and all Things to differ and vary in their Colours Shapes Inclinations and Dispositions 369. Consider what great Impressions and almost invinceable Prejudices Education and the Modes of Countries or Places do make in the Hearts and Souls of Men so that what is esteemed a great Evil in one Country is not in another nay especial Evils comes to be esteemed no Evils at all especially in such as are not govern'd by the in-shining and in-dwelling Light of Jesus Christ. 370. Behold and learn Wisdom Charity and Moderation from the Beasts of the Field they are contented to Feed together in one Pasture though they are of various Kinds and will all Drink of one Fountain without complaining or quarrelling about their Meats Drinks Colours Shapes Likeness Greatness Fatness or Leanness but all live in Peace and Union obeying the great common and Universal Law of God in Nature and so answer that end for which they were made to the Praise and Glory of their Creator 371. Know therefore and conclude for certain that
Disputations and Contendings Revilings and Persecuting of others because they cannot see or believe as thou dost or wouldst have them do arise from Self-Elevation where the properties of Nature are at enmity with each other and are contrary to Reason and Nature 372. It is a Virtue well worthy of Practice for Men to remove and put away all such Things as may at any time give occasion for Wrath or evil Words vehement Passions or cruel Deeds as all Rich Meats and Drinks costly Garments and Houshold-Stuff and the like which being by Servants imbezled and spoiled administers occasions unto many Evils both in Words and Works 373. The Heathen Emperor Augustus may in this matter read a Lecture to us Christians who being one day invited to Dinner at a Senators House that was a mighty admirer of choice and curious Drinking Glasses and spared for no cost to get such as was extraordinary rare and fine heard on a suddain a grievous dolesom Cry and inquiring the Cause understood that it was made by one of the Men Slaves who having by mischance broke a brave Glass as he was Washing it was by his Masters Command carried to be thrown into a Pond to be devoured of the Fish the Emperor caused the Execution to be stopt and calling the Senator desired to see his stock of Glasses which he so highly valued the Senator imagining he would have Admired and Esteemed them as mush as he did readily carries him into his Cabinet and shows him all his brittle Rarities which having seen the Emperor with his Staff breaks them every one saying He would prevent such mischiefs for the future as having Mens Lives taken away for a paltry Glass 374. He that takes Daniel and his Companions for an Example shall avoid many burthensom Inconveniencies of Care Passions and Labours both of Body and Mind for those Wise and Holy Youths contented themselves with Pulse and Water only and did not value the costly Foods that came from the Kings Table 375. So St. Iohn the Baptist pass'd over the greatest part of his Life in the Desart Eating nothing but Locusts and wild-Honey which Word that in our Translation is rendered Locusts do signifie as I am informed by those skilled in the Original the Buds or first Sproutings of Trees Herbs and Vegitations 376. Be not so ignorant and stupidly Vain as to say or think as I have heard some allege that insensitive Vegitations suffer Pains when cut down or gathered even as the Beasts or Animals do when they are killed since the latter are in every degre indued with Sences equal to Man and subject to Passions and to Heat Cold Hunger Thirst and all kinds of Pain even as Man is 377. He that would vanquish his outward Enemies must first overcome those of his own House viz. his unruly Desires and boisterous Passions his raging Lusts and ungovernable Apetite and Affections those being once subdued and brought into Obedience he will easily Triumph over all the Stratagems of the World and Temptations of Satan 378. Patience Humility and Innocency are the only Bulwarks that can withstand Enmity and Wrath consider that Light is the cause and medium whereby Darkness is known be governed therefore by the Light and then all the Deeds of Darkness will be manifest unto thee 379. But he that is govern'd by the dark Principle whence Contention and Strife do arise knows not the Light either in himself or any other thing 380. No Man can Judge truly of another but he that hath first pulled the Beam out of his own Eye 381. Above all Swear not rashly and wickedly by the Name of the great God that Created both the Heavens and the Earth and all the wonderful Creatures therein contained for a Man cannot dishonour and provoke his Creator more highly than to Blaspheme his Holy Name 382. Keep a continual watch against all Evils but especially against those Sins which by thy Complexion Constitution Calling Conversation or course of Life thou art most enclinable unto or in danger of 383. Let Passionate and Chollerick Men when they are in a composed frame of Spirit and the Light of Understanding shines and bares rules in their Souls oblige themselves by secret Promises that by permission of the Lord when ever they shall find themselves moved to Wrath or Passion then the better to prevent such outrages against God and their own Souls they will withdraw themselves out of Company read a Chapter in the Bible or stand still in silence for one quarter of an Hour in which time the light of Wisdom will arise in their Hearts and Souls and dissipate allay or moderate the Fumes of these Perturbations and irregular Motions 384. Let such as are inclined to Drunkenness speedily and at once resolve to Drink no strong Drink nor any Liquor but pure Water which will cut off all such evil Inclinations in the very Bud. 385. Those that are inclined to Women let them resolve to drink small Drink or Water use a spare Diet and Eat mean and simple Foods practise proper Exercises and Labour rise early in the Morning resist vain and idle Imaginations as soon as they offer themselves to the Mind