THE ANATOMY OF MELANCHOLY , WHAT IT IS . WITH ALL THE KINDES , CAVSES , SYMPTOMES , PROGNOSTICKES , AND SEVERALL CVRES OF IT . IN THREE MAINE PARTITIONS with their seuerall SECTIONS , MEMBERS , and SVBSECTIONS . PHILOSOPHICALLY , MEDICINALLY , HISTORICALLY , OPENED AND CVT VP . BY DEMOCRITVS Iunior .

With a Satyricall PREFACE , conducing to the following Discourse .

AT OXFORD , Printed by IOHN LICHFIELD and IAMES SHORT , for HENRY CRIPPS . Anno Dom. 1621.

HONORATISSIMO DOMINO NON MINVS VIRTVTE SVA QVAM GENERIS SPLENDORE , ILLVSTRISSIMO GEORGIO BERKLEIO , BARONI DE BERKLEY , MOVBREY , SEGRAVE , D ᵒ DE BRVSE , ET GOVR .

DOMINO SVO Multis Nominibus Obseruando , HANC SVAM MELANCHOLIAE ANATOMEN , D. D. DEMOCRITVS Iunior .

GEntle Reader , I presume thou wilt be very inquisitiue to knowe what personate Actor this is , that so insolently intrudes vpon this common Theater , to the worlds view , arrogating another mans name , whence hee is , why he doth it , and what hee hath to say ? Although , as a a Seneca in ludo in mortem Claudii Caesaris . hee said , Primum sinoluero , non Respondebo , quis coacturus est ? I am free borne , and may chuse whether I will tell , who can compell me ? And could here readily reply with that Aegyptian in b b Lib. de curiositate . Plutarch , when a curious fellowe would needs knowe what he had in his basket , quum vides velatam , quid inquiris in rem obsconditam , it was therefore couered because he should not knowe what was in it . Seeke not after that which is hid , if the contents please thee , c c Modo haec tibi vsui sint quemuis authorem fingito . Wecker . and bee for thy vse , suppose the man in the Moone , or whom thou wilt to bee the Author ; I would not willingly be knowne . Yet in some sort to giue thee satisfaction , which is more then I need , I will giue a reason , both of this vsurped Name , Title , and Subiect . And first of the name of Democritus , least any man by reason of it should be deceaued , expecting a Pasquill , a Satyre , or some ridiculous Treatise ( as I my selfe should haue done ) or some prodigious Tenent , or paradox of the earths motion , of infinite worlds in infinito vacuo , ex fortuita Atomorum collisione , in an infinite wast , so caused by an accidentall collision of motes in the Sunne , all which Democritus held , Epicurus and their master Leucippus of old maintained , and are lately reuiued by Copernicus , Brunus , and some others . Besides it hath been alwaies an ordinary custome , as d d Lib. 10. c. 12. Multa à maleè fer alis in Demo riti nom●n commenta data , nobili●ati● auto ritatisque eius perfugio ●●●tibus . Gellius obserues , for later writers and impostors , to broach many absurd and insolent fictions , vnder the name of so noble a Philosopher as Democritus to get themselues credit , and by that meanes the more to be respected . 'T is not so with me , e e Martialis ● . 10. ●●●g 14. Non hic Centauros , non Gorgonas , Harpyasque I●●enies , hominem pagina nostra sapit . No Centauros here or Gorgons looke to finde , My subiect is of man , and humane kinde . Thou thy selfe art the subiect of my Discourse . f f Iuv. Sat ● . Quisquid agunt homines , votum , timor , ira , voluptas , Gandia , discursus , nostri farrago libelli . What e're men doe , vowes , feares , in ire in sport , Ioyes , wandrings , are the summe of my report . My intent is no otherwise to vse his name , then Mercurius Gallobelgicus , Mercurius Britannicus , vse the name of Mercury , and Democritus Christianus , &c. Although there bee some other circumstances for which I haue masked my selfe vnder this visard , and some peculiar respects , which I cannot so well expresse , vntill I haue set downe a briefe character of this our Democritus , what hee was , with an Epitome of his life .

