Monthly Observations For the preserving of HEALTH, WITH A Long and Comfortable LIFE, In this our Pilgrimage on EARTH; But more particularly for the Spring and Summer Seasons.  
By Phylotheus Physiologus. With Allowance.  
London, Printed, and sold, by Andrew Sowle, at the Three Keys in N●gs H●●d-Court in Grace-Church Street, over-against the Conduit, 1688.   

Monthly Observations, For the preserving of HEALTH, etc.  
1. OBserving the multitudes of Distempers and Torturing Diseases People bring upon themselves for want of a due regard to proper Foods and Drinks, hastening Death by the Errors of their Lives, and digging their Graves with their own Teeth; I thought it might be no worthless Service to present the Public with a few homely Notes and Directions.  
2. Not that I would invade the Learned Physicians Province, to whom it appertains to prescribe Diet for particular Persons according to each one's Constitution, Exercise and Disease, that he may happen to labour under, or be inclinable unto; but that which I aim at is, only to lay down some General Rules and Animadversions, which well practised would render most Persons Lives abundantly more Comfortable than now they are, and conduce not a little to the prolonging of their Days.  
3. 'Tis strange that any that boast themselves Rational Creatures, and pretend to wear Brains in their Skulls, should be so inquisitive after, and affected with remote matters, that nothing concerns them, spending precious time in Tales and Stories, Smoking Tobaco, Drinking and finding their Neighbour's Faults out, and a Thousand other Impertinences; whilst' at the same time they neglect matters that highly imports their own Lives and Healths, the nearest Concern (next that of their Soul) which all wise People will, and those that are otherwise ought to regard.  
4. 'Tis evident that as States subsist by Importation and Exportation, so our Bodies by Aliment or Food received, and gross Evacuations▪ or insenciable Transpirations, which carry off those Drugs and Fumes that remain after Nature (the best Chemist) has separated the pure nourishing Particles of what was Eat or Drunk, from what therein is Impure, Useless, and consequently Prejudicial.  
5. Hence it follows, that as the only end of Eating and Drinking is but to furnish or Replenish Nature, under her continual Expenses, with apt materials to support our Bodies, in a due healthful Posture, such as may render them fittest Instruments for our Souls to exert their noble Functions by; so if we ingurge too much Food or Liquor in quantity, more than can be regularly digested, or such as is Inimical to our Natures or particular Constitutions in quality, either of th●se must needs disturb the Harmony and mutual Traffic which ought to be in the Microcosm (or Little World, the Humane Body) whence will follow Crudities, Obstructions, dark venomous Vapours, and a whole Troop of cruel Diseases, brought up in the Rear by that Meager, but resistless King of Terrors, Death.  
6. This being obvious to every Body's Reason and Senses, one would think there should need no great pains be taken to persuade People to be kind to themselves and not violate their Healths; and accelerate their Deaths by immoderate feeding, especially on Meats Improper or Pernicious; but such is the Tyranny of Custom; such the Contagion of ill Examples; so powerful the Thorns of a debauched Pallet; and so gross the Ignorance, or obstinate Folly of the greater part of Mankind, that no Remonstrances of Reason, no Tortures of Diseases, neither the Fear of God, who enjoins us Temperance, and to subdue or keep under (not pamper) our Bodies▪ nor respect to our own well-being, nor the Terrors of Death itself, can restrain them from their dear Excess; so that if things were rigorously Examined, unless the plea of non compass mentis shall satisfy the Inquest, most of our Graves might have Stakes drove into them.  
7. And though the Beastly (and yet why Beastly, some Beasts are not naturally inclinable to it, but by Accident, rather therefore the Odious) Sin Drunkenness be deplorable, rife & frequent amongst us, yet I dare say her demurer Sister Gluttony destroys an Hundred Persons to her One, and therefore ought the more strictly to be watch against. But my Business is not Satire, yet I thought necessary to premise thus much to Rouz People, if possible, out of their Stupidity, that they may hearken to the Voice of Wisdom, and not devinate from the paths of Sobriety and Moderation, which is the first Precept towards the attaining Health both of Body and Mind.  
8. Such therefore as would be Wise, aught to beware of all those things which their irregular Appetites too earnestly desire and pursue, and upon which they cannot Feed without being afterwards convinced that they were grateful to them only for their Hurt, of this sort are all Costly, Compounded, Luscious, Meats and Strong Drinks; therefore frequent use of Flesh, and such Liquors, must be Hurtful rather then Beneficial to Health; of which this may be a very good Argument, viz. Since Health is undoubtedly best preserved by those means which must naturally restore it when Lost; therefore since Abstinence from Flesh and strong Liquors, is generally prescribed by the Learned in most Diseases, the Consequence then to conserve Health must be a spare, thin, clean Diet, and no Flesh, for Temperance and Cleanness in quantity and quality of Meats and Drinks not only make People Healthful, but Ready, Vivacious and Quick in the discharge of all the Actions necessary to Life, and conserveses the Mind in Serenity, Accuteness and Vigour, and all the Offices of the Body in a due Tone, Strength and Agility. But on the contrary, Intemperance and Superfluity beclouds the Mind, dulls the edge of the Apprehension, and brings upon it an unmanly Languor, bearing down all the noble Faculties of the Soul into Ignorance and Stupidity, and the Body it renders Diseased, Feeble, Unactive and Burdensome, and what great matters can be expected from the Imtemperate; whose Members are Oppressed, Joints Enfeebled, Sinews Relaxed, and Brains Beclouded with Fumes and Vapours, and all by reason of their Eating and Drinking strong Drinks and rich compounded Foods to Excess.  
9 But to approach somewhat nearer our present Subject▪ In those Months of March, April and May, all People, both Young and Old aught in a especial manner to consider the Crudities, Obstructions, Coughs and Stopages the Winter, and the disorders in Foods and Drinks then used, may have caused by the Humidity of the Air, Closeness of the Season, want of the warming and sweet Influences of the Sun; and especially the free and frequent feeding on Fat Gross Succulent Foods and Strong Drinks, that have Wounded so deep, that the best of Medicines prove ineffectual, and the rather, because the same course of Life & Intemperance is continued, as was the Original of the Disease; therefore these following Rules will be of great use, not only to prevent Diseases, but also to make those Distempers more tolerable and easy to be cured that have invaded Nature already.  
1. Of the Operation of strong Drink, Wine and Spirits on such People as are Naturally apt to be Fat, and subject to Stoppages and Coughs, and how pernicious such Drinks will prove to most People.  
All that find themselves naturally subject to Diseases of the Breast, proceeding from Fatness or Phlegmatic Gross Humours, as Coughs, Stoppages and Narrowness of the Passages, whose Bodies are apt to be Swelled, and puffed up with Phlegm and evil Iuces; all such People, I say, aught to be very moderate in the quantity they take of strong spirituous Drinks; for the frequent use thereof does mightily increase the fore-mention Diseases, and indeed that Constitution is rare, that it does not hurt, for these Liquors so highly prepared by Art, not by Nature, and by the several Artificial Operations, the spirituous parts are made Volatile, by which means the Stomach and natural Heat or separative Quality hath nothing to do when such Drinks are poured into the Vessels, the Work being done to their Hand, so that the spirituous parts do with a quick & powerful motion penetrate, and force their way through all parts of the Body, and dry up that fine, sweetening, cooling, moist Liquor, or Radical Humidity; by which means the pure Spirits become thick, and as it were suffocated, and hindered in their free Egress and Regress, as is also the Circulation of the Blood, that Chariot wherein the Life of Nature Rides, and if once stopped, the whole must needs fall into great Disorders; and on the other side, the Gross, Sharp, Keen, Astringent Juces and Particles of such strong Drinks do by their weight force their way downwards into the Passages, as into Uiriters and Bowels; but before they pass away they do for the most part occasion some signal Evil in the Body, if they find any matter or quality there capable to be wrought on, whence many times proceed Fluxes, Griping Pains, Gravel Stone, and many other Inconveniences, according to each Man's Constitution; so that it does not only weaken all the Faculties of the Stomach; but (which is worst of all) the common drinking thereof does powerfully contract the Breast and Vessels thereof, because they separate so soon, and pass away, whereby it makes Nature Idle, which is an Infirmity not to be removed by Medicines, but only by regular Order, and proper Meats, Drinks and Exercise, which are great supports to the Health and good Condition of Nature.  