and above all keep virtuous Men Company and refrain as much as in them lies the conversation of such Women as are subject to Lewdness 386. There is no Man by his Birth or his Estate priviledged to be idle for the Command is Universal to all the Children of Adam in the sweat of thy Brows thou shalt Eat thy Bread and he that will not labour in some kind or other for the good of Mankind is not worthy to Eat or Live therefore let all Gentlemen who too generally subject themselves to an idle Life that proves an in-let to many other erronious Evils know that they have no exemption or excuse from proper Exercises and useful Labours in the fight of the Lord. 387. Therefore to prevent the Sin and Evil of Idleness rich People should do well to divide the day and a-lot so many Hours to Meditation and reading of good Books Gardening Pruning of Trees visiting relieving and instructing their Poor Neighbours and other works of Charity and Mercy 388. Let all Men remember that they have and injoy nothing that they can call their own but all is Gods even themselves their Lands their Goods and all they possess and that he reassumes the same when he pleaseth to whom they will have a sad and dreadful account to render for the Use if they neglect to improve them much more if they waste and abuse them to gratifie their own Lusts and Vanities 389. Know for a certain that both good and evil Angels are continually conversant in innumerable Troops round about the Sons of Men alluring them to good or evil 390. Some may suppose this to be but a mere Fancy because we see them not but let such consider that the adorable Creator that has made all these wonderful Things we behold hath created many more
precipitate them into great Evils and many Snares and Diseases 474. O how happy would it be if Men would take but half that pains care and diligence in self-denial and in the innocent simple ways of God and his Law in Nature for the procuring and obtaining the Noble Treasures both of Time and Eternity how knowing seeing hearing tasting and feeling would Men be in the Divine Mysteries to the praise of the Lord and Eternal Comfort of themselves 475. Be not offended or think the worse of right hand way because it is very uneven narrow and but little Company and those that are but poor and mean most or all of them Footmen for the Apostles themselves was forced to leave their Horses and travel on foot after a little entrance into this way 476. Some of the Wise Men when first entred into this Divine Path or Right Hand way have kept their Horses and Coats but such as continued them long was either forced to leave them and go on foot or else turn into the Left Hand way 477. For all the Men and Women that are Travellers in this innocent Path or Way their Cloaths are mean plain simple and of their Natural Colour their Meats and Drinks very simple such as are easily procured 478. In this way there are no Inns nor Ale-Houses but a few poor Cottages their Beds are clean Straw and the most currantest Money that goes amongst those poor People is self-denial and content and their Watch-word is Let all Flesh be silent 479. There are not many Trades amongst them that travel in this way for they need them not because a few things will sustain their wants 480. Most of these Men have each of them two Gardens which they spend their whole time to Manure and Dress one is Internal and the other External the Herbs and Fruits that grows in the Internal do by their blessed Juices and most fragrant Scents replenish and nourish the Soul and the Herbs Fruits and Seeds of the External Garden do not only imploy the Body in that pleasant Labour of dressing and manuring of its Fruits but it also supports it with Food that affords both dry and moist nourishment to the highest degree of Innocency in this World therefore those that enter into this way needs but a little Land and less Money and though every Man must have two Gardens yet he needs buy but one for one is his Eternal Inheritance which ought in an especial manner be looked after and Dressed or else it will be quickly over-run with bitter Herbs and sower harsh Fruit. 481. If thou keepest thy Internal Garden free and clear of those harsh bitter Weeds which are very apt to overspead the good Herbs then it will afford most blessed Fruits which will be Cordials unto the Soul on a Dying Bed and raise the Soul to Eternal Life 482. Let God be thy Teacher and look not outward nor lissen after other Teachers but learn and know the inspoken word of the Lord or the Divine Principle in thy own Soul who is the true Preacher of Life 483. Let that Scripture be fulfilled where the Prophet saith The time shall come when every Man shall be taught of the Lord in the center of their Hearts 484. Learn to know thy Teacher in thy self and then thou wilt need no Houses of Brick Stone Timber or outward Temples to meet for Gods Worship but every Man shall withdraw himself from the noise of Men and worship the Lord alone in the Center of their Souls 485. Above all things learn to know the power and vertue of lowness and silence from Words for when Man ceaseth from speaking then the Lord ariseth and teacheth the Soul the ways of Wisdom 486. The true Worship of the Lord is innocent and simple in the ways of Nature which is his Handmaid 487. Consider and look with an inward Eye into the wonderful variety and great Beauty of the Vegitations of the Earth how pleasant they are to thy inward and outward Eyes and how they all praise their Lord in meekness and silence and bear Fruit to the Creators praise and thy Comfort they grudge not nor grumble when thou usest them for thy necessity 488. Learn by all to know and praise the one only Fountain whence all proceeds and have their Being 489. Withdraw thy self from the many and entertain profound silence and the Lord will arise in the Center of thy Soul and shew thee the Truth which is not seen but felt on the opening of the Intellectual World 490. Know that all Ceremonies Forms Modes and Mediums in Religion the Lord