Democritus , as he is described by g g Hip. epist. Damaget . Hippocrates and h h Laert lib. 9. Laertius , was a little wearyish olde man , very melancholy by nature , au●rse from company in his latter times , i i Hortulo sibi cellulam seligensibique seipsum includens vn● eusque solitarius . and much giuen to solitarinesse , a famous Philosopher in his age , k k Floruit Olympiade 80 . 7●0 annis post Troiam . Coaevus with Socrates , wholly addicted to his studies , at the last , and to a priuate life , writ many excellent workes . A great Diuine , according to the diuinity of those times , an expert Physitian , a Polititian , an excellent Mathematitian , as his l l Diacos●● , quod cunctis operibus facile excell●t . L●●t . Diacosmus , and the rest of his workes doe witnesse . He was much delighted with the studies of husbandry , o o Volucrum voces & linguas intellig●●e se dicit . Abderitani epist. Hpp●c . saith m m Col. lib. 1 cap. 1. Columella , and often I finde him cited by n n Constant. lib. de agricult . passim . Constantinus & others treating of that subiect . He knewe the natures , differences of all Beasts , Plants , Fishes , Birds , and as some say , could vnderstand the tunes and voices of them . In a word he was Omnifariàm doctus , a generall Scholler , a great student , and to that intent that he might better contemplate , p p Sabellicus exempl . lib. 10. oculis se priuauit vt melius contemplationi 〈◊〉 daret , sublimi vir ingenio prosunde cogitationis &c. I finde it related that he put out his eyes , and was voluntarily blinde , and yet saw more then all Greece besides , and q q Naturalia , Moral●a , Mathematica , liberales desciplinas arti●m● 〈◊〉 um ●e itiam callebat . writ of euery subiect , Nihil in toto opificio naturae de quo non scripsit . A man of an excellent wit , profound conceit , and to attaine knowledge the better in his younger yeares , he trauelled to Aegypt and r r Veni Athenas & nemo me nouit . to Athens to confer with learned men , s s Idem contemptui & admirationi habitus . admired of some , despised of others . After a wandring life , hee setled at Abdora a towne in Thrace , and was sent for thither to be their lawmaker , Recorder , or Towne-clearke as some will , or as others , he was there bread and borne . Howeuer it was , there hee liued at last in a garden in the suburbs , wholy betaking him to his studies , and to a priuate life . t t Solebat ad portii ●nb●la●e 〈◊〉 , Hippocrates epit . Dameg . Sauing that sometimes hee would walke downe to the hauen , u u Per●etiso 〈◊〉 pul●o●●●● agitare solebat Democritus . ●ven . Sat 7. and laugh hartely at such variety of ridiculous obiects which there he saw . Such a one was Democritus .

But in the meane time how doth this concerne me , or vpon what reference doe I vsurpe his habit ? I confesse indeed , that to compare my selfe vnto him for ought I haue yet said , were both impudency and arrogancy . I doe not presume to make any parallel , antistat mihi millibus trecentis , x x Non sum dignus praestare matellam . Mart. paritus sum nullus sum . Yet thus much I will say of my selfe , and that I hope without all suspition of pride or selfe conceit , that I haue liu'd a silent , sedentary , solitary , priuate life , mihi & musis in the Vniuersity this twentie yeares , and more , penned vp most part in my study . And though by my profession a Diuine , yet turbine raptus ingenij , as y y Scaliger . he said , out of a running wit an inconstant , vnsetled minde , I had a great desire ( not able to attaine to any superficiall skill in any ) to haue some smattering in all , to be aliquis in omnibus , nullus in singulis , which z z In The●●et . Plato commends , and out of him a a Psis . Stoic . l 3. diff . 8. Dogma cupidis & curiosis ingeniis imprimendum , vt sit talis qui nulli rei seruiat , aut exactè vnum aliquid elaboret , alia negligens , vt artifices , &c. Lipsius approues and furthers , as fit to be imprinted in all curious wits , not be a slaue of one science , or dwell altogether in one subiect , as most doe , but to roue abroad , centum puer artium . And to haue an ore in euery mans boat , b b Delibare gratum de quocunque cibo & pittisare de quocunque dolio i●cundum . to tast of euery dish , and sip of euery cup , which saith c c Essais lib 3. Montagne ; was well performed by Aristotle , and his learned country man Adrian Turnebus . This rouing humour ( though not with like successe ) I haue euer had , and like a ranging Spaniel that barkes at euery bird hee sees , leauing his game , I haue followed all sauing that which I should , and may iustly complaine , and truely , which d d Praefat. bibliothec . Gesner did in modesty , that I haue read many books but to little purpose , for want of good method , I haue confusedly tumbled ouer many Authors in our Libraries , with small profit , for want of