A very useful manual, or, The young mans companion containing plain and easy directions for spelling, reading, and uniting English, with easy rules, for their attaining to writing, and arithmetick, and the Englishing of the Latin Bible without a tutor, likewise the plotting and measuring of land, globes, steeples, walls, barrels, timber, stone, boards, glass, &c. ... : and several other considerable and necessary matters, intended for the good of all, and for promoting love to one another : as by the table annexed particularly appears / collected by William Mather.
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A very Useful MANUAL, OR THE Young Mans Companion, CONTAINING Plain and easy directions for Spelling, Reading and Uniting English, with easy Rules, for their attaining to Writing, and Arithmetick, and the Englishing of the Latin Bible without a Tutor; Likewise the Plotting, and Measuring of Land, Globes, Steeples, Walls, Barrels, Timber, Stone, Boards, Glass, &c. The Exchange of Mony, Weights and Measures, Purchase of Annuities, Leases, &c. Together with some secrets of Navigation, Astronomy, Astrology, Dialling, Geometry, Law, Religion, Physick, Philosophers Stone, ordering of Bees, Husbandry, &c.
And several other considerable, and necessary matters; Intended for the good of all, and for promoting love to one another.
As by the Table annexed particularly appears.
Collected by William Mather.
London, Printed by T. Snowden, and sold at the Bell in Exchange Alley, in Cornhil. 1681.
FIrst, Learn this Book, together with a Testament of the newest Print, and then the Bible; and as hard words are come at, seek in this Book how they are divided, being they are set Alphabetically.
Secondly, Those that desire to write words according to the English Tongue, [...]hould often write over words as they find them printed in Books, minding to [...]bserve to divide them into Sillables, which will imprint them in the Memo [...]y) and so by use, which is the Mother [...]f Language, (as the School-man saith) [...]e may come to be so perfected in true [...]lling, as may serve well enough for a [Page]Shopkeeper or a Husbandman, without the Latine Tongue.
Thirdly, Those that desire to learn to write without a Master, let them with a dry Pen, run over the writing Letters in this Book, learning to make (a) very well, and the (b) and the rest of the twenty four small Letters before they joyn them or make great Letters: Set the least all of a height; keep a Ruler and piece of Lead, to make Lines to write on, and a sharp Pen-knife, and let not the Ink be thick.
Fourthly, Those that desire to live and walk in the true Religion, must above all outward Teachings, mind the Reproofs of the Spirit of Truth in their own Hearts against all Sin and Evil, otherwise they will turn to the Right Hand, or to the Left into evil. Isa. 30.20, 21. Gen. 6.3. John 3.19.
Fifthly, I have also added some necessary Questions wrought by Arithmetick, (which some want) notwithstanding they may have learned several Rules [Page]in Arithmetick, which I do believe will be acceptable to the Ingenious (and some Masons and Carpenters) that are lovers of Geometry and Mathematical Experiments, though I have written but little thereof in this Book, endeavouring that it may be a small Volume.
And it is more commendable for men to spend their leisure time in such harmless Studies than at idle sports and plaies, knowing that for every idle word we must give an account. Matth. 12.36.
Lastly, Hoping that none will be offended, that I have given such short hints of things: (according to my weak Understanding, yet intended for the good of those that cannot purchase large Books.) Yet do I believe that these things in this Book, will be kindly accepted by those that are not biassed with Self-interest (more than the Publick Good) for I seek no honour to my self herein, but the good of others (that are kept in Ignorance;) for to God all praise belongeth, who giveth true Wisdom to all those that ask it of [Page]him in his fear, and they are most happy therein, that seek no Glory to themselves; for unto God alone it doth belong; for he is worthy to rule and reign in every heart and Conscience (by his Grace therein) now and for ever, Amen.
The Consonants. b c d f g h j k l m n p q r s t v w x y z
Double Consonants. ct ss ff sl fl sh st
ct ss ff sl fl sh st
Easie Sillables. Ab ac ad af ag ak al am an ap ar as at ax, eb ec ed ef eg ek el em en ep er es et ex, ib ic id if ig ik il im in, ob oc od of og ok ol om on op or os ot ox, ub uc ud uf ug uk ul um un up ur us ut ux, ba ca da fa ga ka la ma na pa ra sa ta va wa, be bi ce di fe fi ge gi ke ki, le me ne pe re se te ve we, bo co do fo go ko lo mo no po ro so to vo wo, bu by fu dy ly mu my ny ty py.
Abbreviation on Vowels.ā signifies an, and am, ē ī ō signifie em, im, and on, Example Cōmō is Common.
Note that when j long is before ah, read it jah. And the signification of these hard names, they may be found in Tables bound in some old Bibles, and some other Books.
Some Letters are written in words, and not sounded.
A is not sounded in Isaac, Canaan.
B is not sounded in comb, lamb, climb, dumb, limb.
K or C is not sounded in black, [...]heck, sick, lock, truck.
C is not sounded in descent, consci [...]nce, disciple, ascent.
C is sounded like K in cat, court, [...]ustom, colour.
C is sounded like S in censure, city, [...]ider, cypress.
[Page 20]Ch is sounded like K in Achan, Lachis, Malchus.
E is not sounded in George.
E is seldom sounded at the end of a Word, yet is in Jesse, Jubile.
G is not sounded in sign, reign, assign.
Gh is sounded like F in laugh, cough.
Gh is not sounded in light, might, night.
O is not sounded in people.
I is not sounded in fruit, adieu, juice.
P is not sounded in tempt.
Ph is sounded like F when not to be divided as Sheep-herd.
Ti is sounded like Si after a vowel, as patience, Nation, except when s goes before ti, as question, bestial.
S is not sounded in Island.
U is not sounded in tongue, guile, guest, buy, con╌duit.
U always follows q, as question.
AE oe sound like e in all words.
Ll, mm, tt, and cc, in the middle of words, divide them as ac╌cord, wil╌ling, at╌tend, &c.
The figure next to the Right hand is always in the place of ones, as in the Table is 4 ones, that's four.
The next is the place of tens, that is 6 tens or sixty.
The third place is hundreds, in this Table it is 7 hundred.
The fourth place is thousands, that is, 3 thousand 7 hundred sixty and 4.
3 7 6 4.
Or read nine figures thus,
Millions,
Thousands,
Ones
243
532
433
243-532-433 That is 2 hundred 43 millions, 5 hundred 32 thousand, 4 hundred 33. Read by threes all sorts of Figures.
How to read a number of Figures.
Read 276-547-698-432-679. say 276 thousand thousand thousand thousand, then to the next three figures, saying, 547 thousand thousand thousand, so to the next, saying, 698 thousand [Page 26]thousand, or millions, 432 thousand 679.
Another way.
1
7 unites,
2
6 tens,
3
5 hundreds,
4
4 thousands,
5
7 ten thousands,
6
3 C thousands,
7
5 millions,
8
6 ten millions,
9
8 C millions,
10
5 thousand millions,
11
6 ten thousand millions,
12
4 C thousand millions,
13
3 millions of millions,
14
7 ten millions of millions,
15
6 C millions of millions,
Read them by threes, as 673 millions of millions, 465 thousand millions, 864 millions, &c.
Measure the breadth and length in inches, and multiply them together, and that Product divide by 144, and the Quotient shews the number of feet.
How to measure square timber.
Multiply the breadth in inches by the thickness, and that product by the length in inches, the which divide by 1728. and the Quotient shews how many solid foot is in the piece of Timber.
How to measure round Timber.
Multiply the half of the thickness by half the compass in inches, and that product by the length, the which divide by 1728, and the Quotient shews the number of feet in the stick of Timber.
If it be a square Vessel, find the product of inches by square Timber measure, and the product divide by 288, and the Quotient shews the number of Gallons, the which divided by 36 shews how many Barrels is in the Vessel: Or if it be a round Vessel, that bellies in the middle, measure the breadth at Bung, and at the Head, and add them together, and half thereof multiply into half the length of the vessel, and the product divide by 288 for Ale or Bear, 231 for Wine, or 272 for Salt or Corn, the product shews half the number of Gallons in the said Vessel.
How to measure a Brick Wall by the Rod or Pole of 16 ½ feet.
Multiply the breadth in feet by the length, and the product divide by 272, [Page 30]the Quotient shews the number of Rods is in the Wall; and for the benefit of those that cannot measure by Arithmetick, I have composed a Table which may conveniently be set upon a two foot Rule.
To measure Brick-Walls or Land by the Rod or Square of 16 ½ Foot to the Pole.
H.
Length.
Fo.
Fo.
In.
1
272
0
2
136
0
3
90
8
4
68
0
5
54
5
6
45
4
7
38
10
8
34
0
9
30
3
10
27
2
11
24
8
12
22
8
13
20
11
14
19
5
15
18
2
16
17
0
17
16
0
18
15
1
19
14
3
20
13
7
21
12
11
22
12
4
23
11
10
24
11
4
25
10
2
26
10
5
27
10
1
28
9
9
29
9
4
30
9
1
The use of this Table. Example.
If a Wall be 13 foot high, find 13 foot in the first Column, and against it is 20 Foot 11 Inches, sheweth that 20 Foot and [Page 31]11 Inches in the length, makes a square Rod or Pole.
The first Column is the height in Feet.
The second and third are the length in Feet and Inches.
To reduce Wall-Measure into Standard-Measure, which is a Rod of 16 ½ Foot square upon the superficies, and 14 Inches or a Brick and a half thick;
Do thus:
First measure how many Rods you have upon the side of the Wall (as before) and take that number, and multiply it by the number of the half Bricks that the Wall is in thickness, and that product divide always by 3, and the Quotient will shew how many Rods of Standard-Measure is in the Wall.
If one Yard, Pound, Bushel, Load or Quart cost me so many pence, what will any number of Yards, Pounds, &c. cost me?
Always multiply the number of Yards, &c. that you would buy, by the number of pence that one Yard, &c. will cost, and the product will shew [Page 33]the number of pence that the whole will cost, the which divide by 12 to bring it into shillings, and the shillings by 20 to see the pounds in the Quotient.
Proof.
If 112 pound cost 400 d, what will 1 l cost.
[...]
That is 3 d and four seven parts of a penny.
20
12
4
l
s
d
q
30
17
3
2
That is 30 pounds, 17 shillings, 3 pence, 2 farthings; and the figures above [Page 34]shew that four farthings make a penny, 12 pennies make a shilling, and 20 shillings is a pound.
By the same Rule read the figures that follow.
Averdupoise Weight. And 112 l. is a hundred weight.
The figures above each Sum are also help [...], to cast up Sums both in Addition and Substraction.
For in Addition they shew what you are to dote at, or carry to the next row; as every 20 Grains must be carried to the place of Scruples (as one) and the odd set down.
And in substraction they shew what you are to borrow, if need be; so that after you have learned to the Rule of Division, you may understand all the Questions in this Book.
How to measure Land, or any other thing, that lieth flat, as the figures following.
Add the length of each end together, and half of which multiply by the length.
[rhombus]
Multiply the doted Line into one side.
[rhombus]
Add the two short doted lines together, and multiply it by half the longest.
[rhombus]
Multiply half the doted line by any side, if a Triangle.
[isosceles triangle]
Multiply half the doted line by the longest side.
[triangle]
Multiply the doted line by one third of the Compass.
[circle]
If any of these be for measuring of Land (or any Close may be measured [Page 38]into Triangles) and is measured by the Pole of 16 ½ Feet, divide the product by 160, and the Quotient shews the number of Acres.
To know how much Hay a Barn will hold by the Load.
Multiply the height to the Beam into the breadth in yards, and that product, by the Length, the whole divide by 20, and the Quotient sheweth the Loads of Corn or Hay the Barn will hold to the Beam.
And for the Roof, multiply half the depth into the breadth at Beam, and that product by the length, and work as before, and add it to the other.
How to find how many square Inches is on the outside of any Globe, or other round thing.
Multiply the thickness or Diameter by the Compass or Circumference, and [Page 39]the product sheweth the number of Inches.
How to find how many solid Inches is in any Globe, or Bullet.
Suppose the thickness or diameter be 21, multiply 21 by 21, and that product by 21, the which multiply by 11 and the product will be 101871, which being divided by 21 gives 4851 the solid Inches in the Globe.
A Globe of 10 Inches diameter, what is the circumference? [...]
A Globe of 31 3/7 Inches the Circumference, what is the diameter? [Page 40] [...]
If a Globe or Bullet be 5 Inches diameter▪ weigh 16 l. how much shall one weigh that is 4 Inches diameter. [...]
How to measure Tiling by the square of 10 Foot.
Multiply the length by the breadth [Page 41] [...]n Feet of one side of the Roof, and [...]hat product divide by 100, and the Quotient shews how many squares of [...]0 Foot is in one side, the which [...]ouble.
Price of Work.
Tiling at 3 s. the square.
Brick work 25 s. the Rod of 16 ½ feet.
Paving at 2 d. or 3 d. the yard of 9 Feet.
Rendring 2 d the yard 9 Foot.
12 Foot square, take 1000 of Tiles.
20 Cubical yards to hold a Load of Hay.
22 Bushels, almost, will lie in a square yard.
150 or 160 Bricks will lay a yard at one Brick and an half thick, in a Wall.
How to multiply a whole number, and a Fraction by a whole number and a Fraction, so that if you measure any thing, and the length and breadth are Poles, or Feet, with part of a Pole or Foot. Example.
To multiply 120¼ by 58½.
Do thus:
First multiply the whole numbers together, as 120 by 48, and to the Product add one quarter of 48, and the half of 120.
How to measure any parcel of Land small or great, by a Chain and the Rule of Multiplication, which may be very useful for the new planter in America, the way being in a pocket Book.
Suppose the length of a piece of Land be 9 Chains and 50 Links, the Breadth 6 Chains, 25 Links.
Note that the Chain is called Gunter's Chain, being 4 Poles in length, [Page 46] [...][Page 47] [...][Page 48]and is divided into 100 Links, and at every ten Links is a brass Ring, price five or six shillings.
Multiply the Chains and Links as whole numbers, and from the product always cut off 5 figures next the Right hand, and those to the left hand are Acres.
Secondly, The remaining Figures that is cut off from the 5 Acres, must be multiplied by 4, because so many Rood is in an Acre, and 5 figures cut off also from that Product, and the other are Roods.
Lastly, Multiply the five figures, so cut off from the Roods by 40, because there is 40 Pole in a Rood, and then cut off five figures from the last product, and the Left hand figures are Poles, as in the Example appeareth.
Note, that if in your Lengths or Breadths the Links are under 10, add a Cipher to the Left hand.
How to reduce any number of Chains and Links into feet.
Choose two places to stand in to see the same, as suppose 20 yards distant, for which distance draw a Line on Paper, and divide it into 20 parts, then lay the edge of a Quadrant at one standing, the Quadrant lying flat, to point to the other standing, and mark how many degrees the sight of the Tree may cut, to make an Angle, which mark at the end of the Line on the Paper, do so at the other standing and bring it to the Paper: Lastly, draw both the Lines at length till they touch each other, and that will shew the distance in yards to be measures by your first Line.
Note, that if the Tree be far distant, let your standings be the farther off each other.
And for want of a Quadrant the square corner of a Board may serve, if it be exact square at one corner.
If you are upon the Land, you may take the distance of a Ship at Sea, by two standings as before: But if you are [Page 52]upon a Ship Mast at Sea, or upon a high Tower near the Sea, then spie through the sights the Ship, observing how many Degrees and Minutes makes the Angle, which note upon Paper, and let down into the Sea a Line and Plummet the which Line measure into yards, and lay it down also on Paper, by the Line of equal parts.
Note that the Angle at the water is a perfect square (as one should always be.)
Then draw your Lines to a point as before, so that by this Rule the ingenious may find the distance of several Towns and Castles one from another, and also their heights and breadths, though you cannot come at them by reason of Water or an Enemy, &c.
Note, that if the Plummet cut one one quarter of your Quadrant on the right side, in taking of sight, then twice the distance from your standing to the bottom of the Tree is the height.
Or if it cut so much of the Left side then half the distance is the height. Remember [Page 53]that the sight to the top of the Tree, must be as a streight Line to the Ground; it may reach 6, 7, or 8 foot backward, if you stand upright to take the sight.
How to make black Ink.
Take Rain water two Quarts, Galls bruised six ounces, let them stand one week in the Sun, then put in Gum Arabick and Coperas of each four ounces, heat it over the fire, and stir it with a stick often.
This Table is called multiplication Table, which all have learned by heart, that are skill'd in Arithmetick.
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
3
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
4
16
20
24
28
32
36
5
25
30
35
40
45
6
36
42
48
54
7
49
56
63
8
64
72
9
81
How to read this Table.
Begin at the figure 2 in the second Line, and 2 in the first, and say 2 times 2 is four, 2 times 3 is 6, &c. Then begin at 3 in the third Line, saying 3 times 3 is 9, and 3 times 4 is 12, 3 times 5 is 15, and so to the end.
Thus the Cipher in the 20 set down under the Line, then 2 times 5 is 10, set it down, so 5 times 20 is 100.
Multiply 69 by 87, set it thus. [...]
Work thus:
Say 7 times 9 is 63, set down 3 and carry in mind 6, then 7 times 6 is 42 and 6 I bear in mind is 48, set down [Page 56]8 and bear in mind 4, which 4 set down, having no further to carry it.
Then say 8 times 9 is 72, set down 2 under 8, and carry 7, and work as the other Line.
Lastly, add up the two Lines, saying 3, set it down, then 2 and 8 is 10, set down a Cipher and carry 1, then 1 that I carried and 5 is 6 and 4 is 10, set down a Cipher, and carry 1, saying 1 and 5 is 6.
One pound, 2 ounces, 12 penny weight Troy, is equal to 16 ounces, or one pound Averdupois.
Or 1 l. Averdupois is equal to 14 ⅗ ounces Troy.
One ounce Troy is 5 shillings Silver 8 grains Troy is one shilling in Gold.
If the Date of the year when an antient Book was printed, or a man born in the year of our Lord 1616, what is his age this year, 1681. Do this by Substraction.
from
1681
take
1616
rests
0065
Say, take 6 from 1, that I cannot do, but must borrow 10 to put to the 1 makes 11, then again 6 from 11 and there remains 5, now one that I borrowed and 1 is two, so two from 8 and there rests 6, then 6 from 6, and 1 from 1.
Suppose the height of the Pole at London be 52 Degrees, how many hours is the longest day?
Look for 52 in the first Column, and against [Page 61]it is 16 hours 30 minutes, the length of the longest day.
Of the four Quarters of the Earth.
In Europe, is Old England, &c.
In Asia, is Jerusalem, &c.
In Africa, is Egypt, &c.
In America, is New England, &c.
Some remarkable times since Adam.
Year of the World.
1
Adam created the 6th day.
130
Seth born.
395
Methuselah lived 969 years.
930
Adam's age 930 years.
1656
Noah's Flood.
1948
Abraham born.
2108
Isaac born.
2287
Joseph in Egypt.
2046
Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed.
2047
Circumcision instituted.
2843
London built.
2369
Job's time.
2433
Moses and Aaron in Egypt.
2552
Israelites murmur for Water.
2591
Joshuah died.
2919
David born.
Solomon 7 years and an half in
3012
building the Temple.
3029
Rehoboam, Solomon's Son.
3278
Hezekiah's good Reign.
3405
The Captivity.
3932
Virgin Mary born.
Year of Christ.
1
Christ born.
30
Christ baptised.
33
His Resurrection.
60
Paul carried to Rome.
68
Jerusalem destroyed.
92
First of the ten persecutions.
304
The last of the ten.
665
Printing first in England.
1128
Mens hair like Womens.
1605
Powder Treason.
1607
Bible translated.
1665
A great Plague at London.
1666
87 Parishes in London burnt.
1678
Popish Plot.
1681
A great Dearth.
A Register of the sufferings and Martyrdom of the Prophets and Apostles according to the Testimony of Scripture, and other Historical Records.
Isaiah was sawn asunder with a wooden Saw.
Jeremiah was often persecuted and imprisoned, yea, he was thrown into a deep Dungeon, where (it is said) he [Page 64]stood in the mire to the head, and at length was stoned to death in Egypt.
Ezekiel was slain in Babilon by the Duke of the People.
Daniel was thrown among the hungry Lions, yet the Lord preserved him.
The three Children were thrown into the fiery Furnace, but the Fire did them no harm.
Micah was thrown down, and his neck broken.
Amos was smitten with a Club on the Temples of the head, and so brained.
Zachariah was stoned to death.
John the Baptist was beheaded of Herod the Tetrarch.
Stephen was stoned to death.
James was beheaded by Herod Agrippa.
Peter was crucified at Rome, with his head downwards, under Nero.
Paul was likewise beheaded at Rome under Nero.
Andrew was crucified by Aege [...] King of Edessa.
[Page 65]James Alphaeus was thrown down from on high, and brained with a Club.
Thomas was slain at Calamina a City of Judea, he was run through with a Dart or Spear.
Philip was crucified at Hierapolis in Asia.
Bartholomew was slain in Judea, it is said, his Skin was pulled over his ears, and after all beheaded.
Matthew was run through with a Sword in Aethiopia.
Simon was crucified.
Jude was slain.
John was scourged and often persecuted, it is said, that Domition the Emperor caused him to be thrown into a Tun of scalding Oil, yet took no harm.
Matthias was knockt on the head with an Ax, and afterwards beheaded.
Mark the Evangelist had a Rope tied about his neck, by which he was drawn through the Streets of Alexandria, until his flesh was rent in pieces, and in the end he was burned to ashes.
[Page 66]Barnabas had a Rope tied about his neck, by which he was pulled to the Stake and burned.
He that is born after the Flesh persecuteth him that is born after the Spirit, as it is at this day, and so it will be, until he, Christ Jesus, reign in the hearts of people, (through their obedience to his Grace) in which Grace the Righteous know his Reign, and the Government is upon his Shoulders in their hearts, for he is worthy for ever and ever.
An exact way to measure round Timber by one that can multiply.
Co.
F.
Parts.
10
0
055
11
0
066
12
0
077
13
0
093
14
0
108
15
0
124
16
0
141
17
0
159
18
0
179
19
0
200
20
0
221
21
0
243
22
0
267
23
0
292
24
0
318
25
0
343
26
0
374
27
0
403
28
0
433
29
0
465
30
0
497
31
0
531
32
0
566
33
0
602
34
0
639
35
0
677
36
0
176
37
0
756
38
0
798
39
0
840
40
0
884
41
0
929
42
0
974
43
1
021
44
1
070
45
1
119
46
1
169
47
1
220
48
1
273
49
1
327
50
1
381
51
1
437
52
1
496
53
1
552
54
1
612
55
1
671
56
1
732
57
1
795
58
1
860
59
1
923
60
1
988
61
2
056
63
2
124
63
2
193
64
2
264
65
2
335
66
2
406
67
2
480
68
2
555
69
2
631
70
2
707
71
2
785
72
2
864
73
2
945
74
3
026
75
3
108
76
3
191
77
3
276
78
3
362
79
3
449
80
3
537
81
3
625
82
3
715
83
3
807
84
3
890
85
3
990
86
4
084
87
4
183
88
4
279
89
4
377
90
4
475
91
4
576
92
4
677
93
4
780
94
4
882
95
4
987
96
5
093
97
5
200
98
5
307
99
5
416
100
5
747
This Table may be figured upon a Rule.