have suffered by reason of weakness and want of true sight in Divine and Human Mysteries 491. As the Saviour of the World faith Not in this Mountain or the other place but the true Worshipperâ— are those that worships the Lord in the inward part of the Heart in loneness and siâ—ence 492. Remember and let it be one principal point of thy unfeigned Religion to desire no more of the things belonging to the Body than is needful and natural for whatsoever is more beclouds the Intellectual powers of the Souls spirit for the Essences of all our Meats and Drinks departs not from us but becomes Essential as is mentioned before 493. The true Religion is for a Man to know God in the Center of his Heart and to obey the Voice of Wisdom and regulate himself in all inward and outward things 494. The Life of a true Christian is to depart from all Intemperance superfluity uncleanness in Meats Drinks Cloathing Imployments and Communication and to withdraw into loneness and Silence and to will as God his Guide wills 495. And remember that he that lives as he ought needs but a few things and those easie to be procured a small Cottage a little Garden a Spade Corn and Water white Garments a little Wood a Straw-Bed which are the most useful and necessary and will support Nature to the highest degree and a little labour and less care will procure them 496. Straw-Hats will serve instead of Beavors and Castors 497. Wooden Shooes instead of Leather for their Journeys are but small 498. White Linnen and Woollen instead of rich Colours for there is no need of rich Garments to cover the outside when the inside is arrayed with Virtue 499. The Fire of Wood supplies the want of Candles made of the Fat of the Beasts no Violence enters into their Tents 500. A little Corn and a few Herbs do bountifully supply Nature with both drie and moist nourishment to full satisfaction there is no need of the trading with Butchers 501. A few Vessels serves their Drinks is brued to their Hands by the preserver of the World A piece of Bread and a spoonful of Oatmeal or Flower mixed with a pint of Spring Water makes a Breakfast or a good Supper 502. Milk as it comes from the Cow is highly esteemed and counted great Food being eaten with good Bread there is but little need
of Butter and less of Cheese 503. Bread Water and Flower without any farther preparation Bread and Milk Herbs and Bread Fruit and Bread are the most useful and necessary Foods which are ready at hand and may be obtained by every one with little labour of Body or trouble of Mind 504. All Men ought to consider that the chief cause of all Diseases and Unhealthiness to young and old is for want of Government and Wisdom and the desiring those things that are out of the ways of simple Nature 505. There are not many Diseases where Men walk in Natures Path and avoid Compositions and as much as in them lies fiery Preparations 506. The more Men imitates Nature the nearer they come to their first State of Innocency and thereby obtain Health of Body and vigor of Mind 507. An Example of this we have in all Animals or Beasts who continue in that pure Law they were made in and placed under how Healthy most of them are when Men do not render them otherwise by Oppression and Disorders 508. Keep therefore O Man unto thy Heavenly Guide that the Lord hath placed in the very Center of thy Heart turn thy Eyes inward and learn Wisdom this Divine Spark and holy Son of Light if obeyed in the Life thereof will readily shew and teach Man all things both for Divine and Human that are necessary for this Life and that which is to come 309. Study thy self for that worthy thing in thee cannot be known nor its Voice distinguished from other Voices but only by Self-denial Sobriety and Cleanness in the practise of Silence alone leaning on the Shoulders of none but only thy beloved Jesus 510. Remember that the true pleasure of Temperance and the many benefits that follow Sobriety cannot be imagined by those that lives Riotous Lives so neither can the sweet Influences thereof be enjoyed without self-denial and some trouble to old Adam 511. If thou wilt know God and the sweet Influences of his good Spirit in thy own Soul then thou must live as it were alone for there is but little Company in the ways of Virtue and Self-denial 512. There is nothing does make Men more sensible of Gods Blessings then Temperance and Cleanness in Meats Drinks Imployments and Communications 513. How ready are the sober of Mind to give the Lord Thanks for his Mercies and how sweet is every mean thing 514. Temperance is endued with Divine Power it fits the Mind for the Worship of God their Beds are easie their sleep sound not subject to Indispositions nor molested with Fevers their Heads are not dulled with Fumes nor their Stomachs oppressed with fainting Fits or windy griping Humours they rise as fresh as the morning Sun and are fit for the Exercises both of the Body and Mind their Radical moisture flowes freely through every part like a pleasant Gale of Wind which moderates the Centeral Fires that they burn not too violently This excellent State of Body and Mind is not attainable without the fear of the Lord and self denial which are the first steps to all true Wisdom both Spiritual and Natural The Benefits of Temperance and Mischiefs of the contrary Vice 1. TEmperance is the True way or Royal Road to Peace and Happiness both in this World and the World to come for without no Man can observe the Law of God and Nature 2. Temperance freeth the Body from Labour and Danger and the Soul from Cares Passions and disquieting perturbations 3. Temperance makes all Men rich for it administers Content and gives length of Days Health and a sound Mind which whosoever enjoys cannot be said to be poor 4. Temperance cuts off vain Thoughts and Imaginations and all extravagant Desires as it were in the very Bud which continually wounds the Soul and Body of the Intemperate 5. Temperance wisheth no ill to its Neighbor but is a friend to every thing that is innocent and good 