Motiue .

THe first sunday , after Twelftide , now foure yeares past , a certain godly graue preacher , being at my house , and making him readie , that morning , I fortuned to salute him in his chamber , taking a Pipe of Tabacco : who eftsoones , earnestly intreated , and at length with much adoe , enduced mee , to harpe vppon his instrument , Ad vnum vsque aut alterum simplicem haustum , wherevnto I assented , but disdainfully .

Againe after a pause , resorting to his Lodging , I hapt to finde him doing as before : Then hee demaunded mine opinion of Tabacco . And hearing of no dislike from me , he importuned me most instantly , to trie some few sippes more , wherevnto I yeelded , yet very scornefully . Affirming withall neuerthelesse , that it seemed tollerable , and might prooue no lesse profitable ( doubtlesse ) not onely , to many others , but to my selfe especially , ( circumstances considered , ) I being a Man , leane , feeble , full of defects , and infirmities , full of sleame and rheumaticke humidities ; if euer it prooued profitable for any manne vnder the Cope of Heauen , comparing my selfe , in that daintie conceit , vnto a Madde Dogge , ( and no better , ) whose propertie is , to shunne , flee , and refuse , the fresh running waters , his principall and chiefest comfort . Then , after Seruice and Sermon done ; at dinner time , in company of diuers good merry Gentlemen ( my friends , ) I hapt to forget my selfe a little , in eating and drinking , somewhat beyond my wonted measure and manner , expecting nothing more consequent , then due deserued torments , for that same daies delight . And at supper , finding my self vnfit , I did of purpose abstaine , ( for it needed not ) but yet I conueighed ouer frankely , and freely , a good cup of sacke . Since which my first acceptance of Tabacco , vntill this instant , I protest I neuer felt any more of any my former pitiful and painful greeuances ; And those manifold and dolorous of me , 50. yeeres space , & aboue , discomfortably endured . And for further testimony hereof , How , in the state of my body , it fared with me many yeeres at Oxford , in the time of Maister D. Marbecke , where I continued Multum diúque Valetudinarius , I appeale to his report and others that do know , Quod non mentiar .

Thus , and by these motiues , became I dealer with Tabacco .

Affectus .

ABout twelue yeeres of age , by meanes of a moist shirt , I was sodainly cast in Ptysin , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the ptisicke and straightnesse of breath , with a continuall destillation from head to lunges , encreasing daily , and hourely more and more : till , in the ende , I was constrained to change my studie , from Diuinitie , vnto Phisicke , for healths sake ; yet for all mine owne painefull labours , and all other friendly helpes , euen of the best learned Phisitians in our time , I preuailed not , to any purpose , or effect : So that , I became dwined & pined , & finally , brought to such a pickle of leanenes , and feeblenes , throughout all the region and limmes of my body , that I could not ride foure mile end-way at any time , but incontinent , I became bed-rid for six daies space after ; insomuch , as I was scarce able to walke ouer mine owne chamber , without some rest , or staie . Neither could I receiue any drinke at any hand , were it Beere , or Wine , hote or cold , neither yet the very common aire at my mouth , but that immediately , I should be forced to cough , reach , striue , straine , and toile my selfe laboriously , and most lamentably , Ad vsque sudorem & dolorem non vulgares . Moreouer my meat , by the space of xiiij . yeares next before the taking of Tabacco , commonlie neuer staied with mee much aboue one quarter of an houre , or an half houre at the most , ( and yet I durst not forbeare my meate vtterly , lest I should haue disused Nature : ) And then , after a little slumber , at my first lying downe , I reiected my supper continually : Insomuch as , I was forced euery night in bed , to receiue a draught of warme posset Ale , for to loose it with ease . Then moreouer , after my first sleep , about 12. or one at midnight , lo , I did vsually cough , with euery drop of sweate vpon my bodie like a Bell , that euen fountaines of blood would spring from my nose , and streames , or streikes of blood likewise issued from my lungs Empyematicè , in spitting & streyning , together with a shortnes of breath , sorenesse of breast , and a generall faintnes throughout all the chest , and region of my bodie and limmes , in such sort , that I did seeme vnto most men , destitute , and depriued of all earthly comfort . And , as I may speake it , to be Nec animans , nec amans , both liuelesse and loueles , fearing and suspecting , not alitle , for diuerse yeares together , the vtter ruine and decay of all the seruiceable partes of office within mee ; the head , lungs , liuer , and such other praedominant members . Neuerthelesse ( vt verum fatear ) since the first taste of Tabacco , all those formerly most pittifull and painefull affections , are vanished and departed from mee , miraculously , cleerely , and vtterly , I praise God : So that from the first day I receiued this noble Tabacco , vntill this houre , I neuer felt any of those former grieuances any more , neither yet shall heereafter , I trust , through good guidance . Yea further , will you haue me to tell you ingenuè , merily , and vnfainedly , a truth ? Lend mee your eares alittle while , not long . The first night that I tooke Tabacco , being demaunded vppon my waking , how I felt my selfe ; I did directly aunswer : That me thought my breast was slitte , clouen , and diuided , ( as it were ) from throate to nauill , and I my selfe at large happily redeemed from captiuity to liberty , from sickenesse to health , from paines to delight , from continuall discouragement , to comfort and consolation : And so it seemes to mee still , God wottes , Wherefore , Lauda anima mea Dominum , and all that is within me , praise his holy name .

Thus , and no otherwise , was I affected .

Effectus .

TAbacco , in my conceit , dooth , not onely open and dry , Ratione caliditatis & siccitatis , but also , suapte virtute , dooth purge and expell , quicquid noxium , mightily and mainely . To giue you an instance or example in my selfe ; In processe of weekes , well I wot , it hath forced out of my braines , through the great middle Suture of my scull , at an emunctorie , not much aboue the toppe of my eares , by times , more yellow , bitter , corrupt , choloricke moisture , I am sure , then three gill cuppes could containe , before it left that course of purging . This humour was the primarie and principall occasion ( as I take it ) of all my former inueterate fluxes and destillations , dropping from the head downeward , infecting the leights , and forcing withal , intolerable sorenesse , ptisicke , and many other such inconueniences , of the like graine and grime , sustained of me , by the space of seauen and fiftie yeeres continuall , and more . Now all these accidents notwithstanding , ( blessed be God for his mercy , in the meanes of mans health ) euen since the very first assay of Tabacco : There hath beene , and yet is , quietnesse in my head , comfort in my stomacke , liberty in my lungs , strength and agility in my limbes , ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) perfection in my liuer , rest in my bones , and in vniuersa carne mea , sanitas . Finally , al the powers and faculties within me , be they Naturall , Vitall , or Animall , are so refreshed , and reuiued , that nowe beeing three score and nine yeeres of dayes compleate : my minde and body both , are made apt , nimble , and actiue ( neuer better erst ) for studie and trauell , fitting and conuenient . The Lord be praised .

These , and no lesse were the effectes wrought vpon me by Tabacco .

Rule .

AT the first brunt , sending to Durham , for some of this geere , to worke withall : two Tabacco pipes miscarried by the way , which might portend aliquod malum , ( Nam in primo limite titubare ominosum : ) Sending againe the second time , I spedde : Then Bonis auibus , I entertained Tabacco into request , and made triall of it actiuelie , as followeth . The first weeke , euery day once , I took one pipe only at a time ; The second weeke , euery other day , one pipe onelie a day ; The third weeke , euery third day , one pipe onlie a day : The fourth weeke , once only , and so forth , weekely , monthly , or quarterly , as occasion . The maner of my vsage is thus ; being a man leane of constitution and feeble , earely in the morning , being made ready , and my throate , lungs and stomach , scoured , by hauking , reaching , coughing , and spitting : Then I take my pipe of Tabacco , sitting close by a warme fire , the space of halfe an houre and more , vntill the giddinesse and swimming in my head be past , and the medicine also haue done it feate : then I vse to gargle my mouth with a cuppe of beere , well warmed with a toste . After that I receiue a good cuppe of Sacke . By meanes whereof , Tabacco , being , as it were , reuiued , nam vinum vires auget , beginnes afresh sensibly , to visite and salute , head , stomacke , breast , fingers , and feet , for a prettie season : And when all those stormes , and stowers are ouer-shot , then doe I feele my selfe light , and liuelie vnto any competent exercise , forbearing neuertheles , both meate , and common aire ; keeping also within my chamber some two or three houres at the least , lest I should either hasten appetite too quickly , or else , catch some cold disorderly , all the pores of my body lying open & apt to harme , through the vehemeut operation and force of the foresaid Tabacco . Now , if this be true , as true it is , ( et ipse luce clarius ) that it is so comfortable to choloricke , leane , and spinie men , much more of force must it needes be profitable for grosse , fat , and foggy bodies , repleat with hydropicall humours ; so that consequently , I may confidently inferre hereupon , that Tabacco , ( good order obserued ) is comfortable and commendable , for most men of any age , degree , constitution , or condition soeuer ; And thus did I vse , and yet by times do still vse Tabacco , with comfort and comoditie . Howbeit , of late , ( not to dissemble , ) hauing my whole bodie , vessels , and frame therof , sufficiently reformed and cleansed , I do of purpose forbeare the frequent vse of it , lest I should seeme to haue forgotten what Galen sayed : scilicet ,

Sanas carnes habentes : facilè medicina soluuntur .

And herevpon , whereas , before I did inferre , and auerre , that Tabacco is commendable for most men of any age , degree , constitution , or condition soeuer : I would not be mistaken ( for my meaning is , and so my words import ) chiefely men and women of riper age , in whom matter may appeare to worke vpon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , adultos ac prouectiores , and those either leane , full of humorous superfluities accidental , or else , fat and foggie , hauing pleuthorica corpora , abounding with grosse matters , excrementitiall , apt to putrefaction : But for chill youths , and such other , hauing corpora mollia & carnem halienosam , ac spiritum locupletem innatum , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , tender & healthfull , I take it not fit , by the sence alleadged . Apho : lib: 2. Apho : 36.

Now you haue heard , and may conceiue , in what sorte I haue vnfolded and declared , pro posse , próque viribus , the true construction , and faithful interpretation of my first two capitall termes

Skill and Square .

And that geniculatìm in their subdiuision and members

Of

Reading and Reasoning .

Of

Motiue : Affect : Effect : Rule .

distinctly and cleerely .

Wherein some men perhappes may suppose , that I haue satisfied , in some sorte , and fully accomplished mine intended purpose , in the setting forth of the Enargie , Vertue , and Valure of that worthy and twice redoubted Indian Tabacco : Yet neuerthelesse , vppon reuiew , and further contemplation , me seemes I haue tript ouer , two of the most necessary reports , and reputations belonging to Tabacco , vtpote

Vse . Application .

Whereof , the former I finde to be foure folde .

For it is profitable to

Reforme and rectifie what is amisse . Prouoke vomite vpward . Purge by siege , humors of any combination . Cure wounds of euery condition .

Vses .

First , Taken ( by Pipe ) in fume , to draine vp all superfluous moisture , be it in ventriculo , hepate , cerebro , aut ipso etiam pulmone ; or moreouer , to open and ease all the sluices , conduites , pipes , and passages , from parte to parte , in the whole frame and course of mans body , It is most soueraigne , and of singular operation .

Secondly , Taken for Vomite , it is a present meane , vsed mausticè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , being chewed vp and downe in the mouth , three or foure small peeces of Tabacco leafe at one time , one peece after another , vntill foure or fiue droppes thereof be drilled into the stomacke : Then , well I wot , there will be anone olde tumbling , heauing , reaching , and flinging , whilest all matters offensiue be forced thence vpward : Albeit it will require your patience .

Thirdly , Taken for Purge , a leafe stiept ouer night in a portion of white Wine or Rhenish , will giue a mighty purge , deducing & deriuing in short processe , humors of any combination and excrements of euery condition , Per loca conferentia .

Fourthly , Taken for Cure , the onely ashes thereof are profitable , and in most vse ( no doubt ) for greene wounds , vlcers , and olde sores of all sortes .

These are the foure principall endes and vses of Tabacco .

And , as the Vse , so is the Application of Tabacco .

First , when you take it by Pipe , mine aduice is , that you put into your box of prepared powder , one grain at the least , of the oile of Anniseedes , it will giue your powder a maruellous grace , and comfortable , both to the smell , and taste , of the taker , not only pleasant and delectable , but also profitable and commendable , especially to the daintier sort .

Secondly , when you vse it for Vomite , doe not , in any case , abridge , or restraine , the violent operation thereof , by apposition of any dilatory mixture : But , suffer it to expresse it owne force in action , secundùm libitum suum , & vim innatam , for the more effectuall and speedier dispatch , of a surcharged stomacke , by reiectation .

Thirdly , when you intend to Purge , omit not , forget not , it will be very expedient , and no lesse conuenient , for you , and euery man of euery condition , the night before you take it , to infuse together with your Tabaccoes leafe in white wine , or other liquor , some prety portion of Synamon , Ginger , and Nutmegs bruised , with two or three cheires of whole Mace : And ( if you list ) of Liquorice and Anniseedes likewise bruised , a small quantitie . These things are verè carminatiua , cordiall , & Alexipharmaca , and wil make your Tabacco to become medicamentum benedictum .

Fourthly , When you apply it for Cure of wounds , you must remember to reserue the burnt ashes remaining in your Tabaccoes pipe . Of the same , sprinckle into your greene wound , vlcer , or sore , and you shall see it performe strange and admirable effectes ( as it were ) vnum idémque , drying , cleansing , filling , and reforming the part and place affected , as shall appertaine . Many men doe diuersly report woonderfull effectes , in this behalfe , brought to passe , onely by the vertue and operation of Tabacco . And some pretty helpes ( I confesse ) at home , haue I also seene thereby , to no small ease of diuerse , encouragement to others , and tending chiefly to the inestimable praise of God , the Author of all gnod : Wherefore I wil conclude with this Epiphonoema ,

Omnis spiritus laudet Dominum . Let euery thing that hath breath , praise the Lord .

THus much then , finally , and aphoristicè , for conclusion of mine owne experience and knowledge , in the triall of Tabaccoes virtue , not minding hereby , any way to offend , preiudice , or interrupt my superiors ; But rather algates , by all my best meanes , to forewarne , and exhort , all followers and fauorites of Tabacco , to remember , Ne quid nimis , and circumspectly to foresee , Ne quid temerè attentetur aliquando ; and that due circumstances regarded , euery thing may rightly be ordered and marshalled , by skilfull direction of the learned , lest happly , vnhappily , through mens rash and inconsiderate vsage thereof , they themselues ( sua ipsorum culpa ) catch Copper for Coyne , and , insteade of vaine hoped for help , some due deserued harme .

* ⁎ *