equality or inequality of the Earth or Ground it is Sowed in and the Cultivation of the Husband-man whether managed with Prudence or the contrary And as it is with the Beasts and Vegetables even so it goes and the very same is to be understood in the Humane Ground a strong thing cannot arise and proceed from a weak one nor an equal from an unequal or a healthy from a sickly every Seed Fruit or Son carries in its central Bosome all the Qualifications Degrees and Temperaments of the original Stock or Father this being the very Ground and principal Cause why so many cruel Diseases that attend Mankind cannot be Cured neither by Medicines nor wholsome temperate Methods of Life Now if this Ground or true Foundation of Wisdom and Philosophy were well understood the Physician would be capable of giving good Advice and Precedents of Life and likewise others would be careful cautious and temperate both in the quality and quantity of their Meats and Drinks being sensible that from the Body and Spirits of each of them our Bodies and Spirits are continually Made Created and Generated and according to the degrees of Equality and Inequality Temperance or Intemperance such is the Humors such is the Blood such are the Spirits such Imaginations Dispositions Words and Works every thing according to its original Constitution and whatsoever Form hath obtained the Dominion in the central Fire always is generating and creating its own Species or Son who does in all particulars contain all the Properties Principles and Powers of the Father as is hinted before so that the Essences of each thing we Eat and Drink in order to support and continue our Bodies and Spirits do never depart but advance and confederate with their Similies and Likenesses and according to their goodness grossness cleanness and uncleanness such a Man is created generated or made This being the eternal and unalterable Law of the Great Father of all Powers and Creator of all Beings which no Man can withstand or obliterate therefore Equality Cleanness Order and Temperance are as it were the Originals of a Sound Healthy Body Harmonious Mind and a Pious Sober Clean temperate Off-spring For all things in the Good and Evil observe their Original Law every thing in its own way according to its Dignification in Evil or Good Equality or Inequality such a Child Son or Fruit it Brings or Widwifes into the World for this Cause Cleanness Temperance and Order have been so highly celebrated and commended by all the Seeing and Distinguishing Men both of former and latter Ages so that it is plain and manifest that most of those cruel and incurable Diseases that now reign in the Microcosmical World have been conveyed and entailed by their Progenitors or Parents and if Mankind should now take up and live on simple innocent Meats and harmless Drinks and free himself from Violence Uncleanness and Opression it would be two or three Ages before Man would be Healthy and Sound either in their Bodies or Minds so deeply are they wounded Which miserable and melancholy State or Error can never be mended neither in the Stock Branch Fruit nor Son till it be seen and known to be so and that the Eye of Wisdom be opened in Man's Mind by which he sees understands and distinguishes between the Intrinsick and Extrinsick Virtues Vices Cleanness and Uncleanness of their Food and Drink and all other things they join or communicate with Now as Fevers are more tolerable or violent according to the Form or Power that Operates Agitates or Invades the natural or central Fires for Fire is the root of motion and the true Strength and Pleasure of Life when it burns gently and calmly but when it is agitated or too violently awakened or stirred up then presently as with a rapid and turbulent motion it seizes the radical moisture and sweet Oil which is the true Life and Original being of the Fire but Burning too violently it consumes this Oily Body and violently attracts the thin Spirituous Airy Qualities or Powers unto it self for all heat or fire of what kind soever naturally and with great Ardency attracts or draws unto it self the Air it being its Life for without it it can neither burn nor subsist The Air thus drawn doth always carry in its Bosom the watry Spirit or Element which gives unto the Fire its bright clear shining Lustre but the Central Fires being thus agitated or awakened do in a moment destroy and consume both the radical Oily Body and also the Airy and Watry Spirits and Natural Powers which do presently as it were stagnate and prevent all the circular Motions and in a great measure stop the Vessels and Parts both Internally and Externally so that the Blood becomes thick gross hot and frothy and the Pores of the outward Members and Parts becomes hot narrow or stopt which doth prevent the Penetration Ingress Egress and Regress of the fine thin Spirituous Vapours of the Air from without So that if the fiery Spirit be violently awakened it breaks and destroys all the Circulations and Correspondence of the whole Body all the inward faculties being in an Agony or a tumultuous State and Operation and thereby the Life is sunk or destroyed as it were in a moment if some powerful Food or Medicine does not timely prevent by opening the doors and porous passages and to advance the Circulation of the Blood Spirits and all the Airy Motions and Faculties for should the healthiest and strongest Person 's External Pores be stopt but one Quarter of an Hour such a one would be seized with a Fever immediately For the fine thin Spirituous Vapours of the Air that do penetrate the Body on all sides and by the attractive qualities are sucked or drawn in by way of Pores which do refresh uphold increase and support all the natural Motions and Circulations of the Blood and Spirits and their fine thin Spirituous powers of the Air do never fail to carry and convey the transparent thin moist Vapours or Spirits of the Element of Water for as the Fire cannot burn nor subsist without the Airy Spirit so neither ean the Air continue its brisk lively motion without the support of the Fire which incorporates its self and dwells in the moist Vapour or Spirituous quality of the Water which Watry Spirit gives Life both to the Air and the bright shining light of the Fire one cannot subsist without the other For this cause if any Person is employed abroad in moist wet Weather and in or about Waters or Rivers sides such People have for the most part stronger and sharper Appetites than in dryer Seasons and Places for the Air being in moist Seasons provided there be not too much wet Weather filled or impregnated with the fine moist Spirits of the Water which doth give such a powerful life to the Air that both becomes rarified by which it more powerfully penetrates the whole Body through all parts and Members to the very
