The first Chapter .

THat noble Kings and renowmed princes in the old time ( euen otherwise most busily encombred with garboyles of wars ) haue beene studiously addicted and singularly delighted in the serch and knowledge of the nature of Plants and Herbs : both ancient histories doe sufficiently witnesse , and the books of the sacred Bible do largely testifie . For , the search and skil of these things , carrieng with it such pleasant store of delectable varietie : and furnished no lesse with profit than pleasure , seemed nothing at all derogatorie from the maiestie of Kings , nor any whit vnfitting the honorable estate of Princes , somewhiles to solace and recreate themselues with these kinds of studies : namely & specially when and so often as they could ( as it were ) breath from their other most vrgent affaires , and haue either time or leisure to intermitte their other weightie and serious proceedings . And by this kind of studie ( whereby not onely Kings and princes , great Herbarists , & Students of Physicke . their minds , but their bodies also were singularly solaced ) their fame and memories became as glorious and renowmed , and their honorable magnificence as highlie dignified , as by anie other their woorthie acts , noble conquests , or triumphant victories whatsoeuer .

Heerby Mythridates the noble king of Pontus ( hauing vnder him 19. kingdoms ) through excellent skill in herbs , and for that his most singular inuention of the soueraigne Triacle Mythridate , found out and deuised by a mightie king . and cordiall preseruatiue against poison , and all other contagious and infectiue diseases , hath woon vnto himselfe an immortall name among all posterities . Lysimachus , Eupator , Gentius Seuerall herbs knowen by the names of these princes , for that they first found out the vertues thereof . the king of Illyria , Artemisia Queene of Caria and wife to Mausolus , with manie others , are famously renowmed , not so much for their noble exploits in martiall affaires , as for their exquisite skill and profounde knowledge of Plants and Herbs .

Marcus Curius a noble warrior and right valiant Generall among the Romans , after he had vanquished Pyrrhus the puissant king of the Epyrotes , so greatly delighted in this knowledge of Herbs , that he withdrew himselfe from all worldlie cares , and quietly betooke himselfe to end the remainder of his daies in the delectable practise thereof , in the Countrie . The same course did Lucius Cincinnatus , and Marcus Valerius Coruinus ( two noble personages ) likewise take .

Solomon also the mightiest and richest king Solomon a most excellent Herbarist . that euer was ( who beside his infinite treasures and inestimable wealth , had giuen vnto him by almightie God such ripe wisedome and exact knowledge of things , that no king in the world was comparable vnto him ) among other his rare and admirable vertues , is set downe in holie Scriptures to be surpassingly skilled in the vertues , qualities , and operations of Herbs : and that he was able to reason , discourse , & dispute not onely of Beasts , Foules , creeping things , & Fishes , but of trees 1. Kin. 4 , 33. also and Plants , from the Cedar in Lebanon to the Hysope that springeth out of the wal : that is , from the highest & tallest tree , to the smallest Wisd. 7 , 17. shrub and lowest herbe .

Besides Solomon , there be sundrie other holie men and blessed Prophets among the Hebrewes , that doe manie times insert into their prophesies , and vsually borrow comparisons , Herbs haue sundrie effect , and operations . taken from the names & effects of Herbes . For some plants seruing to one purpose , and some to another , some being good for nourishment , some for medicine , and some for both : some being hurtful and dangerous to nature , some wholsome , cordiall , and soueraigne : the Prophets of God were thereupon mooued to take and fetch from them manie right apt Similitudes and proper comparisons , to adorne their Sermons , & garnish their matters withall , to make the same by such familiar meanes the easier to be conceiued , and the readier to be beleeued .

