the copy of a letter written by e.d. doctour of physicke to a gentleman, by whom it was published the former part conteineth rules for the preseruation of health, and preuenting of all diseases vntill extreme olde age. herein is inserted the authours opinion of tabacco. the latter is a discourse of emperiks or vnlearned physitians, wherein is plainly prooued that the practise of all those which haue not beene brought vp in the grammar and vniuersity, is alwayes confused, commonly dangerous, and often deadly. duncon, eleazar, or - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the copy of a letter written by e.d. doctour of physicke to a gentleman, by whom it was published the former part conteineth rules for the preseruation of health, and preuenting of all diseases vntill extreme olde age. herein is inserted the authours opinion of tabacco. the latter is a discourse of emperiks or vnlearned physitians, wherein is plainly prooued that the practise of all those which haue not beene brought vp in the grammar and vniuersity, is alwayes confused, commonly dangerous, and often deadly. duncon, eleazar, or - . 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characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng health -- early works to . physicians -- early works to . quacks and quackery -- early works to . medicine -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - pip willcox sampled and proofread - pip willcox text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the copy of a letter written by e. d. doctour of physicke to a gentleman , by whom it was published . the former part conteineth rules for the preseruation of health , and preuenting of all diseases vntill extreme olde age . herein is inserted the authours opinion of tabacco . the latter is a discourse of emperiks or vnlearned physitians , wherein is plainly prooued that the practise of all those which haue not beene brought vp in the grammar and vniuersity , is alwayes confused , commonly dangerous , and often deadly . eccles . . . honour the physician with that honour that is due vnto him ; for the lord hath created him . london printed by melchisedech bradwood . . the pvblisher to the reader . gentle reader , let it not seeme strange that i publish vnto thee a priuate letter . there are three principall causes which haue moued me hereunto : first , a world of examples both of moderne and ancient writers , whose epistles , perhaps priuatly intended , as this was , haue now their publike vse . secondly , my loue vnto the authour , a man deseruing loue of all , but specially of me , vnto whom i am beholding ( next vnto god ) for that health which ienioy . thirdly , the woorth of the worke it selfe ; wherein , looke not for hyperbolicall phrases , or curious affectation : for as in his life he preferreth deeds before words , so in his writings shalt thou finde more substance than shewes . yet so hath he ioyned profit with pleasure , sound discourse with sweet delight ; that ( if my loue deceiueth me not , and some learned physicians , who at my request haue perused it ) as the poet sayth , omne tulit punctum . his rules of health ( vnto those that will be ruled by them ) are full of health : his discouery of bastard physicians will make wisemen beware : their ignorance , their arrogancie , their rashnesse is here layd open : not with iesting termes ( for that he accounteth no lesse than an artificiall iniury ) but with such euident demonstrations , as he that hereafter shall know them , and will not eschew them , shall be deemed accessary to his own ouerthrow . i haue named the former part healths preseruatiue , and the latter , a discourse of empiricks and vnlearned physicians . i wish as much good to come vnto thee by this my friends labour , as was meant vnto my selfe . be thine owne friend . take heed of empiricks . and so farewell . healths preseruatiue . sir , i haue here sent you an answer to your kinde letters , though not so soone as you expected , yet assoone as my businesse , and the large handling of the matter , protracted farre beyond my first purpose , would permit . your request standeth vpon two scuerall parts : the one is , to set downe rules and directions out of our art for the preseruation ofhealth , and preuenting of diseases : the other is , to deliuer my opinion concerning empericks . touching the former , though health be a precious thing , and the greatest blessing belonging to this life , yet the meanes of preseruing it are little thought of , and lightly regarded of most , that haue full fruition of it , and are in their flourishing yeeres . if this your request proceedeth from a resolution to obserue those things which you desire to heare , dignus es nestoris annis , & crotonis salubritate : you are worthy oflong life and perfect health . some place their felicitie in honour , some in wealth ▪ other in other things : a but if health be not a continuall attendant vpon these , this supposed happinesse is soone changed into miserie . an ancient poet sayth , b o blessed health , when thou art present , all things flourish as in the spring ; without thee no man is happy . to this agreeth that of pindarus ; c if a man possesse riches ioyned with health , and hath with them a good report , there is no cause why he should desire to be a god . health is thus defined by galen : d sanitas est calidi , frigidi , humidi , siccitemperies : an equall mixture or proportion of the foure elements : not equall by iust proportion ofweight of euery element alike ; which is called temperatum ad pondus ; but temperatum ad iustitiam : such a proportion as is most agreeable to the preseruation and continuance oflife and health ; and as it were due by the right ofiustice . the same author in another place sheweth more plainly what health is , in these words : we call that constitution of body health , wherein we are not vexed with paine , nor hindred in the actions of our life . this perfect constitution is altered & impaired two wayes ; the one by inward , the other by outward ward things : the inward are bred and borne with vs , and it is not in our power to resist them : they are in number three ; drinesse , continuall decay or wasting of the substance of our bodies , and breeding of superfluous excrements . of these galen discourseth at large in the foresaid booke : but i omit them , as things out of our power , and come to the outward , which haue equall or greater force to ouerthrow our health , if they be lightly regarded : and much vertue to preserue vs from sicknesse , if we vse them rightly . these are almost in our power , and most of them may be obserued by vs , if we endeuor to liue free from sicknesse . that they haue ability to effect this , it doth plainly appeare in the booke before cited , in these words : he that leadeth a free life , and hath a care of keeping his health , shall neuer be troubled with so much as a bile . and in another place : they which haue a good state of bodie , and free transpiration , and vse not too violent exercise , and keepe their stomacke and liuer warme , it is impossible for them to haue an ague . this warrant of so great a physician , to liue vntill extreame olde age without any disease , may moue you to a carefull and diligent obseruation of the rules required to this happy state of life . these outward things are in number six : the aire , meat and drinke , exercise and rest , sleepe and waking , expelling and retaining of superfluities , and the affections of the mind . all these are in our arte comprised vnder the name of diet , as a galen doth testifie in plaine words . these are called things not naturall , because they are not of the essence or nature of the body . they are called by galen , causae couseruatrices , because they keepe and preserue the body in perfect health , vntill it commeth lege adrastriae , by ineuitable fate neere the graue , being withered and consumed for want of moisture . of these six , the aire hath the first place , because our life beginneth with that , and we haue a continuall vse of it as well by night as by day , both sleeping and waking : it is of it owne nature bot and moist ; but it is subiect to many alterations from the earth , from the waters , from the windes , and from the heauens : it ministreth nourishment to the spirits and cooleth them , and receiueth their superfluous fumes : it passeth by the mouth , nose and arteries , into the braine , lungs , heart , and all parts of the body : what substance or qualities soeuer be in it , those it infuseth first into the spirits , then into the humours , and so into the whole body . cleere , subtile , pure , sweet and temperate aire lighteneth the spirits , clarifieth the blood , dilateth the heart , and lifteth it vp with ioy and delight : it preuenteth obstructions , stirreth vp naturall heat , increaseth appetite , perfecteth concoction , and inableth euery part to expell it superfluitie at fit times . these are the excellent properties , which hippocrates , galen , and other ascribe vnto a good aire . a columella aduiseth them that buy land to regard principally the healthfulnesse of the aire lest they purchase the meanes of shortening their liues . also b aristotle counselleth that cities shuld be built in a pure & clere aire . herodotus affirmeth the egyptians to be the healthfullest of all nations , because the aire of that countrey is so pure and not subiect to alterations , as in other places . the best aire is commonly about the highest places , that a●e open towards the east ; for there the sunne hath most perfection to clarifie it , and the winde most power to disperse the grosnesse and superfluitie of it , as hippocrates testifieth . s. edmunds-bury is the most famous place in this country for good aire : lelandus maketh it inferiour to no citie of the world for situation : and the physicians of cambridge do vsually send their patients diseased in the lungs , to liue here ; whereby many haue recouered their health . on the contrary part , grosse , thicke and impure aire , receiuing continuall exhalations from moores , fennes , bogges , and such like ▪ or being barred from the benefit of the sunne and winde by hilles , woods or other meanes , is an vtter enemie vnto health ; for it oppresseth the heart , infecteth the lungs , dulleth the wit , diminisheth naturall heat , hindereth appetite , weakeneth concoction , and subiecteth the body to many other infirmities . therefore sith there is so great power in the aire both to preserue and ouerthrow a perfect state of body , you are to haue a speciall care to liue alwayes in a good aire , and also to auoid all obiects offensiue to the sense of smelling . here i may fitly giue you a taste of tabacco , for it is taken not much vnlike to the drawing in of aire by breathing ; and it hath great power to alter the body . this indian simple is hot and drie almost in the third degree , as those that wrote first ofit affirme , and the smell and taste do confirme . in respect of the excesse of these first qualities it can not be safe for yoong and sound bodies , though it yeelded pure nourishment : for the diet of yoong men must be moist without excesse ofheat ; and in cholericke complexions , somewhat cooling , as galen affirmeth : but it is a strong purger ( as hath beene often tried by experience ) and an vtter enemie to most stomacks ; for a small quantity of it infused , mooueth violently vpward ; and in many , downward also . in this respect it is very hurtfull to all sound bodies : for hippocrates sayth , healthfull bodies do hardly beare any purging at all . and celsus in the very beginning of his booke hath these words ; nourishment is fit for them that are in health , and physicke for the sicke onely . what though it be vsually taken by fume , and not in substance , or infusion ? yet that way it worketh the same effect in many ; and in all it draweth thin and moist humours , which all beholders perceiue distilling , or rather flowing from the mouth , nose and eyes of the takers of it . but admit that it doth not purge ; which is very euident ; yet it altereth the body much : and how can that be done in yoong and strong men without hurt ? it consumeth the moisture , and increaseth the heat of perfect constitutions , as the fire and sunne doe sensibly heat and drie things exposed to them . heat and moisture , in their iust mixture , are the preseruers of life : if the proportion of heat be increased , it consumeth moisture the faster : if moisture be diminished , there followeth a necessary decay of heat : for it is maintained and fed by that , as a lampe with oile : therefore tabacco , being armed with the excesse of both these qualities , professed enemies to youth , doth exercise cruell tyranny vpon it . galen sayth ; moistest bodies liue longest . to this agreeth that of aristotle ; they that inhabit hot countries are of shorter life : for the heat of the sunne draweth out much moisture from the body , and the continuall drawing in of hot aire by breathing , doth dissipate and consume it , and consequently hasteneth a drie and withered distemper , the messenger of death approching . doth not tabacco then threaten a short life to the great takers of it ? the often drawing in of this hot and drie fume , maketh them somewhat like those that liue in hot regions : though this be not continuall , as that is , yet the heat and drinesse of this doth farre exceed that . plato would not allow yoong men to drinke wine , though moderatly , because it carieth them headlong to lust and anger . doth not tabacco this much more ? wine is hot and moist : tabacco exceedeth it farre in heat ; for from the excesse of that , it hath the strong smell and fretting taste , and it hath drinesse associated to it in stead of the others moisture . beside this , wine nourisheth ; tabacco purgeth . so it is euery way farre more hurtfull than wine . it is in greatest request amongst our yoonger and stronger sort of gentlemen ; and the quicker spirits and hoter complexions are caried most violently to the often taking of it , being like to the yoong man that horace describeth . euery man , that hath but tasted of naturall philosophy , may easily comprehend it to be a dangerous and pernitious thing to cholericke constitutions : it inclineth them to burning agues , phrensies , and hectikes ; or carieth them into an vntimely melancholy : for the vnkinde heat of it , exceeding the naturall heat of the bodie , doth waste and destroy that , and so breedeth a melancholicke distemper by the long continued vse of it . choler is like to a coale burning cleere with his full heat , whose moisture as it consumeth , so the heat diminisheth , and in time it becommeth blacke , drie and cold : euen so the often drinking of this herbe , doth by his vehement heat burne the cholericke bloud , and maketh it grosse , thicke and blacke . this is wrought by small degrees and insensibly , youth , together with often powring in of drinke ( which is vsuall with them ) not suffering such alteration to be made in short time . galen sayth , the best complexions haue the best maners : and he writeth a whole booke to prooue that the affections of the minde follow the temper and constitution of the body . what though that be specially vnderstood of the originall temperature that we haue from our parents ; yet as that changeth with our age naturally , or accidentally by tabacco , or any other outward meanes ; so there is with that , great change of the affections , and inclinations of the minde . as heat & sharpnesse increase in the blood , so do hastinesse and furie in the minde : and when the blood groweth thicke and grosse , the minde is dull and sad . this is too apparent in many , though it be obscured by discretion in some . i see not therfore how tabacco can be acquited from procuring the ouerthrow of the perfect state both of body and minde : and that not onlie in tabacconists themselues , but in their posterity also ; for the temperament and constitution of the father is ordinarily transfused into the children , and the affections of the minde also , depending vpon the other . this is verified likewise in distempered and sicke bodies . fernelius saith , what disease so euer the father hath , that goeth into the childe . the father giueth the forme , nature and essence to the child , as galen affirmeth . therefore where the humours of the body haue contracted a sharpe heat and drinesse by drinking of tabacco , there the father getteth a childe like to himselfe , wanting that kinde moisture that should protract his life vnto olde age , and incline him to an ingenuous , courteous and kinde carriage . but many take it , imagining that it doth inable them in some actions . i confesse that it putteth a sharpe and fretting heat into the blood , which doth incitare : but they shall the sooner faile in their course ; for heat can not be preserued without moisture : and tabacco consumeth that , by infusing a drie qualitie into the body , by excesse of heat , and by drawing out of moisture . therefore tabacco ; though neuer so sparingly taken , can not be good for you , nor for yoong and sound bodies : and the often vse of it in such bodies , driueth them lentis gradibus into their graue long before that time that nature had assigned them . hippocrates sayth , that which is done by little and little , is done safely : and in diet as well as in other things , he commandeth all to be vsed with moderation . galen speaking of gentle opening medicines , affirmeth that the often vse of them drieth vp the solid parts of the body , and maketh the blood thicke and grosse ; which being burnt in the kidnies , breedeth the stone . this may as well be verified of tabacco ; for many take it oftener than euer such opening medicines were taken : and it hath also more heat and drinesse than those had ; and therefore greater power to hurt sound bodies . there may peraduēture be a profitable vse of it in cold & moist bodies : but it must be taken very seldome , and with great regard of sundry other circumstances . to conclude , sith it is so hurtfull and dangerous to youth , i wish ( in compassion of them ) that it might haue the pernitious nature expressed in the name , and that it were as well knowen by the name of youths-bane , as by the name of tabacco . the second thing is meat and drinke . our bodies , as galen affirmeth , are in assiduo fluore , in a continuall wasting , the inward heat alwayes consuming part of the very substance of them . the vse of meat and drinke is necessarie for the restauration of this dayly losse . these rightly vsed according to the rules of physicke , haue great power to preserue the body from diseases . this is verified by galen in the same booke . to him fernelius assenteth in these words ; he shall be troubled with no disease , that layeth temperance for the foundation of his life . and in the same chapter he addeth , that neither the aire , nor the affections of the minde , nor any other cause , doth breed diseases , vnlesse there be a disposition in the body proceeding from some errour in diet . there are fiue things to be obserued in the vse of meat : the substance , the quantity , the qualities , the times of eating , and the order . touching the substance , galen sayth , in victu salubri , &c. in healthfull diet the two chiefe things are meats of good iuice and not stopping . here , to auoid tediousnesse , i passe ouer meats of good nourishment , most of them being well knowen to you , and i will speake only of some few that are badde . meats of ill iuice fill the body with grosse humours subiect to putrifafaction , which is one of the principall causes of most diseases . galen reporteth , that when there was great scarsitie of corne thorowout the romane empire , the people being compelled to eat roots and hearbs of bad nourishment , fell into diseases of sundry kindes . this he doth further confirme by the example of his owne body ; for during the time of his eating of ordinary fruits , he was troubled with agues almost euery yeere : but after that he left them , and fed only on good meats , he protracted his life vntill extreame olde age without any sicknesse . the worst meats that are in vse with vs are , of flesh , bulles beefe , the blood whereof being accounted poison amongst physicians , may iustly make the flesh suspected , specially for colde and weake stomacks . all olde beefe is of hard digestion , and breedeth grosse and melancholike blood . bores flesh is much of the same nature , and the older and greater , the worse . there is the like reason of bucks , male-goats , and rammes , in their kinde : their ill iuice increaseth with their yeeres , and those vngelt are of harder and grosser nourishment . blood , howsoeuer it be prepared , is vtterly condemned by galen : so are the inwards of beasts , and the feet also , specially of the greater sort of them . of fishes the greater and older are the worst , and bring most labour to the stomacke : those that liue in muddy or standing waters are farre worse than those of the same kinde that keepe in grauelly or cleere riuers . ecles are iustly excluded from the number of holsome meats , because they breed of putrifaction . most english fruits are forbidden in diet . many of them are profitable in medicines : therefore galen sayth , apples , peares and medlers are not to be vsed as meats , but as medicines . the sooner ripe and the sooner subiect to corruption , are most condemned , because they are easily turned into putrifaction in the body . cucumbers are too vsuall with vs , being vtterly reiected by a galen for their ill iuice , and if they be not well concocted ( as they are neuer in a colde stomacke ) they are b almost like to deadly poison . our common raw salads are full of danger . lettice is one of the best of their vsuall ingredients , which though it be good in a hot stomacke , yet being taken in a great quantity , it pierceth to the heart and killeth , as galen affirmeth . it is not safe for any man in the vse of these bad meats to presume vpon his strong stomacke ; for though naughty meats be well concocted , yet a galen telleth vs , that when the iuice of them is caried into the veines , it reteineth the old nature . this point is more largely handled by ludouicus merca●us a learned italian . but i conclude with galen in the foresayd place ; we must abstaine from all meats of bad iuice , though they be easie of concoction : for by the vse of them our bodies will be filled with matter ready to putrifie vpon euery light occasion ; whereupon maligne and dangerous agues will follow . the second thing to be considered in eating is the quantity : this must not be proportioned to the appetite , but to the strength of the stomacke to concoct it perfectly : for the fault or defect of the first concoction is neuer amended in the second or third : if the liuer receiueth the chylus or iuice of meats raw and inconcocted from the stomacke , it conuerteth it into grosse and impurel bood , and so sendeth it into the lesser veines , where there is no power to refine it . it were superfluous to speake of defect in this point , for gluttony , that great murdering tyrant of the world , hath subiected most of the richer sort , and lead them by pleasant variety to the cruell prison of sicknesse , and from thence to mercilesse execution . a hippocrates sayth , where meat is taken in too great quantity , there it breedeth diseases . b health requireth little meat and much exercise . socrates maketh meat and drinke , taken beyond hunger and thirst , the breeders of sicknesse . c tully prescribeth meat and drinke in a small quantity , that we may thereby be refreshed and not oppressed . d fernelius a learned french man maketh gluttony the mother of all diseases , though they haue another father . of all the fiue things before mentioned , the error in quantity is most vsuall , and most dangerous , and therefore most carefully to be auoided . a full diet stuffeth the body with grosse humours , and with winde ; it breedeth obstructions , after which followeth putrifaction , and agues of sundry kindes : also it begetteth many colde diseases , as gouts , dropsies , palsies , and such like : it oppresseth both the outward and inward senses : it suffocateth & extinguisheth the natural heat , as a lampe with too much oile . thus were some of the great champions , that vsed to contend at the solemne games of olympus , suddenly choked with fulnesse , as galen reporteth . also it breedeth thicke & grosse spirits , whereby the wit is made obtuse and blunt , and the iudgement dull and weake . finally , it maketh a man vnfit not only for naturall and ciuill actions , but also for diuine meditations , according to that of galen : a the minde choked with blood and fatnesse , can not meditate of heauenly things . b horatius also speaketh to this purpose : the body being oppressed with the former errours in diet , cloggeth the mide , and presseth it downe to the ground . a slender diet bringeth forth contrary effects . many of these are set forth by galen c in his first booke de sanit . tuenda . d fernelius in the place aboue cited sayth , only temperance is the gouernour of a pleasant and healthfull life . e galen bringeth in sundry men that liued in health , with perfect vse of their outward and inward senses vntill extreme olde age , by the continuall vse of a slender diet . f there is a memorable history of one apollonius tyanaeus in the reigne of domitian , who hauing excellent gifts of nature , and confirming them by dayly hearing , reading and meditating , obteined such deepe and admirable knowledge , that he could tell many strange things , yea and foretell things to come : wherupon he was accused before the emperor to haue conference with diuels : but he cleered himselfe with this answer ; that he did alwayes seed on light meats in a small quantity , and without variety : this kinde of diet , sayd he , hath giuen such an excellent perspicuity to my inward senses , that i doe cleerely see , as in a glasse , things past and to come . josephus reporteth that the sect called esseni , inioyed life and health farre longer than other men , by their slender diet . the great philosophers of pythagoras sect had for their vsuall diet only bread and hony . to conclude this point , variety of meats is the greatest meane to allure the appetite , and consequently to procure ouerfeeding : therefore all physicians doe inhibit many sorts of meat to be eaten at one meale ; for beside the hurt of the quantity , the difference of their qualities procureth labour to the stomacke , and hindereth perfect concoction . the opinion of montanus is very strict in this point , for he doth rather allow one dish of meat , be it neuer so bad , than variety of good . one thing more is here to be obserued , that after you be past that flourishing state and full a strength of body , which you now inioy , then as your yeeres increase , so the quantity of your meat must be diminished ; for there will be a decay of your naturall heat , which you shall not perceiue , and consequently of perfect concoction , if the vsuall quantity of meat be continued . out of this the stomacke will breed raw b and incocted iuice , which will fill the body with matter fit for diseases , before there be any sensible feeling of it . this is confirmed by c hippocrates in these words : olde men haue little heat , and therefore should eat little meat ; for as an heape of greene wood quencheth a little fire , so , much meat extinguisheth the decayed heat of the stomacke . in this respect montanus forbiddeth olde men to go to feasts , lest by long sitting and inticing variety of meats , they should eat much . the third thing to be considered in meat is the quality : in which it shall be sufficient to obserue these two rules out of hippocrates : similiasimilibus conseruantur , and contraria contrarijs curantur ; an equall and perfect temper of the body is to be preserued by meats temperate , and without any excesse of heat , moisture , colde , or drinesse ▪ but if this eucrasia or perfect mixture of the elements be decayed , so , as some of these qualities haue obtained dominion , then the body is to be reduced to his former state by contraries ; as when it is too hot , the diet must be cooling ; and so of the rest . also the diet in summer must be much cooler and moister , than in winter : for in that season we draw in by breathing farre hotter aire : the sunne also infuseth into vs a burning heat , and sucketh out much of our moisture . furthermore , yoong men and olde are to obserue this difference in respect of their yeeres : for that age is like to summer , and this to winter . the fourth thing that is to be obserued in eating , is the times . new meat may not be put into the stomacke before the former be thorowly concocted and digested ; for so should both be corrupted , as a galen affirmeth . i know that b lud. mercat . counselleth otherwise , whereof a strong stomacke may make experience without hurt ; but i thinke it not safe for others to imitate . the iudgement of c fernelius is freer from danger , where he commendeth fasting as the best meanes to concoct crudity : they that are full of superfluous humors , sayth he , can hardly endure fasting : and yet while they endeuour to represse the violence and fury of the humour by taking meat often , they nourish not themselues , but their owne destruction : for all the offence that groweth by fasting , will soone be taken away by the continuance of it . the custome of our nation , for the vsuall times of eating amongst the better sort , agreeth not with the rules of physicke : for a large supper following so soone after a full dinner , heapeth vp crudity , fit matter for diseases . breakfast and supper without any dinner , would agree farre better with those that haue cold and moist bodies , or that vse little exercise , as lud. mercat . affirmeth in the foresayd place . this opinion is confirmed by the custome of the ancients . a galen vsed a piece of bread only for his breakfast , and abstained vntill supper . the great champions , that were purposely fed to be strong to fight at olympus , vsed bread alone for their breakfast , and porke for their supper , without any dinner . b hippocrates calleth gluttons diuers , in disgrace of their eating one meale in a day more than was at that time vsuall ; as c heurnius noteth . also d hippoc. setting downe a diet agreeable to winter , alloweth but one meale in a day , except to those that haue drie bodies , that by two meales they may be more moistened . it can not be strongly obiected against this , that the grecians at the siege of troy vsed to eat foure times dayly ; or three of those meales were only of bread & wine in a small quantity , and their supper was far larger of flesh . it seemeth that this often eating was extraordinary , according to their extraordinary labour in the warres : for galen , speaking of the custome of the countrey , maketh mention but of a light breakefast or dinner , and a larger supper . but to shut vp this point , sith you are continually at a plentifull table , and also at vnfit and vnequall distances of time , if you do not feed very moderately and sparingly at dinner , it were healthfull to inioyne your selfe a light penance by abstaining altogether from supper : for although the abundance of naturall heat , in these your flourishing yeeres , will not permit you any light feeling of this errour in laying one meale vpon another , yet this bad custome layeth a secret and hidden foundation for sicknesse , whereupon you shall dayly build without suspition , vntill it riseth to the full height of some dangerous disease . this is confirmed by the testimony of auicen : old age shall smart for the errors of diet committed in youth . the fift and last thing to be obserued in diet ▪ is the order of taking sundry meats at one meale . the custome of this land differeth in this also from the common receiued opinion amongst physitians , which is to eat those meats first that are lightest of concoction , that they may first passe out of the stomacke . but this opinion is reiected in a booke a ascribed to galen , and a reason annexed to disproue it : therefore in this doubt , i hold it safest for you to follow your woonted custome , which , as hippoc. sayth , is not suddenly to be broken , though it be a little woorse . the safest way to preuent all danger of disorder is , neuer to eat of aboue two dishes at one meale ; which is an excellent meane to preserue health . what though epicures obiect , qui medicè viuit , miserè viuit ? yet you shall thereby be happie in the fruition of your health , when they shall be wretched and miserable by the grieuances that follow the full pleasure and delight of the taste . touching drinke , there are three vsuall kinds of it with vs , as euery man knoweth , wine , ale , and beare . wine is first both in time and excellency : those which be sweet , are hot & moist : that which is white , sharpe and new , hath manifest power of cooling , as galen affirmeth . the older that wines are , the hoter they are . the benefit of wine is set forth by galen : it doth greatly helpe concoction , digestion , breeding of good bloud and nourishment . but this is to be vnderstood with distinction of wines , of complexions , and of yeres : for new wines haue in them a grosse and earthly substance , by reason whereof they are so farre from helping the concoction of meats , that they themselues are hardly concocted , as he sayth in another place . and hot wines are vtter enemies to all infirmities of the head . they are also very hurtfull to hot complexions ; therefore they are generally forbidden to youth and flourishing yeeres : as is plaine in sundry places in a a galen . b fernel . sayth thus of wine : it is to mens bodies as chalke to trees ; it hasteneth the fruit , but it killeth the tree . this is to be vnderstood of hot wines , in yoong men and hot constitutions . i omit plato his strict allowance of wine , confuted by c galen . ale is cooler than beere , because it wanteth the hop ; it fumeth not vp to the head , as wine and beere doe : therefore it is most healthfull in infirmities of the head ; but it is windy . hoppes , which make the difference betwixt ale and beere , are hot and drie ; therefore beere is farre hoter than ale , if they be equall in other things : it is also much more opening . the vse of drinke is to restore the moisture which the heat of the body dayly consumeth , as a galen sayth . b it is also cibi vehiculum : it maketh the chylus or iuyce of the meat more liquid or thinne , that it may be the casier carried into the veines , and distributed into all parts of the body . c hippoc. sayth , exercise , meat , drinke , &c. and all in a meane . heere is a plaine and manifest rule for the moderate vse of this : that it be neuer taken in great quantity . the words also conteine a more obscure rule for the time of drinking : that is , meales must begin with meat , and then drinke to follow : for so galen expoundeth that place , that the order of the words is to be obserued , and the things performed accordingly : first labour , then meat , after that drinke . this condemneth the common custome of drinking betwixt meales or immediatly before them . sacke before supper is as hurtfull , as vsuall , it carrieth the vnconcocted relikes of the meat into the veines before the due time : also it procureth a false appetite , whereby new meat is taken before the former be digested ; which is a pestilent enemy to health . the quantity of drinke must be proportioned to the meat , with a regard of the temperature of the body , and season of the yeere : for leane and drie bodies are allowed more than fat and moist ; and a greater quantity in summer than in winter . very little drinke hindereth concoction in some stomacks , and distribution in most . a great quantity oppresseth the stomacke , hindereth concoction , breedeth winde , offendeth the head , and filleth the whole body with superfluous moisture . drinke may sometimes be allowed betwixt meales to cholericke bodies , after the meat is concocted in the stomacke , as a ludouic . mercat . affirmeth ▪ also b crato , a learned germane , counselleth him that hath a hot liuer , to drinke after the first concoction . c galen alloweth drinke in the night , but to those only that are extreamely thirsty : but this liberty of drinking betwixt meales procureth much hurt to flegmaticke bodies , and to those that drinke for pleasure or custome without great thirst . hippoc. forbiddeth drinke to them that are ready to go to bed , because sleepe moisteneth sufficiently . the third thing to be considered for the preseruation of health is exercise and rest . exercise is defined to be a vehement motion of the body , whereby breathing is altered , or wearinesse procured . galen sayth , that all motion of the body is not to be accounted exercise , but only that which is violent , euen to the drawing of breath shorter . exercise is not safe in all bodies ; for if there be plethora , or cacochymia , fulnesse of blood in the veines , or of some bad humors in the whole body ; there it may driue the superfluous matter into some principall part , and so breed dangerous diseases : or into the ioynts , and procure extreame paines . therefore in this case the safest way is , first to take away this fulnesse by opening a veine , or by purging , or by a slender diet , and then to begin with gentle and moderate exercise , increasing it dayly by small degrees : for all sudden changes are dangerous , as hippocrates affirmeth . the fittest time for exercise , is the morning vpon an empty stomacke , when the supper is perfectly concocted , and fully digested : for if any man feeleth any relikes of his supper after he ariseth in the morning , it is farre safer for him to follow the counsell of celsus , and betake himselfe to sleepe againe , than by exercise to send raw a humours into the habit of the body . much more is that exercise to be condemned that is vsed soone after meat . b galen sayth , he that auoideth crudity , and doth not exercise himselfe after meat , shall neuer be sicke : and when exercise is omitted before meat , c he teacheth a remedy for that , parcius cibandum , the meale must be th e lighter . d hippoc. setteth forth the commendation of exercise moderatly vsed , and at fit times , in these few words ; corpus robustum reddit , it maketh the body strong . and in e another place he sayth ; labour is to the ioynts and flesh , as meat and sleepe to the inward parts . f plato sheweth the benefit of exercise , and the hurt of much rest : exercise strengtheneth , rest breedeth rottennesse in the body . to these accordeth that of the poet ; cernis vt ignauum corrumpant otia corpus : vt capiant vitium , ni mo●eantur aquae : idlenesse corrupteth a sluggish body , as waters soone putrifie , if they be not stirred . ludouic . mercat . in commending exercise , sayth it helpeth three wayes : first , it increaseth the naturall heat , whereby commeth perfect concoction , and plentifull nourishment : secondly , the spirits thereby are caried with greater force , which cleanseth the passages of the body , and expelleth the superfluous excrements better : out of these two riseth a third commodity , that the instrumentall parts of the body doe by this motion gather hardnesse and strength , and are more inabled to resist the diseases incident vnto them . the fourth thing to be obserued for continuance of health , is sleeping and waking . of this is that aphorisme of hippoc. sleeping , or waking , exceeding measure , are both ill . this he further confirmeth in another place : too little sleepe hindereth concoction , and too much is an enemy to distribution it hindereth the carriage of the chylus or iuyce of the meat into the veines : by this grosse humors are ingendred , the body made heauy and lumpish , and the wit dull . the a night is much fitter for sleepe than the day , because the spirits moue inward by reason of the darke . i will not trouble you with the b dissenting opinions of our authours about the maner of lying in sleepe : it shall be sufficient to note that it is not good to lie all night vpon one side ; and that the worst maner oflying is vpon the backe . the length of time allowed for sleepe is seuen or eight houres : longer sleepe is required after a large supper than after a light . a galen seemeth to allow nine houres for sleepe , which b cardan , a great patron of long sleepe , taketh holde of . sleepe moisteneth the body , therefore larger sleepe is permitted to drier bodies . the olde rule of rising c early presupposeth light suppers , which are hardly warranted by physicke , but when full dinners go before , or where there is some infirmity of the head . sleepe is not allowed vntil three or foure houres after supper : for vpon a ful stomacke a whole cloud of fumes & vapors ascend to the head in sleepe , a great part wherof is dispersed in waking . this reason doth inhibit sleepe after dinner , as an vtter enemy to the head : but when the stomacke is weake and the head strong , a short nap sitting is allowed , because it helpeth concoction , by drawing the heat inward . the fift thing for continuance of health , is retention and expulsion of superfluous excrements at fit times . euery concoction hath it seuerall superfluity : if any of these be reteined or kept too long in the body , or expelled too soone , or with great violence ; health is thereby impaired : if the bowels empty not themselues at fit times , the neighbour parts suffer offence thereby , and the head also receiueth vnkinde fumes : if the liuer and spleene want their timely vnloadings into the kidnies and bowels , diseases of sundry sorts follow after if the kidnies and bladder holde their vnprofitable burdens beyond their iust times , they are weakened by that heauy weight , by extending the parts , and by increasing of heat : if sweat or insensible transpiration be hindered , obstructions and putrefact●on succeed , and after them , agues of sundry kinds : if any of there or any other humour rush out of the body with great force , or issue quietly in too great quantity , the naturall heat and spirits passe out with them , whereby the whole body is weakened . there was a custome amongst the egyptians , to empty their bodies with medicines three dayes together in euery moneth , that no superfluous humour might hold long possession there . by this it appeareth what great danger they esteemed it to nourish their enemies within the walles of their city . but this course can not be iustified by the rules of physicke : it agreeth farre better with health to preuent this fulnesse by a slender diet , and moderate exercise . the errours committed in these two , are commonly the cause of the excesse and defect in this point . the sixt and last thing is , the affections of the minde : the excesse of any of these ouerthroweth the naturall and perfect state of body , as galen affirmeth . plato held opinion , that all the diseases of the body haue their beginning from the minde . moderate ioy and mirth do both preserue health and driue away sicknesse : the spirits are thereby stirred vp , heat is increased , and the humours are extenuated and clarified . quintus fabius , that renowmed romane captaine , being twelue yeeres afflicted with a quartane ague , was freed from it by the ioy of a victory obteined against hannibal . an ancient english poet singeth thus : as long liues neuer thee , as euer thee , and a yere the longer for his meritee . but this affection how profitable soeuer it be , ifit exceedeth the limits & bounds of moderation , it is sometimes deadly : therefore fernel . sayth , it disperseth the spirits like lightning , that they can not returne to mainteine life . there is a lamentable example of one a di●goras , who had three sonnes crowned victors in one day at the solemne games of olym●us : and whiles he embraced them , and they put their garlands vpon his head , and the people reioycing with them , cast flowers vpon him ; the olde man ouerfilled with ioy , yeelded vp his life suddenly in the middes of the assembly . but examples of this kinde are rare , and therefore not to be feared . sorow . sorow and griefe hath great power to weaken the ablest state of body : it doth ( as plato speaketh ) exercise cruell tyranny . tuscul . quest . cum omnis perturbatio m●sera est , tum carni●icina est agritu . do , &c. tully , discoursing of the affections of the mind , hath these words : euery perturbation is miserable , but griefe is a cruell torment : lust hath with it heat ; mirth lightnesse ; feare basenesse : but griefe bringeth farre greater things ; wasting , torment , vexation , deformity ; it teareth , it eateth , and vtterly consumeth the mind , and body also . histories affoord many examples of those that haue beene brought into consumptions , and to death , by sorrow and griefe . feare . feare is an expectation of ill ; it is commonly the forerunner of griefe ; it calleth the bloud suddenly from the outward parts to the heart , and leaueth them destitute of their naturall heat ; for want whereof they tremble and shake : the heart then suffereth violence also , as appeareth by the weake and slow pulse : and it is sometimes suddenly ouercome and suffocated by the violent recourse of bloud . feare killeth many . thus publius rutilius and marcus lepidus ended their liues , as pliny reporteth . there are sundry examples in histories of those that through extreame feare haue had their haire changed into a whitish hoarenesse in one night . skenk . obseruat . this opinion is confirmed by scaliger contra cardan . and the reason annexed . anger anger may adde somewhat to health in colde and moist bodies ; for it is an increase of the heat of bloud about the heart . gal. de sanit tu ▪ enda . lib. ex aristot . this bringeth much hurt to cholericke bodies : it is comprehended vnder the first of the fiue generall causes of agues it is also sometime the cause of an epilepsie , or the falling sicknesse , as a a de locis affectis lib. cap. . galen affirmeth in the history of diodorus the grammarian : but this affection , be it neuer so violent , taketh not away the life suddenly , as b b de sympt . caus . lib . galen and most other physitians affirme : for in cold and weake constitutions it can not be vehement ; magnani●s ob nullam animi aegritud . moriuntur . gal. de locis affect . lib. . and the strength of hot bodies , wherein it is alwayes most violent , will not yeeld vnto it . i know that some c c cardan . consil . . are of contrary opinion : but i may not enter into controuersies , hauing beene already so long . other affections i omit , as being neere the nature of some of these , and hauing lesse power to hurt the body . you see sir with what efficacy the affections of the minde worke into the body : therefore it is as necessary for health to holde a meane and moderation in them , as in the fiue other forenamed things . for though we liue in a sweet and pure aire , obserue a strict diet , vse sleepe and exercise according to the rules of physicke , and keepe fit times and measure in expelling superfluities out of our bodies ; yet if we haue not quiet , calme and placable mindes , we shall subiect ourselues to those diseases that the minde , yeelding to these passions , commonly inflicteth vpon the body : these are many in number , grieuous to suffer , and dangerous to life . thus i haue briefly run ouer these six things , which being rightly vsed with speciall care and regard , will preserue all strong bodies in continuall health , and preuent all diseases vntill the radicall moisture be consumed , and no oile left to maintaine the light of the lampe . a discourse of empiricks , or vnlearned physicians . a preface to the reader . the life of man is so precious , as that all which a man hath he will giue for the ransome thereof . neither is this care of preseruing his owne life alone , naturally implanted in the heart of man ; but that he may saue the life of others also , how dangerously will he aduenture ! somtimes casting himselfe into deepe waters to saue one from danger of drowning ; sometimes breaking into an house flaming on euery side , to deliuer one from perishing in the fire . and this naturall instinct hath beene the cause also , that publike persons haue by holesome lawes prouided for the safety thereof , and priuate men haue spent their thoughts in discouering those stratagems whereby the life of man is oppugned . now because none are more pernicious enemies to the same than are these empericks ( who vnder colour of drawing out the threed of mans life , doe most cruelly cut the same in sunder before the time ) there haue beene some in all ages , that haue vehemently inueighed ●ga●●st them , and laboured with all diligence to suppresse them , as it were to quench some gri●uous fire . but hitherto all labour hath beene lost , that was spent that way : for ( like the lernean monster against which hercules fought ) in the roome of one , seuen others haue arisen , and haue by opposition growen , both in number and estimation also with many : and that partly by their owne diuellish and detestable practises , and partly by the folly of others . and first for themselues , they will falsly vaunt what admirable cures haue beene performed by them : that no mottall man is able to doe more than they can doe . they will promise confidently to cure any disease though neuer so desperate ; as , to breake a confirmed stone in the bladder , or els to lodge it in some part of the bladder , that it shall neuer paine them after . and vnto such as are therefore left by the iudicious physician , because sentence of death hath already passed against them on an * indicatory day , they will warrant life , and that to the end they may be imployed after their betters , which is no small credit vnto them . now if they be found to haue missed the cushion , and the party dies ( as was foretold ) then will they pawne their liues that the disease was mistaken by the first physitian , and that if they had beene called to the cure but one day sooner , it had beene a matter of nothing to haue saued his life , for the partie died because he was let bloud ( if that were aduised by the other with good discretion ) or because he was not let blood ( if that were omitted vpon iust cause . ) on the contrary , the learned physitian ( though he haue no religion ) will not , for his credit sake , be found to vtter any vntrueth ; is very sparing in reporting his owne cures , thinking it a part of high wisdome , that another should praise him , and not his owne lips : and knowing how coniecturall in his art many things are , dares not promise more than he can iustifie by art , lest he make himselfe ridiculous : and not being ignorant of the desperate condition of some , and how incurable many diseases are , doth freely and ingenuously professe ( though he be many times dismissed for his labour ) that they admit of no perfect cure , and will not feed men with a false hope , that he may be fed by their purses : nor will seeke his owne praise by vniust censuring of others . neither is the number of empericks thus onely increased by these their cunning sleights and crafty cousenages , but also by the childish dealing of those that imploy them . for ( as a learned d●uine of our times sayth of witches ( one sort of empericks ) they doe so dote vpon them , that though she faile in twenty things , yet if she do but some one thing aright , and that very small , the world loueth her and commendeth her for a good & wise woman : but the physition if he worke six hundred cures , yet if through the waiwardnesse of his patient , or the punishment of his patients sinne , he faile but in one , that one faile doth turne more to his discredit , than his manifolde , goodly and notable cures doe get him praise . the chiefest cause why they be thus addicted vnto them , and magnifie them aboue the learned physician , is partly because they can imploy them for a lesse reward ( wherein notwithstanding they are often times deceiued ) and partly because they will supply the place of a foole to make sport with , aswell as of a physitian to cure their infirmities . therefore are they called in the beginning to the cure of ordinary sicknesses wherein is no danger at all ; whereas the other is then sent for , whenas either by medicines , not fitting the disease , the sicke person is brought to the pits brinke , or at the least by trifling away the opportunity of time with medicines that doe no good , the disease becommeth incurable . heere if the sicke person dies , all the fault will be layed by those that fauour these empericks vpon the last physitian , that they cannot see but that moe die vnder the hand of the learned physitian than vnder others , that they haue no good lucke , because they often times die to whom they come . by these and the like speeches , sicke persons are discouraged from sending for any other physitian than him whom they first imployed for feare they should die . but it were wel if these silly persons knew how dangerous a thing in sicknesse a little delay is : for then would they consult with the most able physitian in the beginning of any infirmity how slight soeuer it seemed to be . for it is not so in this businesse as in matters of law , where if any error be committed in the first proceeding by the ignorance or insufficiency of him that was imployed , it may be reuersed or ( to vse their owne terme ) trauersed , and come to a new triall , by which it will plainly appeare what difference there is betweene the learned and ignorant lawyer : but in this matter of greater importance where the life is in question , the opportunity of time that is let slip can not be recalled , and therefore though the learned physitian knoweth what things should fitly haue beene vsed at the first , yet when he is called to the cure , there is no place for him , because remedies are good in their season only , and then are they gods hands : but when the opportunity of vsing them is past , then either they are nothing or hurtfull . and here kinde neighbours also , especially those of the better sort , come now to be censured as faulty ; who visiting a sicke person persuade him to such a course , or such a medicine , as formerly they haue had experience to haue done good to others in the like case . here if they mistake the disease or the nature of it , who conceiueth not what hurt may ensue , though altogether against their wils ? but admit the thing prescribed be not hurtfull , yet whilest the remedy is vsed , the seasonable time slippeth away , and the disease groweth desperate : and thus by their vnseasonable good will they hurt them more than if they hated them . notwithstanding , because that which they do , is in vnfained desire of their welfare , & of a compassionate affection they haue of the distressed estate of their neighbor ; they are rather friendly to be admonished that hereafter they desist and aduise nothing without the direction of a professor of that art , than to be sharply reprehended . as for the empericks ( amongst whom also you may recken our common apothecaries ) because they haue not so much humanity in them as to mourne in the miseries of others ; but all that they hunt after is how they may inrich themselues , though it be with the losse , not of the goods alone , but of the liues of men also , they must be proceeded against with all rigour and extremity , as we do with members that haue the gangrene and are now come to perfect mortification , wherunto we apply nothing either to clense or comfort the part , but cut it off that it corrupt not other sound parts . but this is the magistrates duty , and must be left vnto him . that which is to be done by priuate persons , that is , to inform the magistrate of things amisse , that he may redresse them ; and to giue a caueat to such as will be warned , is performed by a learned man in this treatise ; wherein such multiplicity of reading is ioyned with plainnesse and perspicuity , that such as be learned may finde that which will thorowly satisfie them , and the simpler sort shall haue no cause to complaine of the obscuritie thereof , to whose vnderstanding also he laboured to frame this booke . if any shall reade it without preiudice , he shall be constramed to confesse that the world is much abused by this kind of ( rauenous birds shall i call them which pray only vpon dead carcases ? nay , of ) sauadge and cruell beasts , which feed vpon liuing men , and make many carcases for the wormes before the time ; vnlesse ( peraduenture ) they so torture them before , as that there is no flesh to be found on them , but only the skin to couer the bones . much bound vnto him therefore is this age , and the ages succeeding for this his learned paines , if men will not wilfully run the brittle barke of their life vpon the rocks and sands , discouered by him as by a skilfull pilot . let him therefore be of high account with thee ( good reader ) not onely because he is learned , but also for that he hath so well deserued of humane societie , aduertising all men of great danger which they may preuent , descrying and vncasing these masked enemies of mankind , that hereafter , not the asses eares will be seene thorow the lions skinne , but they will appeare to all that will not wilfully shut their eyes to be such as they are indeed . incourage him by thine acceptance of the first fruits of his endeuors , and & ; so mayst thou reape greater fruit of his labours in time to come . farewell . a discourse of empiriks , or vnlearned physicians . the second thing which you require of me , is to set downe at large my opinion concerning empiriks . this i know , if it should be knowen , would be a worke subiect to much enuy and hatred . for whether i mitate such authors as i haue read , or speake out of my selfe , i shal be compelled to lay a grieuous accusation vpon them . and although tully sayth , it is a bondage not to speake against whom we l●st ▪ yet he seemeth to speake that as an oratour in pleading , and not from h●s owne iudgement : for in sundry other places he inclineth to the contrary . he came alwayes ioyfully to the defence and acquit ng of the suspected , but heauily and as it were drawen to the accusing of any , as plainly appeareth in the first inuectiue that he made . one reason hereof he rendreth in these words : i haue often scene those that haue ript vp other mens faults openly , to haue more grieuously offended the minds of the hearers , than those which cōmitted them . and another he giueth in these : the life of them , which accuse no man , is much freer . therefore hauing duely examined mine owne strength , i would gladly haue eased my weake shoulders of this heauy burthen , did not the continuall flow of your manifold kindnesse towards me , prouoke me to the performance of any office , that may seeme acceptable vnto you . i am further encouraged vnto this , first , by the nature of the accusation , that standeth vpon a manifest and infallible truth : next , by the hamous facts of the accused , which tend not to the losse of credit or goods , but of the pretious life of man : in regard whereof i might rather to be iudged , as carried with a desire of the publike good , than with an humot of any piruate or personall respect . the name of an empirike is deriued frō the greeke word which signifieth experience : and by an empirike is , as you know , vnderstood a practitioner in physicke , that hath no knowledge in philosophy , logicke , or grammar : but fetcheth all his skill from bare and naked experience . ignorance then is the difference whereby these men are distinguished from other physitians . but because ignorance is sometime clothed with the outward garments of knowledge , and men are commonly iudged of by that which is most apparent , i will set downe some outward marks , whereby they may easily be discerned . the first shall be their loquacity , or much speaking : langius brandeth them with this marke in his epistles , and compareth them to geese that are alwayes gagling . the second , their hasty , rash and vnaduised iudging of diseases , and promising the cure of them , before they know the causes . the th rd , their forwardnesse in disgracing and slandering other physicians , whom they know to be many degrees before them in the knowledge of the arte. the fourth , the magnifying of their owne sk ll , the extolling their practise , and amplifying their strange and admirable cures . these i only mention , hauing a fitter place to speake more largely of them . i am not ignorant that there was a sect of physicians amongst the ancients called empirici : rome was full of these when galen came thither : they had more than a superficiall knowledge in the ground of physicke , and wrot many learned books . i purpose not to speake of any such , but only of those that haue no taste of learning , but spent their youth either in mechanicall trades , or in some other course of life that barreth them from the knowledge of any of the liberall sciences . neither shall my words extend only to the baser sort of them , whom i holde not worth the naming , but vnto all , whosoeuer they be , that hauing not applied their tender yeres to study in the grammar schoole and vniuersity , are notwithstanding sometimes fortunate by multitude of patients , and famous by popular applause . and to auoid confusion , first , i w●ll lay downe the difficulty of the arte of physicke , the ample and large lim t s of it , with the necessity of other kinds of learning that must goe before it ; whereby all empiriks must needs be disabled . secondly , my intent is to discouer part of the manifolde errours , and incuitable dangers of their practise . thirdly , i will take away the obiections which are vsually brought in defence of them . last of all , i will make knowen vnto you the true causes of their popular fame so falsly ascribed vnto them . all which being duely considered , it will plainly appeare that empiriks are as farre behinde rationall physicians ( as they are called ) in the knowledge of our art , as thersites was behinde achilles in fortitude ; or as farre as an ordinary man commeth short of the strength of that mighty sampson . neither is it my purpose to vouchsafe them that cred●t , as to compare them with such a physician , as tully faineth his orator to be , or castilio his courtier , one complete , absolute , perfect , as hippocrates was , of whom a learned man of this age speaketh thus ; qui in hominibus excessisse mihi humanum fastigium videtur : but the contention shall stand betw●xt the best empir●ks that can be , and the ordinary and middle ranke of scholars that pract se physicke . and yet you shall finde , i doubt not , that of the poet to be heere true , great things are compared with small . touching the first , the deepe and profound knowledge conteined in this arte , the long time of study that it requ reth , the ambigu ty and hardnesse of iudgement , and the perill of experiments are all expressed in the first aphorisme of the renowmed father of our arte , the life of man is short , &c. as if he should say , after that a man hath spent almost his whole life in the painfull and diligent study of physicke , he shall not then be able to see into the depth of it : his experiments shall be subiect to danger , and his iudgement shall meet with many ambiguous scruples . and in a another place speaking of physicke , he sayth , it bringeth great labour and trouble to him that professeth it furthermore , he b appointeth sixe guides or leaders to the study of this arte. this is confirmed by galen , with some difference of words , but they agree in substance ; he that will attaine to the knowledge of physicke , must first be apt and fit for it by nature ; then he is to apply his minde to study in his youth ; and of continue with labour and diligence : this is to be done in a fit place , that is , in schooles of learning ; there he must heare the best learned men , and reade the most approued authours ; there he must learne the method of the art , and then he shal be fit to begin to practise . the necessity of this timely beginning , of hearing many learned masters , and of long perseuerance in diligent study , is prooued by that which galen speaketh of one particular thing in physicke , the whole life is required to the perfect knowledge of the pulse . what can be here said in defence of empiriks ? hippocrates and galen , the most competent iudges of all matters belonging to our arte , require many things in all the professors of it , two whereof are not to be found in the best of them : for whosoeuer examineth their education , shall finde that they neuer applied their youth to studie ; neuer had learned man to instruct them ; neuer vnderstood method or order of study , and therefore can follow none in their practise : for want whereof all they do is confused , disordered and dangerous . the ancients did signifie the difficulty of this arte , by placing a cragged or knotty staffe by the picture of aesculapius ; meaning thereby that it was a deepe , intricate , and profound study , full of knots and doubts , which can not be explaned or dissolued , but by such as haue long laboured in the diligent search of the secrets thereof . apollo was accounted amongst the heathen to be the god of physicke , and to haue reuealed it vnto aesculapius his sonne : so there is the same god of wisdome and of physicke : and learned physicians were called by the ancients , the sonnes of the gods . but empiriks whose yoong yeeres were neuer blessed with the knowledge of inferior arts , cannot in their riper age attaine to any meane knowledge in this diuine profession . he that applieth not his minde to the study of the liberall sciences when he is yoong , shall practise physicke dangerously in his full age . it is well knowen that scholars bestow almost twenty yeeres in study , first in the grammar schoole , and then in the vniuersity , before they can take the degree of doctours . if there had beene a more easie and compendious way to this knowledge , all ages had greatly erred in following this long , laborious , and chargeable course . i might inlarge the difficulty of this arte in setting downe the definition and diuision of it ; but i desire to auoid ted . ousnesse : therefore i will omit the former , and touch the latter briefly . this i note by the way , that the knowledge of both these ●s necessary to euery meane physician , being the first step and entrance into that study . this can not be comprehended without grammar , logike , and philosophy : for where a philosopher endeth , there a physician beginneth ; and the other two are necessary guides to this . therefore empiriks being ignorant of all these , are not to be called physitions , the artists name being iustly denied to them that vnderstand not the arte. physicke is diuided into fiue parts : these haue no proper english or latine names , and therefore are strange to the best empiriks . the first comprehendeth those things which are of the essence and nature of man , and are in number seuen : the elements , the temperament , the humors , the spirits , the parts of the body , the faculties , and the actions . the second searcheth out diseases with their causes and signes . the third expresseth and explaneth the signes whereby the courses and times of diseases , and consequently of life and death , are prognosticated and foreknowen . the fourth preserueth health and preuenteth diseases . the last teacheth the meanes to take away diseases , and to restore the body to perfect health . the particulars contained vnder these heads are almost infinite , and haue filled many large volumes . galen wrot books of them . that which hath beene written since will fill great libraries . out of all the best of these the learned professours of our arte haue increased their knowledge , and confirmed their iudgement : whereas empiriks haue not read any of them , being ignorant of the languages wherin they are written , and also destitute of other learning necessary to the vnderstanding of such books . of the fiue foresayd parts of physicke empiriks haue little to do with foure ; for vnder these the theory and speculation of our arte is comprised , and that is farre aboue their capacity : therefore they exercise themselues in the last , wh ch comprehendeth the practise only . this reason is sufficient alone to bring all their practise into contempt with all men that haue any taste of learning : for if of fiue parts necessary for euery physician to know , they be vtterly ignorant of foure , and haue but a slender and superficiall skill in the fift ; if they rush into the practise of an arte , hauing neuer learned the theory , which is in all learning accounted necessary to be knowen before the practise can happily be attempted , they shall be driuen into infinite errours , and precipitate many of their patients into the graue . i need not adde further proofe of the antecedent , i know you see a manifest and vndoubted truth in it : those things are to be learned in schooles only , into which empiriks were neuer admitted . further , there are in the arte of physicke sixteene indications , as we ca●l them : the knowledge of these is as necessary to direct a physician in the cure of diseases , as the pilots card in sailing . they are as guides and conducters to leade vs into the vnderstanding of all things that may helpe or hurt our patients . the consideration of euery one of these is so necessary , that the omitting of one doth oft times marre the cure , as heurmus affirmeth . empiriks can not attaine to the knowledge of these , though they had the experience of nestors yeeres . if it please you to heare some few of the obseruations , that the methodicall cure of one disease requireth , you may thereby coniecture the difficulty of the healing of that and others . i take for example a pleurisie ; wherein i omit as impertinent to this place , the vsuall errour of empiriks in taking other diseases for this , and the danger of the sicke by the course of physicke built vpon a false foundation . first the learned physician is to search out the proper signes of this disease , and by them to distinguish it from others that haue some affinity with it : then he looketh into the cause of it , into the differences , and into the symptomes or accidents that attend vpon it : he examineth the naturall constitution of the patient , his present state of body his former course of life , his age , his strength , the time of the disease , the season of the yeere , &c. he considereth the qualities and quantity of the humors ; from whence the matter of the disease floweth ; whether from the whole body , or from one part ; by what passages it mooueth ; whether swiftly , or slowly ; whether vehement paine draweth it , or the sharpnesse or plenty of the humor stirreth vp or prouoketh the motion . out of an aduised consideration of all these , first a diet is to be appointed : this can not be the same in euery one that laboureth of this sicknesse , but it requireth great variety and alteration agreeable to the foresaid circumstances . then followeth the consultation of the meanes of the cure : what kinde of euacuation is fittest ; whether opening a veine , or purging , or both , or neither : for sometimes the matter of the disease is discussed by outward medicines , and requireth neither of these two helps . sometimes there is a fit vse of fomentations , and after them , of bleeding , as hippoc. did , when the disease could not be mitigated by these outward meanes , he opened a veine the eighth day . in many other cases it is necessary to take away a great quantity of bloud in the beginning : therefore heurnius sayth , blood can not be taken away too soone , nor in too great a quantity , if the patient be strong : but in weaknesse it must be done often & by small quantities . in some bodies arte forbiddeth taking away of any bloud , though the patient be strong , and inioyneth purging . in some cases the passages are to be stopped , and the humor to be made thicke after bleeding , lest new matter should flow to the place affected . after the flux is stayed , then the weake parts are to be strengthened , and the matter impact in the side to be prepared or tempered , that it may be cast vp by coughing with greater facility . heere is a broad gate opened to a large field of medicines of sundry sorts , as ointments , plaisters , syrups , potions &c. some of these are very hot and much opening ; some very cold and binding . in the vse of these , and also of all the former things , the empirike is plunged into many doubts , and the patient into as many dangers : if he take away too little blood , he taketh not away the disease ; if too much , he taketh away life : if he purgeth when he should open a veine , or doth this when that is required , he committeth a pernicious errour : if he iudgeth not rightly of the humor abounding , of the complexion &c. ( of which only arte is the competent iudge ) he can attempt nothing in the cure safely , nor so much as appoint a fit diet . if he prescribeth locall or outward medicines of too hot operation , the heart is thereby inflamed the ague exasperated , and life indangered . if there be in them any defect of heat , the matter of the disease is bound faster into the side and chest with as great perill . if inward medicines be not proportioned to euery vnnaturall affect in the body , and to euery offensiue quality , as now heating , then cooling ; now moistening , then drying : sometimes extenuating or making the humor thinne , sometimes incrassating or making it thicke ; sometimes opening , somtimes stopping , &c. the patient doth neuer receiue any good , but commonly much hurt by them . neither is the pleurisie only to be respected , but there must be a vigilant eye vpon the ague also , which alwayes accompanieth the other , and may kill the patient as well as the pleurisie . moreouer there may be great malignity in the humor , as gesner reporteth in an epidemiall pleurisie all died in whom a veine was opened , and all liued that receiued cordials . in the great variety of these doubts , difficulties and distinctions there is a necessary vse of sound iudgement , confirmed by long study and profound knowledge both in philosophy and physicke . it is therefore cleere that the practise of empiriks , being destitute of these helps , must needs be vnfit and full of perill . it may well be compared to his , that forestus mentioneth , who wrot out sundry receits ouer night , and put them confusedly into a bagge : in the morning when patients came to him , after he had looked on the vrine , he put his hand into the bagge ( saying to the party , pray that you may haue a happy lot ) and plucking out that which came first to hand , he gaue it as a remedy for the disease . though our empiriks haue a farre better colour for their practise than this was , yet in effect they often agree . but i proceed to lay open some few of their grosse and palpable errors in their practise , for to speake of all requireth a whole volume . i will begin with their mistaking of diseases , a common errour with them , & exceeding dangerous to their patients . diseases are knowen and distinguished by their signes . the knowledge of this is comprehended vnder the second part of physicke before mentioned , whereof , because they are ignorant , they must needs fall often into this fault . this is seldome discouered but when rationall physicians haue opportunity to looke into their practise ; then they see the disease taken to be in the liuer , when it is in the lungs or kidneis ; to be in the heart , when it is in the head or mouth of the stomacke ; to be in the brest , when it is winde in the stomacke extending that region : and many such . what though they can iudge of the gout , the palsie , and the dropsie ? so can simple women doe : but to iudge rightly of the causes and differences of these diseases , of the manifold differences of agues , of simple and compound sicknesses , and of sundry diseases of the head ; that requireth arte , which is not in any empirike . hippoc. sheweth the misery that fel vpon many of the scythians by mistaking their disease and the causes of it , and thereupon by taking a wrong course in the cure ; of strong and able men , they became as effeminate as weake women , and spent all the remainder of their wretched life in the offices of that sex . heurnius reporteth that an vnlearned physician by mistaking the cause of the disease , put his patient into a bath , wherein he died presently ; and the empirike was iustly accused for killing of him . guanerius setteth forth the deadly error of another in the cure of a sicke man , who after extreme & intolerable paines , ended his life . a learned physician hauing a melancholike patient depriued of the right vse of his inward senses , amongst other things in the cure , appointed his head to be shauen , and then to be anointed and bathed according to arte : an empirike hearing of this cure , gat the receit of the outward medicines vsed in it ; and not long after , lighting vpon one sicke of a phrensic or inflammation of the braine , thought it to be the same disease with the former , because both the patients were madde : therefore he followed the steps of the other , with great confidence of the cure : this grieuous error in mistaking both the disease and the cause of it , brought the miserable man to a speedy and of his life , farre more cruell to himselfe , and more terrible to the beholders than the sicknesse could haue done . the reason of this is plaine and euident to euery meane physician . the cause of rauing in the former , was a cold humor ; in the latter , a hot : therefore hot medicines , which were fit to cure the one , were as fit to kill the other . but admit the empirike had beene called to the cure of the same disease , proceeding from the same cause , yet he could not haue obserued the circumstances which arte required , and therefore his receit was vaine and vnprofitable . if the course of these blinde practisioners could be obserued , it would be found to be like to this in euery disease . our books are full of such wofull examples . a huge volume will not conteine all the tragicall histories of the sicke of this age , manifestly killed by the ignorance of empiriks , being not able to discerne one disease from another , or to distinguish of their causes , or to proceed orderly in the cure . the eye can not discerne colours but by the light ▪ nor physitians diseases but by learning . in the night not only indiui lua , but species are mistaken ; as a man for a beast , or a tree for either of them . it is alw●●es night with empiriks : ignorance is darknesse , and knowledge is as the cleere light of the sun . and doubtlesse the learned physitian hath as great aduantage ouer empiriks in discerning of diseases , as they that iudge of the eyes obiect by the sunne , ouer those that iudge of it by the starres . they do the oftener fall into this errour , because some diseases agree in two or three signes , and yet are farre different . the perfect examining and comparing of signes , and referring of them to their seuerall causes , can not be performed without arte. but suppose they could distinguish of most diseases , whereof they come farre short ; yet to know the disease is not one step to the cure , vnlesse the method and maner of proceeding in it , be as well knowen . but to proceed in discouering their errours : the two most effectuall and vsuall meanes for the cure of most diseases , are opening a veine and purging . the speciall obseruations that are required in both these , are farre aboue the apprehension of vnlearned empiriks ; therefore they can not vndertake any thing fitly and safely in either of them . what a great regard is to be had in preseruing bloud in his naturall quantity and qualities , is euident in that it giueth nourishment and strength to the whole body : and it is as it were the meat whereby the natiue heat is fed , as galen sayth : therefore it may not be drawen out of the body without mature deliberation . the things that are to be obserued in opening a veine , are reduced vnto ten heads : these i must not mention , because i labour to be short . many of these conteine such doubts and difficulties , as require much reading and deepe knowledge . empiriks alwayes take away blood without due examination of these , ( for how can they examine those that they know not ? ) therefore oft times they take away life also . experience , their only mistresse , can not teach the difference of diseases , of complexions , and of the rest . what though they can iudge of them in a large latitude , as to perceiue a difference betwixt a great disease and a light , betwixt strength and weaknesse ? this euery ideot can do : as when two plots of ground are obiect to the eye , the one farre exceeding the other in greatnesse , euery beholder perceiueth a great difference ; but the iust proportion of that difference can not be found out , but by measuring them according to the rules of geometry . so empiriks for want of learning can not iudge of these things in so strait a latitude as arte requireth . but beside the foresayd ten heads , other consultations are necessary , whereof empiriks are lesse capable than of the former : as what veine is to be opened ; whether a large or small orifice be fitter ; what quantity of bloud should be taken ; whether it be safer to doe it at once , or at sundry times ; whether emptying simply , or reuelling , or diuerting be required ; at what time of the disease it should be done ; how many things do inhibit opening of a veine , or perswade delay . the learned physician is bound by the rules of his arte to consult of all these and many other , before he dare attempt so great a worke : but the empirike not foreseeing the perill of omitting these consultations , runneth rashly into it , and abuseth this excellent remedy to the losse of the life of many a patient , as galen plainly sheweth . errours in this kinde are obuious and common to them : one openeth a veine vnder the tongue ( by following some english booke , or imitating some learned physician , not knowing the obseruations necessary in that he attempteth ) in a squinsie , the patient being full of blood and the disease in the beginning : whereupon followeth present suffocation , by drawing a greater flux to the place affected . an other , as ignorantly , openeth a veine on the arme vpon the criticall day , when there are signes of the crisis by bleeding at the nose : by this action nature is crossed in her regular course , and compelled to yeeld to the disease . a third omitteth letting of blood in a sharpe disease , sundry indications , which he vnderstandeth not , concurring to perswade it , and none to disswade . a fourth taketh away too little blood in a great disease , or too much in a light . all these empiriks increase their credit out of these deadly errours , by extolling their owne skill , falsifying strange cures performed by them , and affirming that if they had come in time , they would not haue failed in the cure of these diseases : now they had performed all that arte required : the best doctour in the land could haue taken no other course . they that are eye and eare witnesses of these secret tragoedies , can hardly suspect the ignorance of these confident and glorious empiriks to haue beene the cause of them . thus you see sir , how infortunate , or rather indiscreet they are , that commit their bodies to the cure of an empirike , whose ignorance often bringeth death , where the disease threateneth no danger at all . it is a miserable thing when greater peril hangeth ouer the patient from the physician , than from the disease . the countrey is full of such pitifull practise . the empiriks lance is oft times as deadly as the butchers knife . he that promiseth life with his tongue , bringeth the instrument of death in his hand . therefore whosoeuer regardeth his life , let him not suffer a veine to be opened without the aduice of a learned physician . in other cases where life is not presently indangered , gr●euous effects follow . the taking away of blood from women and weake men , casteth them into palsies , gouts , dropsies , and such like di●eases . galen in many places doth inculcate the danger of opening a veine often ; it wasteth & consumeth the spirits , diminisheth naturall heat & strength , and hasteneth old age accompanied with many infirmities . yet the common people , ignorant of this , flocke together to empiriks in the spring to be let bloud , as if it were a preseruatiue against all diseases . few or none are refused , because they bring money ; few receiue good , many hurt , because the fornamed obseruations are neglected . the blame of this publike hurt lieth iustly vpon the head of empiriks , who partly for their owne gaine , and partly for want of iudgement , haue led the multitude into this errour . touching purging , as it is more common and vsuall than letting of bloud , so the errours committed in it are as many , and in many cases procure equall danger to the sicke . it is called a great worke , for it bringeth great ease and comfort to the afflicted when it is performed according to the rules of arte ; and on the other side , it tormenteth them , doubleth the disease , and indangereth life , when it is vndertaken rashly and vnaduisedly by such as vnderstand not all things that are to be considered in it , as none of our empiriks do . i confesse that experience will teach them what medicine will purge gently , and what strongly ; but what is that to the whole mystery of purging ? for the same authour sayth in the same chapter , he that will purge any man must diligently obserue and marke almost an infinite number of things . in which words he vtterly excludeth all empiriks from medling with it , because they are ignorant of the limits and marks whereby they should be directed in it . al o in other place discoursing of the danger of purging , he concludeth thus ; no man ought to giue a purging medicine without great consideration . hippocr . in sundry places sheweth the perill of rash purging ; against which he giueth this precept : nothing is to be done rashly or negligently : speaking of that action . ignorant boldnesse in the vse of purgers , with dangerous successe attending vpon it , was neuer so common as in this age . purgers are too full of perill for the vnlearned to touch . one sayth well of them ; in what thing soeuer god hath placed admirable power and vertue , there he hath also placed danger , as it were the keeper of that vertue . this hath an vndoubted trueth in most purging medicines ; the hurt and danger whereof commonly breaketh out when they are vsed by such as can not order them according to arte. in respect of this danger the herbalist , and others that haue written of simple or compound purgers in our vulgar language , giue this necessary caution ; not to vse them without the counsell of a learned physician . and this is vsuall amongst those of our profession ; the further that any of them hath waded into the depth of it , and the profounder knowledge that he hath , the more hardly he is drawen to communicate the vse of purgers with those that haue not studied the arte : because the errors in giuing them are many and great ; and the safe and fit vse is hidden and locked vp with other mysteries of physicke , in the writings of hippoc. and galen . a light errour herein bringeth oft times exceeding danger ; if the medicine be too strong , or too gentle ; if the quantity faileth in defect or excesse ; if the first qualities agree not with the disease and temper of the body ; if it be hastened before the iust time , or delayd after : the patient hath either his disease prolonged thereby , o● his life shortened . the first consulation about this action , is ▪ whether it be fit to purge , or not . here the artist discourseth methodically of euery particular concerning this point , which i passe ouer to auoid tediousnesse , holding it sufficient to point at the generals . after this point is cleered , and that arte perswadeth purging ; then there arise other things very aduisedly to be considered : as the nature of the humour offending ; whether it requireth preparing , or not ; in what part of the body it lieth most ; what kinde of medicine is fittest ; whether it should be in a solide , or a liquid forme ; whether it should be brought out at once with a strong medicine , or often with gentle , &c. empiriks can not consult of these things without arte , much lesse iudicially resolue of so many intricate circumstances and deepe points of learning : therefore their practise must be subiect to many errours . alas then , in what miserable estate are their patients ? for one errour followeth in the necke of another , like the waues of the sea . euery new medicine threateneth a new danger . confusion attendeth vpon ignorance : only arte obserueth order and method , without which no disease can be certeinly cured , as galen affirmeth . the vsuall all maner of purging amongst empiriks is , to giue a medicine full of scammony ; which , as galen witnesseth , is of all purges the greatest enemy to the stomacke : it draweth ill humors vnto it , and leaueth a long offensiue loathsomnesse behinde it ; it ouerheateth the body , breedeth winde , raceth and excoriateth tender bowels , and so procureth incurable fluxes . this is their common purger , because it worketh plentifully , and is of small price : the one pleaseth the vulgar , and the other profiteth themselues . they that vse gentler medicines are also subiect to dangerous errours ; one draweth the humor downward , when nature attempteth to expell it vpward ; another prepareth that , which should without delay haue beene sent out of the body ; a third purgeth raw humors , contrary to that approoued rule of hippoc. all of them wanting arte to obserue natures operation towards a perfect crisis , doe oft times hasten her sure and stedfast course , and driue it into such violence , as can not afterward be stayed . all these and infinite other errours empiriks commit in their practise , which learned and iudiciall physicians , guided by the rules of their arte , can not fall into . there is one sort of these empiriks , that vse but one kinde of purging drinke for all diseases . this is a lamentable kinde of practise : it driueth many into vncurable dysenteries , hectike feuers , and consumptions , and casteth them by heaps headlong into their graues . but i leaue these as the baser sort of them , and most woorthy to be purged out of the common wealth , and returne againe to the great magnifico's . there was about six yeeres since an epidemiall or popular flux raging thorow most places of this land . this disease stood vpon great putrefaction and corruption of humors . the course for the cure was to resist this putrefaction to temper and prepare the matter offending , and to driue it out with gentle purgers fitted to the humor , complexion , strength , and season . then the parts weakned were to be corroborated and strengthened both by inward and outward medicines . empiriks , being not acquainted with this disease , and finding little written in their english books for the cure ofit , tooke a contrarie course , and first of all gaue strong binders . this was very acceptable to patients for a while , for it stayed the violent flowing of the humors , it procured present sleepe , and mitigated paine . by this preposterous and dangerous course , though some few , that had strong bodies , and receiued this medicine towards the end of the disease , when almost all the infectious matter was expelled , recouered their health ; yet a great number had their lines cut off : some died sleeping , being stupied with that poisoned medicine : others had their ague increased , by stopping in the corrupt humor : in many the flux broke forth againe with farre greater fury . if these empiriks had euer read of the danger of this medicine , that it is neuer to be giuen to yong or old ; nor to women ; neuer to any but only in great extremities , and with many cautions ; they might haue auoided this deadly errour . but it was strange to see how the multitude flocked to those that were boldest in the vse of this medicine ; for the fame of it for present remedy was spread abroad by them that gaue it , and the danger concealed . thus the simple people greedy of the pleasant bait , swallowed downe the killing hooke . it was not easie for one to take warning by another , the subtill empiriks had so prouided for the credit both of the medicine and of themselues : for when any died , they gaue out that the medicine was not giuen soone enough , ( whereas the sooner it commeth , the more perill it bringeth ) or that the patient committed some fault , which was the cause ofhis death : for many had beene cured by this in other places . another pernicious error , whereinto ignorance carrieth them , is to seeke out medicines in the titles of diseases : as in some english bookes in the title of an ague , they finde that sorell is good for it , and carduus ben●dictus also ; the one being very hot , and the other colde . heere arte is necessary to distinguish of the humour and the complexion : for he that giueth that which is not fit for both these , bringeth no light danger . galen vtterly condemneth medicines giuen without distinction , and sheweth the danger of them by an example in the practise of an vnlearned physitian , who hauing cured many of patnes in the cares proceeding from a colde cause , gaue the same medicine in a hot cause with vnhappy successe . also he reporteth a greater error in another physician , who in the beginning of a sweat brought his patient into a bath ; whereupon followed present death . if all our learned physitians should bring together all the pitifull examples that they haue obserued in the practise of empiriks , they would fill large volumes . galen sayth , many die because they obey not their physician . but they that ob●erue the practise of our empiriks , may as truly say , many die because they obey their ignorant and vnlearned physicians . if their deadly errors could be perceiued by others , as well as by those that professe the arte , some of them might be as famous as themison , of whom iuuenal sayth , olde age is subiect to as many infirmities , as themison killed patients in one autumne . galen sette●h forth their errors very liuely in these words ; as often as they visit their patients , so often they erre by their inartificiall attempts . but i will examine their errors no further . the reasons brought in defence of empiriks are now to be confuted . the first and maine reason is , their experience , the very foundation of all their practise . it is thus defined by ga●en ; it is an obseruation and remembrance of that which hath fallen out often and after the same maner . this definition vtterly maimeth the practise of our best empiriks : for by this it is cleere that experience reacheth not to the theorie and speculation of the arte ; it teacheth not the knowledge of the difference of the constitutions of mens bodies , nor of the causes of diseases , nor method of curing them : for none of the●e fall out after the same maner : but it respecteth only some few things in the practise ; for in that also are many occurents , that fall not out after the same maner , and therefore can no● be learned by experience . diseases , as they haue sundry causes , so their symptomes and accidents are variable . heurnius speaking of one disease , sayth , it deludeth the physician a thousand wayes . what can experience learne in this great variety ? i confesse it is a necessary and effectuall meane to confirme the knowledge of a physician . the euent and successe of things past must be carefully obserued and layd vp in memory to be compared with things to come . many things also are found out by experience alone , as the nature of simples ; wherein galen commendeth it highly : in finding out the vertue of medicines we must begin at exper ence , sayth he . to this agreeth that which he speaketh of the same argument in another place . this first taught that rubarbe purgeth choler , and agarike flegme . gesner amongst others , was exceedingly industrious in this kinde , & found out many things in our art by his experience , as he affirmeth in his epistles . but this bringeth nothing to the credit of empiriks : for what are these few things in comparison of all those that are required in a physician ? one reporteth that a yong man walking by the sea side , and finding an old boat , purposed to build a ship therewith , neuer considering what a great number of other things were required to so great a worke . experience helpeth no more towards that great building of the art of physicke , than that did towards a ship . no learned man euer ascribed any commendation to experience in this arte , but when it was ioyned with learning . pliny speaketh thus of them that practise by experience without learning : they learne by our perils , and they trie experiments by our death . experience alone , with a little helpe of nature , maketh men skilfull in mechanicall trades , in merchandize , and in other kinds of buying and selling ; but the deepe knowledge conteined in the l berall sciences , and in other learning rising out of them , requireth much read ng , long study , great meditation ; and after the theoric or speculation of them is obteined , then practise and experience confirmeth and establisheth them : but without the former , the latter is weake , lame , and maimed . galen in sundry places expresseth the danger of experience without learning , and sheweth into what grieuous errou●s empiriks fall for want of knowledge . they runne rashly and without reason from one medicine to another , hoping at the last to finde out that which shall helpe . a dangerous and desperate kind of practise , when for want of the light of arte , they are compelled to wander gro●ing in the darke dungeon of ignorance , not knowing wh ch way to turne . and yet in galens time there were no such empir●ks , as in this age ; it was not then heard of , that a man vtterly ignorant in the foundation of all learning , durst presume to intrude himselfe into the practise of that deepe and intricate science . the difference betwixt an artist and him that worketh by experience , is set ●oorth by aristotle : an artist knoweth the causes and reasons of things subiect to his arte : an empirike knoweth many things also ; but he is ignorant of the causes of them . what thought he can in some things satisfie the ignorant vulgar with some shew of reason ? euery simple man can doe this in his trade : yet in the great and maine points of the arte , empiriks can yeeld no sound reason , being vo d of the knowledge of philosophy , from wh ch the causes of such things are drawen . galen setteth physicke , as a perfect man vpon two legges ; learning , and experience : therefore the best empirike is but a lame and left-legged physician . it is a full consent of all learned in physicke or philosophy , that nothing can be happily done in the art of physicke without method and order : and it is as true that experience can not teach this method . this is confirmed by plato ; he that thinketh he hath learned an arte without the method of ●t , let him know that he hath but the shadow of the arte , and not the arte it selfe . therefore all the practise of our long experienced men , being destitute of order and method , can haue no approbation amongst the learned , but it is to be vtterly reiected and banished out of the common-wealth , as a pernicious and perillous enemy to the liues of men . it is like to the walking of a blinde man in a knowen path , wherein , if there be a hole digged , or a blocke layed , he is in danger of falling so if there be any hidden thing in the disease , in the causes , or symptomes of it , as there is commonly , the empirike is beyond his skill , he stumbleth and falleth ; and the life of the sicke is in ieopardy . moreouer , if an empirike light vpon a rare disease , not seene before by him , or vpon a new disease , whereof he neuer heard , what safe course can he take here ? he wanteth learning , and experience hath taught him nothing that bringeth any sparke of hope in this case . here he is vtterly confounded : yet he will neuer confesse his ignorance , and counsell his patient to send to a learned physician : but not knowing what to do in the disease , nor able to giue any reason of it , he p●onoun●●th the patient to be bewitched ; and so leaueth him . therefore though the vulgar may suppose that experience is sufficient for the cure of common and ordinary maladies , yet it is absurd and senselesse , to imagine that it can inable then : in rare , extraordinary , and new sicknesses . an ague , that seemeth to be but an ordinary and light sicknesse , may haue some malignity in it , or may be secretly fixed in some principall part , or be accompanied with some other disease . heere experience can not distinguish : that must proceed from logicke , and from knowledge in naturall philosophy , but especially from anatomy and the grounds of physicke . therefore experience is a blinde and weake guide to direct in these cases ; and no patient can assure himselfe that his disease is not within the compasse of some of these . how can any man then call an empirike to the cure of his body without great danger ? you see , sir , what a weake ground experience is to build all the practise of physicke vpon . learning is as it were the very soule of this arte , which hath his full perfection when it is confirmed by experience : but this wi●hout that is to be condemned as a dangerous thing . but some men are so full of grosse ignorance , and so dull of conceit , that notwithstanding all that hath beene sayd , they will be obstinate in their senselesse opinion , that sufficient knowledge for the practise in physicke may be gotten by experience alone . i will not deale with these vnlearned men ; i write onely to you whom i know to be learned and iudiciall , and therfore satisfied in this point : and yet i will adde this out of galen : he that hopeth to heape vp the speculation of the arte of physicke by experience without learning , hath need of a thousand yeeres . this grand reason of experience is further vrged of some by the example of atturneys at the common law : most of these haue nothing to direct them but experience and obseruation , and yet sundry things passe thorow their hands as substantially and effectually performed , as by learned counsellers : therefore vnlearned physicians well instructed by experience may do some cures as well as great scholars . the answer to this is easie : there are many things in law which belong meerely to atturneys , and require no learning : also they follow presidents and vsuall formes , and many things wh ch they doe , are plaine transcripts , written out of bookes verbatim , wherein they cannot erre , if they follow their paterne . but it is farre otherwise in physicke : there is no vsuall forme to follow in iudging or curing of diseases ; things seldome fall out after the same maner ; the physician must alter and change his course , as the disease and accidents require , wherein experience can not guide him , but the rules of the arte. but if i should grant that empiriks are as atturneys , then it must follow that learned physicians are as learned counsellers : and as atturneys in doubtfull cases aske the opinion of them , so should empiriks do of the other : this would make their practise farre freer from danger , and preserue the ●ues of many of their patients . but the case of an atturney and of an empirike is not alike : if by his fault his client lose the day , the matter may somtimes be brought about againe ; but if life be lost by the error of the empirike , it can not be restored . the second reason brought in defence of empir ks is , that they reade english books sufficient to instruct them in their practise . this reason seemeth to proceed from one that vnderstandeth his mother tongue only : for if his iudgement were confirmed by the knowledge of learned languages , he would not vrge this weake argument . all the large volumes of hipp. gal. auicen and all other famous physicians both new and olde , were first written in the greeke or latine tongues , or afterward translated into one of them ; the ignorance whereof hath in all ages beene accounted a strong ba●●e to exclude all men from the profession of that arte. that which is written in english is very little and light in respect of the whole : nether can it be perfectly vnderstood without the helpe of grammar and logicke , as euery meane scholar will confesse . all nations christian , wherein the ciuill law is vsed , can not affoord one man of any meane account in that profession , that vnderstands not the latine tongue , wherein their large books are written . and i dare confidently affirme , that physicke is as profound and intricate a study as the ciuill law , and requireth as much reading and knowledge o● tongues , as that doth . therefore i see not why the practise of our most famous empiriks should not be brought into base and contemptible account . what though there be a profitable vse of ministers in our church , that vnderstand english books only , being yet able to execute their office in some commendable maner ? yet this reason holdeth not in empiriks : for first there is farre more diuinity than physicke written in our vulgar idiome ; all the grounds and principles of religion are set forth at large in it : whereas no part of hipp. gal. &c. is translated into that tongue secondly , ministers haue farre greater helps in hearing the learned of that profession , and in frequent conference with them : whereas empiriks labour alwayes to auoid the presence and company of learned physicians , being not able to speake any th ng sensibly in their profession , nor willing to haue it knowen that they aske counsell of any man , because they carry themselues as if they had the complete and absolute knowledge of the arte. thirdly , the maner of teaching differeth farre from the maner of practise , and is not subiect to so many errours . but on the other side , as no minister is able to confute a learned aduersarie , that hath not skill at the least in the latine tongue ; so no empirike is able to encounter with sicknesse , that great aduersarie to nature , without weapons fetched from the greeke or latine tongue . m. latimer sayth in one of his sermons ; english diuinity will neuer be able to expell popery out of this land : and it may as truly be sayd ; engl●sh physicians can not cure english diseases . the third reason is ; they do many cures . th●s maketh much for their credit with them that perceiue not the falshood of it . all cures are artificiall , naturall , or casuall . no man of iudgement can ascribe artificiall cures to them that are not artists . i am not ignorant that nature is sayd to cure all diseases ; nor how that is to be vnderstood : but by naturall cures i meane those that are performed by the strength of nature alone without any helpe of medicines ; and doubtlesse many of their cures are of this kinde : for when the disease is dangerous or vnknowen , as it is often to them , there the most circumspect of them commonly giueth some light medicine , that hath no power to alter the body , or mitigate the disease , as is required : this is , as one sayth , to leaue a ship in a great storme to the violence of the waues . if in this case the patient recouer by the aid of nature , then this fortunate empirike and his companions extoll and magnifie the cure , as if rare and extraordinary skill had beene shewed in it , when it was meerely naturall . by casuall cures i meane not such as are meerely casuall , and beside the purpose of them that giue the medicines : of this kinde are the histories in galen , of two desperately sicke of the leprosie , to both which was giuen wine wherein a viper had beene drowned : both the giuers had a purpose to kill them ; the one of compassion , the other of hatred : but both the patients were cured by the secret and admirable vertue of the viper . like to this is that which we reade of a woman that gaue her husband the powder of a toad to rid him out of a painfull dropsie ; but by the violent operation of the poison all the matter of the disease was expelled , and the man recouered . but by casuall cures i vnderstand such as are performed by hap or chance in respect of the arte , being done without order or method ; as when one shooteth neglecting all the fiue things required in an archer , and yet hitteth the marke : this is a meere chance , and falleth out seldome . such are the cures of empiriks . fulnesse of blood in the veines , and of ill humors in the body , are the common causes of most inward diseases : here the learned physician first collecteth all the signes of the disease , then he referreth them to their causes ; and hauing diligently reuolued in in his minde all the indications belonging to the art , he proceedeth to the cure by taking away the cause of the disease . the empirike in the same case , not knowing how to gather the signes of the sicknesse , much lesse how to referre them to their causes , attempteth the cure without consultation , and by a weake and inartificiall coniecture openeth a veine , or giueth a violent purger ; by both which rash and vnaduised courses many lose their liues : but when any recouer , the cure may fitly be called casuall , more by good hap than by learning . light errors in the cure of a disease doe neuer appeare in a strong bodie , as hippoc. saith , nor in a light disease , no more than the ignorance of a pilot in a calme : but a great disease and a violent storme trieth the skill of them both . sometimes grosse and gricuous errors are obscured and hidden : for where the strength of nature weareth them out , and the patient recouereth his health , the empericke can neuer be stained with the blot of them . therefore since almost all inward diseases proceed from fulnesse , some are cured in strong bodies by emptying , though that be done confusedly and without arte. but this reason is further inforced , that sundrie sicke persons recouer vnder them , which came out of the hands of learned physitians . this is no argument of their knowledge , for in long diseases patients are commonly desirous of change , when somtimes the cause of the disease is taken awaie before , and nothing required but time to gather strength . moreouer they that are tired with long sicknesse , do vsually submit themselues to a stricter course both of medicines and diet vnder their second physitian : and though nothing be administred in either of these agreeable to art , yet some few may escape , as a shippe or two , in the losse of a great fleet , may passe by rockes and sands , and a●iue at the wished hauen . also some that haue beene afflicted with long sicknesse , are willing to submit themselues to a farre stricter course vnder their second physitian , than vnder their first ▪ and are easily induced both to abstaine from things hurtfull , be they neuer so pleasing to them , and to take that which is offensiue . and although the best of these vnlearned practitioners cannot prescribe diet or medicine fitting to the temper of the body , and agreeing to the nature of the disease : yet a slender diet of rosted meats , and a drying drinke ( which is a common course with them all ) doth sometimes cure an old disease proceeding from a cold and moist humour , though all things be done confusedlie without order or methode . fernelius affirmeth , that some great and dangerous diseases haue had an happie end by a slender and strict diet onel●e , without any arte. and this is the reason why learned physitians doe sometimes faile in the cure of diseases of this kind , because intemperate patients will not be barred from eating & drinking according to their appetite , but as fast as the physitian diminisheth the matter of the sicknesse by emptying , so fast they renew it againe