6. Temperance is a perfect Cure or prevention of many cruel Diseases both of the Body and Mind 7. Temperance is a sure support to all needy Families if she be entertained and her voice obeyed 8. Temperance makes Harmony in the worst of Times and deadest of Trading because she furnishes all her followers with what Need and Nature requireth nor does any thing render a Man more like his Creator 9. Temperance is a true Guide to Mans ways cleanseth the inward Parts from uncleanness and makes the Eye or Spirit of the Soul to see with an Intellectual Sight like its Creator who maketh his Sun to shine both on the Just and Unjust 10. Temperance is a glance of the Divine Power which denies Selfhood and teach those that follow her voice to Love all Gods Creation as God Loved Man 11. Temperance envieth nothing nor coveteth no Mans Goods but is a fâ—iend unto all avoiding Strife Contention Controversies Oppressions Violences and Manslaughter 12. Temperance is the firmest and best Establishment of or in all Governments for she teacheth Man to Love and adore their Creator Know themselves and to have an awful Respect to their Neighbors and whole Creation of God's wonderful Creatures 13. Temperance considereth all things prohibiting no Creature that Freedom and Priviledges that their Creator hath bounteously given them by thâ— grand Law and Charter of Nature 14. Temperance knows what that Glorious Liberty is the Great Apostle speaks of that the whole Creation groans to be delivered into and by its sweet influences attracts all things that are capable unto that pure Fountain 15. Temperance illuminates the Soul and makes Mens Reasons Divine 16. On the contrary Intemperance is the greatest Evil on Earth because the Seed-plot of all other Evils and most unlike our Blessed Creator for the superfluous Man wants all things but God wants nothing 17. Intemperance wounds the Body with Diseases and the Soul with Ignorance and Blindness perpetually perplexing the latter with greedy Desires and the former with needless Toils 18. Intemperance hood-winks the Soul so that it cannot distinguish between what is good and profitable and the contrary thereby obstructing and violating the Way and Law of God in Nature 19. Intemperance is the Original of all evil and vain Imaginations it makes Men turn Rebels and imbroils the World with Plots and Wars that they may gratifie their own unbridled Lusts. 20. Intemperance causeth Children in the secrets of their Hearts to wish for the death of their Parents that they may enjoy their Estates Married People to desire the death of their Yoak-fellows that they may get others with more Money or that are more young and handsom to please their wantonness 21. Intemperance persuades Men to Marry old diseased and deformed Women which does neither agree with their Age and Tempers nor can answer the end for which Marrying was ordained by God which is one of the greatest Evils under the Sun because they Sin against Nature and the Light of their Understandings 22. Intemperance makes Men more unnatural than
hence too we are taught to Pray for our Daily Bread as including under that Name all things necessary for the support of Human Life 4. Outward cleanness in Meats Drinks Cloathing and Exercises is of great use and prevents and as it were cuts off in the bud many Diseases and Inconveniences both from the Body and Mind therefore the Light of the Gospel or Divine Principle makes that part of Moses Law touching Cleanness Essential when it opens its self in the Center of Man's Heart and it is a Ceremony to none but such as are ignorant of Gods Law and the Sympathetical Operations 5. Frequent Bathing or Washing in pure Running Water is highly convenient for all persons especially after easing themselves for the same will in a great measure prevent the pernitious Diseases of the Fundament some of which are incurable 6. Be careful that you do not sit on Common house of Easement which oftentimes proves of evil consequence and infects the Party with Diseases of various kinds according to each Mans Constitution or Complexion therefore those in Cities that would avoid such Dangers ought to ease themselves in a vessel of Water and when the Excrement is cold then to put it into the House of Office particular Reasons in Nature I have shewn elsewhere 7. Have a care of Compositions use and Desire Simplicity for Wisdom In the preparation of Food preserve Unity that is prepare but one thing at a time for things of differing Natures cannot be prepared together because some requires a longer some a shorter time besides the Spirits and inward Virtues of each thing do mix and incorporate and mightily strive with each other for Victory by which the pure parts of them all are wounded for in the Combat the weaker suffers Violence and the Spirit is Suffocated 8. Flesh and Herbs Roots and Puddings are not to be prepared together in one Vessel but each alone because of their different Nature and times of preparation for Water after it hath boiled an hour more or less will not prepare any sort of Food to that degree of Excellency as at first 6. Let Seafaring Men and others that Travel when they go ashore beware of Venus as also of lying in soft warm Beds especially Feather-beds As also of eating of fresh Flesh and Fish too immoderately lest they fall into Fluxes for Nature cannot endure suddain Changes and where Wisdom and Temperance is wanting People are subject to various Diseases on such occasions as Fevers Fluxes Colds c. 10. The chief occasion why Mankind is so subject to frequent Fevers is the variety of Foods improperly compounded especially the common eating of Flesh and Fish As also Butter Cheese and the use of strong Drinks for always fat Foods do fur the Stomack and are hard to be separated either by the natural heat or by the Liquor that is drank especially strong hot Drinks Water being the proper Minstrim or Liquor for the Stomach for this Cause Obstructions and Fevers as also hot Diseases are so common and griping Pains and Fluxes such Meats and