Now to measure a Tree that standing, take the length of the Bo [...] in Feet by a Pole, and in the midd [...] girth it with a string, and the numb [...] of Inches in the Girth find in the fi [...][Page 69]Column of Co. or Compass, and the number against it multiply by the Feet of the length, and from the product [...]ut off 3 figures to the right hand, and [...]he other are feet.
Example. [...]
Now by this Rule, a man with a Pole [...]nd a string, and a short Ladder, may [...]n a little time value a Wood, that he [...]ay not sell any one Tree too dear, and [...]et it down in a Wood-Book as follows.
First, Mark the Trees as you measure them with Stamps, as 1234567 89, &c. (made of Iron for the purpose) and enter them in a Book, with the year and day of the month, the owners name, and the Field or Wood wherein they grow; this done, make a Column, one for the number of Trees, secondly for their lengths, in the third their squares or number of Feet, and the last how sold, if you will.
Having thus, by assistance, got al [...] the chief into your book, you may sell them according to the marks, if you do but send the buyer to see them, whic [...] may prevent many words, as is no [...] too much used in bargaining in thes [...] days.
A Friendly Advice.
If thou reads or hears any accusatio [...][Page 71]against any people or person whatsoe [...]er, be not hasty to judge, until thou [...]ast read or heard the answer of the ac [...]used, and then be still in thy mind, [...]nd let God's Witness in thy heart (which will not consent to a Lye) be [...]he judge in all things. Do so also be [...]ore thou begins any new work or any promise; so shall God be thy Guide, &c.
Of the unlawfulness of the Art of judicial Astrology, or Astrological Predictions.
Being a few words taken out of a Book written by J. R. who once was a Practitioner of Astrology, and Student in the Magick Art.
Saith in Page 33.
Matth. 6.26.10.29. The very Hairs of your Heads are all numbred. So that a Sparrow cannot fall, nor a Hair of my Head perish without the good will and pleasure of my heavenly Father.
Wherefore we may plainly see, that God, the living God, doth govern all the World by his only Wisdom and Providence, so that we see here is no place for the secundarian Intelligences of the Astrologians, whereupon it is evidently to be seen, that their secundarian Intelligences are only pernitious and superstitious Fables, whereby the Astrologers are deluded by the Devil, in that they Idolize the Stars, and are deceived in their Planetary Angels, who they think are the good Angels of God: But the Astrologers, and all other that think those seven Angels which the Astrologers call Planetary Angels, are good Angels, I say, if any man say, that the said Angels are good, I say that all such are deluded; for whosoever saith that evil is good, the same is deluded; but Astrologers do call evil good, in that they do affirm the Planetary Angels to be good Angels, the which said Angels are Devils, as I said afore: For because that no man can by Conjurations [Page 73]cause the good Angels to appear in a visible Form at his will and pleasure: But some man can cause the Planetary Angels to appear in a visible form at his Will and pleasure, by Conjuration; therefore the Planetary Angels are not good Angels.
Morover I say, that these seven Planetary Angels of the Astrologers are the chief Agents for Conjurors, — are seven Devils, which are also the Magicians chief Agents in all Magical operations.
In Page the 30. — For Mr. Lilly Critemini Avenazre saith, that the names of the Planetary Angels are (viz.) 1 Cassiel, 2 Zachariel, 3 Samael, 4 Michael, 5 Anael, 6 Raphael, 7 Gabriel.
Again in 31 Page. These seven Angels are thus by the Astrologers appropriate unto the seven Planets (that is to say) unto Saturn Cassiel, unto Jupiter Zachariel, unto Mars Samael, unto the Sun Michael, unto Venus Anael, unto Mercury Raphael, unto the Moon Gabriel.
Page 35. Now the Devil maketh out himself unto the Astrologers in a dark, hidden way, that the Astrologers cannot see him, although he work continually by him. Now then the way by which the Devil and the Astrologers do work together, is briefly thus, (viz.) That the Astrologers superstitious regarding of times, and their erecting of a Figure with their observing the Position of the Stars in the said Figure, to this end, that so they might know the event of particular things; I say, that this regarding of time, and erecting of a Figure, with the observing of the Stars therein, to the end aforesaid, I say it is nothing else but vain Ceremonies, whereby the Planetary Angels do come to understand and know what it is the Astrologer would foretel, or what the thing is, of which the Astrologer would predict and foretel the event thereof. So then the Astrologer's Figure being thus erected, he doth from thence conjecture what shall [Page 75]be the event of the thing, for which the Figure was erected. Now the Astrologer having thus delivered his Oracle, from thenceforth the Planetary Angels do all that they are able (God permitting them) to bring to pass that which the Astrologer did foretel. Now why the Devil doth all this, it is to this end, that so he may uphold and maintain his Kingdom of Darkness.
And Page 7.
— The practice of it is unlawful, as it is to be seen in Deut. 18.12, 14. Isa. 47.13, 14 Let now the Astrologeas, the Star-gazers, the monthly Prognosticators stand up and save thee from these things which shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as Stubble, the Fire shall burn them, they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the Flame, &c.
Again the practice and Practitioners thereof are condemned.
Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the Heaven, and be not dismaid [Page 76]at the signs of Heaven; for the Heathen are dismaid at them, Jer. 10.2.
Astrology is a vain and foolish Art, because, that the regarding of time, without which Astrology cannot be practised, is by, and in the Scripture condemned for an Abomination, as it doth appear in the 18 of Deut. and the 14 ver. which saith thus, For these Nations which thou shalt possess, hearkned unto Observers of times, and unto Diviners: But as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. And as you may see in the 12 verse in the same Chapter, these words, (viz.) For all that do these things are an Abomination unto the Lord: and because of these Abominations, the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Wherefore my beloved Country-men, abandon these your Astrological follies, which if you do not do, I proclaim from the Lord God, that Destruction shall come upon you, which you shall not foresee by all your Art of Astrology; [Page 77]and when it is upon you, then shall you behold your selves in misery, but shall not be able to help your selves by all your Babilonish skill, &c.
And Page 34.
I could have here set forth unto thy view the Magicians Figures, Circles, and how these 7 Planetary Angels are to be called upon, and the whole Body of Magick. And that the Planetary Angels will say unto the Magician, Pete quid vis, &c. And resolve doubts: I could declare much of this Art, but shall forbear; for I am appointed to destroy it.
And Page 3. G Carleton Bishop of Chichester, saith, (viz.)
The first Invention of Astrology is by many learned men attributed to the Devil; with whom agree the sayings of many antient Writers, as Tertullian, Clement, Alexandrinus and Lactantius, with others who shall be mentioned in their proper places, (but for brevity sake, I shall only mention Augustin,) who saith, [Page 78]It is a great madness and folly to go about to tell by the Stars, the manners, actions, and events of men, which, saith he, true Christian Piety expelleth and condemneth. Vid. St. Aug. Lib. de Doc. Chr. Aug. Lib. de nat. Doemon.
Now I shall conclude in the Author's own words, pag 36. Thus Reader, I will here make an end, and if thou hast any thing to say against me, because I have denied Astrology to be a lawful Art, thou knowest where I have my abiding place:
J. R. Of the Burrough of Chippingwickham in the County of Buckingham.
THe dreadful Comet that appeared here, (without doubt) portends sad News to all the Northern Hemisphere, that appeared here in November and December last, &c. and I shall be glad to hear what our English Astrologers say of it; as matters are represented to us here from England, old sores seem now to bleed afresh, &c. I have no mind to see with my own Eyes, whether there be any difference between 41 and 81, &c. This I took out of the Loyal Protestant Intelligence (so called) of July 16. 1681. That would make as if the Nonconformist Protestants were now of the same Spirit, that was in 41, by the deceit of Astrology, when the Comet is only a warning to all People upon Earth, that are workers of Iniquity, speedily [Page 80]to depart from it, else the Rod of God's Judgment will come upon them. And a Plough-man can give as true a Judgment of the Effects of a Comet, as an Astrologer; yet Princes and People may be deceived by Astrological Judgment, and too many are. But as for Astronomy, or the knowledge of the Stars motions, it may be no Snare to a Christian, if God is in all his thoughts. Psal. 10.4. 2 Cor. 10.5.
A perpetual Table of the Suns Rising and Setting.
Sun rise.
Sun set.
H
M
H
M
January.
1
8
2
3
58
6
7
55
4
5
11
7
49
4
11
16
7
41
4
18
21
7
34
4
26
26
7
26
4
34
February.
1
7
17
4
43
6
7
10
4
50
11
6
59
5
1
16
6
53
5
7
21
6
42
5
18
26
6
30
5
30
March.
1
6
23
5
37
6
6
12
5
48
11
6
0
6
0
16
5
52
6
8
21
5
42
6
18
26
5
34
6
26
April.
1
5
20
6
40
6
5
10
6
50
11
4
58
7
2
16
4
50
7
10
21
4
40
7
20
26
4
31
7
29
May.
1
4
22
7
38
6
4
15
7
45
11
3
9
7
51
16
3
2
7
58
21
3
55
8
5
26
3
52
8
8
June.
1
3
50
8
10
6
3
48
8
12
11
3
47
8
13
16
3
48
8
12
21
3
50
8
10
26
3
52
8
8
July.
1
3
57
8
3
6
4
2
7
58
11
4
9
7
51
16
4
15
7
45
21
4
21
7
39
26
4
30
7
30
August.
1
4
38
7
21
6
4
48
7
12
11
4
58
7
2
16
5
6
6
54
21
5
16
6
44
26
5
26
6
34
Septemb.
1
5
37
6
23
6
5
47
6
13
11
5
56
6
4
16
6
6
5
54
21
6
16
5
44
26
6
26
5
34
October.
1
6
36
5
24
6
6
46
5
14
11
6
56
5
12
16
7
6
4
54
21
7
15
4
45
26
7
24
4
36
Novemb.
1
7
34
4
26
6
7
42
4
18
11
7
49
4
11
16
7
56
4
4
21
8
1
3
59
26
8
6
3
54
Decemb.
1
8
10
3
50
6
8
13
3
47
11
8
13
3
47
16
8
13
3
47
21
8
8
3
52
26
8
4
3
56
Sun riseth 52 Minutes past 3 on the 26 day of June, &c.
A Table of Interest upon Interest at 6 l. the hundred.
1
10600000
2
11236000
3
11910160
4
12624769
5
13382255
6
14185191
7
15236302
8
15938480
9
16894789
10
17098476
11
18982985
12
20121964
13
21329282
14
22609039
15
23965581
16
25403516
17
26927727
18
28543391
19
30255995
20
32071354
21
33995636
22
36035374
23
38197496
24
40489346
25
42918707
26
45193829
27
48223459
28
51116866
29
54183876
30
57434909
31
60881004
The Use of this Table.
If 423 l. be continued at Interest 6 years, after the rate of 6 l. per 100 l. for a year Interest upon Interest, the Question is, what Principal and Interest is to be received at the expiration of the said tearm?
Multiply 423 by the number against 6 years, and from the product cut off seven Figures.
Here I find, that 1200 l. will purchase an Annuity of 90 l. 16 s. 8 d. for 27 years. do so with others.
Again.
A Merchant being indebted 1600 l. present pay, the Creditor is contented to receive the same at 10 equal payments, the debter allowing for the forbearance after the rate of 6 l. per annum Interest upon Interest; the question is, what those yearly payments ought to be?
Multiply the number against 10 in the last Table by 1600 the pounds, and work as before. Note that Product is multiplied by 240 the pence in one pound.
A Table shewing how many years purchase a Lease or Annuity is worth presently at Interest upon Interest, at 6 l. in the hundred. And shewing how to discount any Lease in being, and the true value of the Reversion after any number of years.
Ye. Lease.
Years.
Months.
Parts.
1
0
11
0
2
1
9
9
3
2
8
1
4
3
5
9
5
4
2
5
6
4
11
0
7
5
7
0
8
6
2
5
9
6
9
6
10
7
4
3
11
7
10
7
12
8
4
6
13
8
10
3
14
9
3
6
15
9
8
5
16
10
11
3
17
10
5
8
18
10
9
9
19
11
1
3
20
11
5
7
21
11
9
3
22
12
0
5
23
12
3
6
24
12
6
6
25
12
9
4
26
13
0
0
27
13
2
5
28
13
4
9
29
13
7
1
30
13
9
2
31
13
11
1
32
14
11
0
The Use of this Table.
Suppose a Lease to continue 10 years, and you would know how many years purchase it is worth in ready Money.
Look in the Table for 10 years of a Lease to the Left hand, and against the same you have 7 years Rent, and [Page 91]4 Months rent, and 3 parts of a Months rent of the said Lease (Let the rent be what it will) viz. 7 years is 70 l. and the 4 Months is 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. and 3/10 of a month is about 30 s. so added together is about 73 l. 8 s. 8 d. ready Money of a Lease of 10 l. a year.
Again.
Suppose a Lease to be 30 years that you would buy, (let the Rent, as aforesaid, he what it will.)
Look for 30 in the first Column, and against it is 13 years, 9 months, and 1/10 of a month purchase, or the Rent present possession.
But suppose there be a Lease of 5 years (more or less) before you commence look in the Table against 5 years, and you find 4 years, 2 months 5/10 purchase, substract this out of the Sum against 30 viz. 13 9 2.
Example.
y.
m.
p.
Years 30
13
9
2
Years 5
4
2
5
9
6
7
And so much is the Reversion after 5 years —purchase worth the remainder of 30 years.
Secondly, Write the 12 Months in a long piece of Paper, every Month in the same compass as March is writ in, in the Almanack, and cut between each double Line to slip it through, that but one Month may be seen at a time.
Thirdly, Upon a long piece of Paper write the days of the week twice over at length to slip as the other.
Lastly, Do so also for the year 1681, 1682, &c. and for the Kings Reign.
And at the bottom write the Explanation thus:
Explanation.
If the day of the Month begins on a Thursday, the next Thursday after is 8, the next is 15, the next 22, &c.
The Friday is the 2d day of the month, the next Friday is the ninth, &c.
Or you may place them according as [Page 95]the Months and days are in the Scripture, as the first Month (or March so called) second Month, &c and first day of the week, or Sunday so called.
Example.
How many miles nearer the Sun is Pensilvania, than Old England?
England about 50 d. N. Latitude.
Pensilvania 40 d. N. Latitude.
Difference 10 Degrees
An. 10 times 60, is 600 miles difference.
Vincent Wings Opinion concerning the Sun, Moon, and some Stars called Planets.
First, That the Sun is as fixed and the Stars called by him.
Secondly, That the Sun giveth both Light and Heat to all the Planetary Bodies encircling him.
Thirdly, That the Moon retains the Earth for her Center, and the Earth would seem like a Star at Saturn.
Fourthly, That the Sun and the fixed Stars shine with their own proper Light.
Fifthly, That the Earth is carried about the Sun, and the Moon about the Earth.
Sixthly, The thickness of the Earth is 6872 miles, its Compass 21600 miles the out side is 148450906 square miles, and the whole Earth is 510131305785 Cubical, or square miles like a Die.
Cut marks in a Staff, for 10 parts, and when the Sun shines set it upright on the Ground, and measure the Shadow into parts, and find them in the Table, and the Figure above it at the top of the Table, tells you the hour of the day.
Deafness.
THe most common cause of Deafness in the Ears, comes of stop-age of Wax and Dust in the Ears, that hardeneth against the Drum; therefore pick them not, but have them well washed with a Syringe (with warm Beer and Water) at going to bed, which I have proved, by helping above one hundred people, I do believe. It's good to drop into the Ear a night or two before [Page 102]they are cleansed, a little Oil of bitter Almonds, or the Fat of a silver Eel, so called, if these do not cure, try no further.
Urine, The signs thereof.
1. Red Urine signifieth heat of the Blood.
2. White, rawness and indigestion in the Stomach.
3. Thick, like puddle, excessive labour or sickness.
4. White or red gravel in the bottom threatens the Stone in the Reins.
5. Black or green, commonly death.
Scurvy, The signs thereof,
Is through a Melancholy humour; which makes the Gums swell and exulcerated, loosening also the sinews and Teeth, the mouth stinketh, the Thighs and Legs are often full of blew spots like bruises, the colour pale, the feet [Page 103]are swollen as in a Dropsie, and a pain in the soles of them,, and so will the fingers ends sometimes.
Dropsie, The signs thereof.
There are three sorts through the coldness of the Liver.
1. The watery Dropsie, the Body is full of phlegmy blood, or oak Water between the skin and the Flesh, and the Body doth suck it up as a Spunge sucks up Water; an ill colour of the face.
2. Is wind and water, lying between the Guts and the Stomach, the Body waxes lean.
3. If more wind than water, it's a Timpany.
A good Diet Drink for all that are inclining to the Scurvey, or Dropsie, or others, to be taken in the Spring and Fall.
Take Fumitory, green or dried, red [Page 104]Dock Roots, water Cresses, and common Scurvy grass, of each one handful, Fennel Seed one Ounce, and half a peck of Pippins sliced, boil all these half an hour in 10 Gallons of Water, strain it, and add to the Water of Horseradish one handful sliced and bruised; Liquorish one ounce, Rasons in the Sun half a pound, then boil them half an hour in the said water, and put in half a pound of Munks Rubarb sliced, Sea Scurvy grass half a Peck, Sena two ounces, and one pound of Sugar, and boil it a little, (the said water being the wort of one peck and an half of Malt) work it with yest as other drink, and drink every morning about half a pint.
A Drink that hath cured wounds and Sores, when many other Medicines could not.
Take Bugloss, Self heal, Yarrow, Sanicle, Ox Eye, the three sorts of [Page 105]Plantane, red Briar Leaves, mix the juice with white wine, and take five spoonfuls three times a day, and only wash the Sore with it, or get the vertue of the hearbs by boiling.
To provoke Urine.
Boil Twitch Grass Roots in skim'd Milk, and drink the Milk in the morning.
For a stuffing Cold and Coughs.
Take Hysop, Pennyroyal, Fennel, Parsley roots pithed, Elecompany, Liquorish, a Fig, some Rasons in the Sun, Rue, Rosemary, boil all these in Hony, take it often on the end of a Liquorish stick.
Convulsion and Mother-fits.
Take one quart of Spring water, and half a handful of Savin, and one handful [Page 106]of purple coloured Hartsease, bruised, steep them in the water two hours, strain it, and sweeten it with Hony, take every morning half a pint for a man or Woman; and every night take as much as will lie on a shilling of this powder, that is, single peony roots, and the best poudered Sugar.
Pain in the Side.
Anoint it well with Melilot Ointment or Salve, and lay on a Tobacco Leaf, and at night take one of Matthew's Pills, with the decoction of Field Thyme.
For a Cancer in a Womans Breast.
Take 4 ounces of Lapis Calaminaris, being red hot, quench it in one pint of White Wine; quench it so three times, then take two ounces of Lapis Tuty, and quench it twice in red Rose water, beat them small, and put them [Page 107]both in a glass to the Wine, when you use it, shake the bottle always, and wet double Cloaths therein twice or thrice in a day, and apply to the Breast.
Fundament sore or pained.
Anoint it with Oil of Roses,
Take no Purge or Aloes except Manna.
Keep the Body not bound, and eat much Bread and Butter.
If too loose, eat Cinnamon and Sugar.
Strain not too much, and when it bleeds it will be quickly well, use not many things.
Stomach, How to cleanse it from Choler without a Vomit, and the party have a looseness by reason thereof.
Take Five spoonful of the Sirup of Rubarb, dissolve it in a draught of new Whey, drink it, and two hours after dine with boiled meat, and drink [Page 108]posset Ale instead of Beer, in winter dissolve the Sirup in posset Ale.
Terms provoked.
About the full moon, take a draught of White wine, wherein a small handful of stinking Arach hath been boiled, and sweat upon it.
For the Stone.
Get into Bed and sweat, and every quarter of an hour take one spoonful of the Sirup of Cammamile, for an hour and an halfs time.
For Madness.
Hold the Party under Water, a litle and often, and after give them of the sneezing powder.
Take white Wine and Vineger one quart, house Snails one pint or more, boil them together until half the Vinegar be wasted, strain it, then add of Neats foot Oil (but Badger's grease is better) one quarter of a pint, and boil it a little, and anoint the place often, and wear a Flannel upon the place till well.
Whitloe, before it break to put it back.
Wrap Sorrel in brown paper, and rost it in Embers, lay it on hot.
Sore Throat.
Take sometimes the Sirup of Orpin, or the powder mixt with Hony.
Take Cammamile, Smallage, and Mallows, boil them in milk and Water to a pultice, add a little Hogs Lard, lay it on warm twice in a day.
For the Blood Flux.
Take red Oak bark beaten small, a quarter of a pound, and of Cinnamon one ounce, and a few Cloves, mix them together, and put about one ounce into a Pancake and fry it; it's best eaten with Oil.
Forehead pained.
Boil Cammamile and Penyroyal in water till it's tender, lay it on at night.
Juices of any hearb; How to preserve it all the year.
Gather them dry, and before they [Page 111]flower stamp them in a wooden Mortar and take the Juice, and on a gentle fire take off the skum; you may keep it in a Glass by putting some sweet Oil on it, or you may keep it another way by boiling the juice till it will be the thickness of Hony being cold.
Sirups; How to make and keep them.
Sirups made of Flowers, is made by the often steeping of Flowers in water, covered by the Fire, the water being boiled before, by itself, when it is strong enough of the Flowers strain it, and to every pint add two pound of Sugar, set it over the Fire but not boil it, and scum it well; and to make the Sirup of any hearbs, you must boil out their vertue in water, and let it run of itself through a woollen cloath, with the weight in Sugar, boil it to a Sirup, Scum it often, cover the Bottles only with paper, both Sirups and distilled Waters.
A Sneezing Pouder, good for the vertigo or madness.
Take Marjorane Sage and Rosemary in pouder, of each half a Dragm, Pellitory of Spain, and white Hellebore, of each one scruple, Musk, Grains 3.
Rot in Sheep, for 100 of them.
Take Grains and Coriander seed of each one ounce, Long peper half an ounce, Box leaves and Rue, of each one handful, Savin, half a handful, boil these in Ale, and give to every Sheep three spoonfuls blood warm, keep the Sheep fasting the night before and 3 hours after they be drenched, if any of the Ews be with young, leave out the Savin, and put in Crumbs of Rye Bread as much as an Egg, the best oil one pint, put in when it's from the fire, stir it well when you use it, give them Hey often.
The names of the Medicines that purges, Choler, Phlegm, watry and Melancholy humours severally.
