AN APPENDIX TO THE Unlearned Alchemist, Wherein is contained the true Receipt of that Excellent Diaphoretic and Diuretic PILL, purging by Sweat and Urine; commonly known by the name of Matthew's PILL. With the Exact manner of preparing and making of it, and the particular nature and virtue of the several Ingredients, as also of the PILL. By G. Kendal, M. A. Oxon. Licenced and Entered according to the Act for Printing. LONDON, Printed for Joseph Leigh, and are to be sold by him at his shop in Bazing-hall-street. And are to be sold by the Author; as also the Pill, Antidote, and Oil of Amber, at the Green Dragon in Ave-Mary Lane. Friendly Reader. I Being something concerned in the following Thetis, as being one with whom Mr. Richard Matthews left this Receipt of his Pill, and also did leave an injunction upon me with some others to see it made public if he did not live to do it himself; and seeing it is here truly and faithfully brought to the Light, according to his desire, I am willing therefore by way of owning the truth thereof, to give this short and plain account, both how I came by it, and why it was not made public before this time. Mr. Richard Matthews of known integrity, after he found the public use and benefit of this Pill, was often taking care how to preserve it in its purity after his decease, sometimes expressing his mind as followeth, That he would choose out six persons that he could intrust therewith, and leave it with them, and Authorize them after the decease of any one of them, the Rest to choose one in his Room, and so to be kept by such a number, to the end it might not be engrossed in the hands of any particular person, expressing several times his fears, that if his Pill should only rest at home, his folks would spoil his Pill, which he was careful to prevent, but his thoughts of the leaving of it were not effected, but about 57 or 58, he several times spoke to me, and also to Ahasuerus Fromanteel to come to him together, and he would Leave the Receipt with us, using words to this purpose, that he was but Crazy and weak, and did not know how it might please God to deal with him, therefore pressed us several times to this thing before we went to him. So when he was at little Chelsy, at one Mr. Mandy his house, we took an opportunity to give this our old friend a visit; at which time we put him in mind of what he had formerly pressed us to, which he willingly at that time performed, & gave us this in charge with it that we should not take any Copy of it during his life, but read it as often as we would over, and when we had so done, then to seal it up with both our seals, and let it rest in one of our hands, till God should please to dispose of him, or to this effect, than it to be our own; So it was sealed up with my seal, and kept by Mr. Fromanteel until the time: And after this about some two Months before his death, he gave to Mr. George Kendal another receipt, with his addition, at which time he did refer, the one to the other to make it complete: yet the makers of the dunghill blush not to affirm that he gave out no other Receipt after 59 But when this Receipt was given, it was not that we should make it public, for we heard n●● thing at all then of his intent as to that thing, Only that it might not be engrossed, in the hands of any particular person. But a little before his death, Mr. Kendal and Mr. Fromanteel meeting by accident at his house, being come there to visit him, he then spoke to them his mind about the publishing his Pill, and gave them some order about it, if he should not live to do it himself. On the next day, I not knowing any thing what was past the day before about this business; I went to visit my sick Friend, at which time he told me, that it was well that I was come; for saith he here was Mr. Kendal, and Mr. Fromanteel, yesterday, and I gave them order to publish the Receipt, therefore if I should not live to do it myself, do you with them see that it be done, or words to this effect be used, but set us no time in which we should do it: so that we were wholly at liberty as to time. Now it cannot well be imagined, but if we were to make it public, we might also make use of it ourselves, and thereby gain knowledge also of what we did in making it public. But in our debates about the publishing of it, we found by good testimony, that there was an engagement laid upon our friend Richard Matthew, that he should not make it known to its enemies; therefore we at that time concluded rather to make it known only to its friends, and such as did make much use of it, that so we might answer our engagement to him, and not violate his: in order to which we gave out several Copies, & imparted the whole thing to them, that is, both the first Receipt, and the addition, and that freely, and refused it to none that we knew to be friends either to it or him: Which I suppose the widow and her agent were ware of, and therefore did cast up that dunghill in the beginning of their book, bespattering of us, to forestall us in our work, and to keep people from working by our Receipt, or paper directions as they call it, to blind the eyes of the people, and to make the pearl in our hand as invallid as they could, and yet they themselves were fain to be beholding to our receipt when they went to make it known, which I am very apt to believe they would not have done, only they saw it was too public before for their profit: I know not what else should make them clamour so against the innocent, only the publickness of the Pill, and yet their cry is we break our trust in not making it public; and thus they fill the ears of the Readers with flatteries, and insinuations, and prejudice against them that have endeavoured both public good, and the preservation of the Pill in its purity: It is very opposite to me to be in contension, or to meddle with such dirty spirits, only I am with others provoked to give this plain and brief accout, by that advantage they take at our silence, to say reproachfully, that we may with shame sit down, having nothing in truth to say for ourselves in this matter; whereas I do solemnly profess to all to whom this may come, that the account that I have here given, doth not vary one word from the very truth of the business; and what I have here said, I have said it in the words of truth, and soberness, and so desiring the Reader if he please, but to compare their own say, the one with the other, and it may easily be discovered where the snake lieth. Mr. Fromanteel that is equally concerned with me in this business, is at present at a distance from London, but I am very confident he will freely subscribe to the truth of what I have here asserted. But I will not detain you from the ensuing discourse, where you will find the pearl taken out of the dunghill, and faithfully presented to your view; as it was communicated both in the first Receipt, and the addition also. Thus having given you a brief but true account of our thus bespattered actions, in all plainness and honesty, I shall leave them to be considered of by the impartial Reader, because truth seeks no corners, and shall subscribe myself. Yours to my poor ability, and ready to serve any one, Jonathan Loddington. An Appendix to the unlearned Alchemist, etc. MEeting with a precious Pearl unhandsomely dealt with, and exposed to the view of the world in a Dunghill, I could do no less, (the true owner making no haste to challenge it) then take it out from amongst the rubbish, and set it forth in its native lustre and purity, as well as my skill, who am but a young practitioner, would enable me. The Pearl is a receipt of an excellent Diaphoretical and Diuretical Pill, commited to the custody of Mr. Richard Mathews, in the year 1655. by Mr. George Starkey the first that found it out. What use Mr. Mathews made of it for the public good and benefit of mankind, his Book entiruled, The unlearned Alchemist, doth in some measure manifest, & what emolument and profit he reaped by it, the poor and necessitous in his life tasted, and his widow since his death reaps the benefit of; though she hath carried herself very unworthy of that provision her husband made for her by means thereof, by abusing her husband's friends to whom in love he comunicated the knowledge of it, wounding the credit and reputation of the deceased, in seeking to cast dirt upon them: but it is a needless thing to spend time in wiping away that dirt: there is none that knows her and them, can give credit to those false and frivolous aspersions that she bespatters them withal; neither is there any that had knowledge