WHereas the beginner , and preseruer of all things , in his word doth will vs to consider his creatures , euen to the least , Ecclus. 42. v. 22. Oh how delectable are all his workes , and to be considered , euen vnto the sparks of fire : and to praise him without beeing wearie , Ecclus. chap. 43. v. 30. then how much more ought men daily with chearefulnes , and diligence , consider and regard the wonderfull order of himselfe , euen vnto the least and basest member , or part , which is of more estimation , then a thousand sparkes of fire , and more to be wondred at then any one element , because it consisteth most wonderfully of all the elements , and is that , for which they all , and all other things were made and ordained . Then seeing there is no earthly thing , that man should more regard and consider then himselfe , what meanes should any man thinke to be too much , to preserue this rare and wonderfull order of man , in conuenient , comely , and healthfull manner ? May not they be suspected for murtherers of themselues , which for idlenes , will not seeke , for sparing cost , care not to seeke , which vpon malitious stomacke , and brasen courage , contemne to seeke in time , the meanes the Lord hath left , to preserue and continue that wonderfull matter of man , in conuenient order ? Vnto these it happeneth most commonly , when extremitie of sicknes hath entred their castle , and ruine beginne to rush in , then none more diligent , none more liberall none more calme and tractable , when all labour cost , willingnes , and paines cannot preuaile . May not they be suspected of murther , who knowing a place infected with the pestilence , will presume to enter , either by reason of intemperancie , not fearing , or for gaine giue the aduenture ? May not they likewise be suspected of murther , which knowing their houses infected , not indeauour to vse the ordinarie meanes , either to shut it vp , and to flie from it , citò , longè , tardè , or necessitie constraining to tarrie , then , and there , to seeke the best meanes they may ? May not they be condemned for murtherers , which hauing plague soares , will presse into companies to infect others , or wilfully pollute the ayre , or other meanes , which others are daily to vse , and liue by ? The word of God commanded the leper to haue his head bare , a couering for his lippes , his garments burnt , and to crie , I am vncleane , I am vncleane , Leuit. 13.45 . to the ende he should be knowne , and not infect the ayre with his breath : then how much more ought they , to note themselues by especiall signes , and to keepe them from infecting the ayre , hauing soares much more readie to infect then any other disease . Furthermore , if man will not be carefull and consider this wonderfull order of his bodie , because he knoweth that it must perish , he must know that he must neither appoint nor preuent the time : beside he must know that it is the cage of his soule , which must liue for euer , & therefore in honour of that beeing the image of God , keepe the cage as cleane as he can , neither breake or dissolue the same , least his soule , as an vntimely bird , flie vnto the hill . No bodie polluted with grosse humours , either with excesse , or defect of any humour , but it is more apt to grieue the soule , defile the soule , and offend the creatour of bodie and soule . Doth not excesse of choller cause men to rage ? of phlegme to be dull & sleepie ? of melancholie to phrensie ? and subtiltie of blood to wantonnesse ? then perilous is the state of the bodie , whose spirits are possessed with the infection , a propagation many times to despaire , and to forget all dutie , without Gods especiall grace . Is not he a simple man , which will entertaine a daily aduersarie to dwell with him , which they doe , that admit bad humours to haue domination in them , violating nature , or altering her , so as shee is compelled to bring forth fruit like vnto her changed state , that it may be said of some children in whom excesse of raging , dulnes , craftines , wantonnesse , dropsie , leprosie , phrensie doe raigne : while my parents slept , and were not watchfull to purge their natures , the enemie , the malignant matter caused these tares of bad fruit to be sowne in me , which except grace doe gouerne , will exceede , so as there will be little hope of any good fruit of me , because my soyle is natural to bring forth bad fruit , being thus caused by my parents : quod natura mihi dedit aliernari nequeat , except Gods holy angel watch ouer me , and with the blast or breath of the holy spirit winnow away my corruption . Now therfore it behooueth parents to be no lesse carefull to purge and make cleane their bodies from hurtfull humours , the causes of ill effects , then the husbandman hath to purge and cleanse his feede . If we haue a trespasse , or misdemeanour done in our goods or houses , we seeke to amend it , but if bad humours doe hazard our bodies , and aduenture our bodies to bring forth bad fruit , or infruitles , before our time hazard death , we deferre the ordinarie meanes , disaduantaging nature , and art , her minister : carelessely cutting off the number of our daies , which God hath numbred in his fore-knowledge , and by mediate meanes to be continued with our great care , because he first cared for vs , and daily continueth the same .