have on all the Faculties of Nature no Wise man will or can deny as is before sufficiently demonstrated besides there is still another Ground and deep Original for the conveyance and generation of a great multitude of Diseases but more especially this fiery Distemper viz. the Seed being the compleat Image or Epitome of all the Properties Forms and Powers both of the Body Soul and Spirit and for this cause Man is called the Son or Off-spring of God or his Image The same is to be understood of Man when he Generates a Child is he not his Son and doth he not bear the Image and true Signature of his Father is he not endued with all the principles and powers of Body Soul and Spirits and if the Seed did not contain the true Nature and Property of the whole Father then the Fathers power or part thereof would not have an Essential Being in the Son neither would the Son be his true Image this being true as no Wiseman can doubt Then by the same rule Virtues and Vices of all Kinds are Sowed in the Seed and according as the Father and Mother are qualified and tempered in their Order Sobriety Temperance or Intemperance in their Meats Drinks and Employments Communications Imaginations Inclinations Dispositions Words and Works such is the Seed and the Fruit that is Generated Begotten and brought forth and is in Body Soul and Spirit the very same in all the principles and powers This being true what Conduct Temperance and Order what Cleanness Self-denial and Wisdom ought Parents to be endued with seeing they entail all their Virtues and Vices on their Posterity Now Mankind hath so far estranged himself from all those fore-mentioned Virtues by his gross Evils Violences Oppressions and Uncleannesses that he is run into the deepest degree of Depravity Blindness and Ignorance so that most do live under and are governed by the divided powers and forms of their own Composition where every quality and principle are at Enmity with each other so that he is hunted out of one evil into another Fierceness Violence and Oppression being his chief Delight and as it were the Pleasure and Pastime of most Men viz. Great Men study how they may destroy ruin and kill those of their own Kind and Species and the lower Ranks in hunting oppressing and killing the inferior Graduates and all the innocent harmless Inhabitants of the four Worlds and in Conformity and Proportion to these rapacious Employments are the principal Foods of Man so that there is a Concatenation and Sympathetical Agreement and Concurrence of all sorts and kinds of wrathful fierce Violence contrived and managed by the inbred fierce encroaching spiteful envious Powers which have not only sullyed but as it were obliterated the Noble light of Understanding and hath sunk Man into the deepest and darkest ignorance of himself and all that is good so that he neither sees hears nor understands any thing as he ought and thereby becomes subject to and is acted and governed by the fore-mentioned tyrannical Spirits Now there is no way or means to prevent those violent Diseases and other Distempers but by the wholsom rules of Order Temperance and Cleanness in Meats Drinks Communications Employment Words and Works which doth oppose all the fore-mentioned Customs as much as Light doth Darkness or the Day the Night by which the Observers may obtain a better Seed which will produce a Healthy and Virtuous Off-spring viz. The Foods material and suitable for this purpose are as followeth Bread and all Foods made of the Flour of Corn have the first place both for Cleanness Virtue and good Nourishment as Bread and Water-gruel Flour-pap boil'd Wheat boil'd Barley Hasty-pudding boil'd Bread and several sorts made of the Flours of Seeds and Corn Next to these are Milk Butter Cheese Eggs and a great number of other Exhilerating Foods made thereof The principal Drink alotted and ordained by God and the Law of undefiled Nature is pure clean Water Next to these are Communications which have great power over the Imaginations Inclinations Dispositions Words and Works either to encrease or advance Virtue or Vice and these Employments are very material viz. All such as are Humane free from Oppression or Violence either to Man or Beasts likewise all sorts of Husbandry or any Business in the open Air more especially such as is on or near the Water and to Travel in rainy moist Seasons Thirdly Thin or moderate Cloathing airy clean sweet Houses and Beds observing a mean in all things for Temperance and to understand the proper Measure both in Quantity and Quality are the Sinews of Health both of Body and Mind which to distinguish and understand in a Man's self is the Spring-head of all Blessings for whatsoever may or can be understood of God and of his unalterable Law is compleatly and entirely contained in Man Therefore the greatest Calamity the most miserable melancholy and deplorable Condition in the World is for a Man to be Ignorant of himself not to understand and distinguish the Powers of God and his own Composition for want of this inward true Knowledge he Judgeth of all things as a Blind Man doth of Colours and a Deaf Man of Musick all is done by Chance Trade or Custom so great and so deep is the Depravation of Man SIR Yours to Command T. T. LETTER XXIII Of EDUCATION SIR I Réceived yours of the 20th instant wherein you desire me to give you an Essential Method of Educating and Bringing up your Children they being all Young and of tender Age by which they are rendred capable of being taught and moulded into any Form Method and Government First I referr you to our Book entituled A New Method of Educating Children which I desire you would Read However I shall endeavour to gratify your Desire with those Talents the Lord hath given me not doubting but they will be thereby improved by your Prudent Conduct therefore please to observe these following Rules and Methods 1. YOU ought to understand and endeavour to be sensible that our Creator hath made Man in his own Image and a compleat Epitome of all Principles Qualities and Powers both of the Corporial and Incorporial Worlds all things have an Essential Being in Man's Soul viz. Virtue true Light and Darkness Love and Hate and if Men once come to be sensible of their own Composition and to distinguish between Good and Evil Virtue and Vice and from what Principles each takes its Birth they would hate and lament their ill Conduct both of their own Methods of Life and the bringing up of their Children it is impossible any Man should be capable to avoid the Errors of Educating Children if he doth not distinguish the two Grand Fountains of Good and Evil in himself and how the various Powers Qualities and Inclinations which do all arise and proceed from these two Fountains are to be Qualified Allaied and United for all sorts and kinds of Knowledge and Learning though it