art , order , memory , iudgement . I neuer trauelled but in a Map or Card , in which mine vnconfined thoughts haue freely expatiated , as hauing euer beene especially delighted with the study of Cosmography . e e Ambo fortes & fortunati Mars idem magisterii dominus iuxta primam Leouicii regulam . Saturne was Lord of my geniture , culminating , &c. and Mars principall significator of manners , in partile coniunction with mine Ascendent ; both in their houses , &c. I am not poore , I am not rich ; nihil est , nihil deest : I have nothing , I want nothing ; all my Treasure is in Mineruas Tower. Preferment I could neuer get , although my friendes prouidence care , alacritic and bounty was neuer wanting to doe me good , yet either through mine owne default , infelicity , want or neglect of opportunity , or iniquitie of times , preposterous proceeding , mine hopes were still frustrate , and I left behind , as a Dolphin on shore , confined to my Colledge , as Diogenes to his tubbe . Sauing that sometimes as Diogenes went into the citty , and Democritus to the Hauen to see fashions , I did for my recreation now and then walke abroad , and looke into the world , & could not choose but make some little obseruation , not as they did to scoffe or laugh at all , but with a mixt passion , f f Hor. Bilem saepè , iocum vestri mouere tumultus , I did sometime laugh and scoffe with Lucian , and Satyrically taxe with Menippus , weepe with Heraclitus , sometimes againe I was g g Per. petulanti splene cachinno , and then againe h h Hor. Secundum moenia locus erat frondosis populis opacus , vitibusque sponte natis tenuis prope aqua defluebat placide murmu●ans , vbi sedils & domus Democriti conspiciebatur . vrerebilis ecur , I was much mooued to see that abuse which I could not amend . In which passions howsoeuer I may sympathise with him or them , 't is for no such respect , I shroude my selfe vnder his name , but either vnder an vnknowne habite , to assume a little more liberty and freedome of speech ; or if you will needs know , for that reason and onely respect , which Hippocrates relates at large in his Epistle to Damogetus , wherein he doth expresse how comming to visit him one day , he found Democritus in his garden at Abdera , in the subburbes , ⁱ vnder a shady bowre , k k Ipse compositè consedebat supergenua volumen habens & vtrinque alia patentia parata dissectaque animalia cismulatim strata quorum viscera rimabatur . with a booke on his knees , busie at his study , sometimes writing , sometime walking . The subiect of his booke was Melancholy and Madnesse , about him lay the carkasses of many seuerall beasts , newly by him cut vp and Anatomised , not that he did contemne Gods creatures as he told Hippocrates , but to find out the seate of this atra bilis , or Melancholy , whence it proceeded , and how it was ingendred in mens bodies , to the intent he might better cure it in himselfe , and by his writings and obseruations , l l Cum mundus extra se fit & mente captus sit & nesciat se languere vt medelam adhibeat . teach others how to preuent and auoid it : which good intent of his Hippocrates highly commended , and Democritus Iunior is therefore bold to imitate , and because he left it vnperfect , to prosecute and finish in this Treatise .

You haue had a reason of the Name , if the title or inscription offend your grauitie , were it a sufficient iustification to accuse others , I could produce many sober Treatises , euen Sermons themselues , which in their fronts carry more phantasticall names . Howsoeuer it is a kind of policy in these dayes , to prefixe a phantasticall title to a booke which is to be sold , for as larkes come downe to a day-net , many vaine Readers will tarry & stand gasing like silly passengers , at an Anticke picture in a painters shoppe that will not looke at a iudicious piece . And indeed as m m Scaliger epist. ad Patisonem nihil magis lectorem iunitat quam inopinatum argumentum , neque vendibilior merx est quam petulans liber . Scaliger obserues , nothing more inuites a Reader then an Argument vnlooked for , n n Lib. 20. ca. 11. miras sequuntur inscription● festiuistates . vnthought of , and selles better then a scurrile Pamphlet . Many men saith Gellius , are very conceited in their inscriptions , and able ( as o o Praefat. Nat. hist. patriobstetri cem parturienti filiae accersenti moram inijcere possunt . Pliny quotes out of Seneca ) to make him loyter by the way , that went in haste to fetch a mid-wife for his daughter , now ready to lie downe . For my part I haue honourable p p Anatomy of Popery . Anatomy of immortalitie , Angelus Scalas , Anatomy of Antimonie &c. presidents for this which I haue done . I will cite●one for all , Anthony Zara pap . episc . his Anatomy of wit , in foure Sections , Members , Subsections &c. to be read in our Libraries .

If any man accept against my Subiect , and will demand a reason of it , I can alleadge more then one , I write of Melancholy , by being busie to auoid Melancholy . There is no greater cause of Melancholy then idlenesse , no better cure then businesse as q q Cont. li. 4. ca. 9 non est cura melior quam labor . Rhasis holds : and howbeit stuitus labor est ineptiarum , to be busied in toyes is to small purpose , yet heare that diuine Seneca , better aliud agere quam nihil , better doe to no end , then nothing . I write therefore as r r Non quod de nouo quid addere aut à veteribus pretermissumsed propriae exercitationis causí . P. Aegineta confesseth of himselfe , not that any thing was vnknowen or omitted , but to exercise my selfe , which course if some tooke , I thinke it would be good for their bodies , and much better for their soules : when I first tooke this taske in hand , this I aymed at ; s s Erasmus . vel vt lenirem animum scribendo , to ease my mind by wrtting , for I had ᵗ grauidum cor , faetum caput , Which I was very desirous to be vnladen of , and could imagine no fitter evacuation then this . Besides I could not well refraine , for vbi dolor ibi digitus , one must needs scrat where it itcheth . I was not a little offended with this Malady , and for that cause , as he that is stunge with a Scorpion , I would expell clavum clavo , u u Otium otio dolorem dolore sum solatus . comfort one sorrow with another , idlenesse with idlenesse : or as he did , of whom x x Obseruat . li. 1 Foelix Plater speakes , that though he had some of Aristophanes frogs in his belly , still crying Brecec'ekex coax coax , oop , oop , oop , and for that cause studied Physicke seuen yeeres , and trauelled ouer most part of Europe to ease himselfe : to doe my selfe good I turned ouer such Physitians our Libraries would afford , & haue taken this paines . And why not ? Cardan professeth hee writ his bookes De consolatione after his sonnes death , to comfort himselfe , so did Tully write of the same subiect with the same intent , after his daughters departure , if it be his at least , or some impostors put out in his name , which Lipsius probably suspects . Concerning my selfe I can peraduenture affirme that which Marius did in Salust , v v Que illi audi●e &c ligere solent eorum partim vidi egomet , alia gessi , quae illi literis ego militando didici nunc vos existimate facīa an dicta pluris sint that which others heare of or read of , I felt and practised my selfe , they got their knowledge by bo●kes , I mine by melancholising , Expert● crede Roberto . Something I can speake out of experience , and with her in the Poet , z z Dido Verg. Haudignara malimiseris succurrere disco . I would helpe others out of a fellow feeling , and as that vertuous Lady did of old , a a Camden Ipsa elephantiasi correpta elephantiasis hospitium construxit . being a leaper her-selfe , bestow all her portion to build an H●spitall for leapers I wil spend my time & knowledge which are my greatest fortunes , for the common good of all . Yea but you wil inferre , that this is b b Iliada post Homer●m . actum agere , an vnnecessary worke , crambē bis coctam apponere , the same againe and againe in other words How many excellent Physitians haue written iust Volumes and elaborate Tracts of this subiect ? no newes at all , all that which I haue is stolne from others , c c Martialis . Dicitque tibi tua pagina fur es . I hold vp my hand at the barre amongst the rest , & am guilty of fellony in this kind , habes consitentem reum , I am content to be pressed with the rest . 'T is most true , tenet insanabile multos scribendi Cacoethes , and d d Eccles. vlt. there is no end of writing of bookes , as the wiseman found of old , in this e e Libros eunuchi gignunt , steriles pariunt . scribing age , especially wherein f f D. King praefat. lect. Ionas , now the right Reuerend I. , Bishop of London . the number of bookes is without number , as a worthy man saith , Presses be oppressed , and out of an itching humour , that euery man hath to shew himselfe g g Homines famelici gloriae ad oftentationem eruditionis vndique congerunt . Buchananus . desirous of fame and honour , he will write no matter what , and scrape together it bootes not whence . h h Effascinati etiam laudis amore &c. Iustus Baronius . Bewitched with this desire of fame , etiam medi●s in morbis to the disparagement of their health , and scarce able to hold a penne , they must say something , i i Ex ruinis aliene existimationis sibi gradum ad famam struunt . and get themselues a name saith Scaliger , though it be to the downefall and ruine of many others . They commonly pretend publike good , but as k k Omnes sibi famam quaerunt & quovis modo in orbem spargi contendunt vt nouae alicuius rei habeantur Authores . Praefat. Bibliothec. Gesner obserues , 't is pride and vanity that egges them on , no newes or ought worthy of note , but the same in other termes . As Apothecaries wee make new mixtures euery day , and power out of one vessell into another , and skimme of the creame of other mens witts , picke out the choice flowers out of their tild gardens , to set out our owne sterill plots . A fault that euery writer findes as I doe now , and yet faulty themselues , l l Plautus . trium literarum homines , all theeues pilfer out of old writers to stuffe vp their new comments , scrape Ennius dunghills and out of m m E. Democriti puteo . Democritus pitt . By which meanes it comes to passe , n n Non tam refertae bibliothecae quam cloacae . that not only Libraries and shoppes , are full of our putid papers , but euery close-stoole and iakes ; they serue to put vnder pies , to o o Et quicquid chartis amicitur ineptis . lappe in spice , and keepe rostemeat from burning . With vs in France saith p p Epist a● Petas . In regno Franciae omnibus seribendi datur libertas , paucis facultas . Scaliger , euery man hath liberty to write , but few abilitie , q q Olim literae ob homines in precio nunc sordent ob homines . heretofore learning was graced by iudicious schollers , but now noble sciences are vilified by base and illiterate scriblers , that either write for vaine-glory , or need , or to get money , or as parasites to flatter and collogue with some great man , r r Inter tot mille volumina vix unus à cuius lectione quis melior euadat , immo potius non peior . amongst so many thousand Authors , you shall scarce find one by reading of whom you shall be any whit better , but rather much worse . s s Lib. 5 de sap . Cardan findes fault with Frenchmen and Germanes for this scribling to no purpose , non inquit ab edendo deterreo , modo novum aliquid inueniant , he doth not barre them to write , so that it be some new inuention of their owne ; but we weaue the same webbe still , and twist the same rope againe and againe , or if it be a new inuention , 't is but some bable or toy , and who so cannot inuent ? t t Sterile opertet esse ingenium quod in hoc scripturientum pruritu . &c. Hee must haue a barren wit , that in his scribling age can forge nothing . u u Cardan praefat ad consol . Princes shew their armies , richmen vaunt their buildings , souldiers their manhood , and schollers vent their toyes they must read , they must heare whether they will or no. So that which x x Principibus & doctoribus deliberandum relinquo , vt arguantur authorum furta & millies repitita tollantur , & temere scribendi libido coerceatur aliter in infinitum progressura . Gesner so much desires , if a speedy reformation be not had by some Princes edicts and graue superuisors , to restraine this libertie ' , it will runne on in infinitum . Who shall read them ? as already , we shall haue a vast Chaos and y y Onerabuntur ingenia ne●●o legendis sufficit . confusion of bookes . For my part I am one of the number , I doe not denie it , I haue onely this of Macrobius to say for my selfe , Omne meum nihil meum , 't is all mine and none mine . As a Bee gathers waxe and hony out of many flowers , and makes a new bundell of all , I haue laboriously a a Quicquid obique bene dictum facio meum , & illud nunc meis ad compendium nunc ad fidem & authoritatem alienis exprimo verbis , omnes authores meos clientes esse arbitror &c. Sarisburiensis ad Policrat. prol. collected this Cento out of many Authors , the method onely is mine owne , and I must vsurpe that of b b Praefat. ad Syntax . med . Wecker è Terentio , nihil dictum quod non dictum prius , methōdus sola artificem ostendit , we can say nothing but what hath beene said● , the composition and method is ours onely , and shewes a scholler . Oribasius , 〈◊〉 , Auicenna , haue all out of Galen , but to their owne method , our Poets steale from Homer , Diuines vse Austins words verbatim still , and our story-dressers doe no other ; c c Nec araneară textus ideo melior quia exse fila gignuntur , nec noster ideo vilior quia ex alienis libamus vt apes . Lipsius aduersus dialogist and it is no more preiudice for me to write after others , then for Aelianus Montaltus that famous Physitian , to write De morbis capitis after Iason Pratensis , Hernius , Hildishem , &c. one Logitian , one Rhetoritian after another . Oppose what thou wilt I solue it thus . And for those other faults of Barbarisme c c Nec araneară textus ideo melior quia exse fila gignuntur , nec noster ideo vilior quia ex alienis libamus vt apes . Lipsius aduersus dialogist Doricke dialecte , extemporanean stile , ●autologies , apish imitation , a rapsodie of seuerall rags gathered together from seuerall dunghills , & confusedly tumbled out : without art , inuention , iudgement , witte , learning , harsh , absurd , insolent , indiscreet , ill composed , vaine , scurrile , idle , dull , and drie ; I confesse all , thou canst not thinke worse of me then I do of my selfe . All I say is this , that I haue d d Vno absurdo dato mille sequuntur . presidents for it , others as absurd , vaine , idle , illiterate ; &c. and perhappes thou thy selfe , Nonimus & qui te &c. we haue all our faults , scimus & hanc veniam &c. e e Non dubito multos lectores hic fore stultos thou censurest me , so haue I done others , and may doe ᶠ thee , Caedimus inque vicem , &c. 't is lex talionis , quid pro quo . Goe now censure , criticize , scoffe and raile . g g Martial . 13.2 Nasutus sis vsque licet sis denique nasus &c. Non potes in nugas dicere plura meas , Ipse ego quam dixi , &c. Wer'st thou all scoffes and flouts , a very momus , Then we our selues , thou canst not say worse of vs . Thus as when women scold haue I cried whore first , and in some mens censures , I am afraid I haue ouershot my selfe , Laudare se vani , vituperare stulti , as I doe not arrogate , I will not derogate . Be it therefore as it is , well or ill , I haue assaid . Pro captu lectoris habent sua fata libelli , let the world iudge , and so it will , and when all is done : laudamur ab his culpamur ab illis . 'T is the common fate of all writers , and I must endure it .

One or two things yet I would haue amended if I could , That is , first to haue reuised the copie , and amended the stile which now floues ex tempore , as it was first written : but my leasure would not permit , Feci nec quod potui nec quod volui . For the rest it went against my Genius , to prostitute my muse in English , my intent was to haue it exposed this more cótract in Latin , but I could not get it printed . Any scurrile pamphlet is welcome to our mercenary Printers in English , but in Latin they will not meddle with it , which is one of the reasons that h h Aut artis inscij , aut quaestui , magis quam literis student . hab Cantab. & Lond. excus . 1576 Nicholas Carre in his Oration of the paucity of English writers giues , that so many flourishing wits are smothered in obliuion , lye dead and buried in this our nation .

That last and greatest exception is , that I being a Divine haue medled with Physicke . — i i Heautont act. 1. sc● . ● . tantumne est ab re tuâ otij tibi Aliena vt cures , eaque nihil quae ad te attinent . As Menedemus told Chremes haue I so much leasure or little businesse of mine owne , as to looke after other mens matters which concerne me not ? Heare me speake . There bee many other subiects I doe easily grant , both in humanity and diuinity fit to be treated of , and of which had I written ad ostentationem only , to shew my selfe I should haue rather chosen , and in which I could haue more willingly luxuriated , and better satisfied my selfe and others ; but that at this time I was fatally driuen vpon this rocke of Melancholy , and carried away by this by streame , which as a rillet is deducted from that maine channell of my other studies , in which I haue pleased and busied my selfe at idle houres , as a subiect most ne●essary and commodious . Not that I preferre it before Diui●●ty , which I doe acknowledge to be the Q●eene of professi●ns , and to which all the rest are but as handmaids , but that 〈◊〉 Diuinity I saw no such great need . For had I written posi●●uely , there be so many books in that kinde , so many Com●entators , Treatises , Pamphlets , Expositions , Sermons , that ●hole teemes of Oxen cannot drawe them , and had I-been as ●●rward or ambitious as some others , I might haue happily ●●inted a Sermon at Paules Crosse , a Sermon in S. Maries ●xon , a Sermon in Christchurch , or a Sermon before the right ●onorable , a Sermon before the right Worshipfull , a Ser●on , a Sermon , &c. But I haue euer beene as desirous to sup●esse my labours in this kinde , as others haue been to presse ●d publish theirs . To haue written in controuersie , had bin 〈◊〉 cut of an Hydra's head , k k Et inde catena quaedam fit quae haeredes etiam ligat . Cardan . lis litem generat , one begets ano●●er , so many duplications , triplications , and swarmes of que●●ons , that hauing once begunne , I should neuer make an 〈◊〉 , and that with such eagernesse & bitternesse in such que●●●ons they proceed , that as l l Hor. ep●d . lib. od. 7. he said , furor ne caecus , an rapit 〈◊〉 acrior , an culpa , responsum date ? Blinde fury or errour , or ●●hnesse , or what it is that egges them I knowe not , I am ●●re many times , which m m Epist 86. Casulano presbit . Austin perceaued long since , tempe●●te contentionis serenitas charitatis obnubilatur , with this ●●mpest of contention , the serenity of charity is ouerclowded , ●●d there bee too many spirits coniured vp already in this ●●nde in all sciences , and more then we can tell how to lay : & ●●e so furiously rage and keep such a racket , that as n n Lib. 12. cap. 1 , mutos nasci , & omni scientia egere satius fuisset , quam sic in propriam perniciem insanire . Fabius ●●d , it had beene much better for some of them to haue bin borne ●●mbe , and altogether illiterate , then so farre to dote to their ●●ne destruction . 'T is a generall fault , as Seuerinus the Dane ●●mplaines . o o Infoelix mortalitas inutilib● quaestionibus ac disceptationibus vitam traducimus naturae principes thesauros in quibus grauissimae morborum medicinae collocatae sunt interim intactos relinquimus . Nec ● ipsi solum relinquimus sed & alios prohibemus , impedimus , condemnamus ludibriisque afficimus . Vnhappy men , as wee are , wee spend our dayes in ●●profitable questions and disputations , leauing in the meane ●●e those chiefest treasures of nature untouched , wherein the 〈◊〉 medicines for all manner of diseases are to be found , and doe 〈◊〉 only neglect them our selves , but hinder , condemne , forbid & scoffe at others , that are willing to enquire after them . These motiues at this present haue induced mee to make choice of this medicinall subiect . If any Physitian in the meane time shall inferre , Ne sutor vltra crepidam , and finde himselfe grieued that I haue intruded into his profession ; I will tell him in briefe , I doe not otherwise by them , then they doe by vs . If it be for their aduantage , I knowe many of them which haue taken orders in hope of a Benefice , 't is a common transition , & why may not a melancholy Diuine , that can get nothing but by Simony , professe Physicke ? Drusianus an Italian ( Crusianus , but corruptly , Tr●themius calls him ) p p Quod in praxi minime fortunatus esset medicinam reliquit , & ordinibus initiatus in Theologiâ postmodum scripsit . Gesner Bibliothecâ . because he was no● fortunate in his practise , forsooke his profession , and writ afterwards in Diuinity . Marsilius Ficinus was semel & simul , 〈◊〉 Priest and Physitian at once , and q q P. Iunius . T. Linacer in his olde age tooke Orders . The Iesuits professe both at this time , many o● them permissu superiorum , Surgeons , Panders , Bawds , & midwiues , &c. Many poore country Vicars for want of othe● meanes are driuen to their shifts , to turne Mountibanckes . Quacksaluers , Empirickes , and if our greedy Patrons hol● vs to such hard conditions , as commonly they doe , they wil● make some of vs at last turne Taskers , Costermongers , se●● Ale as some doe or worse . Howsoeuer in vndertaking this taske , I hope I shall commit no great errour or indecorum , if all be considered aright . I can excuse my selfe with r r In Hegiasticon , neque enim haec tractatio alienae videri debet à Theologo . &c agitur de morbo animae . Lessius the Iesuite in like case , 't is a disease of the Soule , on which I am to treate , and as much appertaining to a Diuine as to a Physitian ; and who knowes not what an agreement there is betwixt these two professions ? A good Diuine either is o● ought to be a good Physitian , a Spirituall Physitian at least as our Sauiour calles himselfe , and was indeed , Matt. 4.23 . Luk. 5.18 . Luk. 7. & 8. They differ but in obiect , the one o● the Body , the other of the Soule , and vse diuers medicines 〈◊〉 to cure ; One the vices and passions of the Soulei , Anger Lust , Desperation , Pride , Presumption , &c. by applying tha● Spirituall Physicke ; as the other vse proper remedies to bodily diseases . Now this being a common infirmitie of Body and Soule , and such a one as hath as much need of a Spirituall as a corporall cure , I could not find a fitter taske to busie my selfe about , a more apposite Theame , so necessary , so commodious , and generally concerning all sorts of men , that should so equally participate of both , and require a whole Physitian . A Diuine in this compound mixt malady can do little alone , a Physitian in some kinds of Melancholy much lesse , both make an absolute cure . ˢ Alterius sic altera poscit opem , and 't is proper to them both , and I hope not vnbeseeming me , who am by my profess on a Diuine , and by mine inclination a Physitian . I had Iupiter in my sixt house , &c. In the Theoricke of Physicke I haue taken some paines , not with an intent to practise , but to satisfie my selfe , which was a cause likewise of the first vndertaking of this Subiecte .

If these reasons doe not satisfie thee good Reader , as Alexander Munisicus that bountifull Prelate , sometimes Bishop of Lincolne , when he had built sixe Castles , ad inuidiam operis eluendam saith Mr. t t In Newarke in Nottinggamshire . Cum duo edificasset castella ad tollendam structionis inuidiam & expiandam maculam duo instistituit caenobia & collegis religiosu impleuit . Camden , to take away the enuy of his worke , ( which very words Nubrigensis hath of Roger that rich Bishop of Salisburie , that in King Stephens time built Shirburne Castle , & that of Deuises ) to take away the scandall or imputation , which might be thence inferred , built so many Religious houses . If this my Discourse be too medicinall , or sauour too much of humanity , I promise thee that I will hereafter make thee amends in some Diuine Treatise . But this I hope shall suffice when you haue more fully considered of the Reasons following , which were my chiefe Motiues . The generalitie of the Disease , the necessitie of the cure , & the commoditie or common good , that will arise to all men by the knowledge of it , as shall at large appeare in the ensuing Preface . And I doubt not but that in the end you will say with me , that to Anatomise this humour aright , through all the members of this our Microcosinus , is as great a taske , as to find out the Quadrature of a Circle , or all the Creekes and sounds of the North-East or North-West passage , and all out as great a Discouerie , as that Hungrie u u Ferdinando de Quir. anno . 1612 Amsterdami impres . Spaniards of Terra Australis Incognita , as much trouble as to perfect the Motion of Mars and Mercurie , which so much crucifies our Astrologers , or to rectifie the Gregorian Kalender . I am so affected for my part , and hope as x x Praesat ad Characteres spero enim ( ● Policles ) libros nostros meliores inde futuros quod istiusmodi memoriae mandata reliquerimus ex praeceptis & exemplis nostris ad vitam accomodatis vt se inde corrigant . Theophrastus did by his Characters , that our prosteritie ô friend Policles , shall be the better for this which we haue written , by correcting and rectifying that which is amisse in themselues by our examples , and applying our precepts and cautions to their owne vse . But I am ouertedious , I proceed .

Of the necessitie and generallity of this which I haue said , if any man doubt , I shall desire him to make a briefe Suruay of the world , as y y Epist 2. lib. 2. ad Donatum paulisper te crede subduci in ardui montis verticem celsiore , speculare inde rerum iacentium facies , & oculis in diuersa porrectis fluctuantis mundi turbines intuere , iam simul tu videbis aut misereberis . Cyprian aduiseth Donat , supposing himselfe to be ●ra●sported to the toppe of some high mountaine , & thence to behold the tumults and chances of this wauering world , and he cannot chuse but either laugh at it or pittio it . S. Hierome out of a stronge imagination , being then in the wildernesse , conceiued with himsele that he then saw them dauncing in Rome , and if thou shalt either conceiue , or clime to see , thou shalt soone perceiue all the world is madde , that it is melancholy , dotes : that it is ( which Epichthonius Cosmopolites expressed not many yeeres since in a Mappe made like a Fooles head , with that Motto ) Caput Heleboro dignum , a cras●d head , and needs to be reformed ; That Kingdomes and Prouinces are Melancholy , Citties and Families , all Creatures , Vegetall , Sensible , and Rationall , and that all Sorts , Sects , Ages and Conditions , from the highest to the lowest , haue need of Physicke . For indeed who is not a foole Melancholy , madde ? and folly Melancholy madnesse are but one disease ; z z Dementiae sit actio nota in patrem & suium luxuriosos . Seneca controuersi . lib. 2. cont. 7 aut in eum qui filio diem dixit luxurioso lib 6. cont 7 &c. 3. lib. 10. But Portius Latro pleads against vs all . sit actio dementiae generalis Delirium is a common name to all . Alexander , Gordonius , Iason Pratensis , Sauanorola , Guiaenerius , Montaltus , confound them , as differing a a More or lesse , some madder then some . secundum magis & minus , so doth David Psal. 37.50 . I said vnto the fooles deale not so madly , and t' was an old Stoicall Paradoxe , omnes stultos insanire , b b Idem Hor. lib. 2. Sat. 3. Damasippus Stoicus probat omnes stultos insanire . all fooles are mad . And who is not a foole , who is free from Melancholy ? who is not touched more or lesse in habite or in disposition ? If in disposition , ill dispositions begette habits if they perseuere saith c c Tom. 2. sympos . lib. 5. cap. 6 animi affectiones , si duitiùs inhaereant , prauos generant habitus . Plutarch , hab●ts either are or turne to diseases , 'T is the same which Tully mainetaines in the second of his Tusculanes , omnium insipientum animi in morbo sunt , & perturbatorum , al fooles are sicke , and all that are troubled in mind , for what is sickenesse but as d d Lib. 28 cap. 1. Syntax . art. mirab . morbus nihil est aliud quam dissolutio quedam ac perturbatio faederis in corpore existentis , sicut & sanitas est consentientis benè corporis consummatio quaedam . Gregorie Tholosanus defines it , a dissolution or perturbation of the bodily league , which health combines : and who is not sicke or ill disposed , in whom doth not passion , anger , enuy , discontent , feare and sorrow raigne ? who labours not of this disease ; giue me but a little leaue , and you shall see by what testimonies , confessions , arguments I will euince it , that most men are mad : that they had as much need to goe a Pilgrimage to the Anticyrae , ( as in e e Lib. 9. Geograph . plures olim gentes nauigabant illuc sanitatis causa . Strabos time they did as in our dayes they goe to Compestella our Lady of Sichem , or Lauretta to seeke for helpe : that it is like to be as prosperous a Voyage as that of Guiana , and that there is much more need of Hellebor then of Tobacco .