by filling . therefore a seruant , that by the basenesse of his condition , is bound to follow all that which is prescribed agreeable to the rules of our arte , is cured in a shorter time and with more facility , than those which are free , and wi●l not subiect themselues to ordinarie meanes . an empiricke then , that hath opportunity to draw patients ●rom their owne houses , where they haue all pleasant things at command and to bring them into his strict custodie , may well heale some by abstinence onely : as a plin. reporteth of one iulius a romane , and b b●neuenius telleth of a patient of his : both which were cured of a dropsie by abstaining from drinke . furthermore , ignorance , the mother of boldnesse , maketh empiriks more aduenturous in their practise , and more hardy in the vse of strong and violent medicines : by reason whereof they plucke vp the roote of some disease which a warie and circumspect physitian , forseeing the perill , would not attempt . and although this kind of practise be alwaies full of danger , and bringeth many a man to vntimely death , yet it is in daily vse with many ignorant practitioners . and when one amongst many receiue health by it , then the emperike taketh occasion to magnifie himselfe , and to disable the former physitian , were he neuer so learned : his owne fame together with the others infamie is blased abroad . but if their practise with other mens patients were well examined , it would plainly appeare , that for one that recouereth , very many end their liues , or increase their disease . tully saith , he that shooteth all day long , is like to hit the marke sometimes : and they that haue many patients may cure some in despite of arte. their cures are farre more noted because they doe earnestly endeuour to make them obiects to the eies and eares of all men , and labour as carefully to conceale the dangerous and deadly effects of their ignorant and desperate practise from the view of the world. men that runne thorow many great actions , if the few happie and fortunate they performe be set vpon a stage in the light of the sunne , and all the bad and vnhappie hidden in the darke , the vulgar shall finde much matter of commendation , though some few sharpe sighted shall see iust cause to condemne them . it is vsuall with empirikes to extoll and magnifie their owne cures , and with their smooth tongues to allure simple & credulous men to applaude and giue credit to their hyperbolicall and amplified discourse , and vaine glorious brags of their woonderfull and rare cures . but learned and ingenious physitians account it an odious and hatefull thing to boast of their cures , & therefore they haue commonly lesse applause and commendation of the multitude . when mens actions merit no true and iust praise , they are woont to seeke for false : and he is allowed to commend himselfe , whom no other will commend . the fourth reason to inable empiriks is , that they haue excellent medicines , yea some of them haue rare and admirable secrets . this is like a plaine iugling tricke , wherein things seeme to simple beholders farre otherwise than they are . hippoc. gal. and other renowmed physitians had no secrets , though some things in their bookes haue a sound and outward shew of them . for hip. saith , holy things ( meaning the secrets of physicke ) are not to be discouered to profane persons . and galen speaketh to the same purpose , we write not these things for the germanes , nor for other rude and barbarous people no more then for beares , or bores , or lions : but for the grecians , and for those that imitate their studies , though they be of the stocke of the barbarians . this they wrot to shew the base account that the learned grecians made of the rude and illiterate barbarians : but it is manifest out of their works that they had no purpose to conceale the mysteries of their art from learned men . for hipp. sweareth to teach his scholers all the mysteries and secrets of physick . and heurnius , speaking of hippocrates , saith , so great was the bountie of that great master , that he knew nothing whereof he would haue vs ignorant . also galen hath these words , a louer of the truth ought to hide nothing that he hath found out . and in another place he vttereth his disliking of concealing secrets in these words . it seemeth to me a very rude and clownish part to hide those things which belong to health . and he protesteth that he hath communicated to others all the secrets that he had found out . if it were esteemed odious and intolerable amongst them that had no knowledge of god , to locke vp those things in secret , which might preserue the bodie in health , or bring an happie and wished end to grieuous diseases : much more ought it to be condemned amongst religious christians . but in this boasting of secrets the common sort are carried into a double errour : for first , empiriks haue no such secrets : secondly , if they had , they cannot make a fit and safe vse of them . for the former , no man of iudgement can imagine that they haue them by their owne reading , that reade so little , & vnderstand farre lesse : and ( that which is much more ) that are ignorant of the languages , wherein it is most probable these secrets should be inclosed . neither is it credible that any learned man should discouer them rather to this ignorant brood , than to those of their owne ranke , learned and ingenious . all the secrets contained within the art of physicke are soonest found out by the profoundest scholers & greatest students . therfore if any be in the hands of empirikes : the same , yea many more are knowen to the learned . touching the latter , it is euident ( as hath beene partly prooued before ) that diseases are not cured by medicines & receits , but by a learned and methodical vse of them , whereunto empirikes cannot attaine . and if it were possible for any of them to ingrosse all the secrets of the world , yet his practise should deserue neuer the better estimation , for they should be but as so many sharpe weapons in the hands of a mad man , wherewith it is liker he should do hurt than good . the sharper a toole is , the more skilfull workeman it requireth : and the more effectuall or excellent a medicine is , the greater knowledge should be in him that vseth it . an ancient physitian saith , medicines vsed by the vnlearned are poison . apollo the god of physicke is said to hold sharpe arrowes in his left hand , threatning danger to the patients where medicines are sinisterly or vnlearnedly vsed . medicines cannot be rightly vsed , but by them that vnderstand the whole methode of physicke . the vnlearned physition before mentioned abused his excellent medicine for the eares . galen taught one a present remedy for paine in his stomacke , which he vsing afterward in the same disease , but proceeding from another cause , was farre worse for it . medicines therefore do oftner hurt then helpe , be they neuer so excellent , if there be not art in the giuing of them , to fit them to the cause of the disease , and other circumstances required . but to impart to you my confident opinion of these secrets grounded partly vpon my own obseruation , and partly vpon intelligence from learned and honest physitians : they are but triuiall and common things knowen to euerie meane apothecarie , or of baser account than the meanest drugge . one of these ignoraut and vaine glorious fellowes hauing spent a few moneths in following the warres beyond the seas , and being desirous to liue at home with more case and lesse perill , resolued to become a physitian . to the effecting heereof he procured some common receits from an apothecarie and returned hither . heere he gat some shifting companions to him , promising them part of his gaine , if they would extoll his skill and magnifie his medicines as rare and admirable secrets , farre fetched , and bought at a great price . thus he obtained great fame . one of these medicines so highly commended , came by chance to the hands of an apothecary : it was a very fine and pure white powder : and being diligently examined , it was found to be nothing but the simple powder of an egge shell : yet the cosener valued it as thirty shillings the ounce . thus subtill and deceiptfull empirikes grace their vile & contemptible medicines with the name of secrets , that they may the easier allure and illude the simple people , who are delighted with the supposed nouelty and rarenesse of them . and as they deceiue many with that falslie imposed name , so they vse another subtiltie to conceale them from those that know all vsuall medicines by their colour , smell or taste : for they mingle something with them onely to alter these qualities . by this tricke , that sauoureth of cosenage , and requireth a false tongue to purchase credit to it , many of our empiriks extoll their fame and increase their wealth . all these things duely considered , may make the very name of a secret , out of the mouth of an empirike , to be as a watchword to all men of iudgement to beware of the medicine , and of him that boasteth of it : for there is alwaies much falshood and deceit in the one and commonly little good , or rather much danger in the other . they which are knowen to haue no learning , seeke to establish their credit by these meanes , and they haue preuailed much , not onely with the vulgar , but with many of the better sort , whose iudgement , though it be sound in most politicke and ciuil affaires , yet in this it is much defectiue . for they esteeme too lightly of the deepe and intricate arte of physicke , ( wherein all the helps of nature do faile without a learned teacher , diligent and long study , and continuall meditation ) and are too forward in commending and vsing them , that haue raked vp together a little practise out of english bookes or the bils of learned physitians , and haue no ground of any learning to direct them . the fifth and last reason to grace empirikes , is their great skill in vrines , whereby they oftentimes tel the disease as well as a learned physitian . this maketh as little for their estimation , amongst men of iudgement as any of the former . for diseases haue many signes whereby they are made knowen , all which must be compared together and examined : the vrine is but one signe and that doubtfull and vncertaine : for those diseases that are in the lesser veines , or in others parts of the bodie without the veines , cannot be discerned by it . the head is subiect to many diseases that appeare not in the vrine : so are the eares , eies , nose , mouth , throate , necke , breast , midrife , bowels , ioints , flesh and skinne : diseases incident to all these partes doe neuer discouer themselues by the vrine alone . moreouer sometimes the same kind of vrine is to be seene in diseases of a contrarie nature , as in a phrensie , which is a hot disease , and in a cold distemper of the stomacke , the vrine is often in both of them pale and raw . in this case , he that giueth medicines out of the vrine , indangereth the life of the sicke . for the deceitfull vrine pursueth hot medicines , which in a frenzie are deadly : also the vrine is sometime red and high coloured as well in the weakenesse of the liuer , as in a vehement ague : if in the former , the empirike trusting to the water ( as many haue done in this case ) openeth a veine , he sendeth the patient headlong to the graue , whom arte might easily , or peraduenture nature would alone haue recouered . in the plague somtimes the better the water is , in the greater danger the sicke is : for the pestilent humour is impact into the hart , & nature not able to expell any of it . forestus saith , that in a great pleurisie with a vehement ague , the water is sometimes good , though the patient dieth . and euen in those diseases wherein the vrine affoordeth most knowledge , as when the disease is in the great veines , liuer , kidneies or bladder , there are sudden changes and alterations able to hinder the iudgement of a learned physician . therefore galen saith , the vrine is sometimes good this day , ill to morrow , and the third day good againe . beside , rubarbe or saffron maketh it high coloured : so doth fasting , watching , and violent exercise . leeks and such like giueth it a greene tincture , and cassia maketh it blacke . if you require further proofe of these bare assertions , and a full discourse of the light and doubtfull coniectures that are gathered from vrines , i refer you to a learned treatise written of that argument by forestus . there it is substantiallie prooued by sound reasons , and the testimonies of our most famous authours , that the vrine in most diseases giueth no light to a learned physician , wherby he may find out the disease without other signes . that no medicine can fitly be prescribed by the vrine alone . that it can not shew conception , nor yet distinguish sex certainly . that this custome of sending vrines to physicians was not vsed amongst the ancients and learned physicians , nor is at this day in italy and other places : but that it is newly brought in by ignorant and deceitfull empirikes partly for their owne gaine gaine , and partly to disgrace learned and honest physicians , who abhorre to tell strange and plausible things out of the vrine , which arte and a good conscience cannot iustifie . the foresaid authour in the same booke , speaking of these vnlearned physicians , saith , their discourse out of vrine conteineth nothing but monstrous and glorious lies , full of cosenage and deceite . and by this foolish babling out of the vrine , the vulgar are caught in a snare , spoiled of their mony , and often depriued of their liues . the lesse knowledge an emperike hath , the larger discourse he maketh out of vrine , the more subtillie he examineth the messenger , and gathering from him part of the disease , he repeateth the same in other words , amplifying and enlarging his speech , so as the simple hearer imagineth that he vttereth much knowledge out of the vrine : but if any man of iudgement heard him talke , he should find no truth in the matter , nor any sense in the words . if it please you to consider what manner of men most of these empirikes are , ( such as haue forsaken that occupation or last and laborious course of life wherein they were brought vp in their youth , and addicted themselues to professe that arte whereof they are vtterly ignorant ) you may easily perceiue that they are compelled to vse all staudulent and deceitfull meanes to establish their credit . ignorance cannot purchase estimation , vnlesse it be couered with the cloake of knowledge . craft and subtilty will preuaile when simple and honest dealing shal be of no account . large and strange talke , be it neuer so foolish and false , is pleasing to the multitude , but bare and naked truth , vttered in few words , is lightly regarded . this allureth the common people to flocke to empirikes and leaue learned physicians : for there they shall heare that the braine is perished , the hart is swelled , the lungs are consumed , the liuer is dried and the spleene wasted : and in all these they will warrant the cure : whereas first it is certaine , they can discern none of these by the vrine : and then it is as certaine that they can cure none of them . their light coniectures out of vrines stand vpon such casie and plaine rules , that a simple woman vsed to be about the sicke , may vnderstand them . for sicke vrines are for the most part high coloured , or very pale . in the former , they speake of a feuer that offendeth the head , procureth short and troubled sleepes , taketh away appetite , bringeth a loathsome taste to the mouth , oppresseth the heart , and causeth paine in the backe : this lesson serueth for all yrines of that colour : and oft times it fareth thus with the patient , for most agues haue these common symptomes . in pale vrines they haue another lesson : there they pronounce the stomacke to be weak , flegme to abound , want of digestion , heauinesse after meat , inclination to sleepe , the body full of winde and subject to stitches . these two obseruations with a nimble tongue , and much tautologie are sufficient to get a great opinion amongst the multitude . vnto these two rules they adde a carefull cie to him that bringeth the vrine : they obserue his countenance , his apparell , the vessell wherein it is , and such like . there is a prettie history of this in forestus : a poore man brought his wiues vrine to a famous empirike : it was in winter , and some of the water was spilt and frozen on the outside of the pot . the physician marking the heauie countenance of the fellow , coniectured thereby that the patient was some deere friend of his , and very sicke . and hauing viewed the vrine , he said , is not this your wiues vrine ? i perceiue she is very ill . the simple clowne answeared , sir , your skill is excellent : you haue iudged right . but what see you more ? the subtill empirike seeing the vrine to be well coloured , and to giue no suspition of any inward disease , gessed it to be some outward thing . the credulous and foolish man said , i wonder at your cunning : go on i pray you and tell me how her side came to be blacke and blew . the empirike taking hold of these plaine words , imagined that it happened by some fall or blow , and asked him if she had not a fall . he taking this question to be an absolute and vndoubted assertion , still magnified his skill , and said further vnto him , if you can tell me where and how she fell , i will hold you to be the onely physician in this land . the empirike smiling at his simplicity , and considering with himselfe the manner and fashion of poore country houses , answered , it was like she fell off a ladder . this simple fellow admiring the answeares as proceeding from rare and extraordinarie skill , asked further if he could see in the vrine from how many staues she fell . he presuming that the poore mans house was low , said , from eight staues : the clowne not satisfied with this , shaked his head , and desired him to looke better in the vrine , and he should find more . this crafty imposter perceiuing that he had gessed too few , and remembring that which he had spied before on the pot , demanded of him , if he spilt none of the water by the way , which being confessed , he said , there you may finde the rest of the staues , for i am assured there are no more to be seene in this vrine . this is their vsuall maner of telling wonders out of the water , when they meet with rude & seelie people . therefore the same authour saith , it is cleere that this diuining arte of telling strange and admirable things out of vrines , is meere cosenage , whereby they do craftily circumuent and deceiue the credulous and vnwarie multitude . how light account hipp. made of vrines in respect of other signes , doth plainly appeare in that he wrot so largely of them , and so sparingly of this . for discoursing of sharpe diseases , he filleth all the first booke , and part of the second with other signes and marks to know and iudge them by , before he maketh any mention of the vrine : and when he commeth to that , he passeth it ouer briefly . the pulse also giueth a farre greater light to the physician , than the vrine . therefore gal. wrot . bookes of that , which are extant , besides that vpon archigines , which are lost ; and not one of this . rhases saith , the strength of the sicke is the mistresse of physicians , and the vrine neuer sheweth that strength consisteth of the symmetry and perfect temper and proportion of the naturall , vitall and animall spirits . the fountaine of the first is in the liuer : of the second in the hart : of the third in the braine . the vrine sheweth a little of the first : much lesse of the second , which is farre more to be regarded : and nothing at all of the third . if they that had the perfection of arte cannot iudge of the strength of the sicke by the vrine , into what danger doe emperiks bring their patients in purging and letting of bloud by the vrine alone ? they must either arrogate to themselues farre deeper insight into vrines , than these men had , which is absurd , or else confesse that they haue led the people into a grosse and dangerous error , by perswading them that their diseases may be perfectly knowen and perceiued by that alone . i haue presumed vpon your patience in being so long in this point , because it is the great pillar of their credit . now i come to the fourth and last part , which is to shew the causes of empirikes fame . these are deriued partly from themselues , and partly from the vulgar . some of those from themselues haue beene touched before , as the extolling and magnifying their owne cures , both with their owne mouthes , and by procuring popular fellowes which frequent innes and tauerns , to be trumpetters and sounders abroad of their praise , without any regard of truth . their boasting of rare and admirable secrets , knowen to no other man. their large , senseles and fained discourse out of vrines . to these before mentioned may be added sundry reasons , as the cariage of themselues in all their practises , so as they may seeme to be ignorant of nothing appertaining to physicke . this cannot be effected without a false tongue and colourable actions . also they interlace their common talke with strange and vnusuall words and phrases , not vnderstood of the common sort : they rap out lame sentences of an english booke ( alas poore priscian ) hauing not a rag of grammar to couer their naked ignorance with . they hold this as a rule , to be full of words , and sometimes violent in their babling , all tending to publish their owne skill and disgrace others . some of them shew to their patients and acquaintance such bookes as themselues vnderstand not , as if they learned their practise out of them . others haue anatomies of mens bodies , which they shew at euery opportunitie , holding the beholders with long and foolish discourse out of them , and pointing at the very place , where they imagine the disease to be seated . this pleaseth plaine and vnlearned persons exceedingly , and bringeth them into a confident opinion of the truth of all that is vttered , and also of profound knowledge to be contained in it : in both which they are deceiued , for ignorance is an inseparable marke to all empirikes , and falshood to most . it is vsuall with the best of them falsely to grace themselues by stealing away the credit of other mens cures : as when a learned physician prescribed a course to a patient , and by reason of the distance of place , or his emploiment otherwise , leaueth the execution of this to one of them dwelling neere : if this patient recouereth , the empirike maketh it his owne cure , and yet he was but the instrument directed by another , and did no more then belongeth to an apothecarie . this fraudulent deuise hath added much to the credit of some : for when any of these cures are performed , the empirike publisheth with protestation that he folowed not the course set downe by the physician , but tooke another farre fitter and more effectuall . but in this case , if the patient die , then he la●●th the blame vpon the other , affirming that the medicines were vnfit : and if the cure had beene committed to him , he would not hauefailed in it . there are yet more deuises amōgst them to inlarge their credit , for some of them are risen to that height of impudency , that they blush not to brag of their degrees taken in the vniuersity , and that they haue disputed with doctors , and beene approued by them , and might take that degree : and yet they neuer came in any schole of learning , nor are more able to reason with any yong student in that profession , than to contend with a lion in strength . moreouer they promise the cure of all diseases committed to them , wherein when they faile , they impute the fault to some error committed by the patient , or to some secret thing in the body , which arte could not foresee . also they make diseases seeme greater and more dangerous than they are indeed : affirming euery light cough to be a consumption of the lungs : euery common ague to be a burning seuer : euery stitch on the side to be a pleurisie : euery little swelling in the body or feet to be a dropsie euery old vlcer to be a fistula , and euery ordinarie bile in time of infection to be the plague : by this deceit they get much more money , and farre greater credit , when they cure any of these , than they should do if they dealt truly . further they perswade their familiars that they are vsed in their profession by the chiefe personages in , or neere the place they inhabit , often naming those whom they neuer saluted . last of all they conceale the course of their practise from all that can iudge of it : for the better effecting where of they neuer send their bils to the apothecaries , as learned physicians doe , nor will admit any other of that profession to haue accesse to their patients . for their owne consciences accusing them of ignorance , they may iustly feare that by either of these meanes their vnfit and dangerous practise should be discouered , and consequently their credit impaired . heere they are often compelled to arrogate much vnto themselues , and to assure their patients that they are not inferiour to any man in the skill of their profession . thus masked ignorance , affecting and pretending knowledge , is induced to violate both naturall and religious lawes , in preferring gaine and estimation before the health and liues of men : in suffering none to be admitted to those cures which themselues cannot perfect , & might with facility be performed by others . by these and such like reasons they increase their reputation and inlarge their practise amongst the common sort . other reasons heereof are drawen from the simplicity of the vulgar , who being vtterly ignorant of the causes of naturall things , are thereby void of suspition and so credulous that they beleeue euery thing they heare of these empirikes , and are by these meanes brought into an ouerweening of them . out of this erronious opinion they ascribe as much vnto them , as vnto the profoundest physicians . tully reporteth that they which inhabited the iland called seryphus , and neuer went out of it , where they saw no other beasts but hares and foxes , would not beleeue that there were lions or panthers in the world : and if any man told them of the elephant , they thought themselues mocked . so it is with the simple multitude , they know onely their neighbour empirikes , which are but as hares and foxes : and if they heare of lions , that is , a sort of physicians , as farre aboue them in the knowledge of the arte , as the lion is aboue the hare and fox in strength , they will not be brought into that opinion , but reiect it as a false and fained fable : for the first conceit of the admirable skill they imagine to be in those whom they know , hath taken so deepe root in their mindes that it cannot be plucked out . how empirikes , be they neuer so ignorant , are magnified by the simplicity of the rude and sottish people , poggius setteth foorth in this tale : there was one of the meanest of these empirikes that had but one kind of pill for all diseases or infirmities whatsoeuer : and by this together with his cogging , had purchased great fame , and was esteemed cunning in all things . there came vnto him a foolish clowne that had lost his asse , desiring his counsell for the finding of him : the empirikes skill reached not beyond his pill , yet seeming to be ignorant in nothing , and desirous to take his money , he gaue him that to swallow downe , and told him that by the vertue thereof he should find his asse againe . the simple felow , returning homewards , felt the operation of his pill , and going out of the high way into a field , spied his asse feeding there : thus being in possession of that which he had lost , he confidently beleeued that this was wrought by the extraordinarie learning of this cosening empirike , and extolled him aboue all other physicians . credulity leadeth men into many grosse opinions , and specially in this arte. pliny saith , it falleth out onely in this art , that credit is giuen to euery one that professeth himselfe skilful in it , when as no lie bringeth greater danger . moreouer the base opinion that the ignorant multitude conceiueth of the deepe and profound arte of physicke , maketh much for empirikes : for the common people hauing nothing in themselues , but that which experience and obseruation hath taught them , cannot lift vp their dull conceits any higher , but confidently imagine that all knowledge is obtained by that alone , and needeth no helpe of scholes . therefore they iudge no otherwise of this learned and mysticall profession , than of ordinarie mechanicall trades , supposing it to be as soone and easily learned , as the plaine craft of a tailer or carpenter . this foolish and senseles opinion increaseth the reputation of empirikes and procureth them many patients : for heereby their light and superficiall skill is esteemed equall to the complete and sound knowledge that is in the most iudiciall professors of that arte. euen as a plaine countrie fidler is thought by his neighbours not to be inferiour to cunning musicians . another reason that moueth the vulgar to vse them , is the hope they haue to be cured by them with lesse charge . but this deceiueth them on both sides , for oft times their diseases are left vncured , and commonly the subtill empirike draweth more money from them than a learned physician would doe . their practise is also further inlarged by the ignorance of the common sort , who when they are sicke , vse to inquire after one that hath cured the like disease . heere is worke for these popular fellowes , who haue filled many credulous eares with a false report of their cures . i confesse it was an ancient custome amongst the egyptians to lay their sicke in open places , and to inquire of them that passed by , what they had heard or tried to haue holpen in the like case . but this was before the arte of physicke was perfected and brought into a methode . now the case is farre altered : there is a learned and iudiciall course confirmed and established for the cure of all diseases . therefore now the patient is to enquire after him that hath greatest knowledge and soundest iudgement in the art , and not after him that is reported to haue cured the like sicknesse : for many cures are falsely attributed to empirikes : and besides that , some diseases are healed by chance , and some by nature , as is before shewed . there is yet another errour in the multitude that profiteth these ignorant men much . for many binde themselues to that physician whom they haue vsed before , be he neuer so ignorant , supposing that he knoweth the state of their bodie better than a stranger . but in this they are also vtterly deceiued , for no empirike can know the state of any mans body : philosophy teacheth that and not experience . all that he can know is but whether the body be easie or hard to purge , and what is that in respect of all other things before mentioned , which are necessarie in euerie physician ? therefore let euery man of iudgement vse him that can by art find out the complexion and constitution of his body : that knoweth how to distinguish one disease from another , and prosecute the course fit for the cure , turning and altering it to euery occurrent . and let him that hath recouered out of the hands of an empirike , rest satisfied in his happy fortune , and euer after commit his body to the best learned . these are the weake and lame reasons whereupon the fame and great practise of these ignorant men is built . if in this tractate i had imitated galen , and others that haue written of them , it should haue beene farre sharper and much more pearcing . for galen compareth them to theeues : these , ●aith he , lay waite for men in mountaines and woods , those in townes and cities . langius and oberndorf , two learned germanes lay gri●uous accusations vpon them . the former speaking of their patients , saith , whole armies of them are killed , but verie few cured . and in the same epistle he addeth , i dare sweare that thousands of their patients perish euery yeere by their deadly errors . and doubtlesse many of our empirikes in england are not inferiour to those of germany in boldnesse and ignorance . the other forenamed germane imposeth many base tearmes vpon them , as coseners , mountibankes , murderers , and such like . there is much odious matter heaped vp against some of them by guin●er , erastus , libauius , cardan and many others , all which i omit . leonem ex vngue . the physicians of the colledge of london take an oath at their admittance , to pursue vnlearned empirikes and impostors , confounding the names , as if all empirikes were coseners . one calleth the baser sort of them , analphabetos nebulones , not hauing learned their crissecrosse . no man can heere obiect with iudgement , that all these learned men wrot out of a weake perturbation , & that it was , as the poet saith , one enuying another : and that these are contentions amongst physicians rising from varietie of opinions , as in other professions . for all these men oppugned are vtterly ignorant and vnlearned , and dare neuer attempt to speake one word of their profession in the presence of a learned physician . it is therefore knowledge against ignorance : naturall and christian compassion mouing these learned & ingenious men to protect the liues of their brethren by opposing themselues to the blind practise of empirikes , who fight with their eies shut against sickenesse , the great enemy to nature , as the men called andibatae did against their enemies . i remember a story of a blind woman famous for her skill in physicke , by whose dore a porter passing with a heauy burthen vpon his back , fell downe and cried out for helpe : the compassionate woman came speedily with aqua vitae , and feeling for his mouth , offered to powre in some , whereas halfe an eie would haue serued her to haue eased him of his burthen . it is vsuall with empirikes , for want of the eie of learning , to bring as ridiculous and senseles meanes of helpe to their patients : for when they see not the cause of the disease ( as they do very seldome see it fully ) they cannot fit a medicine to it . they may fondly purpose , foolishly consult , and largely promise to performe great matters in physicke : but in execution they will be found like to hermogenes his apes , who assembled themselues together to take counsell how they might be secured from the violent incursions and assaults of greater beastes , they concluded to builde a strong for t : they agreed vpon the matter and forme thereof . euery onè was assigned to his seuerall worke : some to cut downe timber , some to make bricke , other for other offices . but when they met to begin this great building , they had not one instrument or toole to worke withall , so their counsell was ouerthrowen . so empirikes may attempt to build vp health in a sicke body : they may promise the cure of diseases ; but what can be expected at their hands sith they want all the tooles of galen and hippocrates necessarie for so great a worke ? the consideration of all these things hath often moued me to compare their patients to them that crosse the seas in a smal leaking boate with an vnskilful pilot : they may arriue safe at the wished hauen : but wisedome trusteth to the strongest meanes , which alwaies promise , and commonly performe greatest securitie . one thing i will adde more of this odious generation : the multitude of them in this country is incredible . out of one rotten and maligne stocke spring many riotous branches . one master sendeth foorth many iourneymen , which haue beene his apprentises . if these old breeders be maintained , we shall haue , within these few yeeres , more empirikes , than butchers ; more killers of men , than of oxen . the number of them is so increased , that they are at enmity one with another . it is a sport to heare one of the most eminent of them ( being placed in a chaire for his great skill ) raile vpon vnlearned physicians , and yet he himselfe was neuer admitted vnto grammar schoole . but this doth exempt them from all suspition of ignorance amongst the vulgar , and procureth them many patients . but the more they are admired , and the greater number of patients they haue , the more they exceed in craft and falshood . for ignorance cannot purchase admiration , vnlesse craft and subtilty be ioint-purchasers with her . but to draw to an end , sith empirikes are vtterlie disabled by the difficultie of the arte of physicke : by their education in their youth ▪ by the want of grammer , logicke and philosophy : by their palpable ignorance in the theorie and speculation of that they professe : by the manifold errors they fall into . sith experience cannot teach them the methode and order of curing diseases : nor reading of english bookes affoord them any mediocrity of knowledge . sith most of their cures are naturall , or casuall : all their secrets triuiall and common ▪ their discourse out of vrines , grounded vpon subtiltie and deceit : their fame and multitude of patients rising from fraude and falshood in themselues , or from follie in the vulgar . finally , sith there is a full consent of all learned physicians iustlie condemning them . i may firmly conclude that their practise is alwaies confused , commonly dangerous and often deadly . therefore whereas ludouicus a mercatus saith , it is a good medicine sometimes to take no medicine at all . and b forestus affirmeth , sometimes the whole worke is to be left to nature , which when empiriks see not , they often kill the sicke . in my opinion this distinction of time may be cut off , and both these sayings made generall ; for where the pactise is wholly ingrossed by these men , there the best medicine is alwaies to take no medicine at all : and the whole worke is euer to be left to nature , rather then to be committed to any of these . for though they cure some , yet they kill many : the way of erring in the practise of physicke is so ample and broad , and the path , leading to the methodicall cure of diseases , so narrow and straight . thus , sir , you haue that which you required , directions for your health , and my opinion of empirikes . god almighty blesse you with the benefit of the former , or preserue you from the perill of the latter . ipswich , the third nones of iuly . . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a hippoc. de diaeta . lib. . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. what health is . d cont. iulianum . lib. . de sanit . tuenda . eam corporis constitution● , &c. three enemies to ▪ life . qui lib●ram vitā nactus est , &c. qui boni ha●itus sunt , &c. de feb . diff . li. . ca. . a in hippoc de morb . vulg . li. . 〈◊〉 . . . . the aire . a de re rustic● . lib. . b p●lit . . . lib. de aere , &c. sol non vidit vrbemsitu elegantiorem . tabacco . monard . the first qualities of tabacco . not safe for youth . comment . in lib. de victu s●lub . aphor. . . corpora salubri● difficulter feru● medic . alimenta sa●● . medicamenta aegris , &c. sound bodies need no alteration . humiditas caloris pabulum . qui maximè sunt bu●idi , maximè sunt long aeui . de san . tuenda . lib. . breuioris esse vitae eos , qui calidas regiones incolunt . it shorteneth life . . de legibus : quia eos ad libidinem & iram praecipites reddat . siccitas caloris stimulus . cereus in vitium flecti , monitoribus asper : sublimis , &c. it breedeth many diseases . it breedeth melancholy . sens●n sine sensu . de sanit . tuenda . optimi temperamenti , optimi mores . it hurteth the minde . it is ill for their issue . est in ●uuencis , est in equis patrum virtus . quocunque morbo pater gene●ans afficitur , ider● i● prolem transit . mas formam , foemina materian● dat . de semine . it shortneth life . quod paulatim fit , tutò fit . aphor. lib. . . de cib . boni & mali ▪ succi . ca. . youths-bane . . meat and drinke . lib. . de sanit . tuend . lib. . de morb . causes cap. . nulla calamitate , &c. de cib . boni & mali succi , ca. . initio lib. . de sanit tuenda . & initio lib. de cibis boni & mali succi . initio lib. . de sanit . tuenda . flesh . blood. de aliment . facult . fish . fruits . de cibis bon . &c. cap. . therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a de aliment . facult . b de cib . bon . & mal . suc . ●ap . . salads . de simp . medic . facult . lib. . a de aliment . facult . li. . ca. . . de indicat . li. . ca. . omnibus praui succi ●dulijs abstin . the quantity . plures interimit crapula quàm gladius . a . aphor. . vbi cibus , &c. b . epide● . . sanitatis stud●um , &c. c de senect . tantum cibi & potionis , &c. d de morb . caus . lib. . ca. . in hippoc. aphor . lib. . . a animus sanguine & adipe suffocat . b quin corpus onustum besternis vitijs , &c. sorm . li. sat . . c mores probos reddit . d vna tempera●tia totius est iucundae , &c. e de sanit . tuenda , li. . f philostrat . . li. . de bello jud●ico . lib . panem & mel atticum . consil . . deterius est vti ciborū salub variet . quā vnico , v●cunq sit prauus . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vigor . sensim sine sens● . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . c . aphoris . . the qualities of meat . the times . a initio lib. de dissol contin b de indic . lib. . cap. ● . c lib. . de morb . causis , cap. . non se , sed suam perniciem alunt . the custome of our meales not agreeable to physicke . a de sanit . tu●nda , lib. . the champions diet . b lib. de acre , &c. pransores . c in hip. prognost . li. . . d lib. . de di●tae . two meales . suid●● . de sanit . tuend . lib. . horat. coena d●bia . li. . fen . . doct . . ca. . senectus luet adolescentiae peccata . the order . gal. in hippoc. de vict . rat . com . . . a de dissol contin . . aphor. . custome not suddenly to be broken . two dishes at one meale . of drinke . wine . de cib . bon . ca. . lib. an animi mores , &c. lib de cib . bon . cap. . a de sanit . tuend . a de morb . caus . b l● . ca. . fructum accelerat , sed arb●rem per●mit . c lib. an animi mores . a li. . de sanit . tuenda . b in hip. de vict . ratione lib. . c labor , cibus , potus , somnus , venus . not to drink betweene meales . sacke before supper not allowed . the hurt of much drinke . drinke betwixt meales . a de indic . lib. . cap. consil . li . b epist . c in hipp. aphor . lib. . . exercise . de sanit . tuend ▪ lib. . gal. de sanit . li. . arthrit . sciatica , gon●gra , &c. celsus . a gal. de sanit . tuend . lib. . b de cib . bon . &c. c de dissol . contin . d de d●aet● . e de morb . popul . lib. . f in timaeo : exercitium roborat , &c. ouid. de indic . lib. . cap. . sleepe . . lib. aph . . . lib. aph . . a hipp. & gal. in hipp. de morb . vulg . lib. . . b cardan . in hipp. andr. laurent . a de sanit . tuend . lib. . b in hipp. prognost . . . c gal. s●pè . celsus . lib. . a. . sleepe after dinner ill . retention and expulsion . herodotus . the affections of the mind . de arte m●d●● . cap. . ●oy . chaucer . instar subuinis spiritus dissipa . g●lli● lib . cap . a gal. de symptom . causis lib. . pusillanimes ex gaudio per●er●●t . notes for div a -e * that is , a day that sheweth what shall happen on the indicatory day , or day of iudgemēt , as the , , dayes , declare the issue of the sicknesse the ▪ , & dayes . m. greeneha● to●●● . in a sermon of a good name . pro pub. syl seruit●s est non dicere in quem vel● . in verrem ▪ saepē grau●tìs vidi of fendere animos auditorum , &c. mul●ò liberior est vita ●orum , qui n●minē accusant . qu●d ferre recusant , quid veleant humert . horat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what an empirike is . the outward marks of an empirike . lib. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . gal. in h●p . de morb . vulg lib. . comment . . the diuision . medici rationales . lipsius . s. c parts is co●ponere mag●a sole●●● . the difficulty of the a●te . hippoc. vita breu●s , ars longa , &c. a lib. de flat . mulum laboru , &c. b in lege . de const●tut . artis medicae . natura , institutio a puero , industria , locus studijs aptus , optimos quosque audire , methodum tenere . de pulsibus . totam vitam ad pulsus cognitionem requiri . empiriks condemned by hip. and gal. physicke is a profound study . idem deus supientiae & medicinae . medici dcorum filij . qui in 〈◊〉 m●rcur●● no● l● tat . frustra sit per plura , quod fi●●● potest per pa●cicrae , i●bi desinit philosophus , t●t inc●p●e med●c●es , arist . emparic● medicastri & pseudemedic● sunt . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . galenus floru●t a●no christi . no part of hip. or gal. in english . empir . ignorant of foure parts of physicke . indicatio est comprehensio rei i●●●●e● & nocentis gal. de opt . se●●a . omissa vnt , curs . tio saepè claisdicat . prax . lib. . of a pleurisie . empiriks commonly mistake diseases . donat. alsom . de pleuris . de morb . vulg . lib. . in historiae anaxionis . prax. li. . ca. . ●en . consuls . riol . obser . s●r. pr●● . ●yr depapa●● . argent . consult . epist. vromant . lib. . cap. . precare vt sorti●re benè . . the errours of empiriks . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . lib. de aere aquis , &c. the danger of mistaking diseases . in hippoc. prognost . pag. , de calc ren . senselesse . imitation . of opening a veine . pabulum natiui caloris . de natur . facult . lib. . gal. de sang miss . cap. . experientia st●●●torum magistra . audaci● imperitiam artu significat . hippoc ▪ de arts . de venae sec . contra erasist . manie deadly errours in letting of bloud . deadly errours . miserum est cùm ma●us periculu● a medico , qu●m ● morbo impendet . bleeding dangerous to many . of purging . ludouic ▪ de indic l● . . ca ●p●● magnum . qui quenquam purgatur●● sit , s●opos ferè infinitos , &c. nemo debet sine maxima consideratione , &c. lib. de morb . pop . nihil temere , &c. malum quò communius ●o peius . bacon . de retard . se●●ct . in quacunque re deu● admirab●lem v. m , &c. purging is subiect to many dangers . an purgandum . vnda vnd&ā ; p●ll●t . fin● vnius mali grad●● est futuri . meth m●dendi . omnium purgant●um maximè cacost●ma●hum . . aphor. . many killed by purging . fluxus epidem . us . opium was then in great request . opium . ●apiuac . de venenis , cap , . gal. de compos . phar . de compos . phar . l● . . ca. . phar . maca indefi●ita . in h●pp . prognost . comment . , in hipp. de morb . vulg . li. . pl●rimi mor●●ntur , &c. quot agros themison autumn● occider● vno d● dieb . decret l●b . . quoties aegros adeu●● , &c. experience de optun● sectae . eu● quod saep●u & codem mo●o , &c. many things in physicke can not be learned by experience . mille ●●odis medicum illudi● slat . hypochon . de simplic . phar . f●●●lt . meth. medend● . li. . ca. . g●●ner●●pist lib cap. . discunt per ▪ cul● nostris , &c. ● meth. cap ● . de compo● phar . lib. cap . a 〈◊〉 remedi● adaliud temerè ▪ &c. 〈◊〉 d●dilus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●rrore vias . de mor. ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meth. ●ed●nd . lb . cap . all empiriks lame . methodus est vitae ac spiritus sc●entiarum . qui artent sine methodo &c. galen de locis assect . li. what can empiriks doe in rare diseases ▪ feb. symptoniat . morbus complicat . no patient secured by empiriks . in hipp. prorrhet . qu● speculationem ex obseruatione sine sc●ent●a aecer●●are , &c. atturneys . english book● . english 〈◊〉 the fox c&ō : meth not neere the lions denne . their cures . natura est omnium morborum medicatrix . naturall cures . lud mercat . de indic . casuall cures . de su●sigurat . empir . ●o . , solenan l. consil . sect . aschams toxo philus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . de v●t●ri med●cina . de morb . caus . lib. . cap. . morbi fac●liùs ●●rantur in s●r●is , quam in liberi● . c●ls . lib. . cap. ● . a lib. . cap. . b cap . hippoc. de ●●te . qui totum diem iaculatur . o beat●s medicos , quorum praeclara facta sol videt , errores terra abscondit . nicocl●s . erasmi m●ria . rare medicines and secrets . res sacrae profanis non &c. in l●ge de sa●it tu●nd . nos neq , german●● , &c. in iureiurand . comment . in hip. prognost . de respir . veritat● cultor . de theriaca valde rusticum . de compos . phar . herophilus , medicamenta ab inde●●●●surpata venina sunt . gal. de compos . phar . . . gal methodo medendi . de aliment . facult lib. . gal. de compos . ph●● . lib. . an admirable secret discouered . the subtiltie of ●mpiriks . centoms co●su●ud● . their skill in vrines . many diseases can not be knowne by the vrine . no medicine is to be giuen by the vrine alone . quò melior , ed peior . obser . de pleurit . vrina hodiè bona , cras mala . vromantia . neither conception knowne nor sexe distinguished by vrine . lib. . cap. . portentosa & splendida mendacia , impostura & fraude referea . false discourse out of vrines . the facilitie of iudgeing of vrines as emperiks doe . vroma●● lib . cap. . an historie of a cousening empirike . liquidò co●stat , &c. de praesag . vires agrotantium medicorum hera . the causes of empiriks fame . stultiloquium vrine . lang. epist. pismater , diaphragma , aromatise , orifice . str●nu●● are magis , quò magis arte rudis . empiriks steale cures . their brags . their large promises . their false tongues . lib. . de nat . deorum . seryphi nati , nec unquam egressi , &c. a tale of an empirike , a foole and an asse . lib. . cap. . in hac artium sola eu●nit , &c. the simplicity of the vulgar . the custome of the egyptians . physicians are to be made choise of by their learning , not by their cures . no empirike knoweth the state of any mans body . gal. de praecognit . hi in montibus & syluis , illi in vrbibus insidiantur . lib. . epist. . integr●e phalanges &c. ausim deterare aliquot ●ill a , &c. thousands killed by empiriks . ad prosequendum indoctos empiri●os & impostores . thriuer in cels . lib , . cap. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scientia contra ignorantiam . andibatarum more clausis oculi● cum hoste d●m●cant . all empitiks are blinde . hermogenes apes . empiriks as vnskilfull pilots . mali corui malum ouum . the great number of empiriks . the hering man mockes the fisher man. ignorance can not purchase admiration . the conclusion . a de indic bonum medicamentum est &c. b vromant . no medicine to be taken of empiriks . mrs. sarah bradmores prophecy of the wonders that will happen, anno dom. also what will be the effects of the whales comeing up the river of thames, and continued the th. and th. of august, anno dom. . bradmore, sarah. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) mrs. sarah bradmores prophecy of the wonders that will happen, anno dom. also what will be the effects of the whales comeing up the river of thames, and continued the th. and th. of august, anno dom. . bradmore, sarah. sheet ( p.) printed by s.j., london : . a satire on astrologers and quacks. partly in verse. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng astrology -- humor -- early works to . quacks and quackery -- england -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion mrs. sarah bradmores prophecy of the wonders that will happen , anno dom. . also what will be the effects of the whales comeing up the river of thames , and continued the th . and th . of august , anno dom. . strange and wonderful , have been the effects of such unusual creatures as whales approaching in rivers ; so k●w●●e hath been the appearance of comets ; but i am certain , none knows what will be the issue of these signes and wonders , but the almighty who is the occasion of them ; yet some men have had the impudence to pretend ( and put it publickly in print ) that they know the will and pleasure of the almighty ; when there is nothing certainer in the world , than their not knowing the mind of another man ; how can man know that , which the angels themselves are ignorant of ? the which they pretend to do by starry influence ; but cornelius agrippa says , that the wise rule not the stars , nor the stars the wise , but god ruleth them both ; and cornelius tacitus saith , that they are people disloyal to their prince , deceiving those that beleive them ; and saith varro , the van●ty of all supertions floweth from the bosom of astrology ; it 's nothing but poetical fictions , by which the astrologers do sive , cheat , and cozen men , and gain by their fables and lyes , whilst ( if you have ever seen a hackney poet ) you may see his a — through his pocket-holes . if our life and fortune depend not on the stars , then it 's to be granted , that the astrologers seek where nothing is to be found , but we are so fond , mistrustful , and credulous , that we fear more of the fables of robin good-fellow , astrologers , and witches , and believe more things that , are not , then the things that are , and the more impossible a thing is , the more we stand in fear thereof ; and the less likely to be true , the more we believe it , and if we were not such , i think that those deceivers , astrologers , couzenors , and blasphemors , if they had no other way or employment to get an honest lively-hood , they would dye for hunger . our foolish light beleif , forgeting things past , neglecting things present , and very hasty to know things to come ; so that if by our astrologers , one truth be spoken by hap , it giveth such creddit to all their lyes , that ever after we believe whatsoever they say , how incredible , impossible , or false soever it be , &c. but now i shall proceed to my prophecy . according to the constellations of the stars which i converse with , there will happen ( anno. . ) a great rot amongst the quack doctors , but they will not be half so much pitty'd , as if it had hapned in rumney marsh , for the honest can spare them , and those as are not , will have no cause to lament , for they oftner kill than cure . likewise they have so daubed every post , nay there is hardly a creek or corner in or about london , but a man shall be disturbed with the appearitions of the quacks , ( even at noon day ) in making water ; for right before you , there stands no cure no money , or no money till the cure be performed ; but when a gentleman has occasion , it 's no medicine without producing the ready . and above him stands , a speedy cure without mercury : also either to the right or left , there is an appearition cloathed all in black , known by the name of aqua tetrachymagogon , but for my part i have nothing to say against him , because i am one as hates reflections upon the ingenious : than too near him stands medela ab alto , in fanchurch-street near magpy-ally ; and now and then a female spirit appears , and immediately vanisheth . and last of all , which is the dreadfulest , appears , yah coronzon otheos on panthon bohu tohu , or read , try , judge , and speak as you find &c. to give him his due , he is a delicate fellow , and not only verst in one , but in three arts viz , poetry , physi●k , and resolveth all lawful questions in astrology , although he understands no more of it than his maid , i suppose ♄ might be in ill aspect with ♀ in the action — as i said before , he is an excellent poet , and his lines so far exceeding the dull pen of this age , i thought my self obliged to do him the justice , of reciteing some of his poems , only coating him as a faithful friend of the muses , and realy believing he had no hand in the plot. and good medicines cheap if that so you please , for to cure any curable disease bohu's best pills better than the rest , deservedly have gained name of best , in curing by a cause quite purging out of scurvy , french pox , stone and gout , the head and belly , and the reins they will cure while you may work or play his pills often to their makers praise , cure , yea eaven int h ' dog-days . let not the world wonder , i will not my candle a bushel put under . for indeed it would be a sin , for to hide my tallent in a napkin . than his cheap pills at s . the box , a certain cure for the pox , each box contains pills i 'm sure , never better made scurvy to cure , the half box pills at pence , tho' 't is to cheap in your own sence . so hoping you do not expect a prophecy from one , who so much contemns them and their art , i rather did it for two reasons . st . that the wise as well as the ignorant might avoid the rock of deceit , if not , i cannot help it . the d . is , i will assure you it 's very hard times , and i wanted money ; so taking my leave till the coming up of the next whale , i remain a true and loyal subject to his majesty , whom god preserve , and in general , your humble servant ; s. b. printed by authority . london printed by s. j. . whereas the professor hereof, iacobus maximinus, borne in italy, and lately come out of germanie, hath attained vnto the demonstration of the making of foure most strange and rare artificiall stones, and a sweete ball, and the true vertues thereof: and the names and colours of euery stone the first, is the moraccolocius stone is white: the famous amethist is the redde stone: the famous safaris is the purple stone: the safonya, which is the straw coloured stone, &c. maximinus, iacobus. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) whereas the professor hereof, iacobus maximinus, borne in italy, and lately come out of germanie, hath attained vnto the demonstration of the making of foure most strange and rare artificiall stones, and a sweete ball, and the true vertues thereof: and the names and colours of euery stone the first, is the moraccolocius stone is white: the famous amethist is the redde stone: the famous safaris is the purple stone: the safonya, which is the straw coloured stone, &c. maximinus, iacobus. sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] imprint from stc. a quack medical handbill--stc. dated and signed at foot: . october the . your louing friend, iacobus maximinus. reproduction of the original in the bodleian library. iacobus maximinus is a pseudonym. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng quacks and quackery -- early works to . lapidaries -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion ❀ honi soit ❀ qvi mal ❀ y ❀ pense royal blazon or coat of arms the first , is the moraccolocius stone is white : the famous am●thist is the redde stone : the famous safaris is the purple stone : the safonya , which is the straw coloured stone , &c. the moraccolocius stone is white , it is very good to helpe the canker in the mouth or throat , and all euils that come of blood or rhewme : it must be dissolued in white wine , it helpeth in thrée washings , with gods helpe . probatum est . it is approoued helpe for the tooth-ach , and all rotten and stinking téeth : put this stone to the hole or aking tooth , and it brings foorth the worme , and rhewme , and is present helpe ( with gods helpe ) and maketh the mouth swéete . probatum est . it is good for a stopping , or a stuffing in the stomack with any kinde of flegme or glart , or heart-burning , and heart-aking , take it fasting in halfe a pinte of béere , or ale , and it is present helpe . probatum est . the famous safonya stone , is the straw coloured stone , it is very good for the cornes in your féete and eares , soaking your cornes in warme water , and then pare them , and shaue some powder of the stone , and it helpes them sodainly , the powder being layd thereto . probatum est . make this stone into powder , and mixe it with oyle of bayes , and it will kill the itch , and make no lice shall trouble any one if the body be annointed therewith . these stones haue béene prooued , and haue holpen many one in this citie of london . probatum est . the professor hereof doth make a swéet ball of diuers colours , which is good to take off the morphew , and all spots , and sunburnes , and cleareth and beautifieth the face , if you wash it in the mornings , and rub it with a stammell cloath . and this ball will take out staynes out of any woollen or silke in faire water to be washed . probatum est . the famous amothist stone is red , it is good for the paine in the huckle-bone , or shins , take the stone , beat it to powder , and mixe it with swine grease , and annoint it by the fire very well , and it is present helpe , it takes away the paines and swellings . probatum est . make a playster of this oyntment , and lay it to the stomacke , or to the nauell of children , and it brings away the wormes , both chest-wormes and other , in foure and twenty houres . probatum est . dissolue this stone into foure spoonefuls of water , and snuffe vp part of a spoonefull at the nostrils , and hold somewhat betwixt the tooth , and let the rhewme voyd out , and it helps the paines of the head , and the hearing , and the megrim , and sore eyes , and brings away the rhewme out of all parts of the head . probatum est . this red stone is very good to stanch blood : put it to the bléeding place , or weare it about the necke . probatum est . the famous safaris stone is the purple stone , it is very good to helpe the shaking palsie and the shaking ague , and all shaking of the ioynts . sowe this stone in a little silke bagge , and weare it about your necke , and with gods helpe it is holpen in twenty dayes . probatum est . this stone is very good , and a present helpe for the crampe : sowe it in a little bagge , and weare it about your necke . probatum est . the professor hereof , doth make a blew stone , which is good for the gréene sicknesse , and procureth vrine , and causeth the stone to voyde , and doth expell the winde in the body : you must take it in the morning with posset-ale , foure mornings together , and deuide it into foure parts . probatum est . . october the . your louing friend , iacobus maximinus . god saue the king. wonders no miracles, or, mr. valentine greatrates gift of healing examined upon occasion of a sad effect of his stroaking, march the , , at one mr. cressets house in charter-house-yard : in a letter to a reverend divine, living near that place. lloyd, david, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing l estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) wonders no miracles, or, mr. valentine greatrates gift of healing examined upon occasion of a sad effect of his stroaking, march the , , at one mr. cressets house in charter-house-yard : in a letter to a reverend divine, living near that place. lloyd, david, - . [ ], p. printed for sam. speed ..., london : . attributed to d. lloyd. cf. wing. reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng greatrakes, valentine, - . quacks and quackery -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - tcp staff (michigan) sampled and proofread - tcp staff (michigan) text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion wonders no miracles ; or , mr. valentine greatrates gift of healing examined , upon occasion of a sad effect of his stroaking , march the . . at one mr. cressets house in charter-house-yard . in a letter to a reverend divine , living near that place . cor. . . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to another the gift of healing . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to another the working of miracles . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to another discerning of spirit . london , printed for sam. speed , at the rainbow in fleetstreet . . wonders no miracles ; or , mr. valentine greatrates gift of healing examined , upon occasion of a sad effect of his stroaking , mar. the . . at one mr. cressets house in charter-house-yard . sir , when i consider in how many respects , the world is now under the sad judgement , of being given over to beleeve a lies , because it receiveth not the christian truth , in the love and power of it : errours and impostures , as a b great man observeth , being at once the sins and punishments of the later ages of the world. when i read that some pretensions in the last times , will almost deceive the very c elect ; insomuch that one of those elect writing to his brethren , hath left this as the greatest caveat amongst them , beloved , beleeve not every spirit , but d try the spirits whether they be of god. and adde to all these , those sad words thes. . . that the mystery of iniquity doth already work ; only , he who now letteth , will let , until he be taken out of the way , and then shall that wicked one be revealed , even he whose coming is after the working of satan , with all power and signs , and lying wonders , and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish . when i reflect on the state of the world , now so parrallel to that it was years agoe , especially in one particular , viz. that it is immersed in fancy , imagination and lust , which are all inter-woven with its phylosophy , its religion , worship , doctrine , discipline and government , so far , that it is as subject to diabolical impressions , leading to atheism , now towards the end of the world , as it was to such as led to polutheism , then in the beginning of it : i do not so much admire your caution in complying with the vulgar apprehensions of this late gift of healing , so much cryed up amongst us ; as i do others unwillingness to comply with your cantion ; so much more strange is it , that the generallity should allow such groundless , and ill contrived pretences , than that any man should scruple then ; were not we in england , famous almost to a proverb , for our folly , in reference to prodigies and prophesies ; and a people that would make it necessary , that as it was one condition in the judges of the sanedrim , that they should be skilled in magick , that they might detect and judge others for it ; so it should be one in our councils , that they should be expert in the works of nature , that they might understand what is above it . sir , seriously , since there is not a greater confirmation of what god speaks , than what he doth ; and so no greater evidence of religions proceeding from god , than miracles wrought by god. and there being no ordinary way of conveighing the evidence of divine truth into the mindes of men , but by a concurrence of a divine power set before their eyes to confirm that truth . the world is not capable of diving into the depth of religious mysteries ; so shallow , narrow , and dark are mens capacities and intellectuals , and so apt are men to suspect impostures in things of subtilty , reason and mystery , and therefore they must have plain confirmations of those mysteries before their senses , which they think will not deceive them ; so true is it , what that excellent person observes . the world being to be taught of god , must be taught with actions , which they can trust , and not with words , wherewith they may be deceived ; and hence miracles , or the performance of matters above the reach of nature , hath been alwaies looked on as the greatest testimony to divine authority , and revelation . for the course of nature being settled by an omnipotent power , and all agents acting by the force of that power ; whosoever in doing wonders , altereth the course of nature , is esteemed to have the divine presence going along with him . since i say , the working of miracles , and performing things above the course of nature , hath been looked upon by mankinde , since god hath made use of men to act in his name ; here in the world , as the best evidence of gods presence going along with them , as the fairest credentials for their message , and the greatest argument for the truth of the religion ; by them at several times published in the name of god. as it is certainly of very dangerous consequence , to counterfeit the kings seal , by which all acts of state are confirmed , and made authentickly known to the people , so it is to pretend to gods seal , whereby he doth convincingly make known his will in the world . and as all the kings leige people , should beware of conniving at the one , for fear of a mis-understanding , likely thereby to grow between the king and the people ; none then being able to discern what is really the kings act , and what is not ; what they should obey , and what they should not ; as they would not be guilty of mis prision of treason against the government , so all gods people should be very cautious in allowing the other , for fear of a mis-understanding between god and their souls ; none in case of such counterfeits , being able to discern what is really confirmed to be gods will , and what is only pretended so , what is a religion , and what is a chear . whence really there cannot chuse but ensue these two sad things . viz. an opportunity in distracted and divided times , to broach strange and dangerous opinions . for if a man can but prevail with the people , to beleeve that god assists him , to effect new and extraordinary things ; he may easily perswade them , that the same god inspires him to speak new and extraordinary opinions ; when they see god in what he doth , they will easily believe he is in what he saith ; and where they observe omnipotence , there they will believe infallability : and if the man saith now , i received a voice from heaven , bidding me cure all diseases ; he may if this take , say anon , i am commissioned by a voice from heaven , to reduce the world to the unity of the roman church , to teach the infallability of the pope , to reveal a messiab to come , a fifth monarchy , and what not ? thus a the arrians pretended miracles by the infinite power of christ , to confirm the denial of his deity ( menander to blinde his followers , would restore their sight . basilides stroaked and deluded the multitude . cerinthus and ebion performed as strange things as they taught . valentinus and heracleon , first set up with new cures , and afterwards with new opinions . marcus carpocrates and cerdon were magicians first , and then hereticks . apelles , severus , tatianus , and montanus , first had the gift of healing , and afterwards that of prophesying . sabellius , samosatenus , photinus , macedonius , apollinaris , had some thing singular in their practise , before they had any thing novel in their opinions . the donatists and luciferians , pretended to do things above other christians , before they set up a separation from them . the nestorians and eutichians , got reputation by their converse with a bad spirit , before they durst deny the being of the good one . all the sixteen false christs , that obtruded themselves upon the world , pretended to our saviours miracles , before his person ; mahomet had two masters , a magician and a priest ; and the three first century of his prevalency in the world , were called the magical ages . the church of rome challenged the power of doing miracles , ever since she would be thought infallible ; ever ushering in her strange doctrines with strange performances ; and amusing the people , especially here in england , with the feats of one seminary priest ; thereby to prepare them the more readily to embrace the delusions of all , no less than fifty seven miracle-mongers of that gang , being detected in england , scotland , and ireland , within these fifty years ; and the papists urging their power of working miracles , as one of the most famous notes of their church . and to say no more , the first heretick since christs time , was simon the magician , of whom it s said , that he opposed the truth , with the same artifices that jannes and jambres withstood moses ; so true is that antient observation of the knowing a tertullian , maxima haereticorum cum magis , circulatoribus & curiositati deditis commercia : and that , magiam esse haereticarū opinionum auctricem ; that there was alwaies a great correspondence between the hereticks , that had a design to impose upon mens understandings , and conjurers , that could put a cheat upon mens senses ; knowing well that if they could take the senses with strange performances , poor men that cannot examine the bottome of things , will tamely yield their intellects to their strange tenets . it being a generally allowed observation , made first by st. jerome , that the devil being discharged out of the heathen temples , and oracles took up with the hereticks conventicles and oratories , playing those legerdemains of late , to support heresies among the too curious christians , that pry unto things that they have not seen ; that they used of old among the looser sort of mankinde , to keep up polutheism with . whence the early caveat , deut. . , , . if there arise among you a prophet , or a dreamer of dreams , and giveth thee a fign or a wonder , and the fign or the wonder come to pass , whereof he spake unto thee , saying , let us go after other gods ; thou shalt not hearken to him , for the lord your god proveth you : so just it is with god to try peoples faithfulness to , and stedfastness in the truth , by diabolical wonders , leading them to error . so good a caution is that of gerson , upon the different pretences of miracles among the papists themselves , to carry on their different okpinions and factions ; one side pretending miracles for their opinion , and the other for the contrary , * that in this old age of the world , in this last hour , and time so near antichrists revelation , it s not to be marvelled at , if the world , like a doating old man , be abused by illusions and fantasies : and so excellent is dr. fields observation , that there being but two waies to confirm religion ; the testimony of gods spirit to the heart , called usually gods privy seal ; and the testimony of his miracles to the eye , called his broad seal : there cannot be a wider door opened for all the fallacies satan would put upon mankinde , than the pretences of the first by the enthusiast , and the second by the juggler : there being no greater testimony likely to be given to the truth , than that they counterfeit for falshood , viz. the testimony of god , who can neither deceive nor be deceived , confirming it by inspiration , or operation . these are sad things , but the second consequences of these pretences is sadder ; for men deluded by these juggles of false miracles , are shaken in their belief of true ones ; and as by the first appearance of any pretended wonders , they may bee cajoled to embrace some errors ; so upon the discovery of the bottome of them , they are ready to cast off all truth , and because they finde themselves imposed on once , their short reasonings cannot satisfie them , but that they have been abused alwaies , and therefore saith the excellent mr. stillingfleet ; it is no wonder atheism should be such a thriving plant in italy , nay , under , if not within the walls of rome it self , where inquisitive persons do daily see the jugglings and impostures of priests , in their pretended miracles ; and from thence are brought to look upon religion its self as a meer imposture , and to think no pope so infallible , as he that said , quantum nobis profuit , haec de christo fabula ? sir , by this time you see you are not the only person , that look upon rash pretenders to , and rash believers of miracles in these daies , as dangerous , upon the two great accounts of letting in errors among the people , and upon the discovery of the pretenders , of letting out the people to atheism ; and so are not singular in your compassion and pity towards this poor nation , for their so easie compliance with every thing , that pretendeth to novelty or wonder ; being not so much concerned , as you use to say , for this nine daies wonder of greatrates which carrieth with it its own discovery , as for the opportunity and temptations offered to more subtle persons to work upon an unstable people to more dangerous purposes . but in the mean time , while we are preparing a just account of miracles , prophesies , visions , impulfes , &c. to antidote and pr●●●nt those impostures , likely to be obtruded upon the world , in these last and worst daies ; when it is thought that the devils time being short , and the commission expiring , that he had to deceive the nations , his diligence and artifices are improved : take this short accout of this mr. greatrates . an account of mr. valentine greatrates , and his performances . sir , the man it seems being bred up in loose times , and a more loose way , a souldier , having prostituted his understanding to a variety of opinions and errors , for he hath been in his time of most of the factions that were lately extant ; and now pretends himself a latitude-man , that is , one that being of no religion himself , is indifferent what religion others should be of ; hath either a design to be even with the world , and to deceive others , as well he dwelling with delusions , may think others have deceived him : or , which i had rather believe ( for i would feign hope that the man is not a plain impostor ) being unsettled in his mind , and possibly in the turn of times discontented as to his fortune , is troubled with fancies and imaginations , which he takes to be impulses ; and indeed it is not so much a wonder to me , that one should pretend these impulses , as that half the nation doth not , since they have been so given over to fantasies and inward suggestions , having lost almost the faculty , principles , and exercise of reason . how possible it is for a man , especially in an age of fantasies as a learned man calleth this , to be wrought by his imagination to a belief of strange abilities in himself ; may easily be discerned by mirandulaes discourse de imaginatione , c. where he saith , . that by the predominancy of a melancholique humor ( for humors give complexion to a vulgar fancy , ) . by the imposture of the senses : . by the strength of the passions , that have a great command over this faculty . . by the ministry of evil angels , who can easily cast into the fancy strange and false species , with such subtilty as shall easily gain them plausible credit , and admittance . . by the influence of a mans starres . . by hereditary imaginations . . by sad necessity . . by windy meats , and want of due evacuations . . by sor did dwellings and manner of life , with thick air. . by idleness and solitariness . . by lying a bed and sleeping . . by grief , fear , envy , disgrace , faction , revenge , &c. a man may become an enthusiast . so easie it is for these or the like causes to stir up a mans humors , and those humors to work upon the fancy : and by the many instances hereof throughout the world , as . the jew that did so really imagine he could raise the dead , that he killed himself in order to the experiment . . the graecian that went upon a vision miles to cure the emperour of his deafness that had been in his grave four years . . the italian that came by an impulse to france , to restore light to the blind , and lost both his eyes . . the french-man that heard a voice speaking to him , to make a man without a woman , and endeavoured it seven years . . the dutch-woman , that imagined she could be with childe when she pleased without knowing a man. . the people that imagine they must sell all , and live on aire , till famine hath made them wiser . . the man that kept his children , as they died of the sickness , unburied till they stunk , in hope of a resurrection . . the german that went , as he said , by inspiration to cure the duke of tuscany of the sciatica , by breathing on him , and died a prisoner in legorn . . the spaniard that went upon a vision miles to cure the duke of venice of the gout , and dyed himself of it , in irons . . the physician that thought he could make man immortal and died himself before fifty . . the sussex man that talked of visions to his minister , who advised him to send for the physician , the vision being no more than the effect of a feaverish distemper . . the venetian that undertook to live without food , and the tenth day heard a voyce saying to him , arise and eat two egges . not to mention hundreds more of the same infirmity , too much imposed on by their imaginations , and the impresssions made by the devil , qui miscet se atrae bili & phantasiae , or their distemper thereupon , which you may see in the authors quoted in the * margin . it being so possible , that the man is really possessed with an importunate imagination that he should perform these cures he pretends to , let us condition whether the attempt hath any thing more in it than imagination . . and to deal plainly with you , sir , the very time of the pretence is suspicious , it being a time of great expectations among all men , and of strange impressions upon very many ; the very imagination of strange alterdtions in the world , makes strange alterations upon mens thoughts and spirits ; it 's no wonder , when all men look or a year of miracles , that one man should attempt to begin it . besides that , since the true wonder of his majesties restauration , evidencing the presence of god with his person and government ; the men of mr. greatrates party have spent their time in venting and dispersing false prodigies , to delude men into an opinion of the displeasure of god against both : and those that look narrowly into things , are apt to suspect , that mr. greatrates being concerned , that the reports of miracles and prodigies did not work upon us , imagined he might promote the cause further , and perform miracles himself . it is a dull thing to tell strange things only to amuse people , when men can doe strange things to convince them . and this * suspition prevaileth the more , because of the first instance wherein this man discovered his gift , i mean the curing of the † kings-evil : a cure that though entailed on the kings of england since edward the consessor , and looked on as a gracious gift of god , that gods vicegerents hand should cure that malady which gods hand hath inflicted ; it being as probable that there should be a healing virtue in the highest sort of animals , as well as in the lowest sort of vegitables ; confessed by our a adversaries ; whereof one being cured by queen elizabeth , acknowledged her authority when he selt her power , and derived to the kings of france , per aliquam b propaginem , by a sprig of right , derived from the primitive power of our english kings , under whose jurisdiction most b of the french provinces were once subjected . a cure i say , though so generally owned , to the great honour of his sacred majesty of great brittain ; yet cavilled at by the more morose sort of people , as superstitious in the ceremonies used about it ; i mean , the gospel , the collect , the angel , the cross , the belief required , notwithstanding that it is well known , that our kings can heal by a bare stroake , without these circumstances , which are rather arguments of the devotion of the great personage that heals , than means necessarily influencing upon the people that are healed ; and as ordinary in the manner of performing it ; for say they , we need not run to miracles , or to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and occult qualities , for the pretended wonder of c healing the kings evil ; it s only the power of fancy , say they , and imagination ; for when the poor patient ( who perchance feldome heard of , and never saw a king before ) shall behold his royal hand dabling in a puddle of putrifaction , and with a charitable confidence , rubbing , smoothing , chafing those loathsome kernels [ which i may call clouds of carruption , dissolved oftentimes into a feculent shower ] i say , when the sick man shall see an hand so humble of an arm so high , such condiscention in a king , to stroak ; that soar , at which meaner persons would stop their nostrils , shut their eyes , or turn their faces ; this raiseth , erecteth , enthroneth the patients fancy , summoning his spirits to assist nature with their utmost might , to encounter the disease with greater advantage . and certainly ( might a melancholly , or a discontented man think ) any man may work upon the imagination , as well as princes ; and finding it feasible by one or two experiments , hee with other cunning peoples suggestions , might set up an healing power , as well as the king ; levelling his gift , as well as they would his office ; with a design , that when it appeared he could do no more than other men , he should be no more than other men : yea , and when parity of reason led them to attempt in other diseases , what with some success they had begun in the kings evil , they might not only out-do his majesty , but be in a fair way to give laws to the world . for mark the ground of this mans attempts , and he tells you in his letter to the l. bishop of chester , that he had a voyce from heaven , assuring him first that he had a power to cure the kings evil , and afterwards , that he might cure all diseases ; that he could not be quiet untill be had undertaken it : and that a woman unknown to him , had a vision to come to him , and that hereupon , notwithstanding he was dissuaded by his friends from the practice , and jeared out of the imagination , he had a constant impulse , to force him upon the several experiments that he had made , till the whole country thronged to him : this is sum of what the man saith for himself . how dangerous it is to admit of impulses & vifions , and how common it was with men of mr. greatrates former way to obtrude ; need no further proof , than olivers impulses , james naylor , and other quakers visions , and light within , which would have superseded , if allowed , all religion , law , duty , right , and wrong , and common honesty , there being hardly any villany imaginable , against any of these that hath not been , and may be , perpetrated upon the account of this impulse and inspiration ; and if people will but allow any thing to be true , upon these enthusiastick grounds , they must allow all things that a deceivers fancy , or interest shall suggest to them . and more particularly , hee voucheth a voice from heaven , for his extraordinary performances , when yet hee should vouch extraordinary performances to make good that voice from heaven ; the voice of god gives not evidence to miracles , because the devil in the air , or the fancy in the brain , may counterfeit such a voice , but miracles give evidence to his voice ; how shall the people be assured , saith moses , exod. . , , , , . that thou o god , hast appeared to me , take the rod , and it shall turn to a serpent , that they may beleeve , that the lord god of their fathers hath appeared to thee , saith the lord. it s impossible for us to be satisfied of any appearance of god to this man , bidding him work miracles , unless we had other miracles to satisfie us about the appearance of god. gods revealing himself to men by bath col , or the daughter of a voice , which was indeed the last way that he was pleased to communicate his minde to his people , seems to be now superseded by that of the apostle , pet. . , . and this voice which came from heaven , we heard when we were with him in the holy mount. . we have also a more sure word of prophesie , whereunto ye do well that ye take heed , as unto light that shineth in a dark place , until the day dawn , and the day star arise in your hearts : and we are obliged by the voice of god , confirmed by uncontrolled miracles , not to give heed to any voice pretended , to give credit to new unnecessary and doubtful ones . the voice of god concerning any extraordinary person , under the old and new testament , was not spoken only to the person himself ( as it is in this case ) in private , but to several others in publick ; as you may see , exod. . mat. . act. . pet. . and the history of the transfiguration : these things as the apostles argue , were not done in a corner . the voice of god was agreeable alwaies to the dispensations that were then a foot , so that when they heard the voice , they had prophesies , precepts , and rules , directing them to the beleif and use of the voice , a particular defective in this case , where the dispensations of god amongst us , are so far from concurring with this pretended voice , that the established religion is inconsistent with it ; we having a compleat platform of the will of god conveighed to us by voices and signs from heaven that rendereth it needless , to have any more extraordinary revelations ( til the great day of the revelation of all things ) unless we ad mit menstruam & diurnam fidem , a new faith every month and day ; for what is this voice for , is it to confirm our faith ? that is already done , or we have been infidels all this while , and indeed know not when we shall be compleat christians , because we know not when these pretenders will have done ; is it to reform the corruption that hath overgrown religion in the theory and practice of it ? indeed the prophets under the old testament , had extraordinary voices to this purpose , but it was provided by the law of moses , in the time of the theocratia , that it should be so , and the paedagogy of the jews might look for it ; but it s not so under the gospel , whereby we are conjured not to be soon shaken in minde , either by spirit , or by word , or by letter , or by voice ; is it to beget faith ? signs , saith the apostle ( who had signs to confirm what he said ) are for unbelievers ; is it to supply any defect in natural causes ? this pretends not to it , the ordinary way of physicians , being together with phylosophy the ground of it , at the heighth in these times ; and however god never wrought a miracle for no other design , than to alter the course of nature . is it to do good to some particular persons ? god never miraculously did good to any particular , but with reference to the common good of mankinde ; shall we make providence so cheap , as to put it upon such mean offices , as helping the patient to another stool more than his physick could work ; to cure a poor body of a swelling , to save s. charge ? it s true , when god hath a great and suitable design to be carried on by miracles , he condescendeth to shew those miracles , in such charitable and good offices as these , but not barely for them : christ confirmed christian religion by healing here and there a poor person ; but neither he , or any other extraordinary person , came to the world with so low a design , as only to perform those cures . is it to set out this person for an eminent instance of heroick virtue and holiness ? besides that the man pretends not to such heroick attainments , his carriage being loose and like a good fellow , his religion latitudinary , his discourse unsavory , sometimes breaking out to oaths ( as i have been informed by a very discerning and honest person at the charter-house , who heard him in much passion say , that though the poor people that urged him to touch them , from the length of the journey they had taken to come to him , came from jerusalem , he would not , by his maker , meddle with them ) often incohaerent , faultring , and inconsistent ( an effect of the weakness of his memorie ) his converse and dealing with women , notorious and scandalous ; his privadoes and familiars , men of no great repute for common honesty ; and though our saviour conversed with publicans to convert them , he was not guided wholly by such men , to set them up in the world ; his falacies put upon poor people , as to the places of his abode palpable , his neglect of ordinary christian duties intollerable , his account of himself very various , broken and ambiguous . besides that , the holy men inspired of old time , approved themselves to the most knowing & discerning persons in the world ; yea , and addressed themselves upon any extraordinary occasions for advice ; whereas this man began and set up among the ignorant and rude part of mankinde , the irish , easily imposed on ; ( when he should by right have sate among the doctors , as the greatest worker of miracles did , and have answered them about the ground of this pretension , and have asked them questions ; ) not appearing among wise men in publick , till his feats had prevailed with the more ignorant in private : how much more agreeable had it been for him , upon the hearing of the pretended voice , to have repaired to some reverend divines and physicians , than to chat with his wife and some two or three old women , and then set up ; for it seems he told his wife the vision , and when she laughed at him , he trieth experiments upon her , and between them behinde the curtain was begot this great faculty . nay , and this voice was in his sleep too ( the season of sowing the devils tares ) and should every dreamer of dreams , practice in the world according to his visions on his bed , the whole world would require again , christs miraculous power of curing lunaticks , and that but twice ; notwithstanding that the doubts of men require the oftner promulgation of it : whereas all the real testimonies that ever god gave , were given as often as there was occasion for them . sir , but the man replyeth , that however wee are at liberty to dispute this extraordinary faculty of his , he was forced by an impulse and motion over all his body to exercise it . but considering how much impulse as they call it , is put out of countenance , and exploded , by reason of the horrid villainies at all times , especially of late , performed upon that ground : this pretence is worse than the other , there being nothing more desperate than a man given over to his own impulses , and inward motions , without any regard of religion , reason , laws , rules , and principles . and . the jolly man doth not look as if hee were much troubled with impulses . . he can be no more sure of his impulses being from god , than he was of the voice , and therefore this should not be any motive to him , to hearken to that : the impulse may bee a cheat as well as the voice . impulses being the method of satan , when hee reigned among the children of disobedience : i mean the heathens ; such as the sybils , the corybants , the bachides , the zabii , &c. god allowed no impulses for currant , under either the old testament , or new , but what were agreeable to , and made good by the established religion : if they speak not according to this word , it is because the truth is not in them . . god looks upon it , as contrary to the nature of man to be acted by brute impulses , and instincts , having hitherto led him to all his performances , by a rational discovery of the grounds , leading thereunto . . but of the madness of being guided by impulses , you may see in laureminus de melanchol . c. . casaubone , and dr. more , of enthusiasme : savanorola , c. . de aegrit . cap. hercules de saxonia de melancholiâ : burton's melancholly , meursius in apollonium : antonii ponte sancta cruz. prelectiones vallesolitanae in hyppocratem de morbo sacro ; arist. problems . antonius . bennivennius de abditis , m. causis , &c. sir , but why should we suspect a man that makes no advantage of his practise ? a. . he takes nothing in publick himself , but it hath cost some good round summes of mony to his followers , who are observed , to be noted projectors . john terril gent. expending l. to come at him , james bivion l. william feltiplace . and others to the number of that have expended above l. to follow this man. . he may have a greater design than mony ; let him gain reputation the first quarter , and he shall not fail of mony the next . . he borroweth mony of his patients though he takes none . . nay , what if it be proved that such as he , have those that maintain them , and hire them patients ; now the story about his great estate of l. a year , dwindling to a hundred , and he living at the rate of a thousand a year , being certainly kept by a party , and the patients hee produceth for his vouchers , being poor women and children , that no body knows whence they come , nor whither they go : the english understand too well now , what the preachers mean , that will take no tythes , and the physician that will take no fees . and the dullest nose may smell the matter , when hee heareth but this tradition of him , that being a member of an independant church , he was excommunicated thence , for pretending to this gift of heaven , and thereupon his gift left him , until being absolved , he was re-admitted at once to his church-priviledge , and his gift . sir , why is hee followed , if he bee but an impostor , why do not the people cry out against him , and the magistrates restrain him ? a. that the giddy multitude should follow any strange thing : that the english so notorious for their unsettledness , should gaze after a novelty at first : is no wonder , especially in such a year of expectation as this is : but they follow him not in any place so eagerly at first , as they leave him discontentedly at last : he is not so much cryed up in the places where he comes , as hee is cryed down in the places where hee hath been : and hee removes from place to place , not so much to communicate his virtue , as to save himself , being not known two nights together in one lodging : i , and whereas it might bee expected , that hee should come with certificates of recommendation , hee comes loaded with reproaches from each place where he hath been . and if the deluded souls reply , as some very blasphemously do , that that was our saviours case ( for no less a parallel will do . ) we answer , that our saviour being to alter old customes , to cross mens lusts , to overthrow their laws and government , to prejudice their carnal interest , to reprove and reform their vices and corruptions , by the religion to be confirmed by his miracles , was reproached indeed for the religion hee taught , but all that saw him reverenced him for the miracles he did . his miracles being equally recorded and owned among jews and heathens , and among christians ; their affection and interest , as it is clear , carrying them to speak the worst of his person , when their hearts and consciences thought best of the actions done by him , as appears in divers places of scripture . but this man pretends to nothing that grieves or disobligeth men , crosseth no mans opinion , stands in no mans way , onely takes on him to help the miserable and afflicted , and to do good , and yet is cried upon not certainly because he doth such innocent things , as cure a tooth-ache , help the eye-sight , launce a sore , which good old women have practised these many years , without any clamor against them , but because he pretendeth these things and doth them not ; and so puts an injury upon people , which they are most impatient of , called by them a cheat. and to make it evident that this whole affair is but a cheat , i 'le not instance in the , that have been deluded by him in ireland , the west , in warwick-shire , and other places , nor those at whitehall , st. james , lambeth , westminster , fleetstreet , bread-street , cheapside , foster-lane , that make horrid complaints of his undecent and intollerable handling of all their parts ; of his pinching , rubbing , chafing , and lancing their sores , of his inflaming of their blood and humors , and rendring many of them by cutting them and other wayes , incurable : not to tell you , that there is not a man , woman or childe , that may be trusted , and are well known , that is the better for him ; that all that he doth , is but by raising peoples imaginations , especially the weaker sort , by rubbing and chafing , to scatter the humor for the present to the patients little ease , till it returneth with more violence after the chafing than ever : i say , not to instance in any thing but what i have seen . this mr. greatrates was at one capt. cressets in charter house-yard , the , , and of march , there several people applying themselves to him , some he would not take notice of , notwithstanding that he had an impulse , and could not but heal and doe good : others he could not help , he said , although he pretended his second voice commissioned him to heal all diseases : others he directed to some impertinent means , as to wash their sore eyes in fair water , and it may be he said , god might do them good . one that was almost blinde , he directed to some frivolous remedy , adding what every body saw , that god in time would make him blinde . others that were deafish , he rubbed and chafed , poking in their ears , leaving them after all that within three hours in the same condition he found them . but one poor fellows case there is , more eminent than any that i have heard of , except the gentlewoman in austin-fryers , and the gentleman of harrow of the hill. the poor man , a member of the charter-house , being a little troubled with a sore knee , and so little that he did but just take notice of it , must needs address himself to him : he pincheth and launceth the poor man , the sore gangrenes , the worthy doctor bevoir , physician to that house , and mr. harrison the chirurgeon , are sent for to the fellow , who within a day after takes his bed : they gave him over almost for dead ; yet using all means possible for his recovery , with the blessing of god upon their endeavours , and incredible care and pains , they stop the gangrene , set the man past danger , though he be like to be long bed-rid . greatrates heard of this , and comes to the man , and would have been tampering with him , but the man would not endure him , charging him with his blood , if he had died , and wishing him no more to delude the people . if he hath not the grace to make good use of this instance , to undeceive himself , who as i told you , i hoped rather deluded than a deluder , and the world : certainly the magistrate , who would not hinder any man from doing any good he can pretend to , will take care that he do no more mischief : and the people being now convinced , how easily they may be deceived , will take care whom they follow . but as the athiest , thinking our saviour did all his miracles by the power of mens imaginations , say that christ , so some people say this man cannot do any miracles because of mens unbelief . ah that any christian should talk so , who must needs know , that the meaning of that passage about christ , is not that christ could not work miracles , because men believe not , but that he could not prevail with himself to do what he could , and that it is not the want of imagination or fancy which is indeed enough to set up a juggler , whereof the a jewes had good store ; but of the grace of faith , which was the condition of embracing , and benefiting by a saviour , that rendred them uncapable of his miracles : and can the man blame men for want of faith , when they see nothing that deserveth it ; or was he so weak as to undertake miracles , which yet he could not perform , unless men believed he could do that which no man ever saw hee could ? it is well the folly is grown so notorious , that it hath no other plea than this , that he cannot cheat the people , if they will not trust him . but his jack-puddings , i mean his vouchers , and familiars ( who have been caught in fearful untruths about him , and his acquaintance with friars , hee speaking one thing and they another ; he saying hee had not heard from such a man in eight years , and one of his followers shewing a letter hee had from him in eight daies ; hee shewing how hee had cured one with a stroke , and one of his comerades asking the man unawares , how his pill , glister , and plaister wrought last night ; hee pretending to pray all day , and yet one of his zanies saying , to take off from him the suspition of a phanatick , that hee was none of them that spent their time in canting , whining , and praying : ) i say , his disciples alledged for him , that the apostles could not work some miracles that they attempted , to which we answer , that possibly they could not , where they had no commission , as they had not but in some cases before our saviours resurrection ; and if for that reason he can cure no disease , let him say so ; or possibly they might by unbelief , whereof they were too frail in christs life time , provoke god to suspect the virtue which they really had ; shall a pretender thence argue for want of that power which hee never had ? let him shew us that he can do any thing that the apostles did , and wee will bear with him , if hee fails only in what they failed in ; however this is certain , we believe christ and the apostles could do more miracles , than in some cases they would ; wee see jugglers would do in all cases , more miracles than they could . sir , now you may expect i should adde a line touching his crasis or temperature ; some giving out that dr. more should say of him , that he saw nothing in him diabolical , little divine , all humane , and that he might do some feats , by virtue of his crasis or complexion . but the man hath done nothing worthy such an inquiry , and we should be as ridiculous as he , should we discourse the ground of that mans actions , that can do nothing ; only as to that surmise of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as paracelsus calleth it , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. a just and equal temperament and complexion , that may enable men to work wonders , besides that it is the old atheists obsolete cavil against christs miracles that he did that by the extraordinarily exact complexion of his humane nature , which all that saw , confessed done by the power of the divine ; either this complexion is the complexion of all men , and then every man could do feats , as every herb of a kinde will cure ; or of some , and then i wonder we have not yet been told , either by god or men , what are those individual qualifications that constitute this complexion ; and if there be some secret healing virtues in men , as well as in plants , stones , and herbs , as the factors of this opinion alledge out of * pomponatius and others , how can they heal all diseases any more than these , how comes the one to be a real panacea and catholicon , when they cannot be so ; how ? a virtue in man to cure all diseases , that is not in any herb ; if it cure the dropsie , how doth it relieve the feavour ; what natural virtue is that , that may be applied to the infinite contrarieties that are in the nature of man ? if because other creatures have , man should have a healing quality ; then certainly as their quality is limited to certain diseases , one thing good for one disease , and another for another , so should man 's * too . doeth not say some , the torpedo stiffen a mans hand by a bare touch ? doth not the hiena strike dogs dumb with the shaddow ? doth not the serpent die with the stroke of an oaken leaf ? do not the strings of the wolves guts , make those of the lambs flie to peeces with a touch ? alexanders casting a sweet perfume , and the jews a stink round about them ? the carcass bleeding at the touch of the murderer ? the cures by sympathy ? and why may not a man then do feats by bare stroaking and touch ? as much as is true of these and many more like instances of this nature , may bee referred to that sympathy and antipathy , that may bee between these things that thus strangely touch one another , which cannot be imagined between any man and all men in the world ; and alexanders aromatick smell is but a peece of flattery on the one hand ( as cardans imagination to that purpose of himself , was but a fancy ) as the jews stink is but the invention of malice on the other . true as others argue , some creatures can do mischief with a breath or touch , but that they can therefore heal , doth not follow , it being easie to do mischief , but not so easily to cure it ; and malum est ex quolibet defectu , when bonum is only ex intergrâ causû . and as true as they urge , that imagination may do much upon people , that fancy great matters of a man , it may gather up a mans fear , desire , hope , and other affections , with the spirit and blood that may be moved by them , and remove or scatter an humour for the present , as many have known by exrience ; yea , and by chance being very strong , cure a light sore , but usually the humours return more violently after they have been disturbed , and settle incurably ; as an * excellent author , in a book written to that purpose , hath by many examples made evident ; and so it happeneth in most of this mans cures . sir , had apollonius the heathen been among us , to make his dog lick all diseases to a curing , himself curing the dog at last , which was done by compact with the devil , appearing under the shape of that dog , wee could have judged it witchcraft : had the same heathen here , as in the temple of esculapius , cured a man of the dropsie , by prescribing him temperance , we had thought it a peece of good morality ; had the same man for the heathens ( in whom the devil prevailed so much , before christ cast him out of their temples , oracles , persons , and hearts , by greater wonders than hee could pretend to ) out-went in juggles , wonders , enchantments , any of our modern pretenders , freed us from the plague , as he did the ephesians , by making them all meet in a theatre , to stone an old beggar , which he called the plague , and wiser men know a devil , the very devil that brought , carrying away that pestilence , god permitting him then to exercise his power , as prince of the air , to that purpose , wee had concluded it magick . did hee among us raise people when dead , wee should discern , that they were onely in a trance , and that the pretended resurrection had been but a contrivance . had a mahumetan given men stools and vomits by stroaking them , as the man of smyrna did , wee would have searched his pockets , and have found the doses there . had alvarez the spanyard endeavoured among us , to cure men with apotelesmes or figures , agreeable to the aspect of heaven at our birth , wee had laughed at him for an almanack-maker . had paracelsus applyed the secret vertues of things secretly to patients , wee had commended his phylosophy ; onely for his pretence to heal by a rub , wee had questioned his honesty . had fonsieca kept the bird gagalus in his chamber here , and prentended to cure the jaundice with the stroke , the simple would have admired his performance , when wiser men might discern his applying of natural causes together , though pretending a supernatural cure . if lindan would desire onely a drop of a wounded mans blood , after hee had stroked him , and so cure him , we have learned now , that the stroke is but a formality to amuse people , and that the blood by sympathy doth the cure . if cerdon pretends to dissolve all tumors with a touch , and by a legerdemain dazelling the eyes , conveyes oyntment &c. to the tumours insensibly wee would call it a juggle , and not a cure . in a word , should a man have familiarity and make a compact with satan , and should the lord per● satan to work some strange things , not that satan can do any thing above nature ; but that hee may do many things that seem to us above nature , because above our understanding , it might exercise and try our faith ; if a man had some secret skill in heavenly influences , upon mens bodies , and could counterfeit that with a stroke of his hand , which is really done by the influence of a star , he might exercise our phylosophy : had a man skill in the secret vertues of things , and could secretly do cures by applying these vertues insensibly , while hee doth nothing but touch men seemingly : it would bee some satisfaction to our curiosity ; did a man understand some critical times , and take them to perform his feats ; wee might discern some reason in it . if the salutators of spain , or the sons of the passover in holland , would bid men here , as they do there , drink wine lustily , and bee healed ; lye with such a mans wife , and bee healthful , eat the bread that they chew , and recover ; go into the fire , and bee cured of a feaver , touch the seventh male-childe of a man that had no female between , and be well of the dropsie : it would bee worth the while to consider what they do ; but for a man to pinch , lance , and rub people , and after all this stirre , not to be able to shew , one knowing or sober person , ( women and children being not capable of understanding how they are cured , and hee deals most in such ) or one credible person , many of those that are under his being