are all Passions and the chief Discoverers of Ignorance Blindness and Disunity but must quietly submit to God's Divine Hand that is never wanting to all such that Live within the Bounds and Limits of his Eternal and Unalterable Law All such will feel and enjoy the Pleasant Fruit of Paradice both in Time and Eternity but when the Eye of the Mind and Intellectual Powers are Dark and Ignorant and when the opposite Powers to all Cleanness Virtue and Temperance are awakened then all the Desires and Hopes do Proceed and are Generated from those Ruling Fierce Invading Violent Unclean Spirits and Powers which stir up and forces the Husband to leave his Loving Wife and Tender Children exposing-them to all kind of Ruin and Misery the Son to leave his Father and Loving Mother and open his Breast to Guns and Swords and to all manner of Cruelty and Hardship others to Rob Plunder and Steal some to undertake long hard and hazardous Voyages and a thousand difficult Enterprizes which no Man would ever do if he did not hope to escape the danger and come off well Who would be a Soldier if he were sure to be killed and had no Hopes or what Person would break open a House if he did not hope to do it and not to be taken none of these wickednesses and violences would be done if that Gentleman called Hope did not flatter them and entice them to it So that it 's most manifest that Men do hope against Reason Wisdom Understanding and all known Virtues who are all sure to Feel the Smart sooner or later LETTER VI. Of FIRES SIR I Have received yours wherein you desire to be informed the best Method of making Grates and Coal-Fires in Kitchens and Chambers the which I shall endeavour to Answer 1. TAKE two Fire-stones about 14 or 16 Inches high from the Hearth which you may fix to a Back of Bricks in Depth about 7 8 9 or 10 Inches the wideness in the Front 12 or 14 Inches in proportion to the Depth that is to say if the Depth be 7 Inches then the Front 14 Inches wide between which Stones you are to place a Grate made much in the nature of a Gridiron viz. It must stand moveable upon 4 Legs not exceeding 3 4 or 5 Inches at most from the Hearth the last of which will serve for the greatest Kitchin-Fires and the first for Chambers with 2 3 or 4 small Bars made round about the bigness of your little Finger and about 3 or 4 Inches distant from each other the uppermost Bar to be the strongest all fastned in 2 sides of Iron ascending from the 2 front Legs as high as the top of the Fire-stones which will be all flat on the top in the front the bottom Bars to lie flat and not edgeways a little distance from each other Note that the Stones at the sides and the back behind must be both made upright without any shelving as the usual Custom is and between the Grate and the 2 Stones at the sides and the back of Bricks behind you must leave the same distance as you make between the Bars at the Bottom of your Grate so your Grate will go in and come out easily which will powerfully draw the Air on all sides and behind and make the Fire Burn strong and clear so that you will have no occasion to use any Bellows to blow it the reason whereof is it being as deep or of the same compass at the bottom as on the top and the Grate not standing close either to the sides or to the back the Air freely circulates on all sides so that your Fire burns many degrees stronger than the Customary sloping Grates which are high from the bottom of the Hearth and sloping which prevents Attraction and Circulation of the Air whereas the low standing of this Grate together with the depth and upright standing of the sides and back as is mentioned before makes it burn so clear and strong that it will Heat Iron fit for Forging and Boil and Prepare any sort of Food not only in less than half the time but much sweeter and cleaner The best way of kindling this Fire is with a few small Sticks Shavings or Splinters upon which put your Cinders and a few fresh Coals then you may light it with a Candle and it will burn without blowing with Bellows for blowing weakens and destroys the Sulphur or Sal niter in the Coals for this cause Fires that are blown will not Cake or Coagulate and consequently will not burn near so strong as those that are not blown Besides this Fire will burn quicker or in a shorter time and sooner fit for use and not so apt to smoak the House nor the Foods that are prepared by it If you have not Fire-stones for the sides Bricks will perform the same and are more lasting The Charge of the Grate Stones or Bricks are much less thâ—… the common Grates and their Appurtenances the whole of the smaller sort will not cost above 12 or 14 s. the larger not exceeding 20 or 26 s. Moreover the low standing of this Grate does prevent the Chimney drawing up the heat whereby the Room is maâ—…e much warmer and the Hearth made so hot that you may Bake small things thereon provided that you place Backs to reflect the heat as is used in Roasting of Meat and warms the Legs of those that sit by them which other Fires seldom do These Fires will Boil any thing in your Pots without having Hangâ—… to them placing only 2 small moving Bars of Iron which wâ—… reach from one side to the other of the Brick-work which mâ—… all be flat and even on the top for your Pot or Vessel to stâ—… upon LETTER VII Of Bricks and various sorts of Earth SIR YOurs I have received and shall endeavour to answer your Request viz. The best and most natural way of making Bricks Tiles Mortar Plaister and Flooering Of Bricks 1. DIG up your Earth between Michaelmas and Christmas that it may have sufficient time to mellow ferment or digest which will render it more apt and fit to Temper and about March or April it will be fit to Tread or Temper which ought to be done more than doubly what is usual for the goodness of the Bricks wholly depend upon the well performance of its first Preparation for the Earth in its self before it is wrought is generally brittle and dusty and as it were without Band or Stability but by adding small quantities of Water by degrees to it and working and incorporating of it together does open the body by which the Astringent Sal nitral Power of nature does appear and tinge the whole with a tough Glewy strong Band or Substance which without these reiterated Stroaks Beatings or Temperings could not have been manifested for this Saturnine Tough Constringent Band or Oily Substance is hid and captivated in the innermost Centre even as the sweetness in Barley is not nor cannot