Drinks do awaken the original fierce Fires 11. All Foods proceeding from the vegitable Kingdom are innocent more equal in there Parts easily dissolved affording fine Spirits therefore those that live chiefly on such innocent Foods are more airy pleasant cool and full of Delight in Body and Spirit which none can know or understand but such as have experienced it for some considerable time 12. All that would prevent Fevers and many other Diseases and keep themselves in harmony should apply themselves to simple Foods viz. Bread Fruits Herbs and the like forbear all sorts of Flesh Fish and eat sparingly of Butter Cheese and Milk and eat but little Fat besides Oil for this you must always remember that every thing begets its likeness 13. Bread Herbs Seeds Fruits and most or indeed all vegetative Foods do represent unto Man the Divine Principle of Light and Love but Flesh be it of what kind it will does denote the harsh wrathful Principle and Mans Desires so much after it is a true sign that he lives in that harsh fierce killing Principle 14. For now-a-days if any Man should be condemned to live only on Bread and Water and what might be made thereof he would think himself hardly dealt with which do demonstrate the high degree of Mans Depravation and Separation from the Divine Vision or first simple State 15. Many of the Holy and Wise Antients have declined and decried the eating of Flesh and Blood especially of such Creatures as are unclean and that will eat the Flesh of their Fellow Creatures but never did any of the Philosophical Men forbid the eating of such harmless things as Herbs Bread and the like but have recommended them as most agreeable to Nature and Health 16. A time shall come when the Lyon shall eat Hay with the Ox and the Wolf lye down with the Lamb that is the fierce savage beastial Nature in Man shall be thorough shined and bowed before the Divine Principle or Lamb-like Spirit and whosoever comes to know that time will be contented with innocent Herbs Bread and the like harmless Foods 17. For if the Wolfish Dogâ—sh Nature did not predominate in Man they would not so much long after the Flesh and Blood of Beasts but whatsoever Principle do Reign in the Center of a Mans heart whether Good or Evil he will desire Food suitable thereunto Some particular Notes whence Consumptions proceed and the occasions thereof 1. THE Compositions of sweet fat Foods and Spices all mixed together do destroy the innocent ways of Nature especially when done without understanding the Principles of Nature clog and obstruct the Stomack and too much open the Gate of Venus 2. The frequent eating of Flesh and Fish and such as are Rapacious mixed with the richest vegetations do open and manifest the hidden internal Properties of such Flesh and Fish thereby increasing Lust and evil beastial Inclinations 3. The great quantities of Food wherewith most People overchange Nature which do generate superfluity of gross Juices and if such Foods be from the Animal Kingdom as Flesh Fish Butter Eggs Milk or various sorts of them mixed together then they do so much the more provoke Inclinations to Venus for Flesh and Fish do much more strengthen the Venerial Property than simple Vegetations especially when joyned with strong intoxicating Liquors 4. The frequent or overmuch drinking of strong fermented Drinks especially when the Foods are fat rich spicy and succulent then if there be not great temperance in quantity Nature is set into an unnatural Flame 5. The too frequent visiting the shades of Venus with the before-mentioned Intemperances do extremely promote to the utter ruin of many thousands this is the secret Enemy that wounds the bravest Gallant and strongest Nature and send them down with Sorrow to the Grave betimes 6. The common Lying of Men and Women together on hot soft Feather-beds which do hinder Rest keep
the Body too hot causing many silly Discourses and sometimes wanton ones exciting Venus on both sides whence proceeds weak Limbs feeble Joynts and poor low effeminate Spirits 7. It is very hurtful to many Constitutions to lye on Beds with or immediately after deceased People especially Women for thereby many a lusty Man contracts languishing Diseases unknown to themselves and no less to their Doctors and then their Cure is as unknown to them both 8. The aforesaid Intemperance and Uncleannesses do not only generate or occasion Consumptions but in many Constitutions terrible Fevors Stone Gout Palsies Scabs Itch and various other unclean Diseases according to each Mans Nature and Complexion for this cause more People are afflicted with Consumptions Fevers Stone and Palsies and dye thereof than of any other Diseases 9. For it is to be noted that most or all People that have wherewithal do with great desire live on Flesh Fish Eggs Butter Cheese and Milk mixing the richest Vegitations with them as Spice Sugar Raisons Currants and the like and at the same time drink strong Cordial Drinks which do strongly provoke Nature and awaken its hidden Properties and Centeral Fires and put all into Discord and Confusion one Property or Quality endeavouring to overeome the other in which Combat the Malus Genius do generally obtain the Victory and then the poor Soul is captivated and overwhelmed in the Sea of Wrath and Uncleanness and the Body precipitated into Fevers Consumptions or some other cruel Distemper according to the Nature of each Mans Constitution 10. That which is the hardest Vice in Mankind to overcome especially in the Males most People do with all Cunning and Art endeavor no less to indulge than hide viz. The inclinations to Venus which if Men by Prudence and Temperance can subdue such especially as are naturally inclined thereunto it will not be hard for them to vanquish all other Vice but instead thereof most Men do in one degree or other promote and advance it viz. By the common eating of Flesh Fish and various sorts of compounded Sweet Fat Spicy Foods and strong Drinks which do wound Nature to the very Heart and this Intemperance and