THe law of nature calleth for a speciall care and regard , to preserue euery member in order : for if shee be distempered in the least , the principall members are disquieted , and consequently the whole bodie : then what speciall care ought man to haue in preseruing the naturall , vitall , and animall members , the cause of increasing , liuing , moouing , continuing , and beeing , not onely in office and dutie one for an other , but all of them for man , and man for his maker . Many are not onely carelesse to helpe nature in her order , but by excesse daily doe hurt her in themselues and others . God hath giuen her to thee , for thee , in thee , and with thee , to continue his appointed time , and hath made her a meanes to entertaine strength , wisdome , knowledge , learning , delights , and pleasures : all which doe lurke , if shee doe lower , all which doe leaue to be , if shee be not to liue , beeing the naturall life of man . Iob. 34. v. 14. and in Levit. 17. v. 14. shee is called a spirit , the next worthiest vnto the soule in the seruice of God , thereupon it is said in the Psalme , My soule doth magnifie the Lord , and my spirit hath reioyced in God my Sauiour . This spirit which is the vapour of blood , and becommeth vitall , and animall , is the cage wherein the soule mooueth : the liuer , heart , and head , are the principall regions from whence the spirit into all other members and parts doe passe , with the soules power and effect , either good or bad , so that no member , neither the spirit , not the soule can say to either , thou diddest this wickednes , or goodnesse without me , and therefore must receiue alike . Now then for the excellencie of natures order pollute her not , distemper her not , but indeauour to continue her , as God hath framed and ordained meanes for her .

THe law of man requireth of thee to consider , and indeuour to preserue thy body in conuenient order : for the stipend it alloweth for him , that murdereth himselfe , is base regarded , and vnreuerent vsage of the corps , by markes vpon their graues , in void and vild places , besides the losse of goods from wife & children . Let men therefore take heede least by their negligence , wilfulnes , or couetuousnes , they be not guiltie thereof , before God and in their consciences , and so be preuented of their continuall ioy , for preuenting the Lords purpose heare a litle while , which is to haue a man to liue the number of his daies in holines towards him , and in dutifulnes to dispatch , what God himselfe , what king , countrie , and parents plead for : which they cannot doe , that wilfully will take the meanes to shorten their daies , or negligently omit the meanes , to hable them to recouer to continue their daies . Thou art not only iniured , either by taking the foresaide meanes , or likewise omitting the meanes : but God , the parents , king , and countrie may be iniured , for great might be the glory , which God might gayne by the rest of thy daies , much might be the ioy and comfort to thy parents , king , and countrie : therefore shorten not thy daies wilfully , neither omit the meanes whereby there may be hope to redeeme what wilfullie or negligently thou hast hazarded to loose of thy appoynted time . Furthermore , man is not onely charged with this watchfulnes , and care ouer himselfe , but he is charged with a care ouer others , especially ouer such as he hath charge : for if thou knowest the meanes to helpe to continue the number of anothers daies , and be hable thereunto , thou must indeauour to doe it , because thou must doe , as thou would be done vnto , and also hope of some of the fruites before named to come from that body : nay office , and dutie , driueth euery one to helpe others , from sicknes , soares , or dangers . Art not thou which art a master or superiour , bound to greeue for thy seruant , and to releeue thy seruant or inferiour languishing , and yet labouring about thy busines ? art not thou inferiour likewise bound to greiue , and indeauour to releiue thy superiour languishing , and yet counsayling and caring for thee ? Now therefore let superiour , and inferiour indeauour to continue the number of their daies , which to God ( as I said ) is certainly knowne , and to man vncertaine : yet men must certainely knowe , that it is the ordinance of god , then not to be resisted , but in others , as well as in our selues to be continued ; by our best indeuours , because we are members one of another , and therefore ought sensiblie to feele ech others greife and passion .

