It is reported , that Thomas Nash a scurrilous Pamph●eter in Q. Elizabeths dayes , vsed to drinke Aqua vitae with Gun-powder to inspire his malicious spirit with ●ayling matter to shame Doctor Haruey , and other Aduersaries of his : Which infleming Po●ion wrought so eagerly vppon his Brame , that hee would often beate himselfe about the noddle , and scratch the Walls round about him , vntill hee met with some extrauagant furious Termes , which as he imagined would blurre and lay sufficient aspersions vpon them . The like fiery prouocations the Turkes haue accustomed to take , when they went about some desperate seruice ; wherby they forced a new Bellona out of their mischienous hands .

Other some , like our fighting Cockes , haue vsed Garlike for that bloody purpose . Thus the Body is oftentimes turned Nolens volens , to serue and obey the mind , as the Minde likewise to follow the inclination of the Body . For what other fruit can a Body stuffed with corrupt humours , Choller , and Gall produce , but beastlike Passions ? Whereas on the contrary , the Abstemious and Continent by their sparing Dyet do restrayne in time such ouerflowings , and thereby prepare themselues to be the purer vessels to contayne the Water of Life distilled from the Heauenly Comforter .

Euen as a thicke Cloud obscures the Sunne beames from our sight : So the vicious qualities of the Body darken the Mind , which is the great Eye or Light of the Body . And this is the cause , that when the one is grieued th' other is grieued , and when th' one is merry , th' other is so too . Therefore it is a thing to bee wished , that they were kept both in an equall proportion and symmetry with conuenient nourishments , recreations , exercise , and aboue all with spirituall food : Yea and other whiles , if need require , the Mistresse must correct her rebellions Seruant , that the Image of our great Creator bee not quite defaced .

But to returne to the Subiect wee haue in hand , the Body of Man is the most temperate of all other mortall Creatures , and therefore it may bee rightly termed the Golden Rule , measure , and square , whereby the Excesse of all other things may be obserued , and their different Faculties discerned . And for this cause in respect of our humane Bodies , the fours Elements are noted to be Hot , Cold , Moist , and Dry : Here hence we gather , that the Flesh of Fowle is hot and dry , and that the Food of Fish is cold & moist , fit to engender flegme . Betwixt these as the Meane , are Earthly Creatures placed , and among these Mans Body hath the preheminence , as the best tempered vnder the Cope of Heauen . The which also varies according to the Climate .

For our Northerne Nations are of a Colder constitution then theirs , that liue within the Tropickes , or neere vnto them . And therefore the Ancient Phylosophers would not allow a temperate Body but with in a temperate Country . Neyther is this temper so constant in our temperate countries , but the inequaltity of the Soyle , and S●ituation , controules this temper : For we haue Spring and Summer weather in places at the same instant , within a mile or two distant .

As for Example , in Dales and at the foote of Hils we fee●e it warme ; whereas wee cannot endure long to stay on the Neighbouring Mountaynes by reason of Snow , or furious Winds , which likewise other-throw , or hinder the growth of Plantes and Corne sixe or seauen weekes later , then such as we finde in the bottom or lowest descent . The same alteration I haue seene in the Alpes and Pyrenae●n Mountaynes , where I could be hold ripe Grapes and a fourishing Haruest in the Vallies ; and Trauailing but a League higher vp towards the top of the Mountaynes , I might see nothing but horrid Rockes , Hayle , Snow , and Windes in that impetuous manner , that there a man would take September to be Ianuary . Moreouer , this change crosseth our Temper i● respect of Age ; for Youth is more hot and moyst then more setled yeares . And that Dyet , which might be properly accommodated to olde men , perhaps would weaken or statue the younger sort . How then shall we be able to finde out this Golden meane and Temper in mans Body , when we are subiect to so many mutations ? Do not we perceiue the very Beasts and vnreasonable creatures to go beyond vs in some of our noblest Organs ? Do they not excell vs in the fiue sences , viz. The Boare in hearing ; the Ounce in seeing ; the Ape in tasting ; the Vultur in smelling ; and the Spider in touching , as these ancient Verses imply ?