Uncleanness is much more practised in England than any other known Country especially in Cities and Towes than in the Country and therefore more do there dye of Consumptionâ— c. The danger of Fat Foods as Flesh Fish Butter Eggs Cheese and the like 1. IT is to be noted that all sorts of Vegitations or Vegetative Foods are much easier separated and digested by the tart pleasant sharp and yet not sower Liquor or great Menstruum of the Stomach and natural heat than such as proceed from the Animal Kingdom as fat Flesh Fish Butter Eggs Cheese Milk or the like the understanding thereof is only obtained by Experience for nothing but Practice makes a Doctor 2. Such fat succulent Foods do Oyl and fâ—r the Stomach and Passages and are difficultly disgested or dissolved lying longer in the Stomach and heavier than such as are lean or not fat or which arise from the Vegitative Kingdom as every bodies experience may easily convince him and besides when mixed with Sugars Spices Fruits or the like they do not only obstruct the passages and generate bad Blood and impure Spirits but also for the most part causes great heats to attend all the External parts whilest the Center is cold and disordered and then the disgestive faculty requires a dram of some Cordial strong Liquor the truth of this thousands of living Witnesses can attest whence do arise a further Debillitation of the Stomach Venerial Inclinations great heats and uneasiness Consumptions Gout and a thousand other Evils both to the Soul and Body 3. Such Foods are endued with great plenty of gross phlegmatick Juices very pernicious as being too hard for the Natural heat to dissolve and dispatch away downwards into the Bowels but remaining behind do infect the Blood obstructing its Circulation and renders the Spirits foul thick impure and dull which People feel in their Limbs and Joynts after great Meals of such Food which do by degrees sow the Seeds and lay Foundations for Diseases especially Consumptions and Fevers 4. These Inconveniencies are much increased by great drinking of strong Spirituous Liquors which the natural heat of the Stomach does quickly separate for the spirituous parts of all firmented Liquors are on the wing and when such Drinks comes into the Stomach the more pure and volatile spirits thereof do as it were in an instant join and incorporate and draw them forth so that in a little time they spread themselves into all the External parts and cause them to burn with heat whereby the whole Body becomes uneasie and disordered 5. But the colder gross phlegmatick parts of such strong spirituous Drinks remain in the Stomach and Vessels mixed with the grosser undigested Particles of the Food which do after coagulate or as it were knit together and does still so much the more heat and oppress the Stomach occasioning Surfets Fevers and other Diseases seldom curabâ—e 6. For Strong Drinks do contain all properties but more especially two vâ—z a quick brisk lively spirit that is volatile and penetrating which through fermentation presently puts into motion and a dull dead heavy phlegmatick Liquor which by degrees falls down into the Uriters in such Constitutions as are hot and vigorous but not without leaving some dregs on the Stomach but in such as have but weak heats and are of colder Compositions the same incorporates with the Juices of the Food and hinders Concoction by fouling the Stomach and Vessels which do quickly destroy the Natural tone of the Stomach and so prove the original of various Diseases for this cause there is greater danger in superfluous or excessive Drinking after full Meals of fat Flesh Fish with Butter c. then on an empty clean Stomach for though the latter will sooner intoxicate the Head the former is more prejudicial to Nature in its Consequences for most Surfets by over-drinking are gotten after full over-plentiful Meals of the before-mentioned Foods Of Foods that are Easie Innocent and most Healthy 1. ALl Vegetative Foods are not only wholsom but easily concocted for the pleasant Ferment or Menstruum of the Stomach can with much more facility dissipate dissolve and disgest Vegitations than Flesh or Fish and the reason is because the former are not only more innocent and equal in their parts but more sharp and less Oyley and withall more Spirituous 't is true they are endued with an Oyly Body but it is as it were a Spirituous Oyl as it manifest in several sorts of Vegitations in whose preparations if due care and prudence be not used both the spirit and also the Oyl will evaporate and then the thing becomes of no use nor true virtue the Oyl in all Vegetations being the ponderous quality and also is the house or dwelling place of the Volatile spirit and if any violence be offered to
the spirit then also the Oyl does with the true spirit become either suffocated or evaporated for this very cause all Herbage that has lost its spirit does neither smell well nor weigh heavy for that fragrant smell proceeds from the Essential spirits and the weight and ponderousness is from the Oyl the very same is to be understood in all Grains as Wheat Barly Rye and the like the true colour also do arise and proceed both from the Essential spirit and Oyly quality 2. Therefore all Vegitative Foods especially such as are made of Corn as Wheat Rye Barly or the like are far more agreeable and harmonial than Flesh and Fish easier of digestion affording a finer livelier and more brisker spirit and less phlegm or gross Juices which the Natural heat and sharp pleasant Minstruum or Runnet of the Stomach can easily digest and send down into the passages and so free the Joynts and other parts of the Body from Inconveniencies This is manifest by External Operations for how quickly will Bread dissolve being put into Water nay the whole dry Corn it self being infused grows soft and tender in a little time but how long may one infuse Flesh Fish Cheese or Butter before they dissolve or grow more tender Vegetative Foods do also keep the Body cool and pleasant preventing Fumes and