capable of being tampered with , and corrupted , to own that to be done by his touch , which may be done by physick privately given , and other means . and there is no other reason to be assigned for his stroaking one day , and the peoples being cured many daies after , when miracles may bee done in an in stant ( nothing respecting infinite power , ) but this , that hee may act the miracle-monger upon a man one day , and practice chyrurgery upon him afterward , till hee comes and voucheth , that hee hath been cured by the stroaker . or one near , that a man may see , we being usually remitted for proof of his power , to instances of . or miles distance ; the londoner being sent to be satisfied in dublin , and the men of dublin being sent to london , or both to cornwall . or one perfectly cured ; rubbing , chafing , and stroaking some sores , with the patients strong imagination , working some slight alteration of the humour , but not a cure ; driving it from place to place , but not removing it . or one cured by stroaking onely , and not by some accident , happening about the stroaking time ; a man is sea-sick going over to england , and is stroaked , his sea-sickness easeth him of the matter of his disease , the stroak hath the reputation of it : a man is troubled with the head-ache , is stroaked , and sleeping well that night , findes ease , and cryeth up the miracle . accidents may perform many of his slight cures , and yet he have the credit of it . when i say , an obscure man in loose and troublesome times , of a suspitious education and course of life , shall undertake in the face of three nations , what hee can produce no warrantable ground to attempt , nor any considerable power to perform , what is it but an evidence of the just judgement of god upon us , to make us now as ridiculous by our credulity to these simple pretensions , as we have been odious by others more dangerous and more sub●le : to keep up the french surcasme , that we are a b●dlam still , and not a kingdome : and to justifie wise mens fears , that wee shall bee so tossed to and fro , and so distracted by the various pretensions of deceivers , in church and state , that every juggler may impose on us , and every mountebanck put his tricks upon us : an intollerable reproach to so wise , and understanding a nation as the english were reputed in former ages ? what is it to see a plain fellow draw after him , some noble-men , many courtiers , a few clergy-men , several magistrates , all sorts of citizens , people of all ages , sexes , and conditions , in spight of the ill report of him , where-ever he hath been , the great mischief they see him do , and the little good they either see or hear , but to warn us of the just judgements wee may still fear upon us , in that god ( as his manner is with people devoted to ruine ) seems to make the first stroake at our heads and understanding . what is it for a man to take on him to work miracles in the name of god , when yet hee doth but play the chyrurgion , chafing and cutting peoples sores , without any word or thought of god , discoursing with standers by in the mean time , about the pictures in the room , or the like subject ; whence a poor fellow i spake with , said : that his heart misgave him , hee could do no good , because hee spake not a serious word , all the while hee was launcing him , not once mentioning or thinking of the god , by whose power hee pretends to heal . but to teach how easie a matter it is for one to obtrude what doctrines and practices they please upon the inconsiderate and undiscerning part of man-kinde , in the name of god , especially , when ungrounded in the true waies of that god , and the sober principles of his religion ; and an argument when men have quitted solid principles , how easily they are ensnared with slye appearances , having no rules to judge of those appearances ; for a man to pretend a voyce from heaven in a nation that hath the whole will of god as far as it concerns them , published amongst them in the compleat canon of the scripture , and being taught of god not to gaze up to heaven for voyces thence , the will of god being nigh them , in their mouths and in their hearts , and for people to follow him , what is it but to declare , that after christianity hath been amongst us years , and the clearest and most powerfull publications of it for these last years , of any in the world , to our shame we are yet unsetled and wavering , like a wave of the sea upon every blast of winde . what is it but a fulfilling on us of gods sore judgement mentioned , tim. . . that because men of itching ears , and curious mindes turned from the truth , they should be given to fables , and to give heed to doctrines of devils . what can it be , but a tryal how far we are fitted for enthusiasmes , and all the delusions of the latter dayes ; enthusiasm preparing people for all the bad impressions that can be made upon men , by men or devils ; that being indeed his throne when he played rex among the heathens , and may do among any upon whom he hath a design to reduce them to heathenisme . what may it be but an essay , what amulets , charms , crosses , holy waters , periapts , characters , and other romish feats , might doe , if they were set up again at wolverhampton , st. james , &c. and in the name of st. hugh , cure feavers , of st. joyce cured dropsies , of st. dennis the pox , as they have a saint for every disease ; and whether as williams writ to holden , the english nation be not in a fit temper to be wrought upon at this time . what is it but the praelude to the last effort of diabolical illusions ( coming to try all those that dwell upon the face of the earth ) in judaisme , mahometanisme , heathenisme , enthusiasme , and what is a mixture of all these papism ; to see whether wee are throughly taken off from the wisedome and power of sober religion , and sufficiently prepared by scepticism , itching after novelty , weariness of sound doctrine , unpeaceableness and discontent of spirit , unwarrantable curiosities in philosophy and religion , illusions and appearances in opinions and practises , wilde and distracted notions and enthusiasms , unmortified and unbounded lusts , atheism and prophaneness , canting , toning , and wording religion into noise , forms , and gestures , breaking the community of church and state into parties and factions ; the ignorance and noise of common teachers , that understand not the grounds of the religion they preach ( and may be imposed on in the scripture , whose original they understand not ) that wrest scripture to what it never meant , and make quid libet ex quo libet , that set up a parcel of formal words , as faith , spirit , gifts , edification , out-goings , in dwellings , &c. instead of real and solid a religion : the implicite faith got up among protestants , as well as papists , to follow some men through thick and thin , having their faith wholly with respect of persons ; the looseness of professors so inconsistent with christian purity ; the peoples attending prophesies , and expecting strange events , rather than learning and practising their plain duty ; their uncontentedness with their present condition , i say , what is this practise , but an essay made to try how far we are prepared by these foresaid particulars , for the universal apostacy , so much feared in the latter daies ? to say no more , if because the man is but only bold enough to pretend strange cures , hee is so much followed by the undiscerning multitude ; what if he could really perform them ; as the devil , now we are so willing , is ready and able enough , if god should permit him and lengthen his chain , to work any of these cures perfectly by this mans stroaking ? what if he could cure every body he toucheth ? as he might , if satan , finding him so willing would assist him ? how would all the nations run wondering after him ? sir , since hee performeth not , as you see the cures hee pretends to , and if he did , it might be so many waies ( as i have hinted to you ) privately used , though the stroaking be all that is seen , that we need not put god upon making his miracles so cheap , as to perform the part of a chirurgion and quack , without any further design , fix we with all sober people upon this resolution . that true miracles , or the altering of the course a of nature by god , who alone can do it , are the greatest testimonies , that god useth to evidence his presence ( otherwise invisible ) with any doctrine or person , sent by him to the world . that if god should assist a man to work miracles , that hath no divine truth to confirm , nor any suitable design to carry on by them , as this man hath not , but possibly may be in an error , as this man may be , men could not be sure when miracles confirm truth and when they do not ; for by this it should seem they might go along with truth in one man and with error in another , and so men should see the greatest assurances they have of gods being with any doctrine attending the looser and the stricter opinions of men , the indifferency of the latitude-man . and the heat of the zealot ; and so men that had a certain way of intercourse with god , and discerning of his voice , by the miracle , that so solemnly attended his voice , will loose it , if miracles be wrought by all sorts of men , upon every petty and trivial occasion . god doth not work such a miracle as this is , that is produce an effect without any second causes , but for some very considerable design ; for otherwise , as a learned man observeth , when god works miracles , they would not bee taken notice of , nor thought to bee an alteration of the course of nature , but only some rare contingencies , that lye hid in the order of causes , but only break out at some times . that if a simon magus , and apollonius , a barchochebas , david el david , or any other pretender , should hereafter presume to work miracles among us , upon the impunity of this undertaker ; we may judge of him by these rules , and criterions , whereby true miracles may be discerned from false . a though jugglers may do much to work upon mens mindes in appearances , and magicians more , when permitted by the divine providedce in reality ; yet there is such an evidence attending divine miracles , as after much jealousie and suspition may convince men that they are of god ; moses his miracles , after much contest with the magicians of aegypt , being owned as the effects of the finger of god ; and christs as things that evidence him the son of god ; whereas there is nothing above the art of man , and the power of nature in any miracle , since those of christ and his primitive followers . divine miracles are done without means , forms , rites , ceremonies , cuttings , lancings , plaisters , &c. sine ullâ vi carminum , sine herbarum aut graminum succis , sine ullâ aliquâ observatione sollicitâ , sacrorum , libaminum , temporum — sine ullis adminiculis rerum , sine ullius ritus observatione vel lege non inquiro non exigo ( saith arnobiis , whose rule this is ) quis deus , aut quo tempore , cui fuerit auxiliatus , aut quem fractum restituerit sanitati , illud solum audire desidero , an sine ullius adjunctione materiae , i. e. medicaminis alicujus ad tactum morbos jusserit ab hominibus evolare : which words amount in brief to this ; that cure is divine , that is done without observations , prescriptions , and applications ; otherwise , cures performed by means ( saith hee ) are beneficia rerum , non curantium potestates , to heal men by prescriptions , applications , and ordinary operations , arguing no extraordinary power at all in the prescriber or operator ; but an ordinary vertue in the prescription or operation : and it 's observed as an argument of christs divine power , that he practised not on sleight sores , but on the most acute , chronical , and malignant diseases : some learned physicians affirming those diseases our saviour cured , incurable by the ordinary way of physick and chyrurgery , and all this with a word , a touch of himself , or garment , a thought , or such means mystically chosen , as naturally would rather ( as the clay and spittle to open blind mens eyes ) improve the disease than heal it . . * divine miracles are done in an instant , nothing being able to oppose , and consequently to delay the workings of a god. those that wrought miracles formerly did some of them indeed in time , and by degrees , to comply with the weakness of men , ( i mean such as looked upon them , that they might discern the manner of working as well as the work it self ) but they did most instantly , to evidence the power of god. . * true miracles were most commonly done under the open ayre , in fields and publick places , before both those that favoured the person , that wrought the miracles , and those that opposed him ; in such a manner as there should be no suspicion of any private dealing or compact ; usually the people that most suspected the person , bringing him patients , and those patients afterwards so far from following the healer as his confaederates , that we hear no more of most of christs followers , but that they blessed god for their cure , and went to their respective homes . . * we read of none that wrought miracles in scripture , but that they could and did confer that gift upon others , and pitched not upon rich , but poor , not upon knowing but simple persons , not at all versed in matters of art or subtlety , that they should work miracles likewise fine fucis & adminiculis , without any fraud or assistance . . * neither were the miraculous cures onely little eases for the present , but perfect and compleat cures , and that not of one or two of that are touched , but of all , divine power never failing , nothing being impossible with god. . divine miracles being the seals of divine truth , and the only way that poor men that cannot see god , and yet must hear from him , or perish , have to know whether god speaketh to them really or not , must be wrought onely by an infallible person , otherwise poor mortals may as well be infected in their mindes by the errors of those that touch them , as they are cured in their bodies by their powers . . there are prophecies , and other divine dispensations , that make way for divine miracles , and the jewes had not been under so great a sin , for not embracing christ for his miracles , had not the prophecies that went before of him , the nature of the mosaical dispensation to be removed by him , the condition of mankind expecting to be improved by him , made it necessary for them to look for such a thaumaturgh , as he was before he came , and to believe in him , when they saw by his works that he was come . whereas now the state of things being fully compleated , and wee being not to have any revelations from god untill the last day , nay being bid by that last and perfect will of god , confirmed by miracles , to look for impostures and lying wonders , to try our faith ( whether we will neglect the miracles wrought already to gape after new ones ) but no more true miracles than those wrought by and his primitive followers , to confirm it : we need not trouble our selves so much to finde out whether a man that pretends miracles doth work them or no , as conclude such a suddain , ungrounded , and unwarrantable pretence its self , as against the present state of things in the christian chruch , where he that looketh for prodigies , true religion being settled in the world by uncontrouled miracles , is saith st. augustine a prodigy himself . . * divine miracles make divine impressions upon the mindes of those that believe them : there was no miracle whereof we have any undoubted record ( excepting the a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or lying wonders of antichrist , that come to bring men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the deceivableness of unrighteousness ) but were wrought to render men more holy , to work in men clearer apprehensions of god , to overthrow the power of satan , that hid himself amongst jugglers and wonder-mongers , some thousands of years in the time of mens ignorance ; to improve humane nature , and those wonders that have no other effect upon men than to make them talk , admire , gaze , and dispute , and pretend nothing more than the saving the little charge of physician and chyrurgeon , are certainly as low in the power that works them , as in the design that is aimed at by them : and it being a matter of too much curiosity for common heads to inquire into the nature of a miracle in it self , and to know exactly when nature hath gone in a thing as far as it can ; and when a supernatural cause raiseth it to what it self cannot doe ; it 's the safest and the onely certain way left men in this case , not to pore on the thing done , but to look to the agent , his design , his pretence , and see whether the man be likely to do so much good in the world , as that god should bear witness to his person and proceedings . and indeed it is a great help to discern things of this nature , to understand the condition of the people , that either practise or promote them ; and as much as you see of gods goodness impressed on their a souls , so much of his power , you may believe , going along with their actions , if they savour of no more than ordinary men , in the one , yee may be sure they are no more than ordinary men in the other ; and if there bee any extraordinary evil principle of loosness to bee discerned in their lives , there may bee suspected as extraordinary an evil principle of jugling in their practices ; if the vouchers of this practise among us , bee people of no credit , and people that have writ for , and maintained the worst practises , and cheats , that were amongst us , these twenty years : i need say no more , than that in an age , wherein from the rash believing of every thing wee are come seriously to believe nothing ; epicharmus his old rule , will not bee unseasonable , viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with which in compliance with the time of night , and the importunity of your messenger , i will conclude , when i have told you , that there are in spain you know some souldiers , of this gentlemans profession , called salutators , who pretend to heal all sores with a touch , the application of white linnen , and this form of per christum & cum christo : et in christo est tibi deo patri omnipotenti , in unitate spiritus sancti omnis honor , & gloria per omnia secula seculorum oremus , salutaribus praecept is moniti , & divina institutione formali audemus dicere , pater noster qui es in coelis , &c. amen . iesus potentia patris , sapientia filii , virtus spiritus sancti sanet hoc vulnus ab omni malo . amen . iesus domine mi iesu christe , credo quod nocte jovis sancti in caena , post quam lavastipedes tuorum sanctorum discipulorum ; accepisti panem sanctissimis manibus suis , & benedixisti & fregisti , & dedisti tu is sanctis discipulis , dicens accipite & comedite , hoc enim est corpus meum , similiter accepisti calicem in sanctissimas manus , & gratias egisti , & tradidisti illis dicens ; accepite & bibite , quia hic est meus sanguis novi testamenti , qui pro mult is effundetur in remissionem peccaterum hoc quotiescunque feceris , facite in meam commorationem , obseero te domine milesu christe ut per haec sanctissima verba , & per virtutem illorum , & per meritum sanctissimae passionis tuae , sanetur hoc vulnus , & malum istud . a usen iesus . in nomine patris & filii , & spiritus sancti . amen iesus . and these people though at first allowed , because one or two of the first of them seemed to bee serious men , and men of estates , and because they pretended the publick good , and took no mony , are now severely prohibited . . because they are a lewd people , unlikely to have that commerce with god they pretend to . . because they are but loose , and unsettled in religion , and would render others so . . because they made the people tempt god to do that by an extraordinary way of miracles , which he had appointed to bee done in the ordinary way of means and physick . . because they had seduced people to the neglect of the ordinary means of their preservation , to the danger of many peoples lives . . because they brought the curse of god upon poor people , many having confessed , that they perished under the just hand of god , for having any thing to do with these salutators . . because they were abetted by desperate men of dangerous principles and practises . . because they took the name of god in vain , and abused his word to superstitious purposes . . because they performed no real , or lasting cures . . because they distracted the peoples thoughts and prepared them for diabolical illusion and ma gick . . because many of them could do nothing till they had well drunk ( a pottle of sack , being required to a miracle , when they pretended that they were inspired ) and had with them a madde dogge . . because they gave occasion to strange discourses about the miracles of christ and his followers , and so overthrew the great ground of faith. . because they perswaded people to do themselves mischief , that they might do cures . . because there were several instances brought in of their confederacies , impostures , and juggles . in fine , because they did a world of mischief , and but little good . because some of them were convicted of familiarity with satan : because the pretence and cheat , by reason of the curiosity of some , and necessity of others , was spreading : because these miracle-mongers proved at last athiests , apostates , or hereticks , because it took people off their callings , spending their time in vanities : because some of them were enthusiastical : because they set many others upon unlawful distracting , and intollerable courses to attain that gift : because they were mostly men of bad looks : because they took men off their art , industry , and skill , pretending to that in physick , that gifted men do in divinity , both with a design to overthrow the standing ordinance , and order of god. all these the articles against them in the bishop of ypres court , and in other ecclesiastical and civil courts , to be considered by all sober christians . but what need , you will say , all this , when mr. stubbs himself in a a book written in the mans behalf , hath sufficiently laid open his pretence ; for indeea upon perusing that book , i finde , that the ground b of this strange attempt , is but an impulse , and some chat thereupon between him , his wife , and a poor woman of the village . that the man observing how his stroking c was ineffectual upon some diseases , betook himself , without any voice or impulse , to incision . that d dean rust being solemnly employed by my lord conway , to bring him from ireland to the lady conway , he came , and could do her no good . that some say his body smells strongly , but mr. stubbs found it not so , which if it did , there is nothing extraordinary in the case . that notwithstanding the pretended vertue of his body , together with the pinching , rubbing and cutting of peoples sores , and the peoples imagination fermenting the masse of blood , spirits , and humours , ( wherein lye all the diseases as mr. stubbes saith he pretends to cure , for he medleth not with any in whom nature is decayed ) all that he can do , is to ease people a little by pinching and rubbing an humour from one place to another , which mr. stubbes takes some paines to prove natural , ordinary , and not at all miraculous , by many instances ; e pag. , . . yea , and pag. , he concludes that the removing of a distemper from place to place , is the effect of nature invigorated , and not of his touch . . that there are none perfectly healed by him , one gentleman failing because he laid aside his cap too soon ; f another because the humour settled again into an aposthume : the maid that was struck dumb by a poyson , being able onely to cry ma for mother , for all his stroaking ; the gentlewoman that he went to dispossesse of a devil , when she was onely troubled with the winde , being still troubled with the collick ; and the rest of the simple people mentioned in that book , finding no other benefit of his rubbing , pinching , and cutting , than a little alteration , as they poor people imagine for the present . . and therefore mr. stubbes saith , that as he added lancing and pinching , without any extraordinary commission to his stroaking , when he saw it would not do , so hee added physick to his launcing ; for hee saw him apply eye salve to one persons eye , and he had leave of him to apply physick to others after his stroking ; so dividing the honour of the gift , that mr. greatrates touched , and mr. stubbes cured . and to say no more , i finde , that all that mr. stubbes can say for this pretender , is , that for ought he can guesse , by a few a hours converse with him , he may be a primitive christian , and a conformist , though no rigid one ; that there were formerly gifts of healing in the primitive times , which he proves out of i cor. . , . that the cheating souldiers called salutators in spain ; that pyrrhus , vespatian , simon magus , apollonius , and other heathens , that some turks , by a gift left them by mahomet , do feats of the same nature ; about whom mr. stubbes refers us b to delrio ; who indeed hath written six books of magick , not to approve , as a man would think by mr. stubbes his quotation , but to discover these legerdemains . and that he findes nothing in what he calls miracles , but what he undertakes to : salve by natural causes , pag. , , , . the effects whereof , by reason of the ignorance of some sort of people , may seem miraculous , which to others , more knowing , are ordinary , the sympathetick cure , and others of the same nature may bee thought conjuring by the vulgar , when they are known physick to phylosophers ; and therefore when i have intreated you to pardon the mistakes of a letter , that i have not time to read over ; i conclude , that though you and other reverend persons , may think charitably the man means no hurt , all men confess , as well as our society , that hee can do no good . march the th . . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a thes. . . b grotius cont. riv. c matth. . . d john . . a clem. rom. l. . recog . iren. . , . euseb. l. . c . epiph. haer . . sulpit. sever. sac. hist l. . just. martyr , apol. . zonar . tom . paul. diac. . hist. septem-castrensis . lib. vid. bellarm. de eccles. & ger. de eccles. b de prescript contr a haret . c. . et de anim. c. . * de distinctione verarum & salsarum visionum . mr. greatrates temper . * agrippa de occulta philosophia , l. . c. . & , . wierus de lamiis , c. , , . - zanchius de potentiâ daem . l. tom . . c. . donatus , l. . c. . de hist. medic . mirab . lemnius de occult nat. mir . l. . c. . cardan l. . de rerum varietate . camer . cent. c. . hor. subseciv fienus de viribus imaginationis . laurentius de melanchol philostratus vitâ apollon . l. . sennertus l. . p. . c. . de melancholiâ . benevenius de abditis rerum causis . g. fablicius cent. . observ. p. de sancta creuz . in hippocratem de morbo sacro zacuthus praxis admiranda . observations on the time of greatraies setting up this pretence of healing . * observations on his first attempt upon the kings-evil , and the reason of that , and his proceeding to other diseases . † vid primrosium de vulgatis erroribus , cap. ultimo . a a papist in prison being troubled with the kings-evil , and being cured by queen elizabeth after five years expence upon physicians , in vain , and being demanded what newes , i perceive , said he , now at last by plain experience , that the excommunication against the queen is of no effect , since god hath blessed her with such a gift . b vid. laurentium de mirabist flrumarum curatione . tackerum de chorismate , peùcerum de fascinatione . b st lewis of france not performing it till years after king edward begon it c vid ferrer . l. . me bc . . de homer . curat . the voice from heaven which he preterds twice to have heard . and his account of it , in a letter to the lord bishop of chester , examined . consideration touching the voice mr. greatrates heard . ● . . . the impulse that moved him to hearken to this voice considered . his taking no mony examined . his being followed examined . what cures he performed at the charter house . a fellow in the charterhouse which greatrates had almost killed , and how . a and our saviour wrought miracles on things that had no fancy , as the fig-tree , the dead , the water , the windes , the heavens , people at distances , the loaves . of the temper of the body , and whether some by virtue of their crasis or complexion , can work miracles , and of dr. mo●es opinion concerning him . vid. medin . . . c. . fol . fuse hanc questionem explicantentem . videsis etiam leon ! vairum . . de fascin . c. . * de in cant . c. . * besides if so , what need the pinching , stroking and cutting . * anan . l. . de nat . daemon . albert. mag. l. . de motu animal . which cures the jaundice at sight . vid. viarum de fascino . the danger of running after such pretenders as this greatrates . mr. stubbe saith , that nature hath , and may do more than his miracles pretend to . a whose right and genuine notions are lost . see mr. patricks excellent book , called the pilgrim . and i fear men will not bee more than ordinarily careful , in opening the genuine meaning of such fundamental words in religion , as faith , spirit , &c. now so much wrested and abused , by the ignorance and interest of modern preachers and hearers , the whole is like to run into gibberish and enthusiasm , as by the mistake of the fundamental words ; religion of old was turned into mythology and gentilism . vid. voss. de idol . a the devil may do strange things , and what we would think were above nature , but nothing really so . a rules to discern true miracles from false . this third rule is drawn from the history of moses , elisha , elias , and our saviours miracles . and this th . and this th . and this th . * miracles indeed are gratia gratis data , but seldom performed by any but such as were at the time of the working of them under the power of gratia gra●um faciens : for to what end should god shew himself by a wicked mans hand who denycth him in his life . a vid. grotius in thes. . . in opusculis . a judas might work m●racl●● and the m●n that christ knew no● might pretend they hed wrought them , bu● ne●●ther since they le●t christ , or were cast off by him . the reason why the salutators of spain have been restrained and punished . vid. mallevt̄ tract . de mortissimis . a called the miraculous conformist . b page the . of that book . c page . d page . e of the said poole , where he sheweth how nature and art doth as much as mr. greatrates pretendeth to f the gentleman at my lord co●wayes , wh●m hee pinched from place to place to no purpose . a page , . . he saith he had not the happiness to converse with him long . b the substance whereof together with , &c. the late censors deservedly censured; and their spurious litter of libels against dr. greenfield, and others, justly expos'd to contempt by the following answer to all, but especially the last, intituled, a reply to the reasons against the censors of the college of physicians, &c. humbly offer'd to the perusal of dr. thomas burwell, richard torles, william daws, thomas gill, the late censors. by lysiponius celer m.d.l. groeneveldt, jan, ?- ?. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing g b estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the late censors deservedly censured; and their spurious litter of libels against dr. greenfield, and others, justly expos'd to contempt by the following answer to all, but especially the last, intituled, a reply to the reasons against the censors of the college of physicians, &c. humbly offer'd to the perusal of dr. thomas burwell, richard torles, william daws, thomas gill, the late censors. by lysiponius celer m.d.l. groeneveldt, jan, ?- ?. [ ], p. printed for the author, and are to be sold by b. billingsley at the printing-press under the royal exchange in cornhill, london : . "dr. greenfield" and lysiponius celer m.d.l. = jan groeneveldt. the words "thomas .. gill" are bracketed together on title page. his defense against members of the college of physicians, many of whose members regarded him as a quack. cf. dnb. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng groeneveldt, jan, ?- ? -- early works to . quacks and quackery -- early works to . medicine -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - robyn anspach sampled and proofread - robyn anspach text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the late censors deservedly censured ; and their spurious litter of libels against dr. greenfield , and others , justly expos'd to contempt : by the following answer to all , but especially the last , intituled , a reply to the reasons against the censors of the college of physicians , &c. humbly offer'd to the perusal of dr. thomas burwell , dr. richard torles , dr. william daws , dr. thomas gill , the late censors . and to the expiring censure of d r charles goodal . by lysiponius celer m. d. l. si mihi pergit , quae volt , dicere ; ea , quae non volt , audiet . ter. andr. london : printed for the author , and are to be sold by b. billingsley at the printing press under the royal exchange in cornhill , . the preface to the reader , to whom it may concern . my intention , is not to expose physick , but those who have done it : they are indeed of the faculty , and i am sorry for it . the twelve tho select , yet had one traitor among them ; and is it strange that a greater number should contain a less proportion of vnworthy ? whoever reproacheth an art for the crime of an artist , condemns his own ; for none is exempt : he that chargeth me with anothers fault , is as guilty as my self of the fact , and justly of the slander . but if i must suffer in my art , whilst publickly opposing the censors violence ; 't is by ends , not true judgment must be the occasion . they have acted ill ; what is that to the faculty or college ? suppose four of it had jointly been felons , must all the rest be thieves ? they have indeed exposed the college , but originally by passion ; they persist in their injustice , supported by pride : but some do the same with an intent to destroy it . they have evidenced their spight against one , shew their teeth at some few : but others strike at all , whether in or against their interest . what mean else those libels publickly dispersed to the disgrace of the faculty ? the authors ridicule physicians ; a pretty way to secure themselves from contempt : they are extreamly just to themselves , whilest injust to the art they pretend to , and as qualified for wit and railery , as the late censors were for their office. 't is meer baregarding stuff , like that of the pretended great defender of an art he neer learned , tho ever teaching it . i am sorry to see so great a body buckle to one whose only indeavour is , by indirect means to make himself great , when justly he cannot . this knight errant in physick , defends he knows not what ; attacks he can't tell whom ; and hates all but his dulcigna , his sweet imaginary greatness ; hath nothing of his own , but what no one would claim : but this plagiary jackdaw may e're long be plum'd by a leaden dr. it's wings clipt , and it's self exposed to the contempt of boys ; because it pretends to soar with the eagles : there are notwithstanding , and will be still honest physicians of the college , in spight of all forreign oppositions , or intestine broils . all bodies , by the instigation of some few boutefeus , may be guilty of mismanagement ; none are exempt from fault : pray allow us but to be equally obnoxious with the rest of mankind . all then i desire is , that there may be a difference put between the innocent and guilty , as i have endeavour'd it in my tract ; which whether it will please you with the preface i know not : all will neither be pleasing to , nor understood by all : but take it as you please to understand it : i shall soon be out of pain ; either by slighting both criticisms and resentment , or by a speedy answer . september , . lysiponius celer . the late censors deservedly censured , &c. the worthy late censors , after so many fruitless attempts , to exempt themselves from the justice of the law ; being baffl'd in all their applications , either to his majesty , the right honourable the lords , or other inferiour courts and persons ; and finding that the more they stir , the more they are bemir'd and stink : have now at last , as their utmost effort , bethought themselves of the late expedient of popularity . in order hereunto , to support their tottering credit and cause , they oblige the world with a single sheet for three pence ; intituled it as if addressed to the highest court of justice : and being frustrated in all their appeals , make it now to the mob , make them their judges and peers . they take no notice of their own remarks upon the prosecutors reasons , nor of his reply ; being asham'd of the one , and justly afraid of the other . for that reply , as it fully answers all their idle pretences , hath been satisfactory to the lords and commons ; so cannot be answer'd , containing only matters of fact , backt with irrefragable reasons , and shrew'd circumstances ; confirm'd by oaths of credible persons : which last , is the highest argument of truth in any , but such , who to palliate their evident injustice , have still , this their only recourse , to that crambe biscocta , their oaths and consciences , in opposition to the laws and justice of the nation . furthermore , being fully convinc'd , that no one of the late censors could endite even so silly a paper as i am about to answer , for reasons best known to them that know them ; i was at last forc'd to conclude , that it must be the product of a noddle ever tipsy with good-ale , and brains still crowing by the seminal influence of some hundreds of eggs devour'd anno vertente , which unless check'd by cortex and opium , had e're now grown fledg'd : especially if you consider the stile , so like that of the publick betrayer of the state , maxims and secrets of the college , and to use his own words so inimical to truth and sincerity , more then ( in his own great sence ) unprepared cantharides can be to the body . yet retaining some respect to their seeming gravity and qualifying sadness , though now out of the santo officio , not coopt up in the inquisition chamber , but breathing the free air as yet ; i waited and sought in the publick papers a required recantation : this three penny sheet , as well as the two penny state of physick , meriting at least an equivocating denyal . but seeing now they own it , and their sour temper cannot be alter'd , and continues nettled at good usage ; they must be crush'd to make them inoffensive , seeing they sting when tenderly handled . and tho' that paper deleterious to it self doth , like other poisons , carry it 's own antidote with it , answering it self by it's own nonsence , contradictions and falshood , to any unbiassed reader that hath been inform'd of this affair ; yet for the sake of those that are distant from town , and out of the reach of their heptamiliary quondam power , i thought to foul my fingers , anatomize it exactly , and expose it ( as it justly deserves ) in the publick theatre of england , to the view and scorn of all . but finding , tho' without any accurate search , that the principal consistent parts are , . contradiction . . falshood . . ignorance . . ill manners . . like conduct . yet all so complicated , as to make but one intire gordian knot of nonsence ; it needs not be dissected now i think on 't , it merits not so great a hand : but seeing it is roundly cover'd with a limber conscience , blown up with bombast , and got amongst the mob , let it e'ne be kick'd about , till it be deservedly lost . the st . of the reasons they pretend to answer is the following reason ; first , because the said censors did not only take upon them an office of trust and judicial authority , wherein the liberty and property of the subject is highly concerned without qualifying themselves , but also executed the same with utmost violence against an innocent person , as may more plainly appear in their proceedings against dr. john greenfield , a member of the said college , who having been accused by a vexatious woman of ill practice several years before was twice acquitted by preceding censors : but these gentlemen proud of their authority , and having no regard to the justice and judgment of their predecessors , and in contempt of two consecutive acts of grace from the king and parliament , did , notwithstanding , fine the abovesaid dr. greenfield for that imaginary crime , without suffering the said doctor to clear himself by witnesses ; and having signed a warrant and appointed an officer of their own creation , did commit him to newgate without bail or main-prize , and there detained him till the first day of the ensuing term , when and where the honourable the judges of the king's-bench convinced them of their illegal proceedings and discharged the said dr. greenfield in open court. to this they reply , that it is a malicious charge , drawn up and publish'd against the censors of the college of physicians [ who ] took no authority upon themselves , but what is vested in them by two acts of parliament , &c. the present censors having qualifyed themselves , and the rest , since the including act of grace acting inoffensively ; the present cannot , the former need not fear a prosecution . the prosecutors charge is solely against the late , nam'd in the reasons and title of this tract ; which charge as it is true , cannot be malicious , and not against any censors , but those that were so , now only censorious , with that indeleble character i hope : but if their biennial power , be perpetuated in their conceipt , and once a censor must e're be so ; let them e'ne be still the kings of branford , let them imagine the power of the two acts to be vested in them , appropriated to their persons , and inseparable from their quality ; whilst they are deservedly out of that place , power and trust they have so notoriously abus'd : but morta la bestia , morto lo veleno ; let them rattle with their tails , their fang-teeth are out . yet though their anthority be gone , their sence continues the same . they boast of a great power vested by law ; but no trust at all ; deny the taking of an office upon them , but own they are chosen into , and accept of the place ; think themselves warranted by two acts of parliament in the executing of a power , in contempt of four others : i mean the two of grace , and both the qualifying acts. but they must be taught , that the law requires a series of uninterrupted justice . you err not knowing the law , for whosoever shall keep the whole law , and yet offend in one point , he is guilty of all , &c. is it law that gives you leave to imprison ? the same commands you to qualify . the same justice that relieves the oppressed , ought to punish the guilty ; and though you boast the law cannot reach you , the legislators may . ponite inflatos tumidosque vultus ; quicquid à vob is minor extimescit , major hoc idem dominus minatur . next they alledge , that the censors are solemnly sworn , not to consent to admit any person into the college , but such , whom without favour , or affection , they shall judge to be duly qualified , both for learning and morals , that they will approve no person nor medicine for reward , favour or entreaty , but will in all things discharge the duty faithfully , as god shall help them . a solemn oath is a sacred tye and motive to justice ; but where this is wanting , that always aggravates the crime , can never justifie the action . finding then , that a gentle rebuke in general terms will not avail , viz. that of the former reply , that their oath was not binding to act illegally , and where it doth so , the constitution is faulty ; a severer lash must stop this full mouth'd cry upon a wrong scent . dr. greenfields learning and morals were approv'd when he entred the college , he was balletted for as well as any of you , admitted upon as good terms as any , hath the same diploma , priviledges , and authority to practice : this was done to your hands by more impartial judges ; and so far the recital of your oath is insignificant . but seeing 't is not this , pray tell us what oath it was that bound you , to reassume the cognizance of an affair twice determin'd before , by the same authority ; to commit the innocent , when you were disabled by two acts of parliament to act so by a criminal ; to declare that a poison when given by dr. greenfield with its due corrector , which must be a harmless medicine , because given by two of you censors without an antidote ; to refuse the admitting of witnesses , which were afterwards satisfactory to a superiour court ; to deny the tryal of his corrector upon other animals ; to exact the utmost farthing the law allow'd you ; to fine and imprison too , a collegiate , in an unpresidented manner ; to send him to newgate for the first offence ( as in your great wisdoms you thought ) when choice of prisons of less scandal might serve , to be deaf when intreated not to do it . 't was of you dr. burwel he begg'd it , upon your immediate return from the house of god , the house of prayer . wo be to you scribes and pharisees , hypocrites , &c. this last it was , first caus'd my blood to boile , now sowers my temper , irarumque omnes effundit habenas ; and made me almost forget to ask you , whether you did swear too not to qualifie your selves ? i believe if you can give your selves leave to re-examine this affair sedately , you will find it the result of passion , envy , ambition and by-ends . passion in dr. t — e upon a former peak : ambition in the bencher-fellows to curb and oppress the more serviceable and active by arbitrary laws ; envy for want of practice and success : by-ends shall be secret as yet . 't is so dr. g — ll , though you should exert to the utmost your now single capacity , register the contrary , and silence me with your ratio prima & ultima : i do not mean the thundering mawl against a protest at the college board ; but your customary nonononono , with a jove-like disgust , and a conclusive-shake of the nodle in a demiquaver . expect then the just reward of your pains , but no favour at all ; unless your adversaries be prevail'd upon by intreaty ; for they must discharge their duty faithfully , and help your selves as you can . next you multiply your power by a piece-meal recital . i 'll please you for once , and allow it as great in it self , as it hath been enormous in the execution , cuidam illic seritun & metitur , 't is a noli me tangere at present : but be pleas'd to remind , that almost the whole of it is in the quoted charter , 't is only confirm'd by the annex'd and subsequent acts ; and why are the due qualifications omitted , to which that power is annex'd . let us examine you a little , tho' not now at the censors board . were you profound , sad , discreet , well vers'd in learning and deeply skill'd in physick : you 'l say perhaps , these epithets , are requisite in persons to be admitted into that society , not in the censors that govern the same , according to the express words of the law. the fact i shall not dispute ; but certainly they are to be chosen out of such , and continue the same . the st . indeed may be allow'd ; for your sense is out of the reach of , disproportionate to , and incommensurate with that of the rest of mankind . sad you are in the present acceptation of the word , your actions shew you such , and the present fear of a due reward , doth and will make you no other . but now in sober sadness , what is become of the third ? were you discreet in not qualifying your selves , if it were but only to prevent the charges of an assuredly wrong prosecution , since your piece meal loyalty was such , that the omission of it you count but a peccadillo . the present censors got here the start of you , and triumph over your ignorance . it was no doubt the greatest discretion imaginable , to commit a brother for mala praxis , yea very great mala praxis as the judicious go — le expressed it at the board , the giving of poison i mean , when some of your selves were guilty of the same ; guilty i say , in your own consciences , because you condemn'd it in another ; though he be innocent , having prov'd himself so in the superiour court : but this is not all , had this affair remain'd within the college and newgate walls , and not been expos'd by you so often in the publick courts , inforc'd by repeated libels , spread amongst the mob , persisted in to the utmost in opposition to the sense of mankind , and contempt of definitive justice ; it might have been pardon'd . humanum est errare , in errore persistere diabolicum . but again to push it more home , tho' in milder terms , you will say he was fined and imprisoned , for not duly executing the practice of physick ; but who was it gentlemen ? a graduate doctor , your fellow collegiate , unquestionable when admitted , and continued so for many years , till it pleas'd you to have it otherwise . reflect upon it , i pray , as the rest of mankind to my knowledge doth now : what physician shall we trust , when neither his being of the college doth warrant his skill , nor his continued practice approve his judgment in administring ? whom shall we except , when all are liable to the same mistakes ? this doth not only affect you , but the whole faculty of physick , however diffused , divided or distinguish'd in this famous city , and through the universe . would the least mechanick society have acted so publickly against a single member , if his exposing tended to the disrepute of all the rest : for tho the character of an honest physician be in it self real , where is there a fence against suspicion ; tho' groundless when started , it 's flight and pitch is incertain ; and you only can be exempt when at the board , and that only in your own conceipt , not decisive judgment . dat veniam corvis , vexat censura columbas . your great discretion hath ruin'd one part of your imaginary power , by your parties countenancing , and you mainly promoting that turbulent woman's suit against the doctor . pray startle not at what you know as well as my self , i shall prove it to others anon . you have open'd the eyes of the mob , and the flood-gates of the law against you . can the president be secure in his place , or the censors by their boasted power , from being either arraign'd at the bar as malefactors , or sued at the kings-bench as unskilfull ; and that at the choice of the multitude ? a pretended mistake , or an unforeseen accident upon a single dose of physick , exposeth a physicians person , reputation and estate , to the discretion of others avowedly ignorant , of what you have made them judges . we know what you told your councel , when dissuaded from this pernicious course by the example of all other societies . it must be done , else the college would be undone . peribo si non faxo , si faxo vapulavero . your power is too great , not to be manag'd but by persons throughly versed in the law : yet you will stretch it beyond it's due bounds , and expose it by your actions to be canvassed by those , who are justly jealous of it . you will not submit to the decision of the four chiefs ; but what think you of royal visitation ? are you exempt from that too ? may not a quo warranto be just and necessary in this reign , whatever it hath been in the former ? your party promoted it under the late , and will you not submit to it under the present . tute hoc tibi intrivisti , tibimet hoc exedendum est . but lastly , seeing this enormous power , doth so widely incompass all the jurisdictions of the greatest city in europe ; it was hoped your ambition would have soar'd no higher . no , your discretion drives some of you to hartford , to worry the ingenious coatsworth ; your designs round the circuits ( as you were told ) to hang physick out of the way : had not the clacking capit-alian goo — , that crepitante ciconia rostro , prevented by its noise the intended mischief , discover'd the towering g — ls ; and the jury disbeliev'd the depositions , that gentlemen might have rotted in prison , without bail or main-prize till the next assizes , to serve your turn ; that you might alleviate one crime , by committing another . i have done as well as your selves with your discretion , your learning and deep skill in physick , will not seem much greater when throughly canvassed , as it shall be in some measure in its proper place . you excuse your omitting of being qualified , because this neglect did not proceed from any error of [ your ] will. this being occasion'd partly by the practice of the former censors , who never qualified themselves for that employment ; and partly by advice of your council ( three of the great practicers of this age ) who were of opinion that the censors were not comprehended in the said act , it being no place of profit , or crust , nor by commission immediately from the king , nor such as concerned the publick government , but did only relate to a due regulation of the practice of physick in london and seven miles , which by the laws of the kingdom is entrusted in [ your ] hands , [ you ] being the most proper judges of the same . if it was not an error of the will , it was a filthy one of the judgment ; but why not of the will , when you would not hearken to the grave advice of the learned bernard : who told you the danger of the contrary , and spurr'd you on to your duty , by his own example . no , you thought to shelter your selves amidst the multitude , by a power paramount , as you deem'd to the rest of the law. there is but two setts of you that are obnoxious , the rest safe by the including act of grace ; but doth a multitude of offenders lessen the crime , it may prompt mercy to spare the less guilty . the most turbulent in a sedition , the ringleaders of a faction , are always justly punish'd ; tho' the seduced mob may be spar'd , because they were so ; and in a rebellious regiment , where one and all seem equally guilty , decimation is not only just , but merciful . will you make the world believe , that either that true oracle of the law sr. cr. levinz , or the judicious and popular sr. barth , or the equitable sr. thomas , would ever induce you to run the hazard of so severe a lash of the law , when as you say , you were already qualified by piece-meal ; so not conscience , but an unaccountable capriccio could hinder the total . why was not their advice produc'd when demanded before the attorney general ? no , you did here , as in gr — ds commitment , and would fain mend your selves , as you endeavour'd to do the warrant ex post facto . post est occasio calva . your profit indeed as worthily manag'd , together with the college stock , but small ; but upon examination of persons to be admitted certain . the perquisits sometimes very great . surely your boastingly great power requires the like trust in the persons entrusted therewith . your great sence owns the verb , not the noun , the full meaning of the word , but not the word it self . should a common-council-man argue , that he was chosen for , and represents only a private precinct ; would that exempt him from a due qualification ? but your power is more extensive then health and sickness . the collegiate physicians , and all other practitioners , apothecaries , naval and resident surgeons , and druggists are under your immediate inspection , pray cast them up and tell us how many thousand they are . this law would be a very pretty barrier here , against the universally incroaching popery ; when persons so vastly entrusted , if they will not , need not qualifie themselves ; or pick and chose when , how farr , and what part of that law they are pleased to satisfie . pray read but the preamble to your original charter , and you will find , that your power being so extensive , your capacity , care and skill ought to have been proportionate . his majesty indeed hath not been pleas'd to take any notice of you as to favour , but hath already in displeasure , and 't is hop'd he will curtail your ambition , and clipp the wings of your towering pride : but how much and whatever you have , is originally deriv'd from , and confirm'd by his royal predecessors . judges you were , but how proper , your actions have already , the law hath and will determine it . next you deny , that you executed your office with the utmost violence , against an innocent person , and member of the college ; call this and the former charges against [ you ] notorious untruths ; are surprized how the author durst print and publish them , and impudently deliver them to the most high and celebrated court of judicature in this kingdom ; the doctor having been prov'd guilty of ill practice in a very high degree , before the president and censors . i answer that you are doubly guilty of what you deny here ; because the doctor was doubly innocent st , in the eye of the law , rectus in any curia by the act of grace , tho he had been never so guilty before : ly , as to matter of fact , having prov'd himself so in the open court. therefore the author durst print and publish this and the former charges against you , durst deliver it to the right honourable the lords and commons , dares publish it again and prove it at any time ; as he would have then , if you durst have challeng'd him , or dare to do it still . as for impudence e'ne let that be shar'd amongst those , who openly dare in the face of the world to challenge the judgment of my lord chief justice , and the honestly of the jury , who sound upon oath the doctor not to be guilty of ill practice to any degree . they acquitted him of what you condemn'd him , yet both were equally sworn to do right ; 't is not now a meer error in you , you persist in your judgment and condemn him still . who , i pray , is now guilty of what i dare not name . you may go on in your defiance , but never prosper long in opposition to justice : she hath indeed leaden heels , especially when clogg'd by you , and hindred in her course , but you may at last ( as you deserve ) feel her iron hands . next you own the doctor a member of the college of physicians ( having a licence granted him to practice physick ) but then his admission was granted on these conditions , quam diu se bene gesserit , & statuta collegii observaverit ; & solutiones debitas praestiterit . all which conditions he hath notoriously violated , having prov'd a very factious , turbulent and disobedient member to that honourable society , &c. the doctor is indeed a member of the college ; his diploma is his licence , and yours is no more , because all one with his : his admission the same as , his behaviour better then yours in the eye of the world , because adjudg'd so by law. but seeing you persist in abusing both words and persons , i must inform you , that a licenciat in any faculty , is as great in other countries , as a simple fellow looks little in this . if he hath violated any conditions , you were notoriously imprudent , in not charging him with the true , but condemn him for an imaginary crime . out with it gentlemen , general words will not do in law , deceipt is generally couch'd under them . well then , is 't ill practice ? he is clear'd of that ; 't is not in him , but in you towards him . is 't want of respect , in not submitting to you at the censors board , and acknowledging his crime ? he beggs your pardon for that , and thinks your demand insolent , especially in the present conjuncture . is 't because he will not furnish you with money , to defend your injustice towards him ? he thinks he is not bound in justice to do it ; especially you having been so remiss of late , in levying that imposition upon him and his fellow licenciates . pray take example by the prosecutor , and be as industrious in settling the speciall verdict in dr. peaches case , as the prosecutor hath been in that against one of you . you are at a stand ; and so is dr. greenfield with the rest , not knowing whether they have not paid too much in their wrong already ; and whether a repetundarum doth not lye against you ? i mean a small bill in equity , for illegal exactions and undue expences . recrimination is no purgation in you . have you your selves perform'd the conditions requisite in just censors ? the doctor and prosecutor believes not , and make bold to tell you still , notwithstanding your late rhodomontados , and that almost in your own latin , quod vos non bene gesseritis , nec statuta regni observaveritis , solutiones utrique debit as praestabitis . i hope you may understand this latin in time , tho the licenciats cannot yours . a ternary of epithets brings up the rear of this clause . dr. greenfield is turbulent , factious and disobedient . not the first , even when repeatedly troubled to no purpose : factious he can't be , because he joins with the greater and better part of the college , against the ambition and impositions of the contrary . nor disobedient , because submissive even to an unjust sentence . you on the contrary , are honest , just and impartial . honest , for committing him in opposition to law. just , but not to him certainly , nor your selves neither . impartial , in exposing your selves , the college and the whole faculty , to derision , needless suits and contempt : this i suppose , is not your judgment at present , but will be so , and is to those of a better . you say farther , that the doctor unjustly complains of his treatment , the same being ( as he saith ) executed with the utmost violence ; that it is so far from truth , that on the contrary he was treated with all the fairness and kindness which any member of that , or any other corporation , could expect or reasonably desire , as will appear by the following account of true matter of fact. dr. greenfield doth and may justly complain of your violence ; but here you mistake the person , 't is the prosecutors charge against you , and if you come off o' nt no better else where , then by your excuses here , you may be as kindly treated as the doctor , and kinder too , because a prison of less scandal may serve . you were not used in the publick court , as the doctor in yours ; you were fairly heard , and the prosecutor chose your own friends to be evidence against you . there remains now but a fair retaliation of kindness , and that with an advantagious compliment if you please to accept it , in token of gratitude . may you be doubly repaid . but if your great kindness cannot be refus'd , and those lately incorporated amongst your kind selves , are doubly bound to accept it , whenever you please to offer it ; i 'd e'ne advise them rather to give you a good piece of plate for a conge , then be over loaded by your graces . if the matter of fact be drawn out of the lasting records of dr. g — ll ; i must crave leave to tell him , that he is out in both his capacities : viz. in relating the matter as register ; and condemning the doctor for the fact as censor ; his naturally precipitate haste hurried him on to puni●nd ' , without examinand ' ; and now to relate the affair without recognoscend ' . you say , the first year upon accusation of the husband , &c. the doctor was out of town , and so not heard in his own defence . the second year the complaint being renew'd , was condemned unanimously by the four censors , but not fin'd or committed , because one of the censors , contrary to his duty , refus'd to sign the warrant . the third year , he was unanimously found guily again , but was not committed , because one of the censors was called out of town , and another oblig'd to keep his chamber with a tedious fitt of the gout . the fourth year , upon a fresh complaint , he was found guilty of ill practice , and fin'd and committed without bail , or main-prize to newgate , &c. the account as here stated , is both improbable and highly mysterious . st , that the fact being committed in , the affair should not be determin'd till the th year after in . ly , that the woman notwithstanding her continual torments should not seek for a re dress in almost two years . ly , that her friends should complain but once a year . ly , that this weighty affair , should have but one day in a year allow'd towards it decision . ly , that when the doctor was dismissed ( as was sworn in court by doctor collins ) the reason should be , because one of the censors , tho he condemn'd him according to his oath , yet refus'd to punish him contrary to his duty . ly , that upon another arraignment and condemnation , the doctor should scape unpunishd , because one of the censors was called out of town ( that very minute ● suppose , and must be absent the whole remainder of the year ) so hastily , that he could not set his hand to the warrant ; and another at the same time luckily taken with the gout in his toe , so that he was not able to stirr his fingers , so much as to set his mark. the doctor was indeed , after so many jeopardies , condemn'd to purpose at last , by men regardless of magna charta , and outstripping the inquisition it self ; but i hope they will be convinc'd , that either a gout , or an absence for a whole year , had been less prejudicial to the affairs and persons then , &c. i shall forbear to unriddle these mysteries , till mr. bolton's book against dr. greenfield comes out , under the auspicious conduct and influence of dr. goodale ; and at present give you only some hints . it was about this time mr. clunn was a trotting about with his pretended patients , in order to turn the tedious and expensive illicita , into a speedily gainful mala praxis ; the committy was then settling ; the censors modelling ; new laws forging , oaths and bonds imposing : in short , parturiebant montes ; and dr. greenfield was thought as yet not so great an offender , till he refus'd to be shopt in the repository , and protested against the laws impos'd : then , a'd terrorem , he was made an example , others very eminent were to follow his fate . but suppose the six sets of censors had unanimously condemn'd him for that fact , he was afterwards honourably acquitted of , upon a full hearing by a superiour court : let the world judge ; whether the dishonour of so foul an act , should not solely and wholly have belong'd to those his partial , ignorant and prejudic'd judges , who , by that means and in such numbers , had expos'd themselves , and the whole faculty , to the contempt of the universe . you own further your ignorance of the doctors being comprehended in the kings general pardon , [ your ] lawyers having never hinted any such thing to [ you ] , neither did the doctor plead any acts of grace when summon'd before [ you ] , &c. bless me what kind of judges are these , that plead their ignorance of the law , as an excuse of their acting against it ! this was not a single , private , absolete act , but an universal one repeatedly pass'd in parliament , since the pretended fact was committed . 't is very strange you should be ignorant of obvious laws , when so curiously nice in the terms , as to be able to distinguish , between four men who are the censors , and four censors who are the men , in the specicial verdict . but if all of the four censors , and those of the more numerous committee , continued invincibly ignorant of what was known to the very mob : i wonder it should scape the studious observations of the industrious go — le , who , propria voluntate & mero motu suis , without any pension from the state , hath been epitomizing all the news papers . you do both injustly , and in vain charge the learned in the law , with such a gross ignorance . advice not ask'd cannot be given , and if given , is to no purpose when never taken : had you not so much as a hint of this , when you oppos'd violently the doctors discharge . pray ask pardon of your councel for so signal an affront ; and be pleas'd to remember that you are a court , before which pardons are requir'd to be pleaded . reason second , these censors not being satisfied with the designed ruin of this doctor and family , proceeded to effect it ( according to the opinion of most people ) by stirring up and assisting the aforesaid turbulent woman to bring an action of pounds against the said doctor , which was carried on to an expence far above the ability of the woman , and back'd it by libels published in their name . but upon tryal before the right honourable the lord chief justice holt , the said doctor was honourably acquitted , and his practice vindicated , allowed of an commended by a great number of the most eminent physicians of the said college , it plainly appearing that ignorance , not judgment , was the cause of that censure , and envy for want of success by the same medicine they condemned the said doctor for , it being proved in court that some of them had made use of it before . this second charge ( you say ) is highly unjust [ you ] having been no further concern'd , then as witnesses subpaena'd . and as to the publishing libels in [ your ] names , it is so notoriously false , that you only vindicated your honour and justice against an impudent and scandalous advertisement , publish'd to defame [ you ] . i must now rake up this shameful affair , being forc'd to it by your no better denial . this woman ( one of the looser gang of pedlars , that offer good pennyworths of muslin , under pretence of a seamans covert baron and long reach ) lay perdu for about six years , to regain her forty shillings ; and seeing her yearly applications to consecutive censors , were not prevalent to cause the doctor to refund , what he but too dearly earn'd ; tho' she found her partizans baffl'd , and the doctor discharg'd by the judges ; yet thought ( forsooth ) to jump into an estate , by such a favourable opportunity , and commenc'd a suit of l. against the doctor , but unluckily it was some time after he had brought his , in the like summ against the censors , for false imprisonment . this was a plain design to quash both the actions , there being no overplus to be contended about in either : but the doctor thought it unreasonable ; she goes on and puts him to the expence of l. by dilatory courses ; summons the censors to give evidence in what they had condemn'd before on her behalf , influenceth their numerous party , ( more then ever were seen in any court ) to defend her cause tooth and nail , and at last upon the verdict against her , pays the costs as soon as demanded . do you think all the world is at blindmansbuff ; and every one you see at ecco lo cieco , and your selves under covert cause winking ? no , dr. burwells menial servant , that poor addicated officer of yours john cole , hath related the fact to an eminent physician , a little before his own death : that by an express command of your attorney , he waited on mr. ambrose , and conducted him to that womans house , in order to commence that suit. all the world hath reason to believe you were the principals , she only accessary . the doctor still reserves a cardinal evidence in petto , till his numerous scruples , about a maintenance of a suit , champeatie , and common barretrie , are fully satisfy'd . now i shall readily grant you , that the advertisement you speak of , was impudent and scandalous , and lying as to matter of fact ; but i must acquaint the world , that neither the doctor , nor any of his friends i am sure , had any hand in it . the author was a professor but no doctor ; a noisy pamphletier ; that spark of flashy nonsense ; your worthy antagonist , and fit match for controversy : you may easily know him , whether he speaks or writes , prays or rail's 't is all one . piscis à capite foetet . but you were in torment , pray any tooth good barber ; drowning in spight , caught at grass , any ansa , any thing to pull in poor greenfield . you published a scandalous answer , to a scandalous advertisment ; whereby you doubly abuse the innocent : for you might as easily have trac'd the author of this , as he the messenger to the press of yours . i must tell you for once ; the doctor is so confident of the justice of his cause , that notwithstanding your numerous libels , he hath writ nothing as yet but his book in latin. the reasons and remarks , you dare not attack , are the prosecutors ; who hath hitherto expos'd you but moderately , notwithstanding your injustice be the very basis of his informations ; he could do it no otherwise , then by vindicating the doctor : as by justice he was , and in justice he ought to be . rumpantur ut ilia codris . you had indeed some shew of a pretence to answer , but no cause to revile a declared innocent . but pray did you not libel him previously to all this , while he lay at your mercy , your prisoner in newgate , both for the pretended crime and the impos'd fine . was not that enough ? but you must immediately give the world an account , that he was committed to newgate for ill practices , in the plural , without specifying for what. none but those that were acquainted with your constitution and injustice , could imagine it less then felony : debt it could not be because of that expression : nor for the fine ; that was never demanded . you remember no doubt dr. burwell , when you were not named , and scarcely affronted by the learned loss ; what horrid labour you were in for a year , before you could be deliver'd of a female child at one throw , by the midwifery of a letter ; your voluminous book you mean , in answer to six lines that touch'd you : be pleas'd to look in your epistle dedicatory , and amidst the broody metaphors and teeming allegories , you 'll find these words . yea and although in the case of a particular person , physicians may differ in their opinion , and perhaps each think he hath all the reason on his side , yet it is very base for either of these to begin to print the case , and condemn the other , were he never so guilty . and why so ? certainly because it exposeth the faculty , as well as the person . but tho' you were in the wrong , you both condemn'd and printed first with a witness : every time you have publish'd , may be deem'd the first ; because the doctor hath not answer'd you as yet . your being a judge or censor won't do : neither oath , nor discretion , bound you to print any thing . i hope you were a physician then ; and if so , i leave you to think of the adjective you use . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you are . now we will go on to the matter of fact , as by you related . the doctor brought the said woman thirty six grains of cantharides , to be taken to cure an ulcer of the bladder , whereof she took thirty grains in hours , upon which ensued , first , great pains and torments with bloody urine ; and then voyding of several quarts of perfect blood , with skins and flesh that shecontinued twenty two weeks in great torment , &c. the truth of this , as it was declar'd and prov'd in court , when the doctor cast this woman , or the censors rather ; is the following , viz. upon the doctors extraordinary success in curing ulcers in the bladder , by the cantharides ( which is a distemper hitherto accounted incurable ) , he was recommended by some of his former patients to this person , and found her troubled with it , and a scyrrhus in the vagina uteri and cancerous piles withal ; he sends her eighteen of the pills , with their corrector camphire separately ; but with positive orders not to take them but in his presence , in order to give more or less , as the case upon particular signs should require : she impatient of delays , takes some of them in his absence , and without the corrector , upon which some pains and bloody water ensued ; but no more then what is but too usual , upon the bare applying of a blister . the doctor being sent for in haste , chides her , but takes off the pains and bloody water immediately ; sends her into the country , and attends almost daily upon her , for his forty shillings . not one ill word against the doctor all this while , all the clamour was against mrs. salloway the midwife ; who clear'd her self from injuring the person , by doctors coatsworth and gibson call'd in , they finding then cancerous piles were the cause of her pains , for the ulcer was gone . this clamour being obviated , the doctor was thought on about two years after , at the instigation of one of the censors , whom the doctor had exasperated , as he easily will be . the doctor being clear'd ; the woman musters up her tatter'd crew to swear that horrid nonsense , produceth the affidavits ; the censors condemn him upon them ; the court of kings bench upon impartial hearing acquits him of the fact. this being so , you are egregiously out both as to fact , and the nature of the thing , st , that above thirty grains of corrected cantharides , have been given by the doctor with success , both before and since his commitment , was fully prov'd in court. ly , notwithstanding what the womans evidence swore , it appear'd as plain , by their contradiction , and the time of taking , that she took less then fifteen pills . ly , it was evident by the doctors constant practice in attending , that it was against his order she took any , it was at her peril she did it , and ought to have far'd worse . ly , those that know the symptoms upon the giving of cantharides , will tell you , that st . there ensues a plentiful discharge of urine , then a desire to make water with a less quantity of it ; next , strangury ; lastly , bloody water with pains ; but perfect blood never : experience and famous authors declare this expresly : i will not now name them , but may e're long . by the flesh they mean ( i suppose ) the sphincter vesicae , nymphae , clitoris , and the labia pudendi perhaps : by the skins the bits either of the vagina or the bladder it self , torn off in pieces by these venomous animals , destructive to life , inimical to nature , muliebris they must mean. egregious anatomists , worthy ever to remain in the theatre , for the perpetual improvement of that art : especially if you consider their nice observations , as to the number of the quarts of blood : several they say . an indefinite quantity will bleed an elephant to death ; and tho this woman had nine lives like a catt , and each of them sustain'd by a proportionate and distinct quantity of blood , that number must have destroy'd her at last : but she is still alive , and the better for the doctor , as was prov'd in court. 't is a cancerous humor that attends her , and the doctor beggs you his seniors , to take some pitty upon her , and cure her of this , as he did of the ulcer , and he 'll refund the forty shillings : 't is worth your pains gentlemen , half an examination fee , a whole angel a piece . but this several is set down to impose upon all , being as wide as ones fancy , and as incertain , as your judgment of things : it must then be restrain'd , and it moderately reaching from four to the teens , we 'll take the middle number , and reduce it to eight : nay i 'll bate you two , and conclude it six by the affidavit , as reported from you ; which is about fifteen pounds of blood , if you consider the difference of troy and avoirdupoize , with that of the specific gravity of the blood , as distinct from water ; the first being bulk for bulk heavier then the last . perfect blood you say , that is the red mass , without the mixture of the serum , which is the transparent and fluid substance , wherein the other , or wherewith if you please , is naturally carried , and diluted in the vessels : this distinct from the bloody water , and the preceding plentiful urine , was measured like size , i suppose , to find the accompt . now it having been agreed amongst the anatomists , that the quantity of blood in men , is from sixteen to twenty four pounds troy , by which blood they mean , the red substance and the serum together , as they both circulate in the vessels ; and the proportion of the one to the other being almost equal ; this woman must have lost , and that in twelve hours time , at least thirty pounds of blood ; if you consider the bloody water too : which must be six pounds more then any one could have ; and yet she was better the next day then before , and alive to this . that perfect blood , as they call it , must be here distinct from the serum , i will prove by the following arguments . first , this perfect blood , came after the bloody urine , consequently distinct ; it must be taken from the bottom of the former , and is the coagulated red mass : for the rest was urine , tho bloody besure . secondly , this monstrous excretion of blood , being originally caus'd by a diuretic , must first cause a plentifull evacuation of urine ; which is nothing but the serum having past the kidneys ; next bloody urine , that is the red mass broke by , and diluted in the serum : now if you mind the gradation , the third , that is the perfect blood , must be the red mass subsiding , fluid when excreted , but coagulating after and settling to the bottom , and so measured ; or else where is there a distinction between the second and third . thirdly , if it were not so , the just proportion between the red mass and the serum , could not be known ; and so not sworn to : especially if you consider the tagg-ragg and bobtail , that made the observation for you , and the deposition too . fourthly , this poison , as you call it , working by separating the parts of the blood , and not by coagulating the whole fluid ; the serum separated , upon erosion of the blood vessels , imbib'd as much blood as it could retain ; which is the bloody urine ; the residue that subsided , must be wholly devoy'd of it , which is the perfect blood ; fifteen pounds in all of the red mass ; which , with thirteen pounds of serum , requisite to dilute it in the vessels , makes twenty eight : and ten to one , four more of both , our of the bloody urine ; makes thirty two , quod probandum erat . yet this heroic virago fainted not at all , after so enormous a loss of blood. lastly , the same witness that swore to the affidavit , deposed likewise in court , that that blood was as sweet as a rose ; now if it had been mixt with the serum , after this had once pass'd the kidneys , or the bladder , it would certainly have got a farr different scent , of kin to the boutan royal snush , and overflowing with the neighbouring perfumes . but whatsoever anatomists have said on this subject , was meerly conjectural : comparative anatomy , first ( that i know of as to this affair ) instituted by mr. boile , detects a great deal less quantity of blood in men. he tried the experiment upon sheep and other animals , took the exact weight of the blood issuing , and of the animal , which compar'd with that of man , by a synonymous rule , he found the proportion to be but sixteen pounds at most in any . you may try it upon goats , as my friend hath done , for the sake of the experiment and the blood it self ; and upon all imaginable allowances , you will find this assertion true . consequently then , this woman by your veracious accompt , voided as much more of blood , as she could have in her , besides what must of necessity have circulated in the vessels , and the habit of her body , to sustain her life . had you but consider'd the menstrua ; how careful nature is in the evacuation of that , tho' superfluous blood ; how gradually she doth it , in small quantities and several days ; tho then of no use to the body , because it was intended for another : what a small excess is called flooding , and accompanied with fainting ; and a little greater endangers life : or but minded , what loss of blood is fatal in haemorrhagies , even discontinued for some days : or seen executions by beheading : you would never have impos'd upon the world such nonsence . you consider'd as much , the horrid torments you talk of : nature was then upon the rack , as you make us believe ; which of it self , when her flesh and skins came away by bits , was more then enough to have destroy'd this miserable creature . what will not an exorbitant spight do ? when fired by passion , in an inconsiderate subject . any body , any thing , must be believ'd against greenfield ; any reproach true , if cast upon him . quicquid in eum jecer is , pomum erit . be pleas'd to accept of these few hints , for i design not to inlarge further as yet . the author i dare not name , least he should prove to be one only licens'd : an insignificant wretch , proper quo ad hoc ( what he is now about ) fit only to be despis'd , his offers disdain'd , and himself ( poor soul ) expell'd . as to the flesh and skins , pretended to be voided withal ; i cannot persuade my self to expose you for it , as you justly deserve : i ll let it alone , till further provok'd by the master-piece of dr. goodal 's creation . to prove your assertions , you boast of five affidavits : you may have as many scores , if you please , and keep them for your private use . the same witnesses that attested these , were examin'd upon oath in court ; and either retracted what they had sworn before , by not alledging what you here assert ; or were not believ'd in what they there depos'd : they were not then before you , but before a just judge and an honest jury ; who minded as well the credibility of the witness , as the possibility of the thing it self : or else , how could there have been a point blank contrary determination of this affair ? they clear'd the doctor of the self same fact you condemn'd him for , yet heard the same witnesses against him : but they had no party to quell ; no wild designs to carry on ; no person to hate ; no passion to satisfie , but that for truth and justice : and they were upon their oaths too , as well as your worships ; they talk'd not indeed so much of , but acted according to them : but why was there so great a difference in the sentence pronounc'd ? i 'll tell you . an oath may be , and is too often , only a loose covert for by-ends , as the party is biass'd by interest or passion ; as well as a fixed tye to truth , in persons immoveably just . next you seem to deny , that the doctor was honourably acquitted , &c. by replying . that it is true , that four junior physicians of the college , who never arriv'd to the honour or dignity of presidents , elects or censors , and profess'd malecontents to the said college , did endeavour to justifie the ill practice , by extenuating and excusing it ; though none of them durst own , that they had ever prescrib'd the dose given by dr. groenvelt ; neither could they deny the fatal effects , which had frequently attended the use of that bold and unhappy remedy , which by the most eminent authors hath been rank'd amongst poisons . these four junior physicians , whom you worthy seniors despise , need no other praise , but only to be nam'd , viz. sr. r. blackmore . the learned dr. bernard , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( deceas'd when ) , dr. gibbons , and dr. coatsworth . the first solemnly knighted for his merit , and made physician in ordinary to his majesty ; two to publick hospitals ; the other universally known and applauded for his learning and practice , together with the rest . they indeed want leisure and ill nature , to execute the office of such censors ; have not ambition enough to become the heads of a party , of the college they deserve ; and their daily practice requires not a second examination , to make them elects . profess'd malecontents they are , yet not to the college , but at your parties proceedings ; and for that reason still continue honest . pray , which of you would not quit all his pretences , to those vast honours and dignities , to become but as one of them . all the good i can wish you , is but to arrive to seemingly the same repute , to support your daily declining state : but to them ( the three surviving juniors ) a gradual progress in their real worth , that the college may boast of more then a single hippocrates . they were really smart youths in quoting of authors ; their depositions tight as to matter of fact ; their instances pithy ; their observations becoming grey hairs : the court was astonish'd at their learning and experience , and became regardless , of the meerly negative and opinionative depositions , of their seniors and superiors , either as to present imaginary , or antiquated honours . there was a sly youth besides that prompted the councel , and laught at your management ; and many juniors that did , and were ready , to attest the truth , in vindicating the doctor ; each of them as eminent really , as you in opinion . but you forgot the eminent apothecaries , able surgeons , skillfull midwives , and a cloud of credible witnesses , attesting the extraordinary success of the doctor in ulcers of the bladder , by that decried medicine and dose ; which the doctor more conversant , and generally apply'd to , in cases of that nature , kept as a beneficial secret , till ravish'd by you , in order to abuse him and it ; yet he expects still a reward for the discovery , even from your selves . the fatal effects , were no other then those but too usual upon perl cordials . a bold remedy may be good and requisite in desperate cases ; and this was not unhappy to any but you , for condemning , what you knew not the nature and use of . some remedies indeed have been rank'd amongst poisons ; but it is either the excess of quantity , or some incorrected quality , makes them reputed so : mind the one , and mend the other , and what was noxious before , becomes benificial . thus sublimate is one ; but being corrected by one of the ingredients , that made it first a poison , becomes innoxious ; and is safely and daily administred even to infants . ratsbane corrected , hath been used internally with success , in desperate cases , by muller , bonetus and willis . cortex was formerly thought such , and given at first but to grains , with great caution , and only by some : till the nature and benefit of it , being duly observ'd by all , increas'd the dose of it almost to ounces . who doubts but opium is a poison ? yet daily us'd , in vast doses for pleasure , in the east ; and here in most cases , even to excess . hellebore , elaterium , coloquintida , lapis lazuli and other violent purgatives , are no better without the former precaution ; yet safely given by a skillful hand . an expert physician , that really knows the medicine and distemper , is the sole judge of the dose ; not to be abridg'd by meer strangers to the remedy and intention . my instances , moftly either of natural products , or slightly artificial , have been adapted to your capacities ; not daring to have a recourse to chymistry , and tell you , how various and instantaneous alterations and corrections of things , are thereby produc'd ; least i should be revil'd , for knowing something of so benificial an art ; though only with intent to prevent its being hurtful . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . besides , we must not immediately pronounce that a poison , what either some single , or a consecutive series of authors , declar'd to be so : we shall find both ancients and moderns much mistaken herein . to the former quicksilver is such : yet found now otherwise in it self ; and its preparations , useful in common , and a refuge in desperate cases . within this century , and our memory almost , the famous doctors of that faculty in paris , banish'd antimony as venom from physick , and those that us'd it , from the city practice ; threatned to prosecute dr. monginot ( though chief physician to the king ) the learned quercetan and mayerne : but had the honesty , when better inform'd , to retract that judgment by a solemn decree , and reinthrone that triumphant mineral . you say further , cantharides have been declar'd to be venomous animals , destructive to life , inimical to nature , for the most part deadly , &c. most l●thiferous poisons and acute venoms . pray what is become of your mother tongue and wit ? what do you mean by venomous animals ? is there any other , but what shew themselves to be such whil'st alive ? deleterious either by tooth , sting , or touch : by the first , as the vipers , &c. sting as the scorpion , centopies , the poisonous raja and cat-fish : tooth and mediate touch , as a mad dog : mediate and immediate as the torpedo : but a spanish-fly is as venomous as its kind , or a flea ; scarce so much as a gnat ; far short of a breeze : it s acute venom lies not in a sharp tooth or sting ; but in a slight touch , with a blunt probascis . i have heard of poisonous plants , and virulent simples i am acquainted with : but can you not distinguish between animalia venenata and talia venena ; though use hath allow'd a greater latitude to the latin expression , then to the venemous english . i appeal to all mankind , what is meant by a venemous creature ; that expression denoting such a quality , in a living agent : when the life is gone , they cease to be venemous , and often to be poisons ; being us'd either for physic or food ; as the vipers , raja and catfish : if you henceforward pretend to so much as an english summons ; pray next time , you make use of this word venomous , learn to understand it and to spell it better : else you will but expose your selves whil'st indeavouring to impose upon the vulgar ; and in describing of a fly , use the bombast , rattleheaded epithets of a snake . these flies , whatever you say , have neither a burning , nor a corroding quality , when in a skillful hand , with a due corrector : deadly no more then they were to this person . however you being touch'd a little by the authority of hippocrates , who recommends them twice , are pleas'd to allow , these lethiferous poisons and acute venoms , &c. to be us'd in very desperate and chronic cases : but to what purpose i cannot imagine ; u●less it be to ease the patient of his pains , by sending him packing ; as you insinuate hippocrates's potions serv'd both the patients , to-whom they were most unhappily prescrib'd , not exceeding five or six grains at most . i do not now wonder that greenfield was , when hippocrates must be lash'd by such like animals , for favouring this remedy . you talk indeed of powerful antidotes , but mention not any : there are none in the author , unless it be wine to allay the burning ; but that of pliny-lest out , viz. the heads and tails to correct the acrimony of the rest of the body of these flies : i will however unriddle this affair , for the sake of others . the ancients us'd them in smaller doses , for want of a due corrector ; but now one is found , they are given in a greater , with greater success ; and us'd at present but in chronic and desperate cases : pray is not an ulcer in the bladder such ? how often hath it's cure been attempted in vain , for several years , by all imaginable ways ? but now , by this method to be cur'd , in less then a week : either you must allow this distemper to be such , and so talk to no purpose : or if you deny it to be chronic , &c. you know not the case , and think it acute , because causing sharp pains . you need not fright the doctor , with tragical stories , of their mortiferous and deadly effects ; they shall be examin'd , whenever produced : only be pleas'd to take notice , that if all those remedies , that have been mortiferous , either by accident , design'd malice , or unskillful advice and mistakes , must be set aside , because then noxious ; you must never prescribe either opium , mercury , the cortex or steel ; nay clear the shop of most of the rest ; and whoop for your tools and practice withal : unless hevelius hath discover'd some medicinal simples in the moon ; which when fetch'd for you by go — les ganza's , will serve but sometime ; being as liable to be misus'd , as any we have . i believe these few notes , on your longest and most virulent paragraph , will prove a preliminary , short but full answer to mr. b — on ; let his intended book be never so voluminous , and his quotations numerous : the young gentleman knowing not as yet , that authority in physick , is always subject to reason and experience ; i am afraid his tract will come out in un●time . as to your boasted of partisan cyprianus , we know the man , his trade and education ; can produce authentic letters , as to his behaviour : lithotomist he is , and a competitor to his much senior , the expert and successful , greenfield ( who since his barbarous treatment , hath cut of and extracted the stone , from seventeen persons of both sexes , from five to fifty six years of age , and but one of them did miscarry ; who by the opinion of the physicians present at his dissection , could not have lived though he had not been cut ) . cyprianus indeed was the most violent , in his depositions against him ; tho both were of the same country , and strangers in this : the reason you may judge of . how eminent an anat●mist he is , will appear in the sequel : but his professorship , you speak of , like meleagers life , not being inherent , dwindled away with the life of a kind co-habiting refugie : his lectures expir'd as soon as the man ; and his honour laid in the dust , before the corps of his friend . however by his last lecture in the open court , i have learn'd , that spanish flises work contrary effects in different countries : here , as appears by the five affidavits , they render the blood ( like the bite of a haemorrhous ) flowing out by gallons : in holland ( upon his credit ) like that of an asp , they coagulate it by pailfulls : here , internally given , affect no inward parts , but only the urinary-ducts and receptacles ; though convey'd into the blood , and carried by it to all others : there , they miserably excoriate and ulcerate the throat , stomach and guts . had these venomous creatures , been the censors flies , and not stifled luckily in a pailful of blood ( which he swore he took out of the bladder ) , they had doubtless torn ' in pieces , and perhaps devour'd her skins and flesh ; as the cacciatori are serv'd by the vipers in campagna di roma . but now we talk of such animals , i must tell mr. professor , by way of return , one of my observations , viz. that the venom of an asp , lying close by the tongue ; is naturally , as to the creatures jaunt , bounded by a river : lucan , id nili metitur arenis : but we have made it boundless , by wafting it over the ocean . aspida fecimus merces , pelagoque petimus . wherefore it most plainly appears , that it was not a wise and considerate judgment , but envy and malicious suggestions , which occasion'd that unjust and illegal censure against dr. groenvelt ; nor will learned censors , either censure , what they do not know ; or condemn , what they themselves make use of ; nor are they solemnly sworn , to decry that as poisonous , which hath been evidently prov'd before the world , to be highly beneficial to the kings subjects . it had look'd far better in my poor opinion , for you to have done , what you charge the doctors evidence untruly withal ; viz. to have extenuated your crime , and not vindicated your practice , in opposition to the law , and the determination of the court of kings-bench . as to your old womens stories you talk of , the most fabulous we have heard and laught at in court , for no other fatality attending ; then the usual one , upon the best of remedies , in a dying person : but if you please to trump them up again , the doctor will either f — t at your thunder , by despising your tales : or if you expose the faculty too much by the rehearsal ; you must expect the same as to your persons and skill : lex talionis will bear him out if attack'd ; though not you the aggressors . instances he may have without any trouble ; for you know how great a body you have disoblig'd . you may then spare your brains and shoe-leather , skipp no more over the ditches in southwark ; least you fall into what you design'd for another . be therefore advis'd , either to submit patiently to the doctor and prosecutor ; or fairly to the law. the charge against dr. burwell and torlesse , for administring unprepar'd cantharides , though you deny it , is notoriously true ; being fully sworn to , by mr. daire , speers and boucher , known honest apothecaries : the bills were then , and are ready still to be , produced in any court. you were absent , you say , when this was alledged ; yet subpaena'd as witnesses , by the plaintiff , and concerned as such ; yea , and otherwise too , as hath been fully prov'd . you were really unkind to the woman , in not appearing ; to your selves , in not vindicating your honour . doubtless your presence would have over-aw'd the court ; undone the fact and asserted the common cause . you may still be present , and swear in your own cause , as evidence for the king : do but indict mr. speers of perjury ( with the rest to make the shorter work ) as you have threatned ; and the matter of fact will appear in its proper colours : the number of the bills is increas'd , and there is but such an opportunity wanting to produce them , and shew the world , how just you were in condemning the doctor for the same fact , you your selves were so notoriously guilty of ; but with this remarkable difference , that tho the doctor knew the cantharides not to be a poison , yet was careful to correct their acrimony : you have declared them an acute venom ; but administred them without any caution ( so much as to your selves ) , particular diet , or antidote ; unless it be that of plinie , and diuretics , as in one of the bills , to increase their force , malignity and venom , as you call it ; which appearing fully , by the bills themselves and the latin directions , and solemnly attested , in a publick court : pray be not so lavish of your tenders of oaths , for fear of the worst : at least give us some satisfaction first , how far your negative depositions , as to fact , and that in your own cause , can be valid , against a positive oath of sober and credible witnesses , who have and will assert directly the contrary of what you pretend to . reason third , the said censors having thus notoriously acted like ill men , informations , by order of the kings-bench , were brought severally against them ( in obedience to and incouragement by the law ) for not having qualified themselves , for a place of such high trust and judicial authority ; but by the great endeavours of the said censors to evade them , the suit hath prov'd very expensive , the said censors applying themselves to his majesty , by way of petition , for a noli prosequi ; but his majesty being informed of the case , out of a tender regard to justice and the laws , was pleas'd to deny them . reason fourth , dr. burwell , one of the said censors , being try'd the si●ting after the last term , upon the information aforesaid , a special verdict was obtain'd against him ; and the rest of the said censors having joined issue , are to be try'd the next term. here you are displeas'd with the prosecutors asserting , that you have acted notoriously like ill men. but if a notorious injustice , back'd by a barbarous treatment of a brother ; persisted in to the last , with the utmost aggravations , of privately aspersing , and publickly calumniating , of an innocent person , highly injur'd by your selves before ; and that in contempt , of the law , the decision of the jury , the advice of friends , and the sense of mankind , merits such a denomination ; be pleas'd now to accept , not the similitude only , but the thing it self . it was then your injustice , not the prosecutors malice , that occasion'd the informations . you have indeed indeavour'd to evade them , upon as vain pretences , as you make use of here , and sued , you say , for a noli prosequi , being inform'd by your councel ; that you were not within the act : but you know , that his majesty , upon true information of the matter of fact , was pleased to deny it : from which it doth plainly appear , that the prosecution was neither malicious , nor unreasonable : for you were left to the law , by his majesties consent to , and express approbation of , so just a prosecution : and you have experienc'd , by your repeated fruitless attempts , that the right honourable the lords are of the same mind . the verdict against dr. burwell , was brought in special : but it was the prosecutors design'd favour , to you not deferving any , that the least obnoxious person was pitch'd upon amongst you , to give you all time and scope of repentance : to that end , he order'd his councel , not to oppose the special verdict , when desir'd : furthermore , i am fully satisfied , if it had been any of the other three , the jury would have brought him in guilty , for reasons you may learn in time . notwithstanding all this , you have revil'd the prosecutor for being so tender , slighted his favours , and continue to do so . you express your selves wisely , that the matter is to be argued by ( not before ) the judges ; but in your wisdom , know not how this case will be then determined : yet , by an unaccountable stubbornness , hazzard your ruin , in a case suppos'd by your selves to be doubtful : you stop your ears to the advice of friends , and the counsel of those , who not only guess at , but know your danger ; slight all proposals ; laugh at those , who in pitty would gladly have been your mediators . three of you indeed may think your selves secure , and hope for an accommodation timely enough , tho' burwell be ruin'd ; but you are not safe , tho' he should escape ; your pleadings must be different , your case worse , your defence as to any point insignificant : but if the old gentleman should persist in , and fall a martyr to his obstinacy , you must not , you cannot , in reason and justice expect any other fate ; as you were his accomplices , more active , designing and spightful ; you must expect at least the same , deserve a worse usage . go on in your defiance ; the prosecutor hath hitherto , and i believe , will not fail to meet you one by one , wherever you are pleas'd to carry the suit : but my advice to the former ( if he thinks fit to take it ) is to desert you , that would expose him singly , to the lash of the law , and agree with his kinder adversary , whil'st in the way with him , least , &c. mat. . . i shall now take another book in hand , to prove that dr. greenfield also ought to be consider'd : i mean that of alius medicus , alias dr. bu●well , against mr. less . i should not have advis'd dr. burwell at all , but that i really pitty him , being made by nature more innocent then the rest , as his book doth fully declare it . he saith , in the page , that good name is better then life , especially if lively-hood goes away with it . but what regard had he to that of dr. greenfield , or what compassion for his family ? the doctor was trapann'd by a feigned message and name , into a coffee-house he constantly us'd , to be hurried to newgate , from amidst his friends , patients and numerous acquaintance ; was follow'd from thence to his house , there taken from the imbraces of his wife and children , from under the nose of his father in law , the reverend dr. meriton : he was committed the same day he had cut a child of the stone , by persons regardless , of the life of one innocent , as well as the prayers of another , dr. greenfield i mean ; that a prison of less scandal , or the lodge of the college , might serve , till he could make his application to the other censors ; that to dr. burwell proving in vain . his commitment was instantly publish'd in the post-boy , newgate nam'd , his crime not specified , but declar'd in general ▪ for ill practises , with a notorious falshood , for refusing to pay his fine , which was never demanded , nor intended to be the only satisfaction , for that imaginary crime ; as appears by the censors warrant and defence . the authors adds in the same page , good name is like a venice glass , &c. if once crack'd though soadred or plaistred , yet is despis'd , undervalued , and in a manner good for nothing . yet he will not suffer the doctor so much as to indeavour it ; but , by repeated publick aspersions . essays ( though i hope in vain ) to shiver it in pieces . he adds further , it is like virginity in women , it enhanceth their price , &c. in days of yore , women were bought for wives , now only for whores : but seeing he hath ravish'd this metaphoric girl , and indeavours to violate her still ; he will be kindly us'd , if he only pays really , and suffers not otherwise for the fact : and if the first assault merits a round summ ; the repeated violations , as they enhance the crime , must likewise the price . he goes on and tells us , that private slander is a sort of civil gunpowder , that blows up whole families at once . surely publick is uncivil , it doth it much more : and seeing it might have famish'd the doctor , his wife and children , deserves their curses against him ( the cause of it ) as well as their cries , these are that authors words , not mine , and i firmly believe , a● not the doctors , nor his families wishes ; whatever the author deserves . i shall now conclude with some few questions to , and remarks upon , about half a score of that restless party , active to no purpose . you pretend to advance the grandeur of physick , by exposing that faculty ; shew your selves impartial , by punishing your own members ; without any regard to your own , or the colleges honour : for who can rely upon a physician , if his admission amongst you , doth not warrant his skill and honesty to boot . you pretend to attack your enemies abroad , by creating more within your own bowells , out of those who are best able to preserve and defend you . you are over head and ears in debt , yet lavishly waste the small residue of your stock in fruitless attempts , and as needful suits . in order to retrieve this , you talk of uniting your body ; yet perfist in affronting the most eminent of the fellows , and the whole body of those you call licentiats . pray where is your conduct in all these particulars ? you asperse the latter publickly and privately , as insufficient for practice ; yet they really are , and esteem'd by all , equal to the best of you . pray who will ensure your skill , when you your selves decry that of your equals ? you defame them , as fit only , quoad hoc , to practice only in some particular cases : yet the college hath given them as ample à diploma , as any you have , to practice in all. pray what means this abuse ? i had almost challeng'd your honesty . you will scarcely alallow them any priviledges ; yet the college hath granted them the use and benefit ( vsum fructum ) of all , either granted , or to be granted hereafter to it self . pray where is your justice ? you suffer them not to have the priviledge even of transgressing slaves , to speak for themselves ( i mean ) though standing before your worships , and in all humility , desiring to be heard . pray what do you make of them ? you affront your own vniversities by re-examining , and sometimes rejecting those , whom they have approv'd of , and honoured with the decree of a doctor : besides , you vilify the forreign academiae . pray where is and was your breeding ? you fly from post to pillar , from charter to the act ; now fix here , now there ; as you think , this or that will best bear you out , in your jarring intentions . pray where is your foundation ? you reject the four chiefs from being so much as arbiters of your differences , or judges of the by-laws you make . pray where is your discretion ? you challenge the justice of the jury , slight the advice of my lord chief justice . pray where is your manners and wisdom ? you impose laws , oaths , bonds , fines , obligations , upon freeborn ( not your ) subjects , without being their representatives , their consent , or authority . pray keep , leavy and pay them your selves ; if you please , and what you will or can . it is your boundless ambition , and conceited greatness , that is the cause of all the mischiefs that attend the college and faculty . it was indeed otherwise , when such low , wandring and retrograde orbs , were chek'd and kept under , by the presence of those immortal lights , whose glory is eternally fix'd . i mean , wharton , glisson , willis , ent scarburgh , lower , &c. fuistis troes , fuit ilium & ingens gloria dardan●ae . i had almost forgot the only licensed sydenham . audisne haec amphiarae sub terris abdite ? nay , dr. go ---- le , can you bear to hear your self talk , and your great patron and benefactor revil'd with the same breath ? but now what calls it self a college , must seek for its renown amidst the adverse party , and shelter it self amongst the malcontents : it had only goddards dropps for the influence , the spirit of elliots bones for the support of that government ; till of late it got a young man for its defence . yet when at the board , every one of you is a menecrates , each of you thinks himself a jove ; to be adored , by those call'd licenciates , with capp and knee , in a profound silence . but you found of late , that those your equals , will no longer bear such like indignities . you must shew your selves first to be men , by reflex thoughts on your past actions : till then , i shall take leave of your excellencies ( as philip accosted your haughty predecessor aforesaid ) and that you may hence 〈…〉 d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i wish you sincerely , mente 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ingenuas didicisse fideliter ar 〈…〉 ollit mores , rec sinit esse feros . finis . errata . preface , p. . l. . r. beargarden , l. . r. never , p. . l. . dele even , ● . 