carries the fairest and most plausible Face yet if it do not arise and proceed from the Light of a Man 's own Life and have a Centre in himself and distinguished from what Ground and Principle it proceeds it is of no value but all Fantastick and Uncertain This is most manifest and true in this Visible World and likewise in all Sciences Arts and Trades no Man is rendred capable of giving any true Account or to Judge rightly of any particular Science Art or Trade and the inward Mystery thereof but only such who have Judgment or can distinguish the principal Qualities and Parts of that piece of Art or Workmanâ—…ip therefore it hath by the more Wise and Understanding Men of all Ages been owned that the Knowledge of a Man's self hath been the Spring-head of Wisdom because no Man can possibly know God who knows not his Works all which are a compleat Image of himself and he that doth not understand nor distinguish the Signature of his own Composition cannot do it in any Specifick Body or Thing be it ever so small and inferiour Now the want of this Self-knowledge and distinguishing our own Principles Qualities and Powers is the Grand In-let to all Evil and Error in this World both in particular and publick Governments For this Cause no Man can be a true Politician or Governor in this World if he doth not distinguish the Powers and Principles of Good and Evil in himself for where this central Knowledge is wanting there is nothing but Error Pride Self-Arrogance Covetousness Envy and Domineering their Imaginations being kindled not only in those Evil Qualities but also in the fantastick Regions of this World so that if any Good comes under such Kings or Princes Government it is all as it were by chance therefore my Friend the first true step for obtaining the Wisdom is to seek and know God and the Operation of his Powers in your self which to understand and distinguish is not only the greatest Blessing but it likewise furnishes you with all sorts of Materials for the Mamaegment and Government both of your self and all that God hath put under your Government and Conduct First Your Wife or whosoever Nurses or Brings up your Children must refrain and not use that most idle and pernicious Customs of fantastick foolish Talking to their young tender Infants which doth make such great and deep Impressions even from one Quarter of a year Old which takes such Essential root by way of Simile and so obtains such a Power and strengthens the fantastick Principle that it is not to be wholly rooted out or obliterated Secondly They ought likewise to Cloath their Children in modest plain Garments and by no means to point shew or endeavour to make them sensible where they are Fine This is frequent amongst all sorts of People as well those that esteem themselves Sober and Religious as others which doth mightily infinuate raise and awaken the high lofty Property of Pride and lay sure and lasting Foundations of Self-esteem and by degrees strengthen most evil Qualities by which Means and Methods they put an Esteem and Value on themselves and at the samâ—… time disregard and undervalue all their Inferiors this doth 〈◊〉 deeply wound and lay such sure and lasting Methods of Pride that many thousands of poor distressed Mortals are never heâ—…ed That Mothers and Nurses ought to refrain from the practise of that evil Custom of Slabbering and Kissing their Children asking and teaching the Children to do the same and though this seems to be an innocent Custom at first and likewise their talking of Baudy nevertheless this doth so early open the Gates of Venus and lays sure and lasting Foundations for Wantonness and Uncleanness so that many thousands can never free themselves from those invading turbulent Motions and Inclinations after Women Thirdly Mothers and Nurses should as much as is possible refrain and forbear much Talking especially impertinent Discourse and teach them by a sedate silence and shewing their dislikes in a few words and those as grave and sober as if they were talking with Senators Fourthly They ought not to shew or speak in the hearing of their Children any thing wherein Passion is expressed for whensoever this is practised the Children are thereby Precipitated into the same Principle of Wrath and Violence which from time to time is so mightily strengthened by which early planting Wrath and fierce Passion obtaineth the Ascendant in the Soul which can never be destroyed or overcome but let the Correction of your Children be done by some silent wise sober Methods sometimes by fasting standing silent alone and the like such Corrections will penetrate deeper into their Souls and make them more sensible than Whipping and Beating which doth chiefly serve to advance the Principle of Bitterness Envy and self-ful Power for by the Eternal Law of God every like begets and strengthens its Simile Fifthly Use your Children to a constant hour of going to Bed and Rising viz. Go to Bed at eight and Rise at six or seven according to the Season of the Year Custom makes their Sleep more sound and certain which is a great Conveniency both to Mothers and Nurses Sixthly So soon as your Children can go about teach them several little but useful things both within doors as in the House and also without in the Air viz. To know their Letters which they are capable to learn before they can Speak Sowing Knitting picking up of Sticks or small Stones carrying from and bringing to you several little things also learning to Write Cast Accompts Musick and Drawing in order to Painting and when you are minded they should stand still from those little Affairs then command them to stand silently by you looking on you and what you are doing which still makes a deep Impression on their Minds by which they will not know what that Vanity is called Play there being nothing more pernicious nor promotes Idleness and Vanity more than Childrens Playing promiscuously one amongst another it is certainly one of the Grand Original Banes and destruction of Mankind for it is so timely planted and awakens all sorts of Passions fantastick Spirits and Qualities so that as they by degrees grow stronger and stronger they Degenerate into all sorts and kinds of Wickednesses therefore all Parents Fathers and Mothers ought to employ their Children or else they will employ themselves and spend all their brisk sporting Spirits in Play and Vanity also keep them from the sight of those Children that are suffered to Play also from all Plays and Games and the ill Usage of any of the inferior Creatures for all those Evils are like Pestilential Airs they Influence all their Beholders and leave their fatal Strokes and Wounds behind them Suffer not your Children to speak much likewise be careful that you do not Laugh or make a Jest of any of their Actions for such things prove of evil Consequence to them Seventhly Keep not your Children too long at