2. All gross succulent Foods do deprave Nature, and increase Crudities and Obstructions. For Flesh and Fish are Foods not only Gross, and liable to Corruption, but in their own Natures are Moist, Cold and Phlegmatic, and therefore they generate in the Body, not only the Diseases, and promote the Passions the Creature was sub●ect unto in its Life, but fill the Body with Venomous Juces, to the great prejudice of Nature; and they do require a stronger, sharper and brisker natural Heat, to separate and digest them, than is necessary for Vegitations; for all fat Foods that proceed from Flesh, are not only harder of Concoction, but they Fur and Obstruct the Passages; for Oily Bodies are not so easily dissolvable as the Bodies of vegitations, neither do they afford such a brisk Cordial Spirit, as all Skilled in Chemistry, can tell you▪ do not all the Noble Liquors and Excelerating Cordial Juces proceed from Vegitations, or from Fruits, Corn and Seeds? not from the Fat of Flesh or Fish, for their juces presently Corrupt, Putrify and Stink, nor can Art long preserve them; therefore such food does by degrees generate Obstructions, dull the edge of the Appetite, and help to contract the Vessels: For this cause those that make Flesh and Fish their common Food, are for the most part dull, and of heavy lumpish Dispositions, Especially when they grow in Years; and are apt to be short Wound, or on any little occasion or exercise, to fetch their Breath with difficulty.  
Now this Fouling and Contracting the Passages of the Stomach, which too high & Unnatural Food▪ and Drinks 〈◊〉 the occasion of, are far greater Evils then most imagine, being the true original of most Griping Windy Distempers, both in the Bowels and Stomach▪ for all sorts of Natures and Constitutions do continually generate Airy Windy matter, without which Nature cannot subsist nor continue in Health▪ being as necessary as Food▪ and these windy Dispositions of Nature do never injure or distemper any, except the Passages are obstructed and contracted which hinders their Circulating, and free Egress and Regress, not only downwards and upwards; but through the whole Body, and all parts thereof.  
'Tis also to be noted that Rich Compounded Foods, and the common use of strong Drink do not only Generate Compounded. Diseases, but put nature as it were on a firment, as if it were in a Favour; which does mightily Burn up and Consume the sweet moistening Dews, which are Nature's Balsamic Oil of Life; and this does not only thicken and stagnate the Humours, but dull and render the Spirits Heavy and Impure, which is the original cause of the generation of Gross, Fat, Phlegmatic Juces and Matter; for those Gross Fat Paunches are seldom caused from the quantity of Foods, but chiefly from the Quality, and the frepuent use of Exhilerating Drinks, and want of proper Exercise in agreeable Airs, for the narrow Vessels and Passages in a little time do weaken the natural Heat, and then a great part of the Food turns to Gross Juces, for want of a quick Fire to separate them: Hence it is that most Fat People are subject to go to Stool often, which is a sign of a weak Heat, and if such happen to be bound in their Bodics, than their Heads are frequently troubled with Fumes and other Disorders, which do also show that the Passages and Vessels of the Stomach, are not only narrow, but many Crudities and Obstructions, that the windy substance, that is continually generated, are occasioned; which does rarely happen to Persons that have strong natural Heats, in whom the Passages and Vessels of the Stomach are large enough for all sorts of Humours, both Good and Bad, to pass in and out, and circulate freely from one part to another, which renders all such Persons Healthful, Active and Lively.  
'Tis also to be known that the Radix, or true cause of the Diseases, called Vapours, and Fainting or Trembling Fits, is the forementioned Disorders in Meats, Drinks and Exercises, which will better appear if we consider what sort of People, viz. Women are most subject to such Diseases; for we generally find them to be not only naturally of tender weak Spirits, small Vessels, narrow Passages, and but weak Constitutions; but such whose Education and bringing up has been Foolishly Nice, and Irregular; such as Live Easily, Fare Deliciously, without Labour or proper Exercise; such as scarce can get themselves Dressed before Dinner, and snort out more than half their Life in soft and over-warm Beds, which course cannot but contract the Vessels, and mightily enfeeble all parts of the Body; so that then the Blood (Nature's Balsamic Fountain) is thickened, their Spirits dull and impure, and each part sympathising in the Mischief on every petty Accident, as Love, Hate, Fear, Anger, Grief, etc. the Spirits being so debilitated are I resently Wounded, and all the Salliports of Nature Swells, or seems to be Closed, which hinders Transpiration and Breathing, and then in a moment's time they fall into wild agonous Fits, and all the parts tremble and are disordered; which Diseases Country Women of Exercise, that live on mean simple Foods and small Drink, are very rarely afflicted with; but when I consider how Impurdently most People Live, what Disorders they commit, how Hetrogenious their Foods and Drinks are, together with the many other idle Habits and secret Wounds they give Innocent Nature, by visiting too frequently the Shades of Venus, which quickly makes the strongest Nerves to Bow, and is the chief Cause and Original of most Consumptions, especially in the Males. I say, when we consider all this we need not wonder at the multitude of Torturing Diseases abroad in the World; but rather admire People are so Well and Healthful as they appear to be. What an Hodg-potch do most that have Abilities make in their Stomaches, which must wonderfully oppress and distract Nature: For if you should take Flesh of various sorts, Fish of as many, Cabbages, Parsnops, Turnops, Potatoes, Mustard, Butter, Cheese, a Pudden that contains more than ten several Ingredents, Tarts, Sweetmeats, Custards, and add to these Churries, Plums, Currants, Apples, Capers, Olives, Anchovies, Mangoes, Caviar, etc. and jumble them altogether into one Mass, what Eye would not loathe, what Stomach not abhor such a Gallimaufry? yet this is done every Day, and counted Gallent Entertainment. To teach this mischievous Art Books are Written, and to practise it French Cooks are Employed, as if we had not natural Folly and Vanity enough at home, but must learn it by Art, and from foreign Nations; in the mean time how is poor Nature Captivated? how doth she Groan in a Language, severely to be felt, though not heard? Therefore if you would avoid those Torturing Diseases and Inconveniences, observe the following Rules; always remember, that most Distempers are contracted through Excess and inordinate Living, nor does any thing preserve the Body in Health, or the Mind in perfect Freedom, so much as Sobriety and Temperance.  
1. Let not a little Trouble, thwarting your unruly Appetites, or fond Humours, depraved with ill Customs and Wantonness, divert you from getting yourselves possessed of this Jewel Temperance, that true Phylosophers-Stone, which turns all into the Golden Elixir of Health, Content and Serenity; since we see none of the little perishing Goods of this World are to be had or obtained without Trouble and Difficulty.  
2. Neither Meats nor Drinks are to be taken that are too strong for each Man's particular Nature or Constitution, which for the most part are such as are compounded of many Ingredients of contrary qualities; but let Nature always be stronger than the Food, which will be sure to prevent Surfeits, and a Thousand other Inconveniences.  
3. As you are not to accustom yourselves to the frequent eating of Foods that are over Fat, for the Reason's aforesaid; so neither aught you at any time to Eat or Drink of any thing whatsoever to Dulness, especially if compounded with rich Ingredients; for the same will certainly sow the Seeds of Grievous Diseases: Therefore if any healthy Person feel himself oppressed after Meat, he ought to consider the reason thereof, and thenceforth make abatement in the quantity, or alter the quality; do not most People find themselves before Eating and Drinking Quick, Lightsome and full of Spirits, provided they have not fasted too long? but after their Meals (because they make them Immoderate) they are generally sensible of a cloging Heaviness and dull Indisposition, which is a certain Index, that the necessity and conveniency of Nature is exceeded either in quantity or quality, since the true intention of Food is to Refresh and Support Nature, and not to Oppress and Incommode her.  
4. But the greatest Snare in Eating and Drinking (and therefore the Psalmist teaches us to pray, That our Tables may not be our Snare) is when Meats and Drinks are not Simple but Compounded, whereby the liquorish pleasures of the palate is prolonged many degrees beyond the necessities of Nature, and indeed beyond the concoctive ability of the Stomach, whence many People over-charge This, whilst wantonly they gratify That, and so heap up Crudities, Noxious Juces, Torturing Diseases, and in the end Death itself.  