〈◊〉 constit●●nt , ● . . l. . r. ever , p. . l. . r. their , p. . l. . r. sours , p. . l. . r. of ● , p. . l. ● . r , ●heir , p. . l. . r. obsol●te . a short discouerie of the vnobserued dangers of seuerall sorts of ignorant and vnconsiderate practisers of physicke in england profitable not onely for the deceiued multitude, and easie for their meane capacities, but raising reformed and more aduised thoughts in the best vnderstandings: with direction for the safest election of a physition in necessitie: by iohn cotta of northampton doctor in physicke. cotta, john, ?- ? approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a short discouerie of the vnobserued dangers of seuerall sorts of ignorant and vnconsiderate practisers of physicke in england profitable not onely for the deceiued multitude, and easie for their meane capacities, but raising reformed and more aduised thoughts in the best vnderstandings: with direction for the safest election of a physition in necessitie: by iohn cotta of northampton doctor in physicke. cotta, john, ?- ? 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pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a short discoverie of the vnobserved dangers of seuerall sorts of ignorant and vnconsiderate practisers of physicke in england : profitable not onely for the deceiued multitude , and easie for their meane capacities , but raising reformed and more aduised thoughts in the best vnderstandings : with direction for the safest election of a physition in necessitie : by iohn cotta of northampton doctor in physicke . london , imprinted for william iones , and richard boyle dwelling in the blacke-friers . . to the right honorable , right worshipfvll and worthy gentlemen , my desired friends and deseruing patients of northamptonshire , honour , health and happinesse of life . right noble and renowned gentlemen , it is now the tenth yeares since the singular fauors , loue , merite and tried worth of my thrice a honored friend hath first here detained mee in the eye of your vse . in this short space of quick time , as my publicke office hath bene truly deuoted vnto you all the common right , so many your noble peculiar deserts haue worthily challenged their speciall claime . in pledge therefore of my loue and dutie vnto you all , and in memorie of my trauels amongst you ▪ ( when former vowes shall haply hence re●all me ) what my time here passed hath brought forth , most rare or worthy vnto choice obseruation , i freely publish , and reciprocally here present vnto the countries good , and together with generall caution and rule for safe and wholesome medication , repay and dedicate . the matter and subiect it selfe , vnto common reading , is of a virgine fresh and as yet vndiuulged view , and no lesse of necessarie and serious vse . the stile can neither be so farre in loue with it selfe as to forget the matter , nor altogether sauoureth of his oft interrupted & vnsetled leisure ; and breuity doth not suffer the reading to be any burthen . the paines and losse of secured safetie b in silence are mine own , and the opportunity euery mans that lusteth to censure , or to satisfie any other more honest end : i haue thus freely exposed my selfe in a proposed hope , that the hence deriued good of many may make good my good desire vnto all . since thē this small sacrifise of my selfe to all your happy healths ( a mite answerable to my might ) doth therwith include a needful vse vnto a common good , that after succeeding participation may enlarge the benefite vnto all , or at least my poore paines awake more ample merite in some others worth , vouchsafe my free & honest labor in your friendly acceptance , shrowded by the true splendor of your generose and noble worthes , may dazle the narrow sight of base obtrectation . thus shal your euer deseruing loues and now desired patronages , make both so much more deserued loue your desirous seruant , and religiously euer oblige my selfe in all true rights vnto your daigned fauours , perpetuall solicitor of humble , officious and thankfull memorie . iohn cotta . to the reader . the sunne doth rise and fall , and returneth euerie day : but when the short day of mans life once goeth downe , it neuer a dawneth . life is deare , and too deare ( being lost ) for all inestimable valewes to redeeme : and health is the sweetnesse of life , and the verie life of b liuing , without which , men while they liue are alreadie dead . thou therefore that louest thy life , and for thy life thy health , take counsell of a physition without a fee. so many and so infinitely do the numbers of barbarous and vnlearned counsellours of health at this time ouerspread all corners of this kingdome , that their confused swarmes do not onely euery where couer and eclipse the sun-shine of all true learning & vnderstanding but generally darken and extinguish the very light of cōmon sense and reason . it is euery mans office to do good for goodnesse sake , and both my generall duty vnto a common good , and my speciall bond vnto my friends , do earnestly solicite me hereto , since no man ( that as yet i heare ) hath hitherto vndertaken this taske . for their sakes therefore , for whose harmes by vnskilfull hands i haue oft heretofore sorrowed , and for their loues , whose life and health i wish heareafter preserued , and for their good who will take paines to know it , i here commend ( leauing the common mischiefe to the common care ) vnto euerie particular for himselfe this needfull detection of harmefull c succours , and necessarie counsell for safe supplie ( necessitie being neuer more distractedly miserable in hard choyce of good ) in so common and confused multitudes of ill . for the meanest readers sake ( whom in this whole worke i labour equally to obserue ) i haue suited the plainnes and simplicitie of a familiar style : and for facilitie of common reading haue also smoothed and cleared the streame and current of this little volume , from the stops and interruptions of vnusuall sounds and language ( as farre as the subiect will permit ) refreshing onely the learned in the margine . neither haue i esteemed it any indecorum for the meanest vnderstanding sake , together with generall cautions and rules to insert particular cases and reports , which may be both an inducement to reade , and an enticement to continue , example being neither least pleasing nor least profitable vnto the vulgar . there shall appeare in this following treatise described , first , such insufficient workemen and practitioners , as this time doth generally set forth , with their seuerall manners , defects and dangers : and after shall succeed a plaine patterne of that sufficient artist , vnto whom with iudgement and better satisfaction vnto thy owne vnderstanding , thou maist commend thy health , and whom the ancients , right reason , and experience haue euer allowed . i labour not in this plaine discouerie with words to feast prodigalitie , nor hope altogether for want of correspondence vnto satisfaction to macerate frugall satietie . few words do best hold d memorie , and a short taste doth breede more eager appetite . i will therefore onely briefly point the common forgetfulnesse by bare aduertisement to better memorie , which after may better thence guide it selfe to more large and accurate consideration . this plaine endeauour begotten of succisiue houres by good desire , thy proposed benefite ( deseruing reader ) hath here brought forth into this common light . enioy therefore therein what seemeth liking , or of vse : the rest thy wiser thoughts may either in reading , abstract , or thy ingenuous mind compare with that is better , or by it selfe censure as a cipher . farewell . thy weale-aduising friend , iohn cotta . the severall tractates of the treatise following . in the first booke . chap. . the introduction . . the empericke his defects and danger . . women their custome and practise about the sicke , commonuisiting counsellours , and commenders of medicines . . fugitiues , workers of iugling wonders , quacksaluers . . surgeons . . apothecaries . . practisers by spels . . the explication of the true discouerie of witchcraft in the sicke , together with many and wondered instances in that kind . . wisards . . seruants of physitions , ministring helpers . in the second booke . chap. . the methodian learned deceiuer or hereticke physition . . benificed practisers . . astrologers , ephemerides-maisters . . coniectors by vrine . . trauellers . in the third booke . the true artist his right description and election . the first booke . chap. i. the introduction . the dignitie and worth of physicks skill consisteth not ( as is imagined commonly ) in the excellence and preheminence of remedies , but in their wise and prudent vse . it is an ancient true saying , that wholesome medicines by the hands of the iudicious dispenser , are as a angels of god sent for the good of men ; but in the hands of the vnlearned , are messengers of death vnto their farther euill . good medicines are in themselues excellent instruments of health and life , but require a learned workeman iudiciously to guide them vnto their destined end . it is order and not confusion , that is euer safe and happie ; and knowledge ( which worketh by election , and b true reason , and not rash boldnesse , which doth good by chance c and vncertaine euent ) that is the light and safe guide of vnderstanding mindes . who knoweth not how much d opportunity aduanceth in all performances ? how descreete obseruation of smallest e circumstances aduantageth ? how wise and learned f cunctation , and sometimes anticipation , make fortunate an action ? who seeth not in euerie dayes experience , how necessarie it is by a mature and iudicious eye to foresee in all attemps the after vnauoydable g hinderances ? who discerneth not that without prudent circumspection and prouident forecast , blinde rashnesse and ignorance do alwaies hazard , & oft vnrecouerably ouerthrow all good successe . through want of knowledge to mistake h time , is losse of labor and of time . ignorant slownesse doth come too late , and rash haste doth stumble : he that knoweth not the danger , doth easily runne vpon the rocke . thus is it easie for the vnlearned to erre , and those that want vnderstanding to fall into the snare . if then all enterprises prosper by wise aduice , & it is wisedome in matters of meanest moment to consult with a wise and iudicious friend , in cases of health and life certainly euery man is not a sufficient counsellor . he that considereth the multitude of causes in diseases , their infinite kindes , manners , and natures , the varietie of accidents , their sodaine and variable mutations , the soone lost occasions , and hardly gained i opportunities , the wisedome which circumstances require , the care and vigilance which the subiect exacteth , the doubts which repugnances bring , the resolutions which necessities vrge ; shall find the most exquisite powers of vnderstanding , iudgement , wit , discretion , and learning herein exactly sifted . from the varietie of k causes of diseases , what varying differences arise in the manner , quantity , qualitie , and times of remedies : euery one requiring a separate and distinct respect and dispensation , euen in the same disease and person ? the immediate cause from the mediate , the antecedent from the continent , the necessarie from the casuall and contingent , require both a diuers handling , and also a distinction in order of handling : neither is there a like consideration of the externall and internall , the positiue , the priuatiue , the materiall , the immateriall , those that are single and alone , and those that are ioyntly and with others . sometimes many causes are coincident in one effect , sometimes many diseases from one cause . sometimes the same cause receiueth a difference from it selfe , and exacteth an exact difference in his owne remedies . sometime the same cause is so farre vnlike it selfe that it seemeth not it selfe , being either more then it selfe in quantity , or a monster to l it selfe in malignant quality . as causes & diseases ( according to their causes : ) so no lesse materiall are accidents to be distinctly knowne and considered . some of them bring m certaine knowledge , some artificiall coniecture , some matter of presumption and probability . some are manifest , some anxious and ambiguous , some significant by themselues , some consignificant with others . some are of vertue in singularitie , some in multitude : some are considered as signes and causes , some as neither , some as both . some accidents go before the disease , some accompany , some follow after . ordinarily the disease doth draw all attendance vnto it selfe , sometimes the n accident doth obscure the disease . some accidents alone are ciphers , but added vnto other make vp a iust account ; some prognosticate , some iudicate , some are idle : some iudicate the constitution of the sicke , some the humour , some the diseased part , some the disease it selfe , and some the issue . sometimes diseases are discouered by no signes at all , but by an exact and exquisite o disquisition of a sound and p solert iudgement . so that according to the kindes , places , courses , changes and courses of accidents , varie significations , iudications and prognostications , and follow safe administration and application of apt remedies , vnto the more speedy q benefite of the sicke , facilitie of cure , and securitie of after health . diseases , their causes and circumstances wisely distinguished and knowne , do point a discreete knowing workman to a more certaine issue ; without which as the beginning of cure must necessarily be rash , so must the end be doubtlesly vncertaine . hence it must needs be apparent , that by the common neglect and ignorance herein , the monopolizing of cures vnto the prerogatiue of this or that secret , and thereby the contempt of the due permutation of medicines , according to requisite circumstances and necessities , and the omission & reiection of the wholesome administratiō of the generall r remedies ( without which the particular are vaine and preposterous ) do commonly turne to the common perdition of most valetudinary men . from hence also it doth come to passe , that many disea●es , beyond their owne nature , and besides the constitution of the sicke , grow so commonly , so easily rooted , and vnobseruedly confirmed in mens bodies , that oft they can neuer haue end , which by due ordering should neuer haue had beginning . hence grow so frequent the multitude of strange and vnnaturall changes , and new fashions of fits , euen through the too common vse of wholesome remedies in vulgar and prophane hands . for through this presumption , either by idle trifling and vaine flattery of ease , dangerous diseases quickly & in short time grow too proud for any medication : or else in the other ſ extreme , by too much haste and violence are hunted out of their owne course , t and so metamorphize themselues into wilde and vnaccustomed shapes . hence likewise it cometh to passe , that diseases in their owne kind easie and of small continuance , by the wrong and iniury of remedies ( without aduice admitted and celebrated ) are not onely extended , to a lingring age of many daies : but from daies to weekes , from weekes to yeares , yea oft vnto a longer life then the sicke himselfe , after him inheriting his children and posteritie . it is a verified and true saying , worse are the bad after-consequences of ill applied medicines , then diseases themselues . although this be often apparent , euen vnto the common sence of vulgar sight , yet much more infinite are the impeachments and ruines of health by the learned seene and discouered daily , whereof a common eye is not u capable ; while vnperceiued mischiefes stealingly x & insensibly enter with vnpriuiledged remedies , and by some present benefite or ease for a time , gayning credit and entertainement , by litle and litle secretly vndermine the verie frame and foundation of life . we may instance in tobacco : with what high fame and great renowne was it at his first arriuall here in england entertained as an incomparable iewell of health , and an vniuersall antidote and supersedeas against the force , and capias of all diseases , euery man with the smoke thereof in his nosthrils , breathing the prayles and excellencies thereof in his mouth ? but now hath not time and many a mans wofull experience giuen testimonie to right reason and iudgement , from the first suspecting , and vntill this prouing time suspending the too great name thereof ? is not now this high blased remedy manifestly discouered ▪ through intemperance and custome , to be a monster of many diseases ? since the riotous vse of this strange indian , let it be noted how many strange & before vnknowne diseases haue crept in vnnaturally , besides the former custome and nature of the nation , prouing now naturall and customary to the follies of the nation . is it not apparent that the aire of this vapor and smoke by the subtility therof , doth sodainly search all parts with a generall distresse oft times to nature ? and is it not thence probable , that by aduantage in the weakest , it may oft leaue behinde it ( especially where it is any time vsed ) such impression and print , besides painefull distention through his inclosed vapour , that no time of life , no remedies , oft times , are euer after able to blot y out ? and frō this nicotian fume grow now adaies , doubtlesly , many our frequent complaints , and euerie day new descriptions of z paines , according haply to the diuersitie and difference of the parts it chiefly affecteth , or the more or lesse extreme vse thereof . and men haply led by some present bewitching feeling of ease , or momentarie imagined release from paine at some time , hereby vnaduisedly with such meanes of their ease , drinke into some weake parts , such seede of future poison , as hauing giuen them for a time supposed pleasing ease , doth for time to come secretly and vnfelt settle in their bones and solid parts , a neuer dying disease ( while they liue . ) how many famous patrons and admirers of this simple , haue senselesly died in the very time of the idle vse thereof , while it yet smoked in their teeth ? and others liuing in the immoderate a burning loue therein , haue with the fierie zealous gluttonie thereof ( as the badge of his mastership in thē ) sensibly stupefied & dried vp their euer after , foolish and besotted braines ? i might giue other instance in these well knowne and vulgar remedies of the named french disease , which by a present benumming of the sense , cousining , and easing of paine , do withall , for after time , inure and leaue behinde them such a rottennes , and weaknesse ofttimes of the bones and sinewes , as suffereth few of our mercurials to liue , to know b their age in health , especially who throughly knew the siluer-salue in their youth . hence toward declining age ( if not before ) some fall into consumptions and marasmes , some lose their teeth , some haue the palate of the mouth rotted , some the very bones of their head eaten , some by conuulsions their mouthes and faces set awry . and it is ordinary with most of this sort , long before haruest to leaue no grasse grow vpon their paued tops . i do not altogether condēne these smoakes , but feare their fire , and with the ancients sparingly commend their kinde of remedies , knowing their pernicious danger in their ignorant and rash ouervse , with their singular seruice in some rare exigents , god and nature haply leauing a sting and poyson in them , for their too common vitious neede and custome . i might here yet farther insist in all other diseases , how the vse of the most excellent , proper , and apt remedies being vnaptly applied , either too little or too c much , too soone or too late , before their season or after , in some cases at any time , or in any maner , bring in corrigible and helpeles harmes , being in their owne nature d harmeles , but in their vnskilfull vse pernicious and mortall . it is apparent in all mysteries and faculties whatsoeuer , that the excellencie of the toole without the excellencie of the workeman , doth not bring forth excellencie in the workmanship . hence it must needes come to passe , that medicines though wholesome in themselues , and of a sauing and soueraigne power , without any touch of harmefull quality at all , yet being ignorantly or indiscreetly out of time or place disposed or dispensed , must likewise bring forth mischiefe , in steade of expected good . and although many hardened by custome vnto a boldnes of trāsgressing in this kind , prouoke oft reuenge of their follie , ( for a time without harme or punishment ) yet do they not alwayes escape : for though happe oft passe by , it lights at e last , and not seldome heauily . cassia is esteemed for a delicate , wholesome and harmelesse lenitiue vnto old men , children , babes , women with child , and the weakest amongst the sicke ; yet the learned know it in some f cases not onely vnprofitable , but of maine mischiefe . rhabarb is said to be the life of the liuer , yet in some conditions thereof it is an g enemie ; and for the generall remedies , phlebotomy , purging , vomite , sweating , bathing and the like , reason and experience daily giue demonstration , that oft in the same body , and the same disease , they are variablie , sometime necessary , sometimes profitable not necessary , sometimes neither profitable nor necessary , but accursed . sometimes bleeding doth ventilate and refresh the spirits aboue , and beyond all other remedies , and is the onely key vnto health ; sometimes againe it doth exhaust and spend their vigour , sometime being both profitable and necessary , yet vsed out of time or quantity doth no good , or vsed vnseasonably doth much hurt . purgatiōs in some estates with h preparatiues , and in some without i preparatiues are harmefull : in some either k with preparatiues , or without l preparatiues they are necessary and neuer to be omitted . and as there is infinite danger in errour and ignorant dispensation , so is there vnspeakable good in the prudent prescription according to the nature , quality and seate of each humor ; according to which it is wisdome sometimes to quicken , sometimes to alay , sometimes to hasten , sometimes to moderate their effects , discreete stayes oft making more speedy iourneys . m vomits in some diseases are altogether banished and not admitted , and in some contrariwise they haue onely priuiledge . the like may be said of outward remedies , plaisters , vnguents , cereclothes , fomentations , and baths , which also according to wise and discreete administration , or a rash and heedlesse abuse , are good or euill . and this is the reason , that so many famous and renowned remedies now adaies bring forth effects vnworthy themselues ; for ( being with such dissolute licenciousnesse euery where and in all places permitted to breake forth , out of the prudent awe of vnderstandings guidance ) how shall they choose but become wild and irregular in the hands of vnskilfull raines that want true art , and the methode of their right dispensation ? there is no place nor person ignorant with what confusion of good order ( either by abuse of immunities , or impunitie , ill prouision , or ill execution of good lawes ) through all parts of this kingdome , all sorts of vile people and vnskilfull persons without restraint , make gainefull traffique by botching in physicke ; and hereby ( besides many wicked practises , iuglings , cousinages & impostures , which maske vnespied vnder the colour and pretence of medicining ) numbers of vnwotting innocents daily in thrall , and betray themselues , their liues and safetie , to sustaine the riot , lusts and lawlesse liuing of their enemies & common homicides . it is a world to see what swarmes abound in this kinde , not onely of taylors , shoemakers , weauers , midwiues , cookes , and priests , but witches , coniurers , iuglers , and fortune-tellers . it were a wrong to exempt any that want wit or honestie in a whole country , yea and many that haue too much of either , must be priuiledged by an old prouerbe , to be physitions , because it is no manners to call them fooles . and hereby not onely the simple and vnlettered , but oft times men of better sort and qualitie , casting their eyes vpon some attempts of these barbarous medicine-mongers , ( good oft in their euent ) and not considering the dangerousnesse of such habite and custome , desirously oft times entertaine the messengers and ministers of vnrecouerable n miserie vnto their after life . for as in militarie designes , oft times a bold and foole-hardy enterprise aboue and besides reason , and beyond expectation , produceth an excellent and admired good in the happie issue , yet is it not commended , or in any case permitted ( as being verie dangerous ) in ordinarie practise or custome of warfare : so likewise diuers euents of medicines proue good , whose bold vse and rash prescription is dangerous and vnskilfull . i do not onely herein pittie the meane capacitie , but wonder also at the madnesse of men in their wits , who in other kinds of knowledge reuerend , yet herein , with desire of life , seeme oft to haue so little care of their liues . it is strange to obserue how few in these dayes know , and how none almost labour to know with election and according to reason , or reasonable likelihood , to bestow in cases of their liues the trust and care of their crased healths , but for the most part wanting a right notice of a iudicious choice , take counsel either of common report which is a common lier , or of priuate commendations , which are euer partiall . the vnmindfulnesse hereof , and the more minde of mindlesse things , do steale from men the minds of men . hence euery where preposterous intrusion doth disorder the right and propriety of euery thing , and the generall forgetfulnes of that which to euerie one is most pertinent , doth beget an itching businesse in that which to euerie one is most impertinent ; and selfe conceited and presuming ignorance doth pricke forward rash spirits to become more bold & busie , then modestie doth permit discreete mindes , soberly limited within their owne bounds . this is the cause , that vnwottingly to the poore patient , vnwittingly to the vnskilfull workeman , and generally for the most part vnobserued of all , is the thread of many a mans life ordinarily , by vnskilfull hands intangled in such inextricable knots of sicknesse , paines and death , as no time nor art are euer able to vnfold . vnproper remedies are for the most part worse then diseases , and vnlearned physitions of all bad causes of diseases themselues the worst . that therefore men continue not in this generall confusion ( through voluntarie ignorance , euer ignorantly vnfortunate ) it is not a needlesse learning , more studiously to know and discerne o good from ill , and ill from good , beginning with the last first . chap. ii. of the empericke . right a reason and true b experience are two the sole inseparable instruments of all humane knowledge : the empericke trusting vnto experience alone without reason , and the methodian vnto the abuse of right reason ; the ancients haue deuided all sorts of erronious physitions into these two c . for ignorant experience and without reason , is a false d sense , and mistaking reason is deniall of reason . as therefore vnto these two , other ages before , so we now may reduce all the faultie practitioners of our time , beginning with the empericke . the empericke is he who reiecteth e the disquisition of diseases and remedies , their causes , natures & qualities according to iudgement and vnderstanding , and the carefull perpension and ballancing of his action and practise vnto a iust proportion with reason ; but onely informeth himselfe by such things as oft appeare euident & manifest vnto sense and experimentall proofe , carrying his heart and vnderstanding ( for the most part ) in his hands and eyes , taking nothing sure but what he sees or handles ; and from the differing maners of experience , are numbred seuerall and diuers kinds f of experience . the defect in the empericke hence appeareth to be want of true methode & the habite of right operation and practise according to reason , ( which is art ) through which defect his actions must needs oft be reasonlesse , g and by consequent as blind in their intention , so likely to be foolish in their issue and execution . for there must needs be in all actions want of much more necessary knowledge then sense and experience canne aduance vnto : and experience must needes witnesse against it selfe , that the longest age of experience doth nothing so fully furnish and instruct in many things , as much more speedily doth prudent inuention ; which though occasioned and helped by bookes and reading , which are both keyes vnto all knowledge , and also rich storehouses of experiences , not onely of one age and countrie , but of all times & nations ; yet do they only glut the sense with stories of experiences past , but reason and iudgement truly enrich the mind , and giue daily new increase and light in before vntried & vnexperienced truths . indeede particular experience , if it be accompanied with vnderstanding h and right reason ( which is the touchstone of truth and right in nature ) establisheth and confirmeth knowledge ; but if experience be no more but experience , it must needes proue in many cases a slow guide to lame instruction . for as it is with the souldier in the field , let his owne speciall experience in armes be neuer so ancient , so true , so sound , yet without a more generall i vnderstanding or theorie , and a more enlarged knowledge then his particular and limited experience can bring forth , he must be lamely fitted vnto many suddaine and oft before vnseene occurrents , which the perpetuall mutabilitie and change of circumstances in warfare must needes produce . the field , the enemie , the time ( not alwaies the same ) require a diuers and oft a contrarie consultation , designe and manner , wherein one particular experience by it selfe cannot but be much wanting , because the same thing or actiō seldome or neuer happens againe the same in all circumstances ; & one circumstance k alone cōmonly altereth the whole cōdition . as it is in military affaires , so is it in the assaults of diseases , where the fight & wrestling of nature is not alway in the same part , nor in the same forme or maner , nor with the same disease , nor of the same period : all which circumstances in the same subiect cannot happen alwaies to anie sight or sense the same , ( which maketh experience ) yet are euer present in the generall notions of the vnderstanding , whereby the prudent and wise man doth make supplie though experience faile . besides the differences which circumstances make , many diseases in themselues and their owne kinde are such as are scarce seene in a mans l life , some in many yeares , some in an age , some in many generations ; & therein how can experience giue prescription for those things whereof it hath not had experience ? for experience is of things m oft seene . if then the same things be in all circumstances seldome or neuer seene , and some at sometime seene which a life or age shall not see againe , and there can be no true experience where there is not sight and sense , how blinde an helpe must oft experience be ? doth not euerie day bring forth somewhat new or strange vnto the day , and worthy denomination of the day ? the french , spanish , neapolitane , italian disease was a stranger sometime in old albion , which now is an english denison . the scorbut not maine yeares since was vnnamed of writers ; now commonly knowne vnto a common eye . the english sweating n sicknesse very seldome ( if more then once ) here seene , nor at all , or at least not oft elsewhere . to wander yet farther into some more wonder , ruland with other reporteth a tooth of gold naturally o growing with the common ranke in the mouth of a child : hollerius p witnesseth a child in the wombe to thrust forth the hand at the nauill of the mother , and so continuing the space of fifteene daies , in the end the child borne liuing , and the mother saued . brasauolus q mētioneth his cure of a soludier who liued after yeares , hauing almost halfe his head cut away with a portion of his braines , onely thereby losing his sense and memory , neuer eating nor hauing memorie to require at any time to eate , but as it was put into him ; nor redeliuerage at the posternes , but insensiblie . albucasis knew in his time a womā carrying one dead child in her wombe , notwithstanding to conceiue and quicken of another , the dead child in the meane season rotting and falling away by parcels at seueral times . but to passe these and many the like infinite receiued vpon credite and report , my selfe haue met some accidents in my owne practise , & for the most part within the space of these eight last yeares , worth their memorie . in the yeare . an ancient gentleman r being neither sicke nor much pained , and onely molested with a cough and shortnesse of wind ( from which his health was neuer free ) requested my aduice for the preuention of the increase of the former accidents ( in which also he found , vnto the generall seeming vnto his owne sense and some other learned counsaile , very chearfull and comfortable amendement ) my selfe onely suspecting and signifying vnto his friends my despaire . betweene his pulses on the right side and the left in generall manifestly appeared a wondered ods , so continuing the space of . or . daies together . on the left side no position ſ of touch , no search could finde any pulse at all . on the right side the pulses were constantly & continually , as in his best health , manifest , strong , equall , in good order , with full distentiō vnto all the dimēsions . in the same parts where the pulses on the other side seemed dead , all other faculties perfectly liued in naturall heate , color , vigour , sense & motiō . this was thē witnessed by certaine honorable gentle women present , whō well vnderstanding & more then sufficiēt for such a taske , i therto intreated , & it cold by no sense be denied . it was imagined by some learned dissenting frō my first howres dislike , that it was no other but an imperceptibilitie t of his pulse , and without danger , as supposed vsuall vnto him in his health by reason of diuers deepe wounds tenne yeares before receiued vpon that side . my experience of the contrarie oft in his former health , and also in diuers other his sicknesses , confirmed by owne doubt , & death which determineth all things , sodainly and vnexspectedly determined this , in so faire a visard so many dayes deceiuing many . in the yeare . my paines was solicited vnto a vertuous lady honorably both in her knight , and her selfe allied , and no lesse eminent in their owne worth , then lying neare grafton in northampton shire . i found her left by a former u physition to verifie his prediction by her death . she was miserably perplexed with the doubtfull deliuery of a dangerously begunne abortion , her owne strength failing , and the ordinarie assistance of women in those cases shrinking from her , and a deepe die of a mixt and diuers coloured iaundies , with extreme paines of her stomacke ( giuing no rest nor intermission ) adding feare and sorrow ; the substance also of her vrine continually troubled , confusedly thicke , the colour altogether resembling the strained iuice of the grenest hearbe . in the terrour of her abortion my indeuour proued vnto her speedily happy and succesfull . afterward according vnto the second indication from the iaundies ( necessity vrging , and her strength then fauouring the worke ) i commanded her to bleede in the arme ; which done with good ease and felicitie , nature , in spite of all indeuour to the contrarie , kept the orifice after still open , running daily and continually the space of three weekes together , and then healing and closing x it selfe with her perfect amendment . at the same time ( a sodaine sharpe paine giuing a speciall distinct sense thereof ) she disburthened of a round white hard stone full of little holes , that part which giueth the name and seate vnto the colike . in the yeare . a young y woman of yeares age , with another graue gentlewoman accompanying her , came vnto me requiring aduice in her wondered estate and condition . the skin or membrane of her belly ( from the nauill downeward withered , dead , and gathered together , in likenesse of a rotten bladder or a wet leather bag , and in that forme falling flagge from the former close setting vnto the guts and bellie ) lay continually loose vnto the one side . in the yeare . a barbers z boy of northhamptō auoided wormes , besides other ordinary passages , by a vrine . in the yeare . a shoomaker of northampton sometime a bayliffe of the towne , falling dangerously sick , called my counsell together with an empericke . the other accused the hypochondriaca passio , my selfe made knowne my suspition of an abscession in the bulke : vaine hope gaue credite to that it rather desired , and the patient trusted himselfe with the other . shortly after he was surprised with sodaine frequent swoundings & feare of imminent suffocation , but by cough and spitting escaped , and with wonder in short space filled diuers large b basins with foule purulent stuffe ( one paroxysme at once , sometime before intermission , making vp the said measure . ) in this feare and terrour vnto himselfe and the beholders , he earnestly sued , and againe obtained my aduice . he perfectly recouered ( the purulent collection after the c day exhaust ) and he yet liueth free d from the sequeles of any other manifest disease or danger . in the yeare . a woman e vexed with a palpitation of her heart , together with an oft intermission of her pulse , by an inward presention mouing from a so daine troubled agitation of her minde , would vsually vnto my selfe ( with others present ) foretell when her pulse should stand and intermit , sometimes two , sometimes three or foure pulsations , before the intermission . the pulse in theiust knowne number and time did euer keepe time with her prediction , herselfe nor then nor euer wotting how to feele a pulse by her hand or touching . she in this manner continued by vncertaine fits and times the space of mon●ths or thereabouts , while sometime myselfe resorted vnto her , being for that and other accidents by her husband called & consulted . it is reported vnto me by diuers well knowing gentlewomen , and others of good worth , that a f woman dwelling within a mile of northamptō was brought to bed first of one childe , and within twenty weekes after of another , quickening of the latter the same day shee was churched of the first . it is testified by many now inhabitants of northampton , that from within the wombe of a woman with child ( then dwelling in the towne ) her child was audibly heard to cry , vnto her owne amazement , and the wonder of diuers hearers of credite & vnderstanding . anno a woman of northampton g shire being with child and growing neare the time of her deliuery , was extraordinarily diuers dayes pained in the bellie an inch distant from the nauill , vntill at length diuers wormes , each equalling in length a quarter of an ell , sodainly at two distant places did eate themselues a passage through the skinne of her bellie ; and so came forth and gaue her ease . a gentlewoman my late patient , and now dwelling in northampton , reporteth vnto me frō her owne sight with many other eye witnesses ; that among her owne children a male child , being then fiue weekes of age , a fortnight together had the breasts full of milke , as readily & plentifully flowing and spouting out milke as the breasts of a suck-giuing nurse . these few instances are sufficient to proue the like contingence of other the like , which other times in other manner , may and do oft bring forth . neither is euer nature so great a niggard ( though not to euery eye alike bountifull ) but euery day almost may pose bare and naked experience . he therefore that seeth not but with his eyes of his owne experience ; where he hath no experience , hath no eyes h , and therefore there is blind and cannot see . since then many things fall out beyond the compasse of experience , which by experience make experince blind , how then where are no eyes shall an empericke borrow eyes ? it is againe answered , though the empericke haply haue not seene the same with that which seldome , or once onely doth happe , yet very seldome hath he , not oft , or at least sometime seene the * like , and thence vnto the like he fits the like disposing . but with the wise the like is much vnlike the i same . their confusion is onely proper vnto the foole , and the dangerous issue his deserued punishment . it is a chiefe point in all learnings truly to discene k betweene differing similitudes and like differences . many accidents commonly fall out seeming like , yet haue no affinitie ; and againe in shew the same , yet indeede contrarie . contraries haue oft in many things likenesse , and likenesse contrarieties easilie deceiuing the vnwotting and vnleamed . it is therefore of no small moment or consequence for a physition truly by a discerning eye to put iust difference . this he that cannot do , must either through the deceiuablenesse of likenesses confound repugnant remedies , ( which cannot be without great harme and hazard of life and health ) or by mistaking parities for imparities disioyne helpes better vnited , which cannot be without both hinderance and hurt vnto the sicke , their safetie and securitie . many diseases ofttimes so liuely mocke one the other , that a good eye may easily deceiue it selfe . the vlcers of the baldder and the reynes , a mole and a true conception , a ruptu●e and a relaxation , plurisies and some kindes of inflammations of the liuer ; the colike and some other kinde of the same inflammations , diuers kinds of l consumptions according to diuers m feauers with infinite more in their intricate ambiguities , dissemble themselues and deceitfully resemble one the other , much thereby oft times perplexing the best vnderstanding . somtimes the most vnlike will put on likenesse , and the most like weare contrarietie . what more vnlike then death and life , death to life , and life to death ? yet sometimes life appeareth in the shape of death , terrifying the beholders with frightfull shewes of inquietude & anxietie , deliquation , sodaine and violent euacuations and exagitations n of the whole body , n when the healthfull crisis is at hand , and the victorie of nature in the masterie of her enemie the disease . and sometimes death cometh smiling in a visar of life with cheerefulnesse and ouer-pleasing lightsomenesse , when the last houre is now already runne , n and the sun for euer setting . hence the vnconsiderate and vnlearned to distinguish , are easily induced , sometimes by vaine hope deceiued to physicke death , sometime too fearefully despairing with exequious offices to comber life and the recouerie of death . hence are oft sound parts vexed with needelesse remedïes , and the comforts of life o imprisoned for an vntimely death . it is now the sixth yeare since i was solicited for a woman by the opinion of the dysenterie or abrasion of her guts , miserably held for the space almost of a quarter of an yeare vnto the continuall vse of eueryday-glysters and other astringent medicines , vntill it was my fortune coming vnto her , by good reason to discouer the supposed membranous deiections to be nothing else but skinnes of wormes , which first dead , after putrified & dissolued into small parcels descended with some torment in the similitude of little skinnes . the skinnes being found it was an easie matter by a new warrant to fetch the skinners , whose thereto appearance confessed the euidence , & gaue the suspition of the dysentery for euer after free discharge and perfect deliuery . in this one instance he that is wise may conceiue many more without number , which therfore as vnnecessary and troublesome i will not farther here trouble or awake now sleeping with time past . in these like cases , sometimes the best perfection p , the ripest vnderstanding doth and may mistake . and therefore the ignorant empericke who professeth confusion and vseth no light , or helpe of iudgment or reason at all , but the onely q sense of his owne experience , how shall he do otherwise , but oft and continually mistake manifoldly much more ? and thus we haue briefly discouered the empericke in matters requiring extraordinarie counsell , ignorant , in cases of his best experienced knowledge yet vnto some circumstances vnfurnished , in many matters of substance altogether vnexpert , in rare accidents and before vnseene at a maze , in true & right discerning wanting the eye of right reason , in confounding things differing , & in separating things in their owne nature inseparable , dāgerous . now as we haue pointed out the empericke himselfe , so it remaineth that with him and in him , we note all that by institution , educatiō , tradition , instruction , or stolne obseruatiō deriue their rule , example & custome from him . in this number are all that vsually professe thēselues in confidence of their choyce secrets and excellent medicines , commanders & maisters of all diseases . such also are they who in all places proclaime open defiance against all maladies , & with vehement remedies vpon euery light occasision needelesly , & vnprouoked ( if diseases presently cānot away ) either fire them out or pull their hold about their eares , with the fall of the disease needelesly hazarding the diseased . oft times a good euent may authoritse it for skill , & their friendly offer call it good will ; but their kinde care is too oft seene and proued a keene weapon to wound their friend , and the sicke are nor seldome oppressed with being so loued . i would it were a slander in these dayes , that good will and excellent medicines put to death more liues then open murther . for as the most complete armour , engins , and forts of warre , the excellent munition and rich prouision vnto a man without knowledge to mannage them , are but instruments without life , vntill some better skill put life into them : so good medicines being the physitions instruments and weapons , either defensiue for nature , or offensiue against the forces of diseases , in other hands then his must needes proue as but dead in themselues , so ofttimes deadly vnto others . to square and leuill their right vse requireth more vnderstanding then is to be found in reasonlesse medicines , or yet their senselesse maisters . for as in all other affaires , where knowledge , prudence , and discretion r haue prerogatiue , the attempt is commendable , and the issue likely to be happy ; so also in cases of health , wherin wise & iudicious dispensation , or in rash & erroneous , the vertue and efficacy of medicines doth liue , or die in vse and power . it is strange notwithstanding in these dayes to behold , with what senselesse madnesse , men are become worshippers of medicines : and so great ofttimes is their idolatrous folly herein , that ( as if they had gotten some rare good in a boxe , i meane some rare secret ) they presently inflamed with the furie and opinion thereof , dare vpon the consused notice of a disease commend with as sacred secrecie and intolerable vsurped titles of infallible , absolute , and irresistable vertue & force , as if any particular excellencie were able to coniure the generall casualty whereunto all earthly things must needes * be subiect . for god hath set downe a law of mutability and changeablenesse to all things ; created according to diuersitie of circumstances , by which all things vnder heauen are continually altered , changed , and gouerned ſ . there is no creature , medicine or t herbe that hath any such boundles or infinite power as to keepe the same inchangeable or infallibe , but there shall be a diuers and manifold consideration and u coaptation of the same thing . there can be no endeauor , meanes , way , or instrument of neuer so complete perfection or tried proofe directed to what effect , issue or end soeuer , that receiueth not ordinarily x impediment , opposition , and contradiction , whereby those things which in themselues might haply seeme certaine and good by accident and circumstance , are againe very vncertaine y and euill . all ignorants therefore whatsoeuer ( such are whosoeuer are not artists ) had they for all diseases the most choyce and excellent medicines knowne euen vnto god and nature , aboue and beyond all knowledge of men , yet except therewith they know their due dispensation , they cannot but peruert their right vse , be they neuer so soueraigne . the generall z remedies against the common causes of diseases ordained , except first rightly administred , shall continually and necessarily forestall and hinder the good and benefite from any particular . there are no materiall diseases wherein the common remedies are not requisite . such are phlebotomy , purgation , vomite , and the like . and wheresoeuer these are requisite , if they be not rightly administred , all other medicines be they neuer so excellent and incomparable , must needs lose their excellent and incomparable vse . and none can rightly dispence the generall remedies , but those that are more generally learned then the best acquaintance and familiarity which particular medicines can afforde . from hence it cannot but be manifest , how infinitely blinde good will and zeale do herein daily erre to the destruction of many . it were happy if at length the common inconuenience and publike scandall might beget a law , and law bring forth restraint . for illustration of that which hath bin said , it were indifferent to instance in any disease , but i will make choyce of some few onely , to satisfie for all . it is an ordinarie custome in those daies with women to giue medicines for the greene sicknesse ; & other stoppages in young women . in which practise if it so happen that no inward impediment frustrate the indeuour , they casually ofttimes do seeming present good , and blaze the excellencie of their medicine : but if ofttimes ( which they cannot distinguish or obserue ) the generall cause of the obstruction be not first by the generall remedy remoued or diminished , or the immediate cause setled within the stopped parts , be not first fitted and prepared to yeeld , all their medicines of neuer so great force , yea though commonly as strong as steele or iron , do not onely no good or small good , but ofttimes incorrigible hurt and mischiefes neuer after able to be reformed , or by the most learned counsell to be redressed ; while from the plenty or ill disposition of humors in the body these searching and piercing medicines carry with them into the stopped parts either more or worse matter then was before , and thereby there leaue a disease which shall neuer after die except by exchange for a more pernicious . in the common knowne disease of the stone likewise many and famous medicines are at this day in many common hands , and perhaps truly celebrated ; yet if sometimes bleeding a haue not a first place , ( namely where is present or imminent danger of inflamation of the reines ) sometimes if vomit be omitted ( namely where the stomacke is stopt and full , & vnto euery thing impenitrable , ) sometimes if glysters or lenitiues be not premised , ( namely where the fulnesse of the belly doth presse the passages , the bladder and the vreters ) all other excellent medicines whatsoeuer for the stone do not onely in vaine exasperate the disease , but hazard the party much more then the omission of meanes . likewise in a continuall feauer , if sometimes present and immediate opening of the b veine without delay or intermission haue not precedence , all other meanes are not onely preposterous but pernicious . likewise in the small pocks , a disease so well knowne and common to children and other : whatsoeuer other fit and good medicines and cordinals be administred , sometimes if bloud-letting go not before c their breaking out , sometimes if not vsed d after , all other good meanes are frustrate . and at another time if there be any bleeding at all , it is hazard , danger , and death it selfe . there are no medicines so commonly well knowne as such as are euery where in vse , and at euery mans hand prouided for the paines and diseases of the stomacke , and for that vse haply speciall good ; yet ofttimes we see how long and vainely those meanes without benefite are applied , vntill the true cause by a generall remedy be haply remoued , and that remedy perhaps the most vnlikely in a common iudgement , and seldome in common practise , prescript or custome vsed for that purpose . when all other trials are waste and lost in this case , and paine doth nothing stoupe , sometime the opening onely of a veine e in the arme , e being reckoned amonst the most vnusuall and commonly harmefull for that vse , doth prooue the sole helpfull refuge and author of case . and as in this case is sometime said of bleeding , so at another time may be said of purging and vomite . in the apoplexie sometime bleeding f is present death , sometime the onely g hope of life . in pestilent feauers and in the plague it selfe , all the most choyce cordials and antidotes are made frustrate , sometime by h bleeding , sometime for i want of bleeding . and from hence growe our so great disputes & differences amongst physitions themselues , some chiefly and aboue all magnifying it , some with execrations detesting it : which groweth in them for want of right distinction of the seuerall causes , and differences of the pestilence . in the same disease the like may be said of vomite , if at sometime k vsed at all , at another time if l omitted . the common generall remedies vsed against the dropsie are purging , vomiting , sweating , and the like ; yet sometime the most m vnusuall and seldomest safe , is onely necessary and helpfull vnto it . sometime if a woman with child be let bloud she suffereth n abortion , saith hippocrates . sometime if she omit o letting bloud she cannot escape abortion , o saith fernelius . o many and innumerable more might instances by , but these may suffise for light and illustration to all the rest , as also for sufficient caueat for putting any trust or confidence in the excèllencie of any particular remedies without aduice , for right dispensation of the generall . and here by may be iudged and discouered the indiscreete thoughts of light braines and vnderstandings in these dayes , of men , that so preposterously diuulge in all places so many bookes and paper-apothecary-shoppes of secrets and medicines , better iudgment and learned soath teaching the wise and discreete , that things without reason in themselues are by reason and wisedome to be guided and ordered ; lest in ignorant handling and vnwotting abuse their faire promising seemings proue gilded poysons . if any man want wit to see or know this or knowing will not consider , let the danger proue it selfe vnto him , and let such experience be euer the mother of fooles . and for those that herein make mercy and commiseration apologie for their rash violating the rules of wisedome , sobrietie and safe discretion in ignorant intermedling , i wish them consider how dangerous are the harmes and consequences of good intentions , and charitable indeauors , where they runne before knowledge and proprietie in the agent . euery honest function is not euery honest mans , but vnto euery man is distributed and allorted the action of his owne calling : which also must be made his and appropriate , not onely by approued sufficiencie in himselfe , but authorized approbation in others : whereby the action being good in it selfe , lawfull in the doer , fitting and accommodate vnto the circumstance , it is blessed of god , commended of men , seasonable in it selfe , harmelesly profitable , and euery way without reproch . chap. iii. women their custome and practise about the sicke , common-uisiting counsellors , and commenders of medicines . ovr common offenders in the former kinds are generally all such , as are knowne to want institution in arts and sciences ; are not educated in pertinent precepts , not studied nor brought vp in places of good libertie : without which good a meanes ordinarily there cā accrew to mē no perfectiō in any faculty . for althogh it be possible that there may grow in some few an allowable mediocrity in some sort sufficient to informe themselues , and profit others by a fitnesse in nature ioyned with industrie , ( though the ordinarie course of instruction by readers , teachers and schooles , be not so plentifully supplied ) yet is it no safe discretion ordinarily to trust a sufficiency so very rarely found , so hardly , so seldome , and in so few truly gained . here therefore are men warned of aduising with women counsellours . we cannot but acknowledge and with honor mention the graces of womanhood , wherein by their destined property , they are right and true soueraignes of affection ; but yet , seeing their authority in learned knowledge cannot be authenticall , neither hath god and nature made them commissioners in the sessions of learned reason and vnderstanding ( without which in cases of life and death , there ought to be no daring or attempt at all , ) it is rash cruelty in them euen there to do well , where , vnto the not iudiciously foreseeing , that well might haue proued ill , and that ill is oft no lesse then death , or else at least the way to death , which is the hazard of health . their counsels for this cause in matters of so great and dangerous consequent , modestie , nature , law , and their owne sexe b hath euer exempted . we may iustly here taxe their dangerous whisperings about the sicke , wherein their preualence oft being too great , they abuse the weake sense of the diseased , while they are not themselues ; and make iust and wise proceedings suspected , and with danger suspended . for it is not sufficient for the physition to do his office , except both the sicke c himselfe , and also all that are about him , be prudently and aduisedly carefull and obedient vnto good reason : without which , loue it selfe may be dangerously officious , the error of friendship a deed vnto death , and a kind worke in intention the wound of an enemy in issue and execution . among those that are wise , a good conscience doth stay all rash commission : and confirmation of all necessary offices by such as are learned , doth preuent the accusation of carelesse omission : and in this meane for the vnlearned to consist , is onely harmelesse piety . betweene the vnconsiderate hast of abundant affection , and the lame and carelesse pace of want of loue and duty : betweene too busie medling , and too curious forbearance , are conspicuous the excellent vertues of prudence , discretion and knowledge , vpon which are safely founded wise moderation and temperate vse of meanes , vnto which euer and onely god hath blessed all actions , their ends and issues . in whom therefore these are not , how vnwarranted are their actiōs vnto their owne hearts , and how dangerous also must they be to others harmes ? if women then professe no arts , nor as maisters of sciences can proue their rules , let them with sobrietie gouerne the great rule of themselues , and so shall they be most harmelesly happy in being freed from the vnhappinesse of hauing their hands so commonly in others mishaps , vnto the dishonour of womanhood , a gentlewoman lately falling grieuously sicke , through the frights of bloud-letting ( wherewith womens counsell by many ill reports thereof had confounded her ) refused the only safe rescue of her life thereby . whereupon very shortly after , her bloud grew so furious , that breaking the wonted bounds and limits of her veines , with violence it gushed out not onely at her mouth and nose with diuerse other passages of her body besides , but also made a diruption in the veines of one of her legs , from whence issuing in great abundance it speedily dispatched her , euen vnto the end and last breath still making her choyce , that rather her bloud should thus kill her then she cōsent to part with any part thereof otherwise . thus she miserably died . cōtrariwise another gentlewoman d in the yeare . and of her age the . ( as shee her selfe numbred ) vexed many yeares with a continuall issue of bloud , after she had bene long left in hopeles care & despaire , required and expected of me her last doome . i found ( oft obseruing her pulse ) a manifest , equall and constant magnitude , altitude , and vehemence , the habite of her body well liking ; and by these assured my selfe as of the cause of her disease , so also of the strength of nature . many other remedies before in vaine iterated and varied , and none preuailing or profiting , contrary to the iudgement of some former physitions , as also her owne liking in regard of her age and supposed weakenesse , and contrary to the generall disclaime and wonderment of her friends , her e strength in the former indication fauouring it , necessity vrging , and therefore her age dispensing , i commanded her to be sparingly let bloud f in the arme ; whereupon without any farther other helpe she immediately recouered her strength , and was freed the space of eight yeares together from the issue , which had continually vexed her many yeares before . i deliuer these familiar examples of mine owne for better satisfaction , whereby vnto the meanest eye and simple vnderstanding it is apparent , that bloud-letting or not bloud-letting ( as all other remedies ) are either good or euill , or neither good nor euill , in seuerall seasons and circumstances ; whereby the perswasion or disswasion thereof by such as want iudgement , f is euer casually also good or euill in it selfe , but euer vniustifiable in the ignorant counsellor . the iust will not herein offend , but the foole will be babling , whereof to beware vnto many had bene sauing physicke , that now are dead . many times haue many by perswading without reason or iudgement drawne their friend vnto death , contrarie to their better meaning , troubling them with feare of death in the remedy , while they run themselues to death for want of remedie . ill counsell for the most part produceth ill euent . ignorant counsell is neuer good counsell . and therefore it is honest for it selfe , and safe for the sicke , that ignorance be euer silent , or neuer presumptuous . it is oft occasion of mirth to see , how euen after sicke men are sometime perfectly recouered , the very ill opinion of remedies past ( laboured into the conceite by the wauing of idle tongues ) holdeth them still needlesly sicke , vntill their wiser thoughts draw their minds to forget their imagination , or to remember themselues : and thus vnawares they sometime ease themselues of their owne imposition , which was first the vaine supposition of a friend . such friendship is oft simplicity , and haply sometimes knauery ; but let the patient that desireth his owne good , be impatient of such folly , and not enlarge his kinde heart vnto so vnkinde hurt vnto himselfe , remembring ( though it be humanity to heare a friendly voice ) that the attendant of wisedome is slow beliefe . oft and much babling inculcation in the weake braines of the sicke may easily preuaile with them , to forget both that which their owne good hath taught them , and also by a borrowed opinion from others indiscreete words , to corrupt their owne sense . it is the common custome of most common people thus ordinarily to molest and trouble the sicke . their presence therfore is dangerous , & carefully to be either prohibited , or better gouerned . common & vulgar mouthes easily incline scandalously to preiudice the things they know not . hence it is in these daies a customary worke to disswade physicke , while mē not making right choyce of their physition , or perue●ting good counsell by their owne peeuish frowardnes , and thereby multiplying vnto thēselues continuall occasion of complaint , vniustly therfore accuse art , which they neuer duly sought , nor found , nor vsed , & therfore neuer knew . the offences that men iustly take , are the faults , the blots , the staines of vnperfect workemen , not of art ; whereof art is as guiltlesse as they are void of art . many because they may haply obserue some others by the too much & immoderate vse of physicke , sometime too hardly to keepe vnder their owne strēgth , sometime haply to tire nature , or too cōtinually to interrupt & perturbe her quiet fruition of herselfe , & the true sense of her owne power & strēght in her selfe ; therefore in the other extreme they also with a nice and foolish morosity altogether contemne and reiect the temperate and moderate d vse thereof , denying vnto god & nature their care , & duty to thēselues , restraining nature from the priuiledge of remedies which god hath giuen vnto her , and iniuriously suffering her to liue within them imprisoned , oppressed , and oft needlesly ruined . physicke it selfe is honored by the mouth and mention of god himselfe , and in it selfe hath demonstration of it selfe , vnto them whose vnderstanding doth giue them eyes ; but the ignorant and the excessiue vse , the abuse therof , & no lesse the peruerse contempt & neglect thereof , are the curse of god , and the sinne of men . they therefore that perswade the sicke that they haue no neede of the physition , call god a lyar , who expresly saith h otherwise ; and make themselues wiser then their creator , who hath ordained i the physition for the good of man. let men therefore flie and take heede of such foolish calumnie , and in their necessities let them remember their maker , and thankfully embrace his blessing and benefite of ease and health , which thereby he hath commended and giuen vnto them ; lest vnthankfull to him , and accessarie to their owne hurt , they perish in a double sinne . beside the ordinary & meane sort of visiting people , i doing in the former kinds very scandalously and continually much hurt , it is too ordinary vse and manner generally with all orders of men : for since most men are not capable , worthy , nor vnderstandingly able to discerne a true good ; it is no wonder that the fewest speake truly good of good . some of these sorts do not simply or absolutely disswade physicke , but ( as an inducement vnto their owne practise and admittance ) such physicke onely as cometh vnknowne vnto them , out of apothecaries shops , or from physitions hands and directions : thereby preferring their owne priuate ointments , plaisters , ceareclothes , drinkes , potions , glysters , and diets , because by time and custome they are become familiarly knowne vnto them , and now are of their owne domesticall preparation , & therefore are by their knowledge , acquaintance , and auouching of them , growne into some credite and reputation with them . with this insinuation & officious promise of their knowne , gentle and pleasant medicines , and of vndoubted good from this their owne protested proofe and experience , many allure k the sicke miserably to beguile themselues ; to exchange reasonable likelihood , for personall confidence ; the knowledge of the right and safe vse of medicines , for the knowledge of the composition of their medicines ; the preciousnesse of time and oportunity of health . for the partiall expectation of vncertaine triall , these knowne defects as the perpetuall consequences of this ignorance and want of knowledge , as they are ordinarily admitted , so are they continually manifestly obserued and noted by others harmes , and ofttimes too late repentance : for since want of knowledge doth euer lamely giue supply to any want , what safe expectation or probable hope can the diseased haue of ignorant persons in their distressed wants ? old eue will neuer be worne out of adams children . alas an apple can do no great hurt . it is faire and beautifull vnto the eye , pleasant to taste , and but a trifle , a small matter , a little quantity , and of excellent quality ; adam must needs taste . it is good for his eyes , it will cleare his sight , an excellent medicine to make him see . what is more faire , more easie , more gentle , more harmelesse , more cordiall , more daintie then an apple ? eue in good will offered it , and so adam tooke it . it made him also see ; but adam had bene better still blind . a dangerous and incurable leprosie and infection thence seised vpon him , which after none but the great physition of heauen and earth could cure . many medicines are small , harmelesse , gentle , pleasant , and in themselues do not hurt . but by accident , by consequent , by circumstance , death oft followeth them at the heeles . milke , broth , butter , and many other wholesome meates , iuices and fruits in themselues , are of common harmelesse vse , milde , nourishing and comfortable , some of them sometimes soueraigne antidotes against many poysons , mitigators of diuers paines ; yet because sometimes against some circumstances a against art or reason vsed , they proue a destruction vnto the vser : and as sometime a smaller dammage , sometime a greater , so therefore sometime more and sometime lesse , obserued . who almost suspecteth a messe of milke or a cup of beere , b things so familiar and customary in daily vse and diet ? yet permitted in some c conditions , in some manner with some error , c c the messengers d of death attend them , oft faintings , swoundings , sodaine extinction of the naturall heate , anxietie and vexation , with other accidents of easie corruption and putrifaction in the one , as of stupefaction and mortification in the other . this did witnesse a late sommers sodaine heates , wherein the vnaduised hasty satisfying of thirst with cold drinke , by heapes in diuers places in northamptonshire sent labourers & haruest people into their graues . with these for farther illustration , i might number without number many more ; but vnto the wise and worthy , a word is sufficient intimation . and thought many ignorants may speake faire and pleasing , and commend things that looke smooth , and smiling vpon the liking of the sicke ; yet prouident necessitie will hence be warned to be wise for it selfe , not rashly admiting so dangerous e flattery , nor too swiftly trusting syrens for their songs , nor crocodiles for their teares : but in matters so nearly concerning life and death , duly and carefully inquiring , and according to the verdict of vnderstanding and reason , trying and examining , and not forgeting beside the hazard in vnsafe error by vnsufficient counsellors , the losse of time and oportunitie for better helpe , which ofttimes is neuer a regained . and for entertayning so meane counsell in the vse of such meanes as carry a manifest danger and malignity in their nature and vse , i could thinke no man so voide of counsell , as to neede therein counsell : yet because experience of some errors herein past is argument of other remaining possible to come , i will onely by one example aduertise , and from that example it will be easie for euery one to raise a rule and caution d to himselfe . it is ordinary with many vnskilfull busie-bodies vnder colour and pretext of gentle and safe dealing , to make familiar and ordinary the vse of perillous medicines , which haply also they do not so distinguish or repute , and therefore cannot be said to lye , ( because they speake their thought , ) yet tell not truth , because they thinke not right . i was sometime solicited by a carefull mother for her child , whom i found by a sharpe and acute conuulsion violently distorted , and before time allowed leasure for preparation of remedies , swiftly strangled . in any propension thereto in the constitution or other disposition of the child , was nothing which might apparently be accused ; and therefore making diligent inquirie after some outward cause , i found that the suspition of wormes had occasioned the commendations and vse of of the hearbe bearefoote , which though ordinary and much accustomed for that end among women , and oft by good hap without hurt ; yet we could not but with good reason hereof conuince , conferring the present harme ( which no presumption could vnto other thing impute ) with the danger and maligne nature of that herbe in production of such like effects : ( although many for the like vse haue in like manner giuen it vnto their children without blame . ) thus sometimes some men haue deuoured mortall poysons , not onely without harme , but with good and commodious effect . by these conueyances & through the like presumption , many vnwotting bodies oft bury in themselues vnbewailed ( because vnknowne ) ellebor , quicksiluer . precipitate , and the like , coloured with better names , and at the present vnperceiued . desperate trials sometime bring forth strange deliuerances , yet neither is the boldnesse warrant , nor the escape encouragement . there happen oft in these daies many sodaine , maruailed and strange accidents , posing the best physitions themselues , without doubt oft raised from causes by these errors vnknowne , secret , concealed , or haply by time before the effect appeare , forgotten : ( for secret mischiefs long time insensibly vndermine before the sensible euent appeare . ) for proofe of dangerous customes in ignorant hands , i will make one example a light vnto many . a woman sometime came to aduise concerning an extraordinary accident in her ordinary vse of spurge-comfits . she gaue ( at the same time her selfe , and some others in the same house taking thereof with answerable effect and euacuation ) vnto a very aged man eight in number ( being her vsuall dose . ) the first day they had no effect with the old man , and in all the rest performed their wont : she therefore gaue him as many the next day with the like effect , and as many euery day vnto the day , with the like proofe . it was then her feare he had tasted his owne funerall feast before his death , but he suruiued the feare without sense of change or danger . is it safe from this good hap , for other in hope still to hazard themselues in such vnsafe handling ? is it not rather manifest how ignorantly and commonly these creatures ouerlooke the danger which iustly wisdome and reason suspend and feare ? discreete feare awaketh vigilance and circumspection , but ignorance of danger is void of feare , and therefore of care . carelesse attempts draw harmfull and repented issues : and though good haps sometimes flatter vaine security , yet if seldome harmes be not wisely extended as a caution and example vnto many , the custome of neglect will make the rare confusion quickly common . so large a feast of spurge-comfits hath seldome kept so many holy daies in one bellie , or a banketting likenes so harmelesly priuiledged idlenesse in a working quality . the consequent hapned much fairer then could be foreseene or hoped . if for that cause any man will againe aduenture the like , who will not imagine that in the thought he hath already lost his wits , & in the proofe may lose himselfe ? if notwithstanding he escape , any man will wonder , but no man , i suppose , imitate . it may be haply deemed incredible , that so common and meane sort of people can attaine acquaintance with so dangerous instruments , as some before mentioned and other the like ; but due exploration oft by the harmes occasioned doth testifie it , and the meanes of their acquaintance discouered doth proue it easie . quacksaluers , banckruptapothecaries , and fugitiue surgeons euery where ouer-trauelling the face of this kingdome , hunted by want of riot from place to place , are oft compelled to insinuate and creepe into the fauour of many meane people ; and in their necessity do sell for gaine and entertainement , and in their prodigality for lust and loue , these generose and noble secrets carrying on the outside the titles of famous medicines , and being within infamous poysons . and by this meanes quicke and desperate experiments , with such as thus like to gaine them , grow vulgar medicaments . chap. iiii. fugitiues , workers of iugling wonders , quacksaluers . now seeing we are cast vpon the mention of the former sort of men , we will here for giuing better knowledge of them , protract their short stay . of this order are they who in townes and villages hang vp their banners and triumphant flags in fields , of broken armes , rotted legs , and halfe faces , and haply also timber for new , displaying at large before the simple amazed multitude , their prouision of shot and wildfire in quintessenses and spirits : scouring vp before them goodly store of harnesse wherewith men of all sorts may arme themselues against all diseases ; discoursing d with what agility they can soudre new gris●es for old noses , and newly againe infranchise french limbes , and finally making themselues admirable tinkers of all infirmities . amongst these men credulous mindes may see things inuisible ; beggers are enabled to sell gold to drinke , that want siluer to make them eate . aurum potabile , the natuturall balsamum , the philosophers stone , dissolued pearle , and the like inestimable glories and pride of art and nature , are their professed ordinary creatures and the workmanship of their hands , in whose hands are nothing but idlenesse , g theeft , and beggerie . to ingage wonder aboue wonder with admiration vnto the beholders , some of this sort will not seeme nice to cut their owne flesh , that it may be glory within few howres to heale it vp againe , the paine being pleasure which is inuited by consent , and recompenced by gaine . it is strange to see how these men leauing their old occupations and mechanicall mysteries wherein they were educate , sodainely finde themselues inspired with a spirit of reuelation of rare secrets , and thereby promise vnto themselues and others miraculous wonders . and it is indeede true wonder to see with what agility they are able so grosly to deceiue , and in the end like noble chymists , hauing extracted siluer out of the baser mettall of idle words , in smoke they vanish , leauing behinde them the shadow of death , with those who leauing the day light of clearer vnderstanding neglected , rashly run themselues into the mist of imposture and ignorance . thus preualent is faire pollicitation and vaine wonderment . if men would consult with reason & iudiciously consider ; though their wonders were truly to be wondered , and worthy to exercise the wise and learned in their extrication ( as they are the vanities and inanities of argute and subtill cousinages , ) yet must it neuer be forgotten , that wonders yea and miracles themselues are solie neuer arguments of truth or sufficiencie , but for the most part fruites of vnprofitable curiosity , deceiuing the simple , amazing the multitude , and giuing way and credite to vntruth , cousinage and iugling . therefore in this kind the diuell himselfe is excellent , and for the most part it is one chiefe part , a true marke and prerogatiue of his followers , coniuerers , sorcerers , witches , and iuglers ; who wanting true worthinesse in themselues , make vnto themselues these glorious couers . god hath giuen nothing vnto man , but for his trauail and paine . and according to his studious industrie , care , prudence , prouidence , assiduity and diligence , he dispenseth vnto him euery good thing . he hath not ordained wonders and miracles to giue supply vnto our common needes , nor to answer the ordinary occasions or vses of our life : but our owne needefull discreete indeauors euer depending vpon his prouidence . truth and sufficiency receiue not their iust triall by rare workes or casuall euents , but by an i habituall and continuall proofe and exercise in their daily , ordinary , and proper subiects and occurrents : whereunto truly and pertinently they apt and fit euery designe and action : whereunto their owne vpright iudgement is a trustie guide , and others eyes vndeceiued witnesses . and thus if men will learne to guide themselues , they shall not so commonly and easily lose their eyes in the gaze of wonders , nor their reason in the maze of such inexplicable and intricate folly . chap. v. surgeons . that which hath bene formerly said suffiseth to point out the deceiuers last mentioned . their affinitie giueth occasion to mention in the next place , their next neighbours , diuers our common vnlearned surgeons , hauing neither letters nor humanity , nor euer acquainted with the dialect and language of the learned . these men for the most part esteeming themselues deseruing well for the operary c vses of a skilfull and well exercised hand in wounds , incisions , amputations of sphacelate parts and the like , hence take vnto themselues an emerited priuiledge in physicke practise . some also venture farther , and for some rare exeperiences arrogate vnto themselues ability , a power and authoritie to educate & institute physitions , as an vnder-growth vnto themselues , by lying promises , perswading many honest simple parents to commit their children , otherwise perhaps more fortunate and ingenuous , to be their apprentices . hence it cometh to passe that many in these daies thus traded vp by their example vnto a nimblenesse of deceit , and of aduenturing in all occurrents , so ordinarily promise like gods , dare aboue men , and act like diuels crucifying the liues of poore men : while by the grace of one good d deede of good hap , the oportunity of committing many tragedies vnspoken is gained . and thus is the world furnished with factors for the graue and the perdition of mankind . an example of double impudence let here witnesse . a gentleman of northamptonshire vexed with an vlcer of the bladder required my aduice . vnderstanding by the daily abundance of purulent matter in his vrine ( for the space almost of halfe an yeare before continually obserued ) together with some store of bloud ofttimes withall , ( neither of which the bladder it selfe and the exility of the veines thereof could so plentifully with so easie e accidents afford ) as also by the more perfect permistion thereof with the substance of the vrine , that it was not onely an affection of the bladder , but a greater and more dangerous in the reines , ( about the region whereof was euer much paine and weaknesse ) and coniecturing them past possibility of cure ( their substance already so far spent ) i refused to promise or meddle farther then by palliatiue cure , wherein accordingly i insisted a long time with good ease and satisfaction vnto the patient . at length by some friends there was commended highly for a farther and better performance , a barber surgeon , who thereupon being required and conducted thither , came vnto the gentleman , and according to the commendatiōs premised promised to cure him in sixe f weekes space . shortly after the patient complaining of want of sleepe , he gaue vnto him a ladanum pill of paracelsus , and after mercuriall pilles for another supposed end ; by the vse whereof in his body , then by the length of his disease exceedingly before weakened and extenuate , he presently fell into an amazed staring sleepinesse , or an astonishment betweene g waking and sleeping , wherein after he had continued a naturall day , in the morning following he was sodainely surptised with acute and epilepticall fits and a generall conuulsion , with foming , gnashing his teeth , loud stertors and the like , whereof after in one day he had passed or fits in my sight ( being then vpon that new occasion newly required , the surgeon h fled ) he was after my coming and meanes vsed partly by theriacall glysters , suppositars , and antidotes fitting the present cause and accidents , through the grace of god vnexpectedly deliuered , after he had by stoole thus procured , auoyded one whole pill vndissolued ( seene by diuers well vnderstanding witnesses present , ) as also diuers small fractions of quicksiluer fluctuating and floating like white pinnes heads , as the women that saw reported vnto vs. to make the cause of these accidents yet more manifest ; it happened that two maid-seruants there attending vpon the gentleman , by their continuall conuersing neare him and the infected sweate of his body , fell strangely and sodainely into the same fits one after another by course , and each hauing suffred sixe or seuen apart , were carried forth , and after that time neuer since ( as i yet heare ) nor euer before had the like , as they both then said . one of these now liueth maried in towcester in northamptonshire , the other was lately seruant vnto an honorable lady . this history is knowne vnto many of note and worth beside . to conclude , the gentleman thus escaped , and grew by little and little vnto his former senses and strength as his first disease would permit . within a quarter of an yeare after , or thereabout , another surgeon againe put the gentlemā into a new hope of recouery : & although the report of my iudgement did somewhat ( as i heard ) shake his confidence , yet not conceiuing my reason nor seeing the cause , and supposing no other but the vlcer in the bladder , he tooke him in hand ; and in his hand within few dayes he left his life , according to my prediction vnto diuers his friends concerning this second attempt likewise solicited . by these examples it is manifest , both how bold and confident ignorance will be , as also how powerfully and bewitchingly it deceiueth the distressed minde , easily prone d to beleeue that which it desirously would . from hence also may be coniectured how commonly such errors by these ignorant persons in likelihood befall , yet for the most part either for want of knowledge vnespied , or by the priuacy smothered . for if they kill , a dead e man telleth no tales : or if by chance they saue one life , that shall be a perpetuall g flag to call more fooles to the same aduenture . this is commonly seene in the vulgar custome of curing the french disease by barbers and surgeons , who precipitate commonly euery one alike , and confusedly without respect or order thrust all through the purgatorie of their sweatings ; bleeding , vomiting , vnctions , plaisters , and the like . hereby many needlesly intangle themselues vpon meere supposall and feare , and many take more then necessity vigeth ; and others for satisfying that necessity , neglect a more materiall , and flying too timorously and rashly a knowne inconuenience , run headlong vnknowing into an after too well knowne vnrecouerable h mischiefe . for if they that fal into such rough handling be strong in themselues , and no way liable to the harmes of such desperate remedies , and be free from the implication of all other diseases besides , ( which entring by their breaches may interrupt their smooth passage , and make pernicious their french medication ) they may haply escaping the danger , for the hazard attaine their desired deliuerie , as is in some seene . but if nature haply be weake , or the disposition of the sicke subiect to the perils of that cure ( which these men seldome do or can consider ) or any other disease lie in waight too prompt to trust with any aduantage , ( which these men want knowledge to foresee ) the acquaintance with such remedies may easily proue a greater plague vnto the greatest poxe . how can he that considereth the disease and not the e person ( as is vsuall with these men ) because the contrary is not possible with ignorance ) how can they i say in curing the one but indanger the other ? we see ordinarily , the same medicine in the same force vnto one man is scarce sensible , vnto another is a sting ; vnto one fauourable , vnto another cruell ; in one wanting edge , in another exceeding . it therefore requireth learned ability to discerne the hidden ods and differences , thereby iustly to distribute vnto euery seuerall his proper and fit f proportion of the same thing . neither is it safe to accommodate so harmefull helps as belong to so cautelous a cure without a iudicious view , not onely of this strange disease it selfe , but also of the mixture or g coniunction of any other maladies and respects therewith , whose necessities may and do oft forbid and prohibite his remedies ( that being a medicine to one disease which is a mischiefe to another , and an ease to one which is a sorrow vnto another . ) it is therefore no maruaile , that while these men contemne order and method , and the learned examination of these and such like circumstances , and blindly prosecute issues vnknowne to foreseeing reason , they therefore ( though sometime they remoue a mischiefe ) yet either equall it againe with the like , or exceed it with a greater , or else ofttimes not profiting nor satisfying the vtmost patience and painefull expectation with the smallest good , effectually double the greatest euill . this for that all men see not , few consider , many forget , & some ioyously escaping defend . the hurt is oft vnespied the harmes vnheeded , the shamefull wrongers and homicides with the dead buried , and the good haps by many foolish liuing idly admired , vnto the increase and continuance of multiplied mischiefe . hereof solie for the most part wofull experience is capable , neither reason , nor example , nor any aduice warning or moderating , g though the ordinary batteries from hence euery where almost leaue rotten and mangled monuments of remedilesse cures , if not present with the cause , yet neuer farre of , and though sometime long , yet euer certaine . for though where the body is strong , ofttimes many grosse errors may be by the ignorant committed , and yet not espied , ( because where is strength there is lesse sense and esteeme of harmes , ( weaknesse being only vnable to beare or endure without complaint ) yet the insensible sting doth oft breede the most festered poyson , in the latest sensible smart . the errors of the vnskilfull pilote though great and many , in the calme are not h considered , but in the dangerous sea the least error offereth the ougly shape of his owne foulnesse . in bodies not easily harmed many rash harmes are hardly discouered , but in dangerous cōditions the least lapses are heauie loades . ignorance therefore is onely good when it doth no hurt , whereunto it is neuer wanting in her propertie , but onely sometimes in power . it is obiected , that wise and learned men do oft mistake . it is true : where is the greatest wisedome the most incomparable , yet there is , and euer must be sometimes mistaking and infirmities . the reason is , for that absolute perfection is aboue the nature of mortality . he therefore that in his art or faculty doth neuer erre , is b more then a man. he that most seldome dd , nor grosly , nor easily erreth , and for the most d part and commonly frameth all his iudgements and actions vnto right reason , he is onely a right and e complete artist . he that grosly or easily or commonly erreth and mistaketh , iustly meriteth the name of an ignorant and idiot . this is the plaine and vncontrolled difference betweene the learned and vnlearned . it is yet farther obiected , that oft as good happe smileth vpon these ignorants as vpon more learned . it is sometime true , but it is wisedome to distinguish how . al things that happen vnto the vnderstanding and notion of the mind ( which is the guide of all actions ) are either f in themselues certaine and demonstrate , or necessary by consequent , or probable and of likelihood , or of contingence and good hap . in the first the truly learned cannot erre ; in the second not oft nor easily . but , in both the vnlearned is euer subiect to error , as vnable to distinguish plaine truth from seeming appearance . in the third the learned may be g deceiued , but not so commonly and easily as the vnlearned . in the fourth good hap and blind fortune is indifferent vnto both , and therein the foole hath oft as good hap as the wise man. but he that hath common sense may discerne great ods . the learned hath a prerogatiue in three parts vnto himselfe , and an equall part with the vnlearned , in the fourth . the learned hath for his light and guide either knowledge , whereof is b demonstration , and thereby are his actions more certaine ; or reason and iudgement , and thereby are they more tried vnto right and truth ; or right probability and artificiall c coniecture , and thereby are they more seldome found erring . the vnlearned wanteth all these helps , h and is led onely by bold aduenture in hope of good hap , which after long expectation is but seldome f seene , and then soone gone . for the bounty of good hap is not euery day , and when it sodainely like a wanton sheweth it selfe , her smiles are obuious to any one , and therein hath the learned with the vnlearned g equall interest . it breedeth yet farther doubt , that is sometime seene . the empericke and vnlearned surgeon do sometimes cure where the learned hath long trauailled , and at length hath giuen place vnto the disease . it cannot be denied , in many desperate cases these men are the onely fit instruments . where the learned foreseeing the slippery hope of meanes , and the notation and staggering of nature , doth make warie h proceeding ( vnwilling where the caution is so nice that the action cannot be safe , to vndertake so hard l an office ) there these men ( who thinke nothing hard though impossible ) being euer ready to giue bold aduenture , may hap luckily to ouersute the danger , and thereby the cure must needs be a mighty d deliuerance . an ancient gentleman of northamptonshire , being then my patient , related vnto me among our merriments his medicine for a continuall head-ach and giddinesse , which in time past had long vexed him , and solicited diuers good physitions in vaine . by chance he met with an angry surgeon , who being by him in some words prouoked , and finding the gentleman alone and far from companie or rescue , with a staffe vnto the vtmost perill of life soundly brake his head , and plentifully let him bloud in diuers places ; but life escaping , he thereby deliuered f him of his diseases , whereof more wise and deliberate counsell could neuer with much labour and long time free him . it was a great ouersight in his learned physitions , that they could not foresee , nor would not prescribe so fortunate a remedy . thus malice was as happy as an empericks bold attempt , yet herein was somewhat better , that it was freely bestowed . * in like manner , vnto another so far ingaged in the neapolitan disease , that discreete counsell durst not oppose equipollent remedies , a woman ( purposing to poyson him ) gaue an vnknowne dose of rats-bane ; and thereby nature driuen vnto her vtmost and last shift , setting open all the passages of his body , at once with the poyson wholly expelled the former disease . thus issueth wondered good out of diuellish and dangerous acts . i condemne not sharpe and extreme remedies , when as extreme c neede requireth them ; neither do i commend a trembling and timorous iudgement in prescription and accommodation there of where is d needefull . but i admit not hard or sodaine e attempts , but onely in extreme necessities , where also the f strength of nature hath by the iudicious and learned bene carefully foreballanced betweene hope and hazard : without these respects the vse of hard and vehement remedies by the hands of vnlearned practitioners are growne too common . it is therefore good for men to take heede , how they too boldly walke in the common tract of empericks and vnlearned , whose waies oft troden grow slippery , and therefore not varied proo●e dangerous . it is sometime nearest way to go out of the common way , many times the fairest way , and not seldome the safest way . for though diseases may be of easie note and well knowne , and the vulgar medication no lesse otherwise apt vnto the necessitie ; yet may one small circumstance onely by it selfe making the disease different , once escaping an vnskilfull and blind eye , for euer after ouerrun the hopefull vse of any other meanes , and frustrate the happinesse of after-health by better counsell . this is the reason that so many sodainely and vnexpectedly perish not without wonder in the vnskilfull practitioners hand , who casting his eye vpon nothing but that which is common , taketh for a great stranger what is otherwise , and therefore not foreseeing , his coming is not prepared to entertaine or intercept him with best aduantage ; nor giueth nor taketh warning of him , and therefore is so sodainely oft surprised by him . i may hereof giue a rare instance in an esteemed friend sometimes a learned diuine , who by some rash aduice , his estate at that time not duly considered , required of an apothecary a strong medicine against the stone ( wherewith from his childhood he had bene euer hereditarily g molested . the one prepared it , the other tooke it , both expecting no other vse or consequent , then that which was vsuall to such a medicine . but the same night that potion violently descending brake through his h bladder , making therein two issues , where by the vrine came from him immediately then , and continually after by those two breaches , before it could attaine the vsuall passage or conduit . hereof was then witnesse a graue & learned gentleman an ancient doctor of physike vnto whom this patient did slie for his iudicious aduice in this sodaine mischiefe , and with whom my selfe had serious conference about that accident , both of vs lamenting his so vnhappy distresse and misery . chap. vi. apothecaries . here so faire occasion offering their memory , we may not forget our apothecaries . among them also some to do a friend an vnlicenced friendship , or to keepe their wares in motion for feare of corruption , will haply sometimes offer a casuall good turne , to any that like the venture . i must needs say for the priuiledge of apothecaries , that if any may haue prerogatiue to be physitions , by the excellence and rare choice of medicines , it is most proper vnto them ; who haue with them registred and inrolled the priuie choice , trust and command of all the best remedies , and haue the best light to gesse at their best vse . nay i may commend them farther ; that for the excellent preparation and knowledge of medicines they sometimes may excell some physitions themselues : but aboue and beyond the preparation , the right and iudicious dispensation is truly worthy , commanding and directing their safe and prudent vse . this skill requireth an vnderstanding able to raise itselfe aboue both the medicine and the g maker , vnto the great maker of them both , and from his generall h decree and counsell in the administration of all things in nature , to leuie and limite circumstances , i proportion , time , place , quantity and quality , according to the manifold seuerall purposes and infinite vses for the preseruation , conseruation , and continuance of health and life vnto mankind . and herein how far it behoueth the erected mind of higher contemplation , to exalt it selfe in consultation aboue the elementary consideration and composition of a medicine and the vulgar and common sense , the continuall exquisite vse and exercise of the most incomparable prudence and learning in the ordinary and daily difficulties that befall the health , do plainely proue and demonstrate . it is not the medicine it selfe , but the iudgement and knowledge of the learned , and right accommodation annexed vnto the wholesome medicine , that addeth vnto it a worth aboue it selfe ; whereby it doth far exceede it selfe in excellency , in variety of greater good , in distinction of more proper vse , according to art and reason thereto conducting it , which is the life of euery application and accommodation in all things . hence euen the greatest clerkes with this sufficiency prouided , haue not blushed to borrow or learne a good medicine at a simple and vulgar e hand , yea from fooles and brute beasts , in their owne more excellent adaptation as the soule vnto the body , conferring the full and true perfection . the ancients themselues haue not shamed so to do , as galen in diuers places professeth of himselfe . vnto apothecaries therefore that faithfully and truly apply themselues and their whole indeauor , that haue tried and experienced skill , and vse faithfull industrie in fitting wholesome and incorrupt remedies to attend each honest need and necessity without fucation , adulteration or deceit , and containe themselues within themselues , no man can deny a worthy esteeme both in priuate thoughts and publike estimate ; but if the pride and maister-ship of the medicine stirre once in them the ambition of medication , as in the former men commēd them , so in the second they shall iustly condemne them : and as in the one safely vse them , so in the other with safe discretion refuse them , fearing lest with salomons fly being taken in the apothecaries boxe , they also in like manner make a stinke of the medicine , & an end of themselues . valleriola mentioneth an apothecary who with the imprudent vse of quicksiluer poysoned himselfe . i knew sometime an honest and approued good apothecary in warwickshire , who imitating a prescription of precipitate against an inueterate disease which he supposed in himselfe , exulcerated his guts , and therefore died . these experiments in other then themselues had bene bloudy and vnhonest , and in themselues rather then in other argue their strong confidence , ( which therefore might easily seduce them to be in time bold with others . ) example and imitation ( which are the rules of an apothecaries practise ) are but patterns of anothers sufficiencie . sufficience therfore being not their owne , it is sufficient to put them in mind of their owne . it is good for euery one to be contented and contained within his owne lists , and of his owne store with liberality to lend , and of anothers with loue and licence to borrow . this vpholdeth societies and good orders in common weales , maintaineth mutuall neighbourhood and humanity , friendly and iust commerce with loue and loyall reciprocation , and distribution of euery right to euery owner , with good to the generall and common , and without hurt to euery priuate and particular . i say nothing of banckrupt apothecaries , who hauing left their owne standing become walking merchants , and with a few pedlarie wares remaining keepe shop in their owne hose , or else in their guts , who ( wanting other vse ) imagine them sufficiēt to make cleane the kitchin . let thē that desire their meate in the stomacke should long finde good cookerie , take heede who put herbs into the pot . it hath bene required and by some imposed , that a physition should be both surgeon and apothecary himselfe . it is easily decided . in iudgement , skill , knowledge , and ability of direction , it is very requisite and necessary , and the contrary is not tollerable in a true architect : but euery particular execution e or manuall paines and trauell is neuer vniustly , sometime necessarily , and oft more conueniently distributed and deuided vnto others , whose vicissitude , assistance , and oft more ready handling thereof , is as sufficient , nothing inferiour , yea for operary proofe and cunning handworke far without enuy f superior , because the maine and continuall exercise therein , doth therein also make the meaner iudgement better apted and more prompt . galen indeed himselfe in necessity , & want of other ( whose better and more speciall practise and exercise therein might make it their more proper performance ) put his owne hand vnto g chirurgie : but when he found it another distinct office , as an ease vnto himselfe and a commodious liberty & inlarged helpe to his other imploiments , studies and care , he thereunto referred hand-operation , though euer haply conferred his mind & iudgement . in like maner hippocrates refuseth by b oath to meddle in chirurgerie , & expresly in the extraction of the stone of the bladder , and leaueth it vnto those that are therein exercised : the fewer offices the lesse distraction , & where lesse distraction , there is the better bent vnto the more maine and proper scope . where therefore with as sufficient supply by others , the suffection or deputation may ease of a burthen ( as indifferently else were imposed ) there ( the businesse lesse , and the diligence and incumbence equall ) the remaining taske must needes be completely and absolutely attended & perfected . concerning the apothecarie included in the physition : indeed the first ancients were apothecaries vnto themselues , because in themselues onely was then newly sprouting in the infancie , the inchoation of that skill , and therefore as yet they could not c communicate perfection vnto others . but now time and age haue accomplished it , the physitions eye and skill hath vsed anothers hand both as a needfull and requisite d helpe in the mechanicall ministery , and also as an aduantage and ease to the more necessary , laborious , and studious trauels of his mind . in ordinarie dispatches therfore it is vnauoidably necessary an apothecarie be euer at hand , as faithfull as his owne right hand , and in extraordinarie the physitions owne heart must onely trust his owne hand , and his owne eye witnesse their consent . this equitie may satisfie curiositie . chap. vii . of practisers by spels . now to leaue both surgeon and apothecarie , the opposition against the vse or need of either , doth put in mind in the next place not to forget those , who professe the performances , vses , and end both of surgeon & apothecary , yea and physition himselfe without their helpe or need : such are such as cure by spels and words . if men beleeue as reason would and as reasonable men should ( for men are no c men if vnreasonable ) of any effects from spels , among the wise is no true reason or cause , and without reason can be no right perswasion . betweene a true cause and his d proper effect , there is an immediate necessity ; betweene a cause by accident and his effect , there is a e mediate consequution : but this cause being onely ni opinion , can be no more then opinion , and in opinion is no truth . some finding spels to do no good , obiect as a good , they do no hurt . this hurt i am assured they do ; while men haue gaped after such shadowes , they oft in the meane season haue lost the substance , their life and health : which while due season offered vnto them that had learned to know oportunitie , bad scholers were still at spelling schoole . to speak more seriously of such a toy : if the faithfull and deuout prayer of holy men ( vnto which the promise of god , and the blessings of men are annexed ) hath no such assurance or successe of necessarie consequent , without laborious industry and the vse of good meanes , how can religion g or reason suffer men that are not voyd of both , to giue such impious credite vnto an vnsignificant and senslesse . h mumbling of idle words , contrarie to reason , without president of any truly wise i or learned , and iustly suspected of all sensible men ? it shall be no error to insert a merrie historie of an approued famous spell for sore eyes . by many honest testimonies , it was a long time worne as a iewell about many necks , written in paper , and inclosed in silke , neuer failing to do soueraigne good when all other helps were helplesse . no sight might dare to reade or open . at length a curious mind while the patient slept , by stealth ripped open the mystical couer , and found the powerful characters latin , which englished were these : the b diuell digge out thine eyes , and fill vp their holes with his dung . words without meaning are nothing , and yet so here are best . of nothing can come nothing ( much lesse good : ) yet so c it was , and yet it was d not so ) oathes and testimonies auouching the one religion , & truth e denying the othes . thus ofttimes things haply begun in sport and ieast , with light minds , by vaine opinion grow to sooth and earnest . it is strange in these daies to behold how this follie doth laugh euen wise men to scorne , while their vnreasonable parts of imagination and fancie , so iuggle with their iudgements and vnderstanding , that they can scarce containe themselues from beleeuing and consulting with such ridiculous folly . thus able is fancie , not onely to deceiue sense , but to obscure our reason . if there be any good or vse vnto the health by spels , they haue that prerogatiue by accident , and by the power and vertue of f fancie ; wherein is neither certaintie nor continuance . fancie , according vnto the nature thereof , can seldome be long fixed vpon any thing ; because naturally being euer full of fiction , it must needs easily and continually be g transported . fancie therefore can be no ordinarie or common remedie , being but rarely fixedly detained ; and where it is most earnestly bent , yet hardly of long continuance . if fancie then be the foundation whereupon buildeth the good of spels , spels must needs be as fancies are , vncertaine and h vaine : so must also by consequent be their vse and helpe , and no lesse all they that trust vnto them . i speake not of inchanted spels , but of that superstitious babling , by tradition of idle words and sentences , which all that haue sense , know to be voide of sense , as the other diuellish . the one ( if there be no remedie ) we must permit vnto fooles , in the other we cannot denie the diuell . chap. viii . the explication of the true discouerie of witchcraft in the sicke , together with many and wondered instances in that kind . many things of great power and wonder , aboue reason and beyond the power of nature , haue bene effected through the imprecation , stimulation and ministerie of wicked men the associates of diuels , whose commerce with spirits hath bene oft plaine and manifest . but it is good before we enter into the consideration thereof , that we be warie and cautelously wise , how we make a true difference betweene a true worke of the diuell , and the strange likenesse which phantasmes ( oft countenanced by casualties and euents ) strongly worke in the opinion and conceit . for as the machinations of spirits are certainly oft inserted into the actions of men ; so by the iuglings of the imaginarie , are so liuely framed resemblances and counterfets of them oft times , that they can hardly be distinguished . that it may therefore the better first appeare what fancie and imagination are able to do , i will not here omit an historie worth good eare : anno . a parsons wife of northhamptonshire , dwelling within three miles of the towne , came vnto a physition , complaining of a tumor in one of her breasts . he demanded her among many other things concerning the sciatica , which he a coniectured to vexe her . she denied any acquaintance or notion thereof in all her former life . the same night ( being returned home ) sodainly about midnight the sciatica seized painfully and grieuously vpon her . some few daies after , it happened another of her neighbours came also vnto the same physition , whom ( beside the disease which she her selfe made knowne ) he guessed to be troubled with the b crampe , and cursorily questioned her thereof . she neuer before sensibly knowing any such paine , after her returne also that night suffered thereby exceeding torment . these two accidents compared together by the first partie , ( the one in her selfe , and the other in her neighbour ) and the apprehension being whet by her exceeding paine continued , caused in her a strong and resolute opinion of bewitching , which she presently vnremoueably imputed vnto the physition . her outcries and impatience through her paine , made such forcible impression in her husband , that to satisfie his wiues vnreasonable importunacie , he was contented to come vnto the physition from her to expostulate . he , before he could vtter his message , blushing at the folly , and yet desirous to satisfie his wiues iniunction , because she would not otherwise giue him rest , at length related vnto him the cause of his coming , desiring him for his sake ( being much ashamed thereof ) to conceale the folly of his wife . this done , he returned home , and found his wife nothing better , but assuring her selfe and him , that if he would but once more come vnto the physition , and ( as i coniecture ) gaine him to forgiue her , she should presently be well . accordingly the next day he came vnto him , and ( then concealing the reason and cause of his coming ) desired him to forgiue and pardon his wife . this easily granted ( as such a toy ) he presently demanded the houre of the day , which instantly the clocke gaue two , being afternoone . he hastened homeward , and before he could speake vnto his wife , she ioyously entertained him , and with preuention told him that she was perfectly well , and that iust at c two of the clock her paine left her , which she ( it seemed ) imagined ( as it also hapned ) to haue bene the same time and moment that the physition had giuen her desired pardon . the next morning her husband did write vnto him , discouering with this newes the reason of his last coming vnto him the day before , together with this strange euent following it . within halfe a yeare after , she fell sicke againe , and d died . this strong imagination , with this strange euent , might haue intangled many a poore spinster in a thicker string then her cunning could vntwist , to saue the cracking of her neck . but if mē wold more duly oft examine and weigh these cases , they shall many times find the witch in a foolish sconce ; and greater and more dangerous are the bewitchings of a mans owne folly , and more effectuall oft times vnto his owne hurt and others , then any witch , yea or diuell whatsoeuer . without doubt chance may flatter and countenance the imagination with vnwonted , yea and iustly wondered euents , and yet is that no demonstration of ought about nature or reason . casualtie doth so apt oft times consequences vnto dreames , as if there were some secret power or influence in them proceeding vnto such effects , yet is it no proof of truth or trust in them . women oft times out of their e sleepes haue foreseene and foretold many things , which according to time and place haue iustly come to passe , but this doth make their dreames no oracles . many vain mē out of the presage of their owne minds , haue confidently made prediction of such things as haue assuredly hapned , yet is this no inducement to take them for prophets . in like maner some that haue possessed themselues with witchcraft , and the opinion thereof , haue seemed to know things aboue their knowledge , and that knowledge aboue and beyond all reason hath bene true : yet neither is this any dispossession of themselues of this spirit of folly , nor no iust proofe or accusation of any one to be a witch . i cannot therfore take it for an ingenuous course , vpō such grounds to draw simple people vnto confusion . it is an easie matter for any impression to worke it selfe into the imagination of a vaine mind . and why may it not seeme as easie for the diuell who is the author of lying d wonders , to credite it with wonderfull euents aboue the weake eye of our reason ? therefore ineptly and iniuriously may the illusion of fancie , and the practise of the diuell therewith ioyned , be made snares for the innocent , whose destruction is his intention who reioyceth in the perdition of mankind . neither can i beleeue ( i speake it with reuerence vnto grauer iudgements ) that the forced f coming of men or women to the burning of bewitched cattell , or to the burning of the dung or vrine of such as are bewitched , or floating of bodies aboue the water , or the like , are any trial of a witch . i see no reason why i may not thinke , that the diuell by the permission of god , hath power indifferently to worke these effects vpon any man , whether a witch or no. for if he had power for his owne malitious purpose vpon the bodie of our blessed sauiour , to transport it through the aire , and to set it vpon a pinnacle of the temple ; and vpon the body of righteous iob , with hope and desire of his ouerthrow : by what prerogatiue dare any other man whatsoeuer presume to free himselfe from his power , but by a speciall grace and mercie of god ? or why is it any imputation vnto any man to be knowne to be subiect thereto , since god doth permit it in diuers his deare g seruants ? if men shall grant the diuels exercising his power vpon any man a sufficient euidence to conuince him a witch , g there shall thereby be allowed vnto the diuell a large h commission , which his malice will easily extend beyond the latitude : as by right obseruation of many learned in their own experiences hath ben● and may be oft truly noted . i do not deny nor patronage witches or witchcraft , but wish that the proofes and triall thereof may be more carefully and with better circumspection viewed and considered : that rash determination beguile not the wise , nor condemne the innocent , vpon whom the diuell can with more nimblenesse and agilitie transferre his owne euill workes , then either they can auoide it , or others easily espie it . euerie thing whereof euerie man cannot giue a reason , is not therefore a miracle . there are many things whereof few c men , many whereof no man can attaine the reason , yet euerie d man knoweth to haue a reason in nature . behold a toy for an example . there is seene in the hand of a iugler a thing as it is indeed ; sodainly in a moment without perceptible motion , it is againe seene e as it is not . that there is a cause of the change who knoweth not ? what it is , who knoweth except to whom it hath bene made known ? with great wonder and f admiration haue diuers in this age shewed mercenarie spectacles , incredible g euen vnto the beholding eye , and yet in the actors by meane vnderstandings deprehended to be nothing but agilitie and nimble cunning , by continuall practise and custome working desperatenesse into facilitie . thus with common wonder haue some walked and danced voon cords . some are written to haue leaped and danced vpon the edges of sharp swords without hurt vnto thēselues , & with pleasure vnto the beholders . some haue credibly bene supposed to deuoure daggers and other sharpe and dangerous weapons . that naturally the loadstone draweth iron the meanest know : the reasō or cause the wisest neuer knew . there are wonders in nature , & wonders aboue nature ; these are subtilties , the other miracles . that fire and aire , contrary to their owne a particular nature of the owne accord descend , and waters ascend : that the heauie mettals of iron and lead , contrary to their owne naturall motion , should with such admirable swiftnesse , in so short a b moment passe so large a distance through the aire , from a small flash of a little flame : these and such like are subtilties , because the cause and reason thereof doth vnfold it selfe to few , or not to all , yet vnto the learned . that the sunne should stand still in the firmament , the moone be ecclipsed in no interposition , the bodies of men should flie in the aire , or walke vpon the face of the water ; these and the like are miracles , because hereof is neither power nor reason in nature . and as in the former to be easily drawne to admiration , and to ascribe naturall effects to supernaturall causes , is grosse ignorance , so in the latter to enquire naturall causes in d supernaturall effects , is profane curiositie . in both these extremes men too commonly erre , the learned for the most part in the latter , the vnlearned in the first ; the one too c wise , the other starke fooles . none truly learned , or that truly know the face of nature ( whose scholers the learned euer professe themselues ) can be vpon the vaine flashes of seeming wonders lightly moued to denie or call into question f the power and force of nature . with therfore the common amazed thoughts of vulgar people , to be blasted by the stupiditie of euery idle feare , to gape after witchcraft , or to make nature a diuell or a bugbeare , must needs be base procliuitie and vnlearned lightnesse . to admit also nothing aboue or beside nature , no witchcraft , no association with diuels at all , is no lesse madnesse of the opposite and extreame . but those whom true learning and wisedome hath well instructed , know how to stay themselues , and to consist in a temperate mediocritie betweene both these . the actions of the diuell are discouered by the proper notes and difference . first they are euer c euill , either in themselues or in their end . secondly , they are aboue d the power and course of nature and reason . this appeareth manifestly in his violent cariage of so many heards of swine headlong into the sea , mentioned in the gospell : in his bringing fire from aboue so sodainly to deuoure so many thousands of iobs sheepe . these , with other such like , carry in their mischiefe and hurt the stamp of such an author , and in the transcendent e and supernaturall power thereof , the testimonie of a spirit . this is plaine , and by these notes men may learne to distinguish between an imaginarie and a reall diuellish practise . now the doubt remaineth , how we may in these workes and practises of the diuell , detect the conuersation and commerce of men . i do not conceiue how any markes in the flesh or bodie of any one , may be any triall or manifest proofe : for besides the grant , that g likenesse may deceiue , who can assure me that the diuell may not as easily , secretly and insensibly marke the flesh of men as their soules vnto destruction ? if the diuell may marke them without their knowledge and consent , shall his malice be their offence ? or how shall i be assured he cannot so do ? he that can do the greater , can do the lesse . he that could giue vnto the son of god a view of all the kingdomes of the world in one instant ( which was no doubt a speciall straine of his vtmost spirituall cunning , considering he was then to deale with wisedome it selfe ) can that cunning finde no meanes to make a small scarre , impresse or tumor in flesh ? who dare presume to say , god will not suffer him ? who euer so farre entred into the counsell of god , or measured what therein he doth permit ? if no holy writ , no reason manifest it , proud and blasphemously daring is obseruation in so infinite and vnmeasurable a subiect . i denie not that the diuell by couenant may sucke the bodies and bloud of witches , in witnesse of their homage vnto him ; but i denie any marke ( of neuer so true likenesse or perfect similitude ) sufficient condemnation vnto any man ; and beside and aboue all other notes or marks whatsoeuer , iudge it chiefly and principally and first to be required , that both the diuels d propertie therein , & also the parties e consent thereto may be iustly and truly euicted , which is oft too lightly weighed . it may be with good reason iudged , that the diuell doth not blush to be both bold and cunning , there to set his marke , yea and make his claime where he hath no interest . but when the diuell doth appeare in workes and signes proper to himselfe , and therewith shall be euident either directly or by good consequent the act of any man consenting or cooperating , there law may iustly take hold to censure ; and there also the former presumptions and markes ( denied sufficiencie while alone and single ) may now concurring be admitted and allowed . i speake not this in contradiction of other learned iudgements , but retaining the libertie of mine owne , and leauing the like equanimitie to euery one . nor do i denie or defend diuellish practises of men or women , but desire onely to moderate the generall madnesse of this age , which ascribeth vnto witchcraft whatsoeuer falleth out vnknowne or strange vnto a vulgar sense . concerning diseases therefore , it will not here also be impertinent or vnprofitable to deliuer many their strange seeming formes from the too ordinarie iniurious imputation in this kind . it is manifest and apparent , that the mixture and implication of diuers and differing diseases in the same subiect , may and do oft bring forth a wild and confused concourse of accidents seeming therfore of monstrous and wondered shapes , and therefore in their deceiuing appearance coming very neare vnto the similitude of bewitching . but because euery eye is not able in so various a chaos to e analyse and reduce them vnto their seuerall heads , and proper diseases , ( so intricately confounded one within another ) it is not therefore sufficient for reputing them as things without causes in nature . many diseases single , alone and apart by themselues , seeme strange and wondered , which therefore in their strange formes vnited , and in their mixture one with another , must needs arise much more monstrous and hydra-like . for example , in one kind f of disease , the whole body as it were in a minute is sodainly taken in the middest g of some ordinary gesture or action , and therein is continued some space together as if frozen generally , starke and stiffe in all parts , without sense or motion , yet with eyes wide open , and h breathing freely , as if it were a mouing image or a liuing carcasse . in another , the sicke are also sodainly taken or surprised with a senslesse i trance and generall astonishment or sideration , voide of all sense or mouing many houres together , onely the breath sometimes striueth and laboureth `against the danger of suffocation , and the pulse continueth . in another , the sicke are swiftly surprised with so profound and deadly a sleepe , c that no call , no crie , no noise , no d stimulation can in many houres awake and raise them . in another , the sicke are doubtfully held , in some part e waking , and in other part sleeping , in some respects , maners and parts expressing wakefull motions , sense , speech , right apprehension , memory and imagination ; in other respects , parts and maners ( as men sleeping ) voide of the libertie or vse of sense , motion , or any the other faculties . the forme of this disease , hippocrates hath very fitly assimilated to the shape f and fashion of drunkennesse , whose ordinarily knowne effects are in some things busie wakefulnesse , in other some at the same time dull sleepinesse ; in some imaginations , apprehensions , senses and motions quicke and readie , in some with as apparent vrgence , yet senslesse and dead . contrary to these formes , in some other diseases there arise continuall stirrings and depraued motions through all the parts h of the bodie , contrary to the will , and beside the sense and power of the sicke . this is seene commonly in i falling sicknesses , diuers kinds of conuulsions , and the like . in these diseases , g some bite their tongues and flesh , some make fearfull and frightfull shrinkings and outcries , some are violently tossed and tumbled from one place vnto another , some spit , some froth , some guash their teeth , some haue their faces continually deformed and drawne awrie , some haue all parts wrested and writhed into k infinite vgly shapes . some haue their heads violently wrested forward , and their faces behind . some haue their eyes with inordinate twincklings , rauings , and rollings a disfigured . some haue their mouthes distorted into diuers formes , grinning , mowing , b laughing , sometimes gaping wide c open , sometimes close shutting . some haue their limbes and diuers members sodainly with violence snatched vp and caried aloft , and after suffered by their owne weight to fall againe . some haue an inordinate leaping d and hopping of the flesh , through euery part of the body . in some diseases the mind is as strangely transported into admirable visions and miraculous apparitions , as the body is metamorphosed into the former strange shapes . in many ordinary diseases , in the oppressions of the braine , in feauers , the sicke vsually thinke themselues to see things f that are not , but in their owne abused imaginarie and false conceit . sometimes with their fingers they hunt for flockes and flies , and with narrow eyes prie for puppets and toyes , working in the consistory of their owne braines . sometimes they complaine of their friends and others to lie vpon them , to creepe or sit vpon them , to stop their winds , to endeuour to cut their throates , and the like . sometimes they complaine of g diuels or witches , liuely describing their seeming shapes and gestures toward them . some in sicknesses so farre forget themselues , that they haue not so much memorie as of their owne k names , or their most familiar friends . some aboue all perswasion or reason to the contrary , strongly imagine themselues vnreasonable h creatures . some crie out and flie from i waters when none are neare : some from fire , and likewise from many other supposed feares , in their vanitie infinite , as in their present and sodaine appearance vnto the beholder full of amazement . how can these like accidents , or any of them euen single and alone in their seuerall peculiar shapes apart , but seeme wondered ? much more when diuers of them , most or many of them , as it sometimes falleth out , are confusedly together so compounded , that at once in the sicke , a man may see a part of one and a part of another , a shew of many , and a perfect shape of none ; must they needes not onely affright a common beholder , but sometimes also exercise the better iudgements . i saw hereof in the yeare . a rare example , which both for illustration of that which hath bene said , and the instruction of other that may hereafter hap to behold the like , and especially for the contentment of many eye witnesses ( both worthy and desirous therein to be satisfied ) i may not omit . a gentleman of ancient name and seare in warwickshire , in the time of the late memorable long frost , called me vnto his daughter afflicted in an vnknowne and strange sodaine manner , both vnto her parents , friends , & neighbours , and also some e physitions therein consulted . a vehement shaking and violent casting forward of her head , euery day in a much maruelled fashion surprised her about three or foure of the clocke each afternoone , and so vsually continued vntill the twelfth houre of the night : euery such shaking or casting of her head , ending with a loud and shrill inarticulate sound of these two sillables , ipha , ipha . after my first sight , i discouered these before wondered motiues to be nothing else but sneesings and sternutations , which in all men haue their different and a diuers noyses , and in her were more then ordinarily violent . to confirme and settle this iudgement , i gaue both by writing and speech prediction of a sequele , either of the falling sicknesse c or some other spice or species of conuulsion , so grounding vpon the continuall violence and vehemence of the sternutation , and the great oppression of the braine , together with some obscure contractions of some parts alreadie begunne , though haply of others vnobserued . in the meane season before my departure at that time in few dayes the grieuousnesse , length , and frequence of the former fits was much mitigated and grew more easie , and so continued the space of a fortnight after my returne from thence . this time last mentioned expired , sodainly the parents againe sent for me : from them i learned that their daughter after diuers tortures of her mouth and face , with staring and rolling of her eyes , scrawling and tumbling vpon the ground , grating and gnashing her teeth , was now newly fallen into h a deadly trance , wherein she had continued a whole day , representing the verie shape and image of death , without all sense or motion : her pulse or breathing onely witnessing a remainder of life . with these fits ( oft in the meane season first frequenting ) at length she againe i interchanged new , and then awaking out of her astonished sleepe , wistly casting her eyes as looking sometime behind her , sometime to the one k side , sometime to the other ; sometime ouer her head ( as if she had fearefully or frightfully espied somewhat hagging about her ) with her eyes staring open , her mouth wide gaping , and her hands and armes strongly distent & carried aloft aboue her head , together with a generall starknesse & stifnesse of al these parts , she spent many daies in this maner , both day and night iterating these fits , and each seuerall fit continuing the space sometimes of halfe an houre , sometimes a quarter of an houre . while these fits at any time discontinued , she either slept , or ( at least all her outward senses slumbring ) her imagination still led her hands vnto many and diuers continuall actions and motiues , which argued in their folly great fatuitie and d defect of reason and vnderstanding , yet manifested the businesse and depraued motion of her oppressed imagination , which therefore continually e imployed her fingers to imitate many vsuall exercises of her health ( as dressing and attiring the heads of such women as came neare vnto her . in all these actions and motions she neither had nor vsed the helpe of any other sense but onely the feeling f with her hand , whereof she seemed also altogether depriued in g all other things , except onely those whereto her imagination ( which is mistresse and great commander of all the senses ) lead h her feeling . hereof was oft made triall by pinching and the like , whereof she tooke no care , nor was therby moued , except onely when thereby haply they intercepted or interposed her feeling and the imagined obiect , whereof she was euer for the most part very sensible . after i had with much assiduitie and diligence by some quicke medicines solicited nature to a better remembrance of her selfe , at length vpon a sharpe prouocation she immediatly answered our desired hope , and we then first gained her sense of her selfe with some comfortable words , and with a perfect returne i of her vnderstanding the distinct vtterance of diuers short , but deuout inuocations of god , vnto the singular comfort of her parents , hauing before beheld her three weekes together both l speechlesse and senslesse . her speech shortly againe ( after the operation of the medicine had taken the vsuall effect ) departed , but her better sense and vnderstanding still remained , which by her c pen she signified , and therewithall an holy mind and thoughts rare in such an impe ( being then vnder the thirteenth yeare of her age ) with an inward feeling of her agony and affliction , oft blessing god , and therein honouring her vertuous and carefull education . thus after much labour by the grace of god , and good means ( for so they proued thēselues euer by the immediate sequele of good vnto them ) we at length obtained the continuance of all her senses . her tong e remained still g vnperfect , yet continually moued it selfe to force a certaine imitation of speech , with a mumbling , which ( though no plaine articulate sound of words ) yet vnto those that were thereto accustomed , oft intelligible and well perceiued . sometimes perfect speech f sodainly and vnexpectedly would come vnto her , but staied not constant nor long . in this meane season i imparted vnto her parents my doubt of a hard condition , namely a palsie or maime in some part likely to be annexed vnto her recouerie , if she suruiued her conuulsiue fits which still remained as before mentioned . betweene hope and this feare we continued endeuour , and in the end by the infinite goodnes of god , her fits before mentioned ( namely of gaping and carying her armes distent aboue her head ) with the rest decreased , now discontinuing all day , onely foure or fiue short fits euery night when she first lay downe in bed continued , and with the decrease of the former vehemence and fearefull continuall frequence of the said fits , succeeded ( as was before feared ) a palsie , which possessed both her legs with a senslesse deadnesse , and a generall stupiditie of one side of her bodie , being the ordinarie terminations of an apoplexie , and therfore foredoubted . after she had continued in this hopefull forwardnesse the space of two moneths or thereabout , she was then commended vnto the bath , with my report and description of her former passed accidents vnto her physition there , where after much and long feare and doubt , she began at length to yeeld better hope , finding by little and little the vse of her legs , onely the former small fits did still hand fast , and her speech as yet remained h vnperfected . her legges being at bath , began there to recouer ; her speech shortly after i her returne home from thence also followed , and all her former fits and complaints vanished before that k sommer passed . it hath bene and is still a great doubt and question , not onely among the common and vulgar sort , but diuers also learned , whether this gentlewoman ( in maner aforesaid afflicted ) shall iustly be ranked among those vpon whom ( by the permission of god ) diuels and witches haue had a power , or whom nature and the course of naturall diseases haue thus in maner aforesaid afflicted . my owne iudgement must needs incline vnto the latter , for that i could behold in the gentlewoman nothing ( most continually conuersing with her ) which either my eies had not before shewed me in others , or perfect notion from reading both ancient writings and later neotericall descriptions , had not before made the same l vnto my vnderstanding , which they then presented themselues vnto my sight . the first is in part testified in the margine of the page . . and . the second , any man may witnesse true who can compare the report of all the fits and accidents which befell this gentlewoman ( which as truly and nearly as i could , and i suppose fully , by the testimony of any that saw her , i haue related ) with the seuerall shapes of some diseases before mentioned , pages . . . . which are truly set downe according to the common consent of most writers . the mixture of diuers of them one with another , must needs make some difference in them from themselues , where they are each alone and seuerall : but he that with that iust allowance of that oddes onely , can consider the particular accidents in the speciall example , with the true notion of the diseases before it generally described , must needs grant them to be the same in kind and nature . it may farther perswade , that my selfe with reason from the knowne custome and nature of such diseases , gaue both by speech and writing , prediction of the conuulsion which after followed , and also of the termination of her g apoplecticke accessions in the lamenesse and palsie of some parts , which also came to passe , and cannot now be denied testimonie of many . it maketh yet farther against the opinion of witchcraft , that such medicines as were ministred vnto her , in reason good for her , according to that reason and expectation for the most part euer profited , sometimes immediately with their vse reducing her vnderstanding before lost , sometime recouering her speech when she had diuers weekes together before continued speechlesse , and by litle and litle euermore repairing continually some decayes , notwithstanding many and diuers relapses ; which both her parents themselues , and the seruants , and all that ministred vnto her , must needs vnto god and truth with thankes acknowledge . it farther confirmeth the negatiue of witchcraft , and is not the least , that while the opinion thereof most hotly possessed most hearers and beholders , the parents of the gentlewoman at no time in the height of their daughters affliction , or a good space after , could resolue vpon whom with any iust shew of reason to cast the suspition of bewitching , as they oft auouched vnto me both then and since . the most certaine and chiefe proofes h of witchcraft & diuellish practises vpon the sick , among the learned esteemed are generally reputed three : first , a true and iudicious manifestation in the sicke of some reall power , act or deed , in , aboue and beyond reason and naturall cause . secondly , annihilation and frustration of wholesome and proper remedies , with discretion and art administred , without any iust reason or cause thereof . thirdly , ought either in the knowledge or speech of the diseased , discouering a rauishment , possession or obsession of their minds or spirits by any infernall inspiration . hence the sicke oft speake strange languages f vnto themselues vnknowne , and prophecie things to come , aboue humane capacitie . to the first doth satisfie the former manifest reference of all accidents befalling the gentlewoman mentioned , vnto the preualence and power of diseases before related . the second is negatiuely answered by plaine testimonies . of the third and last was neuer mention , nor question , nor reason of either . there can nothing be required more vnto ample satisfaction : and as i therein rest and stay my selfe , so i doubt not the consent and content of all that affect truth and embrace reason . i will notwithstanding for the better exercising and stirring vp of diligence , circumspection and vigilance , generally in this so hard and deceiuable point of witchcraft , and also for their sakes , whose weaknesse may as yet be vncapable of satisfaction in the former particular , answer some obiections therein made . the forenamed conuulsiue fits , of lifting vp her hands aboue her head , which were the last remaining fits , toward their decay and latter end , neuer came vnto her but onely when prepared at the night for bed , and vnclothed into her night-weeds , she began to yeeld and decline her body to lie downe . in that instant , each night without failing , euer and neuer before began her fits . when she at any time lay her selfe downe to rest vpon her bed in her clothes ( whether by day or night ) her fits notwithstanding appeared not . some haue imagined some coniuration or witchcraft vpon or in her nightcloths or sheets ; but to them that seek reason , i suppose it found . the power of voluntary motion , which is the animall facultie , and the disease it selfe both possessing the same parts , namely the sinewes and muscles , while the disease was in his vigor and strength in the beginning , it therfore mastered the facultie and mouing power , and continually ruled , so that the fits then neuer almost ceassed by day or night . now in the declination and weaknesse of the dissease , and toward the end , the facultie grew strong , restrained and commanded ouer the disease , whereby all the day there appeared no fits at all . but when the mouing power or facultie composed it selfe to a true and generall cessation and rest , then in that instant the disease tooke his aduantage and libertie to stirre . but why was it not thus also when she slept in her clothes ? the sense and incumbrance of the day-habite is euer an hinderance of perfect sleepes . therefore to them that sleepe in their clothes , or vpon their beds , commonly there is not so true a ligation of their senses , neither are their sleepes so sound , nor of the like continuance . while therefore she lay or composed her selfe to rest in her clothes , the sense thereof both interrupted the facultie from the true and sound disposing it selfe to rest , and also thereby put it in mind of the disease which had so lately sharply visited it , with tart remembrance ; and the disease being now too weake to resist or to prouoke the facultie , could not vpon that vnperfect aduantage stirre , vntill by a more sound and true dispose to rest and sleepe , the spirits and naturall heate more truly retiring inward , had more perfectly left the outward parts , and thereby the disease there still remaining might haue more libertie and power to stirre , which notwithstanding also soone after of the owne accord desisted , because it wanted the former strength to maintain continuance . that which breedeth other doubts , is that at such time when she wanted all her senses , and altogether seemed senslesse of any obiect offered vnto her , or of it selfe occurring , yet had she a curious feeling of such things as her minde and liking sought or seemed to hunt after . this is no wonder to them that know where the imagination intently and earnestly worketh , it there giueth sense to those d parts it exerciseth , though all other parts be stupified or asleepe . this is oft seene in many who in their dreames walke , talk , and do seriously many works , distinguishing and feeling those things whereabout the fancie occupieth them , of other obiects , though haply more neare hand and of quicker remembrance , taking no notice at all . the disease or accident which most oft and frequently possessed this gentlewoman , was a kinde of e heaue sleepe , in degree onely exceeding the ordinarie resolution and ligation of the senses by sleepe , and therefore the same reason may indifferently serue both . it is farther obiected , that the gentlewoman oft pointed , sometime this way , sometime that , as seeing the appearance of a woman of such and such forme and colours , which also according vnto her maner of vnperfect speech , she after described , as some say . it is not vnusuall with the sicke oft to imagine indifferently , as well things inconsiderate and f incomposed as truths , and therefore are their imaginations of no g validitie without better proofe or reason , which i thinke before sufficiently satisfied . and in this gentlewoman ( hauing her head , where her disease had so manifestly deeply seated it selfe , therefore so mightily oppressed ) it was more easie for any faculitie therein to mistake and erre , then to conceiue aright . and therefore though it might haply manifestly appeare ( which may be and is ordinarily rather the abusiue impression of some indiscreete h whispering about the sicke ) that she of her selfe primarily and without suggestion conceiued the forme or shape of a witch , yet is that no sound proofe or clearing of the question of witchcraft in generall , nor any reasonable euidence against one particular , since the trials of truth are not sterred by imaginations . it is lastly obiected , that certaine witches lately dying for sorcerie , haue confessed themselues to haue bewitched this gentlewoman . i grant the voluntary and vncompelled , or duly and truly euicted confession of a witch , to be sufficient condemnation of her selfe , and therefore iustly hath the law laid their bloud vpon their owne heads , but their confession i cannot conceiue sufficient euiction of the witchcraft it selfe . it is knowne euidently vnto men learned , that the subtill serpent and deceiuer the diuell doth vsually beguile , delude and deceiue those that trust in him by his iugling collusions , perswading oft times those actions and euents to be his gratification of their malicious affections , which are indeed the very workes of nature , and oft times the rare effects onely of hidden causes in nature . a witches confession therefore being onely grounded vpon his credite , information and suggestion , whose nature , custome and propertie is and euer hath bene to lie and deceiue , is a meane , poore and vncertaine proofe of witchcraft , though a iust condemnation vnto the witch , her selfe being proued an associate with the diuell in any sort . her death therefore doth satisfie the law for her offence , but is no sound information of the iudgement of the witchcraft . thus according to that whereof my selfe could take notice in this gentlewoman ( if more full information of others obseruations in those things that by my selfe were not seene or noted , faile me not ) i haue truly and fully described euery materiall accident and circumstance ; and to all the knowne or conceiued likely doubts and difficulties therein haue carefully and directly answered , and therein also haue ( i suppose ) satisfied the ingenuous and reasonable with breuitie at full . now to conclude the former explication of the question of witchcraft in generall , i intreate the reader to call vnto mind the formerly mentioned feares and doubts of witchcraft , which vnknowne accidents and diseases easily impose vpon mindes herein vnacquainted and not discerning their cause and reason , and in them farther for future good to consider the possible contingence of many more of like nature and sort in other the like cases elsewhere hapning , and here vnmentioned . in both and with both let also be recalculate and cast the strange and slie suggestions of the fancie and imagination , sometimes countenanced by admired casuall euents and chances , sometimes applauded by ignorant credulitie , and sometimes aduanced by superstition in all and euery of these still with the vulgar sort , aduantaging the same error and opinion of witchcraft . i haue so much the rather thus farre laboured , for that ordinarily herein i see truth and iudgement too much peruerted , the diseased their health and life thereby neglected , and many times simple ideots and fooles oppressed , whose weaknes doth oft seeme guiltie , because euer vnable to defend it selfe . euery one in these cases is not fit or competent arbiter : it requireth the learned , and not learned in word and superficiall seeming , but indeed truly iudicious and wise , whom euer to preconsult in these occasions is onely safe , is right , expedient , and euer necessary . chap. ix . wisards . the mentione of witchcraft doth now occasion the remembrance in the next place of a sort of practitioners , whom our custome and country doth call wisemen and wise-women , reputed a kind of good & honest harmles witches or wisards , who by good words , by hallowed herbes and salues , and other superstitious ceremonies promise to allay and calme diuels , practises of other witches , and the forces of many diseases . but these being of the same nature with those before mentioned to vse spels , and as they before , so these now sometimes onely superstitiously vaine , sometimes diuellishly assisted , i will referre these vnto them , and onely dismisse them both with a short historie . anno . a poore boy of pychley in northamptonshire , was sodainly surprised with a vehement conuulsion , drawing his head and heeles violently h backward , and in that sort carrying his whole body into a roundnesse , tumbling vp and downe with much paine and inward groning . the parents of the child posed with the strangenesse , presently accused i witchcraft , sent for a wisewoman , & her wisedome came vnto them . at the same time it fortuned my selfe to be in the towne with a patient of mine , a worthy and vertuous lady there inhabiting , who moued me to see the bewitched child , and vpon the motion together with her preacher then liuing in her house , i went vnto the place where the child lay . there among other standing silent and vnknowne , i beheld the fits , & heard also the wisewoman wisely discoursing , and among other things of the like nature , declaring vnto the cōpany , that the lungs of the child were as white as c her kercher . with this and some other such like kercher learning , i d silenty departed . when i was returned vnto my patient , i there professed my opinion concerning the manner and nature of conuulsions with their seuerall causes , amongst the rest not omitting the strange accidents which did oft fall out in such diseases by wormes . not long after , when the cunning of the wisard was now growne without profite , stale and forsaken , the child auoyded a great and long worme , and immediatly after recouered without other helpe or meanes , and so hath continued euer since . thus the serpent beguiled the woman , and the woman beguiled ( though not adam ) many foolish sonnes of adam . at length a poore worme gaue them demonstration of their ridiculous folly . such teachers are fittest for such schollers , whose grosse ignorance is euer so farre in loue with it owne preiudicate conceite , that though they were brayed in a mortar , yet cannot this loue be beaten out of them for any loue of truth or reason . i did not therefore trouble them with my patience to instruct them , nor they molest me with their impatience to heare . chap. x. seruants of physitions . ministring helpers . now to fulfill our iust computation of emperickes , and therewith to conclude their mention and number : the last ( but not the least ) that offer themselues ordinarily in this kind and name , are suchas either by oft seruing physitions , or by continuall conuersing with them and viewing their custome and practise , or by their owne imployment a from their directions in applications and administrations vnto the sicke , or by some speciall trust and attendance about the necessities of the diseased , ingrosse vnto themselues supposed speciall obseruations , and choice and select remedies , and with such small wares thus taken vp vpon credite , set b vp for themselues , presuming it good rhetoricke ( because an old figure ) to take a part for the whole . thus seeing too much honesty would not suffer them to rob their teachers of a more sufficient portion of generall methode and art , they thinke it sufficient to be able to supply the same particular meanes with the like desire and goodwill . but apish imitation and resembling shew can neuer expresse the life of reason in her natiue vse . although therefore sometimes some of this sort , by subtiltie , a good wit , officious diligence , and thereby pleasing fortunatenesse , do angle a good report and estimation , and thereby catch many simple c people ( who hoodwinkt with good opinion discerne not the baite ) yet doth their commonly obserued daring those things which they know they know not , and their ordinary raising themselues by the ladder of boasting , manifestly detect , both their cloaked defect , and their choaked guilt . for what expectation can be of them who for the most part build their whole worth vpon the meanest proofe of anothers sufficiencie , and all the skill which they are able to expend , is but that little which another without enuy or ielousie could spare ? timely and well growne perfection is neuer to be attained either by seruice or bare obseruation . it is necessary that man be in himselfe a maister of knowledge and of sincere iudgement , that shall be able truly to make right vse of anothers experience . experiece therefore alone , and the benefite of a physitions seruice or admission vnto the view of practise , without the benefite of sufficient generall theorie and learning going before , can in it selfe be no true benefite . it is reason and knowledge that doth guide men wise vnto d all their particular actions and experiences , and those actions succeeding in triall and proofe according to that reason commend and confirme that reason , and made good that experience . for that which experience hath once or ofttimes knowne and found to do good , must not therefore in necessitie still do e the same good , except the same reason of the good do in each circumstance againe commend and command it , which onely they can iudge and examine that are wise and learned . that experience therefore is onely certainly and truly allowed trust , which prouing it selfe good doth therein also iustifie g the knoweldge and reason which directed it vnto that good . they therefore that without methode , art , reason and f knowledge , take care to spend their time in gaping after others experiences , do set the cart to draw the horses , and euery one that goeth vnto plough , knoweth they either neuer went to schoole , or beginne their lesson at the wrong end . by this preposterous defect therefore , and therein want of knowledge to foresce the likely issues of their actions , since these emperickes themselues know not , not truly forsee what they indeauour or do , how shall others that trust them know what thereby they shall suffer ? prouident foresight is farre from blind ignorance , and wise preuention from imprudent temeritie , and the experiment made without ait or reason doth b more commonly reproue and chastise , then instruct and establish . neither can any man make a true rule or vse of his experience , that truly knoweth not the particular nature and estate of those things whereof he hath experience , together with all circumstances that may alter the considerations . they therefore that will learne more safely to informe themselues , let them know assuredly , that sufficiency is neuer found in the vtmost obseruation or empericall tradition , but in a setled and itselfe confirming knowledge and vnderstanding . neither can this true knowledge be duly or competently attained , but by early begunne , and late continuing education thereto , instituted in places fit and free for true grounds , for the groweth and seed of pure and good knowledge , instilled into the minde by little f and little , by daily reading , contemplation , meditation , and assiduitie in both , watered with the dew and sweate of painfull studie , hastened to maturitie by carefull and continuall good culture g of ancient counsell and direction , and lastly confirmed and strengthned in the good and perfect groweth vnto a firme age and time there in by choyce example and experience , withall these possessing an h aptnesse in nature as the ground of all . the end of the first booke . the second booke . chap. i. the methodian learned deceiuer or hereticke physition . thus farre haue bene remembred the ignorant practitiones that infost this age . now it followeth we come vnto another erronions kind of such as haue a name and portion among the learned : such are they that haue a taste of good arts and science , but are not truly earned , nor haue sincerely drawne the naturall and liuely sap of true science and vnderstanding . of this kinde among the ancients , were reputed those they termed d methodians , either by an ironie or antiphrasis , as hauing no true e method , but a compēdium or a method of their own making ; or else because they arrogated this name vnto themselues in the best sence , as onely in their owne supposall meriting the title of true art and method . these had their peculiar and proper errors in those times in which they liued , then especially noted ; but we will make bold more generally vnder this name to comprehend all who carry a name and visar of learning , but are not able to expresse the power thereof , either by their distinct and truly digested vnderstanding , or by right performance in action and practise according thereunto . these men , any man may note to be of three sorts : first , such as may commonly be obserued to beare naturall defects and impediments within themselues : secondly , such as want time in nature or their studies : thirdly , such as haue spent most part of their life otherwise distracted , and haue not had entire emploiment in their callings . the first ranke nature her selfe doth note vnto euery one by their imperfect parts stamped and expressed in their daily conuersation . such are they who argue in themselues want of wit , of common capacitie , of ordinarie gouernment : or are disposed to lunacies , to inordinate affections and customes in the continuall course and practise of their life . the second are youths , yong men , and all wanting discreet yeares in their faces or g manners , with all such as deriue their knowledge no further then grammar schooles , or in vniuersities haue made short stay and too sodaine departure . both these are easily diseouered , and therefore cannot so vsually deceiue , or else can but deceiue such as deserue no better . the third , are all such aside fraud their callings of their whose endeuour , and deuide themselues between two professions . their neutralitie in both doth proue their nullitie in either . perfection in any facultie requireth more then a cc man , cc and k competence a whole man nor euer was any in an excellent whom one calling could not 〈◊〉 deserue and employ . within this compasse also stand such , as hauing spent a good part , or most part of their time in one art or science , towards the end 〈◊〉 in them iddel course exchange . these from the 〈◊〉 flowing and wanting of their minds in a former streame , 〈◊〉 arriuing in a new 〈◊〉 cannot sodainly lauch vnto any depth or profoundnesse of iudgement ( which onely time by stealing steps by little and litle doth mature and ripeth as a timely fruite a ) and therefore they may in hast and greatily swallow vpon hole sentences , yea & volumes vnche wed , yet can they neuer truly digest them but with b many dayes and much leisure . euery art is an habit : an habit is by small degrees and length of time and custome acquired , and thence riseth by little and little to perfection and full growth . there is to euery facultie belonging , first an habit of right iudging therein , and distinct knowing : secondly an habite according to iudgement and knowledge of right action and c disposing . a double habite in euery facultie , requireth a double time in euery facultie , which therefore cannot but with long patience and carefull assiduitie therein be inuited . the too common want hereof in these dayes , is the cause that many reputed great clearks & scholers , haue in their mouthes and discourse , the phrase , the language and sentences of wisedom , but want the d soule , the substance and the sense . hence it cometh to passe , that tongues ouerflow with aphorismes , maximes , and rules of ancient truth , but for the most part confusedly , not rightly distinguished , mistaken or supposed . neither cau excellence in one facultie giue prerogatiue in another . therefore those that are perfect and absolued artists in their owne facultie , and will impaire their dignitie by engaging it in another , ( where neither their time nor proofe can equall it ) let wise men cuatelously and with suspition admit their counsell or trust their practise . i sometime knew a learned diuine , batchelar in that facultie , a great clearke , of much reading and studie therein , whose busie and ambitious braine not contenting it selfe within so infinite an ocean of sufficient sacred and sweete imploiment , would needs breake out into other bounds , and from some borowed houres and time for studie in physicke , grew to affect therein more then a common name and vnderstanding . in the end his pride and conceit of his knowledge transported him so farre , that among other ridiculous paradoxes , he both in schooles and common profession defended an indifferencie in the natures , qualities and vse of stibium and ratsbane : to conclude , his confidence herein so farre bewitched him that he made triall thereof in himselfe , and as a iust execution vpon himselfe , was the same day poisoned . another of my knowledge and acquaintance , a man in the greeke , latine , hebrew , chaldey , and other languages much studied , and in the iudgement and theory of diuinitie of approued worthinesse and vnderstanding , hauing therein bestowed the best part of his time , sodainly interchanged with an vnaduised course of practise in physicke ; he spent some time in trauell beyond the sea , and returned againe thence dignified ; but his former studies were so well and soundly foresetled , that they admitted not so true and right after-setling of the second . hence as his braine ouerflowed with vnconstant propositions , and his tongue with paradoxes , his actions also thereto suited . in the end he made vpon himselfe an experiment of the force of opium in a more then ordinary dose , and so composing himselfe vnto a desired sleepe , neuer returned to view the issue of his experiment , but descending into the graue , left this memory behind him . if any man wonder at these grand lapses in men learned , let him stay and satisfie his doubt with admiration of the multitude of sects in all ages , swarming with grosse errors and opinions , euen amongst the learned of all faculties and professions . this vndoubtedly groweth from no other ground but want of entire vnderstanding of those things men studie and reade , through imperfect and distracted imploiment of their mindes , seriously and wholy required vnto any measure of perfection . therefore galen in his learned treatise of the method of right cure ( as also in other places ) doth oft times witnes , that where sects and sectaries abound , there is infallibly mistaking and vnsound apprehension of truth , and therefore lamely , defectiuely , and in part attained , because h so onely sought . if any man require a more speciall proofe or triall hereof , let him with me here cull and examine any few aphorismes of hippocrates , and in them ( though commonly and orderly read and auouched by euery mouth ) ye shall he find how easie and ordinarie it is for any man in any one to be inconsiderately deceiued and mistaken , if he do not with all possible diligence , indistracted vigilance and circumspection , continually , wholy and indefatigably g exercise all his powers in seeking out their hidden truth , which doth neuer freely reueale it selfe to those that carelesly or in part , or for sinister & trifling i ends labour after it . for example , in his sixt booke of aphorismes and . aphorisme , hippocrates doth nominate a mortall signe in the diseased , the appearance of the white of the eye in sleepe , and sleeping with vnclosed eyes . in many diseased , this oft is found vntrue , but with hippocrates vnderstanding it is neuer k false . he that simply and verbally onely vnderstandeth , and without meditated differences and exceptions , or maketh not more narrow search , shall hardly truly find the certaine and true limitation of this truth . for if this maner of sleeping fall out from any outward cause , or besides reason or cause thereof in the inward disposition , it is not simply or altogether bad , much lesse mortall . for where the sicke are thus accustomed to sleepe in health , or so sleep by reason of fumes and vapors ascending vnto the head , and thence distilling into the eye-lids , and so hindering their right closure , ( as it is oft seene in great drinkers ) or where it proceedeth onely from wormes in children , and the like , the incautelous and superficiall vnderstanding is readily deceiued . in like maner the . aphorisme of the same booke doth promise by the coming of a feauer thereto , the profligation of the apoplexie . but this is not true , confusedly interpreted , and therefore beyond the first view requireth further studious inquisition to find out the quantitie b of the feauer , with the degree of the apoplexie . great wounds and cuts of the head ( saith the . aphorisme of the same booke ) procure and incurre feauers : but he that doth no further search to know the c times that feauers may differently in swiftnesse or slownesse of their coming take , nor vnderstandeth the causes slackning or quickning the feauers speed , may easily too hastily before iust time accuse the truth hereof . the . aphorisme of the fift booke threatneth danger in conuulsions vpon great issues and losses of bloud ; but in what quantitie thou shalt esteeme them d great , or with what conditions , thou must vse diligence , and elsewhere enquire . many haue lost great measures of bloud at once , and yet haue escaped both with and without conuulsions , if . . . or . e pounds at once from the nose may be called much or great . the first aphorisme of the fift booke , doth pronounce the conuulsion procured in assumption of hellebore mortall . it is notwithstanding seene , that conuulsions so raised , ceasse againe without death or other danger . to vnderstand therfore aright , we must know to distinguish the diuers wayes and f maners whereby hellebore doth produce conuulsions . the . aphorisme of the fift booke , menaceth vnto a woman with child being let bloud , abortion . but whether we shall vnderstand it simply necessarie , or onely as an hazard or periclitation , or with what conditions , more certaine information doth aske further search . the . aphorisme of the second booke , threatneth vnto old men surprised with mur●hes and distillations , the end of their disease with the end of their dayes . but vnto perfect conceiuing , is further requisite the consideration of the degrees of old men , in whom is apparent either age alone ( which is onely the number of yeares ) or oldnesse g with age , which is a decay and wearing of nature together with yeares . infinite might we be in these and the like , euery triuiall and vulgarly receiued rule requiring a more circumspect and considerate vnderstanding , then the first view or light reading doth offer or present . it is a common well known and commendable caution , to suspect phlebotomy in children vnto the foureteenth yeare , and in old men after fiftie or sixtie yeares . but with what restraints and limitations these rules are to be bounded , fully and truly to conceiue , besides their hearing or reading is required a view and reuiew of differing reason and expositiō , diligent and carefull scrutiny , oft comparing and conferring oddes and differences of circumstances . none truly learned will or can be so inconsiderate or rash to take bloud from age , whose veines are exhaust or spent , blood dried vp , or from infancie crop the first hopefull sprouting or spring therof ; yet with deserued fame and honour to themselues , and incomparable benefite vnto the sicke , haue right learned worthy and excellent physitians vsed and prescribed phlebotomy both vnder fiue d , and after sixtie e yeares . diligence will not rest vntill it haue found c out reconciliation to these doubts , and confirmation to more perfect knowledge , which serious labour must buy , studie continually attend , and thence time gaine , free from other impertinent implication . the common want hereof suffereth so many vnprofitable questions amongst the the learned , maintaineth contentions and pride of words , multitude of sects and schismes from truth : and while men at other leisure , for other shifts , ends , and supplies , and not for the owne worthinesse , or for it selfe seeke knowledge , they cōmonly lose the true end , and therfore true perfection . the innumerable dissentions amongst the learned concerning the arabicke and chymicke remedies at this day infinitely , with opposite and contradictorie writings , and inuectiues , burthen the whole world . some learned phisitians and writers extoll and magnifie them as of incomparable vse and diuine efficacie . some with execration accuse and curse them as damned and hellish poysons . some because they find not these remedies in the common & vulgar readings of the ancients ( the famous and learned grecians ) with feare and horror endure their very mention , farre therein vnlike and differing from that ingenuous spirit of the thrise worthy and renowmed pergamene claudius galen , who in brightnesse of vnderstanding , sharpnesse of apprehension , and inuention ouershining al the precedent wits that were before him , yet did he with humble and daigning desire search & entertaine from any sort of f people , yea from the most vnlearned empericke himselfe , any their particular remedies or medicines , which after by his purer and more eminent iudgement , and clearer light of vnderstanding , refining , he reduced to more proper worth , and thereby gaue admired presidents of their wondered ods in his learned prescription and accommodation . some contrarily contemning the learning and knowledge of the grecian , and with horrid superstition , deifying an absolute sufficiencie in chymicke remedies , reiect the care or respect of discreet and prudent dispensation . a third and more commendable sort differeth from both these , and leauing in the one his learned morositie and disdainfull impatience of different hearing , and in the other his ignorant and peruerse hermeticall monopoly , with impartiall and ingenuous desire free from sectarie affectation , doth from both draw whatsoeuer may in either seeme good or profitable vnto health or physicke vse : from the grecian deriuing the sound & ancient truth , & from both greek , chymicke , or arabian , borrowing with thankfull diligence any helpfull good to needfull vse . antiquitie hath giuen vs our first e lights in all knowledges , succeeding times haue added their seuerall lustres , and our latest f posterity hath yeelded also many things not vnworthy their worthy praise . chiefly to honour the ancient worthies , yet to g contemne none , and to view all , is the rarest growth , but truest perfection . and thus by the examples before for many innumerable more , it is manifest that men learned , knowing and reading much , may notwithstanding either through distraction or negligence be esteemed and found in complete perfect and distinct knowing , ignorant and vnwotting . and as their vnderstandings are hence corrupted and depraued , so necessarily by consequent must their actions be answerable thereto , since thence deriued , bad principles euer producing bad practise . this is not obscure nor dainty in many common practisers of imperfect knowledge , to be daily instanced almost euery where , whereby that man whose owne iudgement cannot giue him dispensation to swarue and differ sometimes from the common vnderstanding , vse , and custome of vulgar practise , shall oft times dangerously erre . in aboue . yeares being , i haue now twenty yeares bene an vnderstanding obseruer and partaker of diuers and different medicinall practise , and therein haue oft noted how that which somtime hath opposed common receiued rule , in the peculiar proofe of some other learned , hath giuen good occasion of new disquisition of before vnconsidered reason or distinction in the rule . for a briefe taste of many , i will particularize some few . i haue obserued in some kind of palsies bloud taken frō the paralytike side , when all other meanes haue proued vaine , to haue bene the sole present succesful remedie , yea beyond all hope hath oft rescued the latest hope out of the iawes of death . this much experience doth testifie , yet is it contrary vnto receiued ancient edict . in like manner in some diseased plethoricall bodies , i haue obserued and seene , that their generall numnesse , a torpor and stupidity raised in them from the distention , compression and obstruction of their full vessels , hath immediatly on the same side that was let bloud , found present and sensible deliuery from those accidents with great lightsomnesse and alleuiation , the opposite side still continuing in the former manner oppressed and greeued , vntill the same remedy of phlebotomy hath bene thereto likewise applied . in cōmon stoppages of the wombe i haue oft seene when the vsuall bleeding in the foote hath nothing at all profited , but in vaine wearied the parts thereby fruitlesly vexed , that the incision of a veine in the arme hath immediatly opened the stoppage , and the former current hath freely streamed . in some kind of dropsies , cachexiaes , or greene sicknesses . i haue obserued that letting bloud by excellent fruite and benefite , hath proued the succesfull remedie , aboue , beyond , and after all remedies . these things are witnessed by many worthy testimonies , and yet are generally esteemed violations of rule . i will not here dispute the causes and reasons of these things , nor disquire how iudgement did guide vnto these trials , nor how necessarily or probably the effects and consequent followed , or cohered with the iudgement . i will leaue it indifferent vnto euery one learned , and vnto right perpension in iust occasion of due consideration hereof . i giue not these instances ( as rash supposall may imagine ) to encourage empericall boldnesse , vnto common imitation hereof , nor do hereby allow ( as some not distinguishing may imagine ) bloud-thirstie phlebotomy to suck mens liues in rash trial hereof ▪ but to proue and manifest how necessary it is for a iudicious and orthodox physition , diligently and prudently in his facultie exercised according to art , to retaine and enioy a reserued power and warranted sufficiency within himselfe , to varie and differ sometimes from too strict & superstitious imitation of a common rule and receiued custome . and from this worth and vertue hath it come to passe , that many learned & famous men , in their seuerall ages haue left so many worthy additamēts vnto knowledg and the common good , by their owne speciall proofes & trials of rules , in their peculiar practise oft different from vulgar conceit , vse and custome ; vnto whom may not be denied beyond the ordinary bounds , a libertie and dispensation contained within the latitude of safe discretion and art . and thus briefly both by the vse of common distracted reading , and thence indigested vnderstanding , and also by the former particular proofes of easie deception in acception of common rules , and lastly by examples of practise , it is manifested that men otherwise , and in other respects , esteemed iustly learned , may inconsiderately & easily erre , whē distractedly & deuidedly they employ their thoughts and cogitations , or want that sole or solide possession of their whole minds and meditations by their owne proper faculties and functions . this is the reason , that though comparably to these times no age hath euer affoorded writings more prodigally obuious , nor shew of knowledge with greater affluence , yet in authors neuer hath bene either lesse true meaning , or lesse right vnderstanding . hence as seeming vnderstanding did neuer more abound , so neuer was it of worse report , the goose a so liberally giuing wings and feathers vnto fantasticke thoughts , but the eagle-eye of cleare & b sincere iudgement , seldome vndazedly , or without winking , fixed vpon the perfect brightnesse and puritie of serene and clearly distinguisht truth . and thus much touching those that are of best proficience and most learned note in deuided studies and callings , distraction necessarily leauing a remisnesse and neglect in many things both of minde and action . as for those that are of meane literature in their owne professions , their intrusion in others , and desperate esteeme and qualitie in their owne , must needs preach their insufficiencie in the latter by their mediocritie in the first . chap. ii. of beneficed practisers . the grand and most common offenders in those kinds before remembred , and in these dayes , are diuers astrologers , but especially ecclesiasticall persons , vicars and parsons , who now ouerflow this kingdome with this alienation of their owne proper offices and duties , and vsurpation of others , making their holy calling a linsey wolsey , too narrow for their minds , and therefore making themselues roome in others affaires , vnder pretence of loue and mercie . besides , their profane intrusion into inhibited lists , their vnlimited breach of law , and want of reuerence and respect of order and distinction of callings , ( which true diuinitie doth teach holy men ) reason and experience do dayly witnesse , that by the necessarie coincidence oft times of both callings requiring them at the same moment in distant places , without conscience they impose vpon themselues a necessary neglect of both by an vnnecessary a assumption of the one . this the poore patients necessitie and need must oft complaine , though haply more seldome obserued : and therefore of few is that which herein is lamentable , at all lamented . many times many poore people ( and sometimes men of better worth ) in their necessities , and oft last extremities , through this voluntarie ouermeasure of emploiment in these enlarged spirits , are not onely deferred , procrastinated and neglected , but oft times euen to death illuded . for from report and information by others vnto the physition , and from the indication by vrine ( which are borrowed , and therefore slipperie grounds ) many diseases conceale themselues : oft for want of the presence of the physitions owne view , the chiefest opportunitie and hopefull houre steale away vnespied , and death maketh many blind , because they had not their physitions eyes . in these difficulties therefore ( wherein consist the greatest vses and benefites of a physition ) these men by their double and both-hand emploiment , compell themselues commonly to a double crueltie , either for the most part to denie their presence , or else not to performe the promise of their presence , being euer subiect to a countermaund , by their voluntarie subiection to a double command . if therefore they would consider the shortnesse of their liues , with the immensitie of their owne taske , they would not allow so large a vacancie to succisiue houres and workes , which now for the most part are most part of their time vnto the great hurt and iniurie of others , and the increase of scandall vnto their d owne vocations . i know the learned and reuerend diuine is herein for the most part free , or if some few be iustly taxed , their modest minds will easily moderate and reduce them ; and for the rest , whose dispositions are shamelesse and incorrigible , that may haply still become the foole , which is a reproach vnto the wise , and e befit the vnhonest that defames the iust . i do not dislike the deuout and charitable deeds of their holy minds , nor reall compassion and contribution vnto the sicke and needie , nor yet their medicinall aduice with incorrupt hands free from implication of priuate gaine , and vnobserued and concealed merchandizing in charitable deeds ; but i abhorre and wish repented ( which in many of them is abhominable and sacrilegious ) their pecuniarie trafficke and trading by vsurped erecting in their houses apothecarie shops by manumission of base wares that are not allowed , nor haue obtained freedome elsewhere , whereby vnlawfully they exenterate and eate out the bowels of poore mens purses . neither is it any way to be iustified , that they ordinarily trauel vp & downe to spoile the more worthy of his fee , and the proper laborer of his hire : nor yet is it lesse shame , that without shame or blushing their bils in many places inhabite ordinarily apothecaries files and shoppes , as if their owne vndoubted right . their maister saint paul teacheth euery man to walk within his a owne calling , and not to be busily b stragling in others : so shall they honour their calling , and their callings honour them , and both honour god that sent them . i know the gift of healing in the apostles was the gift of god his grace and speciall fauor and allowance vnto them for those times ; but it was in them a miraculous and diuin● power conse●rated vnto an holy end : but in these times it is an acquired facultie , and in these men vnto a mercenarie vse . it is indeed a deede of mercie to saue and helpe the sicke , and a worke of charitie to aduise them for their health & ease : but the common good and publicke weale , & the law for both doth inhibite the doing of euery good by euery man , and doth limit and restraine it vnto some speciall and select sort of men , for necessary causes , and respects vnto good gouernment and policie , and for auoiding confusion , which is the ruine of publicke weales . shal then diuinitie teach and allow for priuate deedes , ends and respects of charitie and mercie , to breake g publicke edicts , to transgresse lawes , to contemne magistracie , to confound and disturbe good order ? good order forbiddeth , that for pretence of any necessitie whatsoeuer , cause or reason , one man presume to breake into anothers bounds , yea and diuinitie teacheth the same . god himselfe tieth men in all things , in all necessities , vnto certaine and appointed ends . he ordained a select number of apostles and disciples , and vnto them onely annexed the diuine worke and calling of nations and people vnto saluation , commanding all men vpon paine of damnation to seeke out and follow that meanes wheresoeuer or howsoeuer distant , and did not ordaine the meanes confusedly in euery person to waite vpon euery priuate necessitie . in like maner in a commonweale , lawes and policie ordaine ( preferring the common good before euery h priuate ease and benefite ) that euery man haue his distinct calling , vnto which all other mens necessitie therein may and ought to repaire . for if euery man might be of euery calling , confusion of callings would in the end leaue no calling . therfore euery mans need or necessitie is not sufficient to make euery one capable of giuing supply needfull thereto , but god , and nature , and law haue tied and allotted men to seeke meanes , and those meanes confirmed to certaine set bounds and limits , that men may still in all things according to the law of mortalitie , be euer in this life subiect vnto casualties , oft for their triall , sometime for their punishment , or else for a further decree and secret purpose of the diuine prouidence , so and to such ends thus ordering . thus by cleare truth ouershining the mists & clouds of false pretexts to the contrary , it is manifest , that this fluctuation of these men betweene two callings is offensiue to god , scandalous vnto religion and good men , and iniurious vnto commonweales , and but presumption borrowing the face of diuinitie . what encouragement their example hath giuen vnto drones and idle persons , abounding by their example infinitely in the same wrong , he hath no eies that doth not consider . their many , ordinarie , rash , ignorant and vnskilfull errors and commissions against the health and life of many , besides their forenamed omissions , intrusions , procrastinations , and neglects of one calling by another , i could by many too true instances confirme , but for reuerēce of the callings i spare the men . i wil onely giue two knowne instances , wherein ( as in a glasse ) men may view the diuers faces of many more of the like sort . g a gentleman in bedfordshire not long since was sodainly surprised by a continuall feauer , accompanied with a generall lassitude and wearinesse of the whole bodie , and together with heate and burning , delirations and lightnes of braine . the habit of his bodie and his flesh were musculous and well liking , the season warme , his age firme , and constitution sanguin● , his pulse high , full , large , and in the vehemence and strength of motion manifest euen vnto the beholders eye . a parson or vicar comming vnto him , maketh many feares and seeming-graue discourses of the danger and imminence of a g marasme , and from this supposed grand perill stoutly withstandeth the needfull vse of due phlebotomie . the allies and friends of the patient obseruing the dayly decrease of hope and health , diligently enquire after another physition , and by happe found me where then employed . when i came vnto the patient , the parson entertaineth vs with confident discourses and disputes concerning a marasme , whom when i found after long patience and calme conference in the presence and hearing of diuers worthy knights and gentlemen still endlesly and reasonalesly b vaine , and yet possessed with an in●incible spirit of open and obstinate contradiction , i in the end with their common consents contemned and reiected him . the patient i found free from any particular which might inhibite c phlebotomie , and manifestly saw the danger of the delay thereof , ( both which may appeare by the description of his estate ) and therefore seeing the indication so plaine , and the necessitie so vrgent , contrarie to the babling opposition and caus●esse predication of needlesse danger , i caused him to bleed ; whereupon within few houres after , besides immediate alleuiation , nature d seconding the worke , expelled at his nose diuers quantities of bloud at seuerall times ; and thus was e enabled to performe her crisis , being before detained by the oppression of the former quantitie of bloud , whereunto her strength was not equall . the life of man vnto god and men is deare & pretious , yet behold how presumptuously glorious ignorance , and the lawlesse breach of the due lists of distinct and proper callings , doth licentiously hazard the vtmost price and date thereof . and how likely may it seeme , that the memorie of this wrong had bene in the same graue buried , if it had not bene preuented , and by the preuention solely obserued . i will now annexe another example of secret betwitching flatterie by close whispering of the sicke , ordinarily practised by these kind of men , vnto the vnobserued and stoln perdition of many . anno . a gentleman in this maner falleth sicke . he was sodainly surprised by a continuall feauer , with burning , thirst , troublesome heate in the soles of the feete , and palmes of the hands , frequent delirations and perturbations of the mind , fulnesse of the stomacke , loathing , painfull distentions and ructuations , drinesse and yeallownesse of the tongue , bitternesse and heate of the mouth , paines about the short ribs , loynes , backe and shoulders , ill sleeps & confused dreams . there entertained these accidents the vsuall fulnesse of his body vnto the cōmon outward view , & accōpanied a pulse swift , vehement and large , an vrine high coloured , red , and thicke : al which many witnesses of vnderstanding confirme . according vnto the former indication , the patient was twise let h bloud , the quantitie lost the first time , coming short the second time , not exceeding ten ounces , as the surgeon doth witnesse . he was once i vomited , by due respites twice k purged with good effect and alleuiation , oft by glisters l gently moued , his diet prescribed , cooling , opening , and altering the euill qualitie of humors . after these things done , within few daies the vrine in colour , substance and residence manifesteth a concoction , and therewith follow some disquiets and anxieties , not b vnhopeful forerunners of the approch of the expected crisis of the disease , by the vrine so c fairely promised . in this faire hope ( though by vnbeleefe of sense denied ) a parson-physition led by a secret ambition of stealing the praise of such a cure , ( if fortune might haply fauour the patient with ease , and himselfe therein with the opinion of the merit ( as was verie likely ) in this hope taking opportunitie of the patients impatience , he whispereth vnto him the excellencies of aurum potabile , farre beyond all other remedies . after the patient had from him receiued it , within short time good hap gaue ease . ease being gained , begetteth in the patient an euer after incorrigible consultation with his owne sense , and now measuring his good by his ease , and setling in his thoughts an assurance of his recourie , he studiously and continually defameth his physition , and with euill clamours filleth all corners of the countrey , as farre as his agents , his owne tongue or credite could extend . in this interim likewise he reiects the former begun methode of discreete euacuations and alterations of the offensiue humours of his body , and in steed therof he cherisheth and cheareth vp himselfe with daily magnifying and worshipping aurum potabile as the god and sole author of his supposed recouery . in this meane season and intermission of former courses , the forward signes of faire concoction , so hopefully before appearing diuers dayes together , now retire and vanish , and painfull swellings fall into e his legs and neather parts : and then compelled he sendeth for other learned physitions , but vseth them by vncertaine fits , as his owne conceit induced , and with a reseruation of his sole happinesse and best securitie in aurum potabile . to conclude , he escaped the present perils of the former sharpe accidents , but a continued lingringly and languishingly sicke from about the middle of march , vnto the the latter end of b august next following . about that time he first beganne to find some reasonable satisfaction in ease , and the recouery of some better strength , but a secret remainder or impression of the former delirations continued , and some suspitious signes of a scorbut seemed to increase , which before likewise did obscurely show . beside the shamefull wrong vnto physitions and patients , and the iniurie of arts and truth it selfe , in men that are professors of diuine and holy callings , behold the vsuall insidiation of death and danger , by the spirit of flattering intrusion and secret lenocination of false hopes and ease possessing the distraction of the distressed sicke . what man learned and iudicious cannot determine , whether this dangerous long continuance of this gentlemans disease may not iustly and in good reason be ascribed vnto the sodaine c discontinuance of his first meanes , & to the neglect thereby of perfecting the hopefull crisis so fairely d promised and intended ? or vnto whō doth it not appeare palpably grosse , that aurum potabile can containe in it selfe any such golden sufficiency , as soly to remoue or preuent all the former accidents in this gentleman described , which god , and nature , and reason haue euer denied vnto any one particular or speciall medicine whatsoeuer ? let al men then vnto whom god hath giuen eares or eyes , aduisedly behold and consider how dangerous and iniurious these ordinary and ignorant intrusions in reason proue vnto poore patients , who thus beguiled with opinion , and blinded with deceitfull hope , or ●ase , or sense , ioyously oft giue thankes for their owne hurt , magnifie the authors , and not seldome perish in the praise of their own harms . the vnlimited expatiation of so foule wrongs , do challenge all men , not onely the learned , but all honest or ingenuous , vnto the vendication of art and truth from oppression by so grosse and harmfull ignorance . these examples are sufficient to admonish the offenders of their impieti● , and others of their owne perill in trusting vnto them . chap. iii. of astrologers , ephemerides-masters . now concerning astrologers-practisers : there is a sort of men , who beside and beyond that is sufficient and profitable vnto physicke , vse in astronomicall science , ( hauing vnaduisedly , prodigally or vnrecouerably spent too much paines and time in the too curious or superstitious , or supposed excellence in the vanities of astrologie , or else finding by their other defects in themselues the want and insufficiencie of knowledge more proper and essentiall vnto a physition ) do therefore ( which now is all the hopefull remainder of their time so farre spent ) fish for a name and fame amongst the common and easie deceiued vulgars , with the glorious baites of prodigious precepts . thus they hook simple credulitie to worship and admire their lying reuelations , prescribe fortunes and fates , and limit the dayes and dates of mens liues and deaths vnto the darke points of their kalēdars . neither do they blush to promise and professe that they take counsel of heauen ( when heauē b denieth them ) thereby gaining to themselues glorie in the slander of heauen and the scandall of truth . thus vsually they peruert the right vse of astronomicall science vnto deceit , imposture , and iugling merchandizing for vniust and iniurious gaine , and perswade the voluntarie motions and arbitrary actions of men , their consequences and issues to be driuen by the heauens vnto ends and destinies there inrolled , and themselues ( as if the onely true sons of heauen forsooth ) there onely admitted to reade and view . indeed the will of man hath not power in it selfe to will or moue it selfe to any good pleasing vnto god , or sauing to it selfe , but by the speciall grace of god , drawing , guiding , or mouing his will thereto , yet doth the generall concordant consent of most diuines grant as vncontrouersed , a libertie and freedome of mans will vnto any d morall , naturall , ciuill or politicke good . and in these kinds all diuines both ancient and neotericke , haue both acknowledged and admired the worthy examples of vertue in philosophers and heathen men , whose infinite studious paines and voluntarie laborious industrie in atchieuing so many incomparable excellencies , no ingratitude can denie , or without honour mention . vertue is not f forced , but free in whom it is , and therefore not to be ascribed vnto the heauens or any other outward g cause , but vnto the free and voluntary agent of it selfe , and by the owne inward power in it selfe , mouing it selfe thereto , from his owne h purpose therein . this all men , diuinitie , philosophie , reason , experience , with an vnitie of consent confirme . if then a mans action be his owne , if the end his owne , the effectuall prosecution thereof vnto the end his owne ; if god himselfe haue granted this priuiledge vnto all men , as indifferent and common vnto all whom he hath created vnder the condition of men , what creature shall intercept the i endowment of the creator ? what shall take the honour of this gift from him that gaue it , or the right thereof from him that thence receiueth it ? the heauens cannot so blaspheme their maker , though men thus dare belie the heuens to iustifie their owne impietie . all things depend vpon the prouidence of god , and from him and by him are ordained second causes , which indeed in nature haue their necessitie , but in the will of man haue a power onely to moue or incline , and not to force . this is the reason , that though man by his starres be borne to infinite miseries , diuersly mouing and affecting him continually , from the earth , from the sea , from the land , from the aire , from the fire , from his owne affections , infirmities , diseases , from diuers haps and casualties ; yet vnto him that knoweth the free gift of his maker , and the good that he hath done for him , none of all these things by any necessitie in themselues therto , can touch him or once g come neare him . for whether calamitie approch from aboue or below , from maligne constellation , or other inferior or terrestriall incumbrances , man by his spirit of vnderstanding , by prudence and circumspect prouidence , hath a large immunitie , whereby he may and oft doth auoide these violences , and delude their forces . the wise man ( saith salomon ) foreseeth the plague , and hideth himselfe , neither can any euill befall the wise , which he may not and doth not , either being to come by prouident foresight preuent , or present by carefull industrie allay , or past by diligence redeeme , no influence or destinie being able to bring mans will and endeuour to an higher point then wisedome and goodnesse . this is the reason that common calamities befall not all men alike , yea rather to euery one vnlike . this is also the reason that many borne vnder the same constellation , haue different fortunes from each other , and farre vnlike their like constellation : nay it is oft seene , and cannot be denied , that many men by their owne industrie haue contradicted their starres , whereby vnfortunately marked in their natiuities , they haue triumphed ouer the heauens in the felicitie of their owne wisedome and vertue . of this sort haue bene not onely one socrates and the great philosophers , but many common men socratically h disposed and endeuouring . contrariwise also diuers borne vnder good starres vnto good destinies , in their growth haue either ouerunne , or i come short of their destinie . for although the heauens doe worke by their hidden power and influence , secret impressions , procliuities and inclinations , as in all things vnder heauen , so in the constitutions and tempers of men in their generation , conception and birth : yet are their effectuall productions thereof in men a themselues variously alterable according to education , inclination , occasion , and circumstance , and therefore as touching the absolute power of the heauens euer varying . there is no man that can so farre b deny himselfe a man , as to make doubt of free arbitrarie choice in himselfe to do or not to do , to like or dislike , to do that he will , to refuse that he nill . for if heauenly influences compell or force mens actions , and their wils be led and not free , vniustly any man shall be vniust , neither can the lawes of god or men be iust ordained against wilfull d offenders : but god is iust , and lawes are righteous , and therfore mens actions are their owne , moued from an inward power and essence peculiar vnto themselues , and from an end and intention which is their owne . touching those therefore that from the heauens promise to tell fortunes , to cast figures , to turne ephemerides for natiuities , for good haps , for ill haps , successes , losses , fortunate , infortunate euents , he that hath but common sense and reason , and can thinke but worthily of himselfe , may c easily discouer their falshood , imposture , deceit and cousenage , howsoeuer sometimes euents may countenance ; for hoodwinked happe may sometimes light vpon truth , and craft working vpon credulitie , may make any truth of any falshood . thus farre briefly concerning the powers of the heauens ouer the minds and willes of men , their voluntary actions , their consequences and issues . now concerning their vertue ouer the bodies and humours of the sicke and diseased : no man can deny the heauens as generall g and superiour causes to haue power ouer all things created vnder heauen , by whose influence and radiation all things increase , grow , liue , and are conserued , and by whose recesse all things mourne , wither , fall and droupe . this doth witnesse the sommer and the winter , & all other seasons , which the heauens by their motion varying , bring vnto all things vicissitudes , changes , and alterations , and by their secret influence imperceptibly distill different and contrary inclinations , tempers , and affections . hence winter , sommer , spring , and autumne , breed their peculiar diseases . euill and maligne constellations beget plagues , pestilences , and other epidemiall contagions , which the aire as the great mother of all things breathing doth fruitfully conceiue , and plentifully bring forth . vnto what sight or sense hath euer bene vnknowne , either the pride or splendor of the sunne , mounting in his glorious altitude , or his eclipsed force and light somnesse opposed and abased ? who is ignorant of the monethly metamorphosis of the moone ? what thing is or can be insensible of the cynosure , and the nipping frosts ? is not the glorie of the heauens ouer all , and are not his forces in all ? notwithstanding generall causes produce not particular effects , and the heauens are but generall b causes , second causes , outward causes , remote causes , mediate causes , vnto those things which immediatly fall out in the bodies of men from inward causes contained within themselues , and therfore soly hauing by their inseparate nearenesse an ineuitable and vnauoided necessitie in themselues . the inward causes of diseases are the humors of the body , which can neuer be separated from the body , because in them consisteth the life and being of the body . therefore when either they corrupted frō their kind , or offending in qualitie or quantitie , raise diseases in the body , how or by what meanes can the body choose but be therewith affected , except it could leaue it selfe ? from any outward cause which is without , and of another deuided and separate nature , separation doth free from immediate necessitie or consecution . since then the heauens are outward causes , and remoued causes , & therefore neuer necessarily or simply of themselues affect , and the inward causes of diseases sticke nearer , and so closely touch in their effects , that they suffer no interposition , it is manifest , that the heauens haue no certaine or absolute h power in the diseased , e nor can match or equall the immediate force appropriate onely vnto the disease . the heauens indeed do oft and much also preuaile in raising , allaying , increasing , diminishing , enraging and calming the inward causes , but euer by a proportion , either with the temper and constitution of the sicke , or the humours of their bodies , whether originally bred , or after by time acquired . saturne is therefore said a great lord ouer melancholy bodies , in like manner the moone ouer phlegmaticke , iupiter and the sunne in sanguine , mars in cholericke , ( whether in their seuerall reuolutions apart , or their coniunctions and combinations ) and according to the greater or lesse proportion of their peculiar humors in the bodie , and the dispositions of the particular parts of the body , they more or lesse exercise their rule . therefore also according as meanes more or lesse accrew to lessen or increase their proportion : so more or lesse manifestly are their effects and operations weakned or quickned . if the wise physition foreseeing the euill approach of a maligne and saturnine aspect , by discreete preuention abate and withdraw the melancholy humor from the body , saturne shall thereby want a part of his b proportion , and as the greater abundance thereof doth necessarily more aduance and promote his efficacie , so the exiguitie there of must needs abridge and obscure it . the like may be said of all other aspects in their seuerall destined and appropriate humours . for the constellation of it selfe simply c cannot effect anything , nor can build or ruine any being , which first hath not the seminarie and prime foundation thereof in it self , both as his subiect and his meanes . and this is the true cause , that the body either by physick reduced to iust temper in it selfe , or to an equall contemper of all the humors , or of it selfe strong and healthfull , in the most different constellations doth commonly find indifference of alteration . and this is the reason that many in the most saturnine and deadly constellations liue , as the contrary also cause that many in the most faire and iouiall die . from this vncontrouersed ground , astronomers generally themselues aduise and prescribe meanes , both to preuent the harmes of influences to come , and also to redresse them present , and giue vnto the physitions hand powers and remedies to command , countermand , delay , allay , and abolish . and from this reason p●olomy himselfe , the prince and father of astrologie , in vnfortunate aspects doth aduise to consult the prudent physition , and by his counsell and helpe to decline the maligne constellation . for right remedies rightly administred vnto the diseases and their inward causes , by the decree of god and nature necessarily oppugne , allay , preuent and expell diseases , and therefore are not prescribed vnto outward l causes , but onely vnto the inward . and although the outward cause haply first raised or impo●ed the disease , yet in the cure is not that cause so much respected , but his effect ( which is the disease it selfe ) or the inward causes by which , and through which , the outward had admission to their effects . if the inward causes ( the antecedent and the immediate ) be remoued , it is a miracle , and a thing supernaturall , that there should remaine his a effect , the disease ; but the outward cause may be remoued , and yet his b effect therein not follow him . thus corrupt and hote constitutions of the aire , and constellations from the heauen , breed pestilent and hote diseases in the body , and the diseases still remain ▪ when the constitutions or constellations are changed ; but when the pestilent & hote humors , and dispositions within the body , which are inward causes , are throughly remoued , there can no such effects continue , be farther fed , or maintained . the outward cause may also be continually present , yet particular subiects or bodies , feele or d participate no effect : but if the inward cause grow in quantity or quality vnto the excesse , it is impossible it should not in the same moment produce the like sensible effect . for example , in some heauenly coniunctions or combinations there may arise an hydropicall constellation , though many particulars be nothing therwith affected , or therto therby inclined ; but if hydropical humors or causes abound within the body , it is impossible they should there be without not only the imminence , but present cōsecutiō of the dropsy . by these examples it is not obscure , that the heauens are a forreine inuasion , and therefore more easily admit e interception , and that diseases are euer to be suspected , because euer present . where there is an vnproportioned congruitie or susceptibilitie in the bodie and humors with the heauenly inclination , there the heauens haue no edge . where the disease hath once taken possession in the body , the necessitie of his effect is absolute and f vnauoidable , g howsoeuer the heauens or any outward causes are disposed . he therefore that finding the inward disposition , shall for the superstitious feare of starres delay with speed to seeke present remedie , or in hope of forrein supply from constellations , neglect certaine rescue more neare hand , is a foole , a mad man , or worse then either . the first is continually acted by common simple deluded people , the other patronaged by obstinate defendants of vaine paradoxes ; and the third by our impudent astrologers prostitute for gaine . i commend not senslesse morositie in the peruerse reiection of true astronomie , so farre as is commodious for physicke vse ( which reason it selfe , experience and all the ancients worthily extoll ) but with reason and authoritie , i dislike superstitious and needlesse a curositie in the ouer-religious esteeme thereof . he that obserueth the wind , shall not sow : and he that regardeth the clouds , shall not reape , saith salomon , ecclesiastes . and i cannot but detest the shamelesse dayly cousenage and imposture , heathenishly practised by many , vnder the colour , pretext and false b shadowes of true astronomy . an example here of may not impertinently for better illustration be here proposed . a gentleman of northampotonshire diseased by an immedicable vlcer of the reines , was moued by his friends ( after my despaire of his recouerie signified priuatly vnto them ) to call the aduice of a famous ephemerides-master , who coming vnto him , and not knowing ( and therefore not considering his disease ) from the counsel table of his ephemerides pronounced , that if the patient suruiued . or . daies ( which we must suppose were of an il aspect ) vntill the next ensuing tuesday ( which was , it seemeth , a fairer influence ) he made no doubt of his recouerie and life . but he suruiued three moneths or thereabout , and in the interim neither did the aforesaid ill disposed starres any apparent hurt , nor the wel disposed any eminent good : but after the forenamed three moneths , the starres brake promise , the disease kept touch , the gentleman d died . the reason in the disease was manifest : without a new creation or generation , a part in it selfe radically , and in the whole substance perished , can neuer be restored . the disease therfore could not lie , nor all the heauens could performe either a new generation ( because the patient could not again enter into his mothers womb ) nor a new creation ( because the world could not againe returne into the old chaos . ) how vainly then did here the astrologer gape and gaze after vncertaine starres , when the true knowledge of the disease , the cause and nature thereof ( wherein consisteth an infallible ground ) manifested the certaine issue ? how foolishly and ignorantly ( or shamelesly and impudently ) did astrologicall simple folly or intollerable imposture , either cunningly and wittingly seeme to looke aloft for that which lay neare hand below , or simply stumble ouer so plaine truth , and tumble into so ridiculous and grosse error ? and thus it is apparent , both how vncertaintly astrologers a fable , and how certainly diseases do not lie : and who comparing the one with the other , cannot see , in which truth hath more euidence , and trust securitie ? there is a sober and b modest vse of astronomie , b either for generall prediction , or particular accommodation vnto particular ends : both these ( thereby putting a difference betweene the honest vse and false abuse thereof ) ptolomey himselfe hath bounded within that which is either manifestly naturall and according to d nature , or in reason e possible or contingent . wha● with these conditions astronomie doth affoord vnto the benefite of the sicke , is to be esteemed and guided by the prudent physition , according to particular necessities , circumstances and considerations , as either the heauenly inclinations shall seeme f proportioned vnto them , or they liable to those generall and common causes . whatsoeuer doth wander further , or is extended vnto other vses then these , is not ingenuous nor proper vnto a physition , but is abuse of time , himselfe and others , trifling vaine idlenesse , foule & vnlearned falshood . chap. iiii. of coniectors by vrine . as the heauens themselues are not free from the insinuation of imposture and deceit ( thus cunningly doth euill winde it selfe into the likenesse & shape of goodnes : ) so is nothing almost vnder the heauen created , which is not made an instrument , a visar and ba●d vnto adulterate seeming , lying and cousenage . the aire , the fire , the waters , the fowle , the fish , and infinite other a creatures , yea their definite and single b parts apart , are all made prodigious inchantments ▪ and snares of ignorant minds , begetting faith vnto falshood , and trust and credit vnto vntruth . as art vpon true and proued grounds doth promise according to good reason faire likelihood , so imposture vpon wondered and vnknowne conclusions professeth assurance in falshood , and certaintie in impossibilitie ; which while wise men contemne , credulous fooles admire and follow . amongst many other , the inspection of the vrine is in this kinde too commonly most palpably abused by many that carrie the name and badge of learning . it is a common practise in these dayes , by a colourable deriuation of supposed cunning from the vrine , to foretell casualties , and the ordinarie euents of life , conceptions of women with child , and definite distinctions of the male and female in the wombe ; which while impudence doth gloriously set forth , the common simplicitie doth worship and reuere . it is vnknowne to none learned , that the vrine is truly of it selfe and properly e indication of no other immediate dispositions , but such as are of the veines and liuer , the bloud and humors ; the antecedent causes of diseases , and the naturall facultie giuing onely f coniecture at the diseases of other parts by consequent , by the knowledge of the g common and antecedent causes of all diseases . erroneously therfore the common sort imagine , that in the vrine is contained the ample vnderstanding of all things necessary to informe a physition , and from thence common expectation doth generally deceiue it selfe in the proofe of a physition by his iudgement of the vrine . vnto the satisfaction of a physitions knowledge , are many wayes and helpes besides the vrine , as materiall , and in many cases of more speciall moment , necessitie and vse . in the pulse are properly and soly apparent manifold medications , which in the vrine lynceus himselfe could neuer see . this is the cause that many euen vnto the last moment of a languishing life , continue in their vrine not onely no shadow of danger , but faire and flattering formes of lying safely , the pulse i onely by it selfe-forewarning the mischiefe . the animall facultie , the affections of the third region , and habite of the bodie , and many other particular parts haue their peculiar k excretions , which onely keepe the propertie of their indication vnto themselues , communicating no part l vnto the vrine : neither is the iudgement by the vrine euer infallible , or m not deceiuable , euen there where it is properly and soly allowed chiefe esteeme , diuers impediments both positiuely and priuatiuely forestalling his right estimate : positiuely either by assumption of diuers meates , n drinkes or o medicines , or when diuers diseases p concurring in the bodie , together send downe their seuerall or contrary recrements into the vrine , and thereby confound the true iudgement of any of them therein ; or thereby priuatiuely , when either by stoppages ( which diuersly happen in the tortuous windings and turnings betweene the liuer and the veines , and conduits thence descending vnto the reines and bladder ) the substance , colour and contents of the vrine are c intercepted , and the thinne aquositie oft onely issueth by so straight a percolation , as can carrie no signe , no sight or shew of the naturall estate of the vrine in it selfe ; or else when the naturall heate withdraweth it selfe vnto some interior d intention of nature within . when therefore the vrine descendeth in his owne substance , quantitie , qualitie and contents , without impediment or hinderance , it is a certaine , proper and true demonstration of the true affects of the liuer , veines , the second concoction , and of the diseases of those parts which in his descent it washeth , and giueth vnto the wise physition an vninterrupted certaine iudgement of it selfe , as when it descendeth in borrowed e liquor and colours , it reporteth rather his rubs and interception by the way . hence the learned physition , either by the first immediatly instructeth himselfe to a direct opposition vnto the discouered disease ; or by the other , finding the impediment that hindered the right vnderstanding and discouerie , he thereby informeth himselfe to remoue that impediment , or else finding it thereby vndiscouerable , searcheth it by another disquisition or inuestigation , by another way or method , vntill he haue attained the right end of a true physition , which is the prudent rescue of the distressed life and health , and not the false trumpe of his owne vndeserued praise , promoting vnworthinesse to gaine & lucre . thus he neither deceiueth himselfe with vaine expectation , nor others with lying profession , but diuersly in both maketh a prudent and good vse of both , according to the indication , whether certaine and vndeceiuing , or doubting & ambiguous . and as the ends are diuers , of those that view the vrine to coniure vp wonders , and those that esteeme the vrine to detect the disease for the good of the diseased : so are their vnderstandings differing , the one truly a directed by reason and iudgement , the other by nimblenesse of cousenage and circumuention of simplicity and ignorance ; whereof the chiefe vse is not the benefite of the sicke , but the colour of fraud and comodity by deceit . touching the oracles of fortune pretended in the vrine , and their floating fauours in so low an ebbe , those that too commonly in their owne experience find good drinke to steale their wit out of their braine , may haply imagine it thence descended into the vrine . i leaue them there to seeke it , that want it so much , and deserue it so litle . the mention is vnworthie mention . concerning the looking of vnborne babes in an vrinarie glasse , and the making of old fooles in loue with their owne reflexion : to vnmaske the common illusion in this kind , i will briefly point vnto the discouerie of the folly , whereinto entring their serious cogitation & due recognition , they may more amply after exercise & satisfie themselues , whom their owne fatall stupidity doth not detaine , or resolute obstinacie preoccupate . the conceptions of women , together with the accidents accompanying the same , do necessarily bring forth generall alterations vnto the whole body , partly by the consequent stoppages of the body , and partly by distracting the naturall heate and spirits from other parts vnto that new intentiō , whereby is added either quantitie or qualitie , or both vnto the bloud and humors , and from thence the vrine receiuing different tincture & substance doth manifestly report the ods . yet for that this sodain productiō of change in the body issueth from conceptiō only by accident , therof being truly and immediatly no cause it selfe , but an occasion onely mouing other causes , as commonly or more cōmonly moued , both by diuerse kind of other obstructiōs beside , & also by other distractions of the naturall heate & spirits , by criticall intentions , concoctions , & maturations of diseases ; therfore is the confused alteration of the vrine found vpon conceptiō indefinite , & can be no special note of cōception . this is also further manifested by the alterations and effects themselues following conception , which not onely in differing bodies , but in the verie same , are seldome the same , but cōmonly farre vnlike , yea and oft contrary at one time from themselues at another . this women themselues in their owne experience must needs witnesse , seldome obseruing the changes of bodies after cōception in all alike , & oft each in themselues finding the particular manners of their owne alteration farre discrepant . this their oft deceit in themselues , mistaking , and vncertaintie in themselues commonly doth testifie , sometimes suspecting thēselues with child when they proue diseased , somtimes doubting diseases being only with child . since then conception is neither in it selfe a sole , nor a separate cause , nor any true immediate cause of the alterations of the body following therupon , but onely the occasion mouing other causes , and those causes are as indifferently also moued by many other occasions besides vnto the same effects , their generalitie doth discharge their proprietie in this particular , and the common indication in the vrine any speciall signification proper vnto conception alone . this demonstratiuely proueth the vncertainty of the signs of conception that are common with other in the vrine . now concerning the small certaintie of the signes that are therto supposed peculiar : the inward dispositions and affectiōs of inward parts , which by the outward sense cānot be deprehended , are by three f waies or meanes soly to be detected . the first is the action or function proper g and ininherent in the partie . the second is the proper h excretions proceeding fromht he partie . the third is a distinct feeling or i paine in the part . the proper functions of any part can neuer be disioyned from the part , and therefore appeare not in the vrine . paine or other sense & feeling are euer vnseparable companions with their patient parts , whereof the vrine hauing no sense , can haue no part , and therefore therein also is vnsignificant . it onely then remaineth , that the affection and conception of the wombe soly doth discouer it selfe by the determinate excretions therto peculiar . the peculiar excretiōs of any part do bring testimony vnto the truth of their indicatiō , either by the a cōcomitance of part of the substance of the part , or of part of some substance either naturally , orby some il dispositiō adherent to the part , or of the