Choler purged gently, by Wormwood, Century, Aloes, Hops, Mercury, Mallows, Peach leaves and Flowers, Damask Roses, blew violets, Cassia fistula, Citron, Mirobalans, Prunes, Tamarinds, Rubarb, with red Dock roots, Rhapontick, Manna.
Purges Plegm gently, by Hysop, Hedge Hysop, Bastard Saffron Broom flowers, Elder flowers, Myrobalans, Bellerick, Chebs and Emblicks, the seed of Bastard Saffron and Broom, Jallap and Mechoacan.
Purges watry humours gently, are the Leaves, Bark and Roots of Elder, and Dwarf Elder or Walwort, Elder flowers, Broom flowers, Agrick, Jallap, Mechoacan, Orris, or Flower-de-luce Roots,
1. If the humours be to be drawn from remote parts of the Body, as the Head, Arms, Feet, or the like, let the Purges be made up in a hard form, as Pills are; for by that means it stays the longer in the Body, and is in all reason therefore the better able to perform its Office.
2. If the afflicting humour lie in the Bowels, or near to those parts, use liquid Medicines, for they operate speediest, and the Bowels are soon hurt by purging Medicines; if the matter be tough and of long continuance, it is impossible to carry it away all at once; therefore take gentle Purges, and take them often; for strong Purges weaken Nature.
A good Purge.
Take Rubarb and Senna, of each ʒi, [Page 116]Jallap ℈i, Cream of Tartar and Anaseed of each 16 grains, Ginger 10 Grains, all in pouder, let them steep in a draught of white Wine or water all night, in the morning drink the Liquor, and keep house, and take posset drink as in other Purges; it is very safe for many distempers, (taken as often as need shall require) this quantity is enough for a man or Woman.
Observations Monthly for a Countryman.
January. Breed Calves, remove Bees, 30. prune the Vine, dung Pastures, and prune Fruit-Trees.
February. Dress Bees stools; lay fresh Earth to the Roots of Fruit-Trees, 14. sow Carrot seed, 28 graft, set quicksets, sow Pease and Oats.
[Page 117]March. Set Turneps, Beans and Pease, lay good Earth in Gardens, scour Ditches, sow Barly, graft, slip Gilly flowers, and Garden seeds.
April. Purge, lop Ashes, set Willows being cut and set in Water 6 weeks before, kill Moulds.
May. 1. Set Kidney Beans, and sow Purslane, kill Caterpillars, kill Weeds.
June. Set Garden Beans again, 30. clip the Vine branches and Leaves, that the Grapes may be seen, set Rosemary, cut worm-eaten Bark from Fruit-Trees.
July. Cut off suckers and needless buds from Fruit-Trees, 20. mow Meadows 24. inoculate the Apricock, drive Bees, 1.
August. Sow Turnep seed all the last Month, 16. take up Bees, and leave the other [Page 118]but a little Door, 10. sow Cabish seed.
September. 20. Gather Carrots, sow Wheat and Rye, remove young Trees, and Rose bushes, purge.
October. 1. Gather Apples, and make Cyder, take Earth from the Roots of Fruit-Trees, cut Hedges.
November. Cut Timber, mose the Fruit-Trees, (buy Wheat,) and prune the Trees by cutting off whole Arms.
December. To keep Hares from Barking of young Trees, anoint them with Hog's dung, Soot and Blood, 30. prune the Vines, and nail it close.
Hearbs may be planted any time in Summer, if it be a rainy time.
The Muscles of a mans Eye are six, which gives the motion with the Optick Nerves ascending to the brain.
In the Eye there are three humours, as 1. Watry, 2. Glassy, 3. Christalline.
First, The Christalline humour is the sight, in the middle of a pretty hard substance.
Second, The Glassy humour is seen behind, like melten Glass, softer than the Chrystalline, and is five times bigger, and twice as big as the Watry humour, it nourisheth the Christalline.
Third, The Watry humour is behind the last, and thin; for it is sometimes consumed in Diseases, and lost with wounds in the Eye. The Christalline is nourished of the most lightful part of Seed.
For a white Web put in Salt, for a Horse put to it Turmerack, and make it like Salve, with butter, and put in a Pill twice a day into the end of his Eye, or when his Eyes are thick with humours.
For the Pearl or Web in the Eye.
Take the juice or the distilled water of the hearbs, Mouse-ear and half Moon Grass, it may be made milder with Eye bright water or Sugar, drop into the Eye a little twice a day, for two Months if need be.
Another.
Take the Juice of Celandine, Ground Ivy, and field Dasy, or let these be distilled in May, &c.
After the smart is over, the Eye being drest with Pouders, wash them with Eye bright water mixt with snow water.
But if you cannot get these waters, then boil the juice of Houseleek in an Egg shell with the white.
Eyes that are clogged with humours or filthy flesh.
Put into them three Lice, and lay on a Plaister of the white of an Egg, beaten with Honey, upon Flax, all night.
Or every night put in a Seed or two of wild Clary, and lay to the wrests Plaisters of Burgundy Pitch, and also to back of the Neck and Temple patches of the same, and read in no book quickly after Meat; Sunshine, the heat of Fire or smoak not good for weak Eyes, except the Smoak of Tobacco.
Boil Hysop and Wormwood together, and lay it on, or bruise them together.
Eye-Salve, or Ointment of Tutty.
It cools and dries up salt and hot humours, that flow into the Eys from the heat of the brain, the Eye lids only being anointed at nights.
Is thus made.
Take Tutty prepared 2 ounces, Lapis Calaminaris 1 ounce, being in fine powder, make it up with 1 pound and an half of the Ointment of Roses.
Now to prepare the Lapis Calaminaris, quench it six times in Plantane or Rose water, with this water wash the Tutty, and let the Durt run through a Cloath, and make each into Balls for use.
And to make the Ointment of Roses, take fresh Hogs Grease cleansed one l. fresh red Roses Buds half a pound, juice of the same three-ounces, on a gentle fire make it into an Ointment.
If Dimness of Sight come from the brain,
Take a spoonful of blew Sows, called Wood-lice, wash them and stamp them, and let them lie all night in Ale, strain it, and drink the Ale in the morning, take the same quantity till thou art well.
Physick for the Poor.
Or an universal Medicine to be taken about the quantity of a Pease in a Pill or Powder, drinking a draught of strong drink after it at going to Bed, for one man or Woman, but less for Children. It purges by Sweat and Urine, [Page 125]causes ease in sleep and sickness; it cures Agues, by getting into a sweat by one of them half an hour before the fit is expected to come. I need not write but little of it's Commendation, it being so well known by the name of Matthews his Pill, which, if rightly prepared, is an excellent thing. I had it from one of my Uncles who was a Chymist, who said he had it of a Servant of the said Matthews, and therefore I commend it to all who are able, and well inclined, to do their poor Neighbours good when in sickness, and may dwell far from an honest Physician.
Take of the best white Tartar (or Lees of Wine) and Salt-Peter, of each one pound, make them together into fine pouder, and put them in a well glassed pot, that's upon hot Coals, stir them in the pot with a red hot Iron, until they have done flaming, let it cool by degrees, and take it out and beat it [Page 126]into fine pouder, and put it into a wide mouth Glass, with one pint of the best oil of Turpentine, stir it in the Glass once or twice a day pretty much, for two or three weeks, the longer the better, and set it in a Seller, to moisten the Pill when need is.
Then take of Corn poppy heads before they open, (but white Garden Poppy is the best) a good quantity, beat them, and strain the juice into a well glassed Platter, and let it stand in the Sun till it is as hard as wax. Take of this, and Juniper berries, and Liquorish, of each one ounce, and black Hellebore and Saffron a quarter of an ounce, (but instead of Poppy juice, you may take as much Opium) make these into as fine pouder as you can, and in a Mortar, with the aforesaid mixture, work them like Dough for Bread, then knead it hard into a wide mouth Glass and cover it with a Bladder, and it will keep many years.
Here may be Doses for about one thousand times, for little more than two shillings charge, which an able and charitable Neighbour will not grudge to have in store at all times for themselves and the Poor near them.
But if you are willing to make it of very great vertue, then add to it of the best Chymical oil of Juniper Berries, and of Sulphur, of Antimony, of each one ounce, which may cost, if rightly prepared, about ten shillings.
I have made this Pill about twenty years.
Put a little of this Pill into an aching Tooth.
A Purge for a Country-man,
Take Grunsel, Mallow, the hearb Mercury, Endive and Succory, and Red dock Roots, of each about a quarter of a handful, Fennel seed a little spoonful, and a little Ginger, boil them in almost a quart of water to a little less [Page 128]than a pint, strain it, and sweeten the Liquor, and drink it fasting, and now and then drink Posset drink.
For Childrens sore Feet, that the skin is off with Chilblains.
If the Feet itch much with Chills and is hot; the best is to hold them to a Fire, very hot, a quarter of an hour at a time, which allays the itching, and keeps them from breaking; but if they are broke, and be as sore as can be, one Plaister of Burgundy Pitch cureth, if it do but stick, and it is very safe, lay it on in the morning.
A Balsom to cure Burnings and Scaldings, Head-ach, the Temples and Nostrils anointed, biting of a mad Dog; use nothing else in Wounds, Stitches and Pains in the Sides being rubb'd in and apply a Tobacco Leaf; for inward bruises, or Ulcers in the Bladder or Kidneys, taken like Pills night and morning, &c.
Take Venice Turpentine washed in Rose water, one pound, oil Olive three pound, yellow Wax one pound, then cut the wax, and melt it on the Fire, and put in the Turpentine, Oil, and six spoonfuls of Sack, stir them till they begin to boil, and take it off the Fire, and when it is cold, melt it again (the Sack being from it) and put to it one ounce of Natural Balsom, price four or five shillings, Oil of St. John's wort, and red Sanders in fine pouder, of each one ounce, give it a boil, and take it from the Fire, and stir it till its cold almost.
Note, that the hotter you make this Balsom, when you apply it to wounds, Burns, Inflamations, Ulcers, or Fistula's, the better it is.
Anoint with Linseed Oil, ground with white Lead, or Cerus, which is also good for the chops and sores on Cows Teets, or others.
Bleeding at the Nose, &c.
Let the party sit upright, and stuff into the Nose Rabbets wool, which hath been rouled in fine Bole-armony and Dragons Blood, and sprinkle cold water in his Face, and a cloth wet in Vinegar to the Forehead. Bleeding at the Nose in the beginning of a Disease is a bad sign.
20. Use no Venery when stomach full, or Body dry, or aged, or big with— or when sleep doth not immediately follow.
Signs of Complexion or Constitution.
Sanguine, heat and moisture Overcome.
Cholerick, heat and driness Overcome.
Phlegmatick, cold & moisture Overcome.
Melancholy, cold & driness Overcome.
If none of these four overcome, then the Body is in health.
Philosopher's Stone, so called, something thereof.
Hermes, Plato, Aristotle, and other Philosophers, in former times, flourishing [Page 133]the original Spring of Sciences, and the Inventors of Liberal Arts (so called) earnestly approving the vertues of things under the Heavens, did enquire with great desire, if any thing was amongst the Creatures, that might save Man's Body from all Corruption, and preserve it alive for ever.
In which search (in vain) they wearied themselves, (by seeking that in the Creature which is only in the Creator) calling it a Stone, or Medicine extracted, or to be by them created out of Elementary things, that shall have power of itself, to change melted Lead into fine Gold, and also to cure all diseases in Man or Woman; and having not found such a thing, yet have found many Secrets of Alchymy, as the Oils and Salts of Animals, Vegetables and Minerals, &c. But their pretending to transmute or change the filing of Tin, which they call Jupiter, into Silver, called Luna, and part of Coper called Venus, into Gold, called by them Sol,[Page 134]put in Lime 24 hours in a flame, which only makes them the more malleable or harder, though there is some Gold and Silver both in Tin and Lead, of which some, it's to be feared, makes course Silver of; and having not found such a thing (as I said before) and being ashamed in themselves, (having spent so many years in toiling, cost, and study in seeking) will not say they cannot, or have not found it; but have still led others in the dark to search by their writings, as if they had known, or did possess such a Stone, or secret, and that it would lose its vertue, if they make it known to others. For
Saith Morien, Who hath it (that is this Stone) possesseth all things, and shall need the help of no body in any thing, because in it is all temporal Felicity, corporal Health, and earthly prosperity. And further the Philosophers saith, that by this Stone or Spirit Moses made the Vessels of the Temple, and the Tabernacle; Noah built [Page 135]the Ark; Esdras recovered the Law; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob obtained length of days and abundance of Riches, &c.
This many do seek, (say they) but few do find it; for the defiled with vices or polluted are unworthy to know such things: Therefore it is not shewn but to the devout, because it is incomparable to all prices, &c.
O how the Gentiles hearts have been darkned, and become vain in their imaginations! Rom. 1.21. (as at this day) to think to find that healing vertue in the Life or vertue of earthly things; that's only in God's Spirit, Mal. 4.2. Jer. 30.17.
For, saith the Lord, if thou wilt diligently hearken, O Israel, unto the voice of the Lord thy God, &c. Then will I put none of these diseases upon thee, which I brought upon the Egyptians, &c. (notwithstanding the Astrologers say, that the Planets cause Diseases either by Sympathy or Antipathy, as Mars causeth [Page 136]diseases in the head, &c. Venus deforms the Beauty of the Face by Antipathy to Mars, &c. Isa. 3.24.) Both Riches and Honour come of the Lord. 1 Chron. 29. Psal. 103.3.
For by Faith Noah being warned of God.— prepared the Ark, by Faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come, Heb. 11. Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving, is nothing pure. Tit. 1.15.
So that it was by Faith in God, that Noah, Moses, Isaac, and Jacob, and all other the Righteous walked, (but not by Philosophy, or Astrology, or any other created thing;) not like the Gentiles and Astrologers, who are become vain in their Imaginations, Rom. 1.21. and Observers of times, for which Sin the Lord drove out the Canaanites out of their Land. Deut. 18.12, 14. Lev. 19.26.
Therefore what man of sense will believe, that all the Art of earthly men, [Page 137]can procure one thing out of earthly things, that may be but as the quantity of a pease, that shall have power (being put into a pound or two of melted Lead) to change it into most fine Gold, or that this one thing shall have also power, as an outward Medicine, to cure all diseases in the Bodies of the wicked, that they may get strength to be wicked still.
But most happy is he, that above all searching, he seeketh after, and waiteth upon God, that he may give unto him that white Stone, and in it a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth, Rev. 2.17. Now before I conclude, I shall recite some of the words of two of these Philosophical Writers, as Geber and Villa Nova.
Saith Geber, For wheresoever we have spoken plainly, there we have said nothing, but where under Riddles and Figures we have put something, there we have hid the Truth.
Villa Nova saith, The Alchymists of [Page 138]latter time, are for the most part mockers, and whiles by Sophistications, they seek rather to seem wise than to be, they deceive the yielders to them; but the ancients not profiting according to their own Covetousness, have wrapped up this Art in Riddles, shewing rather their own Ignorance than Science, &c.
Eph. 5.11. And have no fellowship (saith the Apostle) with the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather reprove them, Eph. 4.17, 18.
Yet the word Philosophy has signified a love to Wisdom, and the way to holy Living, and not vain and impracticable things. See Pythagoras his works; and the Speech of Palamedes at his Execution, manifesteth, that some of them sought after Righteousness: For, saith he, I never hurt or injured any, but on the contrary, have advantaged all that conversed with me, to my utmost ability, communicating what good I could gratis, and not for gain.
O that all, called Christians, was but [Page 139]come so far into a righteous Life, as this Palamedes! (who was called a Heathen, as his Speech declareth,) then would England be happy, and all other Nations.
Note, that if William Lilly, and the rest of the Astrologers, do not study to be acquainted with the seven Planetary Angels of the Magicians, why did he write thus? viz. For though Philosophy and Philosophers teach us, that Comets have a matter, or Ethereal Substance, of which they are created, yet those learned men, wanting Angelical conversation, are deceived.
Above all things (saith he) let the Artist rather judge by the strength of his reason, guided by Art, upon the Configurations of the Planets, than by ill digested Aphorisms, &c.
Nor are the secundian Intelligences, viz. what Angel then governs, to be omitted in Consideration for the judging of future Events, &c.
There is in the Art of Astrology, [Page 140]saith [...]e, (which some ignorant persons are pleased to villifie.) Arcanum quoddam equivalent, To prophesie, &c.
Woe to the rebellious Children, saith the Lord, that take Counsel, but not of me, and that cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin, Isa. 30.1.9.6. Josh. 9.14.
But the most sure word of Prophecy is by Astrologers neglected. 2 Pet. 1.19.
Many also of them which used curious Arts, brought their Books together, and burned them before all men; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of Silver; so mightily grew the World of God, and prevailed, Act. 19.19.20.
A Rule for a Baker.
When the Bushel of Wheat is worth 3 s 4. the peny wheaten Loaf weighing 20 ounces, what shall the peny Loaf weigh when Wheat is 5 s. the Bushel.
A Comma is the most frequent point, and of least force, it is to be set when the least stop of the voice is; as, But when the Husbandmen saw the Son, they said among themselves, this is the Heir, come, let us kill him, &c.
When there is a stop somewhat bigger, set (;) or (:) as, They that would destroy me, being mine Enemies wrongfully, are mighty: Then I restored, &c.
When the sense, and sentence is perfected and full, then write (.) as, Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks. Quench not the Spirit.
After a Question asked, set this (?) as, Whose Ass have I taken? Whom have I defrauded?
After a wondring, admiring, or crying out, set this point (!) as, O wretched man that I am! O death where is thy sting!
When you must divide a word at the end of a Line, and with a part of it begin the next Line; then at the end of the Line, where the first part of it is, you are to set down this point (-) or when (by way of Elegancy) two or more words are put in one, as, Self-love.
A Perenthesis is (.) when some words may be left out, and yet the sentence perfect, as, I know that in me, (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing.
Of the Globe of the Earth, the Pole-Stars, and some hints of Dialling.
THe Globe of the Earth on which we dwell, is supposed to be 2 third parts water or Sea, and the other third part Land, and two third part inhabited.
Seeing the Earth and Water is co [...] pared to a Globe, or as a round Ball, being in the Air by the wonderful work of God.
That it so remaineth, held up by Gods hand, only appeareth by what follows, that is to say.
There is two fixed Stars, called the two Poles of the World; the North Pole, and the South Pole, opposite one to the other, the Earth being in the middle, or betwixt them, and a Line supposed to be held from the one to the other Star▪
The Sun, Moon and Stars moves round them, and the Earth continually. The Sun giving Light to one place of the Earth at all timesThe People in New England, and New Jersey are rising out of Bed when we in England are at Dinner; so that we differ six hours in time, the Sun making the day, &c. for mans outward sight to guide him in outward things, and to refresh the Earth, (as the Son of Righteousness, Christ Jesus, causeth his Spiritual Light to shine in the hearts of all men, to light them out of Darkness or Sin, Joh. 1.9. Luk. 1.78.)
So that all earthly things presseth to this Earth upon every part thereof to the middle or Center, from whence they sprung.
Now to make it more plainly to appear.
Suppose, I draw a crooked line to represent some part of the Earth upon which we dwell, in England, and extend a doted Line to see which of the [Page 146]two Stars or Poles is above our dwelling, or Horizon, so called.
[figure]
Now he that travels 60 miles Northwards, the North Star will be a degree higher; or Southwards the contrary; but altereth not to go Eastward, or Westward directly; (and 360 of these degrees is round the Earth, or Globe, as is supposed.)
This North Pole is elevated above our dwelling about 52 degrees 30 Minutes.
Therefore a man may travel until the South Pole seem to be over his head.
So being these two Stars are as fixed, they are of great help to those that go over the Sea; together with the help of a needle, placed in the Sea-man's Compass, which needle turning upon a point, will not be still, until it points at one end to the Iron-Mines in the North, because of its being touched by a Load-stone, that draws always towards the North, and the place to which they are travelling to, if it bears South, or S.S.W. the Compass will shew.
The height of the Pole in degrees and Minutes are taken by a Quadrant like this Figure following, on which, Lines may be drawn to find the hour of the day.
I have only placed the 12 hours' and by this Table following you may place the rest.
A Table for the Latitude of 52 Degrees for the Quadrant.
Hours.
D.
M.
D.
M.
12
60
0
38
30
11
1
59
43
36
38
10
2
53
45
31
37
9
3
45
42
26
7
8
4
36
41
18
8
7
5
27
17
9
17
0
6
18
11
5
7
9
32
4
8
1
32
Place the hour Lines by the Degrees on the Edge of the Quadrant, and to find the hour of the day, place a Bead upon the string, and on the Edge of the Quadrant is set M for March, next [Page 150]A for April, betwixt these two or any two Months, that the time is when you would know the hour of the day, as suppose it is the 15th of March, set the Head at the 25th, because the Month you must suppose to begin on the 10th of each Month, then let the Sun shine through the sights, and the Bead will shew the hour of the day.
In Sun Dials, the Stile, or straight wire, that shaddows every hour Line, should point directly to each of these two Stars (like as the doted Line) which if you can so place upon any flat or upright thing, you may with ease draw the hour Lines by the shadow thereof at length, by another Sun Dial rightly placed, when the Sun shines at any time of the year, or by a Clock, if it goes right that day as you draw the Lines; Or do thus, to place a Stile upon and upright Wall, that is Southward.
Just at 12 a Clock, set one end of a stick against a Wall, and at the other end let a Line and 2 Plummet hang, till the shadow of the stick and string hang in a straight Line upon the Wall, (being held square wise) mark both ends of the shadow, upon which place your stile, that the distant of the lower end, from the Wall, may be 37 Degrees, 3 Minutes, and draw the hour Lines as before, and when the days are at the longest, you may add more hour Lines; set the stile square wise from the Wall.
stile
The 37 Degrees, 30 Minutes must be taken from the Quadrant, for the height of the Stile, and ready to fasten [Page 152]upon the Shadow; if this stile is placed upon a Board, fastened to the South Wall, it will serve for a Northern Dial on the other side of the Wall, turning the Stile upside down, and draw the hour Lines as before.
And Direct East or West Dials.
You may place the stile as before, by setting a Board Southward by a Wall, to find the place by a stick and Plummet, and take it away, as soon as you have fastened the Stile, from the Dial.
[stile.]
In making of Post Dials, you are to take 52 Degrees, 30 Minutes, the rest, or other part of the Quadrunt, for the height of the stile, being about the [Page 153]Latitude of Bedford-shire, to stand thus:
stile
Set the stile upright, and exactly North and South at 12 a Clock, and draw the hour Lines as before.
But being that there are so many Books already printed concerning Dialling, I shall forbear (at this time) to write any further thereof, that this Book also may not be too big.
The 32 Winds, or Seaman's Compass, which are placed round a Circle, (which they learn by heart) in this I have only placed the 4 Winds.
Divide the present year by 4, what remains, shall be for Leap-year, o; for past, 1, 2, or 3.
Example. [...]
One remain, it's first after Leap-year.