THe soule crieth vnto thee to correct bad humours , and not admit them to raigne : for when she would be gentle , mild , and patient , the excesse of choller , constrayneth to rage and reuenge , when she would watch and pray , the excesse of phlegme , causeth sleepines , and dulnes : likewise the excesse of other humours , or the confounding of humours , worketh effectes more vnkindly against the soule , for whatsoeuer is of the flesh , is oppugnant to the spirit , or soule , vntill it hath conuerted it , to bring forth together the fruits of the flesh , which are badges not onely of an vnregenerate man , but of a miscreant , in soule and bodie . Seeing then the lawe of God , thy owne soule , nature , the law of man , parents , king , and country , commaund , and call vnto thee to endeuour to preserue thy bodie , by the almightie his meanes left vnto the , and by his meanes to correct excesse of bad humours , and to amend their confusion , least they here confounding , soule , conscience , and vnderstanding , god at thy first death confounde thy soule , and in the last generall iudgement , thy confounded soule carry thy flesh vnto the place of confusion . Therefore it is most necessarie for thee to know thy complection , to know what humours abound in thee , or are deficient , or whether they , or any of them be confounded or shuffled with nature , causing alteration or confusion .

TO define the pestilent feuer , is but to reiterate others actions , neither much profitable to the vnlearned : therefore I purpose to spend the time in that , which may tend vnto the good of the most , with the least suspect of detraction or ambition . The pestilent feuer is taken not onely by infection in the ayre , infused by celestiall orbes , and from putrified places , in and vpon the earth : but also by bad humours about the heart and ill affected spirits in the heart , whose aptitude doth entertaine the said infection , yet not alike in all , for all then should die alike : but according to the complection , it is taken sooner or slower , in greater quantitie or lesse , and according to the virulent qualitie , or quantitie in the ayre , taken sooner or slower , and according to the subiect sooner or slower destroying : as in the humours about the heart , and the spirits in the heart , in the one slower , in the other sooner , because the vitall and animall are destroyed more speedily : thereupon it commeth when any are thus wise affected , they are exceeding hot , they rage , they cannot stand , and die quickly , or suddenly , in the other , soores often times doe saue , because nature doth purge hir selfe , by the emunctory places . But if they doe not breake forth , the virulent matter returning to the places about the heart , there doth remaine , and kindleth exceeding beat , whereby the heart & spirits therein contained are inflamed , and all naturall humiditie thereby consumed .

THe qualities vnnaturally working in the ayre from the celestiall orbes , and massie globe , are ouer much hotnes and moystnes , actiuely working in the ayre , and all three in the humours and spirits of man : the sooner , by the aptitude of complection and season , or the time of the yeare , altering the qualities naturall , both in complection and ayre , in sommer sooner , in winter slower , in the one , because there is exhalation , of putrified vapours , and heate exceeding , causing it to be more virulent : in the other , because of the antiperistasin of the could qualitie in the ayre , which doth alter the hotnes infused from aboue , and diuert or turne back the hot putrified qualitie lower into the earth , where the coldnes of the earth doth alter it , and the drynes retayne it .

The substance or matter putrifying in the humours or spirits of man , is ayre impure : thicker then ayre naturall , by reason of moisture , yet not so thicke as water or mysts ; by reason of heat : hotter then ayre naturall , yet not so drie by reason of excesse of moisture .