And although in each other kinde of learning , humane discipline & philosophie , there be manie singular ornaments and peculiar garnishments , effectually to delight the mind , and to drawe it by example and imitation to vertue and honestie : yet for the true and perfect atchieuing , and fuller bringing to passe of these things , there be none of greater , nor yet of like force and efficacie , to those that are vsed by the holie Prophets in their diuine Writings and Prophesies ; so that to him that is any whit reasonably seene either in the works of Nature , or in heauenlie contemplations , it may easily appeere , how that their writings and prophesies are not barren , rude , ignorant , and vnartificiall : but profitable , fruitfull , learned , and eloquent . For , the holie scripture being giuen by inspiration from God , fully and sufficiently instructeth the mind , and furnisheth the conscience and soule with most sweete foode and wholesome nourishment . Which thing , the kinglie prophet Dauid right wel declareth , where he vseth a very fit similitude borowed from fresh Pastures , greene Medowes , pleasant Brooks , and wholsom Waters , wherwith cattle be delicately fed , and expediently nourished . The Lord ( saith he ) is my shepheard , I Psal. 23. 1. shall want nothing : he maketh me to rest in greene pasture , and leadeth me by the still waters . So likewise in another Psalme , where he reioiceth in the Lord , and highlie praiseth his holie name for blessing him with store of heauenlie riches , yea and of earthlie benefits also , as Cattell and fruitful soile , he saith : The lines are fallen vnto me Psal. 16 , 6. in pleasant places . For in the old time , men vsed to measure their land with long ropes , & therby to share out their Acres & bounds , according to eueriemans right and title : as now we do with perches or poles .

Now , for that there be of these kindes of speeches infinite places both in the olde and new Testament , diligently noted and founde out as wel by the ordinary practise and course of life , as also by obseruation of the nature , effect , and vertue of Things : I haue at this time thought good to bestowe some labour in this Booke to set downe the same vnto the view & consideration of the studious Reader : wherby he may see what a rich treasure of knowledge and wisedome there is laid vp in the sacred Scriptures ; which affoordeth vnto the industrious Christian , store ynough of matter both pleasurable and profitable , delightfull and wholesome . Neither is it possible for a man to reape anie the like benefit of plentiful knowledge and copious learning , nor to taste such foison of soueraigne foode both for soule and conscience , out of anie Works written by Philosophers , Orators , or Poets , as hee may out of the most plentifull storehouse , and aye lasting fountaine of Diuinitie , and out of those bookes which were endited by the holie Ghost , and written by heauenly inspiration . So that whosoeuer shal aduisedly consider , and attentiuely discusse the deepe mysteries and profound knowledge laid vp in the Scriptures , and therewithall also what surpassing wisedome harboured in their mindes , which left behind them such diuine instructions and wholsome documents , cannot choose but most plainly perceiue , by how manie degrees , diuine learning and sacred studies do incomparably surmount all profane skill , and humane knowledge : and how far things heauenly and eternall do excell things earthlie and transitorie .

That the holie Prophets were not onely most exactly seene in the peerelesse skill of Diuinitie , but most exquisitly also furnished with the entire knowledge of all thigns naturall : and not ignorant in anie kinde of learning or discipline ; may hencefoorth bee sufficiently prooued , and manifestly gathered , for that in their writings they vse so manie Similitudes , & make so many Comparisons of things fetched out of the verie secrets and bowels of Nature ; as namely , from beasts , fouls , worms , creeping and swimming creatures , Herbes , Trees , the Elements , fire , water , earth , aire , riuers , brooks , wels , cesternes , seas , stars , pearls , stones , lightening , thunder , raine , dew , heate , drowth , cold , winds , blasts , haile , snowe , frost , ice , corne , seede , salt , leauen , nets , snares : and likewise from the humours in a mans bodie , Blood , milke , generatiue seede , menstrue , woman in trauell , child-birth , drosse , yron , golde , siluer , and innumerable other things , wherewith they learnedly beautifie their matter , and ( as it were ) brauely garnish and deck out their termes , words , and sentences with tropes and figuratiue Phrases , Metaphors , Translations , Parables , Comparisons , Collations , Examples , Schemes , and other ornaments of speech , giuing therby vnto their matter a certaine kind of liuelie gesture , and so consequently attiring it with light , perspicuitie , easinesse , estimation , and dignitie : stirring vp thereby mens drowsie minds , and awaking slothfull , negligent , carelesse , sluggish , and retchlesse people to the consideration and acknowledgement of the truth , and to the following and imbracing of godlines .