To rate Town Taxes
Suppose A. hath an Estate worth 35 pounds a year, payeth 5 s. 10 d. to a Subsidy or Tax, what shall B. pay, whose Estate is worth 100 pounds per Annum?
Suppose a Tax or rate of 39 l. is laid upon a Town for certain uses, whose value of the Town Rent is 900 l.per Annum, I demand every mans proportion of what he shall pay according to his Rent.
If one man in the said Town be worth 100 l.per Annum, what shall he pay to the said Rate?
To measure Timber of three equal sides, being at the end like this Figure following.
And one side is 16 Inches, and the doted Line, or perpendicular ten Inches.
Multiply half the doted Line, 5, into the base or one side, and that product by 62, if it be the length in Inches, and the last product divide by 1728, the Inches in one foot, as in round and square Timber measure, and the Quotient shews the number of Feet.
To measure Timber, having 5, 6, or 7 equal sides.
Multiply half the Compass by half [Page 161]the thickness, and that product by the Length in Inches, and work as before.
To measure a Cone or Spire Steeple.
Multiply half the Compass at the bottom thereof, by half the thickness, and that Product by the third part of the length, shews the Content in Inches, the which divide by 1728, as before.
To measure part of a Circle.
[semicircle]
First, To find the half of the arch Line A B C, divide the Line A C into [Page 162]four equal parts, and set three of the parts from Z to K, and draw the doted Line K Z, which suppose to be 18, and the whole 36.
Secondly, Multiply the half of the arch Line 18 by 14 the doted Line A to X, the Center as if it had been half a Circle, and it gives 252 Inches.
How to find a true square.
Draw a Line at Pleasure, and divide it in the middle, and set one Foot of the Compasses at one end, and make a mark and cross it, at the other end, and from the cross draw a Line to the middle of the first Line.
Draw a Line at pleasure as A B from the point A, let it be required to make an Angle of 40 Degrees, 20 Minutes.
First, Extend the Compasses upon the Line of Chords, from the beginning thereof to 60 Degrees always, and with that extent set one foot upon the point A, and with the other describe the doted Line D C, then with the Compasses take 40 Degrees, 20 Minutes, which is the quantity of the desired Angle.
To take the plot of a Close by the Line of equal parts.
Measure the length of one hedge in Chains and Links or Poles, and the tenth part of a Pole, and for every pole take one part from the Line and the tenth part, and draw the length on Paper; do so with the next hedge, and to know how to set these two hedges in their right place, make an Angle like [Page 167]the Figure following, do so with the other part of the Close.
Measure this to find the Angle.
Two places only differing in Latitutde, to find their distance.
First, If the two places do differ only in Latitude, and lye both of them on one side of the Equinoctial (in which the Sun is in, when the days and nights are equal) you must substract the lesser Latitude from the greater, and the remainder is the distance required. Or,
Secondly, But if the two places propounded, lie the one on the Northside the Equinoctial, and the other on the [Page 168]Southside, then you are to add the two Latitudes together, and the Sum will give their distance in Degrees and Minutes, the which reduce into Miles, allowing 60 Minutes for 60 Miles.
The Latitude of places is known by a Table in some Almanacks.
Of Reduction.
l. multiplied by 20 are s.
s. multiplied by 12 are d.
d. multiplied by 4 are q.
Of Division.
q. divided by 4 are d.
d. divided by 12 are s.
s. divided by 20 are l.
Example.
In 896 l. how many shillings, pence and farthings.
To divide 576 pounds amongst 4 men, set it in this manner.
[...]
BEgin thus, saying, how many times 4 can I have in 5. one time, (but if I could not have taken 5 or the figure in that place out of the figure above, then it should be set a place further, as under the 7) then set one in the Quotient or crooked line, and say 1 time 4 is 4, take 4 from 5 and there rests 1, set one over the 5, and cancel the 4 and the 5, and the work stands thus.
Now the divisor 4 must be removed a place further, that is under the 7; then say, how many times 4 can I have in 17, the figures above 4. I can have 4 times, then set 4 in the Quotient, and say, 4 times 4 is 16, take 16 from 17 and there rests 1, set the one over the 17, and cancel the 17, and the work stands thus: [...]
Lastly, there is one place more to set your Divisor, 4, that is under 6, saying, how many times 4 can I have in 16? just 4 times, set 4 in the Quotient, and say 4 times 4 is 16, take 16 from 16, and there remains nothing, and the work is done, and stands thus.
By this Rule you may divide any number by one Figure; but to divide by 2, 3 or 4 Figures is harder.
I will give you one example, by which the ingenious may (by the practice of the Pen) find out the rest.
Example.
Divide 288 l. amongst 16 men, set it down thus.
[...]
Saying, how many times 1 in two? (once) If I say twice, then I cannot take twice 6 out of 8; then set one in the Quotient, and say 1 time 1 is 1, take 1 from 2 and there rests 1; set 1 over the 2, and cancel the 2: then one time 6 is 6, take 6 from 8 and there remains 2; set 2 over the 8, and cancel the 8, and 1, and 6, and the work will stand thus.
Then remove the divisor 16, and say, how many times 1 in 12? I say, 8 times, (but if I had said 9 times, I could not have taken 9 times 6 out of 38) therefore set 8 in the Quotient saying, 8 times 1 is 8, take 8 from 12 and there rests 4, set 4 over the 12, and cancel the 12.
Lastly say 8 times 6 is 48, take 48 from 48 and there remains none, or 8 from 8 and 4 from 4, and the work is done, and stands thus: [...]
Note, that whereas you were to take [Page 175]48 out of the Figures above; suppose you had been to have taken 48 out of 56 above, you might borrow 10 to put to the 6, as in Substraction, paying it as one in the next figure or figures to the Left hand, as thus:
from
56
take
48
rests
08
To prove a Division Sum.
Multiply the Quotient by the Divisor, and the Product is the same with the dividend, (if it be right) adding thereto the remainder, if any be.
Cut off so many Figures from the Right hand of your dividend, as there are Ciphers in your Divisor, and the figures remaining towards the Left hand in your dividend, is your Quotient.
How to measure a Wood by the help of a Quadrant, and measuring only round the same.
FIrst, set up marks at each corner of the Wood, that three Marks may be seen at once; then at one of these corners place a Stool, and lay the Quadrant flat thereon, and take sight to two of the marks on each side, and mark upon Paper the Degrees of the Angle, and measure to the said two marks in sight, and lay them on the same Paper by the Line of equal part [Page 178]in this Book, do so at all the other corners, till thou hast closed up the Plot, or Wood, the which you may with ease measure into Acres by the same Line of equal parts upon your Paper.
Example.
[...]
Note, that if your Quadrant be too little, join 2 Quadrants together, or do it by a board, &c. for want of a plain Table.
So your plot upon the paper makes 3 Triangles, and to measure one of them, multiply for one Triangle the longest doted Line, by half the middle doted line, or perpendicular gives the content; work so the other two Triangles, and add them together, and the work is done.
Of Longitude and Latitude.
1. THE Longitude of a place is the distance thereof, from the Fortunate Islands beyond Portugal, which is called the Primary Meridian, from whence the Longitude of all places upon the Earth, are numbred in the Equinoctial toward the East.
2. The Equinoctial Circle is the middle distance between the two Poles, in which the Sun is in about the 10th day of March, and the 10th day of September, making the days and nights of equal length all over the world.
3. The Latitude of a place is the distance thereof from the Equinoctial Circle, which is numbred in the Meridian towards one of the Poles, or the height of the Pole above our Horizon or Dwelling.
A Table of the Longitude and Latitude of some of the chief Cities and Towns in the World.
To know whether water may be conveyed by a Pipe, laid under the Earth, from a Pond or Fountain to your dwelling.
TAke a Staff or Pole, long enough, and set it upright in the water of the Pond, and mark how many foot is above water; then set another Pole of the same length at the place where you would have the Water conveyed, and at the top of your first Staff or Pole, place the left Edge of a Quadrant, and through the sights spie the top of the other Pole, and if the Plummet cut any Degrees, the Water cannot be conveyed so as to run of it self through a Pipe.
Having the length of a Close, to find the breadth of an Acre.
Suppose the length of a Close be 50 Pole, divide 160 by 50.
[...]
Another way to measure Land, Paving, Hangings, Seeling, Tiling, &c. by Multiplication, the Pole yard Ell, &c. that you measure with, being first divided into 100 parts. Example.
If a piece of Land be 20 Poles, and [Page 187]25 parts, or a quarter of a Pole both ways, or length and breadth, multiply them as whole numbers thus: [...]
Always cut off from the Product 4 figures next the right hand, and it is parts of a Pole, and them toward the [...]eft are Poles.
Suppose the length of a Close or furlong be 50 Poles, how many Poles and Feet of 16 ½ Feet to the Pole, is the breadth of an Acre.
Look for 50 in the first Column and against it is 3 Pole, 3 Feet, and a small matter more to make an Acre: This Table is almost exact, but to do it by Arithmetick is more exact.
Note that in one Acre is 160 square Poles.
A square Pole is 16 ½ foot both ways or 272 square feet is in a Pole.
An useful Table for a Shop-keeper to have by heart.
d.
s.
d.
20
is
1
8
30
2
6
40
3
4
50
4
2
60
5
0
70
5
10
80
6
8
90
7
6
100
8
4
110
9
2
120
10
0
IN Arithmetick the four first and chief Rules are called, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division.
First, Addition is the adding of two [Page 192]figures, or other numbers together, as 7 and 8 is 15, &c.
Example.
Suppose I have
Apple-Trees
136
Pear-Trees
076
Cherry-Trees
107
Plumb-Trees
036
In all
355
To sum it up, begin at the lowest figure 6, saying, 6 and 7 is 13, and 6 is 19, and 6 makes 25, set down 5 at the bottom, and carry the 20 as 2; saying 2 as I carry and 3 is 5, and 7 is 12, and 3 is 15, set down the odd 5, and carry the 10 (as before) saying 1 and 1 is 2, and 1 is 3, set it down, so the total Sum is 355.
FIrst, it is figured thus, as 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 to the middle, then 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 at the end.
To find 15 on the Line.
For 1 take the Figure 1, for 5 take 5 of the large Divisions, and that's the point.
To find 134 on the Line.
For the figure 1, take the figure 1 on the Line, for 3 take 3 of the great Divisions, and for 4 take 4 of the smallest Divisions.
Note, that the Figures 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 sometimes signifie themselves [Page 196]alone, sometimes 10 20 30, &c. sometimes 100 200 300 1000, &c.
Multiplication by the Line.
Multiply 5 by 7.
Set one foot of the Compasses in 1, and extend the oth [...]r to 5 upwards, with that extent place one foot in 7, and the other foot will fall upon 35, the Product or Answer.
Division by the Line.
Divide 35 by 7, the proof of the last Question, therefore work backwards, thus:
As 7 is to 1, so is 35 to 5, the Quotient or Answer.
In 798 l. how many Scotish Marks, of thirteen pence half penny the piece.
Reduce the 798 l. into half pence, and the Product divide by 27 (the number of half pence in 13 ½ d.) and the Quotient gives the Answer.
So may you reduce several other Coins, from one to another.
Note that by the same Rule you may also reduce several sort of weights, or Measures, one into another, by reducing your Question into pounds or ounces, &c. or your Measures into feet, inches, or Barley corns, &c. or into pints, &c. and divide the Product by the number of Ounces, or Inches, or Pints, or Els, &c. that is in the measures that you would reduce it into, [Page 199](the dividend and the divisor being both of one denomination) and the Quotient will shew the Answer.
Therefore to gain skill, be often trying with a Pen, which helps more than much reading, and comparing one Rule to another, to see how they agree, or differ, by the well perusing of the Table at the end of this Book, &c.
How to draw out upon Paper any great Letter, or other thing that's written or printed upon Paper.
FIrst, Take a Board of about one foot square, or more, set it sloping like a Desk, that the Light may come under it, in the middle thereof make a hole of what bigness you please, and place a piece of Glass therein to lie even with the Board, starch the edge with Paper, and it is ready for use.
Secondly, take your Copy and lay it on the Glass, and upon that a piece of Paper, and pin them together at the corners, and then with a Pen you may draw the Letter, &c. And so by use you may come to draw without a Glass.
Thirdly, if you desire to draw a great Letter or other thing, greater or less than the Copy, draw cross Lines with black Lead of an equal distance upon the Letter or Copy, (which you may rub out again with the crumbs of white Bread,) like unto a harrow.
Then draw upon your Paper as many cross Lines, at equal Distance, according as you would have your Letter in bigness, observing that you draw the parts of the Letter C in each square that answereth them in your Paper.
Extend from 12 the Center, to 9 the breadth downwards, that extent will reach from 15 the Length downwards, to 11 Foot the Answer.
How to find the true square of a round Timber Stick.
Suppose it is 62 Inches about, extend always from 10 in the middle of the Rule downwards to 62 the Compass, the same extent always take from 28 downwards, will reach to 17 Inches the square.
How to find the number of Feet in a stick that is 17 Inches square, and 13 Foot long.
Extend from 17 the square to 12 always, that extent twice from 13 the length downwards, will reach to 26 Foot, the Answer.
Note, that when a Board or Timber is broader at one end than the other, add the breadth at both ends together, and take the half thereof for the true breadth or measure it exactly in the middle, and it is the same in a piece of Land, that lies so, &c.
Take the 4th part of the Girth in Inches, and find it in the first Column, and against it is the Feet, Inches, and tenth part of an Inch, that makes a Foot.
This Table and the next are as exact as the Carpenter's Rule, which measureth a round stick of Timber for 40 foot, that hath 50 foot in it, or thereabout.
Square Timber.
In.
Fe.
In.
10p.
1
144
0
0
2
36
0
0
3
16
0
0
4
9
0
0
5
5
9
1
6
4
0
0
7
2
11
2
8
2
3
0
9
1
9
3
10
1
5
2
11
1
2
2
12
1
0
0
13
0
10
2
14
0
8
8
15
0
7
6
16
0
6
7
17
0
5
9
18
0
5
3
19
0
4
7
20
0
4
3
21
0
3
9
22
0
3
5
23
0
3
2
24
0
3
0
25
0
2
7
26
0
2
5
27
0
2
3
28
0
2
2
29
0
2
0
30
0
1
9
Add the breadth and thickness in Inches together, and take the half for the square, which seek in the first Column, and against it is the Feet, Inches, and 10 part of an Inch, that make a foot.
The flatter the Timber is, the greater is the errour; but if it be almost as thick as it [Page 212]is wide, this way is well enough; for whereas the Carpenter's Rule commonly measures square Timber for more than it is, and round Timber a great deal less, because of allowance for Chips, as they say, which is most allowable in Oak of any other.
C.
Tun.
q
s.
d
l.
s.
d
1
2
4
2
16
8
2
4
8
4
13
4
3
7
0
l.
7
0
0
C
d
l.
s.
d
s.
l.
s.
d
1
0
9
4
1
5
12
0
2
0
18
8
2
11
4
0
3
1
8
0
3
16
16
0
4
1
17
4
4
22
8
0
5
2
6
8
5
28
0
0
6
2
16
0
6
33
12
0
7
3
5
4
7
39
4
0
8
3
14
8
8
44
16
0
9
4
4
0
9
50
8
0
10
4
13
4
10
56
0
0
11
5
2
8
20
112
0
0
The price of Wares at 6 d. the pound, is 2 l. 16 the hundred.
At 6 s. the lib. is 33 l. 12 s. the hundred.
If I spend 7 d.a day, what comes it to by the year.
l.
s.
d.
Seven pounds
7
0
0
Seven half pounds
3
10
0
Seven Groats
0
2
4
Seven Pence
0
0
7
In a year
10
12
11
And so is 8 d. 9 d.&c. a day.
Tho Oyos ef tho Reld ulo im oaoly pruco, boherding tho oair umd tho geed. Prov. 15.3.
THe Book, out of which I recited that part of Astrology in page 71 &c. has been printed this 30 years, and no answer has yet been given thereto, by any, as the Author (knoweth of) who is still living in Buckingham-shire.
Obj. It hath been Objected unto me; saying, Why dost thou write against Astrology, seeing thou hast taught some People something thereof?
Answer. In Answer to which, I must confess, I have been desirous after knowledge (as most young men are) not considering (at that day) that there is no true knowledge, but what is given only by Gods Spirit; and also not considering that the Serpent is more subtile than all the Beastly nature of Man, who begets desire in Peoples hearts after all the vanities that's to be found in this world (still to uphold his Kingdom in their hearts) and things unlawful to be sought after by any (but more especially Christians) this Serpent, or roaring Lyon, that seeketh whom he can devour, or overwhelm in vanity, or choak by the Love and cares of this world, &c. he saying to some, ye shall be as Gods to predict things to come by me, &c. ye shall have the Friendship, and the Glory of the world which I will give thee, if thou wilt worship, or believe in me, &c. and so he keeps [Page 215]the minds of most men imployed in the many follies, and bewitching fancies, and cumbered about the many things (as aforesaid) that they neglect the one thing needful (Gods Grace in their hearts) which Grace if truly minded, the Devil could not overcome them by his temptations (viz.) with the fading Glory of this world, &c. this Grace being the Armor of a Christian) which hath appeared to all men, Titus 2, 11▪) which is but one saving Grace (saying aside the School Divines, distinction of more than one) for the least measure thereof (if kept to) will resist the Devil, that he flies; for in it he hath no part; and it is so joyous to the true Christian, that for it, and by it, he doth forsake the Devil and all his Works, the vain Pomp, and Glory of the world, with all the covetous desires of the same, the carnal desires of the Flesh, and not to follow, and be led by them.
The forsaking of these vices, makes a Christian; not the often saying, or hearing, or reading them.
Therefore I praise God, who (by his Grace) hath kept me, that by it, I soon come to see the net, which the Devil spreadeth, to catch all the searchers into the Astrological Art, &c. (by the golden bait of perishing Glory, but all have found him a Lyar (before Death) that have trusted to him) out of whose mysterious Charms, there is no way to escape, but by applying [Page 216]the whole heart (to Gods Grace aforesaid) in which the blood of Christ Jesus is witnessed that cleanseth from all Sin, yea, though thou hast made a Covenant with Death and Hell; the Lord will break it, if thou truly returns to his Grace (and go out no more) for in it is the Pearl of great Price, and for which all the truly wise Merchant Men will sell all (their fading Riches in Sensual-wisdom, Glory, and Babilonish skill) to purchase, or obtain more and more thereof, from the hand of God.
I was alwaies against the practise of resolving of Horary questions (so called) seeing People run to the Astrologers to be resolved in things (at this day) as People did in former Ages, run to the Oracles of their Wooden-Gods,When the Devil was dumb, at any time in the Wooden Gods (which they & the heathen Oracles were ever since Christs Offering, &c.) the Priests to keep the people in Ignorance, put into them a man or men to speak (unknown to the people) to resolve their doubts, &c. Dan. 3. Query. Hath that man put away all Idols, that performs a Worship made up, by mens invention, and doth not perform all the worship to the true God by the immediate Teachings and Leadings of Gods Spirit, &c. John 4.24. Athiest-like, as if they did believe that there is not a God in Israel to take Counsel at; Wo to the Rebellious Children, saith the Lord, that taketh Counsel, but not of me, &c, Isa. 30.1. Wo unto them that seek deep to hide [Page 217]their Counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the Dark, and they say, who seeth us, and who knoweth us? Isai. 23.15. There are many devices in a mans heart, nevertheless, the Counsel of the Lord, that shall stand, Pro. 19.21.
God Created the Day, &c. and God saw, that it was good, Gen. 1.5, 10. Contrary to which our Astrological observers of Times, say, that there are 5, 6, 7, and sometimes more, evil, or unfortunate days in every month (that is to say) every day, that the Moon is in Conjunction, square or opposition to the two Stars, called Saturn, and Mars, saying, these are unfortunate days, full of fears, in these days take no Journy, take no Physick, &c.
And when the Moon is Conjunction, &c. of the Star called Venus (which is two or three times in a Month) such days, they say, are days of pleasure and delight, &c.
Thus Reader have I shewen thee a little of our Astrological Observers of Times (in this Nation) and whether these things differ at all from the Observers of Times mentioned by Moses, Deut. 18.14. saying unto the Children of Israel (viz) and because of these abominations, the Lord thy God doth drive them out before thee, v. 12 (aforesaid)
Now let the witness, for the true, and living God in thine heart be the Judge, and not the selfish and devilish Wisdom that reigns in som [...] men, that are so wise to do evil, (as the saying [Page 218]is) can make a bad cause seem good; and a good cause seem bad, if it stands not with their interest in the obtaining of Earthly ends, &c.
Let Love be without dissimulation, abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good, Rom. 12.9.
The Astrologers will not own, that they follow the Magick Art, or going on towards it, which nothing seems clearer, for people go to them to be resolved in their doubts (as the Babilonians did to their Magicians as unto an Oracle, and they know that they cannot resolve doubts infallibly by all the Art of Astrology, without the help of the seven planetary Angels of the Magicians (aforesaid) nor then neither (yet the Devil helps them most as to perform such things (when God has given them up to hardness of heart (by often rebellion against his good Spirit) for Lilly in one of his Almanacks, adviseth some Students of Astrological, and Magical Books Printed in that Year, as also of Sigils, Lamens, Images, and the Magick of the Ancients, &c. I hold (saith he) the present time capable of receiving, &c. you may perceive that in all their Art, nor the Devil in any of the Magicians could foresee, the great dryness of the Earth (which God was pleased to send this Year 1681 to shew how soon he can blast all, if people turn not from the evil of their ways (that Hay in less than six weeks time, rose from ten shillings a Load to forty in [Page 219]some places, and came to be plentiful, before the Summer was ended; therefore in God alone let us trust, and in no Art of the Egyptians, for the Devil was a lyar from the beginning, and saith G. Abbot, late Archbishop of Canterbury (so called) in a description of the World, p. 115, 116, for in India, and all the Eastern parts, so especially in this Country, their Noblemen, and Priests, and very many people, do give themselves to all Arts of Divination, here were the great Sooth-sayers, Enchanters, and Wisemen, as they call them, here were the first Astrologians, which are so described and derided in the Scripture, it is thought that a great reason whereof these Chaldeans were expert in the laudable knowledge of Astronomy, was partly because the Country is so plain, that being without hills, they might more fully and easily discover the whole face of the Heaven, and partly because the old Fathers which lived so long, not only before, but in some good part also after the flood of Noah, did dwell in or near to these parts, and they by observation of their own, did find out, and discover many things of the Heavenly Bodies, which they delivered as from hand to hand to their posterity, but as Corruption doth stain the best things, so in process of time, the true Astronomy was defiled with superstitious Rules of Astrology (which caused the Prophets Isaiah, and Jeremiah so bitterly to inveigh against them.)
And then in their fabulosity they would report that they had in their Records Observations for 2500 years, which must needs be a very great untruth, unless we will qualifie it, (as some have done) expounding their year, not of the revolution of the Sun, but of the Moon, whose course is ended in the space of a Month,
Quid enim iniquius, quam ut oderint homines quod ignorant, etiamsires meretur odium? Tertul. Apologet.