This cannot bee denied in those Creatures ; but because I am an ill Huntes-man , I will continue my conuersation with men ; amongst which there is much diuersity for their seueral parts . Here stands a man with a most temperate Braine ; there another with a sound Liuer ; some are long breathed ; some excell in the Temper of their Hearts ; and in many of these wee might behold Actions , which tend vnto Vnity , as to their Center .

But in generall , of late yeares wee degenerate from that , which by our Baptisme we vowed to be ; as in like manner wee haue crackt our Braines , shortned our breathing faculties , corrupted our Liuer , inframed our Blood , and all with excesse of varieties of meates and drinkes . We p●ate of the Holy Ghost , of the Temple of God ; but let euery man examine his owne conscience , whether it bee possible that such a sanctified Guest could remaine in such an impure Body , which hath receiued into it so great store of Victualls , and the choysest , which the Ayre , Earth , and Sea could yeelde , and of the strongest Wines euen vnto vomiting .

If after this inquisition wee finde that the Spirit of God requires an vndefiled and purer seate to lodge in , then let vs sweep cleane , and do our best to purifie and prepare our Bodies to be tolerably meete to entertayne this sacred Messenger ; for if hee knockes at the doore of our hearts , and we slight his Call , it is to bee feared hee will returne no more to such a nasty Roome , where the Master of the house neglects his dearest Land-Lord . To reduce the World vnto a better Temper , the Body as well as the Minde , I had recourse to many Cures . I read Marsilius Ficinus his Worke concerning a Heauenly Body here on Earth , but there meeting with nothing but distractions , at the last I lighted on two Treatises , the one Published by Lodouico Cornario an Italian ; and th' other by Lessius of Bruxels a learned Iesuite , out of whose Precepts I collected this admirable Dyet , which whosoeuer hath the power to practise , hee shall quickly apprehend the difference betwixt a Table furnished with variety of meates , whose nature in digestion are contrary the one to th' other , and betwixt that simple Cheere , which conrented our Sauiour here on Earth with his Disciples . By the former spring all our sicknesses . By this latter of Sobriety we stint Concupiscence and after one quarter of a yeare our Bodies being accustomed to a set measure of meat and drinke , wee shall confesse , that saying of the Heath'nish Phylosopher , to iumpe aright with a reformed Christian : Turpe est homini non nosse mensuram ventres sui . It is a shamefull thing for an vnderstanding man not to know the measure of his owne Belly .

To wind vp this my Preparatiue in a word , when I had compared Lessius his obseruations with Daniels and his three Companions Dyet , and how by reason of their slender fare being but Pulse , they were in better state then those that fed on dainties , I concluded this new found dyet to be acceptable to Gods spirit , and if it awaites on Faith , it will serue for a Christians Purification before Glorification .

BY the former Discourse it is apparant , that the Well-being and Health of Mans Body consists in obseruing the Golden Meane , which is Temperance in our Dyet , that is , cating and drinking no more , then the Stomacke can well digest , and that thereby the functions of the Minde bee not hindered nor made obscure by the excessiue Quantity . For this reason , and because Study and Contemp●ation doe mightily hinder Concoction , they that are this way busied , must eate and drinkelesse , then those that be idle , or doe trauailc abroad .

But now to finde out this Measure , I confesse it a great difficulty by reason of the dinersities of mens Constitutions , Yeares , and Strength : For that Measure , which agreeth with an o 'de man , cannot square well with a young man , nor that of the strong man with the weake .

The Chollericke must haue his proportion differing from the Flegmaticke . These haue euery one a stomacke repugnant to one anothers nature : How then shall wee compose an exact Measure to reconcile these repugnances ? Necessity requires vs to lookeafter this Soueraigne good , for the health of the Body and Soule ; but Concupiscence and our longing wills can hardly consent to be limitted . Yet notwithstanding , naturall reason bids vs to proserue Nature , although wee smart a little to enioy the more content .

Let vs then search out what proportion of meate and drink will serue a reasonable Creature ; the which the easier to find , we must obserue these Rules . First , if one takes into his body ordinarily so much meate and drinke , that after the meale he feeles himselfe more heauy , sleepy , and lesse capable to conceiue matters of Diuine knowledge , Sermons , or any kinde of Study , then hee was before his meale , let him rest assuredly , that hee hath exceeded the Measure wee looke for . For it is not fit to feede and please the vegetatiue and sensuall part so much , that thereby the noblest part be offended , which is the Animall and reasonable Faculty .