and desire to be made manifest that is to be known to its self which cannot be any other way but by being cloathed with a Corporeal Body for a Spirit or an Inâ—…e Power cannot become Individual if it be not cloathed with a suitable Body they being like a Circle in which all the Spiritual invisible Principles and Powers do act and become â—…nown to themselves and thereby be made capable of Joy Hoâ—… Fear and Sorrow It is likewise to be understood as was before mentioned that the Spirit of each Creature is before the Body and the Desire the Cause and Original thereof and as the Learned Apostle Paul saith the Body is Dead without the Spirit and 〈◊〉 Spirit is not nor cannot be known to its self nor Enjoy or Sâ—…fer without the Body and every particular Creature or Being is endued with all the Principles Properties and Qualities of the Eternal Father or Invisible Fountain of Unity and are all the true and natural Sons thereof and therefore each Sensitive Creature doth from an Innate Disposition and Spiritual Inclination desire to be like its Father that hath Begotten it for the Son doth contain the true Nature and Properties of the Father and therefore not only Man but all other inferiour Creatures are the Likeness and Image of him from whence they proceed and had their Birth each according to its Kind and Graduation and as the Original Forms and Powers were more equal or unequal inferior or superior whence proceed the great and wonderful variety of visible Creatures both in the Animal Vegitable and Mineral Kingdoms in this World for accordiâ—… 〈◊〉 the degrees equality and inequality of the Spiritual Quaâ—… and Powers such were the Desires which did naturally 〈◊〉 vehemently attract a proportionable Matter out of all thiâ—… for a Covering our Body and that Sal Nitral or Spiritual Poâ—… and Virtue that did Predominate or had the Ascendant Sigâ—… the Body with a Character and the Inclinations Dispositioâ—… Shapes Figures and Forms were accordingly so that the â—…dation of the variety of Bodies and Complexions proceed 〈◊〉 the degrees of the Invisible or Spiritual Powers And for this Cause it is no wonder that every Creature 〈◊〉 hath obtained that high degree of Sensation and is thereby caâ—…le of enjoying or suffering either Pleasure or Pain 〈◊〉 with the highest diligence endeavour to avoid all Violence 〈◊〉 and Death and desire to Live for Ever seeing that 〈◊〉 sprung from the eternal and unsearchable Fountain of Unity for every Creatures Actions Inclinations and Desires are all â—…cording to the Composition of the Spiritual Properties and 〈◊〉 lities all which have an eternal Original whence the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Desire in all Creatures do spring and arise of Living 〈◊〉 Ever and notwithstanding the Inferiors have no cause of Dread nor Sense on them of any World or being after this either Good or Evil nevertheless they fear and dread all kinds of â—…rt Violence Oppression and consequently shun and avoid â—…th with as much Cunning and Wisdom as Men and do 〈◊〉 the highest Diligence Industry and Prudence endeavour to â—…serve themselves and Off-spring nay they rather exceed 〈◊〉 besides they have not transgressed their natural Law and â—…fore they cannot be oppressed with any fear of Pain or Sorâ—… after this Life but the Original of all fear of Hurt Violence 〈◊〉 Death doth proceed from the Spirit or Spiritual Powers 〈◊〉 hath cloathed or incircled themselves in Matter or Corpoâ—… Bodies which the Spiritual Properties and Powers would preserve and keep as an Habitation for Ever for by means of 〈◊〉 Corporeal Body or Matter the variety of the Spiritual Proâ—…ties are encircled and so become a Self-subsisting Creature known to its self as was mentioned before and is thereby renâ—…ed capable both of Pain and Pleasure Joy or Sorrow for that which is Eternal doth naturally desire what is like it self 〈◊〉 therefore those Spiritual Beings and Powers that have the like motion and Sensation of all Creatures cannot by all the â—…ning Rhetorick in the World be perswaded on any account oâ—… be made willing to Die or be separated from their Bodies 〈◊〉 nothing is able to abliterate those Inclinations Dispositions and Qualifications of the Spiritual Powers cloathed with material Bodies they received from the Grand or Eternal Fountain the Father and Creator of all Beings so that the natural Disposition 〈◊〉 Desire of all Sensitive Creatures is to preserve their Bodies 〈◊〉 Ever which is like themselves and according to their Oriâ—…al Natures for no Spiritual Power can 〈◊〉 contrary to its 〈◊〉 and its Original Fountain or Father that Made or Created it And for this Cause the Under-graduates do all of them fear and dread Hurt Violence and Oppression or any thing that seems to tend to put a Period to their Lives as the like Actions 〈◊〉 Mankind and much more if it be possible for as they know 〈◊〉 Hurt nor do no Injury to their Knowledge but Live within the Limits of the Law their Creator prescribed them For this Cause all or most of the inferior Creatures do fear all kinds of Violence more than Mankind for the more harmless and innocent any Creature is the greater is the Opposition between the Species of Hurtfulness and Violence so that the Creaâ—… Fears and Calamities are thereby encreased and all Opâ—… is the harder to be undergone For this Cause the more innocent a Creature is the greater 〈◊〉 and Evil it is to Oppress that Creature and therefore Man's Violence Oppression and Killing the Beasts is an extraordinary Evil and Sin against God and his Law for Killing stands in eternal Opposition to the Creating Power of God which proceeds from Eternity to Eternity and this Eternal Spiritual preserving Power being the compleat Life and Essential Being of all Creatures whence proceeds and springs an eternal desire of Life or to Live for Ever according to its Innate Nature so that it is the greatest Sin that can be committed against that wonderful Mystery and Creating Power of God as being most opposite not only to the Creation but also to all the Eternal Spiritual Powers that are cloathed with material Bodies for the true Life Power Motion and Actions of all visible Bodies â—…esides in the Spirits which hath an eternal Original as was mentioned before and therefore not willing to be oppressed hurt oâ—… to have its Body any way destroyed for the Body is the Sâ—…rits natural Right and will not part with it unless necessity compeâ—…s And for these Reasons the highest Evil and Punishment that can be done to Mankind is to put a Period to Life and therefore the Laws of most Countries do not indict or compel Meâ—… to Die but only on the committing of great Evils The continuation of Life is strangelâ—… precious in the Central Qualities and Spiritual Powers of every Corporeal Creature and will not Man choose a miserable troubled laboâ—…ious Life of Vexation rather than a short and easy Death and this Desire and earnest