5. Moderate Fasting is an excellent means to preserve both the Body and Mind in Health and Serenity, for it cleanseth the Stomach by digesting and removing the Obstructions that lie in the Passages, and also purify the Blood; and then how sweet, how agreeable is every mean wholesome thing to the well prepared Stomach? such sober Persons feel and taste the most pleasant operation of the divine hand in all things, their Bodies are delighted with that which is Natural, Clean and Innocent, their Minds satisfied, their Beds easy, their Sleep Sound; they are not subject to dull Indispositions, nor molested with Fevers, nor are their Stomaches or Bowels oppressed with Fainting Fits, or Windy Griping Humours; they rise as Early, and no less Fresh than the Morning Sun, Blyth and Merry as the Lark, and are fit for all Exercise, either of the Body or the Mind; their radical moisture flows freely through every part, like a pleasant gale of Wind over the Sun-parcht Mountains, which moderate the central Fires, that they burn not violently: In a word, proper Fasting is the best Physician, & preserves Health far beyond their Evacuations, it has an accult quality, for the digestive faculty and natural heat is never Idle; therefore when the Stomach and Vessels thereof are not filled with superfluity of Food, and often Eating and Drink, it draws away all the superfluous matter that furs and stops the Passages, and which otherwise is apt to cause Coughs and shortness of Breathing, and sends troublesome Fumes and Vapours into the Crown.  
6. Therefore be careful that you do not Eat or Drink between Meals; or before the former Foods and Drinks be perfectly Concocted; nothing more obstructs Nature and hurts the Blood, keeping the Body as it were in a continual fever, for the fresh Juces of those too frequent supplies of Foods and Drink do obstruct the Passages and dulls the Spirits, that they cannot pass freely in their due order and circulation, whence Windiness and Crudities are generated, which is the principal cause of the common Indispositions many People are troubled with.  
7. Foods ill dressed destroys Health, especially Flesh, whilst some will wantonly eat it half Raw, and all Bloody, which looks Inhuman; and others will have it so over-prepared that no good Nourishment can be drawn from it, both which doth generate bad Blood, and cause a lumpish heaviness to possess the whole Body, because the lively, brisk, airy, fine Spirit in such Foods is destroyed in the Preparation.  
8. Meats and Drinks ought not to be taken together, that are of a contrary Nature in themselves, or disagreeable to any Man's particular Constitution, because such Foods do secretly, yet powerfully, wound simple Nature with many Diseases and Infirmities before she is aware, or can arm herself against their Assaults; but let them be simple in their kind, agreeable to the Complexion, and as near as may be equal in their parts, which will breed good Blood, and pure brisk Spirits, and they always make the Body Lightsome and Agile.  
9 Forbear the frequent eating of Flesh and Fish without distinction, and regard had to the Season, and to their Cleanness or Unclaenness at that time, and to the manner of their being killed after they are taken, whether it be a Wound which may cause the free Evacuation of the original Properties of Saturn and Mars, which is seldom done, especially in Fish and Fowls, but the same are for the most part Suffocated or Strangled, or Die themselves, whereby the pure Spirits and sweet Virtues (by the Agony the poor Creatures are at the departure of their dear Lives) are fixed or overcome; for the orginal Venom's in which all Life consists, are then so terribly agitated that they immediately suffocate and swallow up the pure Spirits and sweet Oil, if there be not a Wound made whereby those raging Poisons may freely pass away in the vehicle of the Blood; for this reason, experience shows that all Flesh, as of Fowls or Fish, or the like, that are Strangled will not eat so Sweet and Pleasant as others that have a Wound made and Bleed plentifully, but will have a stronger and grosser Taste and Smell, nor will it breed so good Blood or Nourishment as the other, but the best of them is much inferior to that of Vegatations, which are more easily and more friendly obtained.  
10. Let your ordinary Drinks be mild and friendly to Nature, neither Strong, Stale, Hard, or Sour, nor yet too new, nor such as most of the small or nine Shilling Beer is, that is Brewed in London, viz. that runs off those Grains that the strong Ale and Beer has drawn forth all the sweet Qualities and good Virtues, and there remains only a Sharp, Sour, Astringent, Stinking Quality behind, which the hot Water or Liquor extracts; and then to give it a Taste, they Boil it Lustily with the Hops that have been boiled several hours in the strong Beer, which have drawn forth all wholesome qualities, and there are no better Virtues Extracted from them then the Water or Liquor did from the Grains, and though they do put some Ale amongst this small Beer, to help it, or to hide the ill Taste or Qualities; but when such Drinks come into the Stomach those Sharp Sour, Stinking Properties cannot be hid from Nature, nor their pernicious operations, the frequent use of such Drinks do hurt the Blood, and Generate the Scurvy, and many other Diseases that are breed by improper and unnatural Drinks, especially taken in too great quanties; for it not only heats the Blood, when strong; but it keeps it as it were in a continual firment, precipitating People into Favours, Dropsies, Griping pangs of the Bowels; and it also contracts the Vessels of the Stomach and Passages, dulling the Appetite, by weakening the Natural heat, as woeful experience doth daily testify to the great ruin of the Body, Soul, Estate, and Reputation, and many times Starving a Wife and poor innocent Children.  
Of all Drinks, Water hath the first place, even as Bread of Foods, the Creator of all beings having endued this Element with many secret and admirable Virtues, it being pure and clean in its own Nature, and the chief thing by which all Exterial things are Purified, Purged and Cleansed; and though Weak as Water be a vulgar Proverb, yet I must tell you, that Water is more strong & sublime then most imagine, for it contains a most Ravishing and Excellent Spirituous Balsamic Virtue, whence proceeds that pure, sweet refreshing quality, whereby it hath power by its innate Virtue to digest and purify all sorts of Foods. Likewise in Preparations it is so innocent and friendly that it dissipates the gross phlegmatic Bodies, and preserves and keeps living the more essential spiritous parts, it is not only the most plentiful and truly pleasant of all Drinks, but supplies with its friendly Moisture, and relieves Thirst beyond all other Liquors or Juces; it is simple and endued with such equality, that it insinuates its Virtues into all parts of the Body in an insensible way, it makes no noise, nor causes any Tumults in the Brain, nor awakens any Inequality in the Body, but imparts its meek Life as it were in Silence, and may deserve the Name of Concord, a thing that God and his Handmaid Nature have befriended with all the united Virtues both in the Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms, it being the Radix of all moist Nourishment, which mixed or incorporated with any kind of Juces renders them fit and profitable for Mankind.  
The best and most agreeable sorts of Water for common use and Drinking are Rain, River and Spring, but especially the two first, because they are not only impregnated with the sweet Influences of the Celestials and airry motions of the Elements; but their running through and upon the Surface of the Earth, does thereby draw forth a saline Virtue of a mild opening Quality, which renders it more Homogenial than Pump-Water, or such as stand without motion; and although it be our custom to drink Beer, Ale, Wine, and other strong Liquors, yet it would be very beneficial and Profitable to most People to accustom themselves to the drinking of a Pint, or half a Pint at Night, a little before going to Bed, and likewise in the Morning; it is good to cool, wash and refresh Nature; it is also good for some Complexions to drink after Meals, especially for those that are subject to Fumes and Vapours, if Bread be toasted hard and put into it, letting it stand a quarter of an hour, and then drunk off, there being no sort of Drink made by Art so friendly and capable to digest and cleanse the Passages from Obstructions as Water, and I am confident, if People use themselves every Morning to drink half a Pint, a Pint, or a Quart of good Water (such as each Person shall find most agreeable, because Waters have various operations on several Constitutions) they would find as much Benefit, if not more, then by going to the various Wells so much cried up for their Virtues.  
11. Bad Air does further and increase all Distempers, for that being an Element, which we continually Suck and Feed on, when it is corrupt conveys unwho some fumes into the Body impairs the Longs, those Bellows of Life; and infects the whole Mass of Blood; therefore proper and good Airs are of great benefit to Health; I say Proper as well as Good; for every sort of Air, though in its self good, is not healthful, for some People; because there is as great a variety Air, as there is in Complexions, and what is profitable for one, is not so for an other, and to find out this Secret, there is no better way than for such as want agreeable Air to Travel out of one place into an other, by which they may be capable to find out that which is most suitable for them, for as in the best Airs some People Languish under various Diseases, for want of a change, so in the worst of Airs many are very Healthful, and perhaps better than they would be in finer or thinner Airs, as many that Live in the thick Sulphurous steams of London, are very Healthy; and Live to great Ages: And as every bad Air is not prejudicial to all Persons, so on the other side all good Airs are not profitable to some sorts of Constitutions; but change of Airs to most People proves beneficial. And therefore Travelling is very Healthful and good, especially for some People, whose qualifying Properties and Spirits of Nature are unequal; but this not being known, many remove out of one Air into an other in vain, or to their Prejudice.  
12. Forget not to use proper Exercises in open Airy places which will prevent many Diseases and Weaknesses, especially in Fat, Corpulent, Phlegmatic Persons, that are for the most part troubled with Coughs, and Stoppages of their Breasts and Lungs. Let such walk as much as they can by running Rivers two or three hours' Morning and Night, for the Air by such running Water is more penetrating, discipating and digesting all superfluities then elsewhere; nor are there any Persons more Strong, Healthly or of better Stomaches than those whose Employments are near Flowing Streams, especially if the Banks and Ground adjacent be dry and somewhat elevated, as in many places it is. Let the fattest Punchenelloes but use to exercise themselves as aforesaid, and eat clean Foods, with middle Ale or Bear, and once or twice a day drink a good draft of Water, especially Morning and Night, and it will in a little time levelly their Mountainous Paunches, and waste all superfluous offending matter, so great is the power of clean, simple, natural Meats, Drinks, Exercises and Airs.  
13. When you eat any sorts of strong Fat Foods, as Bread and Cheese, Bread and Butter; Pudden, Pancake, or any solid Foods, especially Flesh, remember that you eat Herbs with them, simply without either Salt, Vinegar or Oil, only wash them, viz. Parsly, Sorrel, spinach, Sage, Corn-Salet, the Leaves of young Colworts, you may mix two or three sorts together, or any one of them, they mightily cleanse and help Concoction, warm the Stomach, and cheer the Spirits much better than if you put Oil, Salt and Vinegar to them, a little custom will render them pleasant and delightful.  
Of which clean simple Foods we come now to Discourse of more particularly, and since those that are Liquid, commonly called Spoon-meats, are chiefly to be regarded, I shall here set down such of them as are most proper for the Spring-Season, viz. in the Months March, April, and May, of all Liquid Cleansing Foods or Spoon-meats Water-Gruel deservedly claims the first place, and is without doubt the best of all others, either simple or compounded with any particular Herb or Herbs; at this time or season it hath the most powerful Operation, because the Sun now increases in Strength and Power, and endues all things not only with a brisk lively Motion, but great Virtue and Life.  
The Winter is the Rest or Sabbath of the Earth, in which time she recovers Strength and Virtue, because she does then as it were cease from all her Labours, and the Vegetative Quality stands as it were still. This is manifested by the goodness and great increase of all Herbs, Fruits and Grains, being all filled with a brisk lively Spirit and Virtue; therefore in the first Spring and Rising of the Sun every thing rejoiceth and becomes very Fragrant, by Virtue of the sweet Influences of this Celestial Body, and the Power of the Earth, so that at this time all things seems to strive with a most lively motion to manifest its most inward Virtue; this is the time for most People to eat Herbs both Boiled and Raw, Salats and Pottages made thereof, such Food at the rising of the Sun are endued with a brisk lively Virtue and Strength, and of an opening and cleansing Nature, Purging the Blood, and are good against all the Obstructions which the Intemperances' of the Winter have occasioned, Diseases being easier cured at this time then any other, especially if Temperance and Sobriety be observed.  

Of plain Water-Gruel.  
PLain Water-Gruel is in its own Nature of a sweet, mild and friendly Operation, and as Bread hath the first place of all dry Food, and may justly be called Concord, being befriended with all the good Virtues of the Vegetable Kingdom, so this fine thin Gruel is the King of all Spoon-meats, and the Queen of Pottages, for it gratifies Nature beyond all others, being most equal in its parts, it stands nearest the Unity, for this cause the frequent, or daily Eating or Drinking of it will not weary nor tyre Nature; 'tis both Food and Physic, Nourishes, and withal opens and cleanseth, and serves both for Victuals and Liquor, for you may either Eat or Drink it, and at the same time that it satisfies your Hunger, it allays your Thirst; you may for need, with Bread make a good Meal of it, or you may Drink it before or after Meals without Bread, or with, after or before any sort of Foods whatsoever, it has a universal tendency; for let your Food be Sweet or Sour, or Salt or Bitter, Plain Gruel shall be agreeable to each of them, being of an allaying, softening, dissolving and digesting Quality; and that Complexion is rare, either in Young or Old, that it does not agree with, and though it be of a moist Nature, yet it is not at all Phlegmatic, but the contrary, it being easy of Digestion, opens Obstructions, expels and hinders Fumes from flying into the Head; it powerfully begets Appetite, makes the Blood thin, causing a free Circulation, and thereby Cheers and Comforts the Spirits. 'Tis the best Spoon-Meat Women can Drink when they Lyin, for it breeds curious Milk, keeps the Body Cold, and free from Favours and Vapours, which other compounded Hetrogeneous Spoon-meats do occasion; it is likewise admirable for Young Sucking Children, for it Washes and Cleanseth the Passages, which many sorts of Milk and sweet Spoon-meats do Fur and Obstruct, and prevents Windiness (the great Torture of the tender Age) by opening the all Salliports of Nature, that the airy matter may pass away freely in their right Channels: In a Word nothing can be more friendly, if it be made as followeth.  
Take Water, as you please for quantity, make it boiling hot, then have ready some ground Oatmeal, which first temper with a little cold Water, and then put it into your Vessel, stir it about, and let it stand on the Fire till it rises up, or begins to boil, then keep stirring or lading it on the Fire half a quarter of an hour, and so it is done, only season it with Salt, and let it stand till it be cool, and by that time the Oatmeal, viz. the bigger parts thereof will be settled to the bottom, then drink a pint or a quart, as you think convenient, either before or after your Food, or in a Morning, and in such case Fast till Dinner. It is also very good to be Drank after Labour, Travel, Sweeting, or the like, to prevent Surfeits, no sort of strong Drink being comparable to it in that respect, for whilst People do endeavour by drinking Wine and strong Drink to allay Heat and Drought, or Extinguish it, frequently increase it, but this Gruel by its friendly Nature, qualifies all such disorders, and presently brings Nature into a state of Harmony; and as it is commendable and beneficial at all seasons of the Year, so more especially in Spring and Summer, for it allays Heat and Drought far beyond any Beer or Ale; and performs it in Natures own way.   

Another very commendable way of making Water Gruel.  
TAke what quantity of Water you please, make it just Boil up, then put in your Herbs, and let it stand till it begins to boil again, then take it off and let it stand two or three minutes with the Herbs in it, then take the Herbs out, and having some Oatmeal ready tempered with cold Water, put that into it, and so brew it too and fro out of one Pot into another, as you do Buttered-Ale, a dozen or twenty times without putting it any more on the Fire, but if you desire to eat Butter in it, then let the Butter and Salt be brewed too and fro in the Gruel, and the Oatmeal will give forth its virtue and incorporate with the water so as to make it the sweetest, best colour, and wholsomest of all other Gruels; if you would have it plain without Herbs, brew only the boiling Water and Oatmeal together, and it is done, adding a little Salt, thus likewise you may make Milk Pottage, by putting your Milk and Water on your fire together and when it boyles up, take it off, and brew that and your tempered Oatmeal as aforesaid; and the like of Flowered-milk.   

Of the best and most Natural way of making Water-Gruel compounded of Various Ingrediences.  
TAke a Quart of good Water, into which put half a quarter of a Pound of Currans washed, ser it on the Fire till it be ready to boil, then move it to a more moderate heat for three or four Minutes, then in another Vessel have a Quart of the like Water, made to a boiling, then have your tempered Spoonful of Oatmeal ready, brew your Oatmeal and Water together, as you were taught before, very well, then take your infused Currants out of the hot Water and put them into your brewed Gruel, with some Sugar, Butter and Salt, throwing your Water the Currans was infused in away, then brew it again as you did before, the Butter, Salt, Currans and Crumbs of Bread altogether very well, and if you think convenient to add Spice to it, than put it into the water you make your Gruel off when you set it on the fire, for it is best to put both the Currants and Spice into the water when cold, the water does then draw out the virtue of them best, this way of making of it is far before any others that is in practice amongst the Housewives; the Currants will be soft, and eat much more pleasant than when boiled, this Gruel will have a curious white brisk, lively colour, Fragrant smell, and curious Cordial Taste, affords a better Nourishment and easier of Concoction then any made the common way, for this way is far more Natural, and does draw forth the fine spirituous friendly quality of the Ingrediences; and the brewing of it does keep and preserve the brisk, lively spirits of the Butter which gives a curious flaver to the whole, and makes all incorporate as one Body, also the Infusing of the Currants in the water does wash away a foul gross quality, which cold water cannot do, which renders them more Homogenial, and easier of Digestion; you are also to take notice by the way; that your brewing or mixing of it off the fire, in the pleasant sweet Air, does not only give Life, and a curious Colour, but of better Taste and Smell, more agreeable to the stomach, and easier of digestion; not so apt to obstruct the Vessels of the Stomach, as that which is done otherwise; for the boiling and stirring those fine thin Gruels or Pottages on the fire, does give great advantage ro the thick, gross, smooky, poisonous Vapours, which the Coals or Wood, when stired, sends forth, which fulsome Vapours are by the Air drawn forth up the Chimney, which are so very pernicious, that if any Persons should hold their Heads over them, it would stifle or destroy them in a little time, for the fire is not only the opener of all Bodies, but the separating power of Nature, and penetrates to the very Root of each thing, and manifests the virtues and vices of each thing; therefore forthese, and many other reasons, too tedious for this place, the mixing or brewing these Gruels and Pottages off the fire, are highly commendable, and they do as far exceed the common Preparation as Light does Darkness, but Practice is the best Master, and Experience the best Doctor.   

Of purging Gruel.  
TAke Water, what quantity you please, make it boiling hot, then put into it a good quantity of any of these Herbs following, or others that you shall best like, viz. Scurvygrass Spinnage Corn-Sallet, Parsley, smallage Elder-Buds. Take your Water off your Fire, cover it, and let them infuse one hour, then take your Liquor from your Herbs, and brew it with some tempered Oatmeal, you may drink it with Salt, or without, from a Quart to three Quarts in a Morning, and fast till Dinner, this is a brave Cordial Gruel, it will move gentily to stool, more natural than most sorts of Physic; and wash and cleanse the Stomach from all superfluous matter, thins the Blood, and open all the Passages, by which the Humours will freely circulate, carrying away all Windy, Watery, or Flatulent Juces; this sort of Gruel is not only good in the Spring, but at all Seasons of the Year, when the Herbs can be procured; if the natural and proper use of Herbs were known and practised, there would be but little need of Physic, especially if Order and Temperance were observed.   

How Herb-Gruels, for the Spring, aught to be made, and their Respective Virtues, and first of Elder-buds in Gruel.  
TAke Water what quantity you have occasion for, make it boiling hot, then have your Oatmeal ready tempered with cold Water, and your Elder-buds, and put both into your boiling Water, and keep it stirring, letting it be as it were on the boil, but not boil up, a little while, then take it off the fire, and let it stand two or three minutes more, then take the Herbs out, or strain it, and add only a little salt, and when cold drink a Pint, or a Quart, as your Stomach serves, a little use will make it familiar, this Gruel is a great cleanser and opener of all sorts of obstructions that offends the Breast and Passages, and moves gentlel to Stole; 'tis very good for Fat Pussy People, especially, if they join Exercise therewith.  
But probably some may object— What good can there be in such poor Watery slip-slop; give me Pottage made of Coxcombs, and Knucles of Veal, and Necks of Mutton, and Shins of Beef, Boiled three or four hours, till it becomes thick as a jelly; and then put in Plums, Sugar, Spice and twenty other good things, and this is like to be somewhat Nourishing and Comfortable indeed.  
Well, let the Objector enjoy his fancy, and his Rich chargeable Slop, still I will not change my Plain Water Gruel with him; for I must tell him (were he capable of hearing Reason) all such mighty compounded Pottages, how much soever they may be cried up as Nutritive and Restorative, and indeed Destructive, for they obstruct Nature, stagnate the Blood, becloud the Spirits, and ruin the Appetite: Moreover the much Boiling of Pottages, and especially Gruels made of Flower, does in a manner destroy all the wholesome, cleansing, opening, cooling, exhilerating Virtues; because it too violently opens the Body of the water, and sends the fine spirits flying to japan, or else suffocates them, for this Reason, Water once boiled, and then put into a Vessel, and kept, will Stink, and never be sweet nor good for any use afterwards, whereas Water that has never been at the fire, being put into a like Vessel, will indeed stink, as well as the other, but than it will recover its self, and be sweet again afterwards, and as good as ever; this shows, that in boiling, Water loses its fine Spirituous preservative quality, nor does the boiling less impair the lively virtues of the Flower; therefore we conclude it not fit nor convenient to boil Pottages or Gruels after the common manner such being good neither for Food nor Physic; whereas one main end of Gruels is to fit and prepare Nature for Food, that is to wassis, cleanse and free the Passages of gross obstructive matter.  
Others may say, How is it possiblh that this infusion, or small boiling, can draw forth, or endue the Gruel with the Virtues of such Herbs as shall be put into it; for we (they will say) have been taught otherwise, viz. to boil them an hour or two at least— Now this is as great an error as the former, for boiling of Herbs, especially in this particular case, does as it were totally extinguish and destroy those fine, pleasant, opening, Cordial Virtues, which all Men seek to obtain in all preparations either of Food or Physic; if your Reason be too weak to apprehend this, yet you cannot blind your Nature, viz. your Palate and Stomach, for will not all Pottages and Gruels, wherein various sorts of Herbs are long boiled, taste strong and fulsome, and do not they lie gross and heavy on the stomach? and do not you find that they are hard of Concoction? besides, you are to know that in all hot infusions, the hot or boiling Water does first seize, or draw forth the mild, sweet, cleansing, pleasant Virtues; and if such Liquors are drawn off from the ingredients, in a convenient time, they shall be endued with all the good pleasant Virtues of the Vegetation infused; but if they lie too long in the hot Liquor, than those good properties first extracted becomes suffocated; for the boiling Liquor continuing still its operation on the things Infused, after it has sucked out the sweet friendly Properties, does awaken the Harsh, Bitter, Stinking, Poisonous, Sharp, Astingent, Qualities, and draws forth that too, whereby the former becomes spoilt or turned into the forementioned evil qualities; thus Brewers, or any good Housewives will tell you, that the best virtues of the Malt is first drawn forth by the hot Liquor, and the oftener they put up, the meaner is their Wort, and if they let their first infusion stand too long before they draw it off, it will become of a strong, sharp, keen, sour, quality, not fit to make either Beer or Ale of; for by long standing, the hot Liquor continuing its operation, does penetrate even to the Centre, and stirs up the harsh, bitter, sour, properties of the Malt, which evil Juces does in a moment's time swallow up, or turn all the sweet, pleasant, mild, friendly, Virtues into its own Nature, for which Evils there is no cure or bringing of it back again; but it will still continue its progress into the harsh, bitter Astingency, or its original Properties.  
Note also, that the better, or more Skilful Brewers will not boil their Liquor or Water at all (whatever Custom, and Vulgar noise may clamour to the contrary) but only heat it to a convenient degree, because they are taught by Doctor Experience, that boiling does not only fix or harden the Liquor, but causeth it to lose its opening soft quality, so that it will not so kindly draw forth the good virtues of the Malt; but if these Reasons, backed by Experience, which are truly Natural, will not satisfy you, you have Liberty to follow your old blind Guide Ignorance and Tradition.  
There still remains an other Objection, viz. What Virtue can there be in one simple herb alone, we are advised by the Learned, that for Spinnage Gruel or Pottages we must put into the same Mess Elder-buds, Nettle-tops, Clivers, Brook-lime Water-cresses, and as many more as we can think off that it may cleanse us bravely— But let me tell you (and I will tell you nothing but naked natural Truths) that wherever such a multiplicity of Ingredients are jumbled together, you may be sure there are as many various Natures and Qualities, and 'tis more than probable that some of them at least are contrary to each other, so that their distinct Virtues are thereby confounded, and you have neither the true Virtue of one nor the other, but a mere Gallimaufry, which will be irksome for nature to receive, and burdensome unto the Stomach to digest, being both of an ill Taste and Savour; therefore the surest, and most natural way is to take such a simple Herb as you conceive most proper for that infirmity you are subject unto; and such simple Gruels will prove more pleasant to the palate; Secondly, more agreeable to the Stomach; Thirdly, they do to a better degree, Answer the end for which they are taken.   

Of Gruel, with that gallant Herb, Balm.  
The making of this Gruel, as to the manner of preparation is exactly the same, with what we taught you of Elder-buds, and so it is of all the other Herbs herein after mentioned, or any other that you please to make use of; and therefore we refer you back thereunto, being as unwilling to write unnecessary repetitions as you can be to Read them. The Virtues of Balm-Gruel, are that it cleanses bravely, and is very profitable for all People both Young and Old; but especially for those that have but weak heats and tender Spirits, or are subject to Wind and Vapours, as also for Fat, Gross, Dropsical People, it mightily removes Obstructions that lies in the Passages, and cheers the Natural Spirits, making them fine, which all such People want; I recommend it therefore to be drank every Morning during the Spring, viz. in March, April and May.   

The Virtues of Scurvy Grass Gruel.  
This being made as before directed, I may safely Affirm is more Effectual against all the Distempers which this universal Herb is appropriated unto, then either the Spirits of it, which are so much cried up for their manifold virtues, or the Gross Juces of it, which some force forth of the Herb, and put into Ale, which way is not at all to be approved of, because the terrene, Gross, fulsome, quality comes out with the more fine, it will gallantly correct and refines the Blood, begets Appetite, purge by Urinal, and sometimes by Stool, being a great Evacuator of those gross, heavy, dull Humours which indispose both Body and Mind.   

Gruel made of Alehoof or Ground Ivy.  
This is a great Cleanser of the Stomach and Bowels, wholesome for all Ages, and for those that are Healthy, as well as those that are Infirm.   

Smallage Gruel.  
Purifies the Blood, and powerfully opens Obstructions, begets Appetite, and is profitable against Shortness of Breath.   

Sage Gruel.  
Is a Noble useful preparation and good against the infirmity which the Ancients have appropriated that Herb unto.  
So is Gruel made of pennyroyal or spinach, respectively each in its kind; & after the same manner you may use what other Herbs you have occasion for; this being one of the best and most natural ways to draw forth the fine spirituous virtues of any Herbs.— Only remember to make your Gruel of any sort thin, and let your fire be clear and brisk, else you will fail of your ends.  
There are many other Pottages proper to be Eaten in the Spring, as Milk-Pottage, Milk and Flower, Milk and Rice, and the like; but remember that Milk-Pottage ought to be made after the same manner with small ground Oatmeal, viz. put in your Water and Milk together, make it almost boiling hot, on a clear brisk fire, then temper your Oatmeal with a little cold Milk or Water, and add that, and stir it about, and let it stand till it begins to boil up, but then stir or lad it to keep it from boiling half a quarter of an hour, and then take it of the fire, and when it is cool eat it with Bread or without as you like best; the like is to be observed in making flowered milk.  
There are many other brave wholesome foods (far better than either Flesh or Fish) to be eat in the Spring, as Salads, both Boiled and Raw; this being the principal time of the Year for the eating of Herbs, viz. in the Month of March April and May, for by the Approach of the Sun, and the sweet Influences he now scatters through our Hemisphere, all the vegitations are endued with lively and powerful virtues, more than at any other time of the Year, and it would be the happiness of English people, if they did eat more of them, and less Flesh and Fish, nor is it to be doubted, but the first Instituters of Lent might probably (amongst other things) have this in their eye, to appoint a time of Abstenance and Temperance from gross succulent Foods in the Spring, to remove and Remedy the mischiefs that might arise to their Healths from the too large Feeding on such Victuals all the foregoing Winter, during which time what through their gross Foods, strong Drinks, and the uncertain Wether, viz. sometimes close, rainy, and cold, and then presently warm again, together with their broiling themselves by Cole or Turf-fires, whence arises thick sulphurous Airs, and smoky Vapours, their lying overlong in Bed, & neglecting due & proper exercises, they cannot but have Treasured up a vast fund for future Diseases and Calamities, no way to be so happily prevented, as by a straight and spare Diet, in the beginning of the returning Year, for in these Three Months the Sun (which is the Fountain of central heat in all things) has a powerful Influence, and gives a lively motion to all being capable thereof, so that if we will but put to our helping Hand, and observe the good Rules of Temperance, Cleanness and Order in Meats, Drinks and Exercises, many great Evils and Diseases may by the blessing of the Lord be avoided.  
The Foods most proper for this season are the Gruels and spoon-meats before mentioned, with Bread Butter and Cheese, but the two fast aught to be eaten sparingly, because they are Fat Strong Bodies, too great quantities thereof may do injury to many Constitutions.  
I have as little occasion as inclination to advise English People to the eating of Flesh and Fish, for that they are already too apt to indulge themselves therein, but this I must say, that this is the best Season, because the Food of most sorts of cattle, that are now killed by the Butchers, having been for some time past either Hay or Corn, which does generate better Blood in the Creatures, and firmer Flesh, besides the Season is brisk and cool which drives the natural heat more central, and gives great strength to the digestive faculty, whereby their Foods is better separated and the Creatures becomes stronger, of good Heart, and full of brisk airy Spirits; add to this that they are not so subject to be surfeited by over driving, which renders their Flesh better in all respects, and more healthful.   

An other way of making water Gruel, without being put on the Fire, which is a Summer Gruel.  
Take one spoonful of good Oatmeal, temper it with a little Water, then take a quart more of Water, put the Oatmeal into the other quart, and brew it very well together in too Pots, that are fit for that purpose, and then it is done; the Oatmeal will mixed or incorporate with the Water; of this sort you may drink a pint or a quart at a time, it is very good at all times of the Year, but more especially in Summer and hot weather; it is so friendly and Homogenial, that it allays Thrust the best of any others, by refreshing the Spirits bedewing the Body with a most pleasant and more natural moisture than either Beer or Ale, or any fermented drinks, the common use thereof in hot Seasons does strengthen the Body, and all the Members thereof, begets a natural Cheerfulness, extinguisheth all kinds of inward flushings and vapours that comes for want of a strong natural Heat, and large passages; it opens and frees the Stomach from gross matter that obstruct the digestive Faculty, purges by Urine, as all sorts of Gruel do, if made as we have Taught; the frequent eating of this, and other sorts beforementioned do mightly assist Nature in all her operations; in particular, it is profitable against griping pains of the Bowels helps Concoction, disburthening the Stomoch of superfluous Juces, and cleanseth the vessels which are generally stopped and furred by Intemperance, either in Meats or Drinks; for all Gruels and Pottages do naturally prevent fumes and vapours; by carrying the offending windy matter into the Bowels, causing it to pass away with case its proper way, neither shall those whether Young or Old, that often eat this Gruel, be subject to shortness of Breath, or other ill habits of the Stomach and Breast, and if Children do eat frequently of it in quantities, it will prevent those evil sharp windy Juces that falls into their Joints, which do cause the Disease called the Rickets; it hath also a powerful operation against the Scurvy and Dropsy, by opening the obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, begets appetite; it cheers and comforts the Spirits, it is in every respect friendly to Nature, and assists her in all her Opperations; for as most distempers are contracted by excess and Inordinate living; so on the other side, nothing hath so much power, not only to prevent. Diseases, but also to throw them off when they have invaded Nature, neither can the best of of Medicines prove Effectual, when disorders, and the same intemperance, in Meats, Drinks, Beds and Exercises are continued, that was the original of the Diseases; it is also very profitable to Woman in Childbed, the frequent use thereof would prevent those feavorish indispositions, vapours, windy fuming Humours, that most are subject to in that conditions, which is for the most part occasioned by their ill conduct, and by their hot thick compounded Spoon-Meats; but I do not call them h●● from the fiery heat they are tenged, with in their preparation; which also is injurious to Nature, if not cool before it be taken into the Body; it being a contrary heat both to the natural heat of the food, and Stomach too; but from the innate heat the ingrediences of those Spoon-meats are endued with; also those Gruels are very profitable for all Children, especially those that suck; for many women's Milk is defective, besides Milk naturally furs the passages and stomach, and often heats the Blood, whence Fevers and indispositions proceeds, which generally is attributed to the breeding of Teeth, but many are mistaken; now this Gruel does cool and cleanse all the passages, and refresh the Spirit, and thin the Blood.   

Of moist Airs.  
WHen the Fountains of water in the upper Chambers of Nature are stirred or awakened by the motions of the Elements and Celestial Configurations, all things, presently become dewy, or filled with humidity, for heat and moisture naturally opens all Bodies, exerting their inward qualities, and makes them defusive, whether they be Good or Evil, and renders them capable to mixed or incorporate with the Air, for so great is the power and efficacy of this Element of Water, that all or most productions are attributed thereunto, as that whereby they are Generated, Nourished and increased, so that it seems a prime natural cause of all things that grow in the Earth, and when it obtains the Government, or Dominion over the other Elements, it opens the Gates of nature, & then all properties do breathe or send forth their innate qualities, intermingling with the Air of that place; which if it happens to be low, morish fenny Ground, near Lakes Ponds, Jakes, Close Towns, or great Cities, as London, where various sorts of Filth and Uncleanness are heaped up, than the Air is filled with foul fulsome vapours of pernicious qualities; but on the other side, when the Air is humid, if the Ground be dry, or amongst Gardens, Corn Fields, open Heaths, Running Rivers, or where Springs trickle down from the Breasts of a rising Plain or Hills, where Hedges and Trees do not stand too thick, all such places do naturally exhale pleasant, and fragrant Smells which Impregnating the Air, renders it both delightful and wholesome.  
Hence it appears that Water is the great Menstrum of the World, the opener of all bodies, and the aawakener of Qualities, making all things penetrable, whence Motion & vegetation doth arise; so that when Water and Air are incorporated, the latter is rarified, and it becomes more penetrating, moistening, digesting and cooling; for when the sweet dews of Heaven are withheld, all things are locked up in the hot, harsh, astringent Chamber, which threatens all things with death, the Air becoming Sultry and Sulphurous, which consumes the radical moisture in all Creatures, and so renders them not only more unfit for Labour or Exercise, but also more subject to Diseases, then in moist Seasons, making them droughty hot and feavorish by stopping up the pores, which frets all the inwards parts both of Men and Beasts, and parches up the Earth, but where Water and Air do kindly embrace or inbibe each other, that place or Climate gains a brisk, spiritous refreshing property, that it sucks in on all parts of the Body; for the pure natural and Animal Spirits in man are not altogether a terrene thing, or Body nourrished only by gross Alement received through the Organs, by the Concoction of Meats and Drinks only, but draw in a more refined nourishment, like sponges at every poor of the Body, from the thin vapours that encompass, and penetrate it on all sides; for the Air being plentifully; endued with a salnitral virtue, does furnish and refresh Nature with a curious, brisk Airy Spirit; and for that reason Rain Water being Impregnated with a greater quantity of that Good virtue, does naturally advance Vegetations beyond all other sorts enriching the Earth, and making it hollow or Plumplike, a ferment or leven, whereas other Waters; bind and closeup the Pores thereof, but still the moist Air of Woods are not commendable as to health, because such places do naturally attract Humidity and retain it; so as it became thick, hot and sulphurous, because the Sun, Wind etc. has not free passage to refine it; but all Airs by, or near Springs or running-Water are more commendable in the Summer then in the Winter, and wonderfully refreshes the natural Spirits; and therefore Employments or Exercises near unto, or on the Waters are both pleasant and healthful, so that its a very vain Apprehension in many People so much to fear the dwelling near Rivers, though possibly the same may not agree with all Constitutions.  
And as moist Airs are most wholesome and healthful in hot Seasons of the Year: The like is to be understood of our Homogenial Water-Gruel, and other Pottages, though the contrary is practised by most. Gruels and Pottages, being mostly eaten in Winter; but they are far more agreeable in Summer or hot Seasons, for our Winters are for the most part cold and moist, which does naturally drive the heat more central, which does strengthen the Stomach, and digestive faculty, that Nature can the better dispose and digest, stronger, fatter, harder, drier Foods and Drinks, then in Summer or hot Wether; besides, Airs than are cold, humid and dewy, which do powerfully penetrate the Body, and the thin spiritous parts thereof are drawn or sucked in on all sides as by Sponges which do not only quicken, and make the natural Spirits brisk and lively, but it helps to dissolve and digest the Meats and Drinks, and makes that Food easily digested that would prove burdensome in Summer; besides though spoon-meats, viz. Gruels & Pottages, are not hot in their natures and innate qualities: Their heats are accidental, viz. received from the fire, the continuation thereof, is no longer than they become cold; for no Foods nor Drinks can be counted hot, but what have an innate natural heat, the heat received from the fire in preparations is Accidental, and forced, and not natural, it being contrary both to the natural heat of the Food and Stomach too, and though these Pottages and Gruels are good in all seasons, yet they are most beneficial to Health and Pleasure in Summer, for in hot weather most People are apt to Sweat, also the Sun which is the Central heat, does then by its Influences powerfully attracts and draws forth the natural heat, opening the pores, by which the Spirits are on all occasions or exercises apt to evaporate, from whence proceeds hot, droughty, fainty, Indispositions, Small and imperfect Appetites, and weak Digestions, which evils are very much increased by unproper Meats and Drinks, viz. Salt Flesh, or Fish, much Cheese and too strong Drinks; and also by all other Foods that are Fat Succulent or hard of concoction, or that which lies long in the Stomach before they digest, therefore our sweet, moistening, mild, clean, easy simple Gruels and Pottages, if frequently eaten, will prevent many inconveniences, and supply nature with its dewy moistening virtues, which will not only dilate the vessels of the Stomach, but they will beget Appetite, and mightily help concoction, moderately cool the Body and gently move to Stool, open all sorts of Obstructions that lie in the passages, and prevent the Generation of Wind in the Stomach; besides those that daily accustom themselves to the eating of those Gruels and Pottages, will rarely be afflicted either with the Griping Pains of the Bowels, or Wind-colic, for those simple Spoon-Meats do not generate any Crudities, nor sour short saltis matter, as grosser Foods do, especially compounded foods and strong stale sharp, drinks; but they sweeten the Blood thin the Humours of the Body by which means the Blood and the natural Spirits circulates freely, whence proceeds a lively; brisk, pleasant, Harmonious Temperament of Body and Mind, a little Physic will serve your turn, and as few Guineas, for Mr Doctor; for the true happiness of Mankind consist chiefly in this, that he keeps his Body and Mind as near the Tempeature as is possible, which cannot be done, except he make a due choice in the qualities and quantities of his Meats, Drinks, Employments, Airs, and Communications, and apply himself to those that are the most simple and Innocent, viz. that stands nearest equality, because each things do imposs its own property both on the Body and Mind; and the Blood and natural Spirits, inclinations and dispositions are not only supported by these things we Eat and Drink, but also continually made as it were new. And if such Meats and Drinks be too highly graduated in any particular property as in Sweetness, Bitterness Sourness or Astringency, than they do awaken, stir up, and strengthen their like quality by Simule, but if the foods be Flesh or Fish, then remember that all Beasts are not only endued with senses equal with Man, but also with all kinds of Passions as Love, Hate, Wrath, and the like, which their Flesh and Blood is not freed from, for in the Blood consists the high Life of every Creature, therefore the Illuminated Prophet Moses Commanded that it should not be eaten, because the more noble human Nature should not partake, nor be infected with the Beastiality, for Killing and Eating the Flesh and Blood of Beasts, cannot be accounted human, for men have no Example in all the Creation, but only the cruel, fierce, Savage Beast of the Desert, in which Creatures fierceness and wrath have the Ascendent.   

Of the Seasons of the Year, in which all sorts of Flesh are most Unclean, and aptest to contract and breed Diseases, as also the danger of Eating much Green-Fruits.  
THe season which most People are most apt to contract Diseases, by the frequent Eating of Flesh, is from the middle of june to the last of October, for 1st this season is hot, which openeth the Pores causeth Sweeting, and as it were a continual Evaporation of the Spirits, which causeth Fainty Indispositions to possess the whole Body, for all heat that exceeds the medium, whether it proceeds from Meats, Drinks or Exercises, doth gradually waste and consume the Spirits and natural heat, which does dull the edge of the attractive, digestive and retentive faculties of the Stomach, for this reason all superfluity and intemperances', are tenfold more dangerous, and Men are apt to contract Distempers in the one then in the other, as experience manifests; we see that the Natives in all hot Climates are naturally more temperate in Meats, Drinks and Exercises, than they are in cold, which is one cause why English People, and others, that Travel into the East and West Indies are so Unhealthy.  
2dly. In this Season most People eat great store of Green Foods, as Beans, Peases, Cabbages, Colliflowers, and the like, all which things do contain great store of gross phlegmy matter, especially in cold Countries, where the Sun (which is the central heat in all things) has not the power to prepare such Foods as in hot.  
3dly. It is likewise to be observed that a great part of that Green Food before mentioned, does often lie a considerable time before they are eaten, especially in great Cities and Towns, by which means they lose their pure brisk lively Taste, & Smell, which renders them nothing so quick of Concoction; as those that are boiled fresh, for they presently lose their fresh lively Spirits and Tinctures whence do proceed the pleasant taste with the most fragrant Smell and natural Colour.  
4thly, All this time of the Year, the Air (which is the Life of the Spirit in all Cities and great Towns) is thick and sulphurous, full of gross Humidity, which has its source from many uncleannesses, such places do plentifully afford, more especially in this season, which is Inamicable to the pure spirituous virtues of all such Foods, for all green food is naturally subject to Putrefaction by reason of their Phlegmatic Body; this makes them more unhealthy and dangerous then otherwise they would be if fresh and lively.  
5thly. In this season the Sun also declines in strength and vigour which being the central Power and Life of all things, they do proportionably decline as appears in Herbage (also the Earth, which is the Mother of all things, in this Season) is weakand impotent because she hath already put forth her strength and manifested her lively virtues in the first spring or rising of the Sun; therefore in the first spring and rising of the Sun every thing rejoyeth, and becomes very flagrant, by virtue of the sweet influences of their celestial Body, and the power of the Earth.  
6thly. In this Season, viz. from june to the last of October, most sorts of cattle breed many Diseases, first from the heat and gross humid Air which in this Season is more thick & sulphurous, the pleasant Influences and Spirits of the Air are dull and thick, which causes a fainty Indisposition to possess the Bodies and Spirits of most Creatures; Men themselves can witness the Truth of this; likewise the foods of most Creatures is Grass, which is of a phlegmatic Nature, & generates not only an unfirm Nourishment, but fills the Body full of evil Juces, for this cause it will not take Salt as at other times of the Year.  
In this Season the weather being hot the Spirits of most Creatures are quickly evaporated by driving, and other accidents, which most Beasts are subject to, especially such as come from remote Parts to great Cities; besides it is the time of their uncleanness, therefore it was not without great reason and Wisdom, that the Ancients commanded, that Flesh should be eaten sparingly, and that there should be a particular care taken about the good state of the Bodies of such cattle, viz. that they were Sound Healthy, free from Uncleannesses▪ and Surfeits, for whatsoever inconveniences attend the Creature before killed, the Flesh does still retain; and therefore the Eaters thereof cannot but partake of the evils; for the causes before mentioned, Flesh in these Months ought to be eaten sparingly, is any at all, there being many other sorts of Food that do far exceed Flesh and Fish, more especially in this Season, as Bread, Butter, Cheese, Gruels, Pottages of various sorts, Eggs, Herbs, and many others that are after a little use more pleasant, healthier, & generate firmer Nourishment, and greater Strength, if Sobriety and Temperance were observed; and other Circumstances belonging to Health, a little Flesh would serve; in this Age a man may speak and write of Temperance, and an orderly choice of Food, which can never be understood nor believed without practising, which makes all notions essential, few do or can imagine, how little and mean things will every way fully contribute to all Nature's wants and necessities.  
There are two or three other things, which (having the opportunity, though they may seem not so pertinent to the present Subject) I would advertise my Country Men of.  
1. That Diseases are transferred from one to another several ways, but especially, by lying in Beds with, or after Diseased People; which all Persons ought to take notice of, there being scarce any sort of Learning more necessary, and yet none more neglected; for these secret conveyances of Virtue and Venom, or the transfering of Distempers from one to another is done after an hidden inpreceptible manner, by way of Spirits, Gleams, Rays and Glances, the natural Spirits being so subtle and penetrating as they powerfully search into all things, so that a Man cannot touch any thing though it seem never so impassable or hard, as Iron, Stone, or the like, but those nimble Scouts, do not only penetrate it, but are more or less retained in it; if this were not so, the Dog could not find the Individual Stone his Master throws amongst a Thousand others; nor could he follow him unseen by his Footstops; nor could the deep mouthed Hounds trace the light heeled Hare in all her doubles and winding, and though she runs so fast and swift, as she scarce seems to touch the surface of the Earth, or bend the topes of the Grass, over which she mounts; yet she leaves such real Effluviums and impressions, enough to betray her to those pursuing Enemies. Indeed nothing can hold or withstand the natural Spirits, they are so thin, quick and piercing, no Iron Stone or Wood can resist them, and if they will incorporate with those hard substances as is most manifest, how much more must they be imbibed by soft Beds, where People lie long, Warm and Sweeting, and where the Air cannot come with its refreshing Influences, to cleanse & purify those grosser Excrements, the Vehicles (or Lodging) of malignant Spirits, that are continually breathed forth by infirm Persons, and of all others Featherbeds are more dispossed to entertain and welcome such unclean fulsome Vapours; therefore it concerns all People, especially such as are Young, to be careful who they lie with, or after, all Diseases being catching at one time or other; moreover hot, soft Feather Beds are for the most part in themselves. Unwholesome, because they keep the Body too hot, and enfeeble the Loins; whereas hard clean Beds, viz. Quilts, or Straw, or Flock-Beds (but especially Straw) are much more commendable as to Health.  
2. The principal Cause that so many Children, especially Young Virgins in London, and other parts of this Nation, are deformed by crooked and disorderly growing, is, 1st, By reason of their hard Swathing in their Infancy, for who ever saw a Black (who use no such binding) Crooked. 2dly, This is increased when they grow up by the tyranny of foolish pernicious Fashons, over straight Lacing, hard Bodies and stiff Stays (invented only for Mischief, and the consumption of Whale-Bone) all which their weak Bones and tender Nerves cannot endure without great prejudice; besides it straitens the Breast and the Vessels of the Stomach, and lays Foundations for Asthmas, Phtysicks, shortness of Breath, Green sickness, and forty other Maladies. 3dly, When they come to be about six or seven Years old, they are generally put to sowing or working of Samplers, as they call it, where most of them are kept by an Ignorant Impertinent Mistress, as hard to it, as if they were to get their Bread before they eat it, five, six, seven or eight hours in a Day, are they there keep sitting in a mopish still Posture, with their Heads downwards, leaning on their Breasts, and all their Limbs crumpled up almost like a Hedge-Hoggs. This makes many of them dull, Sleepy and Heavy all their Life after, by that base, early contracted Habit; others to ease themselves lolling or leaning on one side, hold their Necks awry, get a trick of lifting up one Shoulder half a Story higher than the other, and a Thousand other ridiculous Postures, which by time becomes natural, and then the Swing is thought of, and the Steel-Bodices sent for, which certainly concludes the Work, & renders their Crookedness yet worse, and indeed altogether incurable; whereas, had these Children been Educated with change of Employments or Learning, viz. one hour, or an hour and an half to Sew, the next to Read, or Write, or learn Languages; after that to play on the Music, Sing or Paint, to go in a handsome Posture, their Schooling would not only be much more pleasant and delightsome to them, but they would be more Airy, Brisk and Healthy, and learn more in one hour, than they do in several Days by being kept thus dully to one thing so long day after day, as it were stupifiing there Senses, procuring many other Diseases, besides Crookedness which is always accompanied with many other inconveniences, which all careful prudent Mothers ought to consider, and study to prevent.  
3. The best Exercises that I have observed against Consumptions, shortness of Breath, and all kind of Obstructions of the Stomach and Breast are those that most Employ the Arms, and open the Chest; therefore for Women to rub Tables for one hour every Morning tell they sweat would not be amiss; for Men any sort of Labour on the Water, but especially Rowing in Boats with Water men, does effectually open and remove all Impediments & Diseases of the Breast and Stomach, at once it strengthens the Muscles, and opens the Passages, or if any find themselves inclinable to it, the Exercise of Shooting at Butts, in a long Bow is very commendable, such Exercises have cured many Consumptive Asthmatical People, when they have been given over by the Doctors, for as the walking in proper Airs gets a good Appetite so the drawing the Bow dilates the Breast and removes Obstructions.  
But I have already exceeded the limits I proposed to myself in this Paper: Those that shall observe the Rules herein laid down of Temperance, choice of Diet & due preparation, will, I am more than confident, find great benefit thereby; therefore I shall not Trouble myself to make any Apology to any, who having their Eyes blinded by the Dust of Custom, and Tradition, may be apt to condemn or flight these Advices as useless Chimeras; sure I am what I have delivered is agreeable to undisguised Nature, and whosoever shall Act accordingly will find the benefit, but without practice all precepts are vain, or at least fruitless; unless it be to remain as Monuments to reproach those conceited Fools that despise and neglect them. What I have here candidly, and in a simple plain familiar manner delivered, I leave to God's Blessing and the practice of all prudent Lovers of their Health, and humble Followers of Nature in her easy and Innocent Methods.   
FINIS