Wee must consider , that out of the aboundance of meates , which wee receiue into our Bodies , there will arise Vapouis from the Stomacke vp to the Head , which will darken the Vnderstanding ; and also store of Humours and Blood ingendred in the Liuer , M●lt , and Veines , which will inflame vpwards , and helpe with the former Vapours to ouercloud the cleare Rayes of Reason and Wisdome , which they would neuer do , if a man had not exceeded the lawfull measure . O how much are they deceiued , who feeling themselues feeble in the morning , runne speedily to Breake-fast , as though Nature languished for want of meate , when as in very deede their weaknesse proceedes from the aboundance of Humours congested and gathered together , which by their ouer-much moysture haue stuft the Musckles and the sinewes , and stopt the passages of the spirits , so that the Scuruy and other Diseases creepe in by reason of those Obstructions and Oppilations . The like abuse some commit in their mornings draughts , which indeede is the chiefe cause of the Dropsies , Gouts , Coughes , and other moyst sicknesses .

Secondly , a man must not suddainely thinke to meete with this Measure , but by little and little by degrees hee must leaue of his former course of Dyet , and all by leasure proceede by diminishing his wounted fare , vntill hee arriues to that Quantity , that after his meale hee feeles none of the aboue named impediments to grieue his Head , or to hinder the Functions of his Minde .

Thirdly , although a certayne set quantity cannot rightly be prescribed by reason of the different natures of meates , and of the ages of men , yet notwithstanding it is lately tryed by experience , that for olde Persons , or for such as approach neere vnto it , or for some that feare some incurable sicknesse , twelue , thirteene , or foureteene Ounces of meate will serue a man for a day , accounting Bread , Flesh , Egges , or any such solid meate , and so many Ounces or somewhat more of drinke . This measure I prescribe onely to aged persons , the sickely , to Clergy men , to Iudges , Schollers , or to such as are wholly addicted to their Bookes , to Maydes , and such sedentary or idle people , who vse not bodily exercise . Loao●i ● Cornarie , Father Lessius and many others by late experience found this quantity to be sufficient .

Fourthly , as for the Quality of the meats , there is no great heed to be taken so that they exceede not in the quantity , if the meate distaste not the Appetite , and that the due measure be obserued . Among al the sorts of meates which we eate , those are commended , which are of least putrifaction . For wee see , that Fish and Flesh will taint sooner then Pulse or Corne. And therefore Rice , Bread , or such as are made of them will agree best with Nature , for by experience it is sound , that the chiefe cause of the small Pockes , &c. comes of the eating of flesh too soone .

They which haue practised this Dyet , do highly commend Panades , or Gruell , which the Italians call Panat●llam , or Pulticulam , which is compounded of Bread and Water , or Brewis , or the like diuersified with Butter , Oyle , Egges , Wine , Currents , Cynamon , Sugar , Hony , Pepper , Saffron , Cinger , &c. because this kinde of meate is most easily to be concocted , being ready to breed good blood , and very like to the Chyle , or that substantiall myce , which the Stomacke workes out of the Conco●tion of our meate .

The fifth Rule , for asmuch as all the difficulty for the obseruing of this measure proceedes of sensuall appetite , and that this sensuall appetite springs of the apprehension of Imagination , whereby varieties of meates are conceiued to bee very pleasing to the sences , wee must doe our endeauour to correct this depraued Imagination . For the correcting whereof , two things among others are chiefly to bee regarded First , that we with-draw our selues from the sight of such prouoaking and enticing dainties , as we read Epaminonda that valiant Theban did , who being inuited to a friends house , and seeing the Table too fully replenished with delicacies , departed suddainly away . And afterwards beeing demaunded wherefore he went so rudely and hastily from thence ; answered , because he thought his friend had prepared all that aboundant cheare , as a Sacrifice for the Gods ; and not for necessary foode to mortall Men. Secondly , when wee are forced for manners sake to stay and behold such vaine Varieties , that wee imagine them not to be in very deede so delightfull , faire , and wholesome , as in outward shew they seeme to be , but that they are deceitfull baites to catch and e●snare his fantasie to feede on them for his destruction ; and that when they passe through the Body , they are most loathsome Excrements , leauing poysoned relickes behind them to be conuerted into hurtfull humours . Euery thing when it is resolued into the first Principles and Elements will appeare in the true shape , which is no other but Corruption . And the more sweete it is , when it so resolued , it becomes the more sordide and st●nking , as may be noted by Suckets and such sugred Condited ware , whereas the Dung of Labourers is nothing so displeasing , for that they feede on simple food , which Nature best approoues . To verifie this , let vs enquire whose Dung is most stinking , the Dogges or the De●●es .