of her deceased husband, that can be persuaded to believe, that he would deal so unfaithfully with his friends, as to give them a counterfeit in stead of a true receipt. Mr Mathews having a crazy and weak body, was solicited by divers (that had much experience of the virtue of the pill,) not to suffer it to die with him, supposing him to be the first author of it (as he was generally reputed to be.) In the year, therefore 1659., two of his intimate friends, viz. Ahasuerus Fromanteel, and Jonathan Loddington coming to visit him, he gave them the receipt, wishing them to read it over, and then to seal it up, and keep it: requiring no other condition of them, than not to open it whilst he lived, which take as it followeth. Take Equal parts of India, Salt Peter, and the best White Rhenish Tartar, and pound them, and drive them through a hair sive, and in a yellow Pipkin, or new Chamberpot of Earth set upon Charcoal, put it in by Spoonfuls till all be burned White: this is called the Salt of Tartar: note, if it will not fire, touch it with a live Cole, and if it fire while this is warm, pound it to gross powder, and put it in a well glazed Dish, or which is better, a glass body, and let it stand covered with the Oil of Turpentine two fingers high above the Tartar, stir it with a wooden Spatul●, supply it with Oil that it be always covered for six months, till it be open, and come to soap, and be of a body the thickness of grease, or an Electuary: This is the true corrector of Opium, & all vegetative Poisons, and the greatest Treasure in the world, for which we bless God. Take of this Corrector two pound, of Opium one pound, of white Hellebore in powder one pound, of English Liquorish one pound let all be sufficiently incorporated at several times by a strong arm in an iron mortar, be sure the corrector have through ingress, and have a care to choose Opium wrapped in the leaf, else it may be sophisticated, and then it will lose its operation. This is in faithfulness the true Pill, whereof my bills and book speak, and you have proved until December, 1659., R. M. And whereas now it is affirmed, that Mr. Mathews made some addition to this Pill after the giving forth this receipt, I shall give you that also, In November 1661., which was the Month before that wherein he died, he gave this also written with his own hand: Take of the Corrector 3 pound. Of Opium. 1 pound Of white Hellebore, 1 pound. Of black Hellebore, 1 pound. Of Liquorish, 1 pound. Incorporate them, etc. as in the former, & now to use Mrs Mathews own words: There is no man that knew her husband's faithfulness, or had intimate acquaintance with him, but will believe him against any contradiction whatsoever. And therefore as she acknowledges the first to be a true receipt according to his practice, until December 1659. which wrought most of the eminent cures mentioned in his Book. So this must be tru● for the last two years of his practice, except she will say her Husband was at the last grown false and unfaithful in what he declared to his friends with affirmations of much candour and sincerity. Neither did he as he affirmed make this known, till he had made sufficient provision for his wise to live upon without it, which being done, it was his resolution had he lived, to have published it to the world, saying often he would not leave it in a particular hand, for his people were so careless, he knew they would spoil it. Here you have the Pearl faithfully as he left it, and that it might not be disesteemed in regard of the paucity of the ingredients, or feared by reason of the dangerousness of them, there being much malignity in some of them, and therefore cried down by the Doctors, to whose gain this is, and hath been very prejudicial. I shall briefly give a touch upon the particulars thereof, and first for the corrector which is in the Receipt affirmed to be the greatest treasure in the world, and doubtless it is a treasure of excellent value if rightly prepared. It consists of a fixed Salt, and an essential oil brought by a due fermentation into a Tertium Neutrum, distinct from either of them. The Salt in the Receipt is called the Salt of Tartar, for the powerfulness whereof, in regard the Pill hath much credit upon Mr. Mathews account, I shall produce his testimony. In the latter end of his book entitled, The Unlearned Alchemist, he gives you a Receipt, the like whereof he confidently affirms never saw the Light for the good of mankind, and in the midst of his high encomiums of it, he hath this expression, If thou (as blind as bayard) cry out of the strong poison of the subjects, viz. Poppy and black Hellebore, thou snarling fool cease, and first learn the power of Salt of Tartar, and do not bewray thy folly and ignorance, till thou have proved its power, lest thou give occasion of perpetual laughter unto those whom experience hath taught and informed. Sal sapit Omnia, Salt makes all things savoury. Every one knows its virtue in preserving things from putrefaction: and amongst all fixed Salts there is none so powerful as that of Tartar, which Van Helmont calls, Sua inter alcalia respublica: Diascorides affirms it to be cleansing, heating, binding, eating & drying, It purifieth the blood, and purgeth the body (saith Mullerus) in the most deplorable diseases. It maketh Medicines of itself of excellent virtues according to the several ways of preparing of it, and mixed with other ingredients it corrects the venom, and exceedingly exalts the virtue of the simples to which it is joined. It is of singular use in the extracting the tincture and essence of Vegetables. Neither is the Salt Peter (though it be here chiefly used for the burning of the Tartar,) without singular virtue, as may be abundantly seen in the writings of several who have treated of it. It resists putrefactions, quencheth thirst, incideth the Tartareous humours in the body, resolveth coagulated blood, and easeth pain, and therefore is frequently used in Fevers; (and those the most malignant) the Collect, Pleurisy, peripneumony, stone of the Reins and Bladder, and obstruction of the Liver, and mesereum, for these and other distempers it is variously prepared. The Lapis Prunellae, the mineral Saccharat Crystal, the Corallate Niter, sweet Salt, Panacaea Duplicata, or Duplicate, Arcanum of Minsicht, the Spirit of Niter, the flowers and tincture, with other excellent medicines highly cried up by many authors, have this for their Basis. But all salts per se are of a sharp and corrosive nature, which is taken a way by the addition of, and fermentation with essential Oils, till they be saciated with them, and become one body, and so they may be made an excellent Balsam. Now among all essential Oils there is not any in the vegetable family doth excel the Oil or Spirit of Terebinth, or Turpentine which is admirably Diuretic, and Abstersive, healing both outwardly and inwardly, as it is very well known to experienced Physicians and Surgeons. It is hot, emollient, discutient, opening & purging. Beguinus saith it helpeth the Cough and ptysick, it resisteth pestilent Poison, purgeth the Stomach, provoketh Urine, expels the Stone, helpeth the Strangury, and Ulcers of the Bladder, it openeth and strengtheneth the Nervous-parts, dissolveth coagulated blood, and helpeth the Matrix. Large are the encomiums that by many are given of it, and it is plentifully to be had without danger of being adulterated. With this Oil the Salts are to be so long digested, till being fully opened they drink up thrice their quantity in weight, which you shall in the operation see them after some time greedily as it were thirsting for; with which they are to be supplied till they are fully satisfied; neither as yet is there a firm union, for after this the Salt will cast forth all the Oil again and betake itself to the bottom, and then become obdurate like a coy Lover, that hath taken offence, seeming hard to be reconciled: yet after this with many solicitations and much patience, it will yield to entertain, and embrace the Oil again, and to have the Gordian knot knit which cannot be loosed. This is a six-months work at least, yea I have by experience found it in some above a twelvemonth before it hath been brought to perfection, and if some may have a more speedy way, and can facilitate their work, yet knowing the proverb, difficilia quae pulchra, I shall with the poet say, Accipe tu facilem, Da miht Dificilem. This is the corrector of all Vegetables; yea the most truculent and virulent stripping them of all their Poisonous and hurt full qualities, and making them safe, and excellently