the Father and Mother the Son or Fruit cannot but must partake and bear a Simile of its Parents whence it proceeded for if the Foundation of any Creature be Evil the end must centre in the same for most of the great Out-rages Evils and Calamities that fall on and attend Mankind do arise and proceed from his acting and living under the Government of the disunited and self-ful Principles and Powers of his own Composition as was hinted before Therefore that Man should have the Knowledge of future Events either of this World or of that which is to come it would be a great addition of Evil and Misery to him seeing he transacts the Affairs of his Life under the conduct of such violent evil Principles and mischievous Methods Traditions and Customs But if Mankind had but one grain of true Wisdom and did see ever so little into themselves or own Magia then a Man would easily guess what Events such violent oppressive Methods of Life would produce and bring to pass both in the Evil and also in the Good for Nature and God's Law is always one and the same and true for ever for every Principle and governing Quality begets and brings forth Children like it self and endues them with all the Qualifications of the Father both in Body and Mind Soul and Spirit and where he is willing to presage or promise unto himself or Posterity any Good he must Live first and transact all the Methods of his Life in harmlessness and innocency avoiding Violence and all sorts and kinds of Oppression either to Man or Beast using all the Creatures to a good end and purpose and above all not to do or enter on any Action of Life without applying ourselves and taking the Advice of that Divine Power Principle and Advocate that dwells in the Centre of every Man's Soul whose Rule and Prescriptions if obeyed will render our present Momentary Lives comfortable and Dying-Beds easy and our future State most Happy My Dear Friend I doubt not when we shall meet in the Heavenly Regions but that we shall have a most undoubted Confirmation and Illustration of those Truths and wonderful Mysteries we have discoursed of in our Writings which the Ages to come will have cause to Praise God for who is the Giver of Gifts and the Revealer of Secrets to the Sons and Daughters of Wisdom from whom this Knowledge hath proceeded which undoubtedly in future Times will draw many into the innocent Method of God's Law which if Mankind Lived in would quickly ease the Soul of that great dread and fear of what shall happen after Death for nothing can hurt or perplex that Soul that hath lived a harmless Life neither in Time nor Eternity all Dread Fear and Srrrow comes in at the Door of Violence and Hurtfulness as also our not governing our selves nor the Creatures according to the Right of Nature and the one only Original Law and this great violent tormenting Monster doth first take its Birth in Man's Meats Drinks Exercises and Employments Words and Works are the Fruits that are generated from the central Powers and natural Spirits so that those evil Principles and Qualities are conveyed from one Generation to another the Children being Essentially endued with all the Principles Dispositions and Qualifications of the Father and that which makes another considerable addition to those Grand Fountains of Evil Violence and the breaking of God's Holy Union is the evil and preposterous Education of our Children and the wicked Examples and Precedents of Fathers Mothers and all concerned in Bringing them up so that what evil Qualifications are wanting in the Seed are made up and compleated in their Education which hath and doth take such deep root that every Generation are more and more Wicked notwithstanding the continual Preaching Teaching and Admonishing of the Clergy of all sorts and their threatning the Evil-doers with eternal Damnation and Happiness to those that do well and the Severity of the Magistrates too nevertheless all will not do because Precedents Examples and the continual practise of all Violence and Wickedness do take deeper root and make far greater Impression than Words and Precepts What great matter can be expected for Men to hear two or three hours Discourse of the excellency of Virtue and at the same time both Teachers as well as the Hearers do practise Evil and Violence all the Week Now when these things are understood and well considered how is it possible that Mankind can arrive at the Haven or Port of Rest or what satisfaction can that Soul have whose Methods of Life hath been in opposition to true Innocency and Virtue having lived and acted by and under all selfish violent and tyranical Spirits and Customs and though many of them be tolerated by Religion Laws and Tradition as those supream and highest Evils are viz. The Oppression and Killing those of our own kind and all the rest of the innocent Inhabitants of Heaven and Earth and Eating their Flesh too those violent Practises of Life the poor Soul can never excuse it self of or get over at the hour of Death when all the Natural or Spiritual Powers must be separated and the Soul left Naked to its Works which attracts a new Body to cloath it self with there can be no true satisfaction or content in that Soul that hath lived in Oppression and whose daily Practise hath been to break the Union both in himself and in all other things The Customs of Nations Laws of Princes and Ignorance will not obliterate those Evils that diametrically oppose God's eternal Law both of the Creation and his Divine Providence of Preservation whence do arise in Mens Minds and Souls in Sickness and at the hour of Death great Horror Trouble and Anxiety and through Blindness and Ignorance do place the cause of their dissatisfaction on some inferior Evil which they are guilty of too as was mentioned before Therefore he that would Live well and Die in Peace must first know God his Law and himself secondly do no Hurt thirdly do all the Good he can fourthly Live and Sustain his Life with harmless and innocent Meats and Drinks fifthly practise all innocent Employments sixthly observe the Rules of Justice Mercy and Clemency seventhly to Educate their Children in all Submission Honesty and Innocency and give them no Examples of Evil Violence or Oppression for in their tender Age the true and lasting Foundation of Unity true Virtue and innocent Methods of Government and Life are laid it being impossible for Mankind or any particular Person to act in a true and regular Method in Inclinations Words Works and Employments if he be ignorant of God's central Law planted in himself and the Qualities and Principles he is made and compounded of If this great and necessary Knowledge be wanting and not distinguished this Secret and wonderful Mystery of our selves being not known all Thoughts Inclinations Words and Works of Life are either done by chance or proceed