Vapours from flying into the Head because such Foods do not generate them as all fat Victuals does for their crude obstructive phlegmatick Juices that lodge in the Stomach and Vessels that cause Fumes and Vapours as also Fevers for the principal cause that Fevers are so frequent is that surplusage of matter that proceeds from Intemperance in Foods both in quantity and quality for when People over-charge Nature then the digestive faculty cannot make a perfect separation but the gross Juices does load stop and fur the passages whence is generated thick Blood and impure Spirits so that Nature becomes stagnated which does immediately stir up and awaken the Centerial Fires in all parts of the Body and makes the whole burn with an unnatural heat uneasie and burthensom which is that we call a Fever 4. Therefore in a special manner after full Meals of Flesh or Fish or other fat Foods Men ought to be cautious of drinking too plentifully of strong spirituous Drinks a cup of good Water to most Constitutions has had far better success to carry off a full Meal of such Foods than strong Liquors for good Water is endued with a mild friendly quality of a dissolving dissipating digestive nature and therefore helpâ— Concoction better than Spirituous Drinks as may be gathered from most or all External Operations for Water especially River Water or Spring Water such as will Wash Boil and Brew well will dissolve and dissipate hard Coagulated Bodies sooner than strong Drink or Spirits as Water will dissolve Sugar sooner than Beer Wine or Brandy for in the last especially it will lie a great while before it dissolves 5. Vegetative Foods affords not only the greatest and most vigorous spirits in the Bodies of either Men or Beasts but more fine and innocent free from the seeds of violence passion and inclinations to Beastiality 6. For the forementioned Reasons those that live wholly on Vegitations can drink more strong spirituous Drinks and with far less prejudice than those that live on Flesh and Fish for they will not so soon fume up into their Heads nor so much heat their Bodies finding their Stomachs free from those Crudities and flatulent Juices wherewith the others are pestered and consequently the digestive Property more powerful the Drink is presently dispatched and the grosser parts evaporated by the Uretors without any let or hindrance but the case is otherwise in the Stomachs of such as eat Flesh and fat Foods the truth of this may further appear by Men that do drink much strong Drink after full Meals such will be made drunk before and also sick before those that take the like quantity whose Stomachs are rather empty than full and the latter are in far less danger of Surfets it being seldom known that such that are both great Eaters and great Drinkers too do live long but on the contrary great Drinkers that eat but small quantities of Food do often live to old Age or if a great Eater chance to out-live Youth they seldom but have the Gout from all which it follows that Animal Foods which are for the most part fat are nothing so Excellent or Commendable as Vegitations which none can understand or know but Doctor Experience talk will not convince any Man no not Men of the greatest Reasons Obj. Some will be apt to object and say that it is nonsence to discourse after this manner viz. to affirm that fat Animal Foods are not so good as poor lean Vegitations and Victuals made thereof for we see will they say that fat things are desired by all or most and if Flesh be not fat it is counted worth little because fat is counted to be of a brave healing nourishing Nature and Operation and therefore our Nurses endeavour to make sucking Children to take it even against their Stomachs Answ. To which I answer that I am not ignorant that this is indeed the vulgar Opinion but for that very reason to be suspected nay if you will hearken to the Voice of Wisdom utterly to be expelled for Doctor Experience and that most excellent Phylosopher Right Reason will tell you that it is a grand mistake to think that Vegitations and Foods made thereof though they have not gross greasy qualities as Animal Foodâ— have are therefore to be counted poor lean and of but little Nourishment for are we not every day taught the contrary though not in Man yet in all other Creatures Will not a little cold Grass and dry Hay and especially Corn make several sorts of Beasts fat and that too very firm and substantial And what is your brave Butter and Cheese but the digested Juice of Grass and Vegitations all dried Grains as Wheat Barly Rye and many other sorts are endued with an excellent Spirit and pure Oyl much finer and freer from grossness and phlegm than Flesh or the product of Flesh the Oyl of Grains being as it were vollatile like a Spirit so that when it comes into the Stomach it is brisk and lively most easily separated and digested as being turned into an Unctious substance from whence the fatness of these Creatures that live on Corn does proceed which Unctious quality does also contain a bright lofty exhillerating spirit that makes all such Creatures so strong lively and brisk that they have no need of the fat either of Flesh or Fish The very same would happen to Man if he could content himself with Vegitative Foods and good Drinks made thereof 7. Such as live on Vegitative Foods are hardly ever subject to drought though they can when they eat drink with more pleasure to the Stomach though not so much to the Pallate as
