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 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
to its like therefore a Wise Man can only be said to be a Priest a Lover of God and fit to Pray for he only can Worship that confounds not the Qualities of them he is to adore but first making himself the Sacrifice erects a Statue of God in his own Bâ—east and builds in his Soul a Temple for the Reception of the Celestial Light 35. Hence it follows that he is truly Pious who having attained the knowledge of things Divine returns his own Perfections as his greatest glory unto the cause from whence it flow'd wholly resigning himself to a desire of enjoying that which is able to satisfie him 36. These 3 last Aphorisms I have borrowed from the Comments of Hiracles on the Golden Verses of Pythagoras writ in Greek more than 2000 years ago which may shew that what I Recommend is no Novel but asserted by the Wisest Ancients Of REASON from whence it proceeds and Cause of its variety in Mankind 1. THere is scarce any thing wherein Man is more proud of himself than in a certain Faculty which he calls Reason hence Aristotle defined Man to be a Rational Creature though Yet according to his own method of Logick which is the Art of Reasoning it is thought several undergraduated Animals may fairly put in for a share in that Epethite or Difference And still what this Reason is where it exists and whence it proceeds is a Question 't is certain it does not unfrequently take up Arms against it self witness Mr. Hobbs a Person that might claim as great an interest in that Indowment as most our Age has known who lays it down as a Maxim That as oft as Reason is against a Man that is against Advantages and Inclinations so oft would a Man be against Reason witness also that Prodigy of Wit the late Earl of R who with the highest colour of Reason wrote a virulent Satyr against Reason it self endeavouring to expose it as the greatest Plague of Human kind and which rendred them both more absurd and miserable than the most brutish of Beasts 2. I alledge not this as partaking with or justifying either of these Authors but only to shew how variable some Mens Conceptions are about this matter which will further appear if we consider that what one Man asserts and contends for as the most Rational thing in the World another no way his inferior for parts shall explode and laugh at as most absurd and contrary to Reason and this Contradiction is not only seen in particular Men but between great and numerous Parties Sects and whole Nations in things of the greatest importance and daily in practise amongst them as their Customs Laws Rites and Ceremonies both Civil and Religious The Story is well known of that Eastern Prince who having got in his Army some Indians that were wont to eat their Parents Bodies when dead and other Europeans that buried theirs in the Ground demanded of the first what they would take to quit their Custom and suffer their Fathers to be interr'd who cryed out Unanimously Let the Gods forbid that we should commit such unreasonable Impiety as to expose the dear Corps of our Ancestors to rot in the vilest of Elements but when to the other on the contrary he proposed the Eating of their Friends Bodies they rejected it with horror as the most unreasonable Overtures in the World 3. Since therefore the Reason of Mankind appears to be so different I shall endeavour briefly to penetrate into the Original Grounds of such its variety in order whereunto it will be requisite to consider the three grand Principles or Fountains the Understanding and distinguishing of which will render us capable to know the Root whence the variety of Mans Reasoning doth arise and proceed for to whichsoever of those each Man hath devoted himself or entred into with his will sutable thereunto will his Reason be 4. The first Principle or Fountain is the Original Fire or Fountain of all things the Cause of all Life and Motion which in its own Nature devoid of the Sons Property is a dark Poysonous Fierce Consuming Fire as the highly worthy Moses saith The Father is a Iealous Angry God and a Consuming Fire that is without the qualification of the Divine power or Son of God for it is the Son that influences qualifies enlightens and reconciles the dark harsh Father and unites the Soul to its Creator for from this dark harsh Principle the Soul of Man takes its Original being an unbounded Fountain having in it self a Free Will and though it be fallen out of that glorious Estate it was first Created in and forsaken its beloved Spirit or Sons Property yet it is fallen into the Human Nature and therefore stands in the possibility of being made better if the Will enter into the Divine or second Principle but worse it cannot be then it is in its own Nature for this cause the great Light of the World said he came to seek and to save that which was lost viz. the Souls of Men which had departed and separated from the guidance of the holy Principle and lived in the operations of its own Nature and fierce harsh Fires now if Man enters with his Will into this fierce poysonous dark harsh Principle and separates himself fâ—om the Light and suffers his Soul to its operatâ—ons in its own nature so that this fierce prâ—perty comes to be predominant in the Center of his Heart then all the Reasonings of such a Man does arise and proceed from it and unto such People Injustice Covetousness Pride Domineering Oppressions Violence Outraging Envy Backbiting Fighting with and killing not only our own Kind but all others seems to be natural and therefore the highest of Reason with them for they account those things and practises to be their rights and priviledges and that God justifies them in doing the Voice of the Fierce Wrath as Captain Vratz the German that was Executed here some years ago for the Murther of Esquire Thin being a little before his Death urg'd with the hainousness of his Crime and what deep and sincere Repentance ought to be found in him before he could expect a Pardon from God he answered That he knew indeed that killing a Man was always amongst little People counted a great business but in many Circumstances lookt upon by Persons of Quality under a far different Aspect and that he did not doubt but God Almighty would regard him as a Gentleman And if others that make profession of Human Butcheries do not speak out altogether so plainly we may reasonably suppose they have yet ready the same Sentiments or else they could never follow such Courses without the least shew of Remorse and from this Principle as devoid of the second does proceed not only amongst Heathens Turks and Jews but even amongst those that call themselves Christians all their bad Reason Laws Pollicies Customs and whatever else is of the nature of evil in Man one to another and to
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
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
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