of Butter and less of Cheese 503. Bread Water and Flower without any farther preparation Bread and Milk Herbs and Bread Fruit and Bread are the most useful and necessary Foods which are ready at hand and may be obtained by every one with little labour of Body or trouble of Mind 504. All Men ought to consider that the chief cause of all Diseases and Unhealthiness to young and old is for want of Government and Wisdom and the desiring those things that are out of the ways of simple Nature 505. There are not many Diseases where Men walk in Natures Path and avoid Compositions and as much as in them lies fiery Preparations 506. The more Men imitates Nature the nearer they come to their first State of Innocency and thereby obtain Health of Body and vigor of Mind 507. An Example of this we have in all Animals or Beasts who continue in that pure Law they were made in and placed under how Healthy most of them are when Men do not render them otherwise by Oppression and Disorders 508. Keep therefore O Man unto thy Heavenly Guide that the Lord hath placed in the very Center of thy Heart turn thy Eyes inward and learn Wisdom this Divine Spark and holy Son of Light if obeyed in the Life thereof will readily shew and teach Man all things both for Divine and Human that are necessary for this Life and that which is to come 309. Study thy self for that worthy thing in thee cannot be known nor its Voice distinguished from other Voices but only by Self-denial Sobriety and Cleanness in the practise of Silence alone leaning on the Shoulders of none but only thy beloved Jesus 510. Remember that the true pleasure of Temperance and the many benefits that follow Sobriety cannot be imagined by those that lives Riotous Lives so neither can the sweet Influences thereof be enjoyed without self-denial and some trouble to old Adam 511. If thou wilt know God and the sweet Influences of his good Spirit in thy own Soul then thou must live as it were alone for there is but little Company in the ways of Virtue and Self-denial 512. There is nothing does make Men more sensible of Gods Blessings then Temperance and Cleanness in Meats Drinks Imployments and Communications 513. How ready are the sober of Mind to give the Lord Thanks for his Mercies and how sweet is every mean thing 514. Temperance is endued with Divine Power it fits the Mind for the Worship of God their Beds are easie their sleep sound not subject to Indispositions nor molested with Fevers their Heads are not dulled with Fumes nor their Stomachs oppressed with fainting Fits or windy griping Humours they rise as fresh as the morning Sun and are fit for the Exercises both of the Body and Mind their Radical moisture flowes freely through every part like a pleasant Gale of Wind which moderates the Centeral Fires that they burn not too violently This excellent State of Body and Mind is not attainable without the fear of the Lord and self denial which are the first steps to all true Wisdom both Spiritual and Natural The Benefits of Temperance and Mischiefs of the contrary Vice 1. TEmperance is the True way or Royal Road to Peace and Happiness both in this World and the World to come for without no Man can observe the Law of God and Nature 2. Temperance freeth the Body from Labour and Danger and the Soul from Cares Passions and disquieting perturbations 3. Temperance makes all Men rich for it administers Content and gives length of Days Health and a sound Mind which whosoever enjoys cannot be said to be poor 4. Temperance cuts off vain Thoughts and Imaginations and all extravagant Desires as it were in the very Bud which continually wounds the Soul and Body of the Intemperate 5. Temperance wisheth no ill to its Neighbor but is a friend to every thing that is innocent and good 6. Temperance is a perfect Cure or prevention of many cruel Diseases both of the Body and Mind 7. Temperance is a sure support to all needy Families if she be entertained and her voice obeyed 8. Temperance makes Harmony in the worst of Times and deadest of Trading because she furnishes all her followers with what Need and Nature requireth nor does any thing render a Man more like his Creator 9. Temperance is a true Guide to Mans ways cleanseth the inward Parts from uncleanness and makes the Eye or Spirit of the Soul to see with an Intellectual Sight like its Creator who maketh his Sun to shine both on the Just and Unjust 10. Temperance is a glance of the Divine Power which denies Selfhood and teach those that follow her voice to Love all Gods Creation as God Loved Man 11. Temperance envieth nothing nor coveteth no Mans Goods but is a fâ—iend unto all avoiding Strife Contention Controversies Oppressions Violences and Manslaughter 12. Temperance is the firmest and best Establishment of or in all Governments for she teacheth Man to Love and adore their Creator Know themselves and to have an awful Respect to their Neighbors and whole Creation of God's wonderful Creatures 13. Temperance considereth all things prohibiting no Creature that Freedom and Priviledges that their Creator hath bounteously given them by thâ— grand Law and Charter of Nature 14. Temperance knows what that Glorious Liberty is the Great Apostle speaks of that the whole Creation groans to be delivered into and by its sweet influences attracts all things that are capable unto that pure Fountain 15. Temperance illuminates the Soul and makes Mens Reasons Divine 16. On the contrary Intemperance is the greatest Evil on Earth because the Seed-plot of all other Evils and most unlike our Blessed Creator for the superfluous Man wants all things but God wants nothing 17. Intemperance wounds the Body with Diseases and the Soul with Ignorance and Blindness perpetually perplexing the latter with greedy Desires and the former with needless Toils 18. Intemperance hood-winks the Soul so that it cannot distinguish between what is good and profitable and the contrary thereby obstructing and violating the Way and Law of God in Nature 19. Intemperance is the Original of all evil and vain Imaginations it makes Men turn Rebels and imbroils the World with Plots and Wars that they may gratifie their own unbridled Lusts. 20. Intemperance causeth Children in the secrets of their Hearts to wish for the death of their Parents that they may enjoy their Estates Married People to desire the death of their Yoak-fellows that they may get others with more Money or that are more young and handsom to please their wantonness 21. Intemperance persuades Men to Marry old diseased and deformed Women which does neither agree with their Age and Tempers nor can answer the end for which Marrying was ordained by God which is one of the greatest Evils under the Sun because they Sin against Nature and the Light of their Understandings 22. Intemperance makes Men more unnatural than
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