ordinary recrements of concoctions , or other preparatiōs , or operations of nature in the part . whether excretions in al these kinds proceed frō the womb , & how & with what differences & distinction , it is not here necessary to determine . it is sufficiēt that the proper indicatiō of the dispositiōs of that part must necessarily be deriued from the excretions therto appropriate : which therfore proueth the vrine no right prognosticator of any affectiō therof issuing frō other & different vessels . it may be obiected , that by the contiguity of the wombe & bladder , and the neare termination of their extremities , the expulsiue facultie of the seminarie vessels , mouing sometimes with the vrinarie , may thereby mixing their recrements connexe their indications . this is true , yet not alwaies , but rarely and seldome true , and therfore vncertainly hapning doth doubtfully promise or signifie . the expulsiue motiōs and offices of the seminarie parts are not so ordinarie , so frequent , so common , as the vrinarie , neither doth their raritie in their motion alwaies then meete or consent with the vrine , and sometimes also meeting therewith , it giueth notwithstanding impertinent indication vnto the inquisition of conception , other common d recrements after conception , no lesse or rather more descending then those which are onely consequents of conception . and thus is made apparent the falshood and deceit of the ordinarie profession of the prediction of conception by the inspection of vrine , which also the most e ingenuous and iudicious writers and authours from their owne long proofe & experiēce haue euer generally exploded as impious imposture . the true artist doth promise nothing beyōd that which reason doth demōstrate , & art habitually performe : the deceiuer by faire pollicitations bewitcheth simple credulitie , ridiculously to delight in his owne wrong and grosse collusion . it is verie worthy note and memorie , that a great and learned clearke cornelius agrippa , retracting his former wont therein , doth ingenuously confesse of his affectation and circumuention of common admiration by his supposed magicke and astrologicall skill , e and it doth well fit and settle instruction and satisfaction in this our particular also , though of another kind i haue bene ( c saith he ) from my childhood by my parents carefully iustituted in astrologie , and in riper age and vnderstanding afterwards spent therein no small time . at length by long and certaine proofe i found it wholly compound and founded of meere fictions , and toyes of vaine imaginations : wearied therefore and grieued with my time and study so long and so idlely spent , i laboured to cast away the irkesome and vnpleasing memorie thereof out of my mind , and neuer in my thoughts to entertaine it . e but the violent and forcible importunacie of great and mightie potentates , ( who vsually preuaile to abuse great and worthie wits vnto base arts and offices ) againe compelled me vpon the fame rocke , and my owne priuate profite againe inticed me to thinke it dutie and honestie to make profitable vse of wilfull folly , and with toyes to please these that so much desired toyes . the same apologie for the exercise of vrinarie e diuination , their owne consciences vnto themselues do make that vse it , but they loath the example , and truth is hatefull because incommodious . it was sometimes my happe to witnesse the free profession of a dying physition vnto this point . he inhabited northampton many yeares , was in nation irish , in manners homely , in learning of me diocrity , but in the auguration by vrine of conceptiō was generally reputed excelling , and in a fortunatenesse therein oft posing some better learned . three or foure daies before his death ( expected and knowne vnto himselfe ) while by his owne earnest request then ( as oft before ) i was present , motion was made vnto him that he would commend vnto posteritie that skill by which hee liued with many so much esteemed and admired . his answer was free and ingenuous , to this effect : it is vnworthy posteritie , vnworthy the name of art. i haue long with the felicitie of a good opinion exercised it , and with tried certaintie know it vncertaintie , and certaine deceit . simplicitie is euer ready vnwittingly to betray it self , and it is easie to him ( that is therein much and continually exercised ) in common people palpably to see their simple hearts , in their eyes , in their gesture , in their countenances , and other circumstances , of themselues vnobserued and vnconsidered . i haue sometime by good hap bene fortunate in my predictions by vrine , of conceptions , which because when it sometime happened , it seemed a wonder ; it therefore was euer largely transported many waies , and much busied and employed common talke . i haue proued therein an hundreth fold more often and more commonly in mine owne knowledge f false , yet because to erre was no wonder , ( and therefore not so much worth either relating or obseruing ) as also for that it was for the most part but priuatly to some sew knowne , and oft times also the shame of illusion in the most put the report thereof vnto silence , the contradictorie instances still died vnremembred , but fame and opinion suruiued and prospered . it euer excused my deceitfull custome vnto my selfe , that i deceiued none but such as either desired or deserued it , who by their insidiation of the proofe of my skill either prouoked it , or by their vnreasonable earnestnesse extorted it . in this and other the like , some few dayes before his death , he thus g died vnto his former life , and liued vnto his soule and sauing health . and thus it is manifested , both by reason and also by the last testimonie of dying experience , how the vrinary diuining for prediction of conception , forsaking the brighter streames and clearer fountaines of detecting truth , doth hide it selfe in the puddle water , there laying shining baites for dazeled fish . the more silence , the better fishing ; lest therefore i may haply too much preiudice the pleasing spoile of willing fooles , i will thinke that which hath bene alreadie said vnto any other , sufficient intimation , aduising honest minds from the iudicious physition , by the plainest information to draw the h directest counsell , lest by the vaine proofe of a deceiuing worth , seeking that is not , they lose that might be more proper and pertinent vnto their health . chap. v. of trauellers . as from all parts of the world true knowledge doth fetch home his substantiall grounds to enrich it selfe ; so falshood and lying imitation doth likewise deriue deceiuable colours to beguile the imprudent . hence vnder the name of trauellers supposed much knowing , by much seeing of things worthy to be knowne ( the common expectation of wonder giuing glad entertainment , and desire of noueltie ioyous welcome ) insufficiencie clothed with this outward figure of sufficiencie , doth oft enter into the rights of better desert , and by casuall pofiting some few , deceiueth most , and ruineth many . trauell is required in a physition , not as any part of his essence , but as an ornament , receiuing the essence and perfecting of it selfe from the essence and perfection of a foresetled and continuing vnderstanding . the generall theory and speculation of any knowledge or science whatsoeuer , is in no soile or countrie a stranger to them that duly and truly seeke it , nor doth vnderstanding meete , or is taken vp in high waies ; but to the most secret retired thoughts reflecteth the brightnesse of his true worth , and from the perfect fulnesse of time , and thence accomplished brightnesse of his beames doth seasonably breake forth , and soly giue the rectified perspectiue of particular obiects . in the occurrents of trauell , it is indeed the sense that conducteth the obiect to the vnderstanding , but it is a pre-existing power and abilitie in the d vnderstanding it selfe that rightly iudgeth and disposeth the e obiect . if therefore the vnderstanding be either in it selfe originally defectiue , or by want of time vnsetled , or by precept and doctrine not habitually formed ; the sense may truly , rightly and continually present , but the vnderstanding shall either falsly or not fully apprehend , distinguish , digest or dispose , whereby disorder in want of right method , doth rather multiply confusion then increase right vse . hence many things worthy notice escape ignorance , vniust reductions are commonly miscarried to improper subiects , good vses are vnseasonably or vnreasonably wrested , mistaking obuious , right estimates either for the most part vnobseruedly ouerpassed , or casually well hapning . for where wisedome doth not leade trauel forth , knowledge guide it on , prudence accompanie it , good desire vphold it , the true end perswade and call it forth ; folly easily seduceth , and depraued ends peruert the right fruition . hence we see commonly many trauell farre , and bring home litle . some make swift aduenture , and slow returne , with late repentance . some bring home more then they would , some more then they should ; and all that begin trauell with raw iudgement , for the most part come home perpetually after drunken with opinion . different countries , aires , people , customes , manners , zones and climates , do fruitfully expose commodious consideration vnto those whose iudicious view and exchange doth know rightly to entertaine them in the way , and in many examples of many worthy physitions , the benefits thereby haue euer bene conspicuous . amongst the rest , galens industrious commutation of distant regions , by his owne writings are not obscure . but he that entreth into galens trauels without galens f mind , may exceed him in the paines , but shall neuer come neare vnto him in the fruite and worth . this is the reason that our common trauelling physitions for the most part ( the learned onely in all places and countries worthily purchasing vnto themselues due reuerence ) do oft from beyond the sea bring home strange preparations and medicines , but litle wit and discretion safely to vse them ; by the great opinion of farre fetched wondes distracting and cousening the needfull inquisition of a more inward worth in themselues to warrant their accommodation , without which , both heedlesse proofe and needlesse vse , do oft find in the best excellence a harmfull goodnes : and howsoeuer haply commending it selfe in his owne propertie and vertue , yet oft stinging vnto the heart busie , vnnecessarie and vnaduised medling . it is growne so common in these daies to entertaine d fugitiues vnder the former pretexts , that it shall ease my paines to report the mischiefes , being growne too common to need any other notice then their owne vglinesse , each post proclaiming their woodden worth , and their painted clouts euery where hanging vp their ragged e executions . it is vsual with these men , mouing their wandring and vncertaine steps from place to place and from towne to towne , by faire deluding promises and pollicitations to draw the f liues of simple credulous men , for their owne gaine , into their owne hands ; and after they haue by their common desperate courses prouoked and drawne foorth vnwilling death ( when they see him coming ) to runne away , and to leaue the miserable beguiled innocent in his angrie iawes , to answer their rash and needlesse chalenge . the wiser sort haue better learned to know them , but the simple are still g their prey . it necessarily now followeth vnto the generall conclusion of all that hath bene before said , that both the trauels of the mind , and contemplation in the former tractates mentioned , and also the change of places and countries here specified , with all other sense-informing meanes and inquisitions of knowledge and science , without precedent right institution , and setled incorrupt seeds of select vnderstanding , shall all euer doubtfully , and for the most part lamely succeed vnto timely growth or ripe perfection . for knowledge must euer go before industrie as a guide , and particular practise follow generall rule , which he that hath not first in mind fully and truly conceiued , must needs want the idea that formeth an vnderstanding action . and thus hath it hitherto appeared negatiuely , now it followeth affirmatiuely , where true election may make right choice of a good physition . the end of the second booke . the third booke . chap. i. the true artist his right description and election . the corruptible condition of all things in a substance , & perpetuall mutabilitie and alteration in a accidents , doth euery moment beget such diuers oddes and differences in the same things , that their former considerations and respects , can neuer constantly , truly , and indeed long continue them to be the same . hence by vicissitude it ordinarily cometh to passe , that of those things whereof lately seeemed certaintie , thereof by continuall accesse of different accidents and circumstances , is againe begotten e vncertainties . that which late seemed necessarie , in an instant becometh casuall ; that which was true , now false ; that which was good , now euill , and that which was possible , oft impossible . necessity & this vncertainty of all things , doth driue men that desire with more likely certaintie , through prudence to guide their actions vnto the schoole of contemplation of the world , and of the generall reuolution of all things therein , ( which is true philosophy ) that thence by long study and diligence obseruing to know and distinguish what is in nature , and the ordinarie vicissitude of all things , according to seuerall seasons , circumstances and subiects , meanes , measures , and manners variously , now true , then false ; now necessarie , then casuall , now absolute in it selfe , now conditionall , with supposition , and by accident , now possible , now impossible ; they may informe themselues from tried and approued knowledge , where with certaintie is safe to f resolue , how in vncertaintie neither to g neglect the least hope , nor to ouer-weene the best good happe : how to endeauour in that is possible , how to obserue necessitie in that is impossible , prouidently how in cases of vrgence and serious counsell , to forecast and husband occasion and opportunitie , that ill hapsharme not , vaine hope deceiue not , time beguile not , aduantage escape not , vncertaintie preiudice not , occurrents preuent not that good which according to reason and the destined issue in nature , diligent endeauout may otherwise effect . this is the summe of art and prudence . this is the vse and perfection of reason in man , without which man must needs be as the brute beast , voide of vnderstanding , dwelling in perpetuall blindnesse , darknesse and confusion , without distinction of good and euill , true and false , without consultation or election of the one or other . without the knowledge of nature our life is death , our sight blind , our light darkenesse , and all our waies vncertaine . he that knoweth not the qualitie of the fire , can neither seeke comfort by the warmth , nor feare the scorching . he that hath not obserued nature in the water cold and moist , shall neither needing their contemper thinke of their vse , nor subiect to their danger decline their hurt . who hath euer bene so blind , that hath not claymed reason e for euerie action , both as natures common light and rule in all things , as also his owne eye and f hand to guide him vnto the vnderstanding thereof ? for there is * reason in nature , and reason of vnderstanding . reason in nature is the constant course and g order of nature according to which she gouerneth and ordereth all things . reason of vnderstanding is that h light and eye of the mind , whereby is discouered what is according to reason in nature , good & euill , true and false . thus the reason of man hath his excellence and perfection , consisting in finding out and vnderstanding the excellence and perfection of i reason in nature . this is the top and heigth of all humane wisedome , knowledge and learning . hereby is distinguished the subtile k and wise from the meane vnderstanding , from the foole and idiote ; the counsell of the prudent , from the rash and vnaduised ; the sharpnesse of wit and discerning vnderstanding , frō sottish amazement & stupiditie . hence are onely setled and cleared all doubts , difficulties , and ambiguities , by which otherwise for euer men remaine voide of counsell and of truth . hence it cometh to passe , that as men more or lesse earnestly seeke the wisedome , order , and reason of nature in her dispensation of the whole world , and therein more or lesse dispend their studious paines , so they diuersly obtaine answerable measures and proportions therein , growing in wisedome more or lesse according as they are more or lesse of generose desire and ingenuous d exercise therein . the order of nature in all her works is e constant , full of wonder , and vnchanged truth in the continuall g cohesion , sequence and fatall necessitie of all things , their causes and effects : wherein therefore how the almightie deitie hath commanded all things by an vnchangeable law to be ordered , is both true and necessarie wisedome to vnderstand , and the true f patterne , rule , and square of euerie discreete , sober , and wise designe and consultation . hence vpon the principles of nature stand euerlastingly founded all arts & sciences . for science is the faithfull and truly studied apprehension of the mind , of the neuer h deceiuing generall grounds in the generall dispensation in the nature of all things : and art is the learned and skilfull habite i of imitation thereof in humane action . and all true arts thus founded vpon the vndeceiuing grounds of nature , in themselues are euer-certaine k and infallible , whose rules although discretion according to circumstance may continually diuersly vary , yet can no l time nor circūstance euer or at any time abrogate . hence aboue all other arts & sciences the art of physick must needs be most excellent and true , because it most continually conuerseth with nature , as her prime & proper subiect , and beyond all other most immediatly dependeth vpon the perpetuall study , view , & obseruatiō of nature , & the continual consultatiō with nature in euery actiō . for it is requisite in a cōpetent physition , that he be truly able & fully furnished to be vnto nature a gouernor & moderator to preserue her , to conserue her , behoofefully to dispose & d guide her in her best and rightest way , not only of being , but of being well , & well continuing . it is also requisite he be able as a prudent minister with knowledge to prouide & reach vnto her e all needfull helps , and to remoue from her all harmefull impediments . lastly , he must be a faithfull friend in her necessitie , needfully assisting , helping , and comforting her . and how can he duly performe these things vnto nature , that truly and perfectly knoweth i not nature ? aboue therefore and beyond all other artists the physition immediatly hath need & vse of exquisite knowledge of nature . for since he is deputed to be helper and restorer of particular nature , how can he for that end but become scholler and imitator of the generall ? for as all particulars do euer participate the nature and kind of the generall , and are therein comprehended , so besides that which vnto euerie indiuiduall nature is specially proper , there is an essentiall l propertie in it belonging vnto the generall : without which as the particular cannot be at all , so therefore is euer an eye , a respect and reference to be had , that those things which for the good of the particular are considered or consulted , may neuer be disproportioned frō the generall : which he that knoweth not , cannot consider . he therefore that shall rightly and prudently dispose for the good of any man , ought as well to know and aduise what and how he participateth with the generall condition , as not to be ignorant what is peculiar a vnto himselfe . for if he know not the b generall kinds and natures of things , what powers , faculties , priuiledges , prerogatiues , properties , indowments , belong indifferently to all , as well as differently to the speciall , he shall oft omit and ouerslip a larger portion offered in the common good , then any specialtie shall after recompence or counteruaile in it selfe . contrariwise also , if he onely know the general , and vnderstand not to compare , consider , apt and fitly sute it vnto the d particular , he shall neuer from the common deriue thereto ought pertinent or truly accommodate . it is necessarie therefore a physition vnderstand both what nature hath allowed man in vniuersall , with all other things , and also no lesse what proper to himselfe , and inclosed in his owne . for if he know not nature in her special kind , e when her self is separate and free from other implications , how shall he iudge or know her iust reduction thereto , when he findeth her oppression requiring his assistance to bring her home vnto her selfe ? neither must he here onely consist , but must farther view and consider , what god either in heauen or in earth , in the whole world , or the wide occan , from all the elements or elementary things hath ordained for any good or vse of man. for as god hath created all things for the good of man , so hath he appointed the physition to fit and accommodate all things vnto the necessitie and need of man , and hath farther also deputed him to supply vnto man euen those things which g nature her selfe oft times cannot . nature cannot either open the necessarie veine , or ventilate or euacuate the corrupt bloud from the bruised part , or in the right and behouefull quantitie . nature cannot with election or regularly purge the right and proper humor , fitting the cause and necessitie . nature cannot fetch home from the fields and mountaines her medicinall herbes , fruit , wood and plants vnto her owne necessitie ; but art transporteth them vnto her at seuerall seasons , and for seuerall needs . nature cannot decoct , infuse , compound , mixe or prepare her rootes , mettals , or other drugs and simples , in number and nature infinite ; but art is vnto her benefite and seruice therein accurate . as therefore the physition must euer haue nature for his chiefe d counsellor , so must he euer againe be sufficient and able substitute and e helper vnto her . not to speake of his excellent subiect ( which is the life and health of mankind ) his diuine direction in his calling ( led by the vnchanged order and wisedome of god himselfe , manifested and set forth vnto him in the structure and great frame of heauen and earth ) doth exact and require in him all possible perfection to sound and fadome the depth and height thereof . for as it is manifoldly and vnmeasurably infolded and wrapped vp in the intricate wisedome of his vniuersall workmanship , so must long dayes and time carefully spent , indefatigable studie , paines and meditation , restlesse vigilance , a cleare eye of vnderstanding , and sincere affection worke and labour it out , and thence must his prudent and wise action deriue the ground of all his counsels and consultations . and thus must the true physition euer behold god as his guide , and be gouerned and directed by his hand . for god is nature h aboue nature , and nature is his hand i and subordinate power : i god being therefore the cause of causes in nature , he is the giuer of health and life in nature , and the physition is his k seruant & minister therein . to learne of such a teacher , to imitate so absolute a patterne , what wisedome is sufficient , what sufficiency worthy ? if any man thinke it a light labour to finde out the order and reason of so infinite a workman in the immense worke of all things , or but an easie difficultie to imitate his example in infinite actions , he knoweth not what is the height of humane wisedome , which being to know most d among men , ( although what in that knowledge is nearest vnto god , is the least shadow of himselfe ) yet is it so much as is able to make men iustly admired , and happie that obtaine it ; as all other that want it , worthily as vnhappie and infortunate as ignorance can make man. ignorance is euer blind , blindnesse continually stumbleth and oft e infortunately falleth ; but knowledge giueth eyes , and the happinesse of sight declineth the vnhappinesse of our liues perpetuall groping error , and the miserable confusion of the darknes of mind . since then knowledge is the eye and sight of the mind , and all knowledge cometh either by the ordinarie light of nature , or the extraordinarie illumination of the creator of nature , whence shall the ordinary dispensation of mens wayes and actions borrow counsell and light , but from nature ? and then how necessarie is the knowledge , learning and studie of nature , not onely vnto the accomplishment and ornament of our better being , but vnto the establishment of prudence and discretion , and the happie consequences thereof in all our liues and actions ? if prudence and wisedome flow from hence , and the miserable condition of man perpetually craue their supply , and the neuer-ceasing mutable vncertaintie of circumstances continually multiply occasion of consultation from thence , how can any action or purpose of man be rightly tried , approued and assured vnto him , but by the complement and perfection of this knowledge ? and if knowledge onely rectifie and make happie mens workes , endeuours and actions in all things , how is it much more chiefly and absolutely requisite and necessarie in a physition ? his subiect , which is the safeguard of life f and succour of nature , exacteth the most exquisite wise and warie working . his rule in working ( which is the prudent obseruation and imitation of his creator in the created order and reason of all things ) challengeth the helpe and assistance of all possible worthinesse and excellence , the highest perfection of counsell , and most incomparable sagacitie of vnderstanding . for what wisedome , learning and knowledge , can be more then needfull vnto his vse and helpe , whose continuall emploiment and exercise consisteth in executing the perpetuall decrees and counsels of g creation , in restoring the ruines and decayes of generation , in rectifying , reforming and moderating the errors of continuall mutation and alteration , in opposing death , and enlarging life ; lastly , in arming the seuerall true trials and iust estimates of the natiue vses and properties of all things , substances , quantities , qualities , formes , seasons , and circumstances , according to the command of the generall commander of heauen and earth , and the edicts of nature , for the good of man ? what humane science can affoord more ample matter and occasion of diuine cogitation ? what emploiments are more continuall workes of charitie ? what vertue commeth nearer vnto god in goodnesse and mercie ? god createth man , the healthfull and helpfull hand of the physition restoreth and repaireth his daily lapses . what wisedome more inwardly conuerseth with the hidden and secret workes of god and nature ? and though his better and more erected thoughts oft humble themselues vnto the necessities of miserable men , ( which proud and foolish minds contemne ) yet hath the example of the sauing deitie herein most exalted him whom vertue instructeth , wisedome formeth , prudence counselleth , and art firmly guideth ; without the competent concurrence of all which , the necessitie of their hourely vse doth altogether denie sufficience in a physition . how worthy reuerence in themselues , and how happie for others were it , if more wontedly and vsually our physitions would first labour for this setled perfection and d generall idea of prudent deliberation , before they so readily rush vnto particular practise and action ? for although it be experience that indeed giueth vnto reason the true reflexion of it selfe , yet is it the rule of reason that first e guideth experience forth vnto likely proofe . but now in these dayes this excellent knowledge , so worthy in it selfe , how vnworthily is it esteemed by others , because so slightly sought and found in physitions themselues , euery man hastening to run before his knowledge either of f himselfe or his action , vnto particular trials of confused conceit and confidence in opinionate grounds ? hence as mechanicall offices and administrations are rather more commonly conspicuous in our ordinarie practitioners , then any weight of prudent perpension or liuely stampe of iudicious disposition or ordering ; so doth the generall slightnesse and lightnesse herein of most , sprinkle a common disgrace and ignomie vpon all , casting the excellent facultie it selfe inestimate almost behind the most inferiour science . to leaue therefore the proud and disdainfull contemners herein vnto the iust contempt of god and nature in his greatest need , that others deserue not so ill , and all may learne rather to chuse the good from the ill , then to despise the better for the worse , i will here point the inquisition of the best , who though haply rarely found , yet may the patterne commend the nearest thereto , and draw the well deseruing vnto his safest choise . in all cases and subiects of election , it is wisedome chiefly first to seeke that is most excellent ; next , where excellence is not , prudently to accept mediocritie , but euer knowingly to auoide euill . the patterne of perfection doth shew the more and lesse perfect , and manifesteth the more or lesse imperfect , frō which the farthest distance is the greatest defect , and the nearest affinitie the best excellence . of mediocritie are many degrees . there is mediocritie ascending b from it selfe toward perfection or excellence , and mediocritie descending c from it selfe vnto the lowest step of meanes . all that are contained within the latitude of mediocritie , participate the same true rules and grounds with those that consist in the highest top of excellence , onely herein differing , that the latter with a more piercing eye searcheth the marrow of the same truth , the other more shallowly soundeth the same prosunditie . this difference of mediocrities distinguisheth onely the seuerall measures of the same perfection , whereby they differ , not in kind but in degrees of comparison . thus are men termed d good , better , and best of all ; all considered in the same qualitie , euery one an artist , euery one rightly vnderstanding , but some more clearly , readily and fully , other lesse , and all truly . vnto whom therefore either excellence doth giue true splendor and eminence , or mediocritie maintaineth within different bounds of true art and science , he is either in the one worthy , or in the other intollerable . he whom farther vnworthinesse hath exempted out of both these , is in himselfe vnprofitable , and in others vse e harmfull . the first and second , and the second by the first thou mayst here view in the following description of this latter booke , and the third and last in the first and second going before . chap. ii. as all ages haue deriued and acknowledged the foundation of arts from the principles of nature , a reason , prudence , and knowledge or science ; and experience hath euer confirmed their profite and necessarie vse vnto constitution b of arts by daily proofe : so vnto the complement and atchieuing first of knowledge , and after of the right composing of art , from d thence all times and men haue with one generall decree and consent determined a necessitie of seuen euer presupposed conductiue helpes thereto , without which neither knowledge nor science can preexist , nor art from thence e exist or haue firme being . these seuen hippocrates with consent of his owne time , and assent of since succeeding times , hath in this order numbred . f nature , g precept , fit h place for studie , i studie , k institution , l industry , m time . aristotle with some others haue named only three , nature , precept , industrie ; but in these three by consequent hath included all the rest . for studie and contemplation must necessarily attend precept and industry both . studie without fit place and some certaine seate , can neuer deepely settle , vncertaine motion distracting and interrupting serious cogitation and assiduitie ; and time is necessarie to be supposed in all . by nature we must not generally vnderstand the first mouing and being power which is in all a things in vniuersall , but more specially for this subiect , procliuity , naturall aptnes or fitnesse , peculiar b disposition in the helpes and gifts of nature , ripenesse of wit , capacitie , reason and docilitie . by precept are vnderstood the maximes , axiomes , and c ancient golden rules of truth , which many ages and aged obseruation from time to time for common good and case haue commended , compiled and summed methodically into generall orders heads and numbers . by place fit for studie , are not onely vnderstood the narrow inclosures of retired silence , and abdication vnto priuate contemplation , but also the places of the societies and common assemblies of the learned , where both by priuate d conference , and also by publike e hearing the daily readings , teachings , and exercises of logicall f disceptations of schooles allotted euerie facultie by it selfe , f the mind may vsually receiue redoubled memorie of the maximes , axiomes and rules of euery art and science , whereby continuall g inculcation may both more firmely settle them , and occasion their more frequent and better laboured examination and rumination . that in whose admission two senses beare testimonie , and by two waies doth enter , hath firmer possession . the weaknesse or wearinesse of the sight or eye in priuate reading sometimes mistaketh , oft omitteth , and not seldome ouerslippeth ; but the vnderstanding standeth readie at the h gates of the eares , euer giuing easie entrance , and with readie attention more due i perpension , the most faithfull remembrance by the eare conducted vnto the inward seats and selles of the soule and contemplation . by studie is generally conceiued the continuall occupation and imployment of all a the faculties of the mind in serious disquisition , prompt apprehension and reception of generall rules and precept , and frequent oft after reuiew of their former seuerall notions , reflecting the vnderstanding vpon it selfe in the recognition of his passed intellection , and in due rumination vnto right digestion ; from whence by long exercise and vse therein gaining an habite and true methode thereof , the firme knowledge and science of assured infallible rule and principle , doth beget art , and art bring forth the end and perfection of art , which is the honour of the artificer , the euer-reasonable satisfaction of needfull vse and necessitie , and for the e most part desired issue . by institution is conceiued education , early beginning , & inchoation from d young and tender yeares , whereby the grounds and rules of knowledg growing vp with age , become in shorter time more naturall , permanent , familiar , easie , more cleare and free of difficulties , which vnto sodaine apprehension bring confusion and impediment . by industrie is vnderstood f continuall care , exercise , and paines to make euerie benefite and vtmost vse of natures bountie , of precepts worthie of place and euerie other behoofefull circumstance , to perfect institution , to saue , preuent , and redeeme time and opportunitie , with serious affection and desire to whet , vphold , and maintaine alacritie , constancie , and perseuerance through labour and diligence vnto perfection . by time is vnderstood the seuerall competence of yeares to euerie single vse , and due in all . the necessitie of the helpefull concurrence of all these vnto any one perfection is easily manifest . the want of naturall helps of wit and other reasonable parts of man , must needs be a vncapable of precept . without precept ( being the rich compiled treasure of the excellent knowledges of many ages and generations ) how shall any single liues sufficiencie otherwise truly attaine the precious worth and benefite of due perfection in any art ? without studie also precept is neuer daigned , because not deserued , god and nature perpetually blessing and proportioning seuerall measures of knowledge and vnderstanding , to some equalitie of thoughtfull d search and assiduitie . where is not place fitting studie , and allowing the prompt concourse e of learned conference , studie must needs want those readie helpes which mutuall speech , f speciall example , and many common reciprocall auxiliarie assistances in learned societie , do manifestly , profitably , and continually supply . where wanteth f timely institution , either later springs bring slower growth , or too sodaine sproutes soone wasted springs . where industrious affection and exercise either fainting waneth , or is not euer in the full , eclipsed care must needs proue dull , and paines slow , and without pains shall euer succeed but meane profite . lastly , where full time is scant , h defect is large , and where season i short , no good * proofe long . and thus it is apparent , that none , and no one of these may be wanting , where is desired any reasonable perfection ; and this is the same infallible truth in all faculties and professions . for many instances , behold but one , and see by common consent of all learned , by testimonie of reason and experience , how progresse of knowledge doth in euery part answer the nature and custome of husbanding seed . compare k the fecilitie of soyle with capacitie in nature , the seed with wholesome precept , the countrey neighbourhood of readinesse and plentie ( whereby need with common benefite may mutually both lend and borrow ) vnto the like helpes of learning in learned societie . compare carefull gathering together and storing of good seed , vnto daily study ; industrie and paines to toyle and labour ; vsuall early bringing vp , and prudent timely countrie education , to necessitie of institution , and the yearely seasons to studious times . are not all in both , and both in all alike ? the seeds of vertue and knowledge are euer fitly sowed in childhood e the age of institution d , in whose vniudging youth their hidden vertue stealeth roote , in yeares f of discretion growth , in g confirmed age gathereth ripenesse , and in consisting h age bringeth forth ripe i frui●e in practise and proofe , therein continuing euer vntill declining autumne , the fall of age , and the winter of this mortall life . and this is that span of mans life , and ought be his reckoning of his dayes well dispent in any vertuous or noble facultie . these things are manifest vnto all , and need not so much proofe as better consideration . and thus the necessary concurrence of the knowledge of nature vnto perfection in any worthie faculty , hath briefly and sufficiently appeared , and more specially the vse thereof vnto a physition hath bene plainly instanced and manifest , and his primacie in the counsell and consultation of nature , the necessities of life haue amply proued . it hath bene likewise farther considered , that as in all other arts and sciences , so especially in physicke , no man euer attained the meanest satisfying worth , without the assistance of a seuenfold furtherance , without nature either a disposing or fauouring , hath bene declared the vanitie of vtmost endeauour . without b precept where hath euer bene any right subiect , rule , or measure vnto wandring confused thought and contemplation ? without studie and c industrie was neuer gained worth , nor without institution euer purchased assurance of any perpetuitie . in want of fit and setled place , the most desirous indeauour doth find wearisome losse of so faire and helpefull opportunitie , and there is no goodnesse by c time vnsetled hath euer bene after well f confirmed . from hence it must necessarily follow as a certaine conclusion , that according as mē are more or lesse wanting in any of these , so do the number of the wants truly measure the quantity of their defects . and since these are seuen so inseparable companions & guides vnto sufficiencie in those by whom it is truly acquired , they must needs therefore by necessarie consequent be therein faire likelihoods and proofes of that sufficiencie vnto others also whom it shall concerne to know and enquire it for their owne direction and satisfaction . and as these are thus necessarie to be enquired , so is it as easie for the meanest to trace and discouer them in any particular knowledge . f nature doth expresse her selfe in her owne indowments open to euery eye in common conuersation . the hope and opinion of good precept , doth vnto the most ignorant giue prudent guesse , either by the particular knowledge , or at least inquisition of precedent timely institution and likely institutors . good and pertinent institution , deriueth probabilitie of it selfe , from the testimonie of conuenient time and fit place of institution . industrie cannot be hid , and studie by his a assiduitie doth euer proue it selfe , and by continuall exercise of it selfe , as it first giueth , so it after perpetually b holdeth sufficiencie , and manifesteth it selfe thereby , both past and present , vnto any one . and as education it selfe is of all learned esteemed and iudged absolutely beyond c exception or dispensation necessarie , so are his places common , and therefore not obscure . lastly time well dispent doth point his proofe vnto examination of his seuerall degrees of groweth , both how in d childhood and youth , vnto the yeares of discretion , disposed , and how also after that time in manhood and confirmed age vnto consistence , disposing himselfe . these are those easie notes , whereby from the necessitie , partly of their continuall presence , and partly precedence in euerie facultie , the meanest capacitie together with the best may confirme and better satisfie their prudent hope or feare in choyce . these markes though common and indifferent vnto all , yet do they bring more or lesse different behooffull vse , according to different iudgings and f vnderstandings . such as are learned in the same facultie , beside these outward and common informations are farther enabled to assure this inquisition by the presence and knowledge of the same sufficience in themselues , when they find it represented vnto them in another , such as are learned in different faculties , or are generall readers or schollers onely , by the signes cōmon vnto all kinds of learning may better iudge of a common facultie in generall knowledge , but vnproperly determine of a g speciall worth . the first haue therefore more certaine vnderstanding , the second somewhat more aduantaged coniecture . he onely that is altogether vnlettered and vnlearned , for that he cannot help his iudgement frō any of these two former inward lights , or intelligence of his owne vnderstanding , must therefore chiefly deriue his information frō without , and from these outward signes , from whence it is also better to raise b probable reason and coniecture to resolue himselfe , then altogether to trust report and others faith . for that which is probable cometh c neare vnto truth , and he that industriously exerciseth himselfe in discerning rightly true probabilitie , shall alway more wisely walke , and most seldome erre or be deceiued . chap. iii. and thus with a plaine sensiblenesse vnto vulgar capacitie , i haue deliuered the sententious summe of those things which the learned in the largenesse of many volumes haue widely scattered and confounded : which as according to the first promise and purpose , it giueth vnto the meanest a light vnto a larger field of prudent consideration , so doth it also vnto the yonger student yeeld a profitable taste of that true way and method which prosperously guideth vnto perfection . and although sharpe witted folly in the ambition of proud conceit hath oft times deuised and imagined easier and shorter wayes and e cuts vnto an higher pitch , yet after-time hath still otherwise proued it vnto erroneous men , when for the most part their eyes and time are almost out , and folly hath alreadie too sufficiently fatted it selfe to glut repentance . i will not spend time in blaming this our time herein , dayly experience is iust reproofe . from that which hath formerly bene discoursed , there seemeth yet remaining a doubt demanding answer : whether non but men , as before , knowne learned , may proue of safe or commendable vse ? where the causes and diseases are both common and vulgar , and no circumstance requireth more then ordinarie consult , there without doubt ordinary harmlesse remedies without deeper counsell or aduice , may by themselues sufficiently c satisfie an vsuall need . for this cause the emperick is iustly to be preferred before all other sects , for that ( for the most part ) neuer changing his approued ordinary good remedies , he thereby in ordinary cases doth more commonly benefite ; while other sectaries from the wilde d composition of their confused and deceiued minds ( euer therefore vainly continually varying the mixture of their medicines ) must needs thereby both peruert the ordinary benefite of vsuall and tried medicines in common diseases , and in all other also by their misgouerned rules , and mistaking reason , euer either ouerrunne or come short of that happie and safe issue , which more distinct , iudicious and truly vnderstanding accommodation from more prudent right deliberation doth more certainly and assuredly bring forth . this is the reason that e galen instituting and counselling a yong physition , doth chiefly instruct him first to bend all his whole labour and endeuour to aime at that vnstained puritie of sight and discerning sagacitie , which is onely proper vnto the truly learned and soly orthodoxe physition , whereunto if his power and meanes wil not aduance him , he then aduiseth him to make choise of the empericke soly to d imitate before all other sects ; because his plaine constant course in ordinary diseases doth most oft good , and in other most cōmonly least hurt , though with the rest neuer sure , and not euer safe . and thus farre ( deseruing reader ) i haue pointed thy better remembrance into the right way of the most likely inquisition . vertue is likewise a needfull companion vnto sufficience of vnderstanding , a grace and ornament vnto a physition , and in him a benefite and aduantage vnto the patient ; by the one well gained , discreetly and iustly steering his sufficience , by the other well knowne , f assuring his confidence : but being euery mans common dutie to learne , the philosophers subiect , and beside my promised performance , i will commend it vnto easie obseruation in euery man his owne triall and proofe , the ordinary iudgement more easily knowing vertue in the f outward shape of faire action , then readily conceiuing or examining it by the generall g idea or large description . it onely now remaineth thou call once againe remembrance vnto remembrance , by recouering in our passed discouery in few words the generall briefe summe for better impression and continuance . it hath bene manifested how senslesse common vse doth draw fond custome vnto mechanicall counsel . reason and prudence haue also giuen thee a taste and better sense of the vnobserued mischiefe therein , and hath taught thee a more wise feare . nor hath it bene the least wisedome , to know to hold suspected among those whom learning hath exempted out of the vnlearned multitude , such as make profession of double perfection in two d faculties , where one in true reason is neuer sufficiently or aboue needfull measure fulfilled in the most excellent , beside the perfection and right habit of vnderstanding , the attendance in care and circumspect action requiring neuer lesse then the whole and vtmost endeuour ; h which he that thinketh too much for his owne calling , profession or facultie whatsoeuer , is the least of all worthy of it , or well deseruing in it . it hath bene likewise farther noted vnto prudent obseruation , that among men honestly limited within one calling , notwithstanding immoderate , extrauagant and impertinent curiositie too prodigally dispent in things of least moment , least pertinent or profitable vnto necessary vse , doth vainely sometimes e diuert the more serious and chiefly fixed study and respect vpon the more maine ends and offices therein , ( as hath bene before noted of curious astrologers and superstitious ephemerides-masters ) whereby that which is most necessary , is dangerously oft neglected , and that which is least needfull , fondly more preferred and esteemed . lastly hath bene pointed the man whom thou maist most discreetly and with most likely safetie chuse to trust with thy life and health . first thou art aduised to consider that he be a man free from the former imputations ; and secondly that he be commended vnto thee by the seuen forementioned testimonies : one whom nature a hath fitted and set foorth by common good parts expressed in open and apert , iust and discreet word and action , and also in speciall proofe and vse , the same in all occasions , capable , sensible , wise temperate , and vnderstanding ; in his profession carrying credited assurance by his former times , place , institution , study and industry well knowne , commendably formerly , and euer dispent . if thou make this carefull and likely good election of thy physition , thou shalt not so vsually find so many lucklesse euents of after-repented choices , nor so cōmonly heedlesly draw vpon thy selfe so many miserable calamities as daily fall out in want of more reasonable fore considered care thereof . happie is he who doth conuerse with the prudent , g consulteth the wise , trusteth the iust and honest , and imploreth skilfull helpe . god hath promised his blessing vnto the prudent , in his vnaltered decree destining vnto prouidence both more certaine preuention of euill , and also more likely forestalling of otherwise more casuall good . in the wise ( with caution and difficultie euer admitting any suspected or doubted trust ) succeedeth euer for the sometimes h deceiued issue , ordinarily redoubled recompence , of fooles vngusted , but vnto the i end deseruing it , repaying the vnknowne inexplicable nectar of inf●●te acquiescence of mind , and ample content of rich ioy of heart vnto it selfe . in the skilfull , errour is barred frequence , and folly common or ordinarie a admittance . these things common experience doth rarely know , because seldome regarded : follie for euer possessing this world of fooles , and a b mite of wisedome being euer more rare e then ten mines of gold . b know thou therefore the best patterne , aime euer to attaine his nearest affinitie , with discreete coertion of that desire in want of so plentifull supply , contentedly also accepting reasonable mediocritie , but euer eschuing the hated name and inured note of knowne ignorance & adulterate d bigamie of two callings , the one in common vse wholy insufficient , the other for the most part , but in partable to supply either outward presence or inward worth . commit thy life into his hand that esteemeth it worth his whole studie and endeauor , that vnderstandeth the causes in nature , wherein consisteth life , and is skilfully able to draw foorth thy destined line vnto the ●●most length and date in nature : that knoweth 〈…〉 and opportunity of life , f that feareth god , & lo●● 〈◊〉 man : vnto whom knowne danger giueth carefull caution , safetie securitie , iudgement resolution , variable circumstance more warie circumspection , and generall g knowledge vnscanted counsell in all occurrents . thus shalt thou not betray thy life to follie , nor by thy blame ●hall others h ignorance deseruedly punish and interrupt thy quiet ease . a thus maist thou both liue in more free con●ent , and oft more happie daies , b and die in thy full time by a ripe and mature death , in the blessing of god , and ●ight of nature , yeelding thy life vnto the common law ●wrod● of mortalitie , not falling vnder the heauie burthen of thy owne guilt in rash exposall , or carelesse neglect . finis . gentle reader , i pray thee to correct these faults , escaped partly by reason of the difficultie of the copie , and partly by absence of the author . epist . p. . l. . r. any long burthen . epist . . p. ● . r. this necessary plane talke . 〈…〉 compare r. compute . pag. . lin . . for courses read chaunces . ibid , l . 〈…〉 known● certaine p. . l. . r. the as well . ibid. l. . grow , r. growing . 〈…〉 these . pag. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iteretur . p. . l. . deliuerage ▪ r. deliuering . 〈…〉 r. my . p. . l. . r. to diuers parts diuers feauers . ib. l. delivation . r. 〈…〉 l. . death . r. health p. . l. . cannot , r ▪ runnot p. . l. . which r. with , ib. l. 〈…〉 r. these , p. . l . libertie r. literature . p. . in marg . r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 sole . p. . l. . r. content . p. . in marg . l. . r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p . privie 〈…〉 ● . l. . r. be more completely . p. . l. . r. the other opposite . p. . l. . 〈…〉 motiōs . p. . l. , motiues , r. motioōs . p. . l. . on , r. any one . p. . 〈…〉 p. orderly , r ordinarily . p. . l. . eminent , r. emunct . p. . marg . scalig. 〈…〉 p. . l. vlt. ends , r. meanes . pag. . l. precepts , r. pretexts . ib. first note 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p. . last note in marg after , ea quae fecit , r , per ea quae 〈…〉 . the third note , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p. . l. . r. indications . ib. l. . 〈…〉 p. . l. . their , r , her p. . l. r. the illulion . ib. l. . diuining , r diuing 〈…〉 continuing , r. confirmed . ib l. . pofiting , r. profiting . p. . l. . wondes , r. 〈…〉 pa. , l. . different , r , indifferent . p . l. . meane , r , meagre . ib. l. vlt. 〈…〉 fertilitie . pag . himselfe , read it selfe . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a sir william tate . b namque tacere tutum semper erit . scalig. constare gratis quin silentium possit . martial . notes for div a -e a soles occidere & redire possunt : nobis cum semel occidit breuis lux , nox est perpetua vna dormienda . catull. b non est viuere sed valere vita . martial . c cui malus est nemo , quis bonus esse potest . d citò dicta percipiunt dociles animi , retinentque fideles . horat. notes for div a -e a remedia si ab indoctis medicis vsurpentur sunt venena , si verò à doctis & exercitatis , deorum sunt auxiliares manus . herophil . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aristot : c homo inconsultus & temerarius futura non videt . cicero . d id solum bene fit quod fit opportunè . plato . e in alijs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in alijs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . f omnes intellectus mentisue habitus ad vnius prudētiae complementum desiderantur , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. aristot . g fronte capillata , post est occasio calua . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aristot . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. hippoc. aph . k principium medendi cognitio morbi , minimusue error in illius ignoratione commissus est maximus in fine . galen . de meth. med . l accessu qualitatis pestiferae & deleteriae . m hinc alia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in quibus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , alia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. n symptoma crudeliter saeuiens à morbo auocat . hinc curatio duplex habetur , haec regularis , illa coacta . o haec est illa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acerrime coniectans , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intuēs summa ingenij sagacia . p aegritudines aliae manifestae , aliae occultae , aliae difficiles cognitu , aliae faciles , aliae incōprehensae nisi exquisita & subtili aestimatione . auicenna tract . de horis aegrit . q summè haec spectanda in medico vt tutè , iucundè , celeritèr salutem expediat . r quemadmodum duae sunt primae & communissimae morborum causae , plethora & cacochymia , sic totidem oportet esse communissima remedia purgationem debitam , & idoneam opportunamue sanguinis missionem , &c. ſ aegritudines in alias aliae facilè mutantur . auicen . de dispos . aegrit , t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hippoc. aphor. l. . u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . non est cuiusuis malum in initio exo●iens dignoscere . a●stot . in polit. x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . latet corruptio quia non tota simul fit , decipiturque mens ab illa . aristot . in polit. y a vaporosae & aereae substātiae occulto subtiliue seminario imperceptibiliter nouos & inauditos ob●epe●e humano generi affectus ignotum nō est . hinc galenus lib. . praedictionum interpretatur illud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hippocratis , ambientis aeris efficaciā ▪ quod insensibili ratione , ideoue miris modis corpora immutare soleat . hoc non modo in aere pestilenti conspicuum , sed & in pluribus exhalationum generibus per aerem diffusis clam , & celeriter quasi syderantibus . z hinc febres catarrhosae , & ab his latentes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cachexiae etiam occult● obrepentes , tota ●aepe sanguinis massa à catarrho contaminata dum in venas delabitur , saepe diuersis corporis partibus imperceptibiliter lacessitis , saepe manifesto maleficio oppressis , prout per arterias , musculos , neruos , aut occultos & latentes meatus praecipitata à capite fertur pituita . a i condemne not a plentifull and liberall vse thereof when any necessitie or neede with reason and iudgement conduct thereto , but the ordinary , fond and needelesse custome therof , led by no perswasion of any foreseene good or benefite , must needes fall into the cōmon errors and harmes of vseles and needelesse actions . b rato antecedentem scelestū deseruit pede poena claudo . horat. c quot sunt qui solo victu competenti citra vllum discrimen ab affectibus liberari possint , qui praeter rem pharmacis contunduntur ? brudus de vict . febricit . d vidi quos in pemiciem traxerit solum simplex apozema ex numaria cum senae folijs temerè exhibitis : nam corpus totum in colliquantem fluxum traxit . heurnius in aphor. hippocr . e quem saepe transit casus , aliquando inuenit , senec. f graues affert mutationes & perniciosas saepe cassia , perturbat , distendit , distorquet cum molestis deliquijs in naturis & temperamētis biliosis . quercit . de tot . capit . affectib . g in lienteria , in ventriculi imbecillitate in flatibus , in renum vlceribus & vesicae notissima sunt mala . h siccis corporibus non parum nocet . i in humoris turgescentia , nimia tenuitate ▪ ichore susque deque fluido . k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hippoc. aphoris . l haec sunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . communem materiem educentia . m aph. . lib. . aph. . lib. . n perdere quos vult iupiter , hos dementat . senec. o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , euripid. a quae sub sensum non cadunt mentis vis & ratio percipit . gal. b mente perspecta & ratione generatim comprehensa , sensuum fide cognoscimus magis & stabilimus . gal●● . de sect . c duplex ignorantium medicorum genus . alterum eorum qui sola experientia nituntur , aiuntue nullius rei naturam posse ratione inueniri . alterum eorum qui sibi nomen sapientiae vindicant , & licet parem habeant cum prioribus ignorantiam , opinionem tamen scientiae sunt aucupati . sed eorum inscitia inde habet initium quòd in rationalibus scientijs nequaquam sunt exercitati , quae nos ritè distinguere & secernere docent ●as propositiones quae demonstrandi vim habent , ab ijs quae probabilitatem quidem continent , nihil autē veri possunt aut demonstrare aut inuenire . gal. lib. . de different . febr . d ideo impositum est iudicium tanquam praetor quidam ad inuentorum & obiectorum perpensionem . sensus enim apprehensio est simplex , non iungit aut disiungit , neque iudicat , sed aliavis interna per sensum intellectum promouet . scalig. de sbutil . e empiricir ati●nem negant , sensum recipiunt . galen libr. de sectis . f hinc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. g ars vsus rerū incertos certis legibus coercet , scalig. de subt. h omnibus in rebus prudenter agendis ratio pro suasore habenda , vsus pro duce . scalig. i prudentia est habitus qui deducit omnia sua facta è rationibus ad fines suos sine offensione . dicimus enim prudenter factū ab imperatore vbi rectè partes exercitus disposuerit , tametsi similes ordines acierum nunquam antea notos habuerit . scalig. in poet. k ad eundem modu● non potest quidquā saepe videri . as●lepiad . l galenus morborum saepe meminit quos à se nunquam visos profitetur , alios quos semel autbis . m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . arist . in eth. n sudor anglicus tam laethalis vt vix cētisimus quisque correptus euaderet . qui euadebant in morbum bis terque relabebātur , & tandem concidebant . correpti intra . horas animo deficiebant & moriebantur . hollerius ex polydoro virgilio . o rulandus de dente aureo . p hollerius in ratis obseruationibus . q brasauol . in aph. hipp. . s . . r of thingede● in northamptonshire . ſ pulsibus manum applicand● tres modos tradit galenus lib. de pulsib . palpationem , compression●● , modum mediū . t tale quiddam narrat struthius in arte sphygmica , propter vulnus acceptū , in brachij arteria pulsationem fieri posse imperceptibilem . u a parson-physition . x hollerius inter raras obseruationes virum memorat cui è regione hepatis vena per interualla dehiscebat , quae sanguinem fundebat , posteà sanguine sponte restitante vestigium nullum apparebat . y of hac●leton in northampton shire . z apprentis● vnto one iohn frende . a simile quiddam inter raras obseruationes ●arrat hollerius , & medicus argentoratensis didymus obrechtus de se ipso idem refert . b simile quiddam narrat reolanus de aegro qui simili materia plures pelues impleuerit , & expurgatus perfectè , liberatus est . addit praeterea huiusmodi abscessus primarios nō esse sed epigenematicos , nec verum aut legitimum pus , sed potius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , dum pituita in thoraeis capacitatem destillatione lapsa morâ coquitur , & fit puri simile . c a principio saniei expurgetionis numerando , non generationis . d non praeclsè necessarium est intra dies vel expurgari , velin pthisin transire , nam & post diem & expurgari & liberari quis potest proculdubio , modò diem non multum excedat . brasauol . in aph. hipp. e wife vnto maister langham of thornby in northamptonshire . f wife vnto one tiplar of harding stone in northamptonshire . g of woolaston in northamptonshire . h per artis exercitationem cōperi eam remediorum inuentionem quae ex vera demonstratione procedit in his quae rarò accidunt longè praestare : vnde multos curaui morbos medicamentis ab experientia alienis . galen●de locis affect . * hinc ille en●piricorum transitus ad simile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i similitudo nō affert identitatē . k vnum est ex principijs humanae sapientiae rerum differentium similitudines & similium differentias ritè dignoscere . aristot in top. l hinc hectici pulmonarij & hectici à iecore retorrido . &c. m pauci febrem spuriam duplicem à quotidiana distinguunt ; nam licet facilè sit febrem cognoscere , difficile est hanc ab illa distinguere synochus putris & non putris facilè decipiūt ab eadem materia antecedente natae , cum materiae similitudo similia producat accidentia vt & partium vicinitas , continuitas , situs . n aegri febriunt , vehementius vigilant , grauiter se habent quando sunt propinqui crisi . galen . n semper grauia symptomata crisim antecedunt . hippo. doctr . aphor. n vigor morbi est vehementissimum totius aegritudiois tēpus , quod sequitur crisis . gal. de cris . lib. . o cogimur à gratis animum suspendere rebus , atque vt viuamus , viuere desinimus . maximian . historia . p similitudines non modò vulgares sed etiam m●dicos eruditosa iquando decipiunt . galen . in apho. . lib. . hippo. q 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . sensuum nullum existimamus sapientiam . aristot . metaph. . r sapientis consilium vnum multorum manus superat . gal. in suasor . ad artes. * casus & tempus omnibus rebus accidunt . ecclesias●e● . . galen . lib. . de aliment . facult . ſ consi●ium docto resque locus●ue dabunt . ouid. t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. affectuū cog nitio est materia remediorum , non ipsorum remediorum cognitio . u occasio est domina rerum agendar . x neque doctorum hominum sed empiricorum sunt singulares illae quae circumferuntur ●egulae . fetrerius de lue vener . y exhibenda remedia pro re nata & semper pro circunstantijs variare aliquid oportet . galen de puero epilept . z generalia remedia semper praemittonda particularibus . galen . de loc. affect . . a si metus sit inflammationis , sanguis mittitur tum è basilica partis affectae ad minuendam plenitudinem , tum de vena poplitis ratione partis & materie coniunctae . b vbi in synocho ob ebullientis sanguinis copiam , ex leui occasione irritatam adest suffocationis periculum . c perpetuum nō est abstinere phlebotomia cū iam papulae in superficie corporis extitere . etenim fit aliquando prae copia vitij vt plurimum reliquum sit in corpore , vrgeat vehemēter difficultas spirandi , grauis sit febris , quo tempore vena secanda est . hollerius de morbillis . d vbi iam malū in habitum corporis euasetit , periculosa est plebotomia . hollerius . e mulier in vehementissimo dolore stomachi nullis ●●luta remedijs ducto tandem sanguine ex vtraque basilica seruata est . hippocrat . epidemion . e in magno dolore ventris , secanda interna vtriusque brachij , & hoc magis si dolor grauis , si repentinus , si difficilis ructus & spiritus , si febris est , si dolor in dorsum & scapulas extenditur . hollerius de compos . medic. tractat . de stomachicis . f in apoplexia pituitosa cerebrum magis magis●ue sangunis priuatione refrigescit . g in apoplexia sanguinea vincū & singulare remedium à phlebotomia expectandum . h si pestis cum ephemera aut hectica analogiam habeat . i si pestis sit synocho putri similis , & corpus plethoricum . k vbi magnae cacoethiae ratione si conturbaueris naturam , praecipitas . l vbi humor qui venenum aut contagium conceperit in primis venis substiterit aut in ventriculo . m si hydropis origo à mensium suppressione aut sanguinis multitudine calidum innatum suffocante manifestò ducatur , à sanguine detracto curandi ratio necessariò est auspicanda . n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hippocrat . aph. lib. . o noui quam plurimas quarum aliae abortiunt , aliae foetus edunt parum firmos aut vitales nisi intermedijs mensibus phlebotomia plenitudo minuatur reolanus . o multae nisi ▪ . mense releretur vena abortiunt . foetus enim copia obtuitur . ferne●ius de meth. med. o mulieri grauidae si menses fluxerint liberius sanguinem mittas . hollerius . women counsellours . commonuisiting counsellour's and commenders of medicines . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aristot . bona institutio triū opus habet , naturae , doctrinae , exercitatio● is . b mulieribus nemo nunquam lycaeum aedificauerit , aut senaculum statuerit . scalig. de subtil . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. sed & aegrotum , & astantes . hippoc. aph. . historiae . d wife vnto one maister mercer of northampton an ancient alderman . e distinguendae vires grauatae & oppressae à languidis & attritis . hae maiora remedia postulant , illae nullo modo ferunt . f firmus puer , robustus senex tuto sanguinis missionem ferunt . fernel . f in decrepita aetate sanguinē mittit rhazes vrgente valde necessitate . d in vitium ducit culpae fuga si caret arte . horat. h non est opus valentibus medico , sed malè habentibus . mathaei cap. . i est enim à supremo medicus , & à rege stipendium accipiet . ecclesiast . . . i dominus è terra condidit medicamenta , & prudens homo non contēnit ea . ecclesiast . . . k spes laqueo volucres , spes captat arundine pisces , cum tenues hamos abdidit antè cibus . tibull . a in horadoloris vehementis clou● quicunq● pe●oulo non caret . gal. de victu febricit . b data tempora prosunt : et data non apto tempore vina nocent . ouid. c ijs qui in morbi acumine euacuatione indigent , si quis cibum dederit , magnum operatur malum . galen . de vict . febricit . c si quis dolorem alui subductione vel insecta vena soluerit , pro humoris exigentia , & vel pauxillum ita affectis ptisanam dederit , praecipites aget in mortem . galen . de vict . febricit . c si phlegmone vel redundantia adsit , cauenda ante accessionē cibatio seu res maximè noxia . gal. de vict . febricit . d lenissimum saepe erratum in victus ratione irreparabilis damni causa . galen de vict . feb. e impia sub dulci melle venena latent . ouid. a serò mediciā 〈◊〉 , cum mala per longas inualuêre moras . ouid. d foelix quicunque dolore alterius disces posse carere . tuo . tibull . historia . historia . fugitiues , quacksaluers . empirici , chymistae , d quod si dolosi spes refulsetit nummi , coruos poetas , & poetridas picas cantare credas pega●cium melos . persius . g clinicus herodes trullam subduxerat aegro , deprensus dixit , stulte quid ergo bibis ? martial . i scientia , intellectus , prudētia , sunt habitus , qui vigili studio , labore , diligentia & assuescendo acquiruntur . c ac si interiores affectus sensu cognoscātur , aut manus operâ curentur . riolanus . d quo fieri possit modo seuere , vt vir omnium pessimus charinus , vnam rem bene fecerit , requiris ? dicam , sed citò : quid nerone peius ? quid thermis melius neronianis ? maritial . historia . e a pure longè putidiore quod à vesica separatim exit , grauiora solent inter meiendum asturgere accidentia . pus quod è renibus defluit , substantiae est magis subtilis & elaboratae , ideoque cum minore difficultate permeat , doloremque minorem creat renes praeterea sunt partes indolentes magis quā vesica , & partium aliarum consensum minus ducunt vbi magis computrueint . f aut facere ingenui est , aut non promisse pudici . catull. g coma vigilās dictum galeno , lib. . de loc . affect . h qui nondum stygias descēdere quaerit ad vndas , tonsorem fugiat , si sapit , antiochum ▪ martial . d quod nimis miseri volunt hoc facilè credunt . senec. e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g lepidè illud : sol successus intuetur ; errores tellus operit . h fumum fugientes in ignem incidunt . e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. non cōmunis homo curatur , sed singulorum quisque . galen de meth. med. f habenda enim ratio non manifestae modo qualitatis , sed & occultae , tum vniuscuiusque 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . g morbi è duorum humorū putredine in eadem sede nonnunquam fiunt confusi , nonnunquam in diuersa impliciti , nonnunquam ab eadem materia in diuersis partibus , diuersimodè dispositi . in omnibus secundum varias , diuersas aut contrarias indicationes , ab vrgentiore auspicatur prudens medicus , singulos perlustrat , leuissimos versat . g morbus coniunctus exigit curam coniunctam vt simplex simplicem , in coniunctis verò quae potior potiorem exigit non neglecta altera . galen in aph. hippoc. h plurimi medici similes vi dentur nauium rectoribus . in tranquillo mari regendo si quid errent peccentve , error non patet . in aduersa tempestate errore aut ignorantia facilè nauem perditam in omnibus liquidò constat . brud . de vict . feb. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . dd ideo theore . ma describit galen . lib. de finit . med. cuius contrarium rarò euenit . d vbi plura nitent non ego paucis offendar maculis . horat. e ars est eorū quae ordinariò & plerunque non aliter fiunt , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . f rerum quae cognoscuntur species sunt . aut enim apparent sensui vel statim per se vt colores , vel ex alijs seu signis , vt ignīs ex fumo . aut sensui quidem occultae sunt , rationi verò manifestae , eae●ue vel statim euidentes vt bis duo . vel per demonstrationem discendae . incipit autem demonstratio ex aliqua praecedentium , id est , ex apparentibus , vel euidentibus aut certè ex demonstratis antea ; primam speciem sensus indicat , secundam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , tertiam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : quartam consensus ad confesta siue ea apparentia sint , siue euidentia , siue antea demonstrata . galen . lib. de opt. sect. g neque idem vnquam aequè est beatus . neque est quisquam quem non aliquando videre suffenum possis , catull. b scientia est habitus demōstratiuus , habet●ue principia nota & aeterna . c artificialis cōiectura quàm propè accedit ad veritatem . galen passim . h insipiens mouetur falsa finis specie , non fine . f quod casu fit , inexpectatò fit , & tarò & incer●ta mora fit ; vt quod natura sit , expectatò fit , ferè semper fit , vel vt plurimùm sit . g quippe deest finis cuius gratia agatur , vbi casu aliquid fit . negatio finis ponit ca●um . positio finis negat casum . sapiens verò sine proposito fine nihil agit . h tutus & intra spem veniae cautus . horat. l semper metuit quem saeua pudebunt . lucan . historia . d hinc illa empiricorum miranda gesta & vulgata miracula , riolanus . f ab istiusir odi errore nascitur expe●●ent●a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . galen . de sect. * historia . c saepe misera auxilia tolerabiliora faciunt mala miseriora . leuin . lemn . d dabitur●ue licentia sumpta pudenter . e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , plurimùm atq● repentè quouis modo corpus mouere periculosum . hippocrat . lib . aph. f in extremis morbis extrema exquisitè remedia optima sunt , vt hippocrates . sed agendi iudicatio semper sumenda à viribus , nec deploratos attingat medicus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in ascite vtilis , sed plerunque lethalis . ideo frustra tentatur fractis viribus aut vbi hydrops succedit s●hirrho aut febribus ardentibus . in extractione calculi vesicae cauendum etiam à longo dolore fractis viribus . in partim etiam principum vehementiore affectu diacrydiatis atendum cautè , &c. historiae . g qui calculi non diu concreeriut ij medicamentis aptis dissolui possunt ; qui verò diutiùs exiccati & indurati difficillim● aut nunquam enrā tur , ideo●ue periculosè irritantur . rondeletius de vrin . h lapillis in ve sica subsistentibus crabrones irritant quicunque saxitragis deturbant temere . reolan . g quam enim proportionem architectu● erga coementarios lignariosue fabros & alios quibus imperat gerit , eandem medicus erga ministros suos , herbarios , venam scindentes , cucurbitulas admouentes & clysteres immitentes . galen in lib . hipp. de morb. vulgar . h naturae legibus medicinae leges semper consentaneae . fernel . i vt medici cuiusque auxilij quantitatem , occasionem & vtendi modum cognoscimus , vt ministri verò venam secamus & reliqua manibus operamur . galen . in lib. . hipp. de morb. vulgar . e neque enim turpe est per vulgus & aniculas profecisse . non enim puduit maiores nostros in multis remedijs brutorum discipulos se profiteri . quin & acceptis à vulgo remedijs adhibenda ratio & rectus vsus , in quo summa artis posita est . holler . instit . chirurg . historia . e ei qui praesidet , scire operari necessarium non est , sed potius aliorum ministerio vti . aristot . polit . . f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nonnulli nescientes quàm aliqui scientes ad opera sunt magis ido nei . aristot . eth . . g primi medicinae parentes & veteres graeci medici ferè omnes humanit●te ducti ( vbi ita res postulauerit ) suis manibus operabātur in ciuitatibus nondum populosis . at vbi hominum multitudo increuerit , aliò res delegata est . hinc etiam principum edictis distincta extant medicorū & chirurgorū ministeria & officia . b nec verò calculo laborantes secabo , sed viris chirurgiae operarijs eius rei faciendi locum dabo . hippoc. iurc iurando . c omnes artes rudiores primū , tractu deinde temporis absoluuntur . scal. poet . d medico mulrae artes aptam materiam praeparant , ipse naturae per ministros suppeditat galen . in lib. . hippo. de morb vulgar . c nec credere possis hunc hominem , humana qui ratione caret maximiā . vel vt alij , cornel gall. d causa immediata protinus per se cohaeret cum effectu . sca●ig . de subt . e causam per accidens sequitur per accidens effectum . g quod neque religio praecipit nec oritur ex causis naturalibus est superstitio . melanth . h scripta , verba annuli , characteres , signa , nihil valent ad profligandos morbos , si nulla superior potestas diuina vel magica accesserit . inania itaque sunt vereue anilia credētium animos superstitione occupante . fernel . de abd. rer . causis . i vide galenū lib. . & . de simpl . med. facultat . theophrast . in hist . plant . l. . aug. tract . . in euan. ioānis . b diabolus effodiat tibi oculos , impleat foramina stercoribus . wierus de praestig . cap. . c in thought . d in deed . e neque enim verum est hominem ab homine noceri posse verbis . sed demon credulitate decipit hominem vt socium habeat , tum impietatis , tum aeterni exitij . scal. de subt . f phantasia imperium habet in spi●itus & humores , qui sunt morborum parentes . g sensus interioris motus perpetuus . aristot . de insomn . h galen . lib. & . de simp . med facultat . confidere doctos & bonos midicos medicamentorum substantiae praecipit , non verbis aut carminibus . witcheraft . historia . a narrata ab aegrotante praeter totius plethorā lassitudo partium omniū inferiorum cū mensium retentione , coxarum grauitate in motu , torpore dum quiesceret , paratum affectū monstrabant . ideo neque praedixisse difficile , neque re ipsa affectum subsequi miraculi loco haberi debet . b praeter plethoram tum infra tum supra diaphragma conspicuam , tumor venarum molestus circa crura & in poplitibus , de quo conquesta est aegra , de spasmo & distentione illarum partium facilem inde dant coniecturam . vbi igitur aegrae imprudentia praesatur causam , facilis est prudentia probabilem pòst fari effectum . c she was assured late the night before of the physitions being at home that same day ; she knew the length of the way , her husbāds vsuali pace , and n●w direct sp●ed . she might easily compare the time of his going forth , with a competent time for his attaining the physition , and with all these might well hope of the physitions facilitie by his friendly entertainment the day before . from hence her imagination satisfying itselfe with the confidence thereof , she might thereby , setling and quieting her spirits , minde and humors , for a time thus appease and mitigate her paines . as for her so true and iust coniecture at the time which was two of the clocke , the circumstances before mentioned , and likelihood it selfe did guide her to suppose it . if this reason satisfie not , religion and reasons giue leaue farther to suspect , that the diuell to aduance errour and illusion , might conuey into her imagination an inward and secret sence of the time . the power that the diuell doth exercise in this kind , might be made cleare by many examples . d after the penning of this history , the cause and maner of her death by her neighbours of worth and credit , was thus reported . her husband , at her earnest sute , consulted with a wandring surgeon , whom fame , it seemeth , had magnified for charmed and potent cures of such as were bewitched . the surgeon deliuered a medicine vnto the husband , promising a miraculous cure thereby , and charged him withall , by no meanes to be feared , though haply there might fall out some strange and fearfull operations vnto the seeming . the medicine with this stile coming vnto the patient , was gladly receiued ; and after she had receiued it into her bodie , she died . the glorious name of the medicine , together with a confidence that this was onely the strange operation of the medicine foretold by the surgeon , caused the friends about her still to expect some admirable euent of recouerie , and therefore they still gaped after her rprising : but in the end necessitie called for a graue : and thus their hope with her was buried . e aelianus lib. . scribit aspasiam concubinam cyri posterioris admonitam fuisse in somno de medicamento quo sanauit vitium oris , quod venustatem priùs valdè deformauerat . d hinc illa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diabolica . f non absimilis vis compellendi motus tum animi tum corporis etiam philtris & carmini bus attribuitur . philtra nocent animis vimue furoris habent . ouid. carmina de coelo possunt deducere lunam virgil. g data est diabolo potestas non modò vt fallat malos , sed vt exerceat bonos . augussin . g diabolus imperium exercet in impios . in pios etiā in multis casibus particularibus potestatem habet , qua & vulnerantur & concidunt . caluin . lib. instit . h quid angeli mali possunt , quid nō possunt facere per naturae suae conditionem , homini explorare difficile immo impossibile , augustin . de trinit . c soli viri ingeniosi & subtilis mentis acici difficilia cognitu facilè comprehendere valent . aristot . d multa sunt quorum cum veritas certa sit , tamē causae nos latent . plutarch . de sympol . e inter praestigiatoris manus quod est video . mutatur species vel propter celeritatem vel propter aliud . quare verò mutetur latet me . scalig. de subt. f in natura plurima fiunt miranda & singularia , inquit aristoles , ideoque naturam ipsam appellat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . camerarius de diuinat . a a forma vniuersali mouentur sponte ignis & aër deorsum , ne eueniret vacuum . forma particularis obedit vniuersali ad conseruationem totius entitatis & vnitatis . scalig. de subt. b quia nequit tam citò ratefieri ad implendum vacuum , quod reliquum potest facere facit , atque tam citò abit . scalig. de subt . d frustra de metaphysicis quaeruntur physicae rationes . c sapientia vera , nolle nimis sapere . f hoc nomine cardanum taxat scaliger lib. de subtilit . quae consultò natura in orbe molita est suo , is praestigiae nomine denotandum putat . c hoc à diuinitatis excellentia separat . omnis enim potestas supra naturam est vel diuina vel diabolica , haec voique & semper bona , illa nusquam non mala . d quorum daemones authores sunt eorum ratio est trans naturam . fernel . de abd . rer . caus . e daemoniaci nonnulli obloquuntur summè ardua , arcana reserant & occulta renunciant . edunt verba & sententias graecas & latinas , cum ipsi vtriusque linguae omnina ignari sunt . fernel . de abd. rer . caus . g many and strange haue bene the formes of diuers excrescencies , or growings in the flesh through all parts almost of the bodie , whose nature , forme and cause are well knowne vnto the physition , though to his eye oft times strange and wondered . scaliger in his booke of subtilties , mentioneth a waterman , knowne vnto himselfe , who had a horne growing vpon his backe . the like haue others since and before knowne and written . some men haue bene borne with parts proper vnto the other sexe , and women with parts or resemblances of parts naturally giuen to the malekind alone . the errors of nature in monstrous births , are not obscure , and feede varietie of wonder ; nor are nor can be tied from the counterfeit of any shape , likenesse , marke or figure , sometimes superfluously cast vpon one part , sometimes vpon another . d the diuels propertie is knowne by actions , deeds or workes first found sustained by a supernaturall power , and next bent vnto an euill end . thus for diuellish ends haue witches and sorcerers bene knowne to ride vpon the seas in vessels vncapable of such cariage , or of any defence . thus haue some haunted men and other creatures , in maners , meanes and circumstances more then any way reasonable or possible vnto humanitie or the nature of man alone . thus haue some also declared the secret words and actions of men , then absent in farre distant places , and foretold particular things to come . these with their diuellish affection , end , and intention are certaine proofes of diabolicall power and witchraft . e consent and cooperation may be manifested first by proofe of any incantation , inuocation , spels , and other performances of other diabolicall rites and ceremonies : secondly by their vse of such instruments as are vsuall or proper vnto such diuellish workes of this kind are pictures of waxe or other matter , by which they secretly worke wasting and consuming paines vnto the liuing persons of those dead resemblances . of this kind are also charmed kno●s , characters and figures . of this kinde also are diuers sorts of poisonsome matters , by them knowne to be solemnly sought , and carefully hidden or kept . these found or detected , are certaine conuictions of witches and witchcraft , ioyned with other due presumptions and circumstances , and a manifest detection of the assistance of any tra● scendent force . e quippe vbi nec causas nec apertos cernimus ictus , vnde ergo veniant tot mala , caeca via est . propert. f in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . gal. de loc aff . g in this maner ann. . my selfe being present , a child of one m. barker of couentry was afflicted , and in the end these fits changing into conuulsions of his face , mouth , and eyes , he therein died . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . gal. de loc . aff . i in apoplexia vel morbo attonito . gal. de loc . affect . c an. dom. in this maner a former wife of one m. roson of northampton continued the space of two daies and nights , being then my patient . d in caro. carum verò distinguit à catalepsi . galen . lib. de loc . affect . quòd in hac oculi aegrotorum clausi permanent , in illa aperti . e hoc genus coma vigilans galeno dicitur tract . de comate , quod & insomne vocat , & phreneticis attribuit . iuxta hoc coma pigrum & somnolentum statuit quod è contra lethargicis ascribit . f hippocrates in prorheticis , & epidemior . . h deprauati motus sunt plurimi tremuli , conuulsiui , palpitantes , vibrantes , qui prout in toto corpore vagantur , diuersam appellatio nem sortiuntur . galen . de sympt differ . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. epi epsia vel morbus caducus vniuerso corpori motus affert deprauatos . gal. de diff . sympt . g conuulsio simulat omnem motus voluntarij speciem , & hac sola ratione à motu naturali differt quod praetor voluntatem fit . galen . de loc . affect . k motiua actio laesa pro particularium instrumentorum ratione ita variantur , vt varias habere species videantur , cum illius motionis ratio fit vna . galen de sympt . diff . a conuulsis musculis , oculos mouentibus . b musculorum masticatoriorum & eorum qui peculiariter lati appellantur conuulsione , contractione , resolutione , fit spasmus cynicus , tortura oris , risus sardonius &c. c conuulsis musculis temporalibus contrahuntur dentes , & strident , resolutis fit hiatus oris . d generalis haec palpitatio dicitur ab auicenna , ab alijs membrorum subsultus & iactatio . f historia theophili , medici aegrotantis lectu dignissima est , libr. galeni de diff . sympt . sect . . g vide hollerij historiam de pharmacopoeo incubo correpto , scholijs in tractat . de incubo . auicen●am in cant. de signis melancholiae . k thucydides de in peste seruatis scribit , inde factos esse fatuis similes tantaue ignorantia & fatuitate imbutos vt se ipsos & familiares planè ignorarent . galen . in porrhet . hippocrat . h in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 actuar . lib. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . galen . in pror●et . hipp. historia pulcherrima . e beneficed physitions . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sonat sternutatio quia per angustum illi est ex itus . hippocrat . aph. . l b. c ingens sternutatio affinitatem habet cum epilepsia , tū quod ab eadem causa nasci potest , tum quod in eadem sede sita est . ideo hippocrates sternu tationem cum rheumate malū nuntiat ; quin & indesinens sternutatio animalem facultatem validè saepe fatigat , nec non & sternutantes saepe mortui conciderunt . h epilepsiam sequitur plerunque grauis sopor . andernac . de med . ●et . & noua . i compositus enim morbus videtur , ex comate , caro , apoplexia , epilepsia . in nonnullis enim accessionibus sopitis motu & sensu libera erat respiratio , in alijs graui cum difficultate spirandi & stertore periclitabatur , quae duo apoplecticos à veternosis & catalepticis distinguunt authore galerio lib. de loc . affect . epileptici verò motus vix vnquam desiere . k deprauato omni genere motus voluntarij tum capitis tum oculotum . d epilensia est totius corporis conuulsio cum rectricis partis actionum cohibitione . galen . de symp. differentijs . e singularium praeter sensum exteriorem est sensus internus . aristot . eth . . f saepe morbo laeditur ratio salua imaginatione , saepe deprauata imaginatio ne integra perstat ratio saepe deficit vtraque , saepe deficiunt sensus exteriores seruatis internis , & è contra . gal. de loc. affect . g coma est motus imaginatricis deficiens & imbecillus . galen . de sympt . differ ▪ h communis facultas & potentia à cerebro per neruos in singula sensoria penetrans alterationes omnes ipsorum persentit . gal. lib. . de plat & hippoc . dogmat . i in caro & intelligere & excitari aegrotus potest . auicennna de sign . spec . subeth . l laesa septima neruorum à cèrebro ortorum coniugatione loquela imminuitur , deprauatur aut ad tempus tollitur necessariò . galen . de loc . affect . c the words which by writing she expressed , were these : god is a wonderfull god , the lord can doe maruellous things ; and when the skill of man hath done what it can , god will shew himselfe a wonderfull god. e quomodo lingua , nunc motum nunc sensum amittat separatim aut coniunctim , magis vel minus , perue vicissitudines ratione cerebri laesi aut processus neruorum . vide galen . de loc . aff . g refert guintherius andernacus aliquos sibi natos , qui ex ingenti refrigeratione , & inde nata destillatione muti per aliquot dies perstitere , liquore verò absumpto vocem recepere . andernac . lib. de med. vet . & noua . f the very same accident , about the same time , in the same maner , befell a gentlewoman then lying at cotesbrooke in northamptonshire , and sometimes daughter vnto m. reade , while he liued there dwelling . she oft diuers dayes together lost her speech , and againe by fits sodainly recouered it , being besides vexed with diuers maners of conuulsions . h ex faciei partibus sola lingua saepenumerò afficitur . gal. de loc . affect . i saepe medicamentorū commoda non sunt cum vsu praesentia sed post emergentia . k compensante procul dubio aestate ad tempus insigniter feruida incommoda praecedentis hyemis insigniter gelidae . ab insigni verò refrigeratione ortum & originem mali factum esse , apud me satis constat . frigus verò cum humiditate intensum soporem , stuporem , omne conuulsionis genus , epilepsiam , apoplexiam constituere , author est galenus lib. de loc . affect . . l qui vniuersale cognoscit quoquo pacto cognoscit & particulare . aristor . g saepius enim deprehendebatur repentino lapsu aut depriuatione omnis sensus & motus , comitante difficultate spiritus & stertote nec non rectricis facultatis functionibus omnino cohibitis . hanc apoplexiam veram distinguit galenus praedictis notis , lib. de loc . affect . quam etiam generalem paralysim aliàs appellat . apoplexiam verò vel generalem paralysim terminari particulari , nemo non norit , grauem scilicet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plerunque , leuem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel vnius tantùm membri . h vide wierum de praestigijs daemonum . consule langium in epist . medicin . tract . de daemoniac . ioann . hucherū bellouacum de maleficijs . ioan. baptistam codronchium de morbis veneficiatis . f fernelius de abditis rerum causis , lib. . obiect . obiect . obiect . d primum sensorium omniū sensuum commune est . galen de sympt . differ . e apoplexiam , carū , catalepsin altos sopores nominat omnes . galen lib de meth. med vt & aliis , lethargum etiā inter sopores recenset sed cum febre incidentē propter humoris putredinem . obiect . f sicut in somnis decipimur insomnijs , ita vigilantes in aegritudinibus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. arist . de insomnijs . g egregiè hac in re satisfacit theophili medici aegrotantis historia , memorata à galeno lib. de sympt . different . h the mention of her supposed sight of the witch , came after the returne of all her senses , and when onely the conuulsions of her armes and face were remaining accidēts obiect . wisards . h nam in auersam partem aegrotantis reclinationem opisthotonon vocamus , neruis qui eò loci sunt malè affectis . emprosthotonon autem si in priorem partem homo deflectitur , neruis anteriùs positis laborantibus . aret. lib. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i hic hominum ineptorum mos est , in malis sua ignorantia vel acquisitis vel cōmorantibus cum anu aesopica semper daemonem accusare . c an possit oculos tantum contendere lynceus ? d dolebā meherculè quòd pugillares & stilum non haberem qui tam bellas fabellas pernotarem . seruants of physitians . ministring helpers . a ideo olim clinici & lecticularij dicti & diaetarij . b hâc ab origine experientia nata est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & imitatoria . c parua leues capiunt animos d quoniam ars circa particularia versatur quae insinita sunt , qui non redigit ad vniuersalem methodum , caeco & incerto modo agit & opera fortunae committit . gal. de puero epilept . e medicina sexies vel septies probata non facit vniuersalem propositionem . galen . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aequè mutila ratio sine experientia , & experientia sine ratione nazianz. f qui se artem acquisiuisse sine methodo arbitratur sciat se vmbram habere non artem . plato in phileb . b per se naturaue sua fallax est experientia & periculosa . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hipp. aph. . f habitus omnis intellectiuus , actiuus , factiuus sensim acquiruntur nec sine assiduitate , tempore , diligentia stabiliuntur vnquam . g doctrina nam vim promouet insitam . horat. h naturae sequitur semina quisque su● propert. notes for div a -e d quales proclus , antipater , dionysius , thessalus , themison , de quo nomine iuuenalis sic habet : quot themison aegros autumno occidederit vno . e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & omnium maximè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellat galenus . g inconsideratio cognatum & perpetuum iuuentutis vitium . scalig. de subt . cc qui si quid homo sit seias facile te nihil esse intelligas . ego vero nequaquam nos homines esse dicere consueui sed partes hominis . ex omnibus enim aliquid fieri posse , idque non maginum , ex singulis pene minus quam nihil . schilg . de subtil . cc nemo nostrûm satis esse potest ad attem vel constituenda vel absolunda : sed sat superque videri debet si quae multorum annorum spacio priores inuenerint posteri accipiamus , atque his addentes aliquid illa aliquando compleamus & perficiamus . galen . in aph. hipp. k competit quod par est , par est quod sufficit , sufficit quod nullius indiget 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . arist . eth. . a nam mora dat vires , teneras mora percoquit vuas . et validas segetes quae fuit herba facit . ouid. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . tempus inuentor & adiutor bonus , vnde & artium sunt facta incrementa . arist . eth. . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. omnes mentis habitus sunt extremorum , &c. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . alia est enim dicacitas , alia doctorum elegans & erudita ratio : haec consistit in verborū virtute , illa in idearum quae rerum sunt species . historiae . h prim● & praecipua delictorū & errotū causa in aegrotantium curatione , diuisionum prauitas , vt & in alijs haeresibus . quidam in primis & supremis diuisionum generibus consistunt contenti illis indicationibus quae ab illis sumuntur . quidā verò vsque ad aliquid diuidūt non tamē vsque ad finem perueniunt . nonnulli verò vitiosis vtuntur diuisionibus . qui verò omnia quae sunt secundùm naturam & praeter naturam recto diuisionis artificio complectitur , atque ab omnibus sumit sufficientes indicationes , hic solùm medendo non errabit , quantum humanis conceditur viribus . galen . de ratione meden . ad glaucon . g puta apprehensio simplex saepe caret ratione , nondum excitata ratione , aut suae cognitionis non inita ratione . scalig. de subt . i hinc paucissimi sapientissimā hippocratis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ritè sapiunt . k vide galenū in praedictum aphoris . & brasauolum in vtrosque . b oportet febrem neque leuiorem esse quā quae morbi materiam discutiat , neque grauiorem quàm aegri virtus ferat . holler . tract . de apoplex . galen . in dictū aphoris . c necesse est febrem superuenire sed non simul . nam putredo cum vulnere accelerat febrem , vulnus sine putredine tardigradam producit febrē . brasauol . in praedict . aph . d magnus ille est fluxus quicunque repente indesinenter & celeriter profluit . gal. in dictum aph . e ponderauit brasauolus libras . ex sinistra nare foeminae nobilis fusas simul & semel , praeter . libras aut plures per lintea & mappas sparsas , nec aderat interea aliquod vitae discrimen , sed conualuit . brasauol . in aph . f conuulsio quam affert hellebori assumptio ex oris ventriculi vellicatione plerunque sine discrimine , quam verò ex immodica euacuatione , illa maximè lethalis . galen . in aph dictum . g hinc senectus & senium , senectus prima & vltima , viridis & decrepita . d auenzoar filio suo trimo venam secuit . e rhases aetati decrepitae in pleuritide venam secuit . c interest enim non quae aetas sit , neque quid in corpore geratur intus , sed quae vires sint . firmus puer , robustus senex , & grauida mulier valentes sanguinis missione tutò curantur . ●ernel . de sang . miss f versatus sū & i●notui celeberrimis in vna quaque secta praeceptionibus & pa●i studio omnibus dedi operam . galen . de loc. affectis . e maiores nostri ad veritatis indagationem & conuentionē cum magno animo atque excel●o per sa●ebras atque tenebras iter suum contulerint , vt quo possint modo praelucerent nobis , quare nō erunt illorum manes ( prope dixerim ) deorum cultu celebrandi ? scal. de subt. f atque iniquū decreti genus est quod omnē laudis fructum & gloriae vni graeciae detulit , vt arabum & posterita●is studia perpetuis tenebris obruantur . quaedam posteritas addidit non iraudāda laude . vixerunt graeci in media luce literarū , ex●iterunt arabes , & inde ductae familiae iam desertis & scpultis melioribus disciplinis digna tamen luce aeterna●ue memoria nobis reliquerunt . hollerius instit . chirurg . g etiam hispidis , etiam qui errarunt habendam esse gratiam censeo . scalig. de subt. a torpor leuis quaedam paralysis . galen . de sympt . causis . a capit insanabile cunctos scribendi cacoethes . scalig. b prepauci aliquid bene sciu●t ad apicem plura aspirant magis ingenia quàm perueni●●t . scalig. a elige quid velis , qu● enim pudor omnia velle ? martial . d persona namque venustat studium dum suo insistit officio , nec praeripit alienum . e nam quod turpe bonis seio titioque decebit , crispinum . a . cor. . vers . . . b vnicū ab vno optimè perficitur opus . arist . polit. . g fuit haec sapientia quondā , publica priuatis praeponere , sacra prophanis . sic honor & nomen diuinis vatibus , atque carminibus venit . horat. h omne publicum cōmodum habet aliquid ex iniquo : quod in singulos peccatur , vtilitate publica rependitur . tacitus . g historia . g in principio morbi , firmis viribus , habitu pulchro , exinanitione nulla , plenitudinis & suffocationis pericula non sine ratione saepe obuia fiunt , quo tempore & modo si marasmus coutingeret , prodigiosum planè foret . spectatum admissi risum teneatis ? b marasmum trallianus li. describit , in quo humiditas substantialis in totū consumpta fuerit aut torrefacta , vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ quod in corpore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & succulento nunquam quisquam praeterea inuenerit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . inquit galenus de bon●habit . c vires , habitus , aetas intrepid● ferunt , morbus , calor sitis , deliria , plethora exigunt , anni tempus , constitutio aegri annunt . d natura vel vis quae i● potentijs naturalibus aliena excernit , vehementiùs operans magnum & violentum arteriarum efficit motum , appetens illa quae molesta sunt expellere , atque ita profluuium sanguinis facit . galen . in aph . . lib. . hipp. e leuata quae corpus nostrum regit natura exonerata●ue eo quo velut sarcina premitur , haud aegrè quod reliquū est vincet & expellet . galen . de meth. med lib. . h maxima remedia continuarum febrium haec duo sunt detractio sanguinis & potio frigida , gal. lib. . de meth. med h saluberrimū autem est febribus venam incidere , non continentibus modo sed etiam alijs omnibus quas purtrelcens humor concitanerit . gal. lib. . de meth. med. ideo missus est sanguis ex hepatica ad sanguinis hepatis●ue refrigerium & ventilationem , è mediana etiā ad minuendam plenitudinem . i si ad os ventriculi materia febrilis quae putruerit sua sponte impetum faciat , per vomitum expellatur . galen . de meth. med. lib . k bilis abundantia & turgescentia manifesta hoc exigebat , secundum intentionem hippocrat . aphoris . . lib. . & aph . . lib. . curandae autem non sunt omnes febres eodem tenore , nec eae quae sunt sine accidentibus ac illae quae cum accidentibus tractandae sunt , vt testatur gal. de arte curat . ad gla●conem lib. . in alijs igitur eadem remedia iteranda , in alijs non omnino vsurpanda . l in febribus galenus saepe injicit mulsam per clysterem fi aliuus sponte non ducitur ▪ vide de method . med. lib. . & lib. . de arte curat . ad glaucon . a quippe misso in febribus in initio sanguine non solùm pauperibus sed diuitumetia seruis , plurimis quidem quinto pòst , aliquibus septimo crisis contigit . galen . de meth. med. lib. . b vigilant aegri magna ex parte grauiter se habent & febriunt vehementiùs , quanto propius crisim accedūt . gal. in aph . . lib. . hippoc. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. circa initia & ●ines omnia imbecilliora , circa statum omnia fortiora . hipp. aph . . & . lib. . c si velociter morbus moueatur , etiam coloris & substantiae vrinae mutatio s●nt sufficientia signa futurae crisis . gal. in aph. . lib . hipp. e sic lib. . galen . de meth ▪ medendi , diuites qui propter delicias debita praetermisere remedia , phlegmonas contrahunt vel in iecinore , vel in ventriculo , vel in aliquo alio viscere . a qu●cunque morbi imperfectè iudicati sunt , deinde seruantur in sequētium iudicatoriorum dierum aliquem vsque ad . diem , nō simpliciteracuti sed acuti ex transmutatione vel decidentia nominantur . gal. in aph . lib. . hipp. b quadragesimus diesprimus est morborum diutinorū , quicunque hunc transcendunt ad septenarij rationem habent crisim , non septenarij quoad dies , sed quoad menses , deinde annos . gal. aph . . l ▪ . hip. c si integrè , si plenè , si perfectè natura iudicat , nihil noui moliatur medicus : si verò in quopiam deficia● natura , quod deficit debet medicus adiungere . gal. in aph. . lib. . hippoc. d signum concoctionis nullum vnquam prauum fuit , ●ed omnia optima semper , & tanto citiùs aegrum conualiturum o●tendunt quanto citiùs apparu●●int . gal. in aph . . lib. . hippoc. astrologi , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . b vide isai . cap. . vers . . stent & saluent te augures coeli qui contemplabantur sydera & supputabant menses , vt ex ijs annuntiarent ventura tibi . ecce facti sunt quasi stipula & ignis combussit eos , deuterō . cap. nec inueniatur in te qui ariolos sciscitetur , aut obseruet somnia , aut auguria , aut pythones cōsulat . omnia enim haec abominatur dom. & propter istiusmodi scelera deleuit eos in introitu tuo . d deus nos docet , irradiat , assistit , etiam suo modo trahit vt saulem . quod autem in nobis sit nullum internum principium potestatis , eorum est vociferari qui nihil intelligunt . scalig . de subt . f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . virtus morali● est habitus electiuus . aristot . eth. . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . arist . eth. . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. ea quae secundùm virtutem aguntur , non iustè aguntur si sint iusta , sed si agens , sci●ns , eligens●ue propter virtutem ipsam agat , animo●ue stabili & firmo agat . aristot . eth. . i post adamae lapsum ( inquit caluinus ) supernaturalia dona in homine extincta sunt nisi quatenus per regenerationem recuperentur ▪ at intelligentia , iudicium , cum voluntate , quia inseparabilia ab hominis natura , omnino perire non potu●re , caluin . instit . lib. . g astrologorū decreta non sunt praetoria . ptolomaeus . h sapiens assuescit futuris malis & quae alij diupatiendo leuia faciunt , hic leuia facit diu cogitando . i si ingenia primitiùs vtiliter salubriter●ue ficta sint , omnē illam vim quae de facto extrinsecùs ingruit inoffensiùs tractabilius●ue transmittunt . sin cōtra , licet paruo aut nullo fatalis incōmodi conflictu vrgeantur , sua tamen leuitate & voluntario impetu in assidua delicta & errores facilè ruunt . gellius . a secundae causae in natura quidem necessariae , in voluntate inclinantes , non cogentes . scal. de subt. b si homines nil sponte , nil motu arbitra●io faciunt , non erunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sed ludicra & ridenda 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . gellius . noct. att. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non contingit quempiam ea velle quae impossibilia sunt aliter fieri . arist eth. . c calliditas neque comprensa neque percepta loquitur sed ambagiosa , inter falsa atque vera pedetentim quasi per tenebras ingrediens & multa tentādo incidit aliquando repent● in veritatem . gellius . g sunt enim superiora formae conseruatrices inferiorum , quia causa causarum tuetur ea quae fecit . scalig. de subtil . b pendent nostratia haec à superioribus propter aequiuocam connexionem , non propter vniuocam effection●m communionem . scalig. de subt. e communes causae communes habent effectus , nec vires aut actiones particularium flectunt simpliciter aut primariò . causas verò immediatas necessariò sequuntur effectus . b causae efficientis opus augetur eius aucta substantia . gal. in aph . . lib. . hipp. c astra vim non necessitatem inferunt . ptolomaeus . l externis causis nihil praescribitur , summa tamen diligentia perquirendae praecognoscendae●ue sunt vt deducant in interiorum cognitionem gal. de meth. med. a cum efficientibus causis necesse est accidentia tolli gal. in aph . . lib. . b si in vna requalibet leui causae ratio claudicet , simul in reliquis vbi videtur abundare meritò titubabit , vbique ●nim sibi constare debet causa si quidē vera est . gal. de dign . pulsib . d qui quidem ex solis incendio feb●●citat ab agentis causae caliditate affici natura aptus est . gal de dis● . febr . e causa nulla siue aetherea , siue syderalis , ●●ne patientis aptitudine agete potest . galen de di●● . febr. . f causas immediatas necessariò sequuntur effectus . ideoque effectus immediatus est signum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suae causae . g quoties vehementiores morbi premunt aut instabunt , vt in suffocante pleuritide , angina , sanguinis immoderato fluore , extrema vasorum plenitudine , in alijs denique morbis qui nimiū praecipites sunt , nullus astrorum delectus haben●dus aut cura . fernel . de hora phlebot . a optimi quique astronomi iudiciariā astronomiam tanquam vnam & futilē & nullo fundamento subnixā postquā multū . diu●ue versarūt , repudiarunt . mornae . de verit . relig . b in praeclarissima arte astronomica curiosa vanitate in obseruationes veras se implicāte , superstitiosa & aliena inculcata reperiūtur . camer . de diuin . d astrologi dum coeli scrutantur plagas , quod ante pedes est , nemo eorum spectat . cicero . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . leonid . transtulit sic quidam : vatum sidereos quisquis scrutare meatus dispereas , mendax non nisi vana sonas . obstetrix tibi stultitia est , audacia mater . o miser & proprij non benegnare probri . b syderum occasus & ortus cognoscendi à medico artis perito , ratione morborū vulgariū & epidemiorum , quia hi temporum mutationae , tempestatum●ue vi suscitantur . hippocr . lib de loc. aere , aqu . lib. epid. lib. aph . . b in vnaquaque regione vbi obire artem medicam instituimus , cuiusque syderis emersus occasus●ue perspexisse necessarium est , quia tempora ab his anni circunscribuntur . galen . in lib. . hippocr . de morb. vulg . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. hippoc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : a hinc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. b hinc extispicia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , magia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. e vrina primò & per se verè & propriè antecedentes morbo rum causas , affectus partium naturalium secundaue regionis indicat , tum venarum , renum & vesicae . galen . in prorrhet . hipp. comment . . f coniunctas morborum causas extra venas , affectus tertiae regionis , pulmonis , cerebri ex accidente & incertò vrina monstat : affectus hepatis , venarum , renum manifestè & sine dubio demonstrat . galen . in prorrh . hipp. g plethorae scilicet & cacochymiae à quibus omnes morbi primum fiunt , deinde fouentur . i prognostica quibus praeuidemus fitne moriturus aeger , aut conualiturus , certa sumuntur à pulsu , qui vitalium & spiritualium partium affectus arteriae pulsatione monstrat euidenter . galen . lib. de decret . hipp. & plat. k omnes quae nutriuntur particulae excrementum aliquod creant , vtique non negamus . galen lib. . de nat . facult . l sic sudor succorum qui in toto corpore abundant nota est : vrina verò succorum qui in vasis . gal. de sanit . tuend . lib. . m nos autem ingenu● fatemur ferè totam partem semeioticen in vrinis esse coniecturalem , sed coniecturae in multis sunt artificiales , quae proximè accedunt ad veritatem . rondelet . de vrin . n alteratur saepissimè vrina nouissimè sumptis rhabarbaro , terebinthina , violis , &c. o vrina immoderato potu facilè diluitur , & aliena permistione conspergitur . fernel . de vrin . p in eodem corpore saepe plutes occurrunt morbi , compositi , impliciti , connexi , congeneres , degeneres , contrarij , varij . c hoc indicatur in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in valida renum obstructione à grumo , calculo , lenta & viscida pituita , in generali etiam obstructione à crapula , ebrietate , plethora . d hinc in apostematibus internis vrinae apparent saepe tenues & vix coloratae . e in aegris saepe transmittitur aliena materia ad vrinas tum criticè tum symptomaticè , in sanis per proportionem correspondet bibitis & assumptis vrina . actuar . lib. . de iud . vrin . a art●s improbae apparens bonum , verae verum bonum comparant . galen . f partem intetiorem aff●ctā●●dicant actio ●ae●a , dolor vel ametria in ex●●etis aut retenris . g ea pars per se aut per consenlum laborat cu●us functio est laesa . h exc●eta naturalis oeconomiae fideles nuntij . i vbi dolor ibi morbus . a quicquid è corpore excernitur vel est toto genere praeter naturam , vel de substantia partis affectae , vel parti adnatum , vel coctionis excrementum . d indican● mēses albi grauidarum qui saepe in bonis habentur , rubri etiam qui saepissimè per anastomosin venarum exteriorum ceruicis vteri & crurales dicuntur fluidi sunt . e veteres graeci omnes omnino praetermiserunt mentionem signorum conceptus in vrina . mongius & costaeus in annot in tract . auicen de vrinis . e vrinarum inspectione abuti ad praesentiendum an mulier conceperit vel non , impostorū est , non medicorum , licet permulti nugas inid genus cognitionis & cautiones scripserint . ioannes ●ebon . de therap . puerp . c ego quoque hanc ar●em à parentibus puer imbibi , deinde non modicum temporis & laboris in ea amisi , &c. vide reliqua ex authore tractatu de astrologia . vide in marg . c. . p. . e vrinam de impraegnatione nil certi significare omnes antiqui crediderunt , ideo de hac re nullas notas reliquerunt . nam cum foetus sit extra venas & de venoso genere tantùm indicet vrina , non potest aliquid certò indicare , nisi adiunctis alijs . rondeletius de vrinis . e praestigiaturae opinionem meritò referūt , qui non ex speculatione medica , sed ex diuinandi quapiam arte in morbis praedicunt . gal. lib. . de simp . med. facultat . historia . f temerè , callidè , & astutè dicta aliquando incidunt in veritatem . sed quae vera dicunt prae caeteris quae mētiuntur non est pa●s millesima . gellij dictum de astrologis . g vixit qua voluit viuere parte magis . h incertam & plerunque dubiam mercedē referet qui periclitatione medicos tanquam vates augurari coget . consultor verò prudēs & fidelis sani consilij fructū percipiet . fern. de vrin . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . scientia est , intellectus instrumentum . aristot . e res ipsae saepe aut praeposterae , aut confusae , aut falsa specie solēt sese offerre . f coelum non animū mutant qui trans mare currunt . horat. d quia inopes sunt & indocti in patrijs suis viuere non possunt bene noti . galen . de sui temporis pseudomedicis , lib. praedict . e cyclopum crudele genus , visceribus miscrorum & sanguine vescitur atro . f hoc solo à latronibus differentes quod in vrbe non montibus scelera perpetrant . gal. lib. praedict . g quod non cognoscantur ab omnibus , hoc ipsum malitiam naturae ipsorum auget , & vsque ijs insidiantur qui ea quae versutè semper perpetrant non norunt . galen . lib. praedict . notes for div a -e a haec 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . e quin res , aetas vsus , semper aliquid apporret noui , vt quae te scire credas nescias , & quae putaris prima in experiundo repudies . terent. f bona consultatio è summa ●atione eruit consilia , & haec est rectitudo consilij . aristot . eth. . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . qui consultat quaerit & rationem subducit . aristot , eth . . e ideo plutarch . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consundit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rationem & disciplinam . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. f ratio manus intellectus . scal. * quae vi●tus mouet ●or , quae mutat succum in cibos , quae distribuit , quis dicat id sine ratione agere ? sine ratiocinatione quidem non sine ratione . scalig. de subtil . g natura est ratio vniuersi . scalig. h ratio est vis animae quae mouet se ab effectibus ad causas inuestigandas & vicissim à causis ad ea quorum illae causae sunt . scal. de subtil . i quid est ratio nisi naturae imitatio ? senec. k solertia est acerrima coniectatio ex iudicij summi adytis penitius eruta . aristot . eth . . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. qui rerum causas & naturas maximè dijudicat & docet maximè sapientem iudicamus aristot . metaph . . e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nihil eorum quae natura fiunt aliter assuescit . aristot . eth . . g est enim naturalis ordo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omnium rerum , ex aeterno alijs ad alia consequentibus incommutabili manente eiusmodi complicatione . gellius . noct. attic. f natura dux optima . naturam ducem si sequamur , nunquam aberrabimus . cicero . h scientia est conueniens , firma , & nunquam à ratione declinans cognitio . galen . in medico . opt . i ars est habitus cum ratione factiuus . eth. . k ars medica quoad naturam propriam theoremata & praecepta artis indubitatae est fi dei vera , firma , stabilis , naturae principijs semper cōsentanea , solùm quoad subiecta varia , medentium operas , & inde euentus instabiles coniecturalis . galen de sect. opt . l in medicina perpetuum est quod sequi debeat , non semper perpetuum quod sequi conuenit . celsus . d haec est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sanitatis tuendae consilum , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 e medicina est adiectio necessariorum , detractio inutilium . hippocrat . i physiologiae necessitas perpetua medico non ad discendam modò sed ad exercendam quoque artem . galen . de med. opt . l species generis , indiuiduum vtriusque naturam participat , vtrunque & indiuiduum & speciem genus & facit & comprehendit . a huc spectat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 specificae differentiae , & proprietates rerum occultae . b sed & medicus & exercendorum corporum magister optimè singulorum curam rationemue habuerit , si genus vniuersum cognouerit . nā qui bonus artifex & ad res percipiendas & cōtemplandas idoneus effici velit , ad genus vniuersum illi progrediendū est , atque in illo cognoscendo elaborandum . in hoc enim scientias positas esse scimus . aristot . eth. . d vniuersè enim ei qui febre afflictatur inedia & quies vtilis est , alicui autem fortassis inutilis . aristot . eth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. e qui ignorat corporis affectum secundùm naturam à quo actio producitur , prorsus cognoscere non potest affectum praeter naturam à quo actio laeditur . galen . de meth . med . g natura non potest aratro boues iungere , nec illorum opera terram scindere , arte vtrunque fit . scalig. d quo natura vergit tendendū medico naturae ministro . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. hippocrat . e vt natura rectè operans imi tanda , ita aberrans reducenda & adiuuanda . natura enim aliàs agit satis , aliàs parum , aliàs nihil . galen . de venae sect . contra erasistrat . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . est enim deus omnium causarum causa & principium . arist . metaph . . i natura est ordinaria dei potestas . scalig de subtil . i natura quid aliud quàm deus & diuina ratio toti mundo & partibus eius inserta ? senec. lib. de benef . k sanitas opus dei , opera verò nostra . scalig. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . qui maximè homini dissicilia cognitu potis est cognoscendo assequi , ille sapiens . aristot . metaph . . e animus lumine mentis & intelligentiae orbatus , ignorantiaeue tenebris & caligine demersus , sibi ipsi mentitur , se ipsum perpetuo fallit , & in capitales fraudes facilè impellit vndique . osor . de reg . instit . f morbus cum sit vitae humanae capitalis hostis , medicus vnicè natura duce est morbicida . pulchrè riolanus . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . morborum medici naturae ●unt , naturae verò minister medicus . hippocrat . d operatio est finis syllogismi practici . arist . eth. . e prudentia rei futurae consultum curat ex disciplina non ex antegressis actionibus . quare hic habitus omnibus artibus communis sit necesse est . scalig. poet . . f huiusmodi turbam vulgò videmus à primis literarum rudimentis continuo se ipsam medici nomine iactitantem , & venditantem , inuidam , maledicam , obtrectatricem , nouam speciem cynicorum , auaram , supinam ignauam , simul atque ignaram . scal. poet. . c mediocritas in confinio boni maliue posita est . col. lib. . d alius alio sapientior , alius alio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . eurip. malus nihil aliud praeterquam malus . a artes omnes ratione & methodo acquituntur . aristot . metaph . . b sine generali methodo nulla ars discitur , neque disci potest . galen . de meth . med. d artes instituuntur & accipiunt principia ex scientijs . scalig. de subt. e intellectus speculatiuus , actiuus , factiuus , habent principia vniuersalia commun●● . scalig. de subt. f naturam . g praeceptionē . h locum studijs aptum . i studium . k institutionem à puero . l industriam . m tempus . a omnis substantia natura dicitur . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aristot . in metaph. b natura etiam pro peculiari indole , ingenio , more accipitur . sic apud virgilium . nunc age , naturas apibus quas iuppiter ipse addidit , expediam . c axiō . propositiones sunt per se fidem facientes , omnibus doctis in confesso & perpetuae . gal de meth. med. d grata colloquia & iucundi dialogi opulentiora quàm perpetui libri . scal. e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . conuersatio artes peperit . eurip f etenim ficuti lapidum collisione ignis : ita ex disceptationibus elicitur veritas . scalig. de subt. f optima illa est docendi ratio quae viua voce traditur . neque enim quenquam ex libro nauclerum vel alterius artis artificem euadere licet . libri enim sunt ijs qui antea eruditi fuerunt monimenta , non rudium & indoctorum doctrina perfecta . galen . de alim . fac ▪ lib. . g qui sapiens & doctus euadere cupit , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oportet , plato . de rep. h animus habitat in auribus . herod . i vox scripturâ ad audiendum longe praestantior & disertior , auriumque sensus potior magister . plato . a studium est vehemens animi applicatio ad aliquid . perot . in epigr. martial . e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . infirmos omnes sanos facere est impossibile . hippocrat . d educatio est nutritio & prouectio à tenerioribus annis . sic terent. eduxi è paruulo , &c. et virgil. nascentes educat vuas . nonius marcellus de proprietat . serm. sic habet : alere est vitam victu temporali sustentare , educare autem ad satietatem perpetuam educere . f industrij homines ijdem qui laboriosi , amantes laboris , agendi pulchra studiosi . cicer. tusc . quaest . . a quod natura negat reddere nemo potest . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . dij labore vendunt bona mortalibus . e scholae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . basil f tantam enim vim habet puerilis institutio , vt sine ill● nemo ad vllum decus eniti possit . osorius . f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . non parum igitur sed plurimum quin potius totum refert , sic vel non sic homines ab adolescentia assuefactos esse . aristot . eth. . h veritas filia temporis : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i emuntur artes tempore & diligentia . lac●t . * non potest in eo succus esse diuturnus , quod nimis celeriter est maturitatem assequutum cicer. k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . analogiam habet natura cum tellure , agricola cum eo qui praeceptis instituit & instruit , semen cum salubribus praeceptis ▪ plutarchus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . e pueritia ad annum numeratur . d venaticus ex quo tempore ce●●inam pellem latrauit in aula , militat in syluis catulus . nunc adbibe puro pectore verba puer , nunc te melioribus offer . horat. f adolescentia haec est , ab annis pueritiae durans ad . & . annum , huic succedit iuuentus & progreditur ad . g iuuenilis haec est aetas . h consistit aetas à . ad . aut circiter , & vel paulo magis vel minus pro temperaturarū differentijs . i studia in adolescentia sunt tanquam in herbis , quae annis post maturioribus pulchrae fruges sunt futurae , nam quae seminauerit in iuuentute metet cum senuerit . plutarch . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a tu nihil inuita dices faciesue minerua . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . innatam virtutem ignauia & desidia destruit , & corrumpit , naturalem ineptitudinem rusticitatemuc corrigit & emendat doctrina . plutarch● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. quae facilia sunt cognitu fugiunt incuriam , quae verò difficilima elegantia concinna capiuntur . plutarc . c annus in apricis maturat collibus vuas . ouid. f illud ingeniorum velut praecox genus , non temerè vnquam peruenit ad frugem . quintil. f festinata maturitas occidit celeriùs . idem . a in omni literarum profectu stylo , libello 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perpetuo est opus . isocrat . b literae marsupium non sequuntur : sudoris comites sunt & laboris , sociae ieiuniorum , non satietatis , continentiae , non luxuriae . hieronym . c recta institutio caput omnis virtutis . plat. de leg. d eradenda cupidinis praui ●unt elementa , & tene●ae nimis mentes asperio ribus formandae studijs . horat. f foelices essent artes si de ijs sol●●udicarent artifices . aristot . g artis cuiustibet iudicationes primae omnibus hominibus sunt notae , sequentes soli arti●ici . gal. lib. . de meth. med. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eurip. bene qui conjiciet vatem hunc perhibebo optimum . cicero de diuin . c artificialis coniectura è probabili eruitur ratione & proximè ●ēper accedit ad veritatem . galen . e huiusmodi ●uere illi thessalij asini & ipse ipsorum parens thessalus , qui in sex mensium spacio totam medicinae artem non modo vorabant ipsi , sed & alios docere profitebantur . c sed & medicus optimè singulorum naturā rationemue habuerit qui genus vniuersum cognouerit . verunta men nihil prohibet quo minus etiam is qui sit nescius vni alicui pulchrè consulat , dummodo experiendo quae cuique accidunt accuratè prospexerit : quemadmodum multos sibi ipsis optimos medicos videmus , cùm alteri subuenire atque opitulari non possint . aristot . eth. . d methodici debitae pharmacorum compositionis ignari opera artis inuertunt . galen . de sect. e galen . lib. de sectis in suasor . ad artes . lib isagoges med. d eaedem in ●j●dem affectibus medelae ab ijs qui rationem profitentur & empiricis medicis trahuntur . de ratione inueniendi eas inter eosdem dissentio est . galen de sect. f natura siquidem vtraque haec largita est nobis , & ipsa judicia & sidem . naturalia iudicia sunt sensus & ratio . ordiuntur haec à maximè facilimis vsu & cognitione . fides & per ●uasio sine vlla ●isciplina natura d●●e i●d●cijs adhibentur . galen ▪ lib de dog . hipp. & plat. f natura siquidem vtraque haec largita est nobis , & ipsa judicia & sidem . naturalia iudicia sunt sensus & ratio . ordiuntur haec à maximè facilimis vsu & cognitione . fides & per ●uasio sine vlla ●isciplina natura d●●e i●d●cijs adhibentur . galen ▪ lib de dog . hipp. & plat. g non omnes ita sunt ●ole●●es vt ex solo vniuersali ipsi particularia inueniant . galen . lib. . de san . ●uend . d sua ipsius propria agere & alienis negotijs non implicari , est iustitia , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plato de rep. h qui omnes in arte aliqua minutias & subtilitates persequitur , exitum nullum inueniet : si vero in illis modum vtilitate terminauerit , non mediocre fructum ex illis capiet . non enim omnia ex singulis disciplinis , sed necessaria , & ad vsum magis accommodata sunt addiscenda . osor . de reg. instit . a praeclara autē studia non omnibus ornamēto esse possunt , sed ijs tantùm qui praeclaro ingenio & egregia virtutis indole praediti sunt . osor . de reg. instit . g prudentia ad rationis normā quae cogitat quae que agit vniuersa dirigit , & nihil praeter rectum & laudabile facit . macrob. h a●tem in plerisque certam subuertere non debet paucorū vel in paucis error . galen . de med. opt . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. omnia secuudùm rationem facienti licet nō succedat secundùm rationem non est ad aliud transeundum dum manet quod à principio visum est . hipp. aph. lib. . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . solertia est dexteritas in verum scopum seu finem collimandi . aristot . eth. . b vir bonus & sapiens , 〈…〉 repperit vnum millibus è cunctis hominum consultus apollo , 〈◊〉 ipse sui , &c. 〈…〉 d tantum●e otij est à re tua tibi , aliena vt cures quae nihil ad te pertinent . tere●● f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. medicū vti prouidentia vt mihi videtur optimum est . hipp. lib. . praenot . g in medico nulla potest esse perfectio sine illa encyclopedia quae homini viam munit ad foelicitatem . scalig. h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●st & hoc vile & miser●m cum stultis & fatuis insipere . eurip. a foelix qui potuit tran●uillam ducere vitam , et laetas stabili claudere fine dies . maximian . b quasi poma ex ●rboribus cruda si sint vi auelluntur , si matura & cocta , decidunt : sic vitam adolescentibus is aufert , senibus maturitas . cicero . the pisse-prophet, or, certaine pisse-pot lectures wherein are newly discovered the old fallacies, deceit, and jugling of the pisse-pot science, used by all those (whether quacks and empiricks, or other methodicall physicians) who pretend knowledge of diseases, by the urine, in giving judgement of the same. by tho. brian, m.p. lately in the citie of london, and now in colchester in essex. never heretofore published by any man in the english tongue. brian, thomas, th cent. approx. 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the pisse-prophet, or, certaine pisse-pot lectures wherein are newly discovered the old fallacies, deceit, and jugling of the pisse-pot science, used by all those (whether quacks and empiricks, or other methodicall physicians) who pretend knowledge of diseases, by the urine, in giving judgement of the same. by tho. brian, m.p. lately in the citie of london, and now in colchester in essex. never heretofore published by any man in the english tongue. brian, thomas, th cent. [ ], p. printed by e. p[urslowe] for r. thrale, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the crosse-keyes, at pauls gate, london : . printer's name from stc. reproduction of the original in emmanuel college (university of cambridge). library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng urine -- analysis -- early works to . medicine -- early works to . quacks and quackery -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the pisse-prophet , or , certaine pisse-pot lectures . wherein are newly discovered the old fallacies , deceit , and jugling of the pisse-pot science , used by all those ( whether quacks and empiricks , or other methodicall physicians ) who pretend knowledge of diseases , by the urine , in giving judgement of the same . by tho. brian , m. p. lately in the citie of london , and now in colchester in essex . never heretofore published by any man in the english tongue . si populus vult decipi , decipiatur . london , printed by e. p. for r. thrale , and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the crosse-keyes , at pauls gate . . the preface , to the right honourable , right worshipfull , whether more or lesse dignified , who have been or hereafter may be my patients , as also to the courteous or discourteous reader . your honour , worship , or other worthinesse whatsoever ( good reader ) hath often heard it spoken from the mouth of many a well-read and experienced man in physicke , that ( urina est meretrix , vel mendax ) the vrine is an harlot , or a lier ; and that there is no certaine knowledge of any disease to be gathered from the vrine alone , nor any safe judgement to be exhibited by the same : you have been ( likewise ) often told , by physicians , that it were farre better for the physician to see his patient once than to view 〈…〉 ( who tell you so ) to entertaine the vrine as the onely index and discoverer of diseases to prono●●●● their opinion of the 〈…〉 disease by it , and to accept of being accounted skilfull 〈…〉 learned physicians 〈…〉 written dive●s tracts therein 〈…〉 dangers of taking physick 〈…〉 sight of the 〈…〉 dispossesse men of that fond opinion , of a physicians discerning diseases by it , wherewith they have been so long time deluded . to this purpose hath dr cotta written a booke ( called , a short discoverie of the unobserved dangers of severall sorts of ignorant and ( inconsiderate practisers of physicke in england ) wherein , amongst other tracts of the 〈◊〉 abusers of physicke , he hath written one tractate of the conjectours by vrines : therein shewing the falshood , and 〈◊〉 judgment of diseases by the vrine . he hath also therein set downe the ingenuous confession of a dying physician ( made to him being then present with him some three or foure dayes before his departure ) 〈◊〉 , who , being requested to commend unto 〈…〉 that skill by which hee had beene so 〈◊〉 admired and esteemed , for judging 〈◊〉 to be with childe by their vrine , made this ans●er . i have ( saith he ) long with the felicity of a good opinion exercised it , and with tryed certainty know it to be uncertainty , and certaine deceit : it is therefore unworthy posterity , and the name of art. reade the tract above mentioned , and you shall see this confession further amplified . if you please to take my confession too , you shall have it : i for mine owne part have been so fortunate herein , that i have seldome failed an my predictions of determining a woman to be with childe by the vrine , as i have made them beleeve , when the messenger hath been able to certifie me of the state of the womans body , and could answer me to certaine other questions touching other signes of conception . above all the rest , i was once magnified by a counsellors wife for this cunning cozenage ( i am not ashamed to terme it so ) at a festivall meeting at canterbury , in the presence of two ( as i take it ) other doctours of physicke : she told them to their faces that i was the cunningst doctour in all the towne , for i had told her by her water that she was with child , and just how long it was since she conceived of it ▪ but had the woman shew'd me ( that brought it ) no more than the vrine did , i should scarce have adventured to have pronounced her to have been with childe : yet i might ( knowing the gentlewoman , how long it was since she had a child , and the distance that she commonly kept in child-bearing , as also that she nursed her children her selfe ) have pronounced her , and that upon some probable conjecture , to have beene with child , though the messenger could not have answered me to such interrogatives ( as we use to demand of them before we pronounce a woman to be with childe ) nor the vrine shew ( as it doth not ) any thing concerning conception at all . i dare say , that the good gentlewoman is very confident that i determined her to be with childe by the sight of her vrine onely , because i did not intimate any thing to the contrary : neither is she to be so much blamed for her credulity , as i for my jugling . but to make her and other good women amends ( whom i have thus beguil'd ) i have in this ensuing tract set downe the fallacies , by which i judged her , and every other physician doth judge every other woman to be with childe ; as also , by which we give judgement of the disease , sex , and the like , seeming to doe it onely by the vrine : which have not heretofore beene published ( though too much practized of most ) by any man in the english tongue . doctour hart ( in his booke intituled the anatomie of urines ) hath by sufficient argument and demonstration , confuted the pisse-canons , or conjectures of vrines , taken from the severall accidents of the same ( as the severall colours , parts , contents , substance , quantity , smell ) and shewed their falshood in all these , and the many absurdities that have been committed by pretending knowledge of diseases by all these ; i thought it likewise fit to set downe the fallacies ; by which judgement of diseases is given by the vrine , to the end that the writings of other men ( who have written against this base custome of water-prophesying ) may gaine the more credit , and for the further satisfaction of such as yet remaine doubtfull whether there be any judgment to be taken from the vrine sufficient to determine the disease . to this end therefore i have set downe the fallacies which have upheld this custome of prating , and predicating strange things by the vrine : and i have pen'd them in the english tongue , because that meere englishmen ( i meane the common people ) who understand english only , are and ever have ben most subject to be deceived 〈◊〉 deluded . i hope therefore that no artist will be offended hereat , for i dare say that there is no ingenuous man , but is of mine opinion , and would as gladly ( as i my selfe ) that this base custome , of lecturing upon the vrine , were overthrowne and abrogated . what i have therefore done to this purpose , i intreat the courteous reader to accept in as good part , as i have been willing to impart the same : and for as much as i have been guilty of this fraud , though i have not long used it , let it suffice that it repenteth me of the same , for i meane never hereafter to shew my cunning , or rather cozening , upon the water , and hope that other men will helpe to beate down this custome , or else all that i have written will be to little purpose . however it will some thing delight the understanding and impartiall reader , and might profit the ignorant , if they ●ould make use of it to that end for which it 〈◊〉 penn'd . as for the stile , and method of 〈◊〉 it is poore and meane ; but such as best 〈◊〉 with such a poore , base , and stinking 〈◊〉 i have been enforced a little beyond my 〈◊〉 nature , and disposition , to bee somewhat 〈…〉 in lecturing upon the vrine , for which cause i may incurre censure of the graver and more modest people : if i have herein offended , i crave their pardon , for i could not well avoid it : and let them not taxe me of levity , or lasciviousnesse , for my life and conversation hath , and shall for ever testifie the contrary . howbeit i can claime no priviledge from backbiters , nor immunity from malignant tongues ; i refuse to be tryed by a prejudicate opinion , or the malignant spirit of contradiction ; and appeale unto the learned , judicious , and impartiall reader , to whom ( if i have erred ) for it is humanum errare ) i submit for censure ; if need be , for correction . and for as much as ( i feare ) that the greatest detractours that i shall finde ( though it be an old saying that the arts , nullum habent inimicum praeter ignorantem , have no enemy but the ignorant man ) are offenders in this kinde ; i admonish you ( brother pisse-prophet ) that you be not too busie in playing the criticke upon mee , because i have ( in confessing mine owne folly ) reproved your wickednesse , which you will hardly forsake . as for the censure of the ignorant ( whom you help to retain in this prejudicate opinion ) i regard it not . hos oblatrantes caniculos cum contemptu , 〈…〉 i psse by these barking curres ( as the lion doth ) with 〈◊〉 but if you 〈◊〉 ( whose gall'd back i have rub'd , and whose sore i have lanced ) who are conscious to your selfe of your owne guiltinesse herein , i shall rub harder and lance deeper : and yet ( if you kick over-much ) i shall finde a lash to quiet you . i pray therefore let me have your good word , lest you need mine . and so in hope that the learned , judicious , and impartiall reader will pardon my errours , and that the ignorant reader will become wiser , and that the delinquent reader will become honester , i rest ▪ yours , t. b. the pisse-prophet . chap. i. wherein is shew'd the errour of the common people ( who thinke that diseases are to be discerned by the vrine ) and the fallacies of the physician , who intimate the same unto them : as also , what is to be considered of the physician before he pronounce his judgement of an vrine . the vulgar sort are so strongly prepossest ( by reason of their ignorance ) that physicians can discern ( by the vrine ) the disease , the conception , the sexe , the parties age , with many other such absurdities , that i feare it will bee an hard matter to dispossesse them of that opinion . and physicians ( the more too blame they ) have intimated and pretended this knowledge unto them so farre , as that they will hardly acknowledge their errours , and relinquish this basery : but when it shall appeare that the vrine is altogether 〈…〉 shall be shewed and set forth by me in this ensuing discourse : let the ignorant choose whether he will believe his lying oracle or no , and let the physician choose whether hee will be honester than to use such deceit . yet ( i hope ) the one will blush to have been so deluded , and the other to have his conjecturing discovered . and now mee thinks you long to heare how it is ( the urine giving no certaine knowledge of any disease in the world ) that pisse mongers ( for they deserve not the name of a physician that pretend knowledge of diseases by it ) doe give judgement of it , and make thee beleeve that they discerne diseases by it , than the which nothing in the world is more false . but would you so faine know how this can be ? why thus it is , for i will now hold you no longer in expectation ; i must therefore give unto your speciall consideration two things , ( and then i will descend to all the particular quillets and fallacies that deceive the ignorant ) used in the contemplation and beholding of an urine , which make a man presume to give judgement of diseases by it . observe now with me , that the two things to be considered are these ; namely , that diseases are either acute , sharpe , and violent , as the plurisie , peripneumonia ( which is the apostumation , and inflamation of the lungs ) the phrenzie , iliaca passio , the small pox , pestilence , and every sharp fever : or else diseases : they are 〈…〉 : ( that is of continuance ) 〈…〉 such as proceed from the ill temperature of the humours and disposition of the constitution of the body , such as are the consumption , dropsie , melancholy . 〈◊〉 palsie . falling sicknesse , chachexia ( which is a depravation of the humours of the body , where by it taketh away , in man or woman , the appear from meat makes the body unfit for exercise , and marres the livelinesse of the spirit and countenance ) and this disease in women is commonly called the greene sicknesse , and it makes both men and women greene indeed . but ( to omit all circumstances that may be ) the physician alwayes beares these two considerations in m●●de . namely , that diseases are either acute , sharpe , and violent , or chronicall , and of continuance , and more gentle , as aforesaid , &c. now , for the most part , the common sort of people come 〈◊〉 send their waters unto physicians for acute , sharpe , and violent diseases : as the countrey-man or handycrafts-man ( who use to labour ) for some surfet ( as they call it ) taken by carching cold ( as they thinke ) after sweating at their severall labours , and your better sort of people ( as they thinke themselves , because they use no labour ) for a surfet taken by idlenesse , as sitting in the sunne , walking , sporting , drinking of wine , eating over much or such meat as their stomach hath not well digested , and the like . you must likewise note , that every sharpe disease hath an hot and burning fever joyned with it , and that the urine ( for the most part ) in a burning fever is of an intense high red colour ; and this colour ; amongst all the other uncertaine signes of urine ( which seeme to shew a disease , to put a difference betweene sharpe and chronicall diseases , and to discover a fever only ) is the most certaine of all other , and yet uncertaine in it selfe . such a urine being brought unto a physician to cast ( as they call it ) and being of a red high colour ( as i said before ) he presently conceives it to be a sharpe and violent disease , and then knowes for certaine , that there is a fever joyned with it ; so he is now quickly prepared to give his judgement of it , and needs now to doe no more , but to give a description of a fever , to make the messenger beleeve that he perceives the disease in the water ; but yet he comes to the true knowledge of the disease , by some such par●y and expostulation had with the messenger , as shewes the symptomes and affects of the sick partie ( though he seeme to have named them in the description of the disease to the messenger ) which truly determine the disease : and then he names the disease , looking upon the water ( as if it were there to be found ) in such manner as shall be hereafter shewed ; which makes the messenger to beleeve so indeed . now the description of a fever ( and indeed one description will serve for any fever , and for all sharpe and violent diseases ) is but to reckon up the symptomes and signes of a fever ( the which we know before that ever we looke upon the water ) which are these : namely ; great oppression of the stomach by choler , or some other humour , which causeth want of appetite to meat : oppi●ation and obstruction of the liver and spleene , causing great heat ( which causeth great drought , and much desire of drinke ) causing great paine in the head and backe , which likewise causeth want of sleepe and rest , from whence proceedeth ( oftentimes ) raving , franticke doting senselesse and idle talke . now to say that the sicke party is this affected ( for indeed so they are for the most part in every respect , but at the least in some kinde , in every violent disease ) makes the messenger to thinke , that the doctour doth perceive ( that the partie is so affected ) by the urine which ( by yea and by nay ) is no such matter : for he dares not alway trust to this high red urine , as an insallible signe of a fever ; for it may chance to be of such a colour by some other accident , when the partie that made it , is free from a fever . but admit that the high red colour of the urine did alway ( as it doth for the most part ) import a fever , yet the symptomes and companions of a fever ( as heat , drought , thirst , paine in the head , want of sleepe , oppression of stomach , want of appetite , oppilation of the liver and spleene , or any one of these ) are not therein to be seene , though it please his worship to play the anticke with the water , pretending that there are such marks in it , as shew all these things that i have named . neither doth he presume to name these symptomes ( as heat , drought , thirst , &c. ) from any signes thereof in the urine , but for that he knoweth by dayly experience , that the fore-named symptomes and companions of a fever ( as heat , drought , thirst , &c. ) are necessarie consequences , and inseparable concomitants of a fever : and yet ( oh the pride of man , in seeming to be what he is not ! ) the pisse-prophet doth pretend , that he perceiveth all these things in the water . these things being premised , i hope thou wilt be the better able to judge of that which followeth , and perceive how easie a thing it is to give judgement of diseases by the urine ( though it be not there to be seene ) and wilt conceive the fallacies that uphold this custome , and so learne to put a difference betweene an honest learned plaine-dealing physician and a prating empirick , and a rogue . i will now ( for this once ) imagine my selfe to be one of them and , to be in my chamber or study ready addressed to come forth , to give my judgement upon that high red water ( that importeth a fever , and so a violent disease ) that i last spake of , and will plainely shew you ( by the examination of three such severall urines , brought by three severall messengers ) in three severall chapters , how to give judgement of all acute , sharpe , and violent diseases , by the last description of the symptomes of a burning fever . chap. ii. what manner of persons your pisse-messengers are , how they are handled , deluded , and made to shew how the sicke partie is affected , and yet to beleeve that the doctour perceiveth the disease by the vrine . i have here already such a messenger ( attending my leisure to give my judgement upon such a urine ) who , being conducted to my presence , salues my worship with good morrow master doctour , and indeed the morning is the most usuall and fit time for the viewing of urines : the queane at darkin hath gotten that art , that she would not prophesie thereof after eleven of the clocke : and having thus saluted me , presents me the urine , saying , sir i desire your opinion of this water , and to tell me ( though the sick partie know that too too well already ) what the partie ayleth , and what the disease is ; the messenger ( whether man or woman ) you must note , is one who is , as it were , made out of waxe , whom a physician cannot deceive ( neither would hee if he could ) nor yet learne any thing out of him touching the disease , unlesse hee himselfe first have named it , and yet hee will make a shift to mould him into any form● that shall fit his purpose best , and make him by impertinent questions ( as he shall thinke ) to tell him any thing , concerning the sicke partie , that hee shall desire to know , and yet ( like hocus pocus who makes his ignorant spectatours to thinke that the balls are under the cups , though hee have conveyed them away by sleight of hand , and when they see that , to deeme him a conjurer ) to thinke that he hath discovered nothing , and me to be a skilfull physitian and an honest man , when as indeed there is no such matter ; for neither is hocus pocus a conjurer , though by his nimble conveyance he have deluded his silly beholder , or so much a knave as they thinke him , because he hath not done it by any unlawfull assistance ; neither am i so skilfull a physitian , though i have made the messenger beleeve that i perceive strange things by the water , because i doe but deceive the messenger ; nor so honest a man as i am esteemed , though i carry the matter very faire , because i doe not ingenuously confesse to the messenger , and so to every body else when i shall have occasion to discourse about it , that there is no certaine judgement of any disease by the urine , but out of pride pretend knowledge of diseases by it , and to backe this knowledge blush not to use such deceit and fallacies as hereafter follow . but now to returne to the urine from the physician and the fool , the messenger : this vrine , if brought out of the countrie , is for the most part in a glasse-bottle , but ( if ones in the citie ) it is brought in an urinall ; it is likewise red and high of colour , and that ( for the most part ) be tokeneth a fever . i now therefore ( before that ever i can poure the water out of the bottle , or take the urinall out of the case ) rip up all the symptomes of a fever , and say , this partie hath a great oppression of stomach and no appetite to meat , a great oppilation and obstruction of the liver and spleene , is very hot and dry , desireth much to drinke , hath a great paine in the head and can take no rest , and was taken in the manner of an ague with a grooving in the backe and paine in the head , first cold and then hot , reckning up all these things ( as if i saw them there so soone as ever i looke into the water ) so fast as ever i can make my tongue belie my heart . and with this description i have made the messenger admire my readinesse and skill in judging of urines , and he verily beleeves that i have espied these things in the water ; but it is farre otherwise ; for these things ( that i have reckoned up ) are but the usuall symptomes and companions of a fever , and the most of them are joyned with every fever , and all of them and many moe at once are complicate with many a fever . these things being so , i cannot but have hit the nayle on the head , for some of those symptomes that i have reckoned up , must needs accompany the disease ; and when i have once named them , the messenger presently answers , that the partie is just so affected as i have said : but ( as yet ) i have not named the disease , and perhaps omitted something which is expected that i should have named : and the messenger is as ready then to aske me if i perceive nothing else by the water , as i was to pronounce my judgment of it before : to whom i answere , yes if you will give me leave to tell you ; and then perchance askes me if i doe not perceive a stitch , and whether the party have not a plurisie , i answer ( looking upon the water as if it were there to be perceived ) yes i well perceive the stitch , and some cough too ; and i say , that when the cough takes the partie , the partie is much pained in the side ; and for as much as i did not name the stitch at first , i tell the messenger that we use first to declare the cause of the disease before we come to every passion or affect of the disease , or before we name it : i further adde that i was not yet come to speake of the stitch ( no nor should never have found it out of the water , had not the messenger bolted it out ) because i had named the cause therof , namely , the oppression of the stomach and obstruction of the spleene , and mesentery , and that the stitch was nothing else but a flatuous and windie humour proceeding from thence to the place affected ; so now i determine the disease to be ( as they suppose ) a plurisie ; and indeed they can better define their owne diseases by the symptomes and passions that they suffer , than any physician can doe by the water onely . but now as i have been happy in my predictions of the disease , and rightly determined it to be ( as it is indeed ) a plurisie ; so now i must proceed to the prescription ( as it is required ) of such remedies as may cure this plurisie : and now i am here as farre to seeke ( though i know the disease to be a plurisie ) as if i knew not the disease at all , nor had seen the urine , because i doe not therein perceive the scope and grounds of prescribing fit remedies ( according to the rules of art ) in every respect proper to the disease ; the which scope and grounds are these ( namely ) the parties age , the sexe , the constitution of the body , and the strength of it at this time , with divers other accidents , as whether the party be bound in his body , or have a flux and scouring , or the like : all the which nor any one of them can be discerned by the urine , & yet i must finde them there if the messenger refuse to tell me ( but that they seldome refuse to doe after that i have given them a description of the disease , and shewed them in some part how the partie is affected ) or else i must needs erre in my prescription ; for if i should prescribe ( not knowing the age of the partie ) such a quantitie of blood to be taken away from a young youth ( suppose ten or twelve ounces ) in a pluresie , which is the disease in hand , as should be taken from a man in his full strength , the partie might perish thereby ; or if i should take but foure or five ounces of bloud from a lusty young man ( in this disease ) at his full strength , i should doe him no good , and so he might perish on the other side : i might likewise erre in the dose , if ( not knowing the parties age ) i should prescribe more or lesse than were proportionable to the parties age in prescribing purging potions or clysters in this case ; i might likewise commit no lesse errour if ( not knowing the sexe ) i should in the forenamed disease prescribe blood-letting to a woman , her naturall courses being broke forth upon her ; for i might by that accident expect a solution of the disease without blood-letting . i might likewise erre , if ( knowing the sexe ) i should prescribe purging physicke for a woman in this case ( not knowing whether she be with child or no ) of such a quality as might cause her to miscarry : i might erre concerning the constitution of the body if i should ( not knowing the same ) prescribe that for a weakly constitution of body which were fitter for a robustuous and strong constitution : and so on the contrary . i might likewise erre if i should ( not knowing the strength of the body at this time ) prescribe too strong a potion , or too much blood to be taken away , when the disease hath overcome the strength and the partie is too much debilitated , or if i should prescribe too gentle a potion , or too little blood to be taken away when the strength is not yet dejected , but stands in equall contestation with the disease . i could shew a thousand wayes more how i could erre , and how most physitians doe erre that prescribe physicke by the sight of the urine only : but my intent is to shew how many thousand wayes i could deceive thee and make thee beleeve that i discerne all these things by the urine ( as thou thinkst i do ) namely the disease , the parties age , sexe , strength , constitution of body , and the like : i have therfore digressed herein from my purpose ( since my intent was not to shew the errors that are committed by such as pretend knowledge of diseases by the urine , but to shew the fallacies and jugling that they use in giving judgment of it ) and so frustrated thy expectation of this dainty art ; but i hope it shall be to thy profit , for thou shalt hereby be the better able to give thy physitian such instructions as he shall require , and shalt perceive the danger of taking physick prescribed by the sight of the urine only : and now to the purpose indeed ; but first imagine with me , that the last messenger , having received good satisfaction by the description of the parties disease for whom he came , was ready to certifie me of all the forenamed circumstances that were requisite for me to inquire of , as the parties age , sexe , constitution of body , present strength , how long the partie had been sicke , &c. and i have sent him away with such remedies as were most proper for his pleurisie , directions for blood-letting to mitigate his fever , some pectorall physick to ease his cough , with a liniment to mollifie , and to dispell wind , to anoynt his side withall for his stitch , and wish him to repaire unto me again within a day or two to certifie me of the successe of the physicke , and how the partie stands now affected , that if need require , i may supply him with further advise . now in all this ( i hope ) i have not erred , save only that i forgot to tell the messenger that the partie was very dangerously sicke , and would hardly recover , but yet i have prescribed him the best meanes that can , by the art of man , be for his recoverie , and i pray god to give his blessing , and so i have quite dispatched this messenger . and now whether the partie live or dye i shall be sure to be magnified for my skill ; if he die , for that my predictions prove true ; and if he live , for that i recovered him of so dangerous a disease . and now i am ready to encounter with the next messenger , who likewise brings me another urine of an high red colour , in giving judgement upon which i will plainely shew how a man may give judgement of all other sharpe and violent diseases by the water ( though it doe not certainely shew any symptomes of any disease , which determine the same ) and how thou shalt get out of the messenger every circumstance necessary to the judging and determining of a disease , as the age , sexe , and strength of the partie , and to the guiding of a man in prescribing of fit remedies , and yet he shall not perceive but that thou findest them in the urine ; sed hoc est decipere , non judicare ; but this is to juggle , and not to judge . chap. iii. the craftiest messengers must be the more craftily handled : the action and gesture of the physician in giving judgement of an vrine : that we come to the knowledge of the disease , and sex by impertinent questions ( as they thinke ) 〈◊〉 to the messengers , and not by the vrine : the cunning tricks that physicians have to make the messengers confident of their ( falsly ) pretended skill ; and the flammes that they have to evade censure , if they chance to erre in the pronouncing of their judgement . suppose this next messenger to be some nurse or tender of sick persons , who is commonly versed , and accustomed in carrying sick folks urines unto physicians ; and she salute me , with master doctor , i have brought you a water , and desire your opinion of it : and now i am like to have a hard taske of it , and to be so put to my trumps , that ( if i play not my cards sure ) i shall lose the set , miscarry in my judgement , be accounted a dunce , and lose my patient for ever ; but i will be aware of that , i warrant you . i now therefore take this carfty wench to doe , and i will handle her as craftily ; i take the vrinall of her , and bid her come from the doore of my parlour , study , or chamber ( where they commonly stand , ) unto the window , or light , where i commonly give my oracle ; and indeed , a man had need of a good light , and a better sight , that shall perceive all these things that i must find out of this urine . being come to the light ( as i am uncafing the urinall to looke upon it , ) i aske the nurse a question , not whose water it is ( for that she is enjoyned , any conjured , not to tell me , especially if it be a womans , nor any thing else , unlesse i first find it out of the water ) but my question is ; how long the party hath beene sick ; and she out of modesty and good manners , can doe no lesse but answer me to this question , for she thinkes this question to be but words of course , and that i can gather nothing from hence touching the parties disease ; and so she answeres me a weeke , a forthnight , two or three dayes , or more or lesse . but from hence i collect and have strong presumptions that it is an acute disease ; and if she say , a forthnight , i shall thinke it to be only an acute disease and of the lesse danger , unlesse there have another physician beene imployed already , the which i shall be sure to know , and if there have , i shall go neere to strike his nose out of joynt , and gaine the patient to my selfe , and then ( if i recover him ) i shall get immortall fame ; but if he chance to die , i will make a shift to shuffle off the disgrace upon my brother doctor , for that ( as i will say ) such and such meanes were not used at the first , though haply he have used as good a thode as my selfe could have done : but if she say that the party hath beene sick a weeke , i shall thinke it is a more acute disease , whether there have another physician beene imployed or no. but if she say three or foure dayes , i then presume that it is a most sharpe disease , and now i will so plant and interest my selfe in the party , as that i will prevent anothers comming there , unlesse it be to a person of quality , and then i will be as ready to desire another physician to be called , as the sick party shall be to request it , not so much that i desire his aide , or would have him partake with me in the booty , as in the disgrace , if the party should chance to die . and now i know ( by this question , as also the water , being high and red , witnessing the same ) that it is an acute disease : and now i take the urinall in my hand , and hold it up to the light , and ( looking very little upon it ) i shake it together , and set it downe very artificially in the window asloop , as if i meant to inquire further of it anone , and that it must stand so a while ; and indeed it must stand so a while , and i must looke but lightly upon it at first , or else i shall not have so good an evasion if i erre never so litle , nor so fit an opportunity to propound another question to the setting me forward in the pronoucing of my opinion , or to the inquiry of some other circumstance ( necessary to the guiding me in prescribing fit remedies ) as the parties age , sexe , strength , and the like , for this wench will be sure to hold me to my text . and now go along with me still , and conceive with me that it is asharp disease ( as appeareth by her answer ) and that i have no sooner asked her how long the party hath beene sick , and set downe the urinall in the window ( as i said before ) but that i presently say , this party hath a great oppression of stomach , no appetite to meate , with a great oppilation of the liver and spleene , is very hot , desireth much to drinke , hath a great paine in the head , and can take no rest , and was taken in the manner of an ague ( as they call it ) with a grooving in the backe , and paine in the head , first cold and then hot , as i said in giving my judgement upon the last urine ; and indeed this description will serve for any acute disease , whether it be the pleurisie , the small pox or maisels , a fit of the stone in the kidneis , the squinancy , phrensie , iliaca passio , the arthritis , or what other sharp disease soever , wherewith there is a fever alwayes complicate , or whether it be a simple fever which is primarily the disease it selfe ; but yet i will not alwayes use the same description to all commers , because divers messengers may come to a physician , and may stay for companies sake to goe away together , and might fall to questioning with each other what the doctour said unto them , and so might thinke ( if i should use the same description unto them all ) that i could say nothing else . i therefore vary my description of the disease , and am sometimes shorter in the same , and then ( if i find by expostulation with the messenger that i have omitted any thing that i should have spoken of ) i say that it proceeded from such a cause as i had already named , and that i should have come to speake of that anon ; i am sometimes likewise larger in my description , as i am here in relating how the party is affected , for whom this nurse comes : and she is as ready to take me up for the same , and sayes , that it is true indeed , that the party can take no rest , hath no appetite to meate , and was taken ( as i said ) in the manner of an ague , but complaines not of her stomach at all , but cries out , my head , my head , and complaines altogether of want of rest ; to whom i reply , that the paine in the head is the chiefe of the passions that the party is affected withall , but yet that it proceeded from the oppression of the stomach , and oppilation of the liver and spleene , which being obstructed , send a cholericke fume unto the braine , which infiame the animall spirits , and cause this paine which hindred rest , and that ( if rest were not caused ) it would make the party rave , be franticke , and burst forth into senselesse , and idle talke . thus having answered this objection , i now begin to touch the urinall , to see if it have setled enough , but finding it not to have setled enough to my purpose , and to shew me those things that i must finde out of it , i set it downe againe very tenderly , saying , it must yet settle alittle better ; and then i fall to questioning with the nurse concerning something that may shew me the sexe , for i must find that out of the water too ; and now i aske her , what the party useth to doe in the time of health , and this is a question that may ( she thinkes ) as well be answered without giving me any light of the sexe , as the former question ( which was , how long the party had beene sicke ) of giving me any light of the disease ; but you shall heare what i collect from thence . she answers , i demanding what the party useth to do , that the party useth to do little , save onely to goe up and downe the house , to worke about the house , to walke up and downe abroad , to keepe a shop , to labour , or the like ; and from all these i have my severall collections . now if she say , that the party useth to doe little , save onely to goe up and downe the house , i presume that it is the mistresses of the house , or the good-wifes , or one of their daughters , or some gentlewoman in the house , but for certaine , that it is a womans water , or a maides , for they should , and commonly doe ( if their shooes be not made of running leather ) keepe their house , and their worke is to walke up and down the house ; but if she say , the party useth to doe such worke as is to be done in or about the house , it is most likely that it is a maid-servant , but if she say to walke abroad , i then presume that it is a mans water , and that it may be the master of the house , or his sonnes , or some other gentlemans , whose worke and imployment is onely to walke abroad and take his pleasure ; but if she say , to keepe a shop , i suppose it to be the masters thereof , or an he apprentice his ; or if she say , that the party useth to labour , i imagine it to be a man-servant , or some hired labouring mans ; so by her answer to this question , namely , what the party useth to doe in the time of health , i discerne the sexe . and now i take the urinall againe in my hand ( for by this time it hath stood long enough to settle ) and now i say that it is a womans water , suppose that her answer to my question ( what the party used to doe in the time of health ) did inferre as much , that she hath a burning fever , is so dangerously sicke that she will hardly recover , unlesse such and such speedy meanes be used , and yet that all will scarce doe ; and this danger i will alwayes pretend in every violent disease , though there be no deadly signe at all ; but not to the sicke parties ( for that they cannot indure to heare of ) but secretly to the messenger , or some neere friend , or by-stander , if i be present with them ; and then if the party live . i shall not so much as have my judgement called in question , for saying the party would die , but be magnified for that i have recovered her of a dangerous disease ; nay , to be sure to be happy in my predictions and prognosticks concerning the life and death of my patients ( for they must alwayes have a hint of that , although the thought of death be an unwelcome guest ) i will deliver mine opinion both wayes ; i will threaten , or rather pretend the danger of death to the sicke party ( if my opinion be desired , ) with a but if such and such meanes be used , you may haply recover : and to some by-stander or hanger on , i will secretly whisper that there is no danger at all : or else i will promise life to the patient , which is altogether wished , and threaten death to some other inquisitour : and thus was a learned doctour in physicke over-matched by a meaner practicant in physicke , at ashford in kent who used this policy in his prognosticks . i have for mine owne part and office , herein delivered my selfe well enough to this nurse in my prognosticks concerning the event of the womans sicknesse , for whom she is come : i have told her how the woman is affected , what the disease is , and what will be the event ; and the nurse is reasonable well satisfied herewith , but yet i have omitted something , that she will be sure to tell me of , for since she hath undertaken the matter , she will not goe without her errand . so , now she asks me if i perceive nothing else by the water , and i imagine well enough what it is else that i should perceive by it , for when that question is propounded , it is to know whether the woman be with child or no : to whom i answer , that there are many moe things to be perceived by the water ( but not at all times ) as whether a woman were with child or no , which is that you looke for ; but it is no now to be seene in this water , because her body is all out of temper , and her water troubled and discoloured , but yet i thinke her to be , and well i may , if she her selfe thinke so ; i further tell her , that i could have certainely told , ( but yet i lie , ) if she had brought her water in the time of her health : and so she is satisfied for that matter , and confesseth that she is with child indeed . having thus satisfied her in all these things , told her that it is a womans water , in what manner she was sicke , what was her disease , that it was likely that she was with child ( which proves true ) and that she would scarce recover ( which is no great matter whether she doe or no ) i now begin to close with her , and aske her whose water it is ; but she will not tell me , and commend her for it , for she was forbid , and therefore hath vowed the contrary ; and indeed she was sent onely to heare mine opinion of the water , the which , if she like , shall haply heare further from the party , but if not , she hath order to goe to another pisse-prophet , and so if she like not his opinion neither , from him to another , untill she come to him that hits the disease rightest ( as she conceives ) by the water , and he ( i dare say , the most foole and knave of all the three ) is the man that shall be made choise of to cure this woman ; and this is thought great policy in making choice of an able physician . it behooves me therefore to be my crafts master in this art , for else you see here how i am like to be nosed of a patient , and to have my skill call'd in question ; for ( if i cannot finde the disease by the water ) they will soone conclude that i know not how to cure it . this nurse tells me indeed ( but if she had not told me , i should have perceived it ) that she came to heare mine opinion of the water , and that the sicke party would send to me againe , when she had heard ( she should have said , if she liked it ) what was mine opinion , and i thinke i have fitted her , and now tell the nurse , that it had been fitter they had sent for some present remedies , than to know the disease , or to heare mine opinion of it , so i hast her away with her oracle , bid her be sure to deliver it so as i had told her , and tell ( but not to the sicke party ) to some of her neere friends , how dangerously she is sicke , and that i would ( if she thinke good to make use of me ) use the best meanes to recover her that art could lead me unto ; and now i bid her make all the hast that may be , but yet ( before i let her goe ) i thus bespeake her ; in faith nurse , i commend thee that thou wilt doe thy errand handsomely , and make a physician finde the disease out of the water , and not be gull'd ( to tell how the party was affected ) as many a foole would have done , but i hope i have shewed thee truly how the party is affected , and what is her disease , and given thee such satisfaction as will content them that sent thee : loe therefore here is for thy paines , because thou hast put me to it so handsomely , and so i give her , ( fearing lest i should have erred , that she may maintaine my credit , and in hope of receiving a better fee , for being sent for ) the crackd groat , or the harry groat that was sent in stead of sixe pence , for casting this water ; nay , if it chance to be sixe pence indeed , she shall have it all , and so i shall be sure to have my message well done , and perhaps she will tell me that which she denied before ; but if not , she will magnifie me for my skill , and i shall be sure to heare further from the party , and have the casting of all the waters that she can bring me ; so i now send her away and laugh at her , and the devill at us both : i laugh at her because i have cozend her , and the devill , that he hath cozend us both , by making her to believe that i discerne all those things by the water that i told her , and making me to back my pretended knowledge by such fallacies . but doe not now imagine that i have been so long in hand with this nurse , in giving judgement of this urine , as i have been in penning the circumstances with the severall actions and gestures that i use in the examination of a pisse pot , which i have set downe to helpe thy understanding , or so long as thou hast been in reading them ; but that ( as if she had been but now new come in ) i take the urinall of her , propound the first question , set downe the urinall in the window , and pro●ounce a description of the disease : then propounding the other questions in order ( as i have done before ) define or determine the disease , tell her that such and such meanes ought suddainly to be used , and so send her away ; suppose therefore that she came but newly in , and is but now new gone out , and so i have done with her , and sent her away in a trice , and am ready for the next commer . but stay here a little , let that messenger tary , and conceive with me how one may give his judgement of any sharpe disease by the water , ( though it be not there to be seene , ) in pronouncing my judgement upon this last urine , for i cannot stand to instance upon many particulars : marke therefore the description that i gave to the nurse of the last disease , which i determined to be a fever , after that i perceived by the nurses answer to my first question ( which was , how long the party had been sicke ) that it was a sharpe disease ; now my description was this ; that the party had a great oppression of stomach and no appetite to meate , a great oppilation of the liver and spleene , was very hot , desired much to drinke , had a great paine in the head , and could take no rest , and was taken in the manner of an ague with a paine in the head , and grooving in the backe , first cold and then hot , the which description may serve for any sharpe disease in giving judgement of a water ; yet i doe not affirme , that in every sharpe disease the party is just thus affected in every respect , but for the most part , for if it chance to faile and be excepted against , i have shewed , how to make it good to the messenger , and to serve the turne to satisfie him , and not the physician and practicant in physicke . marke further , that in describing the disease , and shewing how the party is affected , i doe not yet define , determine , or name the disease , till i have expostulated with the messenger so farre , that i perceive the disease from thence , and have sounded enough out of him , to tell him any thing that he shall desire to know of me ; and then i determine the disease to be ( as the symptomes , when i have strictly examined them , shall agree with the messengers relation . ) a fever , the small pox , or maisels , a pleurisie , or the like , looking still upon the urine , as if i found it there , whereas i hope you well perceive my fetches , which helpe me out , or else dun might have stucke full fast in the mire . i hope also , that you perceive how easily a man may give his judgement of any other acute disease by the water , though it doe not shew it ; and now a word or two with this other messenger , and then i shall have done with acute , sharpe , and violent diseases . chap. iv. the rude simplicity of such as send their vrine unto a physician without any instructions how the party is affected : and the desperate hazzard , that they put their lives in , who adventure to take physicke prescribed only by the sight of the vrine . now this messenger is as rough-hewed as he that sent him and is a very plain fellow in his holy-day jacket and his busking hose ; he was call'd from making of faggots , or from thrashing , to goe to the doctour and carry this pisse that is put up in the vinegar bottle , and brought to me to judge of ; and it is a very turbid water of a very high , darke , red colour , by which as also by the messenger , ( for i can better tell , by the messenger , his gesture , time of comming , haste to be gone , and other circumstances , what the partie ayleth , how long he hath beene sicke , and whether it be a mans or womans water , than i or any physician can doe by the urine , especially if i lived in a towne or citie where i had much country practice ) i conceive it to be some countrie farmers , his sonnes , or mans , his hubber de hoy which is his man-boy , or halfe a man and halfe a boy : but which of them soever it be , hee hath borne it out with head and shoulders ( for so your country people use to doe before they send to a doctour ) and wrastled so long with the disease , and been so often foyled out , for they doe not observe the orders in moore or lincolns-inne fields , where if a man be three times foyled out , it is to stand for a fall , and he is to wrastle no more for that time , as that he can no longer stand , and yet he is to have one bout more with the disease who hath a cruell second in this duell , even death it selfe : and now ( if nature be not assisted by art ) this fellow , whose second i must be , is like to be put to the worst , and the disease is like to give him a flat fall upon his backe in his grave , never to rise againe untill the resurrection . therefore if i have any skill , i must shew it now or never : i now therefore take the water to examine it , and thinke to question with this messenger ( as with the former ) how long the partie hath been sicke , whose water it was , and to put him such other questions as might shew me such other circumstances which might shew mee the disease , and guide me in the prescribing fit remedies for the same ; but he cannot answer mee one question , not whose water it is , nor how long the party hath been sicke , no nor whether it be a mans or a womans water ; much lesse the constitution of the body , the present strength of it at this time , or whether the partie be bound or loose in his body , with divers other such circumstances , all the which are so necessary for me to know , as that without the knowledge thereof i cannot safely prescribe any physicke , and yet this fellow cannot tell me one word , for he saith that he was not told , but was onely hired to bring me the water , and to bid me send something to help the partie , and hath brought eighteene pence or two shillings with him to pay for that which i shall prescribe or send ; and all that he can say , is , that such a mans servant came to him to get him to come , but did not tell him whose water it was , nor how long the partie had beene sicke . and now what , on gods name , shall i doe in this case , for it is presumed that i know the disease by the water , and all other circumstances belonging to the same , which are requisite for to guide me in the prescribing of fit remedies , and i have pretended as much , and holpen to nurse up folkes in this folly , ( as other physicians have done before mee ) by giving my judgement of diseases by the sight of the urine , and backing my pretended knowledge by such fallacies as i have spoken of , without the which neither i nor any physician in the world can give any judgement of a disease , nor come to the knowledge of such circumstances ( unlesse the messenger , that brings it , tell us ) as may guide us in the prescribing of safe medicines every way proper unto the disease . i must tell you therefore ( for mine own part ) that i have already , and doe for ever hereafter meane to steere a new course ; yet i must , for this one time , prescribe for this fellow , who ( being all this while out of breath with his last arthleticke combate , and having caught such a wrinch , ( though he played strong play , as that he will goe neere to fall the next bout ) is expected to enter the sands , to revive the quarrell , and to undertake the last encounter . i now therefore take the urinall ( since the messenger can tell me nothing ) and looke better upon the water , as if i could tell miracles by it , for i must now make all the haste that may be to set him on foot , since he is so earnestly expected by his adversarie : now looking upon the water , i perceive it to be very crasse , thicke , and turbid , in all places alike , of an intense , high , darke , red colour ; and from thence i conceive , that according to the fopperous pisse-maximes , and rules of our great pisse-prognosticatours , there is a great commixture of superabundant humours , which the substance of it ( as they say ) being crasse , thicke , and turbid , sheweth ; and that nature is not yet able to concoct these humours , for then there would be some separation in the urine , and it would not be in all places alike , but would have sediment in the bottome , and be transparent in the upper part ; i conceive also that he hath a great fever , for that the colour sheweth , being red and high , and that there is great danger , for it is of an high darke red colour , tending to blacknesse . but yet i cannot tell what manner of fever it is , for i cannot discerne by the urine ( as common people suppose ) the passions and affects of the sicke party , that determine the disease , and should guide me in the prescribing fit remedies , and therefore i cannot tell whether it be best to let him blood , to give hive him a purging potion , or clyster , or whether his body would now beare any of these , or whether i were best to give him something to make him sleepe , or some cooling juleb , or some cordiall antidote to expell noxious humours from the vitall parts ; now which of these methods i shall best use ( for the messenger can tell me nothing ) i know not , but however the matter is not great , for the party ventureth but his life , and why shuld not i adventure my skill against it ? i now therefore pronounce the party to be sicke of a bastard pleurisie ( for , it is no matter what i say to this messenger , ) or a fever , and that the party would hardly recover , further adding , that hee should have beene let blood a weeke agoe , and that i feared it would now be too late , but yet i wish it to be done , for if any thing in the world recover him , it must be that ; and if that do it , it is but hab , nab , but yet however , i must put it in practice ; so now i hast away the messenger to get a chirurgion to let him blood ; and tell him where , and in what quantity it must be done , and now it is a question whether the disease , or the life be let out by this blood-letting : if blood offending in quantity , or corrupt blood ( offending in quality ) putrified by choller in the lesser veines , be let out , the disease may chance to be let out with it , and so mors or death may tarry for a sacrifice , till some other sicknesse take him upon more advantage . but if the good blood , seeming to be inflamed , be let out , when this fever proceedeth from choller in the greater veins , or from flegme , or other mixt humours in the stomach , spleene , or mesentery , which ought to be purged , the life ( insteed of the disease ) may be let out , by losse whereof the debt to god and nature would be paid . but haply ( insteed of blood-letting , i prescribe at randome , ( for so i must doe in either ) some purging potion , and so set the disease and a medicine together by the eares & leave the successe to fortune . and now whether the party live or die , i care not : for if he die , i have taught them to blame their owne negligence , in not sending any sooner ; but if nature be of such for●e , that she be able to withstand the conflict betweene the disease and the antidote , and start up , and take part with the medicine , so that the party recover , i shall have more attributed unto me , ( as the onely cause of his recovery ) than i have deserved , or than to god , who in his providence , had beene pleased ( by the worke of nature , more than by any skill of mine ) to spare and recover him : and thus you use to over-value the meanes , whereby ( as you suppose ) you have beene recovered , although used so desperatly ( as i have prescribed for this fellow ) by a methodicall physician , professing knowledge of diseases by the urine , or used quite contrary to the rules of art , by some rude empiricke and quack-salving knave , especially , if you chance to recover ; and to under-value the best meanes in the world , used by the most grave and learned physician , if the party chance to die : never satisfying your selves , when things are so come to passe , that it was gods providence , saying , ( sic placuit domino , ) it was gods will it should be so , and so resting your selves contented , but still tormenting your selves further , in thinking that this child , that friend , this brother , or that sister might have beene recovered , if the best meanes had beene used , as if god would not have directed thee unto that meanes , had it not beene his will now to take this party unto himselfe . and now , i hope that you perceive by these few instances , how a man may deceive the wisest messenger that you can send unto a physician with a water , and shew you the disease by the same , although it be not there to be found , and how great danger they put their lives in , that adventure to take physicke prescribed by the sight of the urine only : and so i have done with all sharp and violent diseases , and am now comming to speake of chronicall , lingring , and diseases of continuance , wherein i meane to shew you how to give judgement of them by the water , though in those diseases , it shew lesse than in sharpe and violent diseases . chap. v. a recapitulation of those things which have beene spoken , touching the giving of judgement of the vrine in acute and violent diseases : and a praecapitulation of some things necessary to be premised touching chronicall and diseases of continuance , before we come to the examination of the pisse-messengers , as we have done in sharpe and violent diseases . and now , whereas i shew'd you ( before that i came to instance and shew my cunning in giving judgement upon urines in violent diseases ) that diseases are either sharpe and violent , ( the which i have spoke of ) or chronicall and of continuance , such as i am now to speake of next ; and that , in sharp diseases , the urine is for the most part of an high red colour , and that there is a fever alwayes joyned with every sharpe disease ; so i shewed you that one may give a description how any sicke party is affected in any violent disease , by rekoning up the common symptomes and companions of a fever ( which are oppression of stomach , want of appetite , heate , thirst , paine in the head , want of sleep , &c. ) and make the messenger believe that i perceive the disease by the water , because i shew how the party is in some kind affected , the which neither i , nor any physician in the world can perceive in , or by water , but gather by consequence , when we once conceive that it is a violent disease ; for then we know that there is a fever joyned , and that there are some of those symptomes ( that i named ) joyned with it , but yet i doe not know what kind of fever it is , nor what violent disease it is ( and therefore i doe not name or determine it ) untill i have expostulated with the messenger , in such manner as i have already shew'd , and thereby come to the knowledge of some specificall note , or difference , which determine the same . i must now likewise give you to understand ( before that i come to examine some few urines , to shew you how i give my judgement of chronicall diseases ) that in chronicall diseases ( such as are the drop●e , gout , palsey , falling sicknesse , scurvey , french pox , green sicknesse , malacie , which is the disease of women newly conceived with childe , cough , head-ach , mother , and such like ) the urine is no way faulty , but representeth the urine of healthfull ; nay , oftentimes the most healthfull men in the world : and yet the physician ( such a urine being brought unto him ) must sentence the partie that made it , to be sicke , upon no other proofe but onely this lying strumpet , and false witnesse ( the urine ) suborned by the beguiled and so selfe-conceited vulgar , and connived at by the pisse-justice or judge , before whom shee is brought , who is corrupted for a testar , sometimes for more and sometimes for lesse , and is contented to accept of her evidence for truth , when he knowes it to be a palpable lye that shee comes to affirme . she is indeed the dumbe messenger betweene the doctour and his patient , who ( instead of passing the relation of his disease in writing , or by some discreet messenger ) pisseth his minde in his water , and expecteth an answer ; but if i should write him an answer in a letter written in the same language , i doubt he would scarce read it . how then shall i doe , who must answer his expectation , since the urine in this case sheweth no disease at all ? or what oracle shall i give ? shall i say ( such a water being brought unto me ) i doe not perceive by this water that the partie that made it is sicke , or ayleth any thing : farre be it from me for thinking so : if i should returne such an honest plaine-dealing answer , both the messenger and he that sent him would perceive me to be diseased in my braine , without the casting of my water , and would presently say that i were troubled with the simples : for why ( would they say ) have i sent or brought this urine if the partie be not sicke ? is not this a wise doctour that cannot tell the disease by the water ? this doctour shall give me no physicke , for i have gone to such a doctour ( rogue or knave you might call him ) that hath told me my disease directly by the water , and he shall be my doctour ; and ( for me ) so let him : and thus you grumble at your doctour , if he honestly tell you that the urine doth not certainly shew any disease , and begin to examine whose water it is , and how the partie is affected , as also the age , sexe , constitution of body , the present strength of it , and such other circumstances as should shew him ( he not seeing the partie ) the disease , and guide him in the prescribing fit remedies , you presently suspect him of ignorance , and thinke that he should tell you these things by the urine . and thus was i lately taxed by a gossip at east greensted in sussex ( where i lived and began my practice ) because i was strict in examining the state of her bodie that i might not erre in prescribing her something to give her ease of that which shee complained of ; for it was very suspitious that shee was with child , and she pretended that she desired to take something by my prescription , but because i asked her so many questions ( the which shee thought i should have resolved my selfe by the water ) she would none of mine advise , but reported that i had no skill in waters , and said , i asked her many questions , but could tell her nothing from the water . i spare to name her , yet i wish that she may chance to read this story , wherein she may perceive that i could have cozen'd her , that she may blush to thinke that she was so much a foole , and thanke me that i have canonized her for a foole-saint , by no other name , but the name of a gosssip and so let her know that i wanted not wit to have deceived her , had not my will beene restrained by a better resolution than to use such base deceipt ( to fit the humours of my patients ) as is used to delude the vulgar , who think that there is no disease nor symptome thereof , belonging to the body of man or woman , but that it may be discerned in the urine : yet it is farre otherwise , for in these chronicall diseases ( for the most part ) the water seemeth not to import any disease at all , and yet the partie is irrecoverably sicke : so likewise the urine is oftentimes of an high red colour , and seemeth to import a violent fever when the partie is not sicke at all : it may be also of so good a colour and consistence , in a violent disease , as importeth no disease at all , and yet the partie sicke unto death : for confirmation whereof , i will give you two or three instances out of mine owne experience , and referre you to doctour hari for further satisfaction , who in his booke intituled , the anatomy of vrines , hath set downe many examples out of his owne observation , as also out of the most ancient and authenticke writers , which confirme the same which i affirme : first , therefore to confirme this point , that the sicke partie is often irrecoverably sick of a most acute and violent disease , when his water seemeth not to import any disease at all ; i had a urine brought me ( when i lived at east-greensted in sussex , where i was then a young practicant in physicke ) which did not seeme to import any disease , but was of a better colour and consistence than mine owne , who was in perfect health , in so much that i could not discerne thereby that the partie was sicke ; much lesse that he was sicke unto death of a violent disease : but i did not tell the messenger that brought it , that i did not perceive by the water , that the partie was sicke , for then i might have shew'd my selfe to have beene a foole , and to have had no skill in waters , as that gossip thought me that i last spake of : but thus i handled the messenger ; i asked him how long the partie had been sicke , and he answered me , a weeke ; from whence i knew that it was a violent disease , for else i should ( if i had not put him that question ) have thought it to have been a chronicall disease , and so should have given a wrong description of the same , because the water seemed to import no disease at all : so when i had gathered , by his answer to that question that it was a violent disease , i likewise knew that there was a fever joyned , and gave him but the description of a fever , to shew him how the partie was affected , and he was very well satisfied therewith , and thought i perceived the disease in the water . now having given this description how the partie was affected , and that he had a fever ( and indeed a man needs not to say any more , what kind of fever soever it be ) i fell to some conference neerer to the matter ( with the messenger ) whereby i came to understand the disease better than by the urine ; and now i begin to tell him the danger that the partie was in . and he desires me ( for the messenger was kinsman unto to the sicke partie ) that i would be pleased out of charitie ( for the sicke man was poore , by profession a shooe-maker , by name john lintell ) to goe along with him , and to see him ; the which i granted , and went along with the messenger to see this sicke partie , whom i found , lying in his bed not able to stirre himselfe , sick of a peripneumoniacall fever ( which is the apost●mation and inflamation of the lungs ) with all the signes of death in his face , upon the eighth day of his sicknesse , with sharp nose , hollow eyes red cheeks , a great paine in his backe betweene his shoulders , and a great oppression of his stomach and pectorall parts , in so much that he could scarce breathe or speake , but with ratling in the throat ; all the which when i had well observed , i put him in mind of his mortality and present imminent danger , gave him the best instructions that i could to prepare himselfe for that sodaine change of this life for another that was like to be , and so tooke my leave of him : but before i could get away , i was desired by some of his friends that were about him , to tell them ( for they thinke that wee can surely tell , or else that we are not our crafts-masters ) whether hee would dye , or no ; and i tooke upon me to determine his death before eight of the clocke the next night , within halfe an houre of which time he dyed . but ( before i could get out of the chamber ) they began to whisper , as the manner is and to scoffe me to my face , saying amongst themselves , that they did nor perceive but that he might live as long as i ; but my predictions proved so true , and were so soone accomplished , that i came off from that their censure with more than ordinary credit , for as much as i had prefixed so short a time of his life , and the event ( death ) following now so neere the utmost bounds and limits of the time . yet i confesse ingenuously , that i was too peremptory in determining his death within so short a time , or by such an houre , for i had told them ▪ that hee could not live untill such an houre ( which was ●ight of the clocke ) and that , if he should escape that houre , he would recover ; but yet both of these predictions might have proved false , for he might both escape that houre , and yet might not recover ( though i said he would , if he passed that houre ) but dye within a few dayes or houres after . neither did i pronounce my judgment from any grounds of art , that did determine his death within such an houre , but onely by conjecturall probabilitie ; for your cunning men , or conjurers , nay the devill himselfe , cannot otherwise than upon conjecture , determine a sicke mans life unto an houre , unlesse you make him one of the almighties scoret counsell . nay i dare affirme , that the devils may , and often are deceived in their conjectures and calculations touching the life and death of men , and yet their naturall knowledge is farre more than mens , for they are spirits ; and their acquired knowledge is as much beyond mens , because they are ancienter than men ( even from the beginning of the world ) & are not subject to the same mortality that man is , who ( before he come to begin to have understanding ) is in his grave . i say therefore , that no physician , nay the devills ( who are ancienter than aesculapius or hippocrates , or any of that race ) cannot determine the life and death of a man , but upon conjecture , and may be deceived ; but yet you looke that a physician should be able to doe it , and not to erre , because such an event doth oftentimes accidentally follow such a peremptory conclusion as this of mine was , that this partie would dye within such an houre . it is true indeed , and i might truely say ( the nature of the disease , and the strength of the body , with all other signes of death being well considered ) that i thought the partie would scarce live untill such an houre : but if i should say ( without any qualification of the sense ) that the partie would not live untill such an houre , and that he would recover if he should passe that houre , you might thinke that i spake without my booke , for i could not say so , but that i must speake more than i know , and so derogate from the providence of god , in assuming that knowledge unto my selfe that belongs onely to him . i was likewise called to another lustie yong man ( one john duffield by name ) in the very same towne , very shortly after , who was sicke of the very same disease , in the same manner , whose friends were very importunate at me to be tampering with him , and to use my best skill to recover him , but i perceived that there had another quack been tampering with him before , who had omitted the opportunity of letting him blood , and found him so far and in such case debilitated that now there was no place for bleeding unlesse i had beene contented to have undergone the scandall that would have soone ensued ; so i wished them to send for the physician of the soule , and told them there was no place for my art : for , had i caused him to have been let blood , he would have gone neere to have dyed under the chirurgians hands , and then they would not have stuck to have said that i had kil'd him ; for it was afternoon , and almost night when i was called unto him , and he dyed before the next morning : yet ( as i said before of the incertaine judgment of diseases by the water ) his water was of as good a colour and consistence every way as any healthfull mans , yet notwithstanding i gave my judgement so upon this urine , as that i satisfied the messenger ; for i asked the messenger , how long the partie had been sicke , who answered almost a weeke ; from whence i gathered that it was a violent disease although the water did not witnesse the same , and so gave the description of a fever which shewed how the partie was affected , and made the messenger thinke that i perceived his disease in the water ; but you ( i hope ) well perceive how i did it , and how a man may be sicke unto death , his urine shewing no disease at all , and if a physician can satisfie the messenger and seeme to describe the disease by the urine , notwithstanding . so now i proceed to sit in judicature upon this modest harlot ( the urine ) who in chronicall diseases seemeth to import no disease at all , and yet she is caught ipso facto in her close tricks , for which she is come to publike censure : but first , before i come to examine this strumpet , i must further shew you how i come to know certainely whether it be a chronicall disease or no , since she is ( namely the urine ) so perfidious as that there is no credit to be given to any thing that she comes to give in evidence cōcerning the state of any sick or well bodies water whomsoever : now that i discern ( namely whether it be a chronicall disease or no ) by the same question that i propounded in giving my judgement upon urines in violent diseases ; and that question was this ; i onely asked the messenger how long the partie had been sicke , by answer whereunto i am certified , or at least have strong presumption , whether it be a chronicall or violent disease ; for if the pisse post say a weeke or lesse , i then presume that it is a violent disease : but if the pisse-bearer say that the partie hath not beene very well a good while ( which is their answer commonly in a chronicall disease , when we aske how long the partie hath been sicke , for indeed they are not sicke in most chronicall diseases , but are illish or not well ) i dare say then that it is a chronicall disease ; and when i have once received this answer to the forenamed question , ( let the water be of what colour soever it will , or whether i 〈◊〉 or no , i care not ) i know how to give an answer that shall please the messenger , and fill his bagge , but put nothing in it ; and though the water shew no disease at all , ( for so it falleth out for the most part , as i have already told you , in these chronicall diseases , that i am now to speake of next ; ) yet i will finde the disease ( for which the party sent it ) out of it : nay , ( if the party should have no disease at all , but send his urine to see if he be not inclining unto some such hereditary disease as his parents have dyed of , or beene subject unto , as the gout , stone , consumption or the like ) i will shake it into the danger of falling into the same , or some other disease of no lesse danger , for that they alwayes feare , and love to be warned of , though they have obtained such a constitution of body as is not obnoxious unto their parents diseases ; and thus i must doe , if an urine be sent , though the party be well , or but a little out of tune , by reason of the least distemper that may be ▪ for there is no such constitution of body , but that it hath its proper infirmities , the which must be discerned ( since there is such a custome ) by the urine ; and i will find them out , and more than there are , by it , if once i come to lecture upon it , or else let them blame my judgement ; so then ( i trow ) there will be worke for the tinker to prevent an hole in nature , where there was never like to be a breach . but ( i pray ) may not this physick-tinker ( who pretending such knowledge by the urine , is constrained to backe his pretended knowledge by such base fallacies ) may not ( i say ) nay , will he not , thinke you ( under pretence of fortifying that place where you feare a breach ) grate an hole in another to let in diseases , to make himselfe continuall worke , the which ( at last ) will let out that precious liquor of thy life , that thou wouldst be loath to lose ? but i leave that to thine owne charity to judge of ; and so betake my selfe to my study , to come forth from thence in my gowne and my cap , to entertaine the next pisse-bearers , who now begin to come thicke and threefold ; i must therefore be gone to my study , from whence you shall see me come forth presently , and heare me pronounce true judgement , upon the false evidence of the suborned witnesse ( the urine ) on the delinquent ( the sicke party ) though he be absent , and not here to speake for himselfe . chap. vi. after what manner ( if divers pisse-messengers come together ) they must be examined : how to shew ( by the vrine ) the sexe , whether a woman be with child or no , how long it is since she conceived of it , and whether she s●all bring forth a boy , or a girle , although the vrine shew none of all these . and now i am in my study indeed , and you thinke ( i suppose ) at my booke in earnest consultation with hippocrates , or galen , or some other learned physicke authour ; but , if i be looking upon any booke at all , it shall rather be gordo●ius his tractate of the cautions of urines , wherein hee teacheth a physician , ( though i thinke his intention was to teach him not to be deceived by the urine ) to deceive the people by the same : otherwise i am meditating how to handle every pisse-pot-bearer upon any occasion whatsoever : and my minde being now set more upon the benefit that comes to my selfe by the pisse-pot , than to others by my study , i minde my gate or doore more than my booke , though i am in my study ( where haply , my name being up , i have a bed and am lying upon it , and should have laine there till noone , had i not been interrupted ) and heare a great knocking at my gate , and must my selfe ( in my mans absence ) be faine to goe see what the matter is : so to my gate i trudge , in all precipitious hast , with a quicke pace and a sharpe looke , importing greater busines than to examine a pisse-pot , where i finde three or foure pisse-messengers at once , ( with their urinals under their aprons ) whom i usher into my hall , and there begin ( before i take them aside , apart , to lecture upon their waters ) to looke very sternely upon them , and aske them very hastily , ( to the end that i may dash them so farre out of countenance , that they may not be capable of conceiving whether i erre or no in giving my judgement on their waters , and to make them the more ready to tell me whatsoever i shall demand of them ) what they would with me , where they live , whose water it is for whom they come , &c. and they are all ready to present me their waters , looking who shall be dispatched first : but before i take any of their urinals of them , i sound them how farre i shall be puzled with them , dispatching them first , that i shall be least troubled withall . to the first therefore i say , where live you ? and she answers , at such a place , naming it : i further aske her whose water it is ? and she saith her mistresses : i aske her also who is her mistresse , to which she answeres me very orderly , and is now ready to put foorth her urinall unto me , but i doe not yet take it , nor i aske her no more questions , for she will be ready to tell me whatsoever i shall demand : i come therefore to a second , and aske her where she dwells , and ( she having told me ) i likewise aske her whose water it is that she hath brought , and she saith a gentlewomans , who desired her to bring it unto me , and she is ready to give me her urinall , but i refuse it : i goe now to a third , and aske her ( for they are for the most part , she-pisse-bearers in a great towne or city ) where she dwells , and that she is contented to tell me : but when i aske her whose water it is , shee pauseth here , and begins to make a doubt whether she were best to tell me that , or no ; and therefore answers , that it is a friends of hers : i then aske her what friends it is , and whether it be a mans or a womans water ; and she tells me , that i shall perceive that by the water , ( thinking that i can or ought to do so indeed ) when i looke upon it , and holds forth her urinall unto me , in hope that i will dispatch her first , but i refuse to take it , for i am like to be puzled with her , and it will require more time and art to answer her than both the other , and therefore shee shall tarry to be the last answered for that tricke . i now therefore take the urinall of her that told me that it was her mistresse water , and single her out from her fellowes , and bid her follow me into another roome ( for i must not let severall messengers heare what i say to each other ) because i may chance to stop two gaps with one bush , and to give the same answer and description of the disease to them all three , ( and indeed one description will as well serve for all chronicall diseases , as the description of a fever for all violent diseases , as i have shewed you ) and then they would thinke that i puld the bush out of one gap to put it into another , and that i could say nothing else . i having therefore tooke the maid into another roome , bid her come to the light , and as i am taking the urinall out of the case ( perceiving it to be of a subcitrine or pale colour , which seeme not to import any disease ) i presently say ; maid , thy mistresse goes up and downe : and she answers , yes forsooth ; and imagines no lesse now , but that i perceive the idea or shape of her mistresse in the water , and thinks that i can tell any thing else by the same , so that i shall not now need to trouble my selfe in asking her any more questions , for she tells me that her mistresse goes up and downe indeed , and that i had said very right , and tells me that her mistresse desired that i would certifie her whether she were with child , or no ; so i now set downe the urinall in the window , and tell her that it must stand so a little while , and settle , and then i will tell her presently . in the meane time , i fall to parley with the maid , and aske her whether her mistresse have had any child or no , and how long ( if she have ) it is since she had one ; and she saith , a yeere , a yeere and an halfe , or almost two yeeres : and ( indeed ) most childing women goe a yeere , or neere upon , and many a yeere and halfe , and some two yeeres before they conceive with child againe , especially if they nurse their children themselves . i aske her likewise , if she can tell whether her mistresse have her naturall courses monthly or no , or when she had them ; to which 〈◊〉 answers , that her mistresse bid her tell me , that shee hath not had them this tenne weekes , and therefore tells me that shee thinks she is with child , but would desire me to resolve her : and i may quickly doe it without any more looking upon the water , for the tale ( that this wench hath told ) shewes plainly that she is with child , and the sodaine stopping of the courses in a marryed woman ( that enjoyed them monthly before ) is the most certaine token in the world , that i know , that a woman is vvith child : it is likevvise the aptest time for a vvoman to conceive immediatly after she hath had them , neither can i nor any other physician tell , but by this token , ( vvhich is the most certaine of all the rest ) agreeing vvith other signes of conception , vvhich the vvater shevves not , vvhether a vvoman be vvith child or no , and yet for fashion sake , i take the urinall in my hand againe , and fall to peering into it ( as though i looked for some little child there ) and say now to the maid that her mistresse is not very well in her stomach , hath no appetite to meate , is ill in her stomach in a morning , and apt to vomit after meat ( and so are most childing women at this time ) and say , that she is a quarter gone with child , which jumps just with tenne weeks , according to the common computation of a womans go in forty weeks : but doe not say , that she is tenne weeks with child , or just so long as since shee had her naturall courses last , for that would make them so cunning ( in time ) that they would not send their waters to a doctour to cast , to know whether they were with child or no , but i say , she is a quarter gone with child , which is but as much as to have said she is tenne weekes with child , or just so long as since shee had her courses last , which was ( as the maid told me ) ten weeks agoe . i further say , that shee is with child of a boy , and to say so , is an even lay ; yet , lest it should prove false , i say ( looking upon the water very earnestly ) that if it had beene brought when it had beene warme , or when she had been quick with child , or some such like flamme , i could have told her certainely whether shee were with child of a boy , or of a girle , but i verily thinke it will be a boy ; so now , if it chance to be a boy indeed , it will be granted that i knew for certaine that it would be a boy , and i shall be accounted one of the rarest doctours in the town ; but if it chance to be a girle , the flamme , that i gave to the maid , and the truth of my predictions in determining the gentlewoman to be with child , and telling her how long she was gone with child , will help to beare out the other , so that i shall not have my skill one jot abated thereby . i now therefore tell the maid , ( as if she had come in but now ) that her mistresse is not very well in her stomach , hath no appetite to meat , is inclinning to vomit after meat , is with child a quarter gone , ( and as i thinke ) of a boy , and that it were very convenient for her to take some corroborating electuary to strengthen and settle her stomach though she be with child , nay , i tell her that it will be good , not only for her , but for her child also , and i bid her tell her mistresse , that it will make her child to prosper the better within her , and make it the more lively , so that she shall be the better able to bring it forth with the more ease ; nay , i tell her that it will make her bring forth the more wise and understanding child . and so i have done with the maid , bid her remember me to her mistresse , and be sure to tell her what i had said : and now i am sure that i shall get a fee for my selfe , and a feeling for mine apothecarie ; for what woman ( being with child ) would not have it to prosper within her ? but would she not more gladly bring it forth with ease , and most gladly ( it being brought forth ) have it prove a wise and understanding child ? i dare say she would , though for no other end but ( meerely out of pride and emulation ) to have it wiser ( that is wittier , and more sharpe-vvitted ) than her neighbours , and not so much out of desire that it should attaine true wisedome ; but whatsoever her drift be , it skills not ; i must bethinke my selfe of something to performe that which i promised , for this gentlewoman will repaire unto me for such an electuary as i spake of 〈◊〉 to which purpose i have the most admirable receipt in the world , learned it of a proud gossip very lately , into whose company i light bychance who was very inquisitive to learne where shee might get some quinces , and in a proud scornefull manner questioned with me concerning the nature and vertue of them : who told her that they did corroborate the stomach , and were cooling and restringent , and therefore good against vomiting , and fluxes ; at which shee seemed to scorn , and said , that she had heard a learned doctour say , that they being eaten of a great bellied-woman , would make her bring forth a wise child , as if i could not as well tell how fa●re they conduce to the producing of a wise child as her learned doctour . but suppose marmalade , or some other confection of quinces alone to be admirable for the purpose , yet i have learned more wit than to tell this gentlewoman so , or to give her a boxe of marmalade , and bid her eate often of it in the morning fasting , and before and after meate , no , she would then under-value my skill , and scarce thinke me worthy of a fee ; but i prescribe her an electuary , wherein marmalade , or some other confection of quinces is the chiefe ingredient , but i mixe therewithall some species or conserves to seeme to prescribe some rare curious thing though marmalade alone would have done as well : i shall serve this gentlewoman even so , and shall prescribe her such an electuary , which may haply stay her vomitting , and corroborate her stomach , so as she may have a better appetite to meate , and her child may become the more lively and prosper the better within her ; but whether it will make the child so wise as to knovv its ovvne father or no , i knovv not ; i dare not promise : but let her novv send vvhen shee vvill , for i am provided for her ; and so i have done vvith her maid , and sent her away , and am ready to encounter with the second ( and to send her away as wise as shee came ) who told me that it was a gentlewomans water that shee had brought . chap. vii . that physicians are often faine to reckon up most of the symptomes that accompany all the chronicall diseases of all the parts of the body ( from head to heele ) untill they hit upon that which the messenger looketh for , because the vrine ( for the most part ) in a chronicall sicknesse , seemeth not to importan● disease at all : and that a physician ( if hee give a false description of the disease , so that he be taken up by the messenger for the same ) must make it good however . i am now come forth with the maid whom i have dispatched , and bid the second messenger follow me into the same roome vvhere i gave my oracle unto the maid : vvhere being come , i say , come ( good vvoman ) give me thy urinall , and tell her ( the urine being of such a colour , as importeth not an acute disease , that is of a high red colour ) that this gentlewoman walkes up and downe , hath a crude stomach , no appetite to meate , and is ( if she feed liberally ) ill after it , and by reson of the ill disposition of her stomach , is often pained in the head : and here she stops me before i runne any further ( for else i might chance to reckon up most of the symptomes that accompany chronicall diseases , till i hit upon that which the messenger looked for ) and so takes me off , and saith she is troubled with a great paine in the head indeed , but doth not complaine much of her stomach : and then i reply that the paine in the head proceeded from the stomach and parts thereunto adjoyning , and that the stomach is alwayes accessary to the diseases of the head , and that i named the ilnesse of her stomach , first , because it was the cause of her disease : and having once given a description of a disease i must be sure to make it good , whether it be true or false ; for if i had ( for a description of a disease ) said that she had been troubled with an oppilation of the liver , and paine in the head ( the messenger answering , no master doctour , shee is troubled with an ilnesse , and paine in the stomach ) i would have said , it is very true indeed , and i should have told you so , had you not interrupted ●he , but yet i would maintaine it very confidently , that it came from the head ( for the stomach and head doe mutually offend each other ) and what could shee have said to the contrary ? or if , when i had given a description of the disease , she had said , master doctour , she is much as you have said , but doe not you perceive that she hath a very weake backe ? to which i answer , yes marry hath she ( for else why should she aske me ? ) and something else too , which i shall tell you presently ; and then i take the urine and looke upon it and shake it together and set it downe in the window to settle , pretending that it will shew me something else anone : in the meane time i gather by conference with the messenger , whether it be a married womans or a maidens water , and the● i take the urinall and say , ( if it be a married womans ) that she hath a very weake back indeed and that she is troubled with the whites , which is a disease that very many women are trouble withall , that complaine of weake backs : so no● i have made amends for not naming it at the first amongst the other symptomes : and now she● thinks that i have found it out by the water , never dreaming that i conclude , that shee hath weake back , from her question , and adde , that she● hath the whites , as a disease that followes the weakenesse of backe , but thinks ( because i look● in the water ) that i find it there : but if this water chance to be a maiden-gentlewomans , who●● either troubled with a paine or heate in her back and the messenger aske me if she be not troubled with one of them , i presently conjure them bo●● into the water ( for they commonly goe both together ) by shaking and looking into it , as also 〈◊〉 setting it downe a little to settle , and taking it 〈◊〉 againe straight-wayes ( for it is quickly found ) and then i say , that she hath a great paine and heate in her backe too , and ( according to her ripenesse , and readinesse for the man ) that shee would have the stone , or rather the stones , if she could tell how to get them : i further adde ( naming the disease for which shee hath sent her water , though she ayle nothing save only that cupid hath hit her with his golden arrow ) that this gentlewoman wanteth a good husband , and that she dreameth often of her sweet-heart ; & bid the woman bid her be of good cheere , & tell her that her sweet-heart will come very shortly ; and with this message she is so delighted , that she is more than halfe well againe , and thinks to her selfe ( though she say nothing to her that brought me her urine ) that i am a very cunning man , and that i can as well tell , whether she shall enjoy him whom she is taken withall , as i have guest by her yeers & constitution of body ( but shee thinks i have done it by her urine ) that she is in love , and that i can helpe her to something to make her sweet-heart as farre in love with her , and meanes to trie me for some love powder , or some other devise to catch her lover in a cleft sticke ; for shee hath heard of such tricks , and some that have professed physicke , have taught that art , and divers both men and women have repaired unto such knaves , ( and by practizing such wicked meanes as hath beene taught them ) have obtained their lovers ; but yet if she repaire unto me againe for this purpose ( though i have beene very youthfull in descanting upon her water ) i will read her a graver lecture , for i disclaime such knowledge ( though haply i know more than such a rogue as shall practice it ) and detest such wickednesse at mine heart . but now this long parenthesis , or discourse concerning this maiden-gentlewoman , may seeme to have hindred the dispatch of the woman that came for the married gentlewoman : yet if you doe suppose that she came in but now and that i have but now taken her to doe , and have gathered ( after that i have once pronounced a description of the disease ) by parly with her , that the gentlewoman is married , and such other circumstances as i would know , you shall not perceive but that i presently dispatch her ; taking the urinall in my hand and from the water ( though she have told me all ) pronounce the disease , and say , that the gentlewoman hath a very weake back , is troubled with the whites , & that this disease had hindred ( for you must conceive that the woman told me that this gentlewoman hath not had any child , this three or foure yeeres ) her conceiving with child , and that she would have no more children , unlesse she were freed of them ; and now i must think upon something ( against she send ) to cure this gentlewoman , for i am sure she 'll to 't againe for the t'other boy : and now i am ready for the third messenger , that said shee came for a friend of hers . chap. viii . how to correct the perverse disposition of crosse messengers : and afterwards to make the messenger believe that thou canst conjure , by shewing the disease by the vrinall case . how men will serve their wives ( who would faine be rid of them ) and women their husbands , when they have been with a physician ( for advice ) the one for the other . the notable imposture of a butter-box about this towne , who pretendeth great skill ( above other men ) in giving judgement of diseases by the vrine . i have made this gossip tarrie till the last for her oracle , because i feared by her answer ( when i asked her whose water it was that she had brought ) that shee would prove a crosse peece of flesh to deale withall : i must therefore handle her gently , for the wildest colts are oftner tamed by gentle meanes , as by letting them have the raines lie still in their necks , and giving them their owne play , than by curbing them in too straightly , or by labouring to quiet them by switch and spurre , or the lash : i therefore suffer this colt to play in her owne halter ▪ till shee have so tired or hampered her selfe , that i may doe what i will with her : i doe in no wise handle her roughly , or speake harshly unto her , and say , come you with your friends water , and let me see it , and ( when i have taken it of her ) aske her whether it be a mans or a womans water , for it seemeth by her other answer , that shee will not tell me that , and then say ( she denying to tell me ) come , come , a pox on 't , tell me whose water it is , for i have not time to stand peering into it , for every thing that i must tell you , though i could find it there , if i had not other fish to seeth : and indeed their foolish peevishnesse had ( oftentimes ) need to be so met withall , and some physicians have gone that straine , and by that humour have gotten more fame , than their transcendent skill in physicke or learning , above other men hath deserved : but i am not of that humour , no , i say , come good woman ( who stinkes as much of goodnesse , as a poult-cat of muske ) i have made you tarry , but you shall not altogether lose your labour ; i pray follow me ; and so i conduct her into my parlour , where i have now my man waiting for me with a cup of ale , with a nut-browne tost in it , or else a cup of good english beere of sixteene at the least , with nutmeg and sugar in it for my mornings draught , and sit me downe in my chaire , and say , here good woman i drinks to you , and so fetch off a bowle of almost a pinte , and bid my man fill the good woman a cup and put in some more nutmeg and sugar and bid her to drinke an hearty draught : and when she hath drunke , i bid my man fill me another cup , that i may wash both mine eyes , so that i may see the better to dispatch this woman quickly : and when i have drunke that off , i bid my man fill the good woman another cup , and bid her mend her draught , and tell her that to drinke nutmeg and sugar in her beere in a morning will make her water sweet . and thus are the perverse dispositions of crosse messengers better corrected , than the malignity of scammony , with anise-seed , rubarbe with spike , agricke and turbitch , with sal-gemme , ginger , or galingall , senna , with ginger , or cinamon , blacke hellebore with masticke , or cinamon , or la●is armenius , with twenty times washing in rose-water : but now to returne to the matter , i have washed away all the ill quality of this womans nature with the cuppe of beere that i gave her , and wrought her to so good a temper with my loving speeches , that i need not feare , but that she will tell me any thing that i shall aske her : however i have now drunke my mornings draught and shall be able to see the clearer , if i must find it all out of the water , that i must shew . i therefore now say , come good woman ( it is a great chance but that i lie ; ) how long hath your friend beene sicke ? and shee cannot answer me to this question without shewing me the sexe , ( that is , whether it be a mans or a womans water ) for the party is not sicke ; for then she might answer me directly without giving me any knowledge thereof , and might say , a weeke , a forthnight , or more , or lesse , but she must needs say , he , or she ( but yet she will scarce remember that she said , he or she , anone when i shall shew my skill upon the water , and determine the sexe ) hath not beene very well a good while , and so offers me her urinall with the water in it , as it is in the case , but i refuse to take it , and say unto her as followeth . good woman , because i have made you to stay so long , i will shew you your friends disease by the urinall case , and never looke upon the water at all : give me therefore the urinall case , and do you keepe the water to your selfe , so that i doe not see it at all , and yet i will tell you your friends disease , as well as he that should pore and peepe , or gaze into the water this month : and now the woman thinkes that i can surely conjure . i now therefore take the urinall case of her , and looke as wistly upon it , as if it were the urinall with the water in it , and presently pronounce ( looking upon the case , ) that this party goes up and downe , is not heart-sicke , but is faint in the body , hath but a bad stomach , doth linger and pine as it were , is joylesse and melancholike and takes no pleasure in any thing , which shall be the description of this disease : and now the woman she wonders to heare me say , by looking only upon the urinall case , that the party is so affected , as i have said ; and yet it is true , that the party is so affected , & it is as true that the urinall case doth shew it as certainly as the urine it selfe . for the water might be of such a laudable colour and consistence as might seeme not to import any disease at all , and yet the partie might be sick unto death : it might likewise be of such a colour and consistence as might seem to import a violent disease when the partie is not sicke at all : i wish therefore that any physician would set pen to paper to disprove me , or to shew that there is any certaine judgement of any disease , by the water ; and yet forsooth this base custome , of divining by it , must be continued : but how then , will you say , can a physician conclude , that a partie is thus or thus affected , from it ? why thus you may doe it : namely , by putting a question ; for ( as fernelius saith ) interrogatiuncula cautè praemittenda quampridem morbus invasit : a question is to be propounded ( craftily ) to the messenger ( as i have done to this woman ) how long the partie hath beene sicke : then pronounce a description of the disease , and fall to parly with the messenger , and thou shalt quickly find what the disease is ; for the same author saith , verborum circuitu stultorum mens facile irretitur , by exchange of words the foole messenger is soone caught : and thus have i caught this woman , whom ( though she be an old bird ) i have caught with chaffe ; for i asked her , before i tooke the urinall case of her ( by which i have undertaken to divine ) how long her friend had been sicke , and she answered mee , that he ( but hath forgot that she said he ) had not been very well a good while , from which answer i shall shew both the sexe and the disease ; for this word ( he ) sheweth me the sexe , and these words , hath not beene very well a good while , shew me that it is a chronicall disease , and how the partie is affected : the latter part of her answer , namely , a good while , shew that it is a chronicall disease ; and the former part of the words , namely , hath not been very well , doe implie that the partie lyeth not by it , and that therefore he goeth up and downe , hath no appetite to meat , is faint in his body , doth linger and pine as it were , is joylesse and melancholicke , and takes no pleasure in any thing ( as i told her before ) and so are all they that have not beene very well a good while : but the woman never dreames that i gather all this from her answer , because i looke upon the urinall-case , but rather thinke that the urinall infected the case , or else that i can conjure : but let her thinke what she will , so that i conserve that fame which i have got in the pisse-pot science , i care not : yet this i am sure , that she will thinke never the worse of mee for being a conjurer . imagine with me , that shee came but now in , and that ( after my courteous entertainment of her ) i have but now taken the urinall case of her , asked how long her friend hath been ●●cke , and received her answer , but that i presently pronounce the same description of her friends disease that i have already shewed you ; at which shee wonders not a little ; but i shall make her wonder more anon : and now i adde , that it is a mans water , to which she answers , that it is indeed . i further aske her how old the partie is , and according to her answer , as the parties age shall agree with hers , i say that it is her husbands , at which she mervailes more than at all the rest , and saith that it is indeed : and now she is ready to put finger in the eye , and askes me if he be not in a consumption , and tells mee ( for i did not name it ) that he hath a very great cough : shee askes me likewise if i doe not perceive it ; and i answer , yes i doe perceive it , or else befoole mee while you will , and i will never be angry : and then i tell her that this cough proceeded from his ill stomach ( which i had named ) that sent a theume unto his head , which distilled down from thence upon his lungs and caused the same . i now come neerer to the matter , and tell her that her husband is inclining ( and perhaps further entred than ever i shall be able to recover him ) into a consumption : but yet i tell her that i hope he may be recovered as yet , and that i will use the best meanes ▪ that may be , to restore him : i also aske her why she so long deferred comming to a physician , and shee saith , that her husband had thought to have worne it out , as they all think to doe : i now tell her that i feare there will bee some danger , yet i will doe what can be done on my behalfe , and that shee must now deferre no longer time , if she love her husbands life : and now if she be not provided of another husband already , and so come more to know how long she shall be troubled with him , and to excuse her selfe ( if he should chance to dye ) than for any thing to cure him , i must bethinke my selfe of some aurum potabile , some liquor of life of a great price , some consumption pouder of twenty or thirty shillings an ounce , or some such receipt which no body hath but my selfe ) than the which non datur majus secretum , there is not a greater secret in the world : and now if i recover the man , he will think his purse to be in a consumption , but i cannot cure it there . but if this woman would have him dye , she 'l goe home and tell him that he is in a consumption indeed , and will scarce recover : so now whereas he went up and downe before , walked abroad , and was sicke but a little in jest , he feeles himselfe iller already with this message , and meanes to dye in good earnest ; and so betakes himselfe to his chamber , with a resolution to save his purse , out of which hee never comes till he be brought with his heels forward : and thus was i cruelly haunted ( at canterbury ) by a man to put him in comfort of his wives more sodaine departure than god had decreed , but she is yet living , and ( for ought that i know ) may live to eate of that goose that may graze upon his grave . i dare say that women come not short of that man ▪ yet i did never perceive that any woman ever brought me her husbands urine for that purpose ; i will not therefore belye them , to make them worse than they are , for they are ( god amend them ) bad enough of themselves already . i have therefore done with this woman ( for i suspect , for all her fained teares , that she came to to that purpose ) and have given her her errand , and sent her away , and she ( by this time ) hath given her husband his errand , and sent him the way of all flesh , ( who had he not trusted to his wife , and relied upon the sending of his pisse in stead of sending for my selfe or some other learned physician ) might have been a live man and have lived many a faire yeere : but you see what is become of him , and ( i hope ) conceive what danger you put your lives in that adventure to take physicke prescribed by the sight of the urine onely : i hope likewise that you conceive by these few instances that i have already set downe , how a physician ( if i may so call him that useth such base fallacies to backe his pretended knowledge ) may give judgement of urines both in acute and violent , or chronicall and lingring diseases , and how handsomely your pisse-messengers are fob'd over : for i protest before god , that by these fallacies , this deceitfull jugling , and farre worse shifts than any i have here set downe , hath this base custome of giving judgement of diseases by the sight of the urine , beene underpropped and supported , or else it had long agoe been abrogated , and fallen to the ground : for there is no knowledge of any disease to be gathered by the urine , sufficient to guide a physician in the prescribing of medicines to cure the same : ( and yet ( forsooth ) such a base custome hath beene upholden by most of our best physicians , that ( you bringing us your pisse ) we must tell you ( though we do it meerly by such fallacies as i have shewed you , or the like ) what is the disease by it , and whether it be a mans or a womans water ; as also , if it be the water of a woman-kinde , whether it be a married womans or a maidens ; and , if a married womans , whether she be with childe or no ; and , if with child , whether she shall bring forth a boy or a girle , and when she conceived of it ; and ( i think too ) whether she shall bring forth a man or a monster : i can tell you one thing more ( as well as any man in the world can tell you any of these that i have named ) by the water , if you bee as much desirous to know , as you are farre to seeke sometimes , and that is this , namely who begot this child , whether your owne husband or vvhat other man. but if vvomen did beleeve as much ( vvhich they may as vvell as any of the other ) vve should as often have halfe a piece , for being sent for to the vvomen kinde , as have halfe a shilling sent us for casting their vvater . nay the maid ( that i spoke of ) may chance to be but a crackt vessell and a supposed virgin , and hath been toying vvith some fellovv or other , so farre that she knevv not how to backe his putting forward , but hath ( she thinkes but in jest ) taken such earnest for her virginitie , as hath confirmed the sale of her chastitie : upon consideration whereof , shee now begins to grow male-content , is queasie stomached , troubled vvith a paine and svvelling in her belly , and her ancles are svvolne tovvards night ; for which cause , her friends feare the dropsie , or some ill disease , and so send their daughters water to a doctour to cast , to know what she ayleth ; and if they have any jealousie of their daughter , that she hath plaid at fast and loose , and plaid loose when she should have kept fast , they thinke that a doctour can tell how the knot slipt , and easily resolve them of that doubt : but if we suspect and conceive it to be so indeed by the tale of the messenger that brings this water , yet wee dare not say that this maid is with childe , for wee know not the trouble and stirre that might come of it ; but happily we say , is this a maids water ? and then we say ( if it be ) that she hath a tympanie ( which is a dropsie as her parents feared ) meaning with two legges , which proves too true , and makes the messenger to call to minde ( when this tympanie hath more plainly discovered it selfe ) that the doctour asked her if this were a maids water ; and then they surely thinke that we could tell by the water ; but yet we can tell no otherwise , than as i have shewed you before in giving judgement of womens urines , and how we judge them to be with childe by their water ; the which , women themselves might doe ( if they would apply their hearts unto that wisedome that most properly concerned them ) by conferring with discreet women , or midwives , who ( if they could not better tell by that secret examination of their bodies which they might make , and by other observations , whether a women were with child or no , than any physician can doe by the urine , ) were not worthy to exercise that function ; so they should not need to trouble a physician ( for that matter ) but that they love rather to be tampering with a man than with their owne sexe , and so might save that groat ( sent for casting their water to know whether they be with childe or 〈◊〉 ) to buy them a pound of sope to make their limon white : but the woman is , so addicted to the man , that midwives ( i thinke ) ere long will be quite out of request , so that if some more of us physicians ( who are the most proper and handsome handed men amongst us ) doe not tur●● women-deliverers , our brothers will be ouer-wrought ; sed 〈…〉 targere : but i will not now rub any more upon this sore , for i have not now time to search it to the bottome , and therefore i will let it a one untill i may chance to ranke it with the other monopolized secrets of the met hodicall abusers of the noble profession of physicke . and thus have i shewed the fallacies and knavery ( of all those , whether physicians or quacks and empiricks ; who pretend knowledge of diseases by the same ) used in the giving judgement of an urine : the which i have so plainly shewed that the most ignorant people may perceive how finely they are flamm'd over , when they send their pisse to a doctour to cast , and may collect ( for it is very true ) that there is no certaine knowledge of any disease to be gathered from the urine ; but yet the nature of men is such that ( being setled in an opinion , though grounded meerly upon errours and 〈◊〉 they will hardly be bearen from it by sound arguments and solid reasons and will rather imbrace and maintain falsehood ( instead of truth ) than be thought so weake as to have beene possibly deluded : i know for certaine that it will hardly sinke into many of your heads , which i have written ; because many physicians , some divines , and other silenced ministers who have turned physicians ( vvhose tender consciences vvould not serve them to subscribe to the decent ceremonies of the church ) have practized these base fallacies , in giving judgment of waters being brought unto them : but ( i hope ) some of their vvaters vvill bee better looked into , than to be suffered to exercise tvvo callings of such vveight as are divinitie and physicke : and ( for mine ovvne part ) scare not though i be censured for going about to overthrovv this custome of giving judgment of diseases by the urine , the vvhich i knovv i shall be ; for i have already ejaculated something to this purpose , and i finde men so prepossessed vvith an opinion that the urine is sufficient to shevv a physician the disease , sexe , and conception , and the like , so that very mechanicks tell me that they have sent their vvaters unto such and such doctours , vvho have thereby told them their diseases directly : i ( saith one ) have sent my wives vvater by my maid ( vvho is a cunning vvench , and vvould not be deceived ) to a young dutch man a doctour , who ( they say ) is the most expert man , for his judgment in waters , in all the towne ; and he hath told the maid ( by the water ) how her mistresse hath beene affected in every respect , and that she was with childe , which proved true . to which i answer , that if the maid had no more wit than her master , i could as easily cozen her as the dutch-man did ; and i doe further affirme that the dutch-man is an asse , the french-man a foole , and the english-man a knave , who pretendeth knowledge of diseases by the urine . i have likewise had some conference with some of better breeding , and more knowing men , who ( because they have been thus deluded by their physicians ) doe likewise beleeve that the urine doth shew the disease sufficiently of it self : and ( to this purpose ) saith one , i have sent my water unto such a doctour with a latine epistle of two or three lines ( not writing how i was in any kind affected ) and he hath returned me an answer in very terse latine , and shewed me truely how i was affected , and what was the cause of my disease ; and therefore certainly ( saith hee ) the urine doth shew the disease : to whom i answer , that he could pen no epistle ( though he doe not write therein how he is affected ) from whence a physician cannot collect something which shewes hovv hee is affected , more than the vrine : and yet vvhen hee returnes his answer , hee vvill therein implie that hee perceiveth it by the urine . for examples sake i have here framed an epistle from this academian ; 〈…〉 in such terse latine as hee wrote ) unto his physician , for his judgement of his disease by his vrine : i have likewise set downe the physicians oracle or answer in some of the very same vvords vvhich this gentleman said , that his doctour vvrote unto him : from vvhence you shall perceive that there is nothing but fallacie in giving judgement of diseases by the urine onely . chap. ix . that the 〈◊〉 clerks are not the 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 long judgement of diseases ( by the vrine ) 〈…〉 , or meere jugling . vrinam hanc nostram ( egregie domine doctor ) morborum quam vocant indicem , per hunc bafulum cum hisce meis literis , inspic●endam ad te misi . quid mali m●natur , vel quodram morbi genus significare videtur , ex tuis literis rescriptis scire gest●● : inspice igitur , & rescribe sententiam tuam tantum quae sit , de urina , quem morbum indicat presentem , vel futurum prognosticat : déque cura ejus , & consilij genere quod erit ei accommodatissimum , sum post hac consulturus quum te certiorem fecerim ( ex ore meo ) quid mali , potissimum affligit , & , quae sit ejus causa ( si forte caelarae eam vrina ) ostenderim : vale interim , & ut valeas cura , ut & me valere facias , & valentem conserves . amicus tuus tui amantissimus . r. k. englished thus . worthy master doctour , i have sent you by this bearer , with these my letters , my water to view , which men call the discovere● of diseases : i desire to understand by your letters , what evill it threatens , and what kind of disease it seemeth to betoken : view it therefore ; and returne me your opinion of it in writing● and what present infirmity or imminent danger it doth foretell : as for the cure of it , i shall take your advice ; concerning that counsell which shall be most convenient for it , when i have certified you ( from mine owne mouth ) what malady most afflicts me , and have shewd you ( if my urine should conceale it ) what is the cause of it . in the meane time have a care of your owne wel - 〈◊〉 , that you may make me well , and preserve my welfare also . and so fare-you-well . your most loving friend , r. k. i confesse that this epistle doth give a physician very little light of the disease , towards the pronouncing judgement of the same , yet not so little as the urine . i can draw no conclusion from the words thereof , because i penned them my selfe . but from the circumstance of the words i gather these particulars . first that there was acquaintance betweene you and your doctour , and that thereby he knew the complexion and constitution of your body , which conferred much to the giving judgement of your urine : otherwise ( if there had beene no acquaintance betweene you ) you would not have written unto him so familiarly ; secondly , you did but leviter ●●rotare , were but a little sickish or ill at ease ; or else you would not have beene able to have written your selfe for in a violent disease ( for the most part ) men are in two or three dayes so debilitated in their bodyes , and disturbed in their senses , that they cannot write : thirdly , from the urine ariseth this circumstance , that ( as the water seemed not to import a violent disease ) it did not seeme to import any disease at all , save onely that it was sent with your letters , to witnesse that you were not well . fourthly , i presume , that the messenger , whom you sent with your pisse , could tell your doctour ( for i am sure he would demand that ) that you walked up and downe , but were not very well : all which circumstances being well considered and layd together , were light enough for your physician to shew how you were affected . i doubt not , but that your doctour knew well how to make use of all such advantages , for else hee would have beene as lightly esteemed of all men , as you would have esteemed him , if hee had not told you ( as you thinke ) your disease by your water . i will now pen his answer unto your letters , and then i will shew you the fallacies of them ; wherein you shall perceive , that the learnedst clerks are not the wisest men , nor the craftiest pisse-prophets so honest as they should be . difficilis admodùm ( domine doctissime ) morborum , ex vrinae solius inspectione , cognitio & investigatio : quae verò inde noverim , ut me velis reforibere , ea recenseo laboras ( ut opinor ) a pituit â è stomacho in caput elevatâ , & rursus è capite in subjacentes partes distillante : quam verò partem opprimit , quamque viam affectat nescio : at m●hi suspicio orta est , ventriculum eandem praecipuè tenere , & nauseam tibi cum sibi fastidio adesse , unde nec cibum appetis nec estum digeris : li●n praeterea , prae stomachi impuritate , vitio inquinatur , & inde cor tetro vapore feritur & caput : unde tristaris , & somni ca●entia , vel saltem tibi adsunt somni turbulenti . venter cum hypochondrijs flatibus cruciatur . videris etiam aliquantulum febricitare . si quid omisi quod ex vrinâ noverim , vel quod eadem non indicaverit , fac me ut sciam , & id tibi consilij genus ( quod , ad morbum profligandum & ad pristinam sanitatem inducèndam erit aptissimum ) suppedit avero . vale , & ut valeas curo & cupio . sanitatis tuae studiosissimus . h. c. englished thus . the discerning and finding-out ( most learned sir ) of diseases , by the sight of the urine only , is a matter of great difficulty : yet ( as you desire me ) i have written unto you what i discerne by your urine . you are ( as i conceive ) troubled with rhume arising from your stomach unto your head , and from thence , distilling againe upon the lower parts : but what part it most oppresseth , or what place it affects , i cannot well tell ; yet i have great suspition that it chiefly possesseth your stomach , and that your stomach is nauseous and ioaths your meat , insomuch that you neither desire meat nor can digest it when you have eaten it . furthermore , your spleen is ill affected by reason of the impurity of your stomach ; whereupon your heart and head are assaulted with a tetrous vapour , so that you are melancholicke , and cannot take your rest , or at least have very troublesome sleeps : your belly and hypochondres are oppressed with wind : you seeme also to be somewhat feverish . if i have omitted any thing that i discerne by your urine , or that your urine doth not shew , let me but know it , and i will supply you with that advice which shall be most convenient to profligate your disease , and to reduce you to your former health . i desire and study your wel-fare , so fare-well . the most earnest wisher of your health . h. c. this epistle ( master doctour ) hath pleased your patient , and you thereby have purchased a great deale of honour : your latine he understands well enough , but the implied sense and meaning thereof he is not aware of , because he is not acquainted with the mystery of giving judgement of a pisse-pot : i will therefore be so bold as to comment upon your epistle , the better to helpe his understanding , and then i leave him to his owne genius to retaine or reject his old opinion concerning judgement of diseases by the sight of the urine . and now ( master doctour for your epistle ) you begin it thus , first you write , that the discerning and finding out of diseases by the sight of the urine onely , is a very difficult matter . it is very true , master doctour , that you have said ; it is a very difficult matter ( indeed ) to finde out diseases by the sight of the urine onely , but these your words implie that it may be done , and that you your selfe have arrived at the haven of this knowledge , and that most other men have come farre short of it . herein , master doctour , that which you implie is meerely false ; for neither hippocrates nor galen , nor your selfe ( who think not your selfe inferiour unto them ) did ever attaine unto this knowledge : but however you will not be ashamed to assume and arrogate it unto your selfe ( because it is put upon you , and you can make a shift to delude such novices , ) and to derogate what you can from other men : and this is very common to you with most other men of our profession . if you had written thus to your patient ( sir it is impossible to give true judgement of diseases by the sight of the urine only , which is but one of the many signes which together , with the knowledge of divers other symptoms ( which the urine sheweth not , do determine the disease ) you had said but truth , and shewed your selfe to have beene an honest man. but hang honesty , what care you for it ? so that you carry the matter so faire , that you be not caught in your knavery . you thinke , that if you had written so to your patient , hee would have suspected your skill , and therefore you will rather smother the truth to maintaine this your pretended skill ( though you be conscious to your selfe that you are a knave for your labour ) than you will have your skill questioned , though you have spoken truth , and therein plaid the part of an honest man : for then you thinke you should likewise lose your patient . secondly , you say , that you have according to your patients desire , written unto him what you descerne by his urine . to which i answer , that if the urine shew you any thing , which i question much in such a case , you write a great deale more than you perceive in the water , and that ( if you will be an honest man ) you must often frustrate the desire and expectation of your patients , which you may doe , and yet give them content too , if you carry the matter discreetly . thirdly , master doctour , you write , that your patient ( as you conceive ) is troubled with rhume arising from the stomach unto the head , and from thence distilling againe upon the lower parts ; but what part it most oppresseth , or what place it affecteth , ( which is most true , but yet there will be no notice taken of these words ) you know not . i answer unto this , that you doe not ( from the vvater ) gather this , but from his complexion and constitution of body vvhich you knovv and are acquainted vvithall : for neither doth any urine so certainely betoken either phlegme , rhume , choler , or melancholy , but that ( by reason of the divers variations that it is subject unto ) it may ( falsly ) pretend any of these humours to be predominant , and so be farre distant from the conjecturall and probable canons of the pisse-pot-science : but admit , master doctour , that this urine had beene brought you from a stranger , whose constitution you had not known , i presume that you would have enquired very narrowly what constitution of body the sicke party had been of , whether a leane spare , a grosse and fat man , or of a middle temperature and habit of body , as also how long he had beene sicke , and whether he went up and downe or no , before you pronounce your judgement of the urine : and then , if it chance to be true that you speke or write , you can make him beleeve , that you perceive it by the urine ; but if it be false , that you have said , you can make it good . fourthly , master doctour , you write , that you have a great suspicion ( which is a word that might call you judgement into suspition , but that your patient is very confident of your skill , and therefore he will give it a favorable construction ) that this rhume did chiefly possesse his stomach , and that his stomach was now become nauseous and loathed meat , and did not digest it being eaten : and your patient beleeves that you perceive his stomach is possessed with this humour , & that you perceive also by it that his stomach is nauseous , desires not meat , nor digests it being eaten : but here , master doctour , you are too cunning for him ; he writes unto you for your judgement of his urine , and you are afraid , that if you doe not satisfie his desire , he will seeke advice somewhere else : you therefore thinke that you were as good deceive him as another man. you read his letters , and they only desire your judgement of his urine , but doe not shew you any thing how he is affected : you looke upon his water , and that importeth no disease at all : you tell the messenger looking upon the water ( as if you there perceived it ) that he goes up and downe , and the messenger answers that he doth . you likewise know his constitution to be spare and thin , and what humour is predominant in the complexion & temperature of the same . you take all these into consideration : and first collect that he is not very well , because he hath sent unto you his urine ; and desires your advice of it : secondly , you conceive that he is not very ill , because hee walks up and downe , and his urine doth not import any disease at all . thirdly , you know his complexion to be ( for so i suppose it ) phlegmaticke . and now you conclude ( he neither being sicke nor well , and his complexion phlegmaticke ) that he cannot have a good stomach to his meat , and therefore you determine the cause of his sicknesse to be phlegme in the stomach : so you write unto him that he is troubled with rhume in the stomach rising from thence , and distilling downe thither againe , caused nauseousnesse , and want of appetite and digestion , and your patient thinks you perceive all these things by his urine : never dreaming that you collect from the forenamed circumstances ( namely his complexion , his going up and downe , and his urine not importing any disease ) that he was troubled with rhume in the stomch ; nor once imagining that you adde the nauseousnesse of his stomach , want of appetite and digestion , as consequent effects of this precedent cause ( phlegme in the stomach ) but thinkes that you perceive them all severally in the water : whereas indeed , you perceive none of them at all ▪ fifthly , master doctour , you adde , that your patients spleene is ill affected by reason of the impurity of his stomach : and he thinks likewise that you perceive this in his water : if his spleene be not ill affected at all , yet he will thinke it to be , because you say so : and if it be ill affected , it is not to be discerned in the urine , but is ( you well know ) cacochymiae soboles , the off-spring of impurity , which followeth ( very ) often crudity of stomach . sixthly , you further adde , that his head and vitall parts are assaulted with a noxious vapour proceeding from his spleem , which makes him sad , and that hee cannot take his rest , or at least that his sleeps are very troublesome , hee still thinkes that his water shewes all this , not knowing that these are necessary consequences of a crude stomach and a rheumatick constitution : he never considers , master doctour , ( as you doe ) that those that are on the sodaine distempered ( though they be but a little ill ) doe not take their rest , or at lest have troublesome sleep : but thinks that the urine ( according to the severall parts of it ) doth shew the disease of the severall parts of the body : he therefore thinks , that the circle shews the discases of the head , the center of the truncke or middle part of the body , and the lower part the diseases of the lower parts of the body : and so by consequence the disease of the toe is to be found in the very lowest part of the urine ; but the paines in the head or toes , are neither to be perceived by the upper-most or lower-most part of the urine nor by any other part of it . yet a silenced minister in kent , who was become an aesculapius , being asked by a friend of mine ( when he had , by this fallacious way of giving judgement upon an vrine , reckoned up a paine in the head , amongst other symptomes ) whether hee perceived by the vrine , that the party had a paine in the head , he answered , yes : looke you here ( quoth he ) this circle or ring , by some marks that i perceive in it , doth shew me that the party hath a paine in the head . he might as well have worne the surplice , and baptized with the crosse , against his conscience , as to make a common practice of lying against his conscience wilfully . seventhly , you adde that he is troubled with wind in the belly & hypochondres ; which is like-wise incident to phlegmatick constitutions , but is not ( as he supposeth ) to be perceived in the urine . eightly , you adde that he seemeth to be somewhat feverish : you doe not perceive this in the water neither , yet you know that whosoever is not well doth ( vel febre laborare , vel sebricitare ) labour either of a fever , or is feverish ; and therefore you have added this to helpe at a pinch , for you know not certainely , but that his feverishnesse may be greater than you suspect : his heat may be such , as that he may expect that you speake something of his liver , for hee thinkes that it is over-hot ; but you can tell him that hee cannot have a fever , but that his liver must be inflamed . in fine ( master doctour ) whether he he have a fever or no fever , you have hit the nayle on the head , and he believes that you have written nothing but what you perceived in the water ; but if it please him to read an exposition upon your letters , hee shall perceive your cunning to be ( vix frans honesta ) scarce honest cozening . you determined his disease ( as he told me ) to be flatus hypochandriacus , when you saw him , that is , wind in those parts called the hypochondres : but it was ( as he confessed to me ) flatus hypochondrunckicus , or ( as i thinke i may fitly call it ) the druncken hiquet , ex crapulâ contractus , taken by a drunken surfeite . it skills not what his disease was , nor how he tooke it ; i doe not meane to scandall him for it , since he is recovered of it ; i rather bestow this recipe upon him , by the way of prevention , ( noli tu peccare ampli●ùs , ne pejus tibi contingat ) that he fall not into the like infirmity : and wish withall my heart , ut valeat & resipiscat , that hee may enjoy his health with that greater happinesse of that wisedome , whereby hee may rectum distinguere falso , discerne truth from falshood . chap. x. i have here inserted another epistle ( out not in latine ) from a reveal'd divine , unto his cunning ae●culapius , for his judgement of his vvives vrine , to know whether she were with child or no : i have likewise set downe the doctours answer , with an explication of the aenigmatized fallacies , therein contained , darking the judgement of the learned , and making a specious shew of a falsely assumed knowledge . worthy master doctour , my kind love salutes you &c. my wife being neither sicke nor well , goes up and down the house , but is very puling : she hath a very , nauseous stomach , loaths meat , and if she eate any thing ( which is very little , or of some very strange dish ) she is ready to vomit it up againe : she hath now twice missed ( which she orderly enjoyed before ) the naturall benefit of her monthly evacuation : ever since which time , that shee had them last , she hath been thus ill : and for the same cause , that shee hath missed them , shee suspects that she may be with child , or else is thus ill for want of them : i have here sent you her urine , and desire you to vouchsafe to looke upon it , and to resolve us whether she be with child , or what other infirmity she doth labour of , that we may ( if shee ●e not with childe ) prevent a worse danger in ●●me ; i pr●y returne your answer in writing ; and ●o with my best wishes for your owne wel-fare , that others may fare the better for you , i bid you fare-well , and rest . your wel-wishing friend , j. h. reverend sir , my best respects to your selfe and your wife , do kindly resalute you both : your wife ( you write ) is neither sick nor well ; you may then shife your hands of her , if you doe not like sir , and tell her that you promised only to keepe her in sicknesse and in health : but however ( good sir ) i am sorie , as she is not sicke , that she is not well , but not so much as otherwise i should be , because your kindnesse hath caused this neutrality of being neither sicke nor well . her nauseousnesse of stomach , loathing of meat , and vomitting after , it will ●●ortly cease , and the disease ( which now troubles her stomach ) will some seven moneths hence , be gotten into her armes . in the meane time it were not amisse for her to take something to corroborate her stomach , which she may very safely doe , i have viewed her water , and can say no more than have done , unlesse to speak more plainely . i say with an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she is with child , and that almost a quarter gone , god send her a happy deliverance , when the time shall come , and ( till then , and ever ) health , and so prayes , your assured loving friend , h. p. this good divine ( as most of them are ) is one who is possessed with this opinion , that the urine doth shew the disease , 〈◊〉 conception , and the like : yet haply hath heard that vrina 〈◊〉 meratrix , the water is a lying harlot , but yet hee thinks that a physician ( if he be his crafts master ) can tell whether a woman be with child or no● because hee heareth women clatter such things who have beene thus deluded . he never stands to examine the truth of such predictions by the urine , but supposeth that men are or should be honest in their callings . this i am sure of , that he is a loving man to his wife , for which i thinke him to be the honester man. hee hath sent her vrine to a doctour , and desireth him to resolve him from thence whether she be with child or no● or what other danger may be imminent . he writeth likewise , very punctuall and carefully , how she is affected : namely , that she hath a nauseous stomach , loathes meat , longs after trifles , and is apt to vomit after she hath eaten : now all these are evident signes of conception , if she be a childing-woman , and they doe agree with other signes also , and if she find any such alteration in her body ▪ as that she suspect the same : he likewise adds , that she hath not had her monthly benefit of nature , now this two months , which she enjoyed orderly before : & this witnesseth very strongly to the former signes that she is with child , and shewes how long it is since she conceived of it : but the goodman ( though he have read this in aristotle , and albertus ) 〈◊〉 think that this is all the ground we have to conclude woman to be with child , but thinks that hippocrates and galen , and the common practice of viewing of waters , have taught us otherwise to distinguish the sexe , as also whether a woman be with child or no , by her water : but ( good man ) he is deceived ; and which is worst of all , he hath partly deceived himselfe , for he hath written that unto his doctour ( though hee doe not know it ) that shewes his wife to be with child , and yet he desireth to be resolved from the water ; and so his doctour hath done : hee hath read his letters , and therein finds enough to his purpose , and a great deale more than the urine sheweth , from whence he may boldly pronounce her to be with child , though he never looke upon the water at all : yet ( having read the letters ) hee taketh the vrine , and before the messenger that brought it ) falls to peering into it , to seeme to find that there , for which he hath brought it : and so he betakes him to his pen and inke , to answer these letters , and ( having descanted upon the former part of the divines letters , in such manner as you see in his answer , which shewed him that the good gentlewoman was with child ) he now determines her to be with child , and that almost a quarter gone : which prooving true , as it is very probable that it will , makes them the more admire this unsuspected jugling : for they are not aware that the sodaine ceasing of the naturall monthly benefit of a woman , together with nauseousnesse of stomach , longing 〈…〉 trifles , want of appetite , and vomiting after meat , are the most infallible signes of conception by which we judge a woman to be with child , as indeed they are neither doe they observe , that it is the most apt time for a woman to conceive immediately after that she hath enjoyed that naturall benefit , as their doctour doth : nor they doe not conceive that the doctour determines her to be a quarter gone with child , from the time that shee enjoyed her naturall benefit last , which ( as her husband writeth ) was now more than two months agoe , which is almost a quarter , for two months is almost ten weeks , and ten weekes is a quarter of the time that a woman goeth with child from her conception according to the common computation of a womans going forty weeks with child but they good-man and good-woman , thinke ( as almost all the world beside themselves doth ) that the dr. perceives , by some signes in the urine , the conception , as also how farre a woman is gone with child : and the dr. is very well contented that they should thinke so : but whatsoever they think you see what they are but fooles ) for their labour , and their dr. but a jugler at the best , for nursing them up in that false opinion . and now i hope that you conceive that there is no certaine knowledge of any disease in the world by the urine , much lesse of the 〈◊〉 , conception , parties age , and the like : you perceive likewise the fallacies whereby the water-prophet maketh the messenger to thinke that he perceives all these things in the urine . you 〈◊〉 also that not only the rude multitude , 〈…〉 clerks have been made both greeke fooles , and hebrew asses , by 〈…〉 , and these deceitfull fallacies which i have shewed : yet these are not all the trickes , and fallacies that pisse-mongers have to deceive their patients , or pisse-messengers withall : but by these you may perceive how you may be a thousand wayes more deceived ; for by a little may be perceived what more is meant , and according to the old proverbe , verbum sapienti sufficit , to the wise few words suffice . let this therefore suffice , that hath beene spoken , to shew you how you are cozened , when you bring or send your water to a doctour to cast : and from hence learne to esteeme an honest plaine-dealing physician , according to his worth , who tells you that the water doth not shew the disease , as you suppose , and the common pisse-pot-casters doe make you believe . chap. xi . wherein , 〈…〉 how judgement of diseases by the 〈◊〉 of the vrine hath beene upheld by confederacie , and other such like cozening tricks . and now to adde more credit unto that which hath been already said ( although i have said more already than some would willingly heare , though no more than truth , and yet so much as might satisfie concerning the imposture and cozenage used in giving judgment of diseases by the sight of urine onely , ) i will briefly subjoyn some few sleights of confederacie , and other cunning trickes , whereby imposturs have beguiled the common people , and gained themselves credit , in maintaining the cozening trade of water-prophesying . now this confederacie is a plot or mutual compact made betwixt the pisse-prophet and some servant ( whether man or maid ) or some other of his family , whom hee hath deputed to that office , or else some nurse , mid-wife , apothecary , or such like , who first set upon the messenger being come to the doctours house telling them that the doctour is not yet at leisure , and so fall to parly with the messengers , getting out of them all things necessary to the judging of the disease ( as namely whose water it was , when the partie was taken sicke , and what other grievances the partie laboured of ) and then went or rather sent 〈◊〉 ●ther that stood by ( who seemed to take no not 〈◊〉 of that which the messenger said to the inquisitour ) to see if the doctour were at leisure to speak with the messenger , who is in very great haste to be gone : now this by-stander tels the doctour ( whose businesse was not so great , but that he might have come and dispatched the messenger at first , if his skill in urine had been as good as he pretendeth , and is presumed upon by such as he thus gulleth ) all that the messenger had related , who now comes forth and takes the urine , and tells the messenger that the partie is thus and thus affected , as his confederate had told him , which makes the 〈◊〉 messenger to thinke that he is a cunning man 〈◊〉 the judgement of urines . and thus the parson of caverley was wont to deceive his patients , and so gained the name of a cunning man ; too many such parsons and persons are suffered to abuse the common people in our dayes . others have their apothecaries or other attenders upon sicke persons , for their intelligencers , who come before-hand , and tell them that such a one is thus and thus affected , and hath been thus long sicke ( and hath haply taken such or such meanes already ) vvho meanes to send his urine for his advice ; i hope novv the doctour is provided to tell vvhose vvater it is , vvhat is the disease , hovv long the partie hath been sicke , nay and vvhat physicke the partie hath taken ; as useth a jugling dunce in essex ( who hath gained by 〈◊〉 and the like knavish plots of confederac●● 〈◊〉 credit than is 〈◊〉 such an illiterate 〈◊〉 as he is ) who presumeth to determine the conception to a day , the sexe in the wombe , the place where the partie lives , and what physicke the partie hath already taketh , with so many other such knavish absurd cozenages , as i have not time , and should ( if time did permit ) be ashamed to relate . a learned doctour , a much honoured friend of mine , told me that a noble-man ( a patient of his ) told him that he would undertake that this jugler would tell by the urine what physicke the partie had 〈◊〉 : and a doctour of the civill law told me that he went as a stranger to him ( as he thought ) and carried him his vrine , who so soone as hee saw it , told him that hee had a paine in his right kidney , the which ( as the civilian told me ) was true , but yet that the physicianer perceived it in his vrine was a lye ; i dare say that all learned physicians will sweare as much . this therefore must needs be done by confederacie , or else he had some accidentall intelligence thereof by hearing himselfe speake of such a thing long before , or else by hearing some body else to speake of it , which is little better than confederacie . such advantages are often made use of , for most people are ( when they come in company with a physician ) telling of their infirmities , which they be oft subject unto , and physicians take more notice thereof than they are aware of , and remember to make use thereof when occasion shall serve : besides 〈…〉 , that physicians have that live in great 〈◊〉 townes , and have much countrie practice , whereby they come to know the disease , as also how long the partie hath beene 〈◊〉 without the sight of the vrine , and that is this , they never have any vrine brought out of the countrie but that ( so soone as they have dispatched the messenger ) they aske if any body else be sicke in their parish or neere about them ; and so are often told that such or such have been thus long sicke , and after what manner , and that they doe meane to send to them very shortly ; so that now they need to doe no more but aske the messenger where he dwelleth , but that he knowes the disease without looking upon the vrine , and can say ( that this is such a ones , vrine ) as doth the fore-named jugler , and the partie is , thus or thus affected , although the vrine doe not shew it . by this confederacie hath much people been much deceived , and many ignorant rascalls have got much credit , who have accommodated themselves to the humouring of the vulgar people and such as have not been able to discerne the fucus or cloake of their cozenage ; but i hope that henceforward it will appeare more plainly unto them , by this little which hath been said to that purpose , so that i shall not need to enlarge my selfe any further hereupon , for then i should swell this small pamphlet unto a large volume . read it therefore and make 〈…〉 that end it was pen'd , viz. ( 〈…〉 evites ) not to cozen , 〈…〉 avoid the cozener . and so i will now proceed to shew you the lawfull use of the urine . chap. xii . that there is no judgement of diseases to be given by the vrine alone ; that the physician ought not to give judgement of the vrine , before hee have strictly examined how the sicke partie is affected : how this base custome came up . you will now aske me : what is there no use of viewing the vrine at all ? i answer no : there is no use of viewing it alone without the consideration of other signes , symptomes and indications of diseases , which are not therein perceived : neither can a physician prescribe physicke ( by the sight of the vrine ) with lesse danger , than if ( it being granted that purging would cure , and blood-letting would kill his patient ) he should notwithstanding cast crosse and pile which of these he should appoint . you will further object , that you suppose that a physician will not prescribe before he have examined all circumstances needfull for him to know . i answer , that no messenger can tell us that in all diseases ; though ( oftentimes ) in many cases they can . nay oftentimes they can not certifie us any thing how the partie is affected ; but ( with the very hazard of their 〈◊〉 ) expect that we should tell them what they 〈◊〉 by the sight of their vrine alone , and prescribe them physicke accordingly . but let such messengers learne to give their physicians better instructions , or stay at home , unlesse the patient be contented to put his life upon such a desperate chance . you will further object , that every one is not able to undergoe the charge of sending for a physician : and then what shall they doe , if it be not convenient to send their water ? to this i answer , that it is true , that every one is not able to reward a physician ( especially in the countrie ) for comming to see him : let therefore such an one send for his minister ( who is of duty bound to doe it ) to aske his counsell unto what physician to send , and intreat him likewise to write how hee is affected , what age the partie is of , of what sexe , of what constitution of body , the strength of it at this present time , when the partie was taken sicke , and what other unusuall symptomes the partie now laboureth of : as whether he have a vomiting or loosenesse , or be extremely bound in his bodie , and hovv long it is since hee vvas at stoole ; as likevvise vvhether he have a cough , or stitch , or can take rest or no , or bleed or svveat , or be grievously pained in the body , and vvhere the paine lyeth ; or vvhatsoever passion he suffereth : and then ( on gods name ) let them also send their vrine to a physician . and let the physician ( before that ever he vouchsafe to looke upon the water ) strictly examine all those , or the like circumstances that i have named : then let him take the water and looke upon it , and pronounce the disease : but if he take the water , and begin to pronounce a description of a disease by the sight of the urine alone , before he have examined those circumstances ; he makes but a foole of thee , and is ( for his labour ) but an impostour , and a knave himselfe . i had not thought that this imposture had crept into this citie , or been connived at by those that have power to suppresse it : but here it is so exercised , that some refuse to be informed of those circumstances ( to the end that they may purchase the more fame ) till they have shewed their jugling skill upon the urine . a friend of mine told me ( very lately ) that hee carried his urine unto a dutch doctour ( naming the man ) to have his judgement of it : now this man was so faint and weake , that he was faine to rest himselfe three or foure times by the way , and had his disease written more manifestly in his face than in his water ; and now being arrived at the doctours house , and admitted unto his presence , he begins to tell the doctour that he had nor beene very well ( which the doctour perceived very well by his countenance ) a good while , and that he had made hard shift to come unto him ; and was ready , presenting him his urine withall , to declare unto him further how he had beene affected ; but this butter-box interrupted him , saying , i pray forbeare to tell me any thing , yet i will tell you your disease by your water : was this ( thinke you ) an hard matter to doe , to tell the gentleman ( whose sicknesse was written in his fore-head , who had told the doctour that he had not been very well a good while , and whose complexion and constitution of body shewed the doctour vvhat diseases he vvas most subject unto ) vvhat vvas his disease ? he might have done that vvithout the urine , though his patient had said no more unto him : yet to shevv his uromanticke skill to the end that his fame may be the more spread for the same , hee takes the urine ( though he discerne no disease by the same ) and pronounceth his opinion from it . i hope you vvill ( in time ) perceive your ovvne errours , and their jugling vvho pretend knovvledge of diseases by the vrine ; and so i have done vvith this jugling . i should novv ansvver another objection , and question ; and they are these , that it may be that i plead for the physicians profit , to overthrow the judgement of urines , that our fees may grow the greater for being sent for : to this i answer , let their monies perish with them that thinke so , rather than i would be enriched by it . the question is this , how this custome of giving judgement of diseases by it ( since it shewes no disease certainely ) came up : to this i answer , that covetousnesse in the common people , to save their money ( because they saw physicians to view the water at the patients 〈◊〉 house ) caused them to send their waters likewise unto physicians : and pride in the physicians , to shevv more skill than ever they had learned out of their master hippocrates , made this to become a custome , which is become a very strong plea. i could shew how this custome might be as soone abrogated ; but since i have no power to put it into execution , i leave it to them ( whose power insufficient to suppresse it ) if their care were correspondent . i will now shew you your errours in the choice and change of your physician , and give you some few directions for the choice of the most convenient physician , for most men in their severall places and callings , and according to their severall abilities . chap. xiii . errours committed in the choice and change of a physician : directions how to avoid these errours : some rascalls nominated , who are usurpers upon , and abusers of the noble profession of physicke , and the honourable professors thereof . the errors that you commit in the choice of a physician , are these : either you choose an insufficient man , for his knowledge in physick ; or else one , who ( though he be sufficiently qualified for his knowledge ) is notwithstanding no fit physician for thee . for the first , you are in the time of your sicknesse led either by your owne fancie or by the perswasion of some friend to send for , or send unto such a man , who hath ( they tell you ) cured such a one of such a disease , when all other doctours had given him over : or else because he giveth out some great matters of himselfe , and disableth all other honest learned physicians , as doth trigge , alias , markham , who predicates of himselfe to ignorant people , that he was batchelor of arts in clare hall , and pupill and kinsman unto doctour butler in cambridge , a master of arts of saint johns in cambridge , a master of an hospitall , and one of the fellowes of the college of the physicians in london , and all these lyes : for hee never was otherwise than a shooe-maker , bred and brought up , save onely that he became a last-maker ; and is no other but an asse ( though hee pretendeth great learning amongst silly people ) who understandeth not one word of latine . this trigge lives in a place called captaine royden his lodgings over-against the custome-house ▪ such another is butler of puddle wharfe , a glover , felmonger , or sheep-skin-dresser , who should therefore be the better acquainted with the vertue of aesipus , because it belongs to his trade ; but yet i dare say he knowes not what it is . such another is little doctour george another shooe-maker , living about westminster . and one fashions an horne-merchant , who furnisheth apothecaries with harts-hornes , and stagges pis●es , and professeth great skill in curing consumptions . to whom may be added donnigton in moore-fields , who drencheth asses ( i doe not meane the long ear'd ones as familiarly as he was wont to drench horses , and burnes children behind the eares for the rickets . unto such knaves , or else to witches and conjurers ( whom you terme cunning men and women ) you are carried ( though they are the most vile and base ignorant asses in the world ) with more confidence than to the most learned honest physician that can be . and then if you chance to recover , you impute the cause thereof to such a rascall , never considering that it was gods providence not ( as yet ) to take this partie unto himselfe , and that this rascally quack ( for medicines used by an ignorant quacke , are said to be poysons ; but being used by a skilfull physician , they are said to be gods owne helping hand ) did not kill this partie , for it was ( as they say ) but haphazard . but if it happen that one of these rascals kill his patient ( for so it falleth out too often ) and some of your neighbors or friends question with you , why you made use of such a rogue ; you are then as ready ( to excuse your owne foolery and wickednesse ) to excuse him too , and to say that the best doctours cannot save a mans life when his time is come : and you thinke this is a sufficient plea to excuse your selves for not using the best meanes : you will not afford an honest man the like favour , who hath used the best meanes that art could lead him unto , if his patient should chance to dye , and satisfie yourselves ( as you ought to doe ) in this case , that it was gods providence , but prosecute him with all the scandalls , and slanders that you can , questioning withall his skill , the which you are no more able to judge of than a blinde man of colours . so much shall suffice to have spoken concerning the errours you commit in making choice of such a one , for your physician , who hath not been lawfully called thereunto , nor is sufficiently qualified with that knowledge , and those arts that necessarily conduce unto the making of a physician . now you erre likewise in making choice of an able man , when you make choice of the kings or queenes physician , who for their sufficiencie , it is not to be doubted but that they are skillfull men : but yet , in respect of their attendance at the court , and their much imployment by persons of great qualitie , they are not the best physicians for persons of meane condition ; for they cannot give that due attendance unto such a patient as his present necessitie might require : neither can you obtaine his presence when it is most desired : and then you are constrained to call another , who ( in respect that he knoweth not what hath formerly passed about the sick partie ) knoweth not what to prescribe without errour on his owne part , and danger to the sicke partie . you erre likewise , when ( being destitute of acquaintance with some able and convenient physician for you ) you make choice of a physician by the garbe , and habit where-with he is accoutred ; that is to say , his beaver-hat , his plush-suite , with his cloake of , or at least , lined through with the same , his silke stockings , with all other such sutable ornaments to decke his person : thinking that there dwells art alone , knowledge , and the muses , because he is mounted upon the wings of fame , which is no lesse mendacious & deceiptfull than an harlot , or ther pisse-pot ; the one whereof faineth diseases , the other modesty . you erre likewise , when ( having haply made choice of an able and convenient physician ) you cast him off , because you doe not presently obtaine the sodaine effect of the desired successe . but now to avoid the errours of making choice of an insufficient , or inconvenient physician ; leave trigge , and little doctour george to their a●le , and ( ne sutor ultra crepidem ) let the shooe-maker not presume to goe beyond his last ; et artem , quam quisque ●orit exerceat : let every other man exercise that art and faculty which he understands , and hath beene bred up in : and let meane people , let kings and queenes physicians alone , for those great personages whom they are to give attendance upon , and listen unto me a little , in directing thee in the choice of an able and convenient physician in the time of a violent and dangerous sicknesse . take therefore , ( and that in time ) such a physician as is authorized and allowed , either by the universities , or by the learned college of physicians of london : in the choice of such a one , who is so allowed and approved of , have some respect unto his dwelling , and other imployments ; and consider with thy selfe whether by remotenesse of place , or multitude of imploiments , he can give that attendance , that thy need may require . for in diseases of danger , it were very convenient that the physician did see his patient , ( if it were possible ) three times in a day : so hee should often observe something or other in the sicke party , that might divert him from his intended purpose , and direct him a safer way . wherefore an honest neighbour is more convenient than a stranger remote , especially for the meaner sort of people , and those who are so poore , that their purses will not reach to the gratifying of a physician for comming to see them with a fee : and let no man shake off that physician whom he hath first entertained ; but let him ( if he please ) take another physician , or more into consultation with hi● first elected physician , retaining him still . let this ( in briefe ) suffice to direct in the choice of a physician , for i had no purpose to touch upon this subject , but only to shew the fallacies and jugling , that is used in giving judgement of diseases by the urine , with the dangers that insuethe prescribing of physicke by the sight of the same alone . if i have not therefore satisfied thee in this latter , read doctour cotta his booke , called , a short discovery of the unobserved dangers of severall sorts of ignorant & inconsiderate practitioners of physick in england , wherein he hath ( at the latter end ) very learnedly set downe a description of the true artist , with directions for the election of him in the time of sicknesse . finis . istum tuum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tractatum non oscitanter percurri . de ●o siquaeras quid sentiam● eum & doctrina & facetijs refertum esse existim● . nec arbitror in eo quidquam contineri , quod possit bonorum aures offendere . si quis sit quìsecus à me sentiet , ego illum habebo aut pro impostore , aut pro impostorum fautore . quamobrem sim ego tibi au●or eum publicandi . nam hinc , & inibis apud omnes bonos gratiam , & perennem nominis famam tibimet comparabis . neque est quod vereare , ne forte ex ejus evulgatione labes medicinae aspergatur . honestae ejus praxi nullum hinc poter●t detrimentum accedere ; non magis quàm civitati illi dedecus in qua mercirices aut vapulant , aut exulant . ex musaeolo meo ipsis idibus martijs anniab exhibito in carne messia supra millesimum sexcentesimum tricesimi sexti . tui si quis alius studiosus , alexander read , m. d. atque ex numero soctorum collegij medici londinensis . impr. tho. weekes . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the differences of diseases . the nature of a sharpe disease . how the physician judgeth of such diseases by the vrine ▪ signes of a sharpe disease . that a high and red coloured vrine is not always one in●allible signe of a fever . notes for div a -e the manner of the proceeding of vrine-gasers . indication of curing . medicaments for a pleurisie . notes for div a -e how crafty messengers may be deceived . why uniformity in judging is not to be used . the diversity of actions to be used in giving judgement from the vrine . the symptomes of a sharpe disease . notes for div a -e what is to be done , when no instruction can be had from the messenger . notes for div a -e how a lingering disease is found out . notes for div a -e ordinary times of conception . the signe of conception in married women . other signes of the same . how you are to deale with those who desire to be resolved whether the child is like to be a boy or a girle . notes for div a -e what confederacie is with whom this confederacie is commonly made . 〈…〉 of this cozenage by confederacy . another dunce in essex famous for this imposture . that by this cozening he determineth the conception , sexe in the wombe , & tells what physick the partie hath taken . that he determineth a man to have a pain in his right kidney 〈…〉 done but by confederacie . another tricke ( not much unlike to confederacie ) by which wee come to know whose water it is , and the like , and may make the messenger beleeve the water shews us . notes for div a -e obi●● . answ . another object . answ . another object . answ . object . answ . quest . answ . notes for div a -e vvho are not to bee chosen , although they be able . what physicians are to be chosen . a character of a true physician, or, a true chymist compared with a goose-quill pedant with a short view of the frauds and abuses in physick, committed by the confederate prescribing doctoral methodists, with their combinators the apothecaries ... : being a vindication of such physicians as follow not their method but make and administer their own medicines, being the honestest, safest, cheapest, and speediest way of practice, both for physician and patient / by r. fletcher ... fletcher, r. (richard), fl. - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing f estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a character of a true physician, or, a true chymist compared with a goose-quill pedant with a short view of the frauds and abuses in physick, committed by the confederate prescribing doctoral methodists, with their combinators the apothecaries ... : being a vindication of such physicians as follow not their method but make and administer their own medicines, being the honestest, safest, cheapest, and speediest way of practice, both for physician and patient / by r. fletcher ... fletcher, r. (richard), fl. - . , [ ] p. printed for the author, london : . advertisement: p. [ ] at end. reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng physicians -- england. quacks and quackery -- england -- history -- th century. medicine -- early works to . medical ethics -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a character of a true physician ; or a true chymist compared with a goose-quill pedant . with a short view of the frauds and abuses in physick , committed by the confederate prescribing doctoral methodists , with their combinators the apothecaries : that is to say , such apothecaries only as debase themselves to truck and truckle under him in his dull method , to the extream abuse and hazard of their patients . being a vindication of such physicians as follow not their method , but make and administer their own medicines , being the honestest , safest , cheapest , and speediest way of practice , both for physician and patient . by r. fletcher , a true englishman . ecclesiast . . , . there is an evill , which i have seen under the sun , folly set in great dignity , and the rich in wisdom and vertue set in low places . london , printed for the author . a character of a true physician . a true physician is one unto whom god hath opened the eyes of his mind , and demonstrated the properties of things , as he did to adam , before the fall ; and to solomon , upon his begging of wisdom ; and unto bazaleel and aholiab for the glory of his name , in israel . ii. or a true physician is one whom god hath qualified with a longing desire to know nature , in her operations , integrity , and defects , and how they may be amended . for which he doth ask , seek , and knock in a right way , not at the doors of aristotle or galon , with diligence , patience and constancy , till it be given and opened unto him ; his heart is not set upon gain , but out of charity to the poor distressed , he doth persist in this pursuit of knowledge , and the mercifull god hears him , and gives him what he seeks for : then having received his talent , he doth not bury it in a napkin , but doth improve it , untill with it he gain , and with them and with them ; and then he doth not seek to get worldly honour , riches and fame , so much as the good of those he undertakes ; nor is he startled at the sad catalogue of incurable diseases , which the proud fond usurping school-doctors have most shamefully compiled ; but he by his noble balsamic medicines , is able to overcome , as the valiant champion is reported to have conquered the devouring monster . he , viz. ( a son of art ) knows how by his chymick art , to prepare either animal , vegetable , or mineral , so as their vertue be separated from all gross adherents , that it may be an apt medicine to perform what god in nature hath granted to it . but this his art and knowledge , is not such as he sucks from the schools , but such as is applicable to action , the other being but mere empty shadows or meer ornaments at best . but this his art consists in the knowledge of corruption and generation ; for , he that knows the wayes of generation , will easily come to be acquainted with the true menstruum of bodies , which in the art of preparing medicines is most usefull . for every thing that nature affords for the subsistence and health of man , is crude , and needs a further digestion , before it can be converted either into the substance of man , or into a wholesom medicine ; so that a physician ought to be so skill'd in nature's path , as to imitate and assist nature , that all crude bodies , in order to medicine , may without the kitchin of the stomach be set to putrify , to be digested and so dissolved , that their spiritual nature may after that solution , be easily extracted and taken out of them ; and so transmitted to the several parts of the body . and to this purpose chymistry serves ; for , by the help of this art , we know how to digest , to dissolve , to putrify , to separate the pure from the impure , and so to come by perfect medicines : for all bodies , more or less , partake of the grosness and terrestriety of their matrixes ; but after their principles are separated from that terrestriety adhering , which they drew from their matrixes , they make it plain enough by their powerfull effects , that it is to this state they ought to be reduced , before they can work with efficacy , and yet they still retain their character , and internal idea . thus will a little quantity of such a well prepared medicine manifest its self , in the powerfull operating and assisting of nature , to cast off her enemies ( viz. diseases ) with speed and safety . but verily so great and precious a blessing as this , god never bestows nor imparts to any of those fraudulent tyrants , who would limit the holy one of israel , and stop and stifle those noble improvements in physick , which themselves neither do , nor can understand , whilst they remain proud usurpers and worshippers of mammon . then give ear , you pedantick galenists , and chymicophants , of the pretended colledge , who persecute this divine science , and the professours thereof ; give ear , i say , and tell me with what conscience can you prosess your selves to be physicians , seeing that all medicines or physick are without chymistry , imperfect ; without that chymistry , i say , which out of the manifest light of nature hath its invincible grounds and canons , laid down in those , excellent writings of the hermetick philosophers ; for , this is the only art ( which by supplying us out of the light of nature , with convenient means and particular natures to separate the pure from the impure ) will teach us ; first how to heal all the diseases of the macrocosmicall substances , and afterwards by examples and experiments deduced from those exteriour cures , will shew us the right and infallible cure of all diseases in our own bodies . he that knows not how to purge and heal metals , how can he restore the decay'd or weakned radical balsam in man , and repair it by comfortable and concordant medicines , to perform perfectly all its appointed functions ; which must necessarily be put into action , before any disease can be expelled : he that knows not what that is in antimony , which purges gold , how can he come by an effectual and wholesom medicine that will purge and cast out those extrarious peccant causes that afflict and destroy he body of man ? he that knows not how to fix arsenick , or to take away the corrosive nature of sublimate , or to coagulate sulphureous spirits , and by a convenient specifical medium to break and dissolve stones in the greater world , will never in the body of man allay and tame the arsenicall spirits of the microseomic salt , nor take away venemous indispositions of sulphur , nor dissolve the stone in the bladder , and drive it out being dissolved . now , as the antient philosophers , who knew nature indeed , obtained their noble medicines by the strict & exact observations of nature in her own path ; how that kind was multiplied by kind , and without putrefaction there could be no generation ; and as they found out excellent medicines , by doing all things in the metallick kingdom , according to the possibility of nature : so if you would have a medicine , indeed , although inferiour to theirs , whether of the mineral , animal , or vegetable kingdom , you must proceed in the same method ; for as i said before , as kind is multiplied by kind , and not without putrefaction ; so if we will exalt any concrete to make it a friendly medicine , whether vegetable , animal , or mineral , it must be in nature's path , kind with kind , and that by putrefaction , &c. now , let me compare notes , and examine the modern goose-quil doctor by the chymist , to see unto which the name quack belongs ; for , so they call all other physicians , that are not of their tribe of pedants . and for this , give me leave to make use of that worthy philosopher dr. g. starkey , in his preface to nature's explication , and helmont's vindication , &c. first , saith he , the whole of a real or pretended physician , may be referr'd to these two heads , namely the knowledge of the diseases , and the finding out the remedy : the latter of which , is either theoretically to know the medicine , or practically to provide , prepare , and apply the same . then first of all , we differ from the goose-quil doctor or tribe , in the theoretical discovery of diseases ; and secondly , in the practical cure of them . now , as to the theory of diseases , and the philosophicall contemplation of simples , it is not essential to a physician ; for a man may know the remedies by which a disease is cured , and yet erre very much in the discovery of the cause . and now i think on 't , i must desire the pedantick methodist , to tell me where the seats and seeds of diseases are ; and whether they do not mistake , and take a cause for an effect , and an effect for a cause . but to our former discourse ; the remedy being to the disease , as water to fire , which will undoubtedly quench it : and as a man may know certainly by water to quench fire , and yet erre in the philosophick apprehension of the same ; so may a man by a proper remedy , rightly prepar'd , and in due proportion apply'd , certainly cure the disease , and he able to distinguish the same generally , though he be not able to find out and apprehend the manner of its originall , with its occasional causes , progress , and variation . so then the absolute things requisite in one that would conscionably undertake the sick , are first to know how to unlock those medicines , which the almighty hath created , and how to prepare them , and when , and to whom to apply them ; and how to order and dispose the patient so , as that he may reap that good from them , which by careful administration of them is expected . for every artist is properly to be judged by his works , and not by his words ; for , whatever is meerly notional , are but vain chymeras , unworthy for a serious man to busy his time in learning , lest he imbrace a cloud for juno . and this is the misery of our schools and academies , that the one teach barely words , and the other bare notions ; which indeed are nothing but empty shadows ; for he that seeks to apply them to practice , beyond vain disputation , can proceed no further . away then with all those foolish , though specious pretences and curiosities , by which a man is never the nearer any practical verity . so then , medicine is the art of healing and restoring all defects , to which mankind is subject to , in reference to the body . and healing or curing , is taking care of the sick , and applying such medicines , with directions for ordering the patient , that recovery may be with speed and safety . and this restoring of the sick , is a grand mark of a true son of art ; it 's his diploma , by which he appears to be one created of god , and not by the schools ; for their creatures they adorn with empty titles , and god graceth his with real abilities . but as dr. huybert saith in his book , called the corner stone , there is such adoe about this feather in the cap , called a doctor of physick , that i could wish , saith he , that it might be despised , by the people of england ; for if they knew so well as i do , of how light esteem it is beyond sea , and how easy to be gain'd , so many would not dote , as they have done , upon so many that run loose from being school-masters , or preachers , or university men , in england , to be made doctors at leyden , and the like places beyond sea ; and by reading of a few books and prating , intrude into a calling , which is not to be acquired but by years of labour and study , of experimental , not school philosophy . and truly such men ought to be ordained of god in nature for that purpose ; for , of the other tatling book doctors , the world is too full of . and too many of them have crept in , from time to time , to be principal fellows ; of the pretended colledge , to which they have been , and are admitted , upon producing a diploma , with good store of white and yellow metallick seals to it , besides the publick seal of the university to the parchment , which they obtain for about ten pound , and the answering of a few slight questions about doctrine and method . and now , to set up his trade , he begins to consult nurses , midwives , and the interests of families , and acquaint himself with an apothecary , * who usually furnishes him a room or two gratis , ( and this must be consider'd in the apothecary's bills ) he must also be attended on by his servants , and by the mistress into the bargain , if necessity urgeth : and now , besides his fees , he must go-snips with the apothecary in his gains , as about shillings or a noble the pound . and this way the pedant may come by money to buy a little coach and pair of horses ; and thus going to visit a patient , the half piece is but ill taken , and pop'd into the left pocket , and possibly may cause the patient to send to his worship , before he shall see his face again , to the hazard of another angel : but this must be done with a diploma in his pocket to authorize the fop. but it becomes not them ( as worthy dr. marchamont nedham saith ) to set their hands to work , to attain a true knowledge of mixt bodies by chymicall anatomy . no , no , their sectators imagine they should wrong their gravity , and doctoral state , to defile and foul their fists with the blackness of charcoal . no , now he must make it part of his business to inquire what practitioners are about the city , and who hath most imployment , and whether such men are chymists , and who are of the tribe , and who not . and as many as they can hear of , that are any whit eminent for doing good in their generation , then to mark such men on the back with the black coal of ignorance and envy , in all ale-houses , coffee-houses and taverns , where they frame discourses of such men ; and the best word they have for them is , quack , empirick mountebanck illiterate cheat , &c. and if there be any notorious ignoramus , professing that noble faculty of physick about the city , other men must becompar'd with them , and reckon'd all alike . but , by your leave , mr. pedant , 't is apparently manifest , that the greatest part of your colledge , are equally ignorant in the materia medica , to your brother dunce jones of moorfields , and hatten garden , and gray the q. with which paper sculs , some of your brethren have folded me in their pittyfull broad-side , intituled some reasons of the present decay of the practise of physick in learned approv'd doctors , by a. b. c. d. doctor and apothecary truly so called . and thus the younger fry spend their time , never seeking any further into the knowledge of things ; but rest in their meer received traditional doctrine , and phantastick opinions wrap'd up in general conclusions and definitions , grounded upon meer pretended principles , &c. but the courses of the chymical philosophers have been , and are quite contrary ; their learning lies not in philosophical maxims , raised by meer contemplation , but are perswaded , that operation ought to be joyn'd to it , to attain full delight and satisfaction , and lay firm , sound and sure foundations to their reasonings , being unwilling to build upon the quick-sands of vain , frivolous and phantastick opinions ; which makes them willing to undergo the charges , toil and labour of practical chymistry , the sooner to attain to a solid knowledge of the works of nature , and find out by several experiments of their works and process , the abstruse causes of her wonderfull effect . for , it is a very difficult matter for any to attain to the exact knowledge of things natural , without the guidance of chymistry , and an acquaintance therewith : neither can any be reckon'd a perfect physician , without the help of hermetick philosophy ; since it is the truest ground of physick , without which no practitioners can deserve any other name or title , than that of emperick , or quack ; for it is not a gown , nor degrees taken in a university , which makes a man a physician , but a solid knowledge in nature , grounded upon reason , improved by long practical experience . and as the lord bacon in his preface to the advancement of learning makes sense the surest guide for our understanding , in discovering the secrets of nature , and proves at large , that if we will have any sound knowledge of nature , there is a necessity of deriving philosophy from sensible experiments , we must use our own industry , and trust our own eyes and observations , because they produce to us somewhat that is certain , &c. but let me a little inquire into some of the writings , and complaints of some of your brethren of the colledge , when the great fudes were between them and the apothecaries ; for they pretend they speak the sense of the whole . doctor merret in his short view of the frauds and abuses committed by apothecaries , pag. . thus writes : in these ensuing papers , i hope to prove ( saith he ) that these abuses complain'd of by all sorts of persons , arise from this cause ; viz. that physicians dispence not themselves such medicines as they use for the relief of the sick , but commit this work to the apothecaries , or rather to their servants . [ pag. . ] the desire of most persons , and the censure of all wise men , is towards us , who say we are wanting to our own interest , if we make not use of the remedies in our own hands , performing our art in all its members , whereof making medicines is a chief one . the kings physicians formerly made the kings medicines ; as 't is manifest by the lord coke in his institutes , book the fourth , part fourth , pag. . [ pag. . ] he may so contrive his medicines , first , that they may be taken in small quantities , and be made more gratefull to the tast and stomack , and perform more then those of the apothecaries , commonly slovenly made , and themselves nauseous and sluggish . [ pag. . ] physicians will strive who shall exceed each other in noble remedies , and from thence render a full and happy improvement of whatsoever god hath created for the recovery of man's health . [ pag. . ] he will gain reputation to his art , by restoring it to its first institution and practice . [ pag. . ] by constant practise with such medicines , he will find out a better method of cure , and thereby arrive at the true causes of diseases . the patient will have a better opinion of the medicines , and confidence in the use of them , and the physician will be more satisfied in conscience , and better assured of the success . [ pag. . ] he will have more scope to be charitable to the poor , and may cure them gratis , and other persons for little charge . and another of your colledge tells us thus ; viz. dr. goddard in his discourse , p. . there is one further advantage of great importance , by the physician giving his own preparations , that is , the certainty he shall be at in all his medicaments , as to their efficacy , strength , and operations , much beyond what can be in the way of writing bills to apothecaries ; for , a rational and judicious choice of one , or a very few medicines , may signify much more to the good of the patient , than a luxuriant variety . and the same dr. sayes pag. . if the patients knew all , they would not be satisfied in the greatest number and variety of medicines , and the most frequent plying them therewith . for this is done of design in some physicians , to render themselves the more acceptable to apothecaries in general , or upon some combination between the apothecary and physician , mutually to advance each other ; for the principal art of all is , for the apothecary to cry up , and bring into the patients such physicians , who through design must comply with the apothecaries interest ; and such practisers they extol , and cry up for good physicians , ( as indeed they are for their advantage , but not for the patient's health , ease , or purse , unless to empty it . now this good apothecaries doctor they describe by his frequent , though needless visits , and multitude of bills , to be a very careful , diligent , and painful man , for he visits twice or thrice a day , and still is writing of new bills for more medicines ; when perhaps not half or none of the former have been used , making the patient's house like an apothecarie ' s shop , planting the cupboards , tables , and windows , with pots and glasses ; and thus the physician never goes away from his patient without a bill , lest the apothecary should grumble , or himself want his fee. and thus burdening the sick with multiplicity of medicines , often contrary and destructive one of another . but then the worst mischief of all is , if we may believe what drop'd from a quil pluck'd from the right wing of their own body ; viz. their brother merret , who tells us , that these apothecaries counterfeit their medicines , both simple and compound , and sell one thing for another ; viz. they sell myrtle leaves for sena , a binder for a purger ; mushroms of the oak rubb'd over with chalk for agarie ; hemlock , dropwort roots , for paeony roots , poysons for wholesome medicines , dog-berries , for buck thorn ; no purgers for streng ones ; sheeps lungs for fox lungs ; the hone of an ox , for that of a stags heart , damsons for damase prunes , syrup of limons , for syrup of citrons ; briony roots for mechoacan . they falsify the grand compositions of the london dispensatory , it being a common trade with the apothecaries to buy unsound and decay'd drugs , and to return back to the drugest so much of the composition , as will pay for the simples . 't is common with them to load medicines , with great quantity of hony and other cheap ingredients , and to leave out the whole , or part of them , of greater value in ruffus ' s pill and oxycroceum plaster , they colour with turmeric and sanders instead of saffron ; diascordium made only with honey and bole armonick . many of the london , and most of the country apothecaries , buy of the whole salemen in london , who affirm , that they cannot sell their medicines honestly made at so low a rate as they do , but the retail apothecary will give no better price , and they must have them to keep custom . but if it were true , that all medicines in the london dispensatory were truly made ; yet if 〈◊〉 may believe another of the colledge brethren ; viz. dr. goddard in his discourse , setting forth the unhappy condition of the practise of physick in london , tells us thus , pag. . who ever with judgment ( saith he ) peruseth the london dispensatory , may soon estimate to what an epitome it may be reduced ; how many compositions may be spair'd , how many ingredients almost in every composition . and as to the forms or receipts of which it is made up , it was never judged otherwise by able physicians , but that there are in them many ingredients impertinent , and some contrary to the main intention for which they are in use , besides their irrational proportions and quantities , &c. this being the condition and state of that book , the colledge of physicians have no such cause ; as the common people may think , to envy them the translation of it ; nor have they any such treasure of it , as they may suppose themselves . is it not high time then for people to be well advised what physicians they make use of , seeing these grand abuses are committed by those which pretend a law , to impose upon all people such medicines , and do sue and molest at law all persons better informed , that make it their sole business to serve their generation , with a better method and medicines than themselves understand ; and if such men have a law to molest such men , is it that good reason that magistrates , be informed ●●at such monopolies are injurious to the publick , and that they may with good reason make such void and of non effect ; but i highly question , whether there be any such law or not , as these men pretend ; for their brother doctor goddard pleads thus , speaking for liberty for improvers , pag. . all laws ( saith he ) of nature and nations ; all justice , equity and reason of mankind , do allow to every person the benefit of his own industry ; which , if it be of that nature , that the bringing of it into use and practice , doth necessarily import the discovery of it , according to our laws , patents for terms of years are granted ; but if an invention be of such a nature , that it may be concealed in the use and practice , no limitation for private advantage or profit thereby , is set by law ; it is only honesty and ingenuity , that can restrain men from making unreasonable or unconscionable advantage thereof in such a case . now , any medicine or recepts for cure of diseases , invented by physicians , or coming to their private knowledge only , or any new use or virtue of an old known medicine discovered by any physician , as far as they are of any consideration or virtue , are of this nature , that is , they are inventions that may be kept secret by them , and whereof nothing hinders them from the advantage . the law of the land ( as well as in other countries ) allowing and authorizing physicians to practise their art in all its parts and members ; and so by consequence to make any medicine themselves ; and to administer them to the good of the poor for nothing ; and to others for reasonable reward . and now you persecuting colledge , what can you say for your selves ? are not your own members witnesses against you ? are you not like your fathers , who persecuted the worthies of old ? are you not like the jews , who killed the prophets , and when the great physician appeared , killed him ? did not they cry , we have moses and the prophets ? and do not you boast and cry , we are the learned colledge , we have diplomas , and we have been dub'd doctors , we have gallen and hippocrates ? are you not as the pope , to compell all men to obedience to you ? for , he cryes out , we are the church , we have the keyes of heaven and hell , i am christ's vicar the infallible , and all that are not within the pale of this church are hereticks ? and do not they persecute all as much as in them lyes that are better perswaded ? do not you persecute all at law that are not of your tribe , or owne not obedience to you ? but thanks be to god , millions are better perswaded ; but i cannot but wonder at many worthy persons of this city , that they should be so blind as to make use of these persons : but they will tell me , the reason why they advise with them , is , because they believe them to be learned men : but by the same parrallel line , why do you not advise with the conclave of cardinals of rome , for the health of your souls , as well as with the pretended colledge , for the health of your body ? for , they have but one and the same traditional education and root , and if you abhor the one , how can you , if you do but well consider , be satisfied with the other ? would they not bind all people to make use of them , and no other ? do they not go about to prohibit all people from consulting with , or making use of those whom they are satisfied , are both honest and able ? oh monsters in nature ! good people look not only to your purses , but to your lives also : for , what pretenses can these men have for their persecutiing dr. huybert's and the worthy dr. m. nedham , but their own covetous ends ? if they pretend they only design to suppress the ignorant , they betray themselves , for they trouble those men at law , more learned then themselves , in that shadow of a substance , which they call learning . and for that part of learning , which themselves are ignorant of , these men are worthy proficients ; viz. in the art of healing , &c. but least these papers should swell beyond my intention , i shall briefly end . refering you for farther information and satisfaction in these matters , to the writings of that worthy dr. m. nedham , in his medela medicinae , and his preface to sylvius's new idaea of physick ; and to dr. g. starkey's natures explication , and helmout's vindication ; dr. g. thompson's learned piece , called ortho methodus jatro chymica , and dr. huybert's corner stone ; in which books you may find those men well dissected . i must expect the censure of the ignorant , and the envy of the colledge ; but i am satisfied in that i inform the honest how to avoid the knavish , &c. finis . a postscript to the reader . lest the reader should be mistaken , & think , that i speaking against those pedantick usurping prescribing heteromethodists , and such apothecaries as are in combination with them : that thereby , i mean all manner of persons that profess physick and phylosophy , that have been educated in universities , or that i mean apothecaries in general . no , many of these men have been studious and elaborate inquirers into nature by practical philosophy ; these men , i say , with many of our london chirurgians , are better persuaded than to follow the old pedantick way : and such worthy men as these , i both owne and honour , as persons fit to undertake the sick. but i only mean those envious ignorants , whether physicians or apothecaries , who being bewitch'd by the authority & custom of other blind guides , and who having been beguil'd with their covetous crafty deceits , are clearly of opinion , that there is no more truth to be found in hermetick philosophy , than in the pretended philosophick principles of aristotle and galen ; such as doctor cox-comb , the late chymick renegado by virtue of matrimonial contract , & most of the prescribing pretended colledge , with their confederates , such apothecaries , who perversly maintaining of , and persisting in the great and manifest errours of aristotle's physicks , and the evident imperfections of the galenical medicines , out of a leud disposition or malignity of mind , and wilfull dotage , do persecute and bespatter those better informed ; and disswade other growing and hopeful wits , from applying themselves to the study of the hermetick science . those are the men whom i aim at , as being sophisters and deceivers in physick ; a sort of pedants , being bred up like a carrier's horse to foot it in a common road , and if he goes besides it , he then loses his way , and is in amaze ; and by way of distinction from those that are indeed physicians , let them be called pedants , for such they are indeed ; therefore let that be the word throughout england for ever . but one word more to the reader : and that is to inform him what a pedant is in phylosophy and physick : he is a creature half learned , and half unlearned ; that is to say , learned in letters , old rules , and speculations of old authors , so far as he has conversed with them , yet that is usually not very far ; and were he never so far or profoundly studied in them , it would be to little use or purpose , for the benefit of mankind ; so that the other half of the ridiculous monster , after he hath been trickt up with all the trappings of his academick authors formalities and notions , appears to be unlearned in things , realities , essentiall forms , intimate vertues , and powers of natural subjects , and ignorant which way to educe and reduce them to practice for a publick good : so that for the honour of this university way of education , and of his doctorships diploma , he and his old doctrine , are fit for little but to make good the old proverb , merus scholastious merus asinus ; for , trimed up with his gayeties of very little latine , and less greek rhombus , through all his purple-habiliments you may spy what sort of creature 't is ; especially if you turn your eyes upwards , you will be more evidently informed , when you view his ears peeping through his velvet-cushion-cap-case . talk he can , and prate as a man : so could balaam's ass ; but he poor animal lived out his time , then died , and for all his talk and jogging on the road , could never make a physician . — i met t' other day with a gentleman , who bad me salute all the doctor pedants thus in greek and latine , logiatri , valete ; and tell them , that not many of them are able to construe the english of it without much conning and thumbing of a lexicon . one word yet more to the reader . i am newly informed , that the collegiates , being all sick of the stone , i mean of that notable book called dr. huybert's corner-stone , lately published , & not daring to venture to cure themselves with any things of their own , have apply'd themselves to the use of goddard's drops in good-ale , in clerkenwell , where dwells that pittyfull distiller , a smal quack , that would fain curry favour with the greater ones , to gain their custom : where note , that the pedants will ( as they ever have done ) kiss the breech of any quack , so it be in private , that can help them with a medicine ; but if their disease were curable , as 't is not , alas ! what can good-ale wit drops doe , after they have been smiten under the fifth rib by the hands of huyberts ? their next fate will be , to be buried by the city , without lamentation : * and does he think they will be satisfied with good ale , instead of wine at such funeral ? but more planly thus , dr. huyberts , in his book ( which is a book that concerns every man in this nation to read ) having stript naked their doctorships , and their fallacies , their imperfections , and their arrogant persecuting of him , and other meritorious persons , without reason , or ground of law , he then saluted them with two remarkable challenges , which are these . . he challenges them ; to nominate any one particular of improvement , that their society hath made in the art of curing , since their first incorporation , to this day : and thereupon he will prove the contrary . . whereas they pretend to have done much in discovcries by anatomy : and whereas mr. boyle , in his book of experimental philosophy , saith ; he doth not see wherein by those new discoveries , they have done any thing to better the cure of diseases . dr. huyberts also saith ; that if the masters of the anatomical stage , please to justifie themselves , he is ready to refute them , and manifest publickly in print , that they have not done any thing worth a straw beyond what was done by the ancients . these are the challenges ; but why do they not accept and enter upon the combate ? is it for the honour of their worships , to admit a puny drop-seller to be their champion , and then under hand to supply him as i am told with materials , to patch up a pamphlet with a bold face of a lame answer ? this is their way of answering ; and thus i remember , they served worthy dr. marchamont , nedham's book ten years ago called medela medicinae ; which remains yet unanswered , and approved by all but themselves : for instead , of returning a solid and through answer by some of their grandees , which was a task becoming the best heads amongst them , they employed four of their puny members to whisle with some pareels , and sentences , instead of an orderly demolition of the ground work , the design , and structure of the whole book , as becomes men that would pretend to be scholars . those puny scriblers were men scarce known , and so could lose no reputation , in case they made , as they did , very frivolous answers to some parts , without considering the entire composition of the whole : and doubtless the grandees dealt very warily , to decline an engaging themselves , and to set on their underlings to write against a book which they well knew was not to be answered yet they had the impudence to cry in all places , that they had confuted the doctor in four several answers . this was the art used then to save their credits , with the injudicious & weaker sort of people . and now seeing i hear they are upon practising that same trick again , by employing against huyberts ; one goodale from whom is not to be expected any tolerable answer ; and he being none of the colledge , dr. huyberts is not concerned to make any reply to ought that shall be written on that account , unless it shall appear in print owned under the name of the colledge , or of some one of their number , on their behalf . for , the doctor is resolved not to take notice of that drop-seller , but will commit the care of a reply unto a man of his own , whose name is jack straw . a fit man to foile such a champion , being able to deal with mr. goodale , and his good masters too ; in case they deal with him now , as formerly they did with dr. nedhams book , that is , if they shall cry up this their new treatise , which is now forming by that incompetent adversary , to be a sufficient answer . before i conclude , i cannot but take notice , by way of admiration , of the condition of that worthy and ancient company of chirurgeons of london , what a base thing it is , that such persons as they , should suffer so long a time as they have done , under the insolence and pride of the pedants , who have for a hundred and fifty years past , made attempts from time to time to inslave and debar them from the practise of physick , in following their profession ; which to do , is absolutely a great burthen to the subject , and disgrace to the kingdom . there being no reason why a chirurgical patient , should be put to the charge of a fop doctor ; ignorant of chirurgery ( as most of them are ) when as if occasion require a doctor , the chyrurgeon may be chyrurgeon and doctor too ; for so they are , and ought to be at sea ; or else his majesty , and the merchants , may lose their men that dayly go forth in their services . and how shall they be fit for sea , if they and their masters that breed them , have not a freedom to practise both ways by land as well as by sea. besides , physick and surgery were everheretofore in one hand , till the idle pride of pedants made a distinction : from which arose the destruction of physick in all its concerns . and it will never be well till they run both again in on channel . farewell , courteous reader , and favour the attempts of him whose aime is thy good , whilst he is r. fletcher . from the sun in gutter-lane , london . advertisement . there will be speedily printed , a commentary upon the learned preface , which was written by the worthy dr. mar. nedham last summer , and set forth in print before dr. richard gowers translation of sylvius the dutchman's new idea of physick . being a piece worthy to be perused by all men in the nation , that they may see , how they have been gulled , with the title of university doctor , instead of real physician : it will be printed in octavo in . sheets ( the very marrow of things ) to avoid the pedantick way of tiring the world with long discourses . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * see the book lex talionis , written by an apothecary against the pedant doctors . notes for div a -e * m. bayes may do well to crown their funeral , and marvel not , if you find on their tombe-stone for a memorial ( because most of them are pretended scholars ) these words , this is golgothamgemulam , which if mr. franckland p. d. solliciter happen to survive , he may interpret if he be able .