unto all Creatures as they would be done unto for the highest degree of Sanctity and Religion is to imitate God who is the Maker and Preserver of all things Consider also that thy Life is near and dear to thee the like is to be understood of all other Creatures as I have at large demonstrated in our Way to Health Long Life and Happiness 1. BRead and Water hath the first place of all Foods and are the Foundation of dry and moist nourishment and of themselves being wisely prepared makes a good Food of an opening cleansing Nature and Operation viz. Take Oatmeal and make it into a Gruel as we have Taught in our Monthly Observations of Health then put good Bread into it also take Water and good Wheat Flower and make it into a Pap and put Bread into it and season it with Salt this and Bread with a Glass of Water a Man may live very well which a Friend of mine of no mean Quality have done for near Two years eating neither Flesh nor any of their Fruits neither does he wear any Woollen Garments but Linen 2. Bread and Butter Bread and Cheese being eaten alone or with Sallad Herbs washed without either Salt Oyl or Vinegar makes a most excellent Food of a cleansing exhilerating Quality easie of Digestion the frequent eating thereof sweetens and generates good Blood and fine Spirits and prevents the generation of sower Humors also keeps the Body open and all Herbs thus eaten let the Food be what it will is to be preferred before those that are eaten with Salt Vinegar and Oyl especially for Women and all Constitutions that are subject to generate sower Humors and windy Diseases 3. Bread and Butter eaten with our thin Gruel wherein is only Salt to Season it the best way of eating it is to bite and Soop as you eat raw Milk and Bread this is a most sweet and agreeable Food to the Stomack of easy Concoction and breeds good Blood and causeth it to Circulate freely and it is the most approved way of eating Water-gruel with Butter 4. Bread and Milk as it comes from the Cow or raw as they call it is a most delicate Food and Milk eaten thus is not only the best Food but the most the frequent eating thereof doe sweeten the Blood prevents sower Humors carries Wind downward and causeth it to pass away freely without any Trouble or Molestation to Nature maintaining Health and good Complexion and is to be preferr'd before all other ways of Eating or Preparations especially then boiled Milk for boiling of Milk does fix or stagnate the fine volatile Spirits and makes it of a tough Nature by which the Stomack cannot so easily separate it neither does it generate so fine Blood or Spirits for this cause if you boil Milk and then set it to Cream it will not separate or afford more than a thin Skin but remember that you do not eat your Milk before it be cold not hot from the Cow as most incline to the particular Reasons I have demonstrated in our Good Houswife made a Doctor 5. Bread and Eggs or Bread and raw Eggs as they call them is an excellent Food and it hath the first place of all Meats made of Eggs being easier of Concoction generates finer and better nourishment it naturally cleanseth the passages and the frequent eating of Bread and raw Eggs preserves the Lungs the Bellows of Life chears and warms the Stomack and frees it from Obstructions but remember that you break both ends and suck both the White and Yolk by degrees together and eat it with Bread for the White is the strong Body and the Yolk contains the Spirits and therefore they being eaten together are both wholsomer than assunder and more agreeable unto Nature a little Custom will rendr them very pleasant and delightful to most or all Constitutions 6. Eggs Parsly and Sorrel mixed or stirred together and Fried in a Pan with Butter and a little Salt and when done melt some Butter and Vinegar and put on them but you must not put too great a quantity of Herbs for then it will render it more heavy and dull in Operation this is a Noble and most delicious Dish and it affords a good nourishment provided you eat not too much in quantity 7. Eggs beaten together and Fryed with Butter and when done melt some Butter and Vinegar and put over them is also a delightful and pleasant Dish being much better and easier of Digestion than the common way of Frying Eggs as being lighter and more tender 8. Eggs poached and some Parsly boiled and cut small and mixed with some Butter and Vinegar melted makes a very fine Dâ—sh and gives great satisfaction to the Stomack supplying Nature with Nourishment to the highest degree and is very grateful to the Palate 9. Eggs boiled in their Shells and Eggs roasted the last being the best and eaten with Bread and Salt or with Bread Butter and Salt is a good substantial Food also Eggs broken and Butter'd over the Fire is a good Food being eaten with store of Bread 10. Eggs being mixed with various sorts of Fruits with Butter and Bread made into Pyes is a sort of delicious Food that a Man may give himself the Liberty to Eat now and then to great satisfaction and no detriment to Natture provided it be not too often 11. Eggs poached and eaten with a Dish of boiled Spinage Buttered is a good Food and affords agreeable Nourishment being eaten with plenty of good Bread 12. Eggs with Flower and Water made into a Pap on the Fire as we have directed in the forementioned Book The Good Houswsfe made a Doctor is a Noble Food affording a brave clean nourishment being eaten either alone or with Bread 13. Raw Eggs broke into our thin white Water-gruel and brewed well together with some Salt to season it and then eaten with Bread or Bread and Butter makes a most exhilerating Food being of a warming Quality and agreeable unto the Stomack generates good Blood and fine brisk Spirits this Gruel is very good for all young People and Women for the frequent use of this and others of our Spoon-meats do naturally sweeten all the Humors and prevents the generation of sower Juices frees the passages from Windiness and Griping pains 14. Milk Water and Flower makes a brave substantial Pap or Food this affords a strong nourishment and such as eat frequently of it shall not be subject neither to the Gripes of the Stomack nor Bowels and cuts off the generation of Wind in the bud makes the Spirits brisk the Body plump fat and of good Complexion also it allays heat and drought this being as friendly a Food to Nature as any Composition made by Fire with Milk 16. One Egg broke into a Pint of good Ale and brewed well together and eaten with Bread makes a brave Meal and it hath a vigorous and quick operation in the Stomach in the Summer you may drink or eat it