THe reason wherefore it doth putrifie in the humours or spirits of man , is the excesse of heat or moisture , putrified in the aire , conueied thither : the one inflaming , the other cause of continuing or retaining , by reason of the densitie or thicknes . Secondly , aptnes in the subiects to entertaine the fame . And thirdly large passages to conuey the same to the subiects , and in all , a disparance from the substance and qualities of the ayre , and of the naturall humours and spirits in man .

IF the substance of the ayre be infected , then not onely men , but birds , beasts , hearbs , and plants will die .

IF the aire be infected in qualitie , then men , and birdes may die by it , more or lesse , sooner or slower , according to the quantitie of the virulent matter receiued , & according to the quantitie of virulent and putrified matter in the receiuer , and according to the aptnes in the subiects , either by large passages letting it in , and beeing within , inhabilitie of contrarie qualities to expell the same .

If putrefaction be in the qualite of the ayre , that it is ouer hotte and grosse , or more hot then grosse , as commonly it is , then it is good for the cholericke and sanguine , to dwell in low roomes .

THese are signes , shewing the ayre to be infected in qualitie the next yeare following : in autumne before , there will be flashings of fyre , and many meteors of vnequall shapes , in the spring following could and little rayne , in the spring and sommer , the wind most South-ward , great heate in the day , and the night very cold .

THese are the signes shewing the ayre to be infected in substance and qualitie , the effect continuing sommer and winter , and the next spring following : the reason is , if the ayre , the winter before , had beene infected only in qualitie , then the contrarie would haue corrected it , which to iudgement whas as hable , as in other winters . Secondly , passions sensible felt and seene , in bodies , in the hearbs , in the ayre , and from the earth , like as was the yeare or spring before . Thirdly , the euent in places more generall , where no meanes came , but the ayre to infect .

IF the putrefaction proceedeth most of the earth or vppermost partes of the earth , as from stinking channells , standing lakes , priuyes , or other polluted places , as dunghills , vncleane kept houses , and such like , then there will be felt many sudden great stinches , and vnsauerie smells , such as cannot be distinguished , or discerned , what it is , or whereof it commeth , because it is confounded , beeing made of diuers stinches : in that yeare there wil be many frogges , toades , venemous wormes , fleas , and flyes .

THe putrefaction or virulent matter of infection now , is from celestiall orbes principally , also from corrupt places , partly from corrupt humours in man , begotten by the two former , and ill order in feeding and sleeping , in idlenes and late walking abroad , and sitting vp .

THe infection taken at the nostrills is more daungerous then otherwise , because there are two organes or passages that lead to the heart , from thence more , then from the mouth .

THe putrified aire cannot passe so speedily to mans heart , as to diuers other creatures by the instrument of smelling , which is couered with a pellicle or filme , which is to be lifted vp before he can smell by the ayre or fume : and that pellicle is grosser in man then in other creatures : and therefore requireth the hotter or stronger fume to mooue it . Secondly , the instrument of smelling is placed deeper in the head , then in any other creatures . Thirdly , the instrument of smelling is nigh the braine in man , which with the moysture doth hinder the naturall complexion of the instrument of smelling , which is hot and drie , attractiue or drawing vnto it .

IF the putrefaction in the ayre be more hot then moist , then it is more apt to destroy , and to be taken by the nostrills : first , because the heat is subtile , and passeth vp speedily to the pellicle , and mooueth with the fume or moisture . Secondly , for that the heat doth resist the coldnes and moisture of the braine , the which are hinderers of smelling .

The complexion aptest to be infected , is the sanguine , first , because the qualities in that complexion are like vnto the qualities in the ayre , hot and moist , and therefore doth entertaine the ayre the apter . Secondly , because these two qualities in this complexion maketh it more conuertible , like the ayre , which will sooner be made hotter or moister then any of the other elements . Thirdly , because in this complexion , the passages leading to the humours about the heart , and to the vitall spirits in the heart , are more large and spatious then in any other . The reason is , for that blood naturall is not without his vapours , which cause motion , and where most motion of blood is , there is cause of extention , and the same is in this complexion .