Heereby as they doe withdraw and deterre the wicked from their wicked waies , by laieng downe before them , Similitudes tending to such purpose : so doe they no lesse stirre them vp to vertue , to true happines , to perfect felicitie , to sound assurance , to the feare of God , and trust in his mercie . Finally , they each waie seeke to win them to the knowledge of God , and of themselues ; and leaue no waie vnattempted to allure and bring them to the truth and perfect blessednes .

And as touching the godlie , which feare the Lord , and frame their liues accordingly , they cease not to incourage , confirme , strengthen , and establish them in their vertuous doings , by earnest exhortation to persist in their well begun exercise . They doe ( as the Apostle S. Paul also willeth ) admonish such as walke inordinately , and liue out of course , being vntractable 2. Thes. 3 , vers. 11. and vnruly , to remember their dutie , and to acknowledge their fault ; they gently 1. Thes. 5 , vers. 11. reprooue them , and mildly seeke to recouer them : they comfort the weake , and cheere vp the moornfull , they strengthen and raise vp the feeble and broken harted , they reuiue the Isai. 61 , 1. sorrowfull and heauie spirited , they raise vp them that are throwen downe : they vse lenitie , mildnesse and compassion towards al men in generall : they are slow to anger , slow to reuenge and violence : they heale the broken Luk. 4 , 18. and bruised consciences , they preach deliuerance to the captiues , sight to the blinde , libertie to the imprisoned , comfort to the afflicted , ioy to the distressed , health to the sicke , recouerie to the diseased ; and to the miserable , releasement from the thraldome and tyrannie of the Diuell : all these they notably and elegantly set foorth in their writings by most apt Parables , forcible Comparisons , and effectuous Similitudes .

Seeing therefore each one of the Prophets ( among whom , many were kings , and descended of roiall blood ) haue discoursed of these things , and inserted the same into their writings : seeing likewise our Sauiour Iesus Christ and his Apostles haue practised the same , and shewed foorth the like kinde of doctrine : I thought my labour should be well bestowed , if briesly and by the waie , I should in this treatise shew what store of excellent learning , pro●ound wisedome , hidden knowledge , and ex●ct skill of nature ; what zeale likewise of ad●ancing true religion , and of banishing al ido●●trie and superstition there rested in those men that by diuine inspiration haue left and deliuered vnto vs such woorthie and wholesome matters , and such surpassing knowledge , by drawing into their bookes ( for the greater ornament and setting out of their speech ) the ●hole store and furniture of Nature .

The second Chapter .

Of the qualitie , propertie and nature of Mandrake , which Rahel , by intreatie and composition got of hir sister Leah .

IN the infinite number of fresh , green and flourishing herbes , which almightie God the creator and maker of all thinges hath made and appointed to grow out of the earth for the vse of man : the herbe Mandrake is not of least account , not last to be reckoned . Of the which , ( bicause there is speciall mention thereof made in the holy Bible , and for that also it was accounted of , as daintie , delicate , and much desired to be eaten ) we wil therfore begin this our present discourse , and argument thereat .

There be of this Herbe two kinds : the one hauing leaues much like vnto Lettice , sauing Mandrake . that they be narrower and smaller , and of adarke or dim greene colour . The Apple wherof groweth out at the centre or middle of the stalke , vpon the smal slender stems , in the bignes of a Filberd , and some as big as a Walnut , or Chestnut . And this kind is called the female Mandrake .