medicinable: This doth ripen the crudities, separate the Gummousnes, correct the venom, and exalt the virtue of all simples, and makes them truly diffusive of their virtue through all the parts of the body: where as if they be taken crude, or according to the Galenical way of preparation, they only disturb the stomach, irritate the Archaeus of nature, which being enraged may cast forth what is in the stomach and bowels, & so that which is bad being cast out with the good, some benefit may by accident be obtained by them, yet not without prejudice to the patiented, the Faeces of the drugs remaning behind, which after leave dangerous consequences. Let him that prepares this be sure there be an entire union between the Oil & the Salt, and a transmutation of the Oily Sulphur into a saline nature; which may be known by this as by a sure sign viz. if they will dissolve in any liquor without separating any Oiliness swimming on the top, and then is it made truly volatile, and may by an experienced hand be dissolved, and distilled, & of it a Spirit made of fare more excellent virtue. The vegetables of which this Pill is composed come next in place to be treated of, whose properties are in every Herbal set forth, yet in regard every one that shall desire to make use of this Pill, may not be furnished with those Books: I conceive it will be of use to give you a brief account of what Authors have writ of them. The Opium and the two Hellebores: have admirable virtues in them, though in regard of a venomous quality, connatural to them, they have Nol●me tangere writ upon them without a due correction, but when that virulency is by a due correction extinguished, they prove admirably efficacious for relief in, and the cure of many, not only ordinary distempers, but astonishing and desperate diseases. And first for the Opium, it is a great Narcotick, and therefore cried down as a Stupefactive Lethal ingredient by many physicians, and yet it is a chief ingredient in many of their principal Antidotes; witness Mitridate, Diascordium, Venice and London treacle, Philonium, Laudanum, and other medicines, of which he that peruses their Dispensatoryes, may furnish himself with a catalogue: what they correct the malignity of the Opium with in those medicines, let the makers of them seriously consider, I am confident there is no way proposed in those Dispensatoryes that is sufficient to do it; except the multiplicity of ingredients do drown in part their virulency, together with part of their virtue: The Stupefactive venom of Opium consists in the Sulphureous part of it, which by often made factions with this corrector and drying again is exhaled, and then it becomes amicable to nature, and doth powerfully put forth the following virtues. 1. There is an anodinous virtue eminently appearing in the operation of it, whereby it quietly assuages pain in a pleasing and almost insensible way, driving out what is offensive. It is that Nepenthe Homer speaks of. — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉— It frees from Choler, & trouble, and obliterates all evils. Delenefica vi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 moderatur et expultricem facultatem, iratumque archeum placat, Circea quasi virga tactum. It moderates the sensitive and expulsive faculty, and pacifies the enraged Archaeus, as it were with a charm, and this not by stupefying the senses, or laying (as some frequently affirm by this Pill,) the distemper asleep, as some of the following virtues will make more manifest. 2. Upon this depends a somniferous virtue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 asswaging pain it doth usually bring to a quiet sleep; not stupefying and hurtful when duly corrected, but most pleasing and refreshing to the senses, making the spirits more fresh and lively after it. 3 It is excellent for the staying of all fluxes bloody, and dysenterial as well as others. It dries up Rheums and Cattarhes that destil and drop upon the Lungs, it stays a looseness, & corrects the immoderate working of any purging medicament. 4. It hath a singular virtue in the repressing, & mitigating the violent fits of Agues & Fevers, & in curing of them. Trallianus in his 12th Book, Chap. 8. commends for singular antidotes in the cure of Fevers, those which have Opium in their composition: and Galen himself in his book of the way of curing Fevers, doth affirm that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 w●ch is our Venice treacle (known to most to have Opium for one of the principal ingredients) to be of great efficacy for the removing of Fevers. 5 It is eminently sudorifique, purging the body by sweat more effectually than any other Vegetable whatsoever, and this not in a troublesome offensive way, but in a sweet pleasing manner, composing the spirits without desire of moving, or tumbling from place to place, (as is usual in other sweeting) whereby it purges the superflous and offensive humours from all the parts of the body. And how effectual and safe such diaphoreticks, are even in deplorable diseases, few are ignorant of. Now that the sweat proceeds from the taking of Opiate medicines is principally caused by the Opium, take Diascorides his testimony 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The very smell of the Opium is spread through the whole body. The sweat procured by that means oftentimes having the very sent of the Opium. 6 It is also Diuretic, purging by Urine, which is not so evident in the quantity, as the quality of it, being more high coloured, bringing away slimy stuff often like rags, and frequently causing both Gravel and stone to be voided. 7 It hath also a purgative faculty, where there is need of it. Frequent experience (saith a learned doctor) hath taught us, that two or three grains of the Opiate Laudanum being given at night, hath purged both upwards & downwards in the morning, which quality proceeds from the bitterness of it: Opium saith Quercetanus is bitter by reason of the Salt, which being separated from its Oil, or Narcotick Sulphur, is no less purging than all other bitter things, as Gentian, Centory, and the like: and Van Helmont makes mention of an Opiate medicine he gave in the evening, which caused a vomit the next morning, took away the and by spitting purged away the phlegm 8 It is very powerful for the expulsion of wind, and that to admiration. It assuages the torments, and gripe of the Stomach, and bowels, and drives out the wind, both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upwards and downwards. The true cause of all gripe (saith my author) is a preternatural acidity, which is hostile wherever it is found. Now acidity hath the Spleen for its seat, and is the ferment of the stomach, by which the digestion is performed, but if this acidity be over-exalted there, it causeth torments, and wring gripe, usually called, Orexis Stomach●, & if the least acidity descend into the bowels, Meseraickes or messenteriall vessels, not fully transmuted into a Saline nature, it there also causeth torments, and pain with ventosity, and flatulent winds. To these Opium is specifically accommodated, (when corrected) both giving ease in the tormenting griping pains, and extinguishing the malignant acidity, which is the cause of them. These are the virtues that by authors of good esteem are attributed to Opium, and if any of them seem to be opposite to, or contradicting of others, be not too hasty in rejecting all, and passing a rash sentence on the discourse, several parts of the same simple are found by the experienced to have different effects, the Sulphureous part may work one way, & the Saline a quite contrary way, and the same thing may have different effects, according to the subject they work upon differing in their temperatures; what binds one man, hath by experience been found to loosen another. Quicquid recipitur agit ad modum recipiertis. And this noble Vegetable being duly corrected, is made so friendly to nature, that it becomes wholly serviceable to it, assisting it in the performing of that service the patiented that makes use of it stands most in need of. The other simples in this composition that are powerful in operation, are the two Hellebores, of which also a large catalogue of virtues are in herbals described, the principal whereof I shall briefly lay down. They are both said to be dry and hot in the third degree, and the black hotter than the White; this cleanseth the stomach by vomit, the other the bowels by stool, and both purge away superfluous humours. They were anciently esteemed as the appropriate medicine to purge away melancholy distempers, and cure Madness that proceeded from them, as appears by Martial. Dauda est Hellebori multo pars Maxima avaris; Nescio an Anticyram ratio illis destinet omnem I know not (saith he) whether the whole sland Anticyra be not by reason appointed ●o bring forth Hellebore to cure the madness of covetous persons: And certainly ●here are none more mad than those who ●ake Gold their God, and Gain their Godliness; that prefer Earth before Heaven, and ●azard the perpetual loss of their souls, for ●he obtaining a little wealth to look upon ●nly, for to make use of it they have not heart's. Such mad men are they, that for a ●ade in the world have sold their liberties, ●●d brought themselves into bondage: and 〈◊〉 mad are they that will part with Truth and ●ighteousness, wherein the Image of Christ ●●nsists, to scrape together a little pelf, which ●●ey neither stand in need of, or can expect ●●ng to enjoy. I wish her that challenges the ●●le propriety in this Pill, to be made sensile of the indirect means she hath used, by ●●nting lies and slanders to defame others, ●●d other underhand deal, that she ●ight thereby engross all into her own ●●nds; and being convinced of her own ●●stemper, I shall advise her to use a right way of recovery, not Hellebore which the Poet points unto, but what the great Physician prescribes to the Rich man, Luk. 18.22. or the course that Zacheus took, Luk. 19 But to return to the matter in hand, the Hellebores are not only a medicine for the frenzy, but commended also for the opening the Liver, and healing the imperfections thereof, purging the Head, and curing the Megrim▪ Parkinson tells us of a Helleborisme much commended by Mathiolus, and Faber gives a high commendation of his Arcanum purgate radicis Hellebori, which in an admirable manner purges the head and stomach, which are the principal fountain and seat of the giddiness and megrim, and that without trouble or fear of any convulsion, for the Hellebore in its dissolution loseth whatsoever venom it had naturally in it, and is wonderfully altered. And these Pills, saith a learned Writer do alone cure the Megrim safely, speedily and pleasantly. The same Author tells us 〈◊〉 a Pill which he calls, Extractum seu Chylism● catholicum & holagogum, which brings awa● promiscuously all peccant humours, that hat● both the Hellebores for part of their ingredients. Being well corrected and rightly prepared they are exalted in their virtues for th● cure not only of the diseases mentioned already, but many others also, which by the experienced in physic they are reckoned appropriated unto; as Colds and Coughs ●●ough of long continuance: Cramps, Convulsions, Sciatica, Gout, shrinking of the Sinews, Toothache, Dropsy, Epilepsy or Fal●●ng Sickness, the Jaundice black and yellow, ●●eprosie, pains in the belly, Ruptures and ●orms: the weight of a twopences of the ●owder (saith an approved Author) cureth ●n Ague. But thus much briefly of the two ●ellebores, which I have joined together as ●eing efficacious for the cure of the same disease's. The last of the ingredients is the Liquorice, which (as Galen saith) is sweet, having 〈◊〉 little astriction joined with it, making it temperate in heat and astriction, that is the ●earest to our temper, but because the safety ●nd goodness of it is very well known: And because an inconsiderate quantity thereof is ●aken in a Pill, not likely to have any eminent operation distinct from the other species, and was added by Mr. Mathews (as ●e hath told me) chief to make up the bulk, shall therefore say no more of it. The powerful ingredients of this Pill (you ●●e) are few, and thereby it is rendered more ●●fficacious, for where multitudes are put into a composition, they prove usually but as 〈◊〉 clog to each other to hinder their proper operations. You have here the Pill anatomised, and 〈◊〉 description of the several parts whereof 〈◊〉 consists, with their power and virtue, and 〈◊〉 singly by themselves, they are of such efficacy as you havehere set down: Vis unita fort● or. What will they not do when united, and not barely united, but corrected of thei● venomous qualities, and ennobled with s● powerful a Balfome, as exalts their virtue to the utmost, making them truly friendly to our natures. And surely though they do not attain to be a universal medicine, yet they are of a very large extent, witness the catalogue of cures performed by them, put out by Mr. Mathews▪ Neither are the Pills made by others according to the directions which are here laid down destitute of testimony of their success in the cure of the most of the diseases mentioned in the bills given forth with them, divers have brought me relations of singular benefit they have reaped by them they had from me of my preparing: some have been freed from Agues and Fevers by them, others cured of Colds and Coughs, some that had pains in their Limbs that they could not without great difficulty walk a coits cast or too, by the taking 2 or 3 Pills, have been able with ease to walk a mile or two, others that ●ave had stones brought from them to admi●●ation: An ancient woman lately brought ●hree stones to show me, that by the taking ● or 3 of my Pills she had come from her. A ●ilkman who is very ancient was troubled with making of bloody water, in such a man●er that he could not walk a bow shot but ●e was afflicted with it in a very painful man●er, was by my Pills perfectly cured of that distemper, though he was hardly persuaded ●o take them, or continue the use of them, ●aving been told by some expert in Physic, ●hat his grief was incurable: the same person was lately troubled with a fit of the Stone, that he lay roaring for pain, and then taking 〈◊〉 Pill, he was brought to a gentle sweat and ●est, and in his sleep had a stone came from ●im insensibly, of the bigness of a small bean with the raking whereof he was so sore afterwards, that for 2 or 3 days he could not ●old his water, and by the taking of a Pill or too more he was cured of that also. The wife of the same man a very ancient woman, ●aving been long troubled with an Asthma, ●f which she could get no cure, was by this ●ill she had from me set at liberty. They which sell of my Pills can tell you of many examples. One that sells my Pills in London, had lately a gallant came to him, who affirmed that by a quarter of an ounce of Pills of my making, he was cured of an Ague when the Doctors had done their utmost endeavours to remove it; and at last had given him the Jesuits Powder, their Ultimum refugium in such cases, but all proved fruitless. I call it their Ultimum refugium, because a Neighbour of mine, a Gentleman, of a full purse, lately sick of an Ague, had for a long space the Doctors come every day to visit him, first one single, and after a while a couple, till at length his wife seeing them to spin out the time for their own gain, begun to grow something impatient, & then they prescribed this powder, under the title of Pulvis Peruvianus. The same person had a Gentleman told him in brief, I could tell you of wonders wrought by the Pills, I had of you (which were of my preparing.) A poor man lately came to his shop for some Pills, and told that he had spent what he had upon the Physicians without help, and now he was advised by a learned Doctor to get of those Pills, for if they would not cure him nothing would. So high an opinion had this learned man of the Pill, that he preferred it before any other medicine the Apothecaryes' shop could afford. This causes me to remember another relation I had from an honest Minister who hath had many Pills from me, whom being recovered from a desperate distemper by the use of the Pill, a doctor of his acquaintance came to visit, he related to the Doctor in what condition he had been, with the means of his recovery; the other who at other times hath been very lavish in exclaiming against this Pill, gave him this serious counsel. Let me advise you as a friend (saith he) to make use of this Pill never but in cases of extremity; which is in effect thus. In small and ordinary distempers make use of our prescriptions, but being you are my friend, let me advise you when your life lies at the stake, and comes to be hazarded, trust not to them, but make use of this as a more powerful medicine. I might multiply examples of several cures wrought by them in persons of all ages and sexes, women with child & some in childbed, who by their midwives and friends & Physicians also have been esteemed past recovery, yet by this means principally God hath been pleased to raise them up. I could tell you their names and places of habitation if it were requisite. I might also present you with the relations I have had from persons that have made use of my Pills in several counties, as Lincolnshire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire, Northamtonnsheire, etc. Where a blessing hath gone along with Pills of my preparing in the doing of many eminent cures. But I forbear to set down particulars, as affecting brevity: These may serve to make it evident to all persons that are not incurably possessed with prejudice, that we have the true Receipt of the Pill, with the manner of preparing it, whatever is or may be asserted to the contrary; and we have been directed and assisted by Mr. Andrews, a man of known integrity; who made the Pill for Mr. Mathews, before ever he made it himself, and was for some time his sole operator, when he began to be in credit for the Pill. Yea Mr. Starkey who was the first inventor of the Pill, hath not been wanting in declaring to us, not only the Manual operation, but also the Nature of it, and ways to improve it, and alter it as need requireth I could give a particular answer to those scandalous personal reflections, that Mrs. Mathews bills, advertisement, and book swarms with, and show the falsehood and invalidity of them, but this may prove nauseous to unconcerned persons, and therefore I shall be silent in it, and only declare that out of a love to peace and truth, there hath been by myself, & the others she exclaims against, a hearing desired, with a promise, that if it could be made appear; to the judgement of any indifferent rational man, that we had either injured her or dealt any ways unfaithfully, that we would acknowledge the wrong, and make such satisfaction, as by such persons should be judged expedient; but this hath been always refused. I shall now briefly speak something to the manner of taking of this Pill, with the way of its working. The Pill is ordinarily to be taken at night when going to bed, with a cup of Sack, White-wine, Ale or Beer drank after it, to carry it down, the Vehicle is to be appropriate to the disease, if it be for an Ague a cup of Sack, or some cordial liquor is best; if for a Fever without an Ague a cup of White-wine is more proper; if for purging the Reins and Bladder of Stone or Gravel, White wine is the best, being the more Diuretic: here discretion is to be made use of, as also in the quantity of the dose, which must be according to the age, temperature, and strength of the patiented. Reason will teach you to give a very small quantitity of it to a child, whereas 10, 12 or 14 grains is an ordinary dose for a man or woman, yea 20 grains (if it be well prepared, and the virulency of the simples, by frequent made-factions, and exsiccations be extinguished) will not disturb or afflict the Patient with troublesome symptoms; neither then is it the less efficacious, as some practitioners fond conclude who suppose that medicine to be best, which doth with a small quantity disturb nature, and manifest its violent operation; for the virtue of a medicine consists not in the Vomative, laxative, or deleteriall qualities thereof which disturb nature, and enrage the Ancheus, causing tumults and perturbations: but their excellency consists in their amicable and pleasing serviceableness to nature; whereby at the same time they refresh, and recreate the Vital Spirits, and dissolve all preternatural excrements, and coagulations. It is the commendation of a good medicine, to cure not only tuto & cito, safely and speedily, but also pleasantly; and then doth the medicine do its work the best when it is so prepared, that a large dose of it may be taken with the least Perturbation of the head and stomach, which make some rash ignorant persons to dislike it and lay it aside as void of virtue, to such I shall invert the order of the Poet's choice. Da Mihi tu Facilem, accipe difficilem. It is not necessary to tie the patiented to any rules of diet in the time of using this Pill; only let the food be nutritive, and the drink cordial, both used with moderation. The operation of this Pill is generally by sweat, where there are many peccant humours to be purged out, which in some persons are more insensibly transmitted through the pores than in others. It is the opinion of some able doctors, that thin lean bodies that sweat least by an insensible transpiration, send forth more in vapours then gross and corpulent bodies that sweat most violently, and this they affirm they have found true by infallible demonstration, having at several times taken the weight of such persons, with the weight of their food and excrements. If therefore there be not such violent sweeting wrought by it in thee as in others, do not presently conclude it to be of no efficacy, but have a little patience in the use of it, and probably thou mayest have a cure wrought in a more insensible way. And here I cannot but admire at the impatience and folly of many persons, who because they have not a perfect cure wrought by the taking of 2 or 3 Pills, sometimes by one, will lay it aside as altogether inefficacious; when as if a Doctor prescribes a course of Physic to them, they will be punctual in observing his rules many weeks, yea months, and not reap much sensible benefit by it. All the Doctor's art and skill is grounded on his own or other men's experience, whose works and writings he gives credit to, upon a bare affirmation; yea the knowledge of the virtue and efficacy of all simples, as also compound medicaments, hath it not experience for the Original? and shall not those experiences that are evident before our eyes, and which we have certain testimony of prevail as much with us, as the bare affirmations of others, who it may be (and often is so) speak not from any ground at all, but their own imaginations? It is cause of mourning to behold both Doctors and the generality of people deluded by them, to continue so heathenish as to give more credit to Galen and Hypocrates for the welfare of their bodies, than the word of God himself for the good of both soul and body. But there is a vail which is not yet taken away, that blinds the eyes of men both in this and other things. I do not go about to persuade any to make use of it so long without visible success as to have it come to the charge of an Apothecaries bill, or as a Doctor's visit. I never yet knew any that had patience, to take so much as comes to the ordinary price of a single potion, but have thought their Money well bestowed. My first acquaintance with this Pill arose upon my being visited with the gout, my pain was very great, and my lameness such that I could not walk in my chamber without crutches. The first Pill I took wrought some mitigation of the pain, but I continued it a good space before I had a perfect cure. I first cast away one crutch, and after a while the other, neither left I the use of the Pill, but as often as I either felt or feared the fit approaching, I made use of the Pill again; and so with the diligent use of it, my disease is totally eradicated, and blessed be God, I have not had a fit of it, for some years past. My wife also being sorely afflicted with the Megrim and extreme pain in her head, seeing the benefit I had reaped by it, was persuaded to the use of it, and though at first or second Pill, she found little amendment, yet at 7 or 8 times taking of it she had a full cure. And whereas it is the fear of some, that the frequent use of them will beget such a habit in the body, that they cannot live healthfully without them, (as it is with those that accustomed themselves to Tobacco,) my own experience can evince the contrary, for I may safely say, that neither I or my wife take the quantity of a quarter of an ounce in a year, such is the goodness of God to us, that we enjoy far more health than we have done for a long time formerly, and never have recourse to these, except when some cold or other distemper ceases upon us. The great objection against this Pill, is, that it generally binds the body, though some are loosened by it: for your satisfaction in that particular, I refer you to Mr. Mathewes Book, in the 76 and 77 sections or Paragraph. This by the variation of some of the ingredients, (as by a skilful hand may be done) may be amended. If more particular directions for the use of this Pill be desired, I refer you to the rules and examples laid down by Mr. Mathews in his Book, to which in what I writ, I desire to be serviceable, not destructive; it being his request to us in his sickness, that we should publish this Receipt with his Book. This therefore may be adjoined to it as an Appendix, and will do more service to the public than the Dunghill there intruded, which being according to its name, it is high time, the Scavenger should carry it out from amongst the habitations of civil people. And now as a close I shall give you the copy of the Receipt, as it was given to me by the first author of it, Mr. George Starkey. Rec. The best Tartar, and Salt-Peter equally balanced, Pulverised, and mixed, of each a pound, or at pleasure, put the ingredients in an iron kettle that is clean; fire them with a coal, and they will burn with an impetuous noise, after the flushing is over stir the Mass with an iron rod diligently till the redness cease, and the Mass will become a very white Salt, of the nature both of the Tartar, and Salt Niter, which is a noble Salt, and gives a very efficacious Alkali. Or if you rather desire the Alkali of Tartar alone, take of it what quantity you please, and send it either to the Glass-house; or Pot-house to calcine, and it will become a white cake of Salt. But in my Pyrotechny asserted, I gave reason why Tartar calcined with Saltpetre is no less inferior to (in some cases excelling) the Salt of Tartar (Peruse) by bare concremation To make which the more effectual as to its Alkalisate strength, take of this Tartar so calcined by Niter, and in a strong crusible let it flow in a wind Furnace, pour it out when it is fully melted, and you shall have an Alkalisate mass, of a bluish colour like potash, easily melting in the air; of a most excellent Alkalisate sharpness, which Salt so prepared, is recommended to the studious Artist. This, or the Calcinate of bare Tartar, let the Artist take (as he pleaseth) and dissolve in boiling water, which after agitation (twice or thrice) being settled and decanted clear, let it be boiled up to a dryness, which is the fixed Salt, or Alkali of Tartar purified. To make it clear and white as Crystal: Having dissoived the Lixivium from the Alkali of either the Salt of Tartar single, or as was taught with Salt Niter, by Concremation and Fusion: Let then an infusion of quicklime be made, of which being settled, let equal part in respect to the Lixivium be added, and the mixture let stand about ten or fourteen days covered with a cloth from dust, then decant all the liquor, which will be clear like to running water, and the Salt when dry being boiled in a clean vessel (from which it shall take no tincture) will be white as the purest Crystal. Of this Salt (made very dry) take a pound, or what quantity you please, of Oil of Tererebinth, or any other distilled Oil three pound, put the Salt into a vessel that is firm and broad, pour on so much Oil as will cover the Salt from the air, let it stand, and with a pestle stir the mass daily twice or thrice, so will the the Oil gradually be drunk up of the Salt, which must again be renewed and daily stirred and ground together till the whole three pound in respect to one of Salt be imbibed; the whole will become a white Cream by the union of the Salt and Oil together. This is at least six months' work. In this union of the Oil and Salt the Alkalisate corrosiveness of the one is allayed by the unctuosity of the other, and both made temperate, to the correcting of the malignity and venom of the most truculent vegetables. Your Cream or Corrector made as before is taught, and having stood its time till it will dissolve in any liquor, without separating the least oiliness at the top, which is a sure sign of an entire union of both, and a transmutation of the oily Sulphur into a Saline nature. Take of your best Opium (if very pure) if not dissolved, filtered and by evaporation drawn to the consistency of a Rob, one pound or what you please of white Hellebore pondered and finely seared, two parts to one of the Opium, of the Cream as much as will serve to bring it to the consistency of a Pill, beat them well together and dry them in a dish covered from dust; cut if you will the mass into thin slices, and so moisten it again, beating it up still, and repeating this till the mass when dried weigh double in respect to the Species: then with oil of Turpentine alone beat it up to the consistency of a Pill, and keep it about three weeks ere you use it, and it is fit for use. Only the older it is, the better it will be. Comparing this and the former receipt, we shall not stand in need of a judge endued with the wisdom of Solomon to decide who is the true Father of the child, one of a meaner capacity may determine the controversy; and if any shall still doubt, I shall desire them to read seriously Mr. Starkey's Pyrotechny-asserted, and he shall there though in more obscure terms see the foundation and ground of it. It will be needless to say any thing for the explaining this Receipt, having spoken already to all the ingredients. But here you may see some variety in the Alkali. The way prescribed to purify the Salt is worth your serious consideration. The Tartar cannot be brought to so pure a Salt by burning, but you shall have some feculency adhering to it, which by this means is taken away. The Art and manner of the composition is of singular concernment. The Opium (whereof that which comes from the Streights is best) cannot be cleansed without dissolution, in the doing whereof not any of the virtue is diminished: and if it be done with spirit of wine it rather helps to the correcting of it. The several moistening and dryings of the Pill is of excellent use; by this means the Sulphureous part of the Opium, in which the malignity consists, is exceedingly wasted, and totally subdued. And now whosoever thou art that shalt undertake the making of this Pill, see that thou be'st very cautious. Thou dealest with dangerous subjects. It is not a work for a raw or careless youth. Two or three things are much feared in the publishing this Receipt. The one, lest that the making of this Pill be adventured on by indiscreet persons that want judgement, or careless and rash persons that shall without due caution and circumspection mix these things together, and they not being brought to maturity, may retain their noxious qualities, and so have dangerous consequences. I have several times heard Mr. Mathews say, that he durst not trust bis people in this, for if his eye was not on them, they were very subject to do amiss, an evident experience of whose carelessness was seen in the last preparation for the Pills he made before his death; but let such persons consider that this Receipt is not made authentic by being inserted in the dispensatories, & therefore if any miscarry by it through want of due preparation, they must not expect to have their fault buried in the Grave, without being questioned, as is too usual in those miscarriages that are by authorised Physicians. The second thing feared is lest this falling into the hands of mercenary men (who mind their own gain, more than other men's good) this medicine may be spoiled, and rendered inefficatious; and that either by making use of decayed drugs, which have lost their virtue, or such as are adulterated, as much of the Opium which is brought from the Indieses is; if credit be to be given to that excellent Herbarist, Mr. John Parkinson. Or it may be spoiled with additional mixtures, that are either of little value, or of a contrary nature, either of which may so clog the due ingredients, that they shall not be able to put forth their true virtue. This hath been the lot of many excellent medicaments which have been reported to be of admirable efficacy in their first Original and rise, but now they are become contemptible, and destitute of that power and virtue they at first appeared endued withal. The Epithets of Sophisticate, and adulterated, are not more commonly, than truly given to many medicines that are usually sold. I will instance only in the Oil of Amber, a thing of singular virtues, if rightly prepared from the pure and simple amber, many authors have written very highly of the praise thereof, and my own experience, with the relations I have had from several persons, who have had of this from me, hath confirmed the truth of their writings. For farther satisfaction, you may read what Mr. Mathews affirms of it in several places of his book, principally in that part, which gives directions how to draw it. But this Oil of Amber that is commonly sold by the Druggist's, and Apothecaryes', is by some of them that are more candid, and ingenuous than others, acknowledged to be a great part of it Oil of Turpentine, or at the best Oil of Spike, only the Amber over ruling, in giving it the sent and tincture; for (say they) were it pure and simple without mixture, it could not be afforded at that low price it is sold at: How weak and inconsiderate are those persons, that having occasion to make use of that Oil, or other the like things, will to save a little in the price, buy trash to put into their bodies, or for outward applications, which is likely to afford them little or no relief; and how Sordid are those practitioners, that will obtrude it upon their patients, or direct them to the use of such debilitated and invallid medicaments. The third thing feared is, lest the very names of the Opium and Hellebores do so affright weak and timorous persons, that they shall not dare to make use of it: and truly this is the bugbear that doctors do labour to deter people from the use of it by, Take heed (say they) what you do, there is Opium in it, and Opium will be Opium when all is done to it that can be done, whereas this Opium is a principal ingredient, in many of their prime medicines, as I have formerly showed, and to use Mr. Parkinson's own words, It is an ingredient of much respect in those great compositions of Therica, Mithridaetum etc. the like may be said of the Hellebores. But let such persons consider, that as the only wise God placed Cherubims with a flaming sword to keep the way of the Tree of Life; so he hath fenced and armed those simples which have most virtue in them for the recovery of man's lost health with some venom that must by wisdom and diligence be destroyed by them that would enjoy the benefit of them. The bush that beareth the fragrant Rose hath its sharp prickles, and the Bee that affordeth the sweetest honey is armed with a sting, which he that will gather the honey must take heed of. And if it be lawful to compare temporal things with spiritual, I may say, true Chemical preparations do somewhat resemble the work of the All-powerful God in the mystery of Regeneration, wherein he makes choice of the worst of men many times to make of them the most active instruments for the propagating his Truth and glory. Saul the greatest of sinners is made by him the chiefest of the Apostles, and one that laboured more abundantly than all the rest in the work of the Ministry: where true mortification and renovation passes upon such as have been the most deadly enemies to the Church and cause of Christ, they become the most glorious instruments for the advancing his kingdom. Yea such is that inbred corruption that is adhaerent to the best of natures, that as Christ saith, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. This is a received truth in the Theory, but how a verse are we generally from embracing it in the practical part of it. Paul tells us Gal. 2.20. that he is crucified with Christ, and that he lives not but Christ liveth in him, he was taken off from the activity of his own natural principles, and now solely carried forth, and acted by the Spirit of Christ: do not our actions declare the contrary of us? there is none I suppose so void of reason, as to affirm that their earthly sensual earnall actings are the product of that pure, and immaculate Spirit of the Lord Jesus. On that all that challenge the name of Christian, would seriously consider this; he is a true Christian indeed, that can say with Paul: the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world: I am no more enamoured with, or have my affections set upon the world, or the things of it, than they would be upon a dead carcase, yea such a contemptible carcase, as hath been executed on a Cross or Gallows: and I am crucified to the world: A man that is dead can feel no injury that is done to him, strip him, cut him, mangle him, dispose of his body at your pleasure he is not sensible of it. This is the happy condition of a true Christian, his delight is not in the things of this world, and makes it not his business to scrape them together, and grow great here, neither is he affected with the affronts, and injuries that are inflicted by the world, he is above the rage and malice thereof, and he is made thus free by true mortification. It is a hard thing to be brief in this subject, I hope it will not be taken amiss being (I conceive) a seasonable word. In the like though far inferior manner is it with medicinal simples, the most truculent of them, when once there is true mortification and destruction of their virulency, are made not only safe, but admirably efficacious; yea the best of them, have their crudities, and noxious qualities, which by decoctions, digestions, or some other previous preparations, are to be destroyed before they can be made wholly safe and Salutiferous. This work is fully done in this Pill by them that rightly prepare it. The rose is gathered to your hand, the sting is taken from the Bee, and you may suck the honey without danger. And now at the last I desire you to remember that I said this is not an universal medicine, some diseases are so fixed and radicated, that they require that which is more powerful, of which sort are some medicaments prepared from mineral Sulphurs, of which the author of this Pill is seldom unfurnished. But though it be not universal, yet it is of a very large extent, and he that shall with a patiented waiting for a blessing upon it, continue the use of it, will not have need to seek for other, in the diseases to which the particular ingredients are appropriated, or that arise from the distempers, that they are powerful in the removing of: And now for the help of weak memories, I shall adjoin at the end the copy of a Bill given ordinarily out with them, wherein you have a catalogue of diseases, not at an adventure heaped together, but such as by certain experience this Pill hath been found helpful in. POSTSCRIPT. Courteous friend, and friendly Reader, HAving now for a years time complete been acquainted with Mr. George Kendal, the Author of this foregoing Treatise, and being informed by him of the instructions he received from the Unlearned Alchemist as to the preparing of that Diaphoretic and Diuretic Pill, I had occasion to acquaint myself with his preparation as to the Encheiretical part, and in some particulars did inform him, how by no great pains, and with a little cost he might better that preparation tenfold; and moreover, how to exalt that very process only by a secret in operation, beyond what Mr. Mathews ever wrought or knew, according to which he hath made his Pills to my knowledge as far exceeding the Unlearned Alchemists, (which I fear will grow each day worse in his Widow's hand, and is no more than himself feared in his life time, of which I am witness) as a pebble is exceeded in worth and value by a Diamond, as those who desire may experiment in both; I may judge myself able to discern and determine as to this particular, being the first Author of the Process that ever was known by effect or writing in Europe or the World, and from whom he received what he had, for other ends, and on other terms than he practised after he knew it: Several hundreds (among whom are many of Honour and Learning) know, that the secret was known and used by me in the year 1651, five years before his name on this score was known in the world; they therefore who will, may believe my testimony, or else may by proof be convinced. How far yet this preparation hath by me been advanced, I shall declare at large in a Tractate speedily intended to be made public, in which I shall give a large account, and make a desirable discovery of such medicinal secrets, in comparison of which this will be accounted trivial, although really excelling all Galenical Compositions. This for the honour and justification of this learned and truly ingenious Author I thought good to add, as a testimony and vindication of him from that fog which hath endeavoured to choke his credit, raised by an envious Muck-fork, raking in a Dunghill in hopes to find a precious Pearl which is challenged by GEORGE STARKEY who is a Philosopher by the Fire. St. Thomas Apostles, next door to black Lion Court, at the Coffee-sign, Octob. 19 1663. THough by reason of my living at a distance from London, I could not appear at the beginning of this work; yet I conceive it concerns me to give my testimony to what hath been in this Book affirmed: How our friend Mr. Mathews communicated the receipt to me, and Jonathan Loddington, you have it faithfully related by Jonathan Loddington: when it was given to George Kendal, I was present; and can testify, that Mr. Mathews did affirm, that what alteration he had made in his Pill, after he had given the receipt to us, was wholly contained in this latter; and this he then gave him upon this condition (waving all former proposals that had passed between them) that he should promise to perform such Articles as he himself should (when he had convenient leisure) draw up: But it pleased God suddenly after this, to visit him with sickness; and in that sickness, he did charge us all, as you have heard, to make it public; if he lived, not to do it; which we had done before this, had we not been prevented by that engagement, being made known to us, which he was under to Mr. Starkey, the first Author of it; but now this is taken off by Mr. Starkeys' consent; so that now you have it not only by the appointment of the reputed, but also by the consent of the true Author: you have it also fully explained, as it was the purpose of Mr. Mathews to have done, had he published it himself, so far as I could apprehend by what I have heard from him. As for the groundless complaints, and false assertions of the Widow, I think them not worth taking notice of, our consciences bear us witness, that we have not done her any injury, or falsified any trust reposed in us by her deceased Husband. This is thought fit to be added by me, who am A lover of Truth and Peace AHASUERUS FROMANTEEL. IF any person (notwithstanding what hath been here asserted) be unsatisfied as to the truth of the Receipt, I shall here give my testimony. I brought Mr. Mathews first acquainted with Mr. Starkey, of whom we both received Pills for our own use; and finding benefit by them, we had the manner of preparing them communicated to us, and I first made them for Mr. Mathews, and made trial of them upon myself before he durst venture on them, and afterwards made much for him, and was acquainted with what variation he made; and when Mr. Mathews told me of his design to make it public, I opposed him in it, knowing what engagement he lay under, to Mr. Starkey; and also fearing the Pill might be spoilt of his virtue and efficacy when it come to be made common by indiscreet persons: but seeing it is now public, I do affirm it to be truly and sincerely done, whatever by any may be said to the contrary, and to this I subscribe my name, AMBROSE ANDREW'S. THe whole business touching the Pill being now made manifest, and the Pill itself herein published, will clearly expel all the clouds within that horizon, and Anne Mathews ends in relation to persons and things about it will plainly appear to all judicious men, and in that respect I have the less occasion to speak; yet it will be necessary for me to signify how I came to the knowledge thereof, which was as followeth: Being with Anne Mathews, she told me herself that her Husband had communicated his Pill, I desired to know the persons with whom he had left it, which she refused to inform me, some time after I understood with whom; and I spoke with Jonathan Loddington about it, who gave me a relation of the business; And also gave me the Receipts, and further told me that he would communicate it: and in regard I find these expressions in Anne Mathews Book; And if it be proved that any of these men have sold the Receipts thereof to any one of the commonalty, etc. and that her agent was with me, after it was Printed to know whether I gave money for it, I do hereby signify as I did then to him, that I had it freely in respect to & upon the account of Rich. Mathews will, and I do declare to the world that I find the Pill made by Richa●d Mathews Receipt, as good and as effectual to the best of my understanding, as any that I had of him while he was living, having had a large experience of both upon my own body, and am confirmed by many more that have proved it, which will now appear to be truth to the world by the Receipts themselves: and doubtless all rational men will find that there is no difficulty in the operation or preparation thereof. The Pills are both good, Take which thou findest most suitable to thee. Let George Starkey have his due, Ric. Mathew● had the original from him, as George Starkey and Ambrose Andrews told me, and Ambrose Andrews affirmed to me that he had it from George Starkey at the same time that Richard Mathews had it, but Richard Mathews hath added, and differs from him in time and manner of preparation. Anne Mathews agent upon her account offered me the Pill upon extraordinary conditions, and a reward if I would not make or sell any other but hers, which I had no need to do, having as good, and being able to make as good as any; and I had it as legally and as much right so to do; now how causeless, and to what end she made use of my name is evident; this I have done in respect to truth, the public good, and Richard Mathews will, which was, that its virtue, safety and efficacy should be made known and manifest in respect to public good, not that a cloud should be cast over and a flood after it, who am a friend to, and a Lover of the public welfare in reality. NATHANIEL MERRY. An effectual Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Pill, purgeth by Sweeting, Urinal THis Pill being composed of Simples of a very powerful operation, purged from their churlish and malignant quality by an excellent Balsam of long preparation, is by it made so amicable to Nature, that it hath upon ample experience been found effectual for curing the diseases following: It removes the Ague, if two Pills be taken two hours before the fit comes, and a Glass or two of Sack drank after it, and the patiented put in a warm bed disposed for sweat, & one Pill taken each intermitting night. The like for Fevers, only instead of Sack drink White-wine. It helpeth the Headache, Toothache, Cold, Cough or Surseit. Dries up dropping Rheums & Catarrhs which destroy the Lungs. It removes pains of the breast, trembling of the heart, cleanseth the blood; helpeth fits of sudden Swoonings and Convulsions. If White-wine be drank after it, it cleanseth the Reins and Kidneys of gravel, openeth the urinary passages, drives out the stone if not coagulated, and oftentimes with the urine sends forth like jags of cloth or paper of sundry colours. Also it sends forth by vomit or otherwise clotted blood; breaks inward Imposthumations to astonishment. Effectually easeth pains and aches got by Surfeits, Colds or Bruises; whereby many secret and hidden griefs are cured, which otherwise could not be discovered. It is an easy and sound cure of the French disease, if used according to such direction as may be given. It cures some kind of Gouts and gives ease in all, especially if the places affected be anointed with true and simple Oil of Amber, which is rare to be had at any Apothecaries, but may be had with the Pill. It helpeth the shaking and trembling of the joints, strengtheneth the brains, increaseth memory, revives and comforts the heart. It is very fafe for women with child, and of excellent efficacy for women in Childbed, to ease them of their pains, and bring them to rest. It openeth obstructions, and in like manner stays fluxes. It strengthens and opens the Spleen, and expels wind in an incredible manner. Dries up Hydropical Humours. It is with safety and good success given to infants as soon as born, and after to expel winds. Brings to rest, and prevents or cures the Rickets. It helpeth in Ruptures. It hath been found very effectual for hastening and making firm the cure of wounds, all sort of sores and swell. Neither is there any disease in old or young, in which it doth not afford relief and ease, if not a perfect cure. It works not as ordinary Physic, which is pretended to take away that humour the Disease feeds upon, and so to weaken Nature, that it may conquer the Distemper, by which means it many times kills the Patient with the Disease: But contrarily, this being a sovereign Cordial, fortifies Nature, enabling it to grapple with its enemies, and hereby becomes effectual for the curing of several Diseases. If it cures not all that use it, know, that it is the blessing of the Lord upon all means that makes them effectual when he pleases, that so all may use them with submission to, and dependence upon him. The ordinary dose for men and women, is about 10. or 12. grains, or the bigness of a great grey pease; to children of 2. years old the quantity of a barley corn; to them new born, of a pins-head; every one may increase the quantity as they find themselves able to bear it, and their necessity requires. It is ordinarily taken at going to bed, with a little Sack, White-wine, Ale or Beer drank after it, to carry it down, and care taken of Cold both in and after the sweeting. ERRATA. Epistle page 1, line 2, for Thetis read Treatise. page 5, ●ine 2, for down read dumb.