and governeth all things 313. That happy Man that doth live in and under the Divine Will and is governed by the Light and Love of Jesus Christ hath no strife about nor in Religion because in all things he hath resigned his Will unto Gods Will Countenances and Commends that which is good in all Men let their Form or Worship or Religion be what it will 314. Let no outward Opinion Form or Ceremony separate thee from having Union with thy Neighbour nor Meats nor Drinks nor any thing but Evil. 315. For there is nothing Recommends Man unto his Maker but Obedience to the Requirements of his Holy Spirit or Divine Principle of his Light and Love which leads all its Followers into Innocency and Concord 316. God is Love and he that loveth not his Neighbour whom he daily Communicates with cannot love God as the Scriptures of Truth do testify for Man is Gods Image 317. Remember that whatsoever Offence or Evil thou dost to thy Neighbour is also a Sin against God 318. There is no outward Religion or Form of Worship has power to reinvest Man again in his first Original State but only Faith in the Lord Jesus Love Humility and Obedience unto the Commands of the Lord and a peaceable innocent walking with his Neighbour 319. Therefore when thou considerest the varieties of Religion and Forms that Men do worship God in be sure to embrace that which tends most to the Glory of God and the good of thy Fellow Creatures and which most exalts Innocency and Well-doing for God will not be Invoked with Lip-service only and outward Ceremonies most of which hides the purer Pearl in the Rubbish of Formality and Hypocrisie 320. Above all things entertain and nourish good Thoughts for serious Thoughts and Meditations concerning our holy Creator are fed and increased by Divine Power and Understanding and kindles the Life of Love so that it longeth and continually hungreth after God and the teachings of his Spirit 321. Christ is the true Touchstone to the knowledge of things Divine and the Corner Stone to all Spiritual Buildings consider therefore in all thy ways whether thy Words and Actions do enter out of Love into Love and whether the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding be sought and desired 322. Remember that all Strife about the Divine Will of God whereby Men do despise one another though it may cover it self with a Mantle of Zeal doth yet in truth proceed from Self-hood and Pride for the Wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God 323. Such Disputations and Contentions do generally or for the most part arise from outward Reasonings vain Imaginations and Custom for if Men dwelleth in Innocency and willeth with his Creator what need he dispute about that which he enjoys and possesseth 324. Men ought in friendly sort to confer together and offer one another their Gifts and refined Knowledge in Love to try all things and hold fast that which is good and not to stand so stiff in their own Opinions as if they could not Err. 325. Man ought to consider what a mighty strong Enemy he hath within himself which continually suggesteth strange Thoughts and Apprehensions concerning God and his Will which often occasions Men to insult over one another whence Sects Parties and Factions about Religious Matters do arise 326. He that contends furiously about Religion 't is to be feared has no true Religion at all and that will force others to bow to his poor narrow Thoughts touching such sublime Mysteries gives a great sign that he neither knows God Nature nor himself nor has felt the Operation of the Divine Dove like Spirit of Peace in his Mind 327. 'T is certain all these Reasonings Disputes and Contentions about the differing Modes of Religion and outward Formalities must be left behind us like Elisha's Hair Mantle in the Wilderness of this World and the Will and all the properties of the Soul and Life must turn it self again unto God out of whom it proceeded and forsake all vain Imaginations and Lusts or else he can never come to the Divine and Beautifying Vision 328. Remember also that all such Strife and Alterations about the Testaments of Christ do arise in Mans Heart for want of Love and the Divine sight or skill in the Heavenly Mysteries which cannot be any otherwise obtained but only by turning the Will and Thoughts unto God by Temperance and Self-denial Innocency and Regeneration which is the true Eye-salve that clears the inward sight of the Understanding 329. As the great Eye of the Material World or Sun doth with its glorious friendly Beams and sweet Influences penetrate all outward Things and Bodies and fills them with its good Vertues whereby they are generated grow and increase and become useful and most pleasant The like but in a more sublime and mysterious manner is to be understood of the holy Spirit and Light of Jesus Christ viz. he animateth cherishes and governs all that doth resign their Wills unto his Sovereign Government over both Soul and Body and all Evil Inclinations and by its friendly and gracious Influences makes them grow and become pleasant Fruit in the Paradise of God and a right Branch on the good Vine in which Heavenly State God and Man are united and God dwells in this Spiritualized Man as the Sun dwelleth by its Influences in Fruits and Plants and maketh them fragrant and ripe for glory 330. For as the Material Heavens and Caelestial Bodies do by their Influences penetrate this gross lower World and all things therein giving them vertue and power so Christ penetrates the Converted Soul by his inward ruling power and resisteth the vain Lusts Wrath Violence and all other Evils that the Earthly Man is subject to 331. A Christian in all his ways must have three Guides Truth Charity and Wisdom Truth to go before him Charity and Wisdom on either side if any of the three be absent he wanders out of the way or stumbles You shall see some do hurt by following even Truths uncharitably and others whilst they would salve up a dangerous Error with Love have failed in their Wisdom and offended against Justice A Charitable Untruth and an Uncharitable Truth and an unwise management of Truth or Love are all to be avoided by him that would go with a right foot in the narrow way 332. Of making many Books there is no end saith the Wise Man but above all others Books of Quarrels and Controversies are apt to have no end for number as well as no good end or scope and effect upon either the Writers or the Readers 333. In all Disputes look how much there is of Passion so much there of is nothing to the purpose the eager Contenders raiseth such dust as puts out his own Eyes whilst he think to choke the Party he opposeth 334. Such violent Contemners works as for the most part they begin their Clamors without cause so they manage them without either Reason