The aptest time for this complexion to entertaine the virulent matter into the humours , is in the former spring especially : for then blood increaseth , and passeth vp and downe , beeing not thoroughly refined , and made the readier by his motion and impuritie to receiue it .

The aptest time for this complexion to entertaine the virulent matter into the spirits vitall is sommer , by reason that the blood beeing made hot , and the spirits likewise hot , and ayre continually heating .

This complexion may take the infection , although not at the nostrills or mouth , yet it may take it at the emunctorie places , and at the pores in the skin in other places , which are more large and readier to be opened , then in the other complexions .

The signes shewing this complexion . Visage , white and ruddie , most redde in the cheekes , eyes orderly placed , yet somewhat large ofttimes , vaines blew and full , pulse full and great , vrine plentie , redde and ofttimes grosse , seege , and sweat exceeding , digestion perfect , apt to bleeding and sleeping , willing to mooue , yet abstaining from motion , by reason of heate and sweating , subiect to dreame of bloodie things , and amorous toyes , affable , affectionate , yet to be remooued , well spoken , chaungeable in opinion , apt to haue the yellow iaundes , heat vnder the lites , at the heart , and raines , stitch in the right side , subiect to the chollicke , and then the hands and face will be full of srecks in many a one , of meane stature and comely for the most part , a louer of musicke and wines , effeminate , beard large and comely , delightfull in himselfe , a louer of companie and conuertible with them , merrie for the most part , haire of colour red or yellowish , subiect to the feuer called Synocham . This complexion hauing taken the infection in the humors about the heart , in the emunctorie places , or at the pores in the skin , beeing come vnto the blood , may best of any complexion haue a vaine opened .

IF this complection or any other , haue the blood infected , the vaines will be blackish , and not so full , as before in health , for that the good blood flyeth inward to the sediment from the infection , and there remaineth subiect to infection by little and little , as it goeth outward , or as the other runneth inward , the liuer will be worse in this complection , and consequently digestion imperfect , the body hot all ouer , more then in other complections , because blood infected hath larger passage , then in other complections . For asmuch as good blood is not without good vapour , and both of them , cause of vitall spirit , and that cause of the animall spirits , by which two man liueth , and mooueth , and is made more hable to resist the virulent matter of pestilence : therefore it behooueth euery complection to clense his blood , & purge it from humours hurtfull vnto it , which these receipts following by Gods helpe will performe .

TAke of cassia new extracted one ounce , of hony halfe an ounce , of sugar two drammes , infuse these seuen or eight howers , in fowre ounces of borrage water , and sower ounces of violet or endiue water : if you can , get a fingerfull of liuerwoort , and first bruise it a little , then infuse it with the cassia , it will be very proper , ( especially if it be in sommer ) then strayne all together , and drinke of it euery morning fasting , three howers before meate , the quantitie of two or three ounces , vntill you feele your blood reasonable cooled , and the stomack not impayred .

IF this complection doth learne or perceiue , that choller raigneth in the blood , then let them take the quantitie of Cassia , hony , and sugar before mentioned , and of Rhubarbe three drammes , of the sweete rush called squinant , one dramme , pound them all gross , then infuse them seauen or eight howers in seauen ounces of water of endiue , or cichorie , or for want of these , in the decoction florum & fructum , to the which put of syrupe of roses laxatiue , and of syrrupe of violets of either halfe an ounce : take it two mornings or three together , warme it a little before you take it , & take it somewhat colder then blood-warme .

IF this complexion doth spie , that phlegme be mixt with the blood , then let him take of Turbith , or Agaricke , two drammes , ginger two scruples , and pound them gross , or slice them thin , and infuse it with halfe an ounce of Cassia and an ounce of hony if it be in winter : at other times take as much cassia as hony , and infuse all together in eight or nine ounces of sweete wine , or Oximell , that is , one part vineger , twyse so much hony , foure times so much water boyled vntill the third part be wasted , and cleane skimmed : take this two mornings fasting .