The Lord frustrated the tokens of the Stars, and maketh Diviners mad, that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish, Isa. 44.24, 25.
Fortune telling, by the Lines in the Hand, an Egyptian Folly.
THE Astrologers pretend, that they can prognosticate of the future happiness or unhappiness of Nations, and also peoples good and evil fortune by the Stars, or Host of Heaven; (which the Heathen worshipped as Gods.) And they also hold, that the Bodies of Men, Beasts, Hearbs, Mettals, &c. are under the Planets Government, and that we are to advise, or take Counsel of them (according to their Astrological Aphorisms) when we gather Hearbs, go to War, &c. 2 Sam. 5.19.
Can they yet say, that they do not adore or worship the Host of Heaven, as the Heathen did? 2 Kin. 17.16.21.3. Act. 7.42. When the Lord hath said, Jer. 10.2. Learn not the way of the Heathen, &c. And do not the Astrologers also run into Egyptian-darkness, by telling Peoples Fortunes by the Lines or Marks in their Hands, (still going for Counsel, Isa. 30.1. to the Host of Heaven, like the Heathen and Egyptians) saying, one Line in the hand, is the Line of Saturn, another part they call th [...] Mount of Jupiter, another of Mars, Sol, Venus, &c. and so are leading People back into Egypt, and taking the Heathen Gods for Leaders and [Page 222]Governers, as if man was altogether in a brutish State, and had nothing of God manifest in him, Rom. 1.19. though in God he is to live, move, and have his Being, and know him to govern his whole heart and Soul; but not moved, ruled and Governed by any of the heathen Gods: yet the Lights in the firmament, to separate the day from the night (every Christian owns them in their places) for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years, Gen. 1.14. as God hath placed them in, in which they keep their places, in dividing the day from the night, &c. though man hath not kept his place, and we are not to fear them, as having Dominion over us, Jer. 10.2. but the Lord God only who made them; and still to admire his wonderful works in the Creation: But to be brief, (saith W. S.) ‘But if this Mount (that is, the Mount of Venus so, called by him in the hand) be infortunated by evil Lines, or Lines from evil places, and irregular figures, shews a Lecherous person, an Adulterer, a poor, base, sordid wretch, who shall spend his substance on Whores, &c.’ Now if the Fortune-teller gives this judgment on such a person, by the Lines aforesaid, and is really such a person; will not this judgment by the Lines, more harden his heart through this Idolatrous belief, that he may have by these Lines aforesaid, that may cause him to say, this is my fortune, I cannot help it, God hath so made me? &c. and so remains in Darkness [Page 223]and Errour. Oh! What will they make man to be! (whom God hath created in his Image, 1 Cor. 11.7.) A Beast, nay, of some men they liken to be created worse than a Beast, to be born with such evil marks upon his hand; these marks happen but to some, say they; but this blind belief happens to too many, that believe that the Stars, and the said marks in the hand, shew the whole course of mens lives. And further, saith he, ‘Therefore it behoves the industrious and studious Artist not to determine all things at first sight, (that is of the hand;) for no man can attain the knowledge of all particulars at one Inspection; but yearly to make new Observations, as the person encreases in age.’ See W. Salmon of Chiromancy, who for proof quotes Job 37.7. by the new Translation, viz. He sealeth up the hand of every man, that all men may know his work. But in the old Translation I find it is, With the force of the Rein he shutteth men up, and all men may know his work: (mark the difference.)
Now blessed be the Lord, the living God, that hath unvailed to many this gross Babylonish and Egyptian Spirit of Darkness, (that by its sensual Wisdom) would draw people to trust to a Reed of Egypt, (Jer. 17.5.) which turneth the truth of God into a lye, and worshippeth and serveth the Creature, forsaking the Creator, which is blessed for ever. Rom. 1.25.
Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Jer. 7.8.
Concerning a Soothsayer, or Augurer, that pretends to know things to come by the flying of Birds.
THe Rabbins speak in this wise: He is a Soothsayer, who will say, because a morsel of Bread is falln out of his Mouth, or his staff out of his hand, or his Son called him back, or a Crow croked unto him, or a Goat passed by him, or a Serpent was toward his Right hand, or a Fox on his Left hand, therefore he will say, do not this or that to day: These words are used, Gen. 30.27. I have learned Experience, (saith Laban) that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake. Again, Gen. 44.5. Is not this the Cup in which my Lord drinketh? and whereby he divineth? That is, proveth or maketh trial or experience what manner of men ye are. The Heathen people were very superstitious in these observations; some days they counted unlucky, others lucky, (as our Astrologers do now) some unfortunate to begin Battle, and some days unfortunate to marry: and as they were superstitious in observing unlucky signs, (as they called them) so likewise in the means used to avert the [Page 225]evil portended: The means were either words or deads; thus if an unlucky bird (so called) or such like came in their way, they would fling stones at it: And of this sort is the scratching of a suspected Witch, which (at this day) amongst the simpler sort of people, is thought to be a means to cure Witchcraft. By words also they thought to prevent the evil signified by such signs, when they say, This evil light on thine own head. Vid. apud Theophrast. Character. & D. Kinchien radic.
My people ask Counsel at their stocks, and their Staff teacheth them: for the Spirit of Fornication hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. Hos. 4.12. Ezek. 21.21. Lev. 18.26, 31. Eccles. 24.5, 6, 7.
THe word Eclipse, is as much as to say, as to want light, and to be darkned, or in part hidden from our sight.
When the Sun and Moon are opposite one to the other, diametrically, and the Earth in the very midst between both, that is, when a right line drawn from the center of the Sun, to the center of the Moon, passing through the Center of the Earth, for the Body of the Earth, and water being thick, and not transparent, casting his shadow to that point, which is opposite to the place of the Sun, will not suffer the Moon to receive any light from the Sun, from whence she borroweth her light (as the Astronomers write.)
And note, that every time she is at the full, she is opposite to the Sun, and yet the Earth is not at every such full, diametrically betwixt her and the Sun, for then she should be Eclipsed at every full, which indeed cannot be, unless she be either in the head or tail of the Dragon so called, being (two opposite places in the Skies, or Heavens.
Now the Moon is Eclipsed in part, when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon be met in one self diametral line, but the Moon is declining either on the one side, or the other.
But note, that the Eclipses of the Moon may be universal, because the Earth is far bigger than the Moon, and thereby able to shadow the whole Body.
The manner of the Suns Eclipse.
THe Eclipse of the Sun is when the Moon is betwixt the Sun and the Earth, which chanceth in a conjunction▪ or new of the Moon, and yet not in every con [...]unction, but when it falleth in one of the two opposite parts of Heaven called the head or tail of the Dragon, which may chance (as is said before) either totally, or in part, totally in respect of those parts of the Earth whereon the Shadow directly falleth, for seeing the Moon is far less than the Earth, she cannot shadow all the Earth, and therefore the Eclipse of the Sun cannot be universal, but yet to some part of the Earth, it may be total or dark, to some partly, and to others nothing at all.
Add the Hours and Minutes right against each Haven, to the Moons coming to the South, and the whole result will be the time of the Tide, or high water. By this Table you may see what point of the compass the Moon is in, at the time of the Tide, or full Sea.
The Moons coming to the South is found in an Almanack.
The Characters of the seven Planets.
Saturn, ♄
Jupiter, ♃
Mars, ♂
Sol, ☉
Venus, ♀
Mercury, ☿
Luna. ☽
The Characters of the 12 Signs.
Aries, ♈
Taurus, ♉
Gemini, ♊
Cancer, ♋
Leo, ♌
Virgo, ♍
Libra, ♎
Scorpio, ♏
Sagitarius, ♐
Capricornus, ♑
Aquarius, ♒
Pisces. ♓
To find what sign the Sun or Moon is in.
What sign is the Sun in the 6th day of September, 1681. First find the day of the month by an Almanack, and right against it is 24 d. [Page 231]0 m. in ♍, the Moon at the same time is in 17 d. 25 m. in ♏. Do so another time.
Circles of the Sphere.
Note, that the aforesaid 12 signs in the Zodiack, (so called,) are only as a supposed Circle or Circles, divided into 12 equal parts, (in the Firmament) whose breadth is about 23 d. 30. m. on each side of the equinoctial Line towards the two Pole Stars; the whole Circumference (or round the World) of this Circle, is 360 Degrees, and every Degree upon the Earth is 60 miles.
Secondly, Every one of these 12 Signs are divided into 30 Degrees, and every Degree into 60 Minutes, &c.
Thirdly, The outmost side of this Circle, or Circles, towards the North Pole, is called the Tropick of Cancer, (one of the said 12 signs) the which when the Sun is in (about the 11th of June) the days are at the longest.
Fourthly, And the other side of this Circle, next the South Pole, is called the Tropick of Capricorn, the which when the Sun is in, (about the 11 of December) the days are at the shortest.
Fifthly, In the middle of this Circle, or Circles, or Zodiack, may be said to be the equinoctial Line, into which when the Sun cometh, (about the 10 of March, and the 10th of September) the days and nights are equal throughout the World.
Lastly, The Sun is a whole year in passing through all these signs, and the Moon in one Month; and that neither of them come so near the two Pole Stars, as 60 Degrees, which makes that the Earth is so very cold against them, as in Greenland, so called, where there is Ice all the year, being only inhabited by wild Beasts and Fowls in abundance.
These Signs of the Weather are not so fallible as Astrological Predictions.
And People sometimes are saying, we want Rain, and sometimes fair weather, all signs fail. Oh! But the greatest want is the want of Obedience to the Talent or measure of Gods Grace in every heart, that would lead People, into Temperance in all things, in fruitful seasons, and out of that mind, that seldom thinks that they have Apparel, Meat, Drink, and Furniture good enough, and that makes waste of any of Gods good Creatures (as too many do) when the poor wants)Jacob vowed, that if God will be with him, and will keep him in the way that he goes, and will give him bread to eat, and raiment to put on, he will give the tenth unto the Lord, Gen. 28.20, 22. Even [...]o will the seed of Jacob at this day, give the Tenths, or more, if need be, of the increase of God [...] Bl [...]ssings upon their outward Estate, unto the Lord, that is, unto the poor, and Fatherless, and Widdows, that wants relief, Mat. 25.40. 2 Cor. 9.7. So that now, if it shall please God to cause a Famine, it is but just upon many, who regard not, nor lay to heart the many warnings and threatning Judgments (that hangs over our [Page 235]heads) which God hath shewed to many, in the midst of many Mercies,) yet but few regard with their whole heart, to seek after Righteousness by departing from iniquity in the fear of the Lord; because Sin is the chief cause of sorrow, that comes upon Man and Beast, and makes the Earth to mourn.
Oh, that People should still resist the strivings of Gods good Spirit, as in every Age! Gen. 6.3. that would lead them out of all evil into favour with God, Deut. 28.2, 3, 4, 5. Are people willing to forget, that the sins of the people have in all ages brought Gods Judgments upon them? Which makes the Righteous rejoyce, because many will learn Righteousness when Gods Judgments are in the Earth, Isa 26.9. Though the Righteous (in some outward things) bear a share of the Judgment, yet have they true Content, Peace, and Joy, being redeemed from the Earth, and all vis [...]ble things so as to set their hearts upon them. 1 Kin. 8.35, 36, 37. Zeph. 1.3. Deut. 28.47.32.4. Jer. 30.15. Psal. 5.12.38.25. Prov. 11.10.
IN the beginning of the Reformation (in King Henry 8th's time) one Cromwel was greatly in favour with the King, and was made one of his Privy Council, &c. He brought to light and suppressed many Popish Idolatrous Images, and other superstitions of the Church of Rome, for which they sought his death, which the King afterwards lamented, &c. One Rood of Grace or Image, wherein a man stood inclosed with a hundred Wires within the Rood, to make the Image goggle its Eyes, nod its head, hang the Lip, move and shake its Jaws, according to the value of the gift offered; if it were a small piece of Silver, then would he hang a frowning Lip, if it were a piece of Gold, then should his Jaws go merrily: Thus were poor peoples Souls seduced, and their Pockets pick'd by these Idolatrous forgers, until Cromwel caused the said Image to be carried publickly to Pauls (in London,) where the People tore it in pieces.
Then in Queen Maries time (Daughter to the said King Henry the 8th,) Bishop Bonner put out a Mandate to the Priests within his Diocess, [Page 237]commanding, that comely Roods or Images should be again set up in all Churches, &c. the same injunction was published in other Diocesses; for at Cockram in Lancashire, the Parishioners and Wardens had agreed with a Carver to make them a Rood, to set up in their Church, at a certain price, which the Carver did; but the Rood being made of an ugly grim Countenance, they disliked it, and refused to pay the Workman that made it, whereupon by Warrant he brought them before the Mayor of Lancaster, who was a favourer of the Protestants, and a man against Idols; when they came before the Mayor, he asked them why they did not pay the man according to their agreement; they replied, they did not like the grimness of its Visage; saying, they had a man formerly with a handsome Face, and they would have had such another now. Well, said the Mayor, though you like not the Rood, the poor mans labour has been never the less, and it's pitty he should lose; but I tell you what you shall do, pay him the Money you promised him, and if it will not serve you for a God, you may make a Devil of it, at which they laughed, and so departed.
AN Image, or Idol, saith Paul, 1 Cor. 8.4. is nothing, &c. that is, it is nothing to thee; but if thou set it in thy Heart, and affectionate it, (or any other Picture,) thou bows to it, and this is Idolatry. Thou shalt make thee no graven Image (saith God,) neither any similitude of things that are in Heaven above, neither that are in the Earth beneath, nor that are in the Waters under the Earth; thou shalt not bow down to them, &c. Exod. 20.4, 5. Though we make them, say some people, we do not bow to them, or worship them, Answer. If thou art covetous after them, and hast inordinate affection to them, thou hast set them in thy heart, and this is Idolatry, Ezek. 14.2. Col. 3.5. And worships, and serves the Creatures more than the Creator, &c. Rom. 1.25. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the Earth, Col. 3.2. My Son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways, Prov. 23.26. So that he that has given his heart to God, his affections will not be set upon liknesses, for so his mind may be drawn from God who is to have the whole heart. We may read, that the Heathens did wonderfully adore the likenesses [Page 239]of things, &c. (yet being no example to a Christian, whose heart and Treasure is only in God, and the Lust of the Eye cannot bewitch him) For, saith W. Salmon, in his Book of Drawing, Painting, &c. pag. 244. this imitation of the Life gave the Artizan fame, which fame quickned his aspiring thoughts, adding more fuel to the Flames, till such time as he brought forth a most absolute work, whereby he conceived a joy, content and satisfaction (mark that) as durable as the work it self, upon which he now conceived himself a happy man, and through a just affrance of his Vertues, knows himself to be lifted up above the reach of Envy, where he stands secure of his fame, enjoying in this life (as if he were now consecrated unto Eternity) the Veneration that is like to follow him after his Death; thus an honest emulation, and confidence, bringing forth works of general applause, procureth unto its Author an everlasting glory (then not given only to God) Again in Pag. 246, saith he, Berosus excelled in Astrology, wherefore the Athenians, for his divine Prognostications, (mark that) erected him a Statue with a Golden Tongue, set up in their publick Schools, as Pliny saith, lib. 7. cap. 37. Publick Libraries were furnished also with golden, silver and brass Images of such, whose immortal Souls did speak in those places. The provocation of Vices have also augmented the Art; (mark that,) it hath been (pleasing) to [Page 238] [...][Page 239] [...][Page 240]engrave wanton Lusts upon their cups, and to drink in Ribauldry and Abominations, as Pliny saith in the Proem. of his 33. Book.
(Are these things good to be dedicated to a Nation professing Christianity?)
And this Author goes on, and tells us how the Ancients depicted their Gods, as Saturn, Jupiter, &c. Diana, Juno, Neptune, &c. In the greatest imaginary Glory, to bespeak their fame, &c. when all these things and the pleasant Pictures, with all the Babyloni [...]h rubish, are for the fire of Gods wrath, that draw the heart from God. And it is great pity, that the Author (whom God hath given so much Wisdom) should rake in this Heathenish and Babylonish rubish, &c.
And though God once commanded Moses to make some things under the Law, who hath he commanded, in this Gospel time, to imitate or make the likeness of any thing, that may so affectionate the Heart, as to draw it from God to commit Idolatry?
And also though God (to shew his wonderful works) hath made variety of Colours in the Flowers, Hearbs, &c. It is no part of Christianity to deck or cloath our selves in imitation of the colours of Flowers, or to make the likeness of any of them, to so affectionate the Heart, as to forget the giver, or take any Glory to our selves, in drawing the likeness of them (as aforesaid) as some have done; but rather give [Page 241]all Glory unto God, admiring his wonderful power in creating these Flowers, Hearbs, &c. for the use of Man.
Lastly, Hast thou made any likeness, or pleasant Picture of Religion for others to imitate? or set up any spiritual Gift (given thee of God) above Gods Spirit in thy heart? and dost administer it unto others, without the immediate leadings of the same Spirit? Thou hast set up an Idol in thine heart.
1 John. 5.21. Little Children, keep your selves from Idols. Amen.
If any shall yet deny, that there's an Idolizing of Pictures and graven Images, [whereby the Lord hath not the whole Heart,] I shall for proof recite some more words out of the aforesaid Author's Book, of painting, graving, &c. in pag. 232, 233, 246, 253, 262. (saith he) And therefore those that would profit much, must take care and pains to furnish their minds with all sorts of useful Images and Ideas. And Proclus saith If you take a man brought forth by nature, and another by art of carving, that by nature shall not seem the statelier, because Art doth many things more exactly: [Where's God's Glory? W. M.] To which Ovid assents, when he saith, that Pygmalion did carve the Snow-white Image of Ivory, with such a happy dexterity, that it was altogether impossible that such a Woman should be born. [Are not all [Page 242]things possible with God? W. M.] The estimation of the Artists were also understood from the esteem and high rates their works were prized at. A Picture of Bularchus a Painter, was valued at its weight in Gold, &c. Caesar paid to Timomachus Eighty Talents of Gold (about 14000 pounds Sterling) for the Pictures of Ajax and Medea. Many more examples we might produce (saith he) but these may suffice; at length no price was thought equal to their worth, &c. [Was not this Idolizing them? W. M.] Great minded men are most of all given to entertain stately conceits; therefore (saith he) an Artizan (or Artist) ought to be of a magnanimous Nature, if not, yet at least he ought with a determined resolution to aim at magnificent things. So it seems that Nature did dispose Nicophanes to a high strain of Invention: Nicophanes (saith Pliny, Lib. 35. Cap. 10.) was gallant and neat, so that he did paint Antiquities for eternity, (mark that) whereby he was commended for the magnificence of his work, and gravity of his Art. Such Artificers therefore as do bring any thing to perfection, must be of an exceeding great Spirit, [then not poor in Spirit, Matth. 5.] and entertain upon every occasion great thoughts, and lofty imaginations, (Isa. 2.8, 11.) by this means they shall gain everlasting Fame, &c. (mark that.)
Lastly, A good invention affects the mind, true proportion draws the Eyes, lively motion [Page 243]moves the Soul. (Is not then God forgotten? W. M.) exquisite colours beguile the phantasie, and an orderly disposition wonderfully charms all the senses; (Here's a joy, but not in God,) if all these unite and center in one piece, how great an excellence and perfection will appear? what a comely Grace? This Grace it is which in beautiful bodies is the Life of the beauty, and without which its greatest accomplishments cannot please the beholder: [Grace in the heart is the greatest perfection of Beauty. W. M.]The Image or Teraphim which Michal put in the Bed, 1 Sam: 19.13. was a compleat Statue, or Image of a man. The use of such Images (sai [...]h T. [...].) was to consult with them as with Oracles, concerning things for the present unknown, or future to come. To this purpose they were made by Astrologers, under certain constellations capable of heavenly Influences, whereby they were enabled to speak. The Idols have spoken vainly, Zec. 10.2. Vid. Aben. Esra, Gen. 31. And among other Reasons why Rachel stole away her Fathers Images, this is thought to be one; that Laban might not by consulting with these Images discover what way Jacob took in his flight. Gen. 31.19. And it is said, that Zorcastes, a King of the Bacirians, in the time of Ninus, he was an excellent Astrologer, (saith the Author) and first invented Magical Arts. They are indeed the most likely men. See pag. 77. For it is not so much (saith he) the perfection of Invention, proportion, Colours, Motion, & Disposition apart, which affects the senses; but all these perfections absolutely united, which brings forth that comely Grace and highest perfection, which Art aims at, and the Artizan strives after. [Here the beauty of created things is called the highest perfection, or Grace, which is only due to God's Power or Grace in the Soul. W. M.] This Grace, saith he, proceeds not from any rules of Art, but from the excellent Spirit of the [Page 244]Artificer; it is ea [...]er attained by Observation [not called by God to such works; though Bezaleel and Aholiah were called to make curious works in Gold, in Silver, in Brass, and in Silk, for the Tabernacle. Ex. 31. W. M.] and a good Judgment, than learned by precepts, as Quintil [...]an in his Institutions, lib. 11. cap. 1. learnedly observes. And this Grace is most graceful, when it flows with facility out of a free Spirit, and is not forced or strained out with Labour and toil, which quite spoils and kills the Life of the work: Now this facility springs from Learning, Study, and exercitation, Art and Nature must concur to the Constitution of this Grace; Art must be applied discreetly to those things, which we naturally affect, and not to things which we loath, lest we miss of that Glory which we seek after. [Oh, the sading Glory of this Worlds Wisdom, Art, Learning, &c. that takes all to itself, &c. W. M.]
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his Wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his Might, let not the rich man glory in his Riches; but [Page 245]let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise Lovingkindness, Judgment, and Righteousness in the Earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jer. 9.23, 24.
Painting the Face; one of the Marks of of a Jezebel, 2 Kings 9.30. for she painted her Face, and tired her head, when she heard of Jehu's coming; like the Proud ones of our day.
VVIlliam Salmon in his Book beforementioned, (saith) some may wonder that we meddle with such a subject as this is, 1 Cor. 3.20. viz painting the Face, curling, colouring, and poudering the hair.
Answer. And so they may well; that a man of so much knowledge (in several things) should encourage the practise of so much vanity, Ephes. 4.17, But let such know (saith he) the painting of a deformed Face, and the licking over of an old withered, wrinkled, and weather beaten skin are proper appendices to a Painter; since a single deformity in the Body begets a complication of miseries in the mind, &c. Exod. 4.11.
Answer. Then Jezebel must learn of the Painter, to paint her Face, being she is so wicked, to [Page 246]think it a great misery of mind, not to be, or seem to be more beautiful, than God hath made her; and he tells these s [...]lly Women, viz. it shall put admiration into the beholders, and fix them in a belief, that you are the first Fruits of the Resurrection; (where's the washing of Regeneration? Titus 3.5.)
Again, though some think the Poets did not much amiss, to fancy the Creature hatcht in Hell, by reason it brings with it such a torrent of dejections, &c.