Disputations and Contendings Revilings and Persecuting of others because they cannot see or believe as thou dost or wouldst have them do arise from Self-Elevation where the properties of Nature are at enmity with each other and are contrary to Reason and Nature 372. It is a Virtue well worthy of Practice for Men to remove and put away all such Things as may at any time give occasion for Wrath or evil Words vehement Passions or cruel Deeds as all Rich Meats and Drinks costly Garments and Houshold-Stuff and the like which being by Servants imbezled and spoiled administers occasions unto many Evils both in Words and Works 373. The Heathen Emperor Augustus may in this matter read a Lecture to us Christians who being one day invited to Dinner at a Senators House that was a mighty admirer of choice and curious Drinking Glasses and spared for no cost to get such as was extraordinary rare and fine heard on a suddain a grievous dolesom Cry and inquiring the Cause understood that it was made by one of the Men Slaves who having by mischance broke a brave Glass as he was Washing it was by his Masters Command carried to be thrown into a Pond to be devoured of the Fish the Emperor caused the Execution to be stopt and calling the Senator desired to see his stock of Glasses which he so highly valued the Senator imagining he would have Admired and Esteemed them as mush as he did readily carries him into his Cabinet and shows him all his brittle Rarities which having seen the Emperor with his Staff breaks them every one saying He would prevent such mischiefs for the future as having Mens Lives taken away for a paltry Glass 374. He that takes Daniel and his Companions for an Example shall avoid many burthensom Inconveniencies of Care Passions and Labours both of Body and Mind for those Wise and Holy Youths contented themselves with Pulse and Water only and did not value the costly Foods that came from the Kings Table 375. So St. Iohn the Baptist pass'd over the greatest part of his Life in the Desart Eating nothing but Locusts and wild-Honey which Word that in our Translation is rendered Locusts do signifie as I am informed by those skilled in the Original the Buds or first Sproutings of Trees Herbs and Vegitations 376. Be not so ignorant and stupidly Vain as to say or think as I have heard some allege that insensitive Vegitations suffer Pains when cut down or gathered even as the Beasts or Animals do when they are killed since the latter are in every degre indued with Sences equal to Man and subject to Passions and to Heat Cold Hunger Thirst and all kinds of Pain even as Man is 377. He that would vanquish his outward Enemies must first overcome those of his own House viz. his unruly Desires and boisterous Passions his raging Lusts and ungovernable Apetite and Affections those being once subdued and brought into Obedience he will easily Triumph over all the Stratagems of the World and Temptations of Satan 378. Patience Humility and Innocency are the only Bulwarks that can withstand Enmity and Wrath consider that Light is the cause and medium whereby Darkness is known be governed therefore by the Light and then all the Deeds of Darkness will be manifest unto thee 379. But he that is govern'd by the dark Principle whence Contention and Strife do arise knows not the Light either in himself or any other thing 380. No Man can Judge truly of another but he that hath first pulled the Beam out of his own Eye 381. Above all Swear not rashly and wickedly by the Name of the great God that Created both the Heavens and the Earth and all the wonderful Creatures therein contained for a Man cannot dishonour and provoke his Creator more highly than to Blaspheme his Holy Name 382. Keep a continual watch against all Evils but especially against those Sins which by thy Complexion Constitution Calling Conversation or course of Life thou art most enclinable unto or in danger of 383. Let Passionate and Chollerick Men when they are in a composed frame of Spirit and the Light of Understanding shines and bares rules in their Souls oblige themselves by secret Promises that by permission of the Lord when ever they shall find themselves moved to Wrath or Passion then the better to prevent such outrages against God and their own Souls they will withdraw themselves out of Company read a Chapter in the Bible or stand still in silence for one quarter of an Hour in which time the light of Wisdom will arise in their Hearts and Souls and dissipate allay or moderate the Fumes of these Perturbations and irregular Motions 384. Let such as are inclined to Drunkenness speedily and at once resolve to Drink no strong Drink nor any Liquor but pure Water which will cut off all such evil Inclinations in the very Bud. 385. Those that are inclined to Women let them resolve to drink small Drink or Water use a spare Diet and Eat mean and simple Foods practise proper Exercises and Labour rise early in the Morning resist vain and idle Imaginations as soon as they offer themselves to the Mind and above all keep virtuous Men Company and refrain as much as in them lies the conversation of such Women as are subject to Lewdness 386. There is no Man by his Birth or his Estate priviledged to be idle for the Command is Universal to all the Children of Adam in the sweat of thy Brows thou shalt Eat thy Bread and he that will not labour in some kind or other for the good of Mankind is not worthy to Eat or Live therefore let all Gentlemen who too generally subject themselves to an idle Life that proves an in-let to many other erronious Evils know that they have no exemption or excuse from proper Exercises and useful Labours in the fight of the Lord. 387. Therefore to prevent the Sin and Evil of Idleness rich People should do well to divide the day and a-lot so many Hours to Meditation and reading of good Books Gardening Pruning of Trees visiting relieving and instructing their Poor Neighbours and other works of Charity and Mercy 388. Let all Men remember that they have and injoy nothing that they can call their own but all is Gods even themselves their Lands their Goods and all they possess and that he reassumes the same when he pleaseth to whom they will have a sad and dreadful account to render for the Use if they neglect to improve them much more if they waste and abuse them to gratifie their own Lusts and Vanities 389. Know for a certain that both good and evil Angels are continually conversant in innumerable Troops round about the Sons of Men alluring them to good or evil 390. Some may suppose this to be but a mere Fancy because we see them not but let such consider that the adorable Creator that has made all these wonderful Things we behold hath created many more
and more applauded Crafts tend unto but either Violence Oppression and the Destruction of Men or to fraud and Cousenage or to Gluttony Drunkenness Luxury and Effeminacy or to Pride and Vanity 7. What kind of Property or Principle was that in Man which first invented and daily improves the use of Warlike Weapons to kill murther and destroy those of their own Kind as well as oâ—her inferior innocent Creatures that raked into the bowels of Hell for Brimstone Nitre Saltpetre to furnish them with Gunpowder and Studied the Art of Mining and Blowing up their natural Brethren by Hundreds at a blast Did not all such things originally arise from the Bottomless Pit that deep dark poysonous Abyss of Fierceness and Wrath And still from the same horrid Fountain do proceed all new Inventions that tend to the Destruction of Man wherein it may be observed that Christians have been more unhappily Ingenious than those they call Heathens which is much to be lamented though the latter have so far learnt of them that now they are grown no less expert in the mischievous uses of those Inventions and not seldom do therewith plague and destroy the Original Authors 8. From what Principle in Man did the Invention