IF melancholie raygne take of cassia and hony one ounce , & of polypody one dramme , a scruple and a halfe of ginger , cut the polypody and ginger very thin , and infuse them altogether , in six or seauen ounces of fumitory water eight howers : then strayne them and drinke it warme fasting two mornings together : when you take any of these you must sit a quarter of an hower , them walke as long , then lie vpon your right side , then vpon your left as long , that done , then sit vp tight halfe an hower , after that walke and sit at your pleasure in your chamber .

Hauing cleansed your blood , and auoided the bad humours , which most annoy you , ( which is meete to be done , in euery one once a yeare , in many twise , in the former and latter spring , ( and in some oftener ) then will your blood and spirits be lesse capable of the infection , and better hable to expell it , hauing taken it , and so much the lesse capable and hable , by how much you shall be carefull to vse these receiptes following , best fitting for your complexion .

FIrst a receipt very proper to be taken , not onely , as a defensatiue euery morning fasting , but for your resolution to knowe , whether you be infected , for then you will vomite or at least be very full , and desirous to vomite , by reason of the contrarietie of the qualities in these substances , & the virulent heate in your owne substance . Send vnto the Apothecaries billes made as followeth : R. Santalorum omnium , Boliarmenei ana scr. 2. aq. rosar . dr. 2. aq. violarum dr. 3. vini albi . dr. 5. infuse these in the waters and the wine 7. or 8. houres , then straine them through a very course strainer , and drinke it fasting , or before supper an houre and halfe .

A Pome very comfortable , and necessarie for this complexion to vse at all times , and especially in the time of pestilence . R. Santalorum omnium dr. 2. florum Boraginis , Violarum , Rosarum rub . ana dr. 1. s . rad. Cichorij dr. 1. Macis dr. 2. Cort. mali citri dr. 1. s . Camphurae dr. 2. Ladan . d 1. Papaneris albi scr. 1. Ambrae gra. 2. Cinamomi d. 5. cu● Teribenthina in aqrosarum Lot . in qua fiat dr. 1. storacis infusio hor. 7. Smell vnto this at any time , but cheifely fasting , and when meate is digested .

A Water to sprinckle vpon cloathes , and in the house , meete for this complexion at all times , and in the time of pestilence most necessarie . R. olei violarum , Nenupharij ana d. 2. olei rosarum vn . s. Camphurae vn . 5. omnium Santalorum vn . 3. Thuris dr . 2. Myrrhae vn . s. Cort. Limonum citrinorum & granatum ana dr. 1. Tamarise , Ribes . Coriand . ana vn . s. When you haue gotten these , or so many as you can of them , then cut them or pound them grosse , and boile them in two quarts of vineger , or one quart of vineger , and the other of water , vntill a pint be consumed , then put in your oyles and gummes , and stoppe the vessell very close , and let them boile halfe a quarter of an houre . Straine it before it be colde through a coarse strainer very hard , then put to it of rose-water vn . 2. and mixe it well with it then put it into a glasse stopped close , and set it out of the sunne : when you would vse it , stirre it well together before you put in the brush or sponge , because of the oyles which will flote and be vppermost . This may serue any complexion , the better for the chollericke , if you doe adde more of the cold and moyst things , as of the oyle of lillies , violets , of the lemmons , oringes , and pomegranates , and such like , which the Apothecaries may doe , if you informe them of your complexion : the better for the phlegmatike , if he diminish of the cold and moist things , the quantitie following , and adde of these things ; origani p j. Thuris ar. 2. cipressiar . 2. Iuniperi dr. 3. the better for the melancholie , if you adde of oyle of sweete almonds , and oyle of nutmegges , dr. 3. of muske gr. 4. costi dulc. gr. 2.