But the male Mandrake hath more goodly , faire and large leaues , of a whitish or milkie ●reene colour : whose Apples growing out at ●he middle of the stem among the broade and spread leaues , are in forme round and orbicular , and of colour , yellow , much like to the yolke of a hens egge , of a strong sent and sauour , prouoking sleepe ; but yet pleasant and delightsome : the roote is blackish , clouen into two diuisions or clifts , like legs , folding and wrapped one about another , about the which , there grow many fine threeds or small haires . Wherevpon certaine cosening Makeshiftes , Much paltrie and cosening knauerie vsed about Mandrakes . deceitfull Pedlars , & hypocriticall lurdeins in times past , and yet still in some places , deuise out of the roote of this herbe , and Brionie , to make certaine shapes and proportions like to the feature and phisnamie of a man , resem●ling sometime a man & sometime a woman ; being neither afraid nor ashamed to persuade and beare the simple ignorant people in hand that they grow naturally out of the earth in such forme , proportion and making . Some of this lewd rabble of shifting mates , & shameles deceiuers , impudently and boldly auouch and constantly affirme , that this is a creature , hauing life , and engendered vnder the earth of the seed of some dead person , that hath beene conuicted and put to death for some felonie or murther , and that they had the same in such dampish and funerall places where the saide conuicted persons were buried : by which perswasion they pitifully abuse the credulitie of seely people , & get from them by colour therof no small sums of money . And some haue beene made to beleeue , that the apples and roote of this herbe hath had great vertue to procure antasie ( which they call loue ) and as it were to enchant , and ( perforce ) to cause the partie to whom it should be giuen to doate in amorous conceites , and to be foaded in a fooles paradise , as it is termed .

Rahel ( as the scripture mentioneth ) was verie desirous of this Apple , & made importunate sute to obtaine it . For when as Ruben went out into the fieldes in the daies of wheat Gen. 30 , ●4 . haruest , he founde Mandrakes and brought them to his mother Leah : which when Rahel perceiued , being one that enuied hir sister for Rahe●● sute to Leah for Mandrake . hir fruitfulnes in bearing children , she desired and entreated hir said sister to giue hir of the same Mandrakes . Leah being offended with hir sisters importunitie , denied hir request , and refused to bestow the Apples vpon hir . At length the matter betweene them was composed and agreed vpon , vnder this condition , that Leah the night next following shoulde sleepe with Iacob , who was husband to them both , and slept with them by turnes : and that Rahel should haue and enioy the Mandrakes , which she is thought to haue gotten from hir sister , to the intent thereby the sooner to conceiue , by eating the same apple , and sleeping with the patriarch Iacob hir husband . For , she greatly spighting hir sisters fruitefull wombe , and no lesse desiring to banish and put awaie from hir selfe the rebuke of barrainnes and sterilitie : bitterlie expostulated with hir husbande , for that she could beare no children , whereas hir sister was the mother of manie . But Iacob wiselie and grauely correcting hir error , and somewhat mooued with displeasure against hir , told hir , that he was not therefore to be blamed ; for that fruitfulnes and beareing of children was the gift of God , and disposed at his diuine will and pleasure .

Now , whether Mandrake haue any such vertue to make women fruitfull , and to helpe conception , therein lieth the question and doubt . For , seeing that it hath a soporiferous nature and sleepie qualitie , and is withall also verie colde , it is thought to be vtterlie vnprofitable , vnfit and strengthlesse to worke anie such effect . For answere wherevnto , this I say , that as I confesse it to be vnauaileable and vnable to worke such effect , or to bring anie such thing to passe in cold and moyst countries , or in a cold and moyst wombe : so again in hot , parched and adust places it standeth with good reason that it may well effect such a consequence . So that I am of opinion , that in Aphrike , Spaine , Iurie , Mauritanie , Barbarie , Aegypt and such like countries , where the women be of an hot constitution , and haue adust , ●rie , vnkindely , faint and leane wombes , this kinde of Apple may safely and verie conueniently be eaten . For by the eating thereof , the bodie may expediently be brought ( as I thinke ) to a temperatenes : in that , the same ( after carnall knowledge ) being brought a sleepe , the wombe is the better enabled to retaine the seede , not suffering it to euaporate as in an hot & dry matrix it vsually commeth to passe . Which thing I haue ( by experience ) in many founde to be true : who for the great and excessiue distemperance of their wombs , haue continued barraine and childlesse , albeit their husbands haue beene as likely men to haue begotten children as any . Yea this same distemperance hath many times bred contagion in the generatiue partes of manie men , through the salsuginous , and frequent vnnaturall humour thereof . To women of such constitution , ( who for the most part are immoderatelie thereby giuen to vntamed lust ) these Mandrake apples may without any danger , yea to great purpose and auaile be safelie giuen : as also Pompions , Cucumbers , Gourds , Melons , Purselane , Lettice , Nightshade , with such like cooling Simples , whereby that excessiue heate , and immoderate distemperance of the matrix and wombe may be qualified , and conueniently rectified .

I know right wel that in these our Northren parts of the world there are sundry kindes of Plantes and Herbes , which being naturallie harmefull and pernitious , can not choose but empaire and damnifie health , if their dangerous qualitie and offensiue effect be not inhibited and met withall . This is the reason , why we qualifie all those Herbes that are naturally colde , with pepper , ginger , & graines of Paradise : by the which , their malice is restrained , & their harmfull qualitie conquered . So , Mushromes & such other excrements of the earth , to the Italians and people beyond the Alpes are nourishable and harmelesse , whereas to vs inhabiting this countrey , they are both dangerous and venemous , vnlesse their pernicious qualitie by some hot condiments be mitigated and mastered . Moreouer in hot regions , parched and burned with the full force of the Sunne , all thinges attaine the sooner and the better to their ripenes : whereby it commeth to passe , that these kindes of delicacies , which ( as stirrers and prouokers of wanton lust ) are so highly esteemed , and so inordinately desired of these lasciuious riotours and incontinent spend-thriftes , to increase and irrite their beastly lust , do little or nothing preiudice the health of their bodies .

But that the Hebrewes in the olde time tooke great delight and made singular account of Mandrake for the fragrant smell , and singular comfortable sent thereof , may well appeere by that marriage song or Canticle of Solomon . Which maketh me to thinke that it was greatly esteemed , much desired , often Cant. 7 , 13. handled , and carried about in Iurie , for that it hath in it a verie delicate and pleasant smell , inducing and prouoking sleepe , which vnto wearie and weake persons is both comfortable and recreatiue .

And now to speake somewhat by experience in my selfe , what I haue found and tried by this Mandrake , I will heer by the way shew you , what happened vnto me through the same . It so fell out , that in the sommer season ( for at this time of the yeere the Mandrakes be ripe ) I chaunced once or twice negligentlie and rechlessely to lay vp on a shelfe in my studie some of these goodly and beautifull apples . But behold what thereof ensued . Certes I became so sleepie and drowsie , that I coulde not , but with verie much adoe , keepe my selfe waking . Striuing thus ( all that I coulde ) to shake off this drowsines , and finding no reason to lead me how it should so come to passe , at length by casting mine eie about ech corner , I espied the Mandrakes , which I had afore there laid : which after that I had taken away and remooued into another roume , I presentlie recouered my former alacritie , and put to flight my sluggish drowsines .

But from this sweete smelling and most fragrant apple , ( whereby the carrier thereof becommeth gratious and the better liked with his beloued ) the bridegroome taketh occasion Cant. 7 , 11. to walke foorth into the field . For , when as in the spring & sommer seasons all things do●● burgen and flourish , and that the Mandrak●● and other pleasant plants do gallantlie and odoriferouslie smell , he calleth his sponse o● bride out of hir chamber , to the intent she may for a while leaue the citie , and pleasantly repose hir selfe in the gardens of pleasure in the suburbs , refreshing hir selfe with the manifold varietie of most beautifull herbs , and delightsome trees , as namely , spikenard , violet , lillies , pomegranate , Mandrakes , and the florishing vine . For , as all the trees , herbs and plants growing out of the earth , doe in the spring time of the yeere , specially flourish and blossome , and exceedingly both for the gallant hue of the bloomes , and also for fragrancie of smell delight the beholder : so namely and aboue the rest , the Vine sendeth foorth a most excellent and surpassing sent .

It flowreth about the beginning of Iune , and hauing many weake and slender branches from whence groweth sundrie newe knottie shootes , bringing foorth at euerie knot or ioint , broade iagged leaues diuided into fiue cuts or parts , it yeeldeth foorth a most pleasant smell , wherewith the hart and braine of man is maruellously recreated , so that it is no small solace and delight for a man during the time of the flowring therof , to dine , sup , or otherwise to passe away the time in some conuenient arbor or gallerie vnder this most gallant and braue tree .

It is also saide that the odour and smell of ●●e leaues & flowres of this tree be so soue●aigne , that no venemous beasts wil approch neere thereunto ; insomuch that Serpents , Snakes , Adders , Toades , and such like , cannot abide to come neere where it is . During the season and time therfore of the flow ring of this tree , it is right wholesome vnder the shade therof to walke , sit , conferre , talke , and coole our selues , sith the same may without danger of noisome and venemous creatures be safely performed . The Bridegroom Christ therefore ( for so is he termed by Iohn the Baptist , being singularly affected toward his Spouse the Church , which is the Congregation of faithfull beleeuers ) delighteth in nothing more , than in the aduancement of the honor , dignitie , comelinesse and beautie of his Bride : neither contrariwise , doth the Bride in any thing so much delite as in requitall of kindnes , and recompence of curtesies toward hir husband and Spouse : so that betweene them twaine , there is no apt , proper , and resembling Similitude to bee conueniently gathered either out of the Heauens , Stars , Planets , Mountaines , Hils , Woods , Groues , Fields , Herbes , Flowers , Trees , Wine or Vine , out of which any sweet , pleasant , delectable , or wholesome smell , sauour , or sent proceedeth ; but that the same be most pithily , and according to the honorable dignitie of either partie most fitly applied , and vpon occasion most orderly and learnedly alledged .

Thus is the Bridegroome there aptly compared to sweete Spikenard , to a bundle of Mirrhe , to a bunch or cluster of pleasant Grapes . The same Bridegroome also compareth his beloued ( for hir excellent whitenes and sweete smell ) to a Lillie : insomuch that if hir handmaids or those of hir traine should be compared vnto hir , they should seeme to be but thornes and mungrels , without honor , beautie , estimation or dignitie . These and such like Metaphors are most plentifully to be read and seene , not in this Song or Canticle onely , but in all the rest of the sacred Scripture also ; so that there is offered vnto each diligent Reader and industrious Student matter ynough , wherwith to delight himselfe , and to recreate his minde , at least way , if he attentiuely bende himselfe in feruent desire , entire care , and aduised cogitation to consider heerein the excellencie of Nature , and the incomprehensible maiestie of the Maker and Creator .

There are founde ( I say ) in this Song or Canticle , very elegant similitudes taken from such things as are knowen to be cordial and soueraigne remedies against the debilitie of the vital spirits , Sounding extasies or Traunces : as namely , sweete , smelling and redolent wine , delightfull and comfortable Nosegaies of fragrant Herbs and pleasant Flowers . So likewise the Bride being now readie to faint and languish , and ( as it were ) at the point to quaile and shrinke downe through immoderate loue toward hir husbande and Spouse , commandeth hir handmaids to bring some comfortable Restoratiues , & to apply sweet sented odours to hir nose : Staie me ( saith she ) with flowers , and comfort me with apples , least I Cant. 2 , 5. faint , for I am loue sicke . So also doe we vse , when anie fall into a sounding or traunce , to giue vnto them Cinamome , Cloues , Vineger , Citrons , Lymons , Myrtle , Narde , and other soote Simples to smell vnto , which by the Scriptures , and ordinarie experience are knowen to be for that purpose good , cordiall and soueraigne .

The third Chapter .

Of Manna : and first of that which rained downe from Heauen : and next of that , which is vsuall in Physicke .