from selfish Evil morose and wicked Principles as every days woful Experience doth confirm as for Example As Men and Women pass in the Street or elsewhere if any Accidents of hurt be it little or much from one to another though unawares or against their wills nevertheless they send forth fierce wrathful Words all tending to promote Violence as if the Centre of Hell was open which evil Speeches do with a rapid motion join Forces and raise up by Simile the like Properties in them to whom they are directed by this and the like a Man may see without a Prospective Glass what Principles most or all Men live in and are govern'd by viz. Disunity and Deformity are most or all of our Children and Young People Educated under and such like wicked Methods are their Precedents and Examples and these evil Seeds being Sown so early they take such deep root that in most Constitutions these evil Dispositions and voracious Inclinations can never be obliterated by all the Precepts in the World For this Cause the People in general of most or all Nations continue as Wicked and as void of true Knowledge Temperance Sobriety and Piety as ever nay every Age makes an addition of new and as it were unheard of Violences Oppressions and Blasphemies 〈◊〉 the former notwithstanding the Laws of Magistrates to correct evil Manners and the Admonition and Preaching of the Gospel the Truth of this all Historys for many hundred years past confirm therefore this Degeneration of Man into all kinds of Evil cannot be remedied or cured by any of the Ways or Methods formerly or at this day practised but by another Method of Life viz. We must begin at the Root that is with that which makes Men or is the Substance and Essentials of our Bodies and Spirits clean innocent Foods and harmless Drinks that our Children may proceed from an innocent Root and be brought up in all harmless and innocent Methods of Life and above all that they see nor communicate with nothing that is unclean or contrary to Virtue Sobriety and Unity which will not only preserve Mankind from those gross Violences and Oppressions but will lay a true and lasting Foundation for their Posterity for Virtue Temperance Order and Innocency as also the Knowledge of God which are like Arts Trades and Sciences best and surest planted in the young and tender Age of Children that may easily be done then which cannot be at riper years as we have largely demonstrated in our Book entitled A New Method of Educating of Children therefore in the Eastern Countries the great Zealous Pilgrims and as it were unheard of Votaries in Religion as well in false as true Notions are all taught and impressed in Child-hood and by the constant Precedents and Examples of their Elders together with the Traditions of their Fore-fathers and Custom of the Country they live in Now upon the whole Matter it doth appear as clear as the Sun at Noon-day that most of the Methods and Actions of our Lives do diametrically oppose the eternal creating and preserving Power of our Great Creator and his Law of Innocency and Unity this being Matter of Fact how then is it possible for Mankind to be contented or satisfied on a Dying-bed when the Soul must be separated not only from its Habitation but also from all Coverings Shelters and all that is near and dear to it besides there are several other great Evils that do mightily encrease the Anxiety and Trouble of a Dying Man more especially to all sober Persons one of the most principal is that they are obliged to leave their loving Wives and young tender Children and Relations to be exposed to the infinite Hazzards Calamities and Miseries of the wicked ungodly unthinking blind and ignorant World and that their Posterity must plunge themselves into the bâ—…se gross unclean fierce oppressive Customs Traditions Methods and depraved Ways and Principles Mankind hath immersed himself into The consideration of this to any Thinking or Pious Person must needs make a considerable Figure of Trouble not only to a Dying Person but also to those that enjoy perfect Health if a Man doth take a view of their particular Actions and Methods of Life and then divide them into ten parts there will certainly be found nine of them most miserable in this World in one degree or another whose mischievious intemperate unclean violent Life doth also threaten them with eternal Trouble and Disquietness it is that â—…me when they read they may at first sight marvel that we talk or discourse after this manner but if they will but give themselves leasure to think consider and look and examine all the various Actions Methods Practises and Employments Mankind subjects himself unto then he will find it true first consider the great numbers that follow Drums and Trumpets in the Wars of Princes and the violent Employments that depends thereon and this great number are aâ—… it were the Heart of a Nation viz. The Youth in the Prime or fâ—…l Strength next to these the Sons of Violence and Oppression are the Mobb or common People which are as great in number as wicked and hardly one degree lower graduated in all Acts of Intemperance Uncleanness Violence and Discord than the former they want no Furniture to compleat them in the Acts of Mischief but in the Word of Command or Power as is clearly manifested when Changes or Accidents in the Government of Cities Nations and Countries are not the great Multitâ—…e in a moment fitted and prepared for all â—…apin and Spoil as though they had been trained up and taught the Arts of Violence from their Childhood which doth sufficiently demonstrate what Principles and Methods of Life they are Educated in and what Matter Seed and Ground they proceed from the next sort are the middle People and how many of them are of violent oppressive Principles Unjust and Unmerciful without true natural Affection and Pitty horridly Covetous Unclean and Intemperate loadeâ—… with procured Distempers and various other great Evils Likewise considerable numbers of this Rank do fall into Poverty by Extravagancy and want of Conduct in Trading and other Misfortunes fourthly the next to these are such as are called Gentlemen which are of various Degrees and Ranks the greatest numbers of these are endued with these following Talents viz. Their chief Care and Industry is to Educate their Children in all or most of the Grand Evils which do oppose and contradict God's eternal Law of Unity and his preserving Power and that there may be no degree of Evil and Depravation â—…ing they first very industrously teach and educate them in Gluttony Pride and Idleness next the vain Compliments and use of Aâ—…ms even in their young and tender years as the Killing Hunting and Oppressing all the innocent Inhabitants of Heaven and Earth next to these Feats of Arms or Martial Discipline that they may be endued with the high and domineering Spirit of Violence which doth not only
fit them to be Butchers and â—…ill Men with ease and without trouble or the least regret as Butchers Kill Beasts but to be â—…ble of being Commanders over the Sons of â—…ceness and Oppression viz. Soldiers also another part of 〈◊〉 Mâ—…n of Honour and Title are of High â—…roud Lofty Tempers 〈◊〉 Oppressors of the Poor being Gluttons Druâ—…ds general Waâ—…ters of God's Creatures which doth not only draw on them a multitude of cruel tormenting Diseases but disturbed Minds uneasy Beds and guilty Consciences too Now when these things are considered and the true Nature and Principles of them and whence those great and numerous Croud of Calamities proceed then such an one will not â—…rvel that most Mens Dying-beds are so burthensome and anxious both to the Body and Mind more especially when we consider the 〈◊〉 part or greatest number are cut off in their younger Age or Strength which makes our Separation from the material things of this World many degrees more burthensome â—…rrible and frighâ—…ful to all sorts and degrees of People Now this cutting off the Life so early even in Childhood and in Youth or Strength of our Yâ—…s is undoubtedly occasioned by the Intemperances Uncleannesses and Disorders of our Fore-fâ—…thers with the addition this present Age makes doth cut off the greatest number of Maâ—…ind which doth mâ—…re cleâ—…ly appear when we consider the amazing variety and 〈◊〉 â—…fspring of the four Woâ—…ds or Elements viz. The underâ—…duated Creatures do not things in the Mineral Kingdom arrive to Maturity as Metals Stones and any other things belonging to the Element of Earth and do not Vegetables do the same whose variety in Nature are beyond Humane Number great part whereof doth sustain the Life of Man The like is to be understood of the inferior Animals or Beasts do not the greatest number live to old Age or the highest Limit of their Circle or Law except some who are subject to the Drudgery and Tyranny of Man as Horses and the like for should these great numbers and variety of Creatures be liable and subject to but half the Disorders Intemperances Uncleanness Depravity and Diseases Mankind is what an addition of Misery would it multiply on Man or how could he Subsist or be Supported and his Life preserved by them for should the greatest part of Fruits Grains and Herbage be Cut off or Blasted in the Bud or the Off-spring or Young ones of Cows Horses and other inferiour Ranks of Creatures be Cut off or subject to Distempers what a great Perplexity would it be on the Humane Race for nothing has kept them from being invaded by various Casualties and Sicknesses and preserving them in living to their highest Limits but only their continuation within the Circle of their Law that God and Nature have subjected them to and under which if they had at any time disobeyed or broken then the very same Flood-gate of Evil and Misery would immediately have fallen on them 〈◊〉 it hath done on Man Therefore it is most evident that the great numbers of unclean cruel Diseases short Lives and immature Deaths and 〈◊〉 thousand other Evils come in upon him as soon as he disobeyed his Creator and the undefiled Law of Nature the obeying and living within the Limits thereof is the â—…ond and Preservation of all the Under-graduates and the contrary is the melancholy House of Death and Misery as appears by the many Troubles and Perplexities that 〈◊〉 the Humane Race for should Mankind be divided 〈◊〉 Ten parts more than Nine of them Dies and are Cut off either 〈◊〉 Childhood or in the Prime of their Strength and Age many do thereby leave poor helpless miserable Wives and Children behind them who are exposed to all kinds of Violences Oppressions and Wants and are under no better Circumstances than a Ship without either Pilot or Rudder Now my Friend I do not doubt but when you have considered the fore-mentioned Particulars you will be satisfied wherefore Mankind are so deeply concerned in and do so much fear and dread Death Likewise there are several material causes in the common meâ—… of Mens Lives that â—…ing melancholly imaginations and troubles to the Dying Person besides what we have before mentioned viz. in Parents giving precedents and educating their Off-spring in all or most of the grand Vices our Great Prophet â—…sus Christ hath strictly forbidden on peril of his high Displeasure The first thing they teach their Children is the 3 grand Vices Gluttony Pride and Idleness which are the common roads and inlets to all other Evils as Passion Violence and Uncleanness which do diametrically oppose Justice Mercy and that great and Universal Sacrament Charity for which Holy Vertue Our Lord and Saviour justified and saved the Sheep on his Right Hand commanding them to enter in and inherit the Eternal Paradice whose Gates alway stands open to the Children of Wisdom and Obedience Is not Fighting and Oppression become the honourablest Employment and are not our Children trained up in the use of Arms and Violence to kill and oppress not only those of our Kind but spread their Venom also over all the undergraduated Inhabitants of Heaven and Earth who all become Victims to their fierceness and cruelties being altogether as it were dispossessed of common Humanity for which Practises all the Goats on the Left Hand were Condemned for â—…he Salvation and Preservation both in Time and Eternity is intailed not only on Christians but also on all other Nations and Religions on no other condition than to observe and live in the â—…ower and practice oâ—… Gods Commands the particulars of which our Divine Patron and Principles of Wisdom do command and enjoyn all his Disciples unto and all that act contrary thereto â—…doubtedly 〈◊〉 his displeasure Do not most Men that are endued with plentiful Talents and Blessings of this World live â—…th themselves and Off-spring in one degree of Luxury or other and is it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for â—…ple of all sortâ—… and Religions to break that great and important Coâ—…dment that is to 〈◊〉 and give the beâ—… and câ—…oicest 〈◊〉 and Drinks to 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 in no need 〈◊〉 kind of 〈◊〉 and that are able to 〈◊〉 and Feastâ—… 〈◊〉 whiâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ly one of the greatest Eâ—…ls but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inconâ—… to each Party preventing them from doing such deeds oâ—… Charity which otherwise they would be capable of How willing are thousands to Treat themselves and Friends â—…th Bottleâ—… of Wine and with costly Dishes of Meat and at the same time are unwilling to give one Shilling to relieve their necessitous and wanting Neighbour and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other things and agreeable practiâ—…es to this most that have wherewithall do subject themseâ—… 〈◊〉 and as to 〈◊〉 Talkative or Discouâ—… part it producâ—… that great and 〈◊〉 effect of Folly Laughter which the Tutoâ—… of such 〈◊〉 Methods call pleasure and a sort of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—… 〈◊〉 Mankind could not 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 than exposing it to Sale as it were by Inch