This Dyet composed of Bread is pure , simple , not subiect to Corruption , as other nourishments be . And therefore I may well auerre , that it resembles that choyse food of Manna , which God bestowed on the Israelites in the Wildernesse ; the which as the Spanish Author in his Triall of Wits was of opinion , that for many Generations after it did reduce their Bodies to a more Temperate Constitution then my other Nations , in so much that their Seede did multiply , and their Minds were more purified , and prepared capable of Gods miraculous blessings , to inherite the land of Canaan , which their Fathers , whose longing thoughts were altogether set on the Onions , Garlike , and flesh-pots of Egypt . wherewith from their Infancy they had accustomed to feed on , were debarred off for their hardned hearts .

I prescribe not this Dyet , though solide and substantiall , to Labourers and Hindes , for their stomackes are like Ostridges , which can digest Iron , and by their Violent motion can better away with Bull-Beefe , Ram Mutton , Beanes and Bacon , then with the daintiest meate in the World : As I hard that a Clownish Boore told my Vncle Sir Iohn Perrot , who on a time comming to visite him being his Tenant and sicke , aduised him to eate some der meate , as Chicken or sucking Rabbet ; he answered him : Alas Maister , what shall I doe with such kinde of Meate , when I cannot eate the Bacon , which is as yellow as the Golden Noble ? I limit no such persons , no more then Galen did , when he Dedicated his Worke for the preseruation of Health De sanitate tuenda , not vnto the strong Complexioned and the Barbarous , as the Germanes , who were so accounted in those dayes ; but vnto the ciuill and nice-b●ed Italians .

I present the discouery of this Secret , and the Practise of it , to them , that make a conscience of their Calling , not to wallow like swinish Epicures in sensuall beastly pleasures , but as men resolued to liue soberly , like Christians , who must acknowledge , that the Holy Ghost cannot long reside in fat foggy Bodies , that make a God of their Bellies , and who for that cause doe still pamper themselues with delicacies , and continue more houres at their gluttonous meales , swilling of sugred Sacke , and many cups of strong drinke , then they doe at their Prayers , or in the seruice of God .

St. Paul , as likewise the first Christians , did often vse to mortifie their Bodies for feare of Temptations : I tame my Body ( sayth hee ) to bring it into subiection , least while I Preach to others , my selfe become a Cast ●way .

But wee are so fa●ie from such mortifications , that wee cannot spare one mea●e in the Weeke , though it were to fa●●● a Neighbours life , or to conuert the expence of that mea●e to defend the Publ●cke State from ruine , or from Antichristian Tyra●●y . And yet we must passe for reformed Christians . None must say , Blacke is our Eye , or that wee haue the least skarre abo●t vs . O that men would looke within them ; and see whether that place bee fit to receiue the holy Comforter . If then they finde that my words be true , and that their Gurmandize and Intempetance ●a●e obscured their Iudgements , whereby they were not able by reason of stupidity and dulnesse to fall to the Practise of a Sober Liuing , let them out of hand beginne to make some experience of this Dyet , if not continually , yet on those Fasting dayes , which our Church hath ordayned of Christian Policy , to purifie a loathsome Carkases , and not as meritorious for satisfaction of Gods Iustice .

Thus the Israelites of old time were aduised to fast , and commaunded to Purifie their Bodies in another manner . The which the very Turkes and Iewes doe put in Practise at this day . And wherefore stands this Purification ? but to prepare ●oome for the spirituall Bridegroome ? yea , and perhaps , this Abst●●ence may ser●e for some qualification of his Iustice , although not for any satisfaction , Yet helpe to couer a Mult●●ude of sinnes : As Saint Peter and Saint Iames wrot , specia●ly , if the estimate of what is spared , be conferred on pious vses .