WHereas the children of Israel in the wildernes were fed with Manna : it may not be thought Exo. 16 , 14. Num 11 , 8. Deut. 8 , 16. Psal. 78 , 24. to proceede from anie naturall cause , but euen from the diuine power , and miraculous handie worke of almightie GOD , who yet ( notwithstanding ) vsed the ministerie of nature in the doing thereof : as he likewise did in the Quailes which he sent among them into the Campe : and as he also did , when as the Rock being smitten , yeelded foorth water abundantly for the refreshing of the drie and thirstie people : or as when by the casting in of a peece of wood the bitter waters became Exo. 15 , 25. Num. 20 , 8. Exo. 14 , 21. sweete : or as finally , when by a most strong East winde the red Sea was dried vp , and gaue free passage vnto the Hebrewes ( all the Aegyptians pursuing them , being vtterly swallowed vp and drowned . )

The like reason is to bee giuen of the Meale and of the Oile which was still increased 1. Kin. 17 16 2. Ring . 4 , 6. without wasting , at the praier of Elijah , and of Elisha : of the Rauen that brought bread and flesh to Elijah : of the Angell that broght vnto him a cake baked on the coles , and a pot of water ; in the strength whereof he iournied fortie daies and fortie nights Cap. 19 , 6. without any other foode , vntill he came to Horeb , the Mount of God , where he found a caue , in the which he safely hid himselfe from the tyrannie of wicked Iezebel , who cruelly persecuted and hunted all the Prophets of the Lord to death .

These and such like admirable , woonderfull and miraculous workes , could the Lord euen with a worde or a becke without the helpe of any thing , haue brought to passe : but yet his diuine will and pleasure was , to vse naturall thinges , ( whereof he is both the worker and gouernour ) as the meanes or instrument whereby to atchieue and worke the same strange effects , to the reliefe of his children , and comfort to their distressed mindes .

The like haue we to obserue and note also in Hezekiah being sick , and by the doome of Isaie . 38 , 21. 2. Kin. 20 , 7. God himselfe appointed to die , whose boyle was cured by a lumpe of drie figs ( which in operation are maturatiue ) laide plaisterwise to the same . Out of the which , wee are to learne this most profitable lesson , that albeit God bee able to heale without any medicines , yet his pleasure is , that in the time of sicknes , we shoulde not contemne Physicke , as the meanes whereby our recouerie is wrought , but to vse the same in the feare of God , for the restoring of our health and prolongation of our life .

The like meanes did Christ himselfe also vse , in restoring sight vnto a poore blinde Iohn . 9 , 6. man , when as hee spat on the grounde and made claie of the spettle , with the which he annointed his eies , with further commandement to him to go and wash himselfe in the poole of Siloam . In like sort also , cured he a dumbe man , & restored vnto him his speech , Mark . 7 , 32. by putting his fingers into his eares , and touching his toong with spettle .

These kindes of miracles did the Lorde worke , some while with onelie touching , and Mat. 20. 34. Mar. 10 , 52. Luk. 18 , 42. some while with onely a word , requiring nothing else at their hands that were cured , but onelie firme and stedfast faith and vndoubted confidence to obtaine their requestes , as namelie in poore blinde Bartimaeus , faithfully crieng vnto Christ , ( notwithstanding the churlish rebukes and checkes that he sustained for so doing , at the hands of some of the companie ) appeereth .

But albeit Almightie God for his great mercie sake , and for the inestimable loue wherewith he most bountifully loued mankind , did many and sundry waies signifie his infinite goodnes toward them : yet most singularly and notably did he testifie and make apparant his woonderfull power and heauenly might , in working most strange , most supernaturall and inimitable miracles . Among the which being innumerable , the raining and sending downe of Manna so copiouslie and aboundantly from heauen , to suffice such an huge and populous multitude , is namely and speciallie to be remembred .

For , when as the people ( being a confused multitude ) to the number of sixe hundreth thousand persons , repiningly murmured against God , and Moses his seruant , for bringing them out of Aegypt , into that waste Num. 11 , vers. 31. Exo. 16 , 13. Psal. 78 , 24. Wildernes , to be ( as they seditiouslie muttered ) there sterued and famished : God in the euening of the same daie sent into their Campe an incredible multitude of Quailes : and in the morning the Dewe lay rounde about the Hoste vpon the grounde , and when the Dew that was fallen , was ascended , the●● appeered vpon the face of the Wildernes , a small round thing , thinne as the hoare frost vpon the earth , in the likenes of Coriand●● seede , of the colour of Bdellium , and in relish or taste like vnto Wafers made with Honie . When the children of Israell being thereat greatly a●●onied , or ( as some expounde it ) contemptuouslie regarding it , did with admiration or irrision beholde it ; they saide one to another , Manhu , What is this ? For they wist not what it was .

The Manna which is vsed in Physicke . being hot , temperate and moyst is not altogither vnlike vnto this which we haue nowe mentioned . For there is gathered in hot Countries and warme Regions an Aerie and Dewie Honie , distilling and dropping from the Ayre in the night time about the Canicular daies in Sommer , and falling vpon Trees , Braunches , Herbs , Boughes , Flowers and Stones in small drops or graines , which being rolled and chafed a little while with the toong , melteth and dissolueth as it were Sugar , and with a most delicate sweetenes singularlie delighteth the palate and mouth . It is right souereigne and beneficial to lenifie the roughnes of the Iawes , and asperitie of the Throate . It notably quencheth heate , purgeth blood , looseth and mollifieth the bellie , as the Cassia fistula doth , but somewhat more gently and mildely : and therfore may safely and without any feare or danger be ministred to tender Folkes , Yoonglings , Aged persons , Women with childe , or that lie in childebed , taking the quantitie of an ounce in weight at once , hauing alwaies regarde and respect ( as meete it is ) to the nature and constitution of ech particular persons bodie .

And it is termed by the name of Manna , or Melaereum , bicause being drawn vp from the earth by the heate of the Sunne in the daie time ; it falleth downe againe in the coole night season , and lighteth vpon Trees , Plantes , &c. in such proportion , shape , taste , sweetenes and relish almost , as the other Manna was , which the Bible describeth , and which the Israelites did eate many yeeres ; insomuch that with the long vse therof , they fell to loathing of it , and disdainefully to despise the great bountiful gift of their Lord and God .

I my selfe haue sometimes founde this Manna at such times as I haue purposely walked out of the Vniuersitie to seeke for Herbs in mornings afore dailight , specially at the later ende of the Spring , when the Ayre hath beene milde and the weather calme .

But there is solde by some of these couetous and vnconscionable Apothecaries in steede of this true right Manna or Ayrie Honie , another counterfeited and sophisticated Manna , made of Sene and Sugar . But by the melting thereof in the mouth , the patcherie and sleight may soone be espied .

There be some that gather about Bee hyues , and other places where Bees do mellifie , certaine excrements of yellowish colour and sweete relish like to Honie , beleeuing and making others to beleeue that the same is the right Manna , distilling out of the Ayre , whereas in verie deede , it is nothing else , than a certaine excrementall lyquor , iuyce , iellie , slime or spittle , comming from Wasps , Dorres , Drones and Gnats . For , these kinds of vnprofitable Bees do lie in waite to lurch the labours , and to sucke the Honie made and gathered by the painefull toyling Bees , which so soone as the same poore Bees espie , they ioyne their forces togither , set vpon those theeuish Drones and filching vermine , and neuer leaue till they haue banished or destroied and slaine them : And this is by the most excellent Poet Virgil notably auouched and set out , where he saith :

They fashion , trym and brauely decke Georg. lib. 4. Their Combes for Honie sweete : And neately frame their waxie web As for their worke is meete . With carefull care some hatch and breed Mo yoong ones for increase : While others , Honie of the best To gather neuer cease : Wherewith their statelie Cels they fill With store of Nectar fine : Shewing themselues a dapper Crew To brew this iuyce diuine , Ech one is set vnto his taske , Ech one his worke doth know : Some range abroad : some stay at home And labour do bestow , By couching into order neate What others home do bring : Or else in Warlike guise they driue The Drones from Hyue with sting .