Ans. Is not this sad, that such censures should be given of the Creature, as being hatcht in Hell, if it want some outward beauty, to plea [...]e the lust of the Eye, &c. 1 John 2.16.
Again (saith he) by this means your sparkling Glories shall fire Platonick Lovers, so that none, though as cold as Saturn, shall be able to resist your actuating flames, but shall force the stoutest heart, to a Sacrifice to Love.
Answer. Behold, here's a Sacrifice to a painted Image, or Face, and an incouragement to be like unto the Daughters of Zion, that were haughty, and that walked with stretched forth necks, and wanton Eyes, &c. whom the wo was against, Isai. 3.16.
Again (saith he) but it may chance that some Saint or another, may condemn your hearts for evil, because you strive to make your faces good, and may like your infide the worse, because your outside may look so well.
Ans. There is that in his heart, that tells him that no Saint will like Jezebels painting; but if no Saint do personally condemn them; the witness for God in their hearts doth condemn them, when no Eye seeth, when they are spending their time in decking their outside, when within they are full of rottenness, neither do they by this painting make their Faces good (as he saith) but evil to allure and draw men to Sacrifice, to such love, as the Harlot in Prove 7. Who said to the foolish young Man, I have perfumed my Bed, &c. Come, let us take our fill of Love, &c. Let not thine heart decline to the ways (of a painted Woman, though she hath Riches) go not astray in her paths, O young Man, Her House is the way to Hell, going down to the Chambers of Death, &c.
Again, yet with Benjamin (saith he) refuse not the many messes of pottage, nor the many changes of Raiment (although one might well enough serve your turn) but receive them from the hands of Joseph, though all the rest of the Brethren be angry.
Ans. Here he pleads for the many changes of Raiment (though he offend his Brethren, 1 Cor. 8.13.) which was one of the sins of the Daughters of Zion, Isa. 3.22. And one great sin in this Nation, (when the poor want) and though Joseph did to shew the dear love he had to his only Brother Benjamin, give unto him more than the rest of his Brethren; we do not [Page 248]read that he received them to become sparkling in Glory, for outward beauty to win any hearts (from God) to Sacrifice to vain and foolish love; but rather was for the cloathing of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is of great price with the God of Heaven, 1 Peter 3.4. 1 Tim. 6.8.
Again, (saith he) avoid not Company for want of Beauty, when art affords an innocent supply, but with confidence crucifie that evil conscience, which forbids the use of a little oil to make a chearful countenance, and the drinking of a little wine to make a merry heart.
Ans. Here he incourages Women not to be shame-faced, contrary to the Apostle, 1 Tim. 2.9. But to be confident, Phil. 3.19. And to Crucify (saith he) that evil conscience,Complexion makers (so called by God.) such Artizans, who mask Men and Womens Faces with paintings, & false complexions, he compareth such to Juglers, or Sorcerers, who bewitch the senses, and minds of Men, by changing the Forms of things, making them appear otherwise than indeed they are, see his Civ. & Ec. Rites. lib. 4. c. 10. which forbids the use of oil, &c. to plead for paint for the Face; and so puts darkness for light, and light for darkness; in going about to Crucifie, and call that an evil conscience, that forbids Jezebels paint, and attire, that their mouths may be smoother than oil, to deceive the simple, Prov. 5. So taking no care to have oil in their Lamps, to be beloved of the chief Bridegroom, Math. 5.3. [Page 249]Nor to be cloathed like a Woman professing Godliness with good works, 1 Tim. 2.10. Heb. 6.6. Phil. 3.17, 18. 1 Peter 3.3.4.5.
Lastly, Borrow our Artificial Beautifiers (saith he) and become splendid, that you may be fit to be gathered by the hand of some metamorphosed Hero, lest in the Garden of deformity, growing green with sickness, you should be taken for thistles, and so crop'd by Asses.
Ans. I am even weary of writing of such a whorish mark, or painted Faces, that it grieves my heart, that any professing Christianity should plead for the painting, and attire of Jezebel, and the Babilonish Whore; and that Woman should be so splendid, that the Souls of Men may be ensnared and captivated, to Sacrifice to their Lust; which is very sad, as if the Author W. S. had never read what our blessed Saviour said, Mat. 5.28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a Woman to lust after her, hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart.
Then is it not a snare of the Devil, that would allure men to last after a Woman; which is caused by these Beautifiers, saying by this means; your sparkling Glories shall fire Platonick Lovers, &c. as before? Therefore (my Son, saith Wisdom) Lust not after her Beauty in thine heart, neither let her take thee with her Eye-lids; Favour is deceitful, and Beauty is vain, but a Woman that seareth the Lord, she shall be praised, Prov. 6.25. & 31, 30.
Who can find a vertuous Woman? For her price is far above Rubies: the heart of her Husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil, she will do him good, and not evil all the days of her life, she seeketh Wool, and Flax, and worketh, willingly with her hands, she looketh well to the ways of her Houshold, and eateth not the Bread of idleness, she stretcheth out her hand to the poor, &c.
The Judgments that God will bring upon a proud Woman.
Thus saith the Lord, because the Daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks, and wanton Eyes, walking, and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their Feet: Therefore the Lord will smite with the scab the Crown of the Head, &c. and take away the bravery of their tinkling Ornaments, Chains, and Bracelets, their Rings and Jewels, the changeable suits of Apparel, the Hoods and Vails, and have burning instead of Beauty, because of the filth of the Daughters of Zion,
Isa. 3.
They are waxen fat, they shine, yea, they overpass the deeds of the Wicked.
Jer. 5.28.
Wo unto you Scribes, Pharisees, and Hypocrites, for ye are like unto painted Sepulchres, which did appear Beautiful outward, but within full of dead Mens Bones, and of all filthiness,
Mat. 23.27.
Whereas the aforenamed Author W. S. in p. 376. Complains of some ingrateful men, that [Page 251]will traduce his well meaning, and skill in Art; And our person (saith he) sought to be rent and destroyed. Answer. Far be it from me to abuse any mans person; (God knows my heart, I love all men,) and for his skill in several commendable Arts, he is worthy of praise (so far as it is due to man;) but for some things written by him, (to gratifie a proud Spirit) which I have answered, as aforesaid, I cannot commend him for, seeing they are contrary to the Gospel and Cross of Christ Jesus, which crucifies the Flesh with the Lusts of the Eye, &c.
Hoping in God (that by his Grace) he will shew him his Duty, and what is most profitable (in Art) for a Christian, and make use of his Talent for Gods Glory for the future, which is the prayer of his Loving Friend,
W. M.
A Charmer is thus described by T. G. aforesaid.
HE is a Charmer who speaketh words of a strange Language, and without sense (sometimes) And he in his foolishness thinketh that these words are profitable: That if one say so or so unto a Serpent, or Scorpion, it cannot [Page 252]hurt a man; and he that sayeth so or so unto a man, he cannot hurt, &c. He that whispereth over a Wound, or readeth a verse out of the Bible; likewise he that readeth over an Infant, that it may not be frighted, or that layeth the Book of the Law, or the Philacteries upon a Child that it may sleep; such are not only among Inchanters or Charmers, but of those that generally deny the Law of God; because (saith he) they make the words of the Scripture medicine for the Body, whereas they are not; but medicine for the Soul, as it is written Prov. 3.22. They shall be life unto thy Soul, &c. Among which may be numbered several more Diviners, (Vid Mag. Demon. lib. 2. cap. 1.) whose Practice is forbidden in the Scriptures, Deut. 18.10, 11. in number nine, not because there were no other, but these were the most usual. As 1. An Observer of times. 2. An Inchanter. 3. A Witch. 4. A Charmer. 5. A Consulter with Familiar Spirits. 6. A Wizzard. 7. A Necromancer. 8. A Consulter with the Staff. Hos. 4.12.9. A consulter with intrals of Beasts; Ezek. 21.21. Now a Consulter with Ob. or with Familiar Spirits, the Magicians Art, (in this day) Such a Diviner was the Damosel, Act. 16.16. and the Witch of Endor.
A Consulter with the Staff, (aforesaid) he measureth his Staff by spans, or by the length of his Finger, (Vid. August. 2. de Doctr. Chris [...] ca. 23. saying as he measureth, I will go (to [Page 253]War, &c.) I will not go, I will do such a thing, I will not do it, and as the last span fell out, so he determined; this was termed by the Heathen, divination by the Rods; which way Nebuchadnezar consulted with, Ezek. 21.21. Being to make War both with the Jews, and the Ammonites, and doubting in the way, against whether of these he should make his first onset, he also consulted with the Liver of a Beast, by taking notice of the colour of the Intrails, and if any be displaced, and whether any were wanting, &c.
I shall conclude this part (of vain Divinations) with one memorable example recorded,Jarchi Levit. 19.26. 1 Sam. 29. There King Saul being about to War with the Philistines (God denying to answer him either by Dreams, or by Urim, or by Prophets) upon the fame of the Witch of Endor, he repaired to her, demanding that Samuel might be raised up from the Dead, to tell him the issue of the War. Now that this was not in truth Samuel, is easily proved both by testimonies of the learned, and reasons First, It is improbable, that God who had denied to answer him by any ordinary means, should now deign him an answer so extraordinary. Secondly, No Witch or Devil can disturb the Bodies or Souls of such as die in the Lord, Because they rest from their Labours Rev. 14.14. Thirdly if it had been Samuel, he would doubtless have reproved Saul, for consulting with Witches, see T. Godw. Civ. & Eccl. Rites lib. 4. c. 10.
Bowing, Worshiping, Cap and Knee to God only, and not to man, under the Gospel Dispensation.
1. HE that performs this Worship to man what doth he more to God, to whom every Knee shall bow.
2. Mordecai refused it to proud Haman.
3. Peter refused it from Cornelius, saying, he was a man.
4. The Angel twice refused this kind of bowing from John, Rev. 19.10.22.9. for this Reason, Because I am thy fellow Servant, and of thy Brethren.
5. It is written, that the customs of the Gentiles we are not to follow.
6. The Apostles desired us not to be conformable to the World, &c. Rom. 12.2. As he that respects Persons commits Sin. Jam. 2.9.
Lastly, Though it be far from me to judge a [...] those, to whom God hath not shewn the evil o [...] these things (in this day,) yet nevertheless doubt not, but to such as will prove faithf [...] witnesses to Gods Grace in their Conscience God will also shew to them the evil of the [...] things, and not rob God of his Glory, to who [...] all honour, &c. belongs now and for ever.
THe Titles of Holiness, Eminency and Excellency used among the Papists to the Pope, and Cardinals, &c. And Grace, Lordship, and Worship to the Clergy among the Protestants, It is a most high usurpation; See R.B. Apolog. pag. 373. How can they say, they follow the Example of Peter and Paul, who never sought such Titles.
Hence saith Jude, ver. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty, &c. 1 Pet. 1.16.
Neither be ye called Master, saith Christ Jesus unto his followers, Matth. 23.10. That is, except it be by those that are really your Servants, Eph. 6.5. If I say to one, I am your Servant, I lye, except I am really his Servant, and at his command in all lawful business whatsoever.
And saith Casaubon in his Book of manners and Customs, pag. 169. In this last age he is esteemed an uncivil man, who will not either to his inferiour or equal subscribe himself Servant. But Sulpitius Severus was heretofore sharply reproved by Paulinus Bishop of Nola, because in his Epistle, he had subscribed himself his Servant; [Page 256]saying, Beware thou subscribe not thy self his servant who is thy Brother; for flattery is sinful, not a Testimony of Humility, to give their Honours to men, which are only due to the one Lord, Master and God. And saith Elihu, Job. 32.21. Let me not accept any mans Person, neither let me give flattering Titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering Titles; in so doing, my Maker would soon take me away. And though Sir, Rabbi or Master, and some other things were customarily used amongst men, before Christ's Ascension; but after his followers grew up into more knowledge of Gods Spirit and Kingdom of Righteousness, they finally rejected it: who being not of the Pharises Spirit, for they love the praise of men, more than God, John 12.43. that Christ Jesus said, Chap. 5. v. 44. How can ye believe which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Neither do we read, that the Apostles called an house a Church, or Christs Church, or St. Pauls Church, or Jesus Colledge, or had Bells to call people together, or an hourglass to preach by, or had Deanries, or Prebendries, or sprinkled Infants, or called any thing a Sacrament, or had Mattens, & Evening songs, Organs, Rails, Altars, Fonts, and singing men, and Boys to sing to them. or Hood, Surplisses and Tippets, &c. or did the Apostle preach for Tithes, or yearly hire, or preached by Uses, Reasons, Helps, Motives, &c. studying beforehand [Page 257]what to say, nor were called Arch-bi [...]ops, or Lord-bishops, Doctors, Vicars, Cu [...]tes, &c.
Nor did compel any to sing in rimes, in imi [...]tion of David, saying, I go mourning all the day [...]ng, &c. even by such as never were truly sor [...]owful for their Sins.
Reader, search thy own heart, and there is Witness for God's ways, which will shew thee from whence all these took root; so mayest [...]hou beled out of Babylon, if thou followest its all, Rev. 18.4.21.7.
A Malgamation, Is a calcining, or corroding Mettals with Quicksilver.
Calcination, Is a reducing any thing into Ashes.
Coagulation, Is a reducing of any liquid thing to a thicker substance, by evaporating the humidity, or moisture.
Digestion, Is a concocting of a crude thing, by an easie and gentle heat.
Filtration, Is the separating of any liquid matter from its Faeces, as water from Ashes, through a paper, or flannel bag.
Fixation, Is the making of any Volatile Spiritual Body endure the fire.
Fumigation, Is the calcining of Bodies by the same Spirit.
Insolation, Is the digesting of things in the Sun.
Menstruum, Is any liquor that serves for the extracting the essence of any thing.
Reverberation, Is the reducing of the Bodies of Mettals, &c. into a Calx (like unto ashes) by a reflecting flame in a furnace.
Sublimation, Is the raising of any matter to the upper part of the vessel, by way of subtile pouders, as Antimony, Saltpeter, &c.
Volatile, is that which flyeth the fire.
[Page 262]Transmutation, Is the changing of a thing in substance, colour, and quality;
now our Alchymists would have people believe that they have attained to a Pouder, Tincture, Elixir, or Stone of the Philosophers, which will separate all impurity from the Bodies of all Mettals, and change it into fine Gold; which I believe, but when they have got this fine Gold, it will but make the old Proverb good, that is, a man may buy Gold too dear; for he that blows away (in a test) all the impurity (as I may say) of about a pound of Silver; and it may be shall scarce have one dram of this fine Gold, so had better sit still; for the separating of Metals from their impurity, leaves but little for the Workman; therefore they had better be silent than write of transmutation of Metals into fine Gold, except they can change them in substance, colour and quality as aforesaid.
Note, That it was much in my heart to write something of these things, because that many of great wits (so called) are deceived by the Philosophical writers of this and former Ages, and such wits are the most apt to deceive others, in things that are beyond the reach of mortal man, to new create, or so much change nature, as aforesaid, and so comes to be elevated in his mind, and to boast of high attainments in these things; deceiving himself as well as others, by seeking and preparing Earthly Treasures above the Heavenly; for he that has attained to know [Page 263]God, he need seek no further, for his Riches no man can take from him, it's beyond the finest Gold, because it's everlasting; yea, it's a Kingdom also to the true Christian; but not of this world, (where all things fade.) Now some men, having their hearts in the Earth, have found a Kingdom there, called a Mineral Kingdom (by W. Salmon;) the Mineral Kingdom (saith he) is divided into Metals, Semi-metals, Salts, and Stones.
2. Metals are in number seven, viz. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, and Luna, called by the vulgar (saith he) Lead, Tin, Iron, Gold, Copper, Quicksilver, and Silver; (must these seven Planets be called the seven Gods of this Mineral Kingdom?) being it's vulgar, to call them Lead, Tin, &c.
3. The Semi-metals are Antimony, Tin-glass, Cinnaber, and Zink.
4. The Salts are chiefly, Vitriol, Sulphur, Arsenick, Allum, Nitre, Borax, and Salt.
5. The chief Stones are Lapis, Calaminaris, Tutia, Lazuli, and Lime-stone.
6. Now out of these (saith he) the Alchymist designs three things, to wit. 1. Either the Counterfeiting of the fine Metals. 2. Or the separation of fine Metals out of the base. Or 3. The generation of the fine Metals out of the base, by transmutation, &c. By generation, and transmutation, what can be meant but by a new Creation of Metals? which no mortal man can do [Page 264]as I said before, and in p. 376. Let others search as we have done (saith he) like a Philosopher, it is some satisfaction, that the matter here, sought, is really in rerum natura. &c.
If I have erred in any thing before written, I beg the Authors pardon; and wish him well believing he knows better things.
A short memorandum, when a House is on fire.
IF you see the first beginning of the fire, strive to damp it, by spreading wet Linnensheets thereon, and keep the Doors, and Windows close shut, that the fire draw not the wind to force the flame out (till more help come) and also spread Sheets upon all the Buildings near, and to every sheet let one man be to keep it wet, by this means several Buildings have been saved, through Gods Blessing; and amongst the several Judgments that God brings upon people for Sin, this is often one; so fear the Lord, by departing from iniquity then happy are ye, come what will come; for the tryal of the people of God; as also for a Rod for the workers of iniquity; that turn not yet from the evil of their ways, notwithstanding they have seen Gods Judgments, of the Sword, Fire, Sickness, &c.
Embalming of the Dead with the Egyptians, Gen, 50.2.
THey took out the Bowels of the Dead, they cleansed them, and washed them with the Wine of Dates, and after that, again with Odours, then filled they the Bowels with pure Myrrhe beaten, and Cassia, and other Odours (except Frankincense) and sowed them up, after this they seasoned the Corps hidden in nitre seventy days, not longer; after seventy days they washed the Corps, and wrapped it in fine Linnen cloth, gummed, which gum the Egyptians often used instead of Glew, but when the Funeral obsequies were not long delayed, they used another kind of embalming, namely an external, and outward application of Spices, and Odours without the unbowelling of the Corps; this was used toward our Saviour Christ, John 19.20.
Of the Sepulchres, or Tombs, or Caves.
They hewed them out in a Rock, six cubits long, and four broad, in which eight other Cells, or lesser holes (or as some say thirteen) were made, as so many distinct receptacles, or Tombs [Page 266]for the dead Bodies to be be laid in,Talmurd, seder Nezikin. Bava. Bathra cap. 6. as often as they buried any, they were wont to roll a great stone to the mouth of the Cave; Joseph▪ laid the Body of Christ in such a new Tomb, Mat. 27.59, 60. The Jews sounded Trumpets at the Funeral of Noblemen, but for common people or Children they used a Pipe; in this respect it is said, that Jesus when he raised Jairus his Daughter, cast out the Minstrels, Mat. 9.23. (signifying that where Christ rules in the heart, there is no delight in outward Minstrels.) These Jews were not then come off these things, who hired Women to sing at Burials, &c. and likewise by outward significations of Sorrow, to move the company, and more strongly to affect them, call for the mourning Women, &c. and send for skilful Women, Jer. 9.17. These the Romans called, chief, or skilful mourners.
Of Bells to Assemble.
But saith (T. G.) the Priests might lawfully blow their Trumpets, and Horns on the Sabbath Day, for the Assembling of the People, num. 10.2. by proportion (saith he) it is now warrantable for Christians to ring Bells to assemble the People together on the Lords Day, and to take Journies to join with the publick Congregation, [Page 267]as the Jews say concerning the overthrow of Jericho, which according to their writings fell on the Sabbath Day;R. D. Kimcbi in Josh. 6. he which commanded the Sabbath to be Sanctified, commanded it also to be prophaned; saith the Author: Now whether this practice of Bells ringing for Worship, for Marriages, and for Burials; be to be observed under the Gospel, let the witness for God in every heart be the Judge, &c.
And saith (T. G.) Ʋriah the Priest, and Zachariah the Son of Jeberechia, are thought to have been God-fathers at the Circumcision of Maher-shalal-hash-baz, Es. 8.2. and from them the custom of having God-fathers in Baptism, to have taken its Original, Stukius de conviv. lib. 1. cap. 16.
1. PAul an Apostle, not of Man, nor by Man, but by Jesus Christ.
2. To the Brethren, which are at Laodicea, Grace and Peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. I thank my God in all my Prayers, that you remain stedfast in him, and in all his works, waiting upon his promise to the day of Judgment.
4. And be not seduced by some unprofitable talkers, who go about to cause you to fall from the Gospel which was Preached unto you by me.
4. Oh that they that were instructed by me, might serve to the profit of the Gospel of Truth, and become diligent in good works of Eternal Life.
6. And henceforth are my bonds manifest, which I suffer for Christs sake.
Wherefore I rejoyce in heart, and account it Eternal Salvation:
8. That such is done through your Prayers, by the working of the holy Spirit, whether by Life, or Death.
9. For I have a Will and a Joy to die in Christ, who will through the same Mercy give you to have the same love, and to be of one mind.
10. Therefore beloved Brethren, as you have heard in my presence, that keep and finish in the fear of God, [Page 269]so shall you have Eternal Life, for God will work it, and perfect it in you without delay.
11. My beloved, rejoyce in the Lord, and take heed of them that are desirous after filthy Lucre.
12. Let your Prayers be manifest unto God, and remainfirm in the knowledge of Christ.
13. And do that which is meet, convenient, just, and reasonable; and what you have heard and received, that keep in your hearts, so shall you have praise.
14. The Grace of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirits, Amen.
Col. 4.16 This Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans, was found in the oldest Bible that was Printed at Worms.
To the Bowed in Spirit, under Sin.
DOst thou still feel in thy heart, reproofs for Sin, Be of good courage, for God hath not yet forsaken thee, therefore obey the reproof of instruction (in thy heart) for it is the way to everlasting Life with God for ever, Isa. 30.21. John 16.6.
To the hardned in Evil.
Canst thou Swear, Lye, Cheat, break thy Promise, oppress the Innocent; or commit Adultery; and feels no sharp reproofs for any of them in thy Conscience, then art thou in a miserable [Page 270]condition, and it's to be feared that God hath cast the Reins of the Bridle on thy neck, and given thee up to thy own hearts Lust, which is thy portion; because of thy so often provoking of the Lord by thy Rebellion against his good Spirit, that he has left thee to hardness of heart, as he did Pharoah, never to escape everlasting vengeance without a timely, and speedy Repentance in Dust and Ashes, before thou go hence, believing that all things are possible with God; though thy sins were as Scarlet, &c. Isa. 1.18. & 55, 6, 7, 8. If thou turns unto him with all thy heart.
An Advertisement of Love.
THey that burn in Effigie the Person of the Pope, and also the Person of a Presbyter (after the same manner) with a short Cloak, diminutive band, &c. are all Christians of one size, or nominal Christians, being far from loving of Enemies, as Christ commands, of whom they would take the name Christian, but wants the nature of that Love, that will overcome Enemies, which Love will certainly overcome, if all called Christians, would seek Gods Glory, and not the exaltation of self in this world, and put their trust in God alone for deliverance, saying with the three Children unto [Page 271]the King, We are not careful to answer thee in this matter, behold the God whom we serve is able to deliver us, but if not, be it known to thee O King, that we will not serve thy Gods, &c. Dan. 3.17. For he that knows not God, knows not what God he Worshipeth, so may compel to the Worship of an unknown God.