of Ships arise or what real Necessity was there for the same has the most merciful and bounteous Creator planted Man in any Country which does not afford sufficient to supply all the necessities of Nature For Did not those millions that inhabited those vast Regions since called America subsist without the Art of Navigation any further than meer Nature taught them for many Ages before Columbus could boast of discovering a new World how many have been swallowed up by the vast Ocean through means of Seafaring Attempts which seldom had better aim than either to Disquiet Conquer and Roâ— Innocent peaceable People or to obtain such things as are not at all needful but serve only to please the vanity of the multitude and procure Diseases 9. Considering the certain and inevitable danger that attends Navigation we may justly say that all things brought from remote parts by Seâ— are the price of Blood Now if a Prince cause a single Man to be put to Death or one privately kill another or if a Man hang or drown himself here on shoar then what a great deal of trouble it makes amongst the Relations and also the People which indeed when done by the Hands of Justice is much to be lamented that People should live so contrary to Human Society that there should be any kind of cause for killing of Human Creatures but there do daily many thousands expose their Lives in going to Sea to fetch superfluities that serve only to promote Vanity and Diseases and when they loose their Lives and perish through their own Folly and ill Conduct little or no notice is taken of it as in one Storm thousands of Men sink to the bottom of the Sea in their Ships laden with Spices Wines and the like which if they had brought to Land they nor no others could not have sustained their Hunger and Lives one Week but could have done abundance of hurt to the Eaters and Drinkers thereof 10. What Tongue or Pen can express the hazards the horrors the miseries that People expose themselves to in Tempests at Sea and to what purpose to fetch Wanton Men Pearls to hang at the Ears of their more Wanton Mistresses to bring Pepper to strew over our Cucumbers Mangoes for our Mutton or Claret Florence Wine Brandy and a thousand other Strong Liquors to Intoxicate our Gallants and make them spend their Means ruine their Healths shorten their Lives be mad quarrel kill one another and so to be hang'd for 't Certainly did our friendly courteous Women and nice Ladies and others pretending to Piety and Conscience consider all this they would not be so fond of these foreign Need-nots but rather be of David's mind touching the Water his Soldiers procured which he counted the price of Blood and though he had need of it yet he would not receive nor drink it 11. What Principle or Property in Man was it that first invented all Strong Intoxicated Drinks which do chiefly serve to destroy Mens Souls and Bodies Did not he that first invented the making of Wine commit one of the greatest Evils through Drunkenness which is still the grand cause and in-let of Adulteries Whoredom Murders Blasphemies and all kind of Diseases and Oppressions both of Body and Mind whence it is clear that this Invention did proceed from the Bitter Root 12. From whence did and do the daily Inventions Compositions and Preposterous mixtures of Foods proceed which merely serves to stupify the Intellectuals and distemper the Body with incurable Diseases doth not all such pernicious Inventions proceed and arise from the Poysonous Root as also all Plays Games Fine Cloaths Rich Furniture Stately Buildings as Pyramids and a thousand sorts of stately Structures of vast Charge invincible Labour and Hazards to those that build them Will any body say that such things are necessary to the Life and well-being of Man Are they not rather contrary to the Command of our Lord Having Food and Raiment be ye therewith content The Excellency of clean Foods especially of Bread 1. AS a Medicine drives its Qualities from the Ingrediencies as a Building is weak or strong according to the proportion of the materials and good Workmanship in joyning them together So Meats and Drinks whereby Men are nourished and sustained in this mortal State have a far greater Influence and Operation not only on the outward Body and Senses but also on the Intellectual Faculties or Soul than the vulgar does imagine for the Spirit makes all things Essential 2. Bread being the equallest aâ—e cleanest of all Foods as wherein the four Grand Qualities stand at the nearest harmony deserves to be stiled the Staff of Life because it affords a firm clean nourishment and pure Spirits excelling any other particular Food whence the Great Light of the World has honoured it so far as to pronounce it the Symbal of his Body For as the Divine Principle or Human Friendly Nature will incorporate qualifie and allay the out-goings of the harsh wrathful bitter Spirit and bring all into Concord and Equality whereby the inward Sences of the Soul and intellectual Powers taste fâ—el and imbrace each other in Love and Harmony The like is to be understood of Bread it qualifies and allays the Discord and Inequality of all other Foods and so renders it fit for the health of the Body and Mind 3. Bread was the principal Food the Creator ordained for Man after the Fall it having the first place before all other Foods therefore the Lord said In the sweat of thy Brows thou shalt eat thy Bread for all other things that Man needs to feed on can be prepared without Labour or with very little as Herbs Fruits c. but there goes considerable pains to the procuring of Bread and
Wisdom's Dictates OR APHORISMS RULES Physical Moral and Divine For Preserving the Health of the Body and the Peace of the Mind fit to be regarded and practised by all that would enjoy the Blessings of the present and future World To which is added A BILL of FARE OF Seventy five Noble Dishes of Excellent Food far exceeding those made of Fish or Flesh which Banquet I present to the Sons of Wisdom or such as shall decline that depraved Custom of Eating Flesh and Blood By THO. TRYON Student in Physick and Author of Pythagoraâ—'s Mystick Philosophy Revived wherein the Mysteries of Dreams Visions Angels and Spirits are unfolded and their secret Communications to Mankind LONDON Printed for Tho. Salusbury at the Sign of the Temple near Temple-Bar in Fleetstreet 1691. THE AUTHOR TO THE READER WISHETH Health and a Sound Mind AS I have on several Occasions endeavoured to Recommend those most necessary Vertues Temperance and Sobriety to the practice of Men and to inform them according to that Talent I have received from the meer Grace and free Bounty of the Lord of the things that appertain to their peace so though many of these Aphorisms or the Substance of several of them may be found occasionally dispersed in several of our Writings yet â— thought it might not be unuseful to some to present them altogether and hope by the Blessing of the most High these plain short Meâ—entoes may yield some Fruit to those that shall â—â—ruse them if they come prepared with Minds to receive Truth in the Love thereof and practice what their own Consciences cannot but inform them is their Duty For this is the method our Saviour prescribeth his Disciples to come to the right knowledge of Divinâ— Truths viz. by the doing of Gods Will He that does my Fathers Will saith he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of God or no he is a true Christian indeed not he that is only Book taught but he that is God taught he that hath an Vnction from the Holy One as the Apostle calleth it that teacheth him all things I confess Ink and Paper can never make us Christians can never beget a new Nature or a living Principle in us can never form Christ or any true Notions of Spiritual things in our Hearts the Gospel that new Law which Christ delivered to the World it is not meerly a Letter without us but a quickening Spirit within us Rules Maxims or Directions could never yet of themselves beget the least Glimps of true Heavenly Light the least Sap of saving Knowledge in any Heart all this is but the Grabling of the poor dark Spirit of Man after Truth to find it out with his own endeavours and to feel it with his own cold and benumm'd Hands Words and Syllaâ—bles which are but dead things and â—annot possibly convey the living Notions of Heavenâ—â— Truths to us The secret misteries of a Divine Life of a meer Nature cannot be truly understood except the Soul be kindled from within and awakened into the Life of them A Painter that would draw a Rose though he may flourish some likeness of it in Figure and Colour yet can never paint the Scent and Fragrancy or if he could draw a Flame he cannot put a constant heat into his colours All the Skill of Cunning Artisans and Mechanicks cannot put a Principle of Life into the most Exquisite Statue of their making Men and Books may propound some Directions to us that may set us in such a way of Life and Practice as in which we shall at least find it within our selves and be experimentally acquainted with it but they cannot teach us Virtue like a Mechanick Art or Trade no no there is a Spirit in Man and the Inspiration of the Almigthy giveth this Vnderstanding but we shall not meet with this Spirit any where though it be near to every one but in the way of Obedience therefore whatever Rules or Advices thou meetest with here of the truth of which thou art convinced immediately up and be doing put in practice and continue therein with Constancy and Resolution and then thou shalt be able to taste and feel and witness the Excellency thereof not from any Words but from the Evidence of their own Souls and so become capable and disposed to entertain the rest and other more sublime Virtues Despise not the Rules for promoting Health and Temperance the ways of God and Nature are plain and simple but mighty in operation and effects the Body is as an Instrument to the Soul and being out of tune no harmony can be expected in the Microcosm The Curious may expect these Axioms should be more methodically placed but as I wrote them down as they sprang up in my Mind so I have observed Pofies That a careless mixture makes the whole more pleasant to the Eye and Radolent then if every sort of Flowers and fragrant Herbs were put together by themselves Read and practice turn thy Eyes inwards and wait at Wisdom's Gates separate thy self from the Ways of the Multitude and the Lord from whom alone proceeds every good and perfect Gift give thee understanding in all things Farewel Wisdom's Dictates OR APHORISMS Physical Moral and Divine c. 1. THe first step to Wisdom is to know thy self the Consummation of it to know God thy Creator 2. Nature is the Art of God or that Distinct property wherewith he hath endued every thing in the Universe 3. There is not a greater Note of Folly then to be Ignorant of the true Value and Knowledge of the Things that are 4. Therefore follow not the Opinions of the Vulgar for they generally slight and despise things precious and excellent and admire things vile and pernitious 5. Take not the Name of thy Creator in thy Mouth except thou hast some inward sence of His wonderful Power Virtue Strength Beauty and Majesty and that He is thee all the sustainer and preserver of thy self and all Beings 6. Honour not the Sepulchres of the Saints and Wise Ancients and at the same time Stone the present Prophets that appear in the same Spirit of Wisdom 7. Imprison thy Tongue lest it imprison thee Nature knows it was an unruly Member and therefore barrocadoed it in with Teeth and for one Mouth gave us two Eyes two Ears two Hands to teach us that our Business should be to see and hear and do good Actions rather then only to talk of Wisdom and Goodness and the Heart to remain in the harsh Fire and under the operation of the divided forms of Nature 8. 'T is not Words but Things not Names but Reason not Resemblances but Realities not Sublimeties but Simplicities that the Sons of Truth doth seek after 9. Seek not the splendid Drudgeries or High Places and Offices of this World for they often draw the Soul into Perdition and the Body into Distempers 10. Entertain Charity and seek Peace with all Men and be helpful to thy Friends and kind to
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
Light and Means of Knowledge 279. God loveth and preserveth all his Creatures do tâ—ou imitate him 280. God is no respecter of Persons endeavour to be like him 281. Be sober and patient and then be assured that all things shall work together for thy good 282. Endeavour to keep thy Instrument in Tune that thy hidden Lute may Harmonize both in the Day and in the Night 283. Temperance generates good Blood and fine Spirits whence proceeds calm and equal Inclinations and Dispositions with good Words and Works 284. It is the very foundation of all Virtue and the parent of Humanity and Charity it attracts the good out of all Things and potently resists the Evil. 285. It is the Mother of Pity Compassion and Mercy gives the opportunity of time and mature Consideration opposing all Passions and irregular Inclinations 286. It is the only Friend of Charity and Enemy of Wantonness the Nurse of Plenty and the very radix of a sound and healthy Generation 287. It eases the Body from hard and sore Labours the Mind from carking Cares and Perturbations 288. It makes the Poor Man Rich and enables the Rich to employ their Substance to the Ends for which God intrusted them therewith 289. As it was Intemperance that shut the Gates of Paradice against Man so Temperance and Order are the only Keys that opens them and establisheth him again in Innocence and well-Doing 290. For Temperance brings Man again near unto his first Innocent Estate and fits him to live again in the Garden of Pleasure amongst the innocent Herbs and Fruits and prepares him for the Consummation of Happiness in the Coelestial Paradice 291. Know for a certainty that no Man can understand and see into the Mysteries of the outward Principle or the Nature of Things but only by the inward Eye and Gift of God 292. For can any know the true Nature and Operation of any one Thing but by a continued Practise and Experience thereof 293. For Example Wouldst thou know the true Virtue and particular Operation of Bread then Eat that only for a Month with Drink viz. Ale 294. Wouldst thou take Food in a Physical way to open and cleanse thy Body and its Passages or to prevent or help great Costiveness or hard binding of the Body Bread and Drink only for 3 or 4 Weeks will bravely cleanse and open some Bodies 295. Bread and boiled Herbs of various sorts Eaten only with Salt without Butter will do the same in others for they open and loosen the Belly more powerfully than the former 298. Bread and raw Milk Eaten for a Month or Oyl and Bread will do it in some People 297. Bread and Raisons Eaten for a Week two or three without other Foods will effect it in others 298. Therefore let every one make Trial what agrees best with his particular Constitution and follow the same for some competent time that he may judge not rashly but from Experience 299. There is nothing in the World can do us good but God and therefore give up thy Will unto the guidence of his Holy Spirit 300. Should Hell its self shoot all its Fiery Darts against us if our Wills be Right that is if it be informed by and conformed unto the Divine Will they then can do us no hurt 301. God will not hurt us nor wicked Men nor Devils cannot hurt us if we will nothing but Gods Will. 302. Therefore by imbracing the Holy Principle and hearkning to the Voice of Wisdom walking in the Paths of Innocency with Temperance Sobriety Purity and doing all the Good we can to all and avoiding Evil and Violence to any of the Creation Let us endeavour to have our Wills enlarged to the extent of Gods own Will and give way unto the Influences of his Holy Spirit so shall we escape the Snares of the Evil one and pass with safety through the Evil day enjoying Happiness both here and hereafter 303. No Man can stand in a certain State of Virtue except the Soul thorough Divine Sight and the power of the Will re-enter and continue in the Centre whence it proceeded 304. The Soul is sprung from the Father of all Beings and the true Spirit of the Soul from Gods Word and Holy Will in the second Principle or Sons Property and therefore its real Establishment must be in its first Ground viz. In the second Principle of Light and Love without being Centered there iâ— runs to and through in mere uncertainty and spends its days altogether in Vanity and Vexation 305. The true cause of all Violence and Oppression is also of all Strife and fierce disputing about God and his Will and Worship is because Mens Understandings hath departed from its right Center and the Properties of his Soul are entred into Discord and Inequality viz. from the guidance of Godâ— Word into the Beastial Life where the Wilâ— and all the Imaginations through the Sence do act in Self-Lust and Creaturely Speculation without Divine sight 306. Understand that the human Life and all Things in this visible Universe is an out-flowing of the great Power of God therefore the Soul ought to re-enter and continuâ— in the Divine Principle of Gods Light and Love and not enter with its Will into Beastiallity for if it do it presently looseth the Divine Sight and Power and Self-Knowledge gets the Dominion which do darken the truâ— Pearl of Understanding 307. Self-hood and outward Learning cannot see into nor apprehend the Divine Mysteries neither material nor immaterial Beings the first being but the out-flowing forming or Figure of the last nor can the outward Reason with all its Learning and Philosophy comprehend them until the Soul and Will do re-enter into the Divine out-flowing Will of the Lord which makes all Things manifest 308. Whatsoever imagineth or willeth contrary to the Holy Principle or Word that made all Things such are captivated in the Babilonical Reasoning part and cannot see into the intrinsick value of any Thing 309. The Soul of Man hath its Original from the Lord and is therefore Immortal and Everlasting and for this Cause it cannot rest or 〈◊〉 satisfied without injoying him though it were possest of or vested with the greatest Treasures of this World and the more it 〈◊〉 seeks for Satisfaction in the Things of 〈◊〉 World the further it is off from its true Mother and the necessary State of Regeneration 310. Strife and Contention about Religion and the Divine Mysteries are for the most part unprofitable and proceeds from Self-Perceptibility 311. For there cannot be any Comprehension true Understanding or Knowledge of God nor a Mans own Nature except Man do with earnestness enter in Self-Denial which is the right Path that leads towards the new Birth 312. Reason must forsake its Self and live no longer in Contention but sink down into the Center out of which it is departed that so it may be a Dwelling or Temple for God wherein the Divine Will and friendly Love of God worketh
wonderful Beings in the intellectual internal World of which this outward is but a Similitude and the reason why we cannot comprehend or see the Angels is because our outward Eyes are Earthy and not sublime enough to perceive Spiritual Essences every Eye sees no farther then into its own radix 391. Note that the Sence Sees Hears Smells Tastes and Feels all visible and sensual and elimental Things as being its Mother whence these sensual Powers have proceeded 392. But the Eye of the good Mind or Spirit of the Soul when it is not beclouded by the forementioned sensual Properties and grosser Elements Sees Smells Tastes Feels and Hears the Intellectual and Angelical Beings 393. And therefore in time of Sleep when the outward gross Sences and Properties are stilled or as a Man may properly say Dead then the good Genius and Holy Angels have more freer recourse and communication with the Soul and Intellects and does reveal and foretell wonderful Things in Dreams which when the Body and Sences are awake they cannot do because their gross and external Eliments and Sences are powerful and do predominate and hide the intellectual Pearl 394. Nothing is a greater Magnet to attract good Angels and the communication of pure Spirits then Innocency and the Child-like Nature therefore it is said by our Saviour of Children Their Angels behold that Face of the Father 395. It was a witty and true Speech of the obscure Philosopher Heraclitus that all Men awake are in one common World but when we sleep each Man goes into a several World by himself which thô it be but a World of Fancies as to the outward Eliments and Sences nevertheless it is the true Image of the Little World which is in every Mans Heart for the Imaginations when the Sences are asleep do not only shew the present State of each Man's Soul and what Property do carry the upper Dominion but also what our Dispositions Complexions and Inclinations are waking and as many in their Dreams reveal those their Secrets to others which they would never have done awake so all may and do discover to themselves in their Sleep those Secret Inclinations which after much searching they could not have found out waking therefore we need not doubt but as God heretofore hath taught future things in Dreams so still he teacheth the present estate of the Heart this way some Dreams 't is true are from our Selves vain and idle like our selves others are Divine which teach us Good or moves us to Good and others Devilish which sollicits us to Evil for Man is fall'n into the Good and Evil Nature therefore let the Night teach us what we are and the Day what we should be so shall neither Night nor Day be spent unprofitably 396. Entertain Innocency and be not weary of well-doing but daily endeavour to increase in Self-denial Abstemiousness Temperance and Purity and to moderate the fierce wrathful Spirit by the Lambs Nature for light and darkness are near unto every Man 397. The evil Nature and wrathful Spirit cannot be any otherwise overcome but by the sweet friendly Nature and predominancy of the love and light of God in Jesus Christ for nothing can make the Wrath of the Father to bow but only the inshining light and satisfaction of the Son 398. But when Man gives himself up into the intire government of the Divine Principle or Gospel of the Son of God then is fulfilled that of Isaiah the Prophet the Wolf and the Lamb shall Feed together and the Lyon Eat Hay like an Ox and there is no killing or devouring no violence or oppression in all the Holy Mountain 399. All immoderations are Enemies as to Health so to Peace he that desires more wants as much as he that has nothing the Drunken-man is as Thirsty as the Sweating Traveller settle therefore thy Mind in Perswasion of the worthlessness of all outward Things hanker not after that which it may be thou canst never obtain and art sure not long to enjoy 400. A sincere Christian for the sweet Fruit he bares to God and Man is compared to the noblest of all Plants the Vine now as the most generous Vine if it be not Pruned runs out into many superfluous Branches and are apt like Ephraim of old to wax wanton if not cut short of their Desires and Pruned with Afflictions if it be Painful to Bleed 't is worse to Wither 't is better we should be Pruned to grow then cut up to burn 401. As there is one common end to all good Men to wit Salvation and one Author of it viz. Christ so there is but one way to it that is to say doing well and suffering evil bare and forbear abstain and sustain is the proper Motto of a Christian. 402. He that would obtain the Gift of Concord must content himself with mean Things for simplicity both in Meats Drinks Cloaths Houses Furniture Imployments Words and Works have a near affinity with the friendly Principle of Gods Love in Man 403. All things both Corporeal and Incorporeal do powerfully and sympathetically attract and incorporate with its likeness therefore mind well what thou joynest thy self unto 404. None can know nor understand the mystical and powerful Operations of God in both the inward and outward Nature of Things but such as abandon the ways of the many and enter with their Wills into the one 405. Remember thou dost Pennance when thou hast committed any Sin against God by abstaining from such things that was the occasion of the Evil. 406. That which thou seest the multitude so eagerly persue do thou do the contrary 407. When thou huntest oppressest or killest any of the Inferior Creatures which makes them Cry Sigh and Groan Consider from what Principle or Properties in thee such violent fierce Inclinations arise whether from the Right or Left hand of God 408. When any Creature is hurt it sends up its Sighs and Groans to its Creator even as Men do under Oppression every Creature flies unto his Fountain for safeguard from whence it proceeded for he is their Life and Well-being if any think otherwise the Truth is hid from their Eyes 409. Consider Death or the parting of the Body from the Soul and how unwilling all Creatures are to come unto that point The mercifull shall find mercy saith our Prophet 410. Look and behold the Sun the Glorious Eye of the World whose Beams and Living power is equally friendly unto all things whether they be Good or Evil as the Scriptures of Truth do testifie The Sun shines on the Iust and Vnjust imitate â—â—is Glorious Body Envy dwelleth not in the Tabernacle of the Lord. 411. There is not any thing that Man can do that is well-pleasing to his Maker if Unity and Concord be wanting 412. Mans Fall was his suffering Discord and Inequality to enter into his Soul and it is his Fall to this day but his Regeneration is Unity and Concord 413. Stand still and cease from Evil
and 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
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
unto all Creatures as they would be done unto for the highest degree of Sanctity and Religion is to imitate God who is the Maker and Preserver of all things Consider also that thy Life is near and dear to thee the like is to be understood of all other Creatures as I have at large demonstrated in our Way to Health Long Life and Happiness 1. BRead and Water hath the first place of all Foods and are the Foundation of dry and moist nourishment and of themselves being wisely prepared makes a good Food of an opening cleansing Nature and Operation viz. Take Oatmeal and make it into a Gruel as we have Taught in our Monthly Observations of Health then put good Bread into it also take Water and good Wheat Flower and make it into a Pap and put Bread into it and season it with Salt this and Bread with a Glass of Water a Man may live very well which a Friend of mine of no mean Quality have done for near Two years eating neither Flesh nor any of their Fruits neither does he wear any Woollen Garments but Linen 2. Bread and Butter Bread and Cheese being eaten alone or with Sallad Herbs washed without either Salt Oyl or Vinegar makes a most excellent Food of a cleansing exhilerating Quality easie of Digestion the frequent eating thereof sweetens and generates good Blood and fine Spirits and prevents the generation of sower Humors also keeps the Body open and all Herbs thus eaten let the Food be what it will is to be preferred before those that are eaten with Salt Vinegar and Oyl especially for Women and all Constitutions that are subject to generate sower Humors and windy Diseases 3. Bread and Butter eaten with our thin Gruel wherein is only Salt to Season it the best way of eating it is to bite and Soop as you eat raw Milk and Bread this is a most sweet and agreeable Food to the Stomack of easy Concoction and breeds good Blood and causeth it to Circulate freely and it is the most approved way of eating Water-gruel with Butter 4. Bread and Milk as it comes from the Cow or raw as they call it is a most delicate Food and Milk eaten thus is not only the best Food but the most the frequent eating thereof doe sweeten the Blood prevents sower Humors carries Wind downward and causeth it to pass away freely without any Trouble or Molestation to Nature maintaining Health and good Complexion and is to be preferr'd before all other ways of Eating or Preparations especially then boiled Milk for boiling of Milk does fix or stagnate the fine volatile Spirits and makes it of a tough Nature by which the Stomack cannot so easily separate it neither does it generate so fine Blood or Spirits for this cause if you boil Milk and then set it to Cream it will not separate or afford more than a thin Skin but remember that you do not eat your Milk before it be cold not hot from the Cow as most incline to the particular Reasons I have demonstrated in our Good Houswife made a Doctor 5. Bread and Eggs or Bread and raw Eggs as they call them is an excellent Food and it hath the first place of all Meats made of Eggs being easier of Concoction generates finer and better nourishment it naturally cleanseth the passages and the frequent eating of Bread and raw Eggs preserves the Lungs the Bellows of Life chears and warms the Stomack and frees it from Obstructions but remember that you break both ends and suck both the White and Yolk by degrees together and eat it with Bread for the White is the strong Body and the Yolk contains the Spirits and therefore they being eaten together are both wholsomer than assunder and more agreeable unto Nature a little Custom will rendr them very pleasant and delightful to most or all Constitutions 6. Eggs Parsly and Sorrel mixed or stirred together and Fried in a Pan with Butter and a little Salt and when done melt some Butter and Vinegar and put on them but you must not put too great a quantity of Herbs for then it will render it more heavy and dull in Operation this is a Noble and most delicious Dish and it affords a good nourishment provided you eat not too much in quantity 7. Eggs beaten together and Fryed with Butter and when done melt some Butter and Vinegar and put over them is also a delightful and pleasant Dish being much better and easier of Digestion than the common way of Frying Eggs as being lighter and more tender 8. Eggs poached and some Parsly boiled and cut small and mixed with some Butter and Vinegar melted makes a very fine Dâ—sh and gives great satisfaction to the Stomack supplying Nature with Nourishment to the highest degree and is very grateful to the Palate 9. Eggs boiled in their Shells and Eggs roasted the last being the best and eaten with Bread and Salt or with Bread Butter and Salt is a good substantial Food also Eggs broken and Butter'd over the Fire is a good Food being eaten with store of Bread 10. Eggs being mixed with various sorts of Fruits with Butter and Bread made into Pyes is a sort of delicious Food that a Man may give himself the Liberty to Eat now and then to great satisfaction and no detriment to Natture provided it be not too often 11. Eggs poached and eaten with a Dish of boiled Spinage Buttered is a good Food and affords agreeable Nourishment being eaten with plenty of good Bread 12. Eggs with Flower and Water made into a Pap on the Fire as we have directed in the forementioned Book The Good Houswsfe made a Doctor is a Noble Food affording a brave clean nourishment being eaten either alone or with Bread 13. Raw Eggs broke into our thin white Water-gruel and brewed well together with some Salt to season it and then eaten with Bread or Bread and Butter makes a most exhilerating Food being of a warming Quality and agreeable unto the Stomack generates good Blood and fine brisk Spirits this Gruel is very good for all young People and Women for the frequent use of this and others of our Spoon-meats do naturally sweeten all the Humors and prevents the generation of sower Juices frees the passages from Windiness and Griping pains 14. Milk Water and Flower makes a brave substantial Pap or Food this affords a strong nourishment and such as eat frequently of it shall not be subject neither to the Gripes of the Stomack nor Bowels and cuts off the generation of Wind in the bud makes the Spirits brisk the Body plump fat and of good Complexion also it allays heat and drought this being as friendly a Food to Nature as any Composition made by Fire with Milk 16. One Egg broke into a Pint of good Ale and brewed well together and eaten with Bread makes a brave Meal and it hath a vigorous and quick operation in the Stomach in the Summer you may drink or eat it
satisfaction of Nature 72. Bread and a Pint of good Cyder do also make a good Meal it breeds good nourishment and makes a Man full of life and spirit 73. Bread and half a Pint of Cherry Wine Goosberry Wine or Currans Wine with this alone a Man may make a brave Dinner it affords a noble brisk spirit and nourishment 74. Flummery is an ancient Food the Britains used to eat and the use of it is still continued amongst the Welsh The Britains and those that now eat this sort of Gruel had and have various ways of eating it viz. to mix Ale with it and so eat it with Bread others Milk Cream and the like which mixtures do very well This Gruel I commend to all weak Stomach'd People and especially to such whose Breasts and Passages are furred and obstructed by sweet tough and phlegy matter it being an excellent remedy against all such Infirmities 75. Bonniclabber is a sort of Milk Meat and though last spoken of deserves the first place for its excellent Vertues Bonniclabber is nothing else but Milk that has stood till it is sower and become of a thick slippery substance this is an exceellent Food being eaten with good Bread in hot Seasons especially for Consumptive People and such as are troubled with any kind of stoppages of the Breast it naturally opens the passages it 's easie of concoction and helps to digest all hard or sweeter Foods it also cools and cleanseth the whole Body and renders it brisk and lively quencheth thirst to admiration And with this or any one of the forementioned Dishes of Food any Person may make a hearty Meal thereof with great satisfaction But remember always this grand Truth viz. That Nature undepraved is simple and innocent and is satisfied with a proportionable Food a few things supplies all her wants therefore seek not many Dishes nor variety of Foods especially at one Meal for most Diseases and Distempers are contracted through excess and inordinate living nor doth any thing preserve the Body and also the Mind in perfect health so much as sobriety and temperance and not to heap together various sorts of Foods beyond the necessity or the digestive power of Nature The ancient Wise Men that lived to great Ages in perfect health were contented with simple Food and mean Drink and it would be our happiness to imitate them I wish I might be an Instrument to persuade my Countrymen to such Moderation FINIS BOOKS lately Printed for and sold by Tho. Salusbury at the Sign of the Temple in Fleetstreet viz. A Most Compleat Compendium of Geography general and Special describing all the Empires Kingdoms and Dominions in the World shewing their Bounds Situation Dimensions Ancient and Modern Names History Government Religions Languages Commodities Divisions Subdivisions Cities Rivers Mountains Lakes with their Archbishopricks and Vniversities in a more Plain and Easie Method more Compendious and perhaps more Vseful than any of this bigness To which are added general Rules for making a large Geography very necessary for the Right Vnderstanding of the Transactions of these Times Collected according to the most late Discoveries and agreeing with the choicest and newest Maps By Laurence Eachard of Christ's-Colledge in Cambridge Pr. 1 s. 6 d. Arithmetical Rules digested and contracted for the Help and Benefit of Memory very necessary and useful as well for Gentlemen and Tradesmen as for Youth and Apprentices in Mercantile Affairs With Examples Illustrated upon the Rules By Arthur Leadbetter Schoolmaster in the Whiting-street in Bury St. Edmonds in Suffolk Price 1 s.