See the Mock-procession of the 17th day of November, and the Royal Intel. Number 30.
Common-Prayer-Book; of good things therein, if truly minded.
1. See Good-Friday, the Collect, so called; Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit, the whole Body of the Church is govern'd and Sanctified, 2 Thes. 2.13.
Observe, By this it is declared that they only are of the Church of God, that are governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God, so that all that are so governed, go to the Church, and Worship God according to the said Common-Prayer, being the Church is in God the Pillar, and ground of Truth, 1 Tim. 2.15. Colos. 1.24.
2. The Coll. 3d Sunday after Easter gives a clear testimony to the (Light) that God sheweth to all men that be in error.
Observe, do not those that believe that this (Light) in every man, is not sufficient to [Page 272]lead out of error, believe contrary to the Common-Prayer? John 1.9, 3, 19, 20, 21.
3. Collect 5th Sunday after Easter, that is a Prayer for the inspiration of Gods Holy Spirit, to cleanse the thoughts of the Heart, and to think those things that be good.
Observe, How do they own the Common-Prayer-Book, that in these days make a mock at Inspiration, and say it is ceased? Job 32.8.
4. And that good Prayer, which is said often, but little practised, said on St. Stephens Day; Grant us O Lord to learn to love our Enemies, by the example of thy Martyr St. Stephen, who prayed for his Persecuters? &c.
Observe, Now what People lives and walks nearest the life of the words of the Common-Prayer-Book, let the witness for God (against all sin) in every heart be the Judge (a Tree being to be known by its Fruit, Mat. 12.33.) For some People are so far from loving Enemies, that they persecute their Friends, because they go not to a Church, so called, made of Stone, Acts 7.48. when the Common-Prayer-Book doth not require it, it being sufficient to be of that Church, that the Members thereof are governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God, and also because they cannot in good Consciences pay tyths of the encrease of their Lands Labour, and sweat of their brows, being that the tenths, or tyths to the Priesthood is disannulled by Christ Jesus, Heb. 7. For Christs [Page 273]Ministers receive temporal things, only of those that freely give, Mat. 10.8. And having by their Ministry planted a Vine-yard, may eat the Fruit thereof, but not make the Gospel chargeable, 1 Cor. 2.18, 27. For forced maintenance has caused most of the Divisions, and strivings in the Nations, for possession, John 18.36.
Lastly, And to persecute those, that cannot break Christs Command (nor teach others so to do, Mat. 5.19.) that is to say Swear not at all Mat. 5, 33, 34, 55, 36, 37. James 5.12. For because of swearing the Land mourns, Jer. 23.10. Neither hath Oaths been of safety to any Magistrate or People, as appeareth by the late times, by swearing to and again as Governments have altered, for he that will Lye, matters not an Oath (except to keep favour with his Party) and he that breaks his yea or nay (a Christian-bond) ought to suffer as much, as he that breaks his Oath, the Sin being the same in the sight of God, Mat. 5.19. James 2.10.
See T. Godwyns Civil & Eccless. Rites, Lib. 4. Cap. 10. Wherein he sheweth many of the unwarrantable Heathenish customs that the Jews borrowed of the Heathens; several of which, the Christians (so called) have imitated since; yet we see the goodness of God, that he more and more is bringing People out of outside formality, into the inward life and power of Godliness, with himself, from those that are setled in Mans Traditions (who cry, lo [Page 274]here is the way, lo there is the way (in some outward observation) when Christ Jesus saith; Behold the Kingdom of God is within you; Luk. 18.21. And saith Paul, for the Kingdom of God is not Meat nor Drink, but Righteousness and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14.17. And he (Christ Jesus) said unto them, Will ye reject the Commandment of God, that ye may observe your own Tradition, Mark 7.9. Mat. 15.9. Will you compel People to your Tradition, of Swearing, when God has Commanded not to swear at all, Mat. 5.33, 34, 35, 36, 37. James 5.12. Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least Commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called the least, &c. Mat. 5.19.
And moreover saith our Saviour, Observe all things, whatsoever I have Commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, unto the end of the world, Mat. 28.20.
And as Chrysostom, and others say, for what end wilt thou force him to Swear, whom thou believest not that he will speak the truth? and several Martyrs have born a testimony against all Oaths, &c.
And the Martyrs in and before Queen Maries days, did also bear a Testimony against Oaths, as Walter Brute, (and others) he held that it is not lawful for Christians, for any cause, in any case, to swear by the Creator, neither the Creature, in his last Testimony against the Pope and Church of Rome. See Act. Mon. vol. 1. fol.[Page 275]653. so that those Protestants that practise swearing, are out of the Life of the Apostles, and Martyrs of Jesus, though they be garnishing the Sepulchres of the Righteous, (like the Jews the Prophets) Printing and Re-printing their Labours, although in Life and Practise as contrary to them, as Light is to Darkness; for in Christ Jesus, it is neither being of this or the other Religious Opinion, going to Church, or Meeting, or not going, taking Bread and Wine, or not taking Bread and Wine, Baptizing with Water, or not Baptizing with Water, Circumcision, or Uncircumcision availeth any thing, but A NEW CREATURE, Gal. 6.15. (without God shall by his Spirit require any outward Practice) And as many as walk according to this rule, (of the NEW CREATURE) peace shall be upon them, and Mercy, and upon the Israel of God. ver. 16. For thus saith he, that is high and excellent, he that inhabiteth the Eternity, whose name is the Holy One, I dwell in the high and holy places, with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit, to revive the Spirit of the humble, and to give Life to them that are of a contrite Spirit. Isa. 57.15. Psal. 34.18.51.17. Oh, that all People would bring their Lives and Practices to be tried by Christs Sermon upon the Mount! Matth. 5, 6, and 7. Chap.
An Experiment of Bees. How to take some Honey from each Stock of Bees yearly, or to double them, which may be called an artificial Swarm, if the year comes not very bad for gathering of Honey.
1st. GET strong straw Hives made, but not too big, let them be almost flat at the top, to set one upon another conveniently, let each Hive have a round hole on the top, about one Inch and a half over, dress them as for a swarm, and they are ready.
2dly, Cut a natch on the back of the Bee-stool, about 5 or 6 Inches long, and 2 over, with a shutter, like a bread gratter, to draw in and out, to see the strength of your Bees by the light of the door, let not the Sun shine on the Hives, except about the door.
3dly, About May-day (so called) set those new Hives upon the Bees-stools, under each stock of Bees that is not poor, clay up the edge of the stocks to the new Hives, that a Bee pass not out, except at the Door of the new Hives.
4thly, About the middle of June, see if they have half filled the new Hives, which if they [Page 277]have, choose a warm morning, as when Bees are apt to lie out, and take off one stock, and give it a shake, that some Bees may drop out, and carry it a pole or two, and clay it up, and let it work till the middle of August to be smothered or saved for store; then return to the new Hive, and with a piece of Tile cover the top hole, and clay it well, and brush off the Bees with Hysop, and cover the Hive.
5thly, If they have not half filled the lower Hive, by the middle of June, then let them so stand and work till the middle of August, and then take the Honey in the new Hive, and save the Bees alive; after this manner choose a clear cool morning, (having the night before taken some clay from between the Hives to cool them) take off both the Hives together and set them on the grass, and immediately take the Stock off the new Hive, and set it on the Stool again; then take up the new Hive and shake out some of the Bees, and if there be Bees enough in the Stock, smother the Bees in the new Hive; but if you had rather save them all alive, carry the Hive into some secret Place, cover it with straw, being turned upside down, and many will out, remove your place, and take fresh Straw twice or thrice, and they will most go home; but if you would save all the Bees, carry the Hive into a Chamber, (having before opened the top of the window all along) and brush the Bees off the Combs, and they will fly to the Window, and [Page 278]so out and home, and the Hony will be Virgins Hony, so called: But to arm your selves to do this work, make a thin bagg to put thy head in, and tie it about the neck, having first sowed in a piece of a Weavers slee, for sight and breath.
I have taken above two hundred pounds of Hony out of seven Stocks, in one year, besides the seven new ones.
Note, that if the year comes very good for Bees, and they have half filled their lower Hive by the first of June, (and good store of Bees) you may set then another under the second and first, &c. and then take the Stock, or Over-Hive for use, at the middle of August, and get the Bees out as before.
Note, In driving of Bees out of the Combs, (as aforesaid) take the Hive off gently; for if you knock it, so that any Hony happen to get out of the Combs, the Bees Wings will be smeared with Hony, so that they will not go out of themselves, do what you can, which if it so happen, take it into a private place amongst the grass, (being a Sunshiny day) and take out Comb after Comb, brush the Bees on the grass, and lay the Combs in a dish, (often removing your places) and the drowned Bees, with the Hive, set near the other Bees, for a general Feast, and they will cleanse the smeared Bees, and it may be they may go home to their new Hive.
1. LAy salt on the stool, and ashes on the Crown once a year.
2. Dress the stools in February.
3. Feed them but in April with wet Sugar, if rainy weather come.
4. The Queen Bee is often found on the ground under a Hive of two swarms, and after the last swarm.
5. Bees age scarce two years.
6. Help them to kill the Drones in July, or at other times, to prevent swarming.
7. June the best Month for Bees.
8. They breed most in wet weather, and almost all Summer.
9. When they cast out young white Bees, the stock is good.
10. Take no Hony before August.
11. Remove Bees in January, and to carry them many Miles, wrap a Cloath about them, and turn them upside down on Straw in a Cart.
12. To try to make them swarm, lay stinking weeds under them that they lie not out, but above the door, and the Sun shine not on them but at the door; if this do not make them swarm, rare them two Inches, and they often swarm in two or three days after; do this about the middle of June.
13. In swarming time have a Hive ready drest, to place at their settling, and they often go in of themselves.
14. If a swarm is going home again, cover all your stocks with sheets, and place a drest Hive for them.
15. Set not a swarm too near the commen hiving place.
16. One swarm being hived, cover it, if another is rising.
17. If a swarm hangs on several boughs, get them together quickly.
18. If two swarms hangs near, or together, shake half into one Hive, and cover it with a cloath, and carry it a Pole off, and when they have taken to the Hive, cover it, and hive the other part of the Bees.
19. Two swarms together most commonly fight till one Queen Bee be killed.
20. Take up the best and the worst.
21. One good swarm is enough out of one stock in one year.
22. Set each stock with their doors almost East, and 3 foot asunder.
23. If a swarm gets into a hollow Tree, stop them up, and bore a hole under them, to let in the smoak of burnt Cow dung, and open the other hole for them to flie out.
24. If Robbers come, shut the Bees up close at night, and before, to one Bee, with Tin having holes in it, and kill the Robbers in the morning; [Page 281]but if crumbs of Wax come down, smother them at night, and take the Hony, and set the Hive in its place again, and place a piece of Whalebone long ways at the door, that the Robbers can put by to get in, but not out. To know whether they be your Neighbours Bees, take notice which way they pass at Sunset, and after, and you may know.
25. Keep Grass smooth near the Bees.
26. The Bees will choose to go in and out at the East side of their Hives, if nothing be in their way.
27. Let the Bee stools be but little wider than the Hive, and rising in the middle, then the rain will not beat under them, which causeth vermine to breed; let a board be nailed to the edge of the Stool, about 10 Inches square, slopewise for the Bees to settle and rest on, when they come home laden.
28. For Capes or covering for a Bee Hive, take half a sheaf of Rye straw, bind it in the middle with a string, like unto a Faggot, then turn the ends both ways like a Cake, and set it on a Hive, and cut it round, on which lay a two penny earthen pan, and heavy stones on the pan.
29. A swarm this year is most likely to give a swarm the next year, the older the stock is, the lother they are to swarm, for the most part, after the second year of a swarms age, set them double as before is taught.
30. To make doors to set under the edge of each Bee Hive, take a piece of Sallow; or Willow of about one Inch square, and 6 or 7 Inches long, then cut away about 4 or 5 Inches in the middle at one side, that Bees may easily pass under it, (but not a Mouse, nor a House Snail,) then cut a natch long ways with a Saw, for a shutter of the same Wood to slip too and fro, that but one Bee can pass out all Winter, or when robbing Bees come, and to slip full open in May, June and July.
31. When you are minded to kill Bees, make a great round Hole in the ground, (at the middle of August) set a match of Brown paper upon a short stick, of 2 Inches square, dipt in Brimstone, being well lighted set the Bees thereon, and put the loose earth about the Hive, knocking the Hive a little.
32. The Bees being dead, cut the finest of the Combs into a Sieve that stands over, a pan, and bruise them a little, so let them stand two days, the first Hony, that you pour out of the Pan is the best, the Combs in the Sieve you may either make Mead with washing them, or get the Hony out by putting the Sieve into an Oven, after the Bread is drawn, and it will be pretty good Hony; and for the worst of the Combs, soak them in Water, with them that come out of the Oven, and brew it with some Malt, and drink it in a little time; three pound of Hony is one quart.
33. Melt the Wax in water, and press it out strongly, then melt it in fair water, and skim it clean, then cover it with cloaths till it is cold, that the Wax Cake crack not.
Common-ground, the Poors Right more than the Rich.
IT is a sad age in which we live, that rich, earthly minded men should seek to keep the poor people always very poor. The Cattle upon the thousands of Hills are mine, saith the Lord, which God intended for the poor, as well as others, even for a general good; And besides the large Common-grounds in England the Rich keep from the Poor, in a great measure, which properly is their right, or so much thereof, to keep their Families from want, but not to live in idleness; for some Christian spirited people did, in former ages, give Land as common unto the Poor; but we too often see, how that Rich men by force take it from them, That many Lords of Towns, so called, and other rich Commoners, had rather hinder themselves (in some things,) that they may lord it over the poor, and hinder a general Improvement of Land, than to benefit the poor, by letting [Page 284]them enclose a small part of a Common, to maintain their Families, (though the poor may have friends raised to give the value of it in Mony;) but are rather for having a Law to maintain them very poorly by collections; whenas the Poor might improve Commonground for a general good, and pay taxes. Such oppression on the poor, is no fruit of a Christian Spirit, which is to do unto the poor as they would be dealt with, if they were in the poors condition; The Nation being big enough to maintain ten times as many people (I suppose) as are now in it, by a Christian Industry, and the Laws put in execution against Drunkenness, and other the abuses of good things, the which is of the greatest concern, that the Magistrats ought to look after: And the Poor, as well as others, ought to learn the Apostle Paul's Lesson, that is, to be content in all conditions, which Paul said he had learned, Philip. 4.11. Then will none of the poor in a contentious angry Spirit, strive to get in ground enclosed from the Common, but rather patiently wait upon God, until he shall be pleased to open the hearts of men in outward Power, to grant them their Birth-right, and to become sharers with them of the Earth, (that all may seek a General Good, and not so much for a private Interest;) then will there be a Blessing upon all their Labours, so as none covet to have more than is needful, to spend it upon their [Page 285]Lusts and pleasures; for which Sin, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, doth and will more and more send his Judgments upon the Inhabitants of the Earth, except they speedily repent by yielding obedience to the Grace of God in their hearts, which will not consent to one Sin. Exod. 23.6. Prov. 22.22.23.16.29.14. Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in Judgment; for the Lord will defend their cause, and spoil the Soul of those that spoil them. Thou shalt not overthrow the right of the poor in his sute. A King that judgeth the poor in truth, his Throne shall be established for ever.
There are multitudes of Examples to be given, that shew the wonderful Mercy and Love of God, to such as have been assistant to the Poor, which hard hearted men take little notice of; but for brevities sake, I shall but mention one remarkable passage, as I found it in Richard Burton's Historical Remarques, p. 63. Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in Exchange-Alley, London. In the Reign of K. Henry the Third, was a great famine in England, about the year 1245, whereby the Poor miserably perished for want of Bread. The Authors of those times relate this story very credibly, to shew how displeasing Unmercifulness and want of Charity is in the sight of God; several poor People plucked the Ears of Corn, while they were green in the Common fields, meerly to keep themselves from starving, at which the owners [Page 286]being much offended, desired the Priest of the Parish to curse and excommunicate them all the next Sunday: But one of the Company adjured the Priest in the name of God, to exempt his Corn from the Sentence, saying, ‘That it pleased him well, that the poor being pinched with Famine, had taken his Corn; and so commended what was left to the blessing of God.’ The Priest being compelled by the importunity of others, had no sooner begun the Sentence, but a sudden Tempest of Thunder, Lightning, Wind, Hail, and Rain, interrupted him, whereby all the Corn fields thereabout were laid waste and destroyed, as if they had been trodden under Foot with Cart and Horses; yea, no kind of Fowl nor Beast would feed upon it: But this honest, tender hearted man found all his Corn and Ground, though mingled among others, altogether untouched, and without the least harm. Prov. 14.31. He that oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth him, hath mercy on the poor.
Those may be said to rob the poor, as throw down Cottages, by taking the Commons from them, making great Parks to keep Deer and other Cattle, &c. (laying house to house, and field to field, that neither work nor place may be left for the poor, Isa. 5.8.) And enclosing whole Parishes in England, in these few years, whereby the poor have been forced to remove and lose their right; but many such Great [Page 287]men have come to want for so doing, God having blasted their Estates, and have felt God's Judgments for the same; (I shall forbear to name the Persons.) The same blasting hath also come upon many, that have bought up corn in times of scarcity, to withold it from the poor by great prices, which is well known to many in this year 1681. as in ages past; And do not they also rob the poor, that take away the Gleanings of the Grain in the common fields from the poor, whether it be by the Farmer, or such others as are not really poor; But some may say, Who are the poor that thou writes of? I Answer, He or she that hath nothing but wearing Apparel, and he that hath a Wife, or a Wife and Children, and works hard for 8 d. or 10 d. a day, and hath not above 60 l. value in Land or Money. Lev. 19.9, 10. When ye reap the harvest of your Land, (saith the Lord) ye shall not reap every corner of your field, neither shalt thou gather the Gleanings of thy harvest: But thou shalt leave them for the poor, and Fatherless, and Stranger; I am the Lord your God. Matth. 5.3. Blessed are the poor in Spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven, saith our Saviour Christ. Therefore whosoever first seeks the Kingdom of Heaven, all other things shall be added. Matth. 6.33. Psal. 37.16, and 25. I have been young, (saith David) and now am old; yet I have not seen the Righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging Bread. Notwithstanding I once heard a Priest interpret it, though his seed begging Bread.
MAle the Dial Boards of Quartered wood that they warp not, then take about a Pint of Lintseed Oil, and put to it an ounce of the Litharg of Gold, heat it in a Pot till it almost boil, and stir it often, and it is fit for use; then grind a little Red lead on a Grinding Glovers stone, with some of this Oil, but very thin of the Lead, brush over your Dial-board 2 or 3 times, letting it dry after every time of the doing of it. Lastly, wash it with White Lead so ground, as often as you please; and for the [Page 289]Hour-lines, and Figures, or Letters, work the said Oil with Lam-black; but if you would have Golden Figures or Letters, do thus:
Take yellow Oker, and White Lead, and with the said Oil grind it, lay some of this on the figures in the morning, and at night lay thereon Leaf-Gold, crush it on with Cotten, and when it's dry, black the edges of the Figures to make them smooth.
To sodder Iron.
SET the joints of Iron, as Close you can, lay them in a glowing fire, and take of Venice glass in pouder, and the Iron being red hot, cast the pouder thereon, and take it out gently to cool.
Chops in the Skin.
TAke Capons grease mixt with Camphire, or Oil of Roses mixt with Sheeps suet, anoint the place, and wrap it up, at nights.
TAke small Brasil one Ounce, white Lead and Allum of each two Drachms, Gum Arabick 8 scruples, Urine one pint, shake them often together; it's good to rule Bibles and some other Books with.
Wars and Fightings not to be by Christians.
1. CHrist commands, that we love our Enemies; but War on the contrary teacheth us to hate and destroy them, Matth. 5.44.
2. Christ said that his Kingdom is not of this World, and therefore that his servants should not fight; therefore those that fight, are not his servants. Joh. 18.36.
3. Because he reproved Peter for the use of [Page 291]the Sword, saying, Matth. 26.52. Put up again thy Sword into his place; for all they that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword. Concerning which Tertullian speaks well, Lib. de Idol.‘How shall he fight in peace without a Sword, which the Lord did take away?’ For although Souldiers came to John, and received a form of Observation, if also the Centurion believed afterwards, he disarmed every Souldier in disarming of Peter. Idem de Coro. Mil. asketh, ‘Shall it be lawful to use the Sword, the Lord saying, that he that useth the Sword, shall perish by the Sword?’ See R. Barclay's Apologies pag. 402.
The Word, You, to no more than one Person, how it begun.
WItnessed by John Maresius, of the French Academy, in the Preface of his Clovis. Let none wonder (saith he) that the word [Thou] is used in this work to Princes and Princesses; for we use the same to God: And of old the same was used to Alexanders, Cesars, Queens, and Empresses. The use of the [Page 292]word [You] when one is spoken to, was only introduced by these base flatteries of men of latter ages, to whom it seemed good to use the plural number to one person, that he may imagine himself alone to be equal to many others in dignity and worth, from whence at last it came to persons of lower quality.
Fee-simple, is Land holden to a Mans Heirs and Assigns for ever, but if the Man dies without Issue, or Will, it falls to the next of Kin.
Fee-tayle, a Tenant in Tayl-General, is where Lands are given to a Man, and to his Heirs of his Body, and a Tenant in Tayl-Special, is Land given unto a Man and his Wife, and the Heirs of their two Bodies begotten.
Three Brothers, the youngest purchase in Fee-simple, and dyeth without Issue or Will, it falls to the eldest Brother by descent, &c.
To purchase Land to him and his Assigns for ever, this is but for Life.
Fealty, is an Oath taken at the admittance of a Tenant, to be true to the Lord of the Mannor.
Knights-Service, is to bear Arms for the Lord.
Fee-farm, is Land holden to Mans Heirs for ever under a Rent.
[Page 294]Chattels, are Goods moveable, and immoveable, and are called a Mans personal Estate.
Real-Estate, are a mans Lands.
Replevy, is bringing of a Writ called replegiari facias, to gain his Cattel, and putting in surety to the Sheriff, and Sue.
Fine, is a formal conveyance of Land by acknowledging a perfect agreement (more especially of a Married Woman) before a Judge, or other Commissioners.
Copy-hold, is a tenure, that the Tenant holds Lands by Copy of the Court Rolls, made by the Steward at his Lords Court, this in some places is a base tenure.
Extent, Commissions the Sheriff to seize and value Lands of one, who being bound by the Statute, &c. Hath forfeited his Bond.
Recovery, is the obtaining of Lands by Judgment, or Tryal at Law, and of intailed Estates.
Statute-Merchant, and Statute-Staple, is a Bond made between Debter and Creditor, in form of a Statute, and acknowledged before a Mayor, or Chief-Warden of a City, and 2 Merchants assigned therefore.
Collaterall Security, is over and above the deed or lease.
Lease-parole, is letting of Lands by word of mouth.
Bargains, of above 10 l. value, should be under Hand and Seal.
[Page 295]If Husband and Wife purchase Land together in Fee, the Husband may sell the Land without the Wives leave, Hen. 21. El. 3.6. Therefore its best for the Woman to have trustees.
Curtesie of England.
He that Marries a Wife, that hath free I and and she dyeth, and leaveth a Child that's heard once to cry, and dyeth, he shall have the use of the Land during his Life, otherwise not. All the Land that a Man hath, or shall purchase in Fee during his Life, having a Wife, and he die, his Wife shall have the 3 d of the profits of all; though he might have sold some in his Life-time, except she did acknowledge a Fine, or he held it joyntly with another.
No Man is bound to accuse himself, by the Law of England, (viz.) Magna Charta 28 Edw. 3. Cap. 3.
Item, That no Man of what estate or condition that he be, shall be put out of Land or Tenement, nor taken, nor imprisoned, nor disinherited, nor put to death without being brought in answer by due process of the Law.
Note that Free-hold, is Goods and Chattels, as well as Lands and Tenements, Cooks Instit. 29.46.
None under the Age of 21 years, can sue in his own Name; Males and Females of 14 years [Page 296]old, may be bound in Bonds or Covenants, for necessaries, as Food, Raiment, Schooling, Instructions, and Marriage, &c. Bonds hold ever in force, till cancelled, or cut off by Hand and Seal.
Lands may be passed ten manner of ways.
As by Fine, Recovery, Feoffment, Grant Lease, Bargain and Sale, Exchange Surrender, Release and Confirmation, and by Will, but not by word of Mouth.
Children may be Executors.
If a Man dies without Will, or a Will not witnessed by 3 or 4 Witnesses, the eldest Son will have all his Lands, his Children half the Goods, and his Wife the other half; if no Children, then his Wife to have half the Goods, and his next of Kin the other half.
Men under 14, and Women under 12 years of Age, cannot make Wills of Land, but above that Age may of moveable Goods.
An Administrators Power is equal to an Executor, and are bound to pay his Debts by speciality according to the value of the Goods, 51 Ed. Cap. 11.
Arbitrators cannot Judge of Fellonies, Treasons, Marriages, and Criminal offences against the King or Commonwealth.
Parties may revoke (though not honestly) if they are not bound by Bond to get the Parties to Seal releases to each other, and some mony from one of them, before they see the Award is the best way to make them Friends, 2 Hen. 6.18 & 19.
So that he that is not willing to refer all Personal trespasses to Arbitrators, Elected, and Chosen by the Parties, and stand to their Award (but rather go to Law) is accounted an unreasonable man.
The Latin Names for the days of the Month, and Mony written in Latin Bonds.
That no Act of Parliament, or Law repugnant to the Law of God, is of any force. Finch. page 3.
An acquittance for Rent, Aug. 3. 1681.
l.
s.
7
10
REceived of A. B. the Sum of seven pounds ten shillings in full, for a Quarters Rent for his House, due the 24th day of July last past; I say, received by me
C. D.
A Bill to lend Mony by.
KNow all Men by these presents, that I A. B. of &c. Yeoman, do stand firmly indebted unto C. D. of &c. in the Sum of &c. of lawful Mony of England, to be paid unto the said C. D. or to his certain. Attorney Executors, Administrators, or Assigns on the &c. next ensuing the date hereof, without fraud for [Page 300]the true payment whereof well and faithfully to be made in manner, and form as aforesaid, I bind me my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators in the penal Sum of &c. of like lawful Mony, firmly by these presents. In witness whereof I the said A. B. have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this 20th day of June, 1681. Sealed and delivered in the presence of
A. B.
A Form of a Will.
THe last Will and Testament of A. B. of C. in the Country of D. Yeoman, made the twentieth day of July, in the three and thirtieth year of the Reign of Charles the Second, King of England, &c. and in the year according to the account now used in England, 1681. To the intent that my Goods and Chattels, Lands, and Tenements may hereafter come unto such Persons, and Remain, and be unto such uses, as by me the said A. B. herein do, and shall limit and appoint in this my last Will, do therefore will, order, give, and devise as followeth. Imprimis, I give, devise, and bequeath unto F. B. my Son, all that &c. and to the Heirs of his Body for ever, (or to his Heirs and Assigns for ever, then it's a free Estate.) Item[Page 301]I give unto P. R. my Brother the Sum of 10 l. of lawful Mony of England. Item, I give unto S. T. the Son of W. R. the Sum of 5 l. of like lawful Mony of England to be paid within a 12 month after next my Decease. Item, I give unto the poor of &c. Item, I give and bequeath unto my Friends, T. W. and R. C. the Sum of 5 l. a piece, of like lawful Mony of England, whom I do hereby make, Authorize, and appoint Executors of this my last Will and Testament, and to see me buried, &c. And I do also appoint my Friends W Y. and R. G. to be the Overseers of this my last Will and Testament, and I give unto them 20 s. a piece of like lawful Mony. And lastly I do hereby revoke and call back all former Wills, Executors and Bequests, and do appoint these presents only to stand in force for, and as my last Will and Testament; In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament, set my Hand and Seal, the day & year first above written, sealed, published, and declared by the said A. B. for and as his. Will and Testament in the presence of, P. R. I. H. T. F.
An inventary taken the 24. of July 1681. of all the Goods, and Chattels of A. B. late of C. in the County of D. Yeoman Deceased, prised by us W. H. and H. T. as followeth.
l.
s.
d.
IMprimis, In the Hall one Table, six Joynt-stools, two Chairs, and other small things there.
01.
6.
2.
Item, In the Kitchen, twelve pewter Dishes, and other lumber there.
02.
7.
3.
And so go from Room to Room, and Yard Field, &c sum it up, and let the prisers set their Hands at the bottom, and witnesses if you please
Of the Idol Moloch, to whom the Jews sacrificed their Children. Lev. 18.21.
IN the valley Hinnon, not far from Jerusalem, the Jews set up an Idol of Copper, like a King, which they called Moloch, that is, a King of Idols. This Copper Idol stood with the Arms stretching out, and under it was a great fire; whereby the Image shewed fire-red; and besides that, the more to honour it, they made a great fire between two Walls, which burnt for his sake; and through this fire the Idolatrous Priests cast living Children into Moloch's burning Arms, which he with his Arms red hot burnt to Death. And in this manner the Jews offered their own Children to the Idol Moloch, and when they did it, they made a great noise and cry, and beat upon a Drum, that the Fathers, when their Children were offered, should not hear them cry, by reason of the great noise of the Drum; and therefore Christ likened this valley of Hinnon to Hell fire, saith the Margent to Matth. 5 chap.
The Israelites were forbidden to offer their Children to it. Lev. 18.21. upon pain of death, chap. 20.2, 3, 4, 5. It was destroyed by Josiah, [...]Kin. 23.10.
Feasts that Christ allows of, but contrary to Dives's Feasts, Luke 16.19, 26.
THen said Jesus, when thou makest a Dinner or Supper, call not thy Friends, nor thy Brethren, neither thy Kinsmen, nor thy rich Neighbours, lest they also bid the again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a Feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompence thee; bu [...] thou shalt be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just. Luk. 14.12, 13, 14. Who, of the rich of this Worlds Goods, takes Christ's Counsel in this matter? So that by the vanity tha [...] follows most feastings in these days, we may say as the Preacher once said, Eccles. 7.2. That [...] is better to go to the House of Mourning, than to th [...] House of Feasting.
Apparel, and Furniture, the excess therein not to be amongst Christians, and the poor wants.
I will therefore, (saith the Apostle Paul) that Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered Hair, or Gold, or Pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh Women professing Godliness) with good works, 1 Tim. 2.9, 10. And, saith the Apostle Peter, let not your adorning be in that outward adorning of platting the Hair, and of wearing of Gold, or of putting on of Apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible, even the Ornament of a weak and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God, of great price. 1 Pet. 3.3, 4. For all that is in the World, the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World. 1 Joh. 2.16. Now from whence proceeds the excess in Apparel and Furniture, (in things that are of no service) but from the Lust of the Eye, and the pride of Life, &c. Jam. 2.1, 2. Respecting such as come in platted Hair, or wears Gold or costly array, by such as profess themselves to be Christians, and say that the Scripture is their Rule, when they walk [Page 306]quite contrary, even to that excess amongst some people, that the expences thereof might maintain six times as many poor people as I suppose is now in England: If the Scripture was their Rule, they would observe the same charge that Paul gave unto Timothy, saying, Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain Riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, 1 Tim. 6.17, 18. for the poors relief.
Days all to be kept holy unto the Lord, by ceasing from sin.
THe Apostle Paul saith, Let no man condemn you, in respect of meats and drink, or of an Holy-day, or of the New-Moons, or of the Sabbath days, which are but shadows of things to come; but the Body is Christ. Col. 2 16. Now those that are come to the Substance Christ Jesus, the everlasting Sabbath of rest, and are ceased from sin, and keeps every day holy unto the Lord I say such are persecuted by those that rest still in the shadows, or rather short of those forme [...] shadows, who now observe days, and times, calling [Page 307]them Holy-days, and instead of keeping a day holy unto the Lord, too many keep them to themselves, in sports, games, and other vanities; For, saith the Apostle Paul, he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord be doth not regard it. Rom. 1.4.6. Yet do most, now called Christians, approve of one day in seven for publick Worship, the first day of the Week, being convenient for a day of rest, also for labouring men and Cattle; but the Sabbath day of the Jews was kept on the seventh day of the Week, called now by some people Saturday.
A Character of a True Christian.
1st. HIS daily care is to keep his mind stayed upon God, that he may be kept in perfect peace, Isa. 26.3. And through God's Grace he is taught to deny Ungodliness and worldly Lusts. Tit. 2.11, 12. and to be sober, righteous, patient, humble, meek, upright, merciful, forbearing, forgiving, peaceable, gentle, self-denying, constant, faithful, holy, and also temperate in meat, drink, apparel, &c. which are the fruits of the Spirit, or Grace of God in his Conscience. James 2 chap.
2dly, He is come out of the works of darkness, [Page 308]and the fruits of the Flesh, Rom. 1. [...] 4.31. and 5 ch. Gal. 5. That is, he is not wanton, or passionate, or proud, covetous, or a backbiter, or envious, wrathful, unmerciful, revengeful, prophane, drunken, voluptuous or unclean, nor makes Religion a Cloak for self-interest, or for Loaves.
3dly, He will consent to any righteous thing, for a general good in the Parish where he dwells, or elsewhere, that the poorer sort may be helped, or others his Neighbours, and is at all times willing to relieve the needy, according to his ability, 1 Tim. 6.18.
4thly, He always is ready to endeavour for peace amongst people, or when controversie arise amongst his Neighbours, he will seek to them in a Christian way, for them to refe [...] themselves for peace sake to persons, chosen by them, to end their differences, and not go to Law, believing that they are accounted unreasonable men that will not so end their differences, Matth. 5.9. 1 Cor. 6.1.
Lastly, He is always willing to submit to th [...] outward Governours of the Nation wherein h [...] dwells, or patiently suffer under them, if the require any thing that's against God's Law [...] his Conscience. Act. 5.29. And of him that t [...] keth away his Goods (for the Law of his God [Page 309]he will not ask them again. Luk. 6.30. But if this true Christian be an absenter from the National Church (so called,) then the outside Christians do call
His Gravity, Sullenness;
His Seriousness, Melancholy;
His Silence, Sottishness;
His Diligence, Covetousness;
His Christian-suffering, Obstinacy;
His plainness in Apparel, Singularity;
His proper Speech, Rudeness;
His Scripture-Language, Canting;
His Sobriety, a cheat for Custom;
His being at a Word, a decoy for Trade;
His Industry, Worldly-mindedness;
His Hospitality, Flesh-pleasingness.
In short, such true Christians have been imprisoned, because they cannot take up Arms, and also for fear they should; and if they answer their Adversaries, they say it's Nonsense, or Equivocation, so that his Virtues are accounted Vice, by such Professors as delight only in the form of Godliness, more than the power thereof.
After this manner the Papist used to disapprove of the Sobriety of the Waldenses, of whom Reinerius, a Popish Author, so writeth:
Now the Protestants of the National Church make use of the name of these suffering Waldenses, to help to plead for their antiquity, equal [Page 310]with the Papists, that is, from the Apo [...]s time; which makes them never the truer [...]ristians, considering the great Apostasie, that first spoiled the simplicity of Truth, and keeping up the Heathenish Learning and Traditions of men, Col. 2.8, 20. Yet did God here and there raise Witnesses for the Truth, (in all this dark night) who, for the most part, were persecuted by them that upheld the shell of Religion, or outward Ceremonies, and neglected the substance (God's spirits teaching in their hearts) as at this day.
So that if this good Spirit of God was but truly obeyed, it would lead people to be Witnesses (in measure) of the Saints condition, recorded in the holy Scripture, experimentally, (for imitation of the Saints practices, before God's Spirit lead in each heart, has been, and is the door of Apostasie.) Man in his own Strength and Wisdom, hath been too apt to do and act (as to Worship) that which God doth not require or command him, Deut. 5.32. Isa. 1.12. That the Lord said, Matth. 15.9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of men.
Now Reader, if thy desire is to be truly led, to build upon no other Foundation, besides the (Rock) Christ Jesus, mark well these Scriptures following, and the Lord give thee an obedient Heart, viz. For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness, and unri [...]teousness [Page 311]of men, who hold the Truth in unrighteousness: Because that which may be known in God, is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them: But unto every one of us is given Grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ; for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God: But the anointing which ye have received of him, abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lye, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide.
We have also a more sure Word of Prophesie, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day-Star arise in your hearts. 2 Pet. 1.19. Rom. 1.18, 19.8.14.10.6, 7, 8. Heb. 8.10, 12. Eph. 4.7.
At that time Jesus answered, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto Babes. Matth. 11.25. 1 Cor. 1.27, 29. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things which are mighty: That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1 Cor. 4.18, 19. Let no man deceive himself: If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise; For the Wisdom of this World is foolishness with God, &c.
These things are as a sealed Book to all the Wit, Learning, Study, and mans reason, until [Page 312]he come to bow his mind to the measure [...]e Spirit, or Grace of God in his own heart, [...]om whence these Scriptures (with others) were given forth.
For the Scripture is given by Inspiration of God, &c. 2 Tim. 3.16. For what knoweth the things of a man, save the Spirit of a man, which is in him, even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. But he that is spiritual discerneth all things, &c. 1 Cor. 2.11, 14, 15. For to be carnally minded is Death, but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace; Rom. 8.6. Gal. 5.16.6.5. This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh: For every man shall bear his own burthen.
James 4.17. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin. Prov. 18.10. The Name of the Lord is a strong, Tower, the Righteous runneth into it and is safe.
Ʋniformity in Religion; how attainable, according to true Christianity; and also something of the fruits of Imposition upon Conscience, for religious Opinions.
Humbly submitted to the consideration of Superiours, By William Mather.
WHereas it is professed by all the Professors of Christianity, at this day, that the way and manner of their Religions, or Opinions, is according, and not contrary to the Scripture of Truth.
Now to create peace amongst all the Churches, and to unite in harmless Love, that they may all build (only) upon the (Rock) Christ Jesus, Mat. 7.25. If it shall please God [Page 314]so to open the Eyes of the Magistrates in every place (by his Grace in their hearts, the sure foundation, Eph. 2.8.) to so order it, That the Minister or Teacher, in each Congregation for Worship, shall read the holy Scriptures (only) unto their hearers, all waiting upon God in his fear, to worship him in Spirit and in Truth. John 4.24.
So that if any thing be revealed by Gods Spirit (by way of Interpretation, Edification, or Prayer) to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 1 Cor. 14.30, 31, 32.
So will God be in the midst of those that are thus gathered together in his Name. Matth. 18.20. so as none (in Man's Wisdom speak,) but only as God's Spirit shall give utterance, though it be through the least Member (accounted of) in the Church. 1 Pet. 4.10.
[...]or what confusion and b [...]shed hath come upon the World, for several ages, by reason of mans setting up ways of Worship, Articles of faith, &c. when our Saviour hath already done it, Matth. the 5, 6, and 7. Ch. &c.
For when an Arch-bishop required Joh. Fox (the Author of the Book of Martyrs) to subscribe to Articles of Faith, he pulled out his Greek Testament, saying, I will subscribe unto nothing but this. So that none, except Jews and Atheists, but will subscribe to God's Book, according to the primitive practice of the Saints, to worship God in Spirit: And for this Liberty of prophesying, and Interpretation of the Scriptures (only) by the same Spirit that gave them forth, the ancient Fathers (so called) have pleaded for; as Jacobus Acontius, — ‘After I have alledged (saith [Page 316]he) what I had to say for my Opinion, if the rest shall not allow of my Judgment, I ought to give over defending of it, and cease to be troublesome to the Congregation concerning the same; but I ought not to be compelled to confess that I have erred; for so I should sin against God.— That we may wrestle with God (saith he) by daily prayers, to grant, that we may have the use of this so soveraign and saving Liberty, so profitable to the Church, &c.’
Oh, that people would but lay aside self-interest! then may they see, how they are falln from the true Worship of God, (by setting up Man's Reason as Judge in spiritual matters,) out of which Apostasie there is no Redemption, till people come to own and obey the sufficiency of God's Grace in their [Page 317]hea [...]s, (their only Teacher, [...]it. 2.11, 12. which bears Witness against all sin.) God having said, unto the Apostle Paul, My Grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor. 12.9. And Paul committed the Saints to the Grace of God generally in his Epistles. The Teachers in England do so likewise (in words) to their hearers. And Kings also acknowledge, it is by Gods Grace they are Kings: Therefore it is the one thing needful, and was Maries choice, and it is the same at this day, unto all that are willing and obedient to the guidance thereof, in the whole course of their Lives, which hath several other names in the Scripture, as Light, Word, Spirit, &c. but is but one eternal, pure Substance, Enlightning every man that cometh into the World, John. 1.9. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. 2. Tim.[Page 318]3.12. Then it seems that Persecutors were ever blind, 2 Cor. 4.4. Though they may read, That Faith is the Gift of God, And whatsoever is not of Faith is sin. Rom. 14.23. Notwithstanding many thousands have been murthered or Martyred, since the Apostles time, (or beginning, when men began to force their Faiths,) upon the account of opinions in Religion, upon such as had faith in Christ Jesus, Act. 10.35. Heb. 12.1. Acted and done by such as professed themselves to be Christians, or some faith in God, (even to the shame of the name of Christians amongst both Jews and Turks.) Some they have cut in pieces in cool blood, some burned to death, Bellies ripped open whilst alive, some buried alive, roasted, upon Spits, boiled to death, with several other Torments; some hanged, and some ba [...]ed [Page 319]in New-England, (in [...]age,) some thousands it Old-England have been excommunicated and imprisoned; some imprisoned to death, some banished, some knock'd on the Head, whole Families undone, all their goods taken from them, only because of their meeting together (most peaceably) to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, as God requires, John 4.24.
Which is hard-Measure, to be inflicted upon such Christians, as lives peaceably with all men, Rom. 12.18. upon such as was always willing, and still are to Give unto Cesar (or civil Magistrate) the things that are Cesar's, Mat. 22.21. and unto God the things that are Gods. The things which may be said to be Gods, or of God, is to worship and serve him in Spirit and in Truth, as aforesaid; to live in his fear by departing [Page 320]from iniquity, and to seek after the good of all men, to live in all Christian virtues, to do unto all people as we would be dealt with, Matth. 6.12, which cannot be performed by any, but as they obey the teachings of Gods Spirit in peoples hearts, the Leader into all good, (the same that made David wiser than all his Teachers, Psal. 119.99. Isa. 30.20. Heb. 8.11.) and is a swift witness against every evil thought, word and deed, in every Conscience, Obedience to which makes people happy for ever, 1 Sam. 15.22.
But what person soever pretends, that Conscience or the Light therein is his guide, and acts any thing destructive to Civil Society, as Theft, Murther, or Adultery, or are Traitors, or Plotters, or Drunkards, or Cheats, or Vagabonds, or Mischievous Persons, [Page 321]G [...]. 5.19, 20. To all such the Ch istian Magistrate will be a terror, and a praise to them that do well, Rom. 13.3. if they be of Christs Religion; for he did not compel his Brethren after the flesh, to his Religion, John 7.5. Yet did he and his Apostles bear a Testimony against all fair-sayers and hypocrites in Religion, and left the Civil Magistrates to punish all open wickedness; to which agreeth King Charles the 1st, in the Collection of his Speeches, pag. 91, 123. ‘In point of Consciencious tenderness, I have often declared, how little I desire my Laws and Scepter should intrench on God's Soveraignty, which is the only King of mens Consciences; nor do I desire any man should be further Subject unto me, than all of us may be subject unto God.’— And in his advice to the then Prince of Wales,[Page 322]now King of England, &c. ‘Your Prerogative is best shewed and exercised in remitting, rather than exacting the rigour of the Laws, there being nothing worse than Legal Tiranny, &c.’
But saith Christ Jesus, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house on a Rock, Matth. 7.24. And doeth them, (mark that) dost thou love them that hate thee? &c. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 2 Sam. 23.3.21.15. Now the Jews accounted the appearance of Christ Jesus in the Flesh, as low, and too mean for them, saying, is not this the Carpenter's Son, and despised him, Matth. 13.55.
Even so do too many called Christians, at this [Page 323] [...] account his 2d coming, [...] [...]iritual appearance, too low and mean for them to bow unto; that is, his Light or Grace in their hearts, which reproves for Sin, calling it a dark Light, or the Light of a Natural Conscience, and a misguiding Light, &c. accounting it not sufficient to save from the evil of the World, and so make merry over, and crucifie afresh the just Spirit or Witness of God in their hearts, by wilful kicking against it: Pro. 4.18. John 3.20.16.8. Rom. 3.24. Tit. 3.7. Rev 1, 5.3.14. But blessed be the Lord God, there is a small remnant (in this day,) that are come to witness in their hearts, that little Stone, Dan. 2.34, 44. cut out of the mountain without hands, which shall grow, and fill the whole Earth with Righteousness, and lay every Idol in the dust, notwithstanding all [Page 324]the Opposition, Art, Wisdom, or Violenc [...] of men or Devils; God will arise more and more in his spiritual appearance (in the hearts of People) until he hath conquered the enemies to Righteousness, and the Glory of the Lord cover the Earth, as the Waters cover the Sea; and happy will all they be, that meet him timely, by turning from the evil Imaginations of their hearts, and submit to his Grace, the way to him; for he is worthy to reign and rule in every heart and Conscience, (by his Spirit or Grace therein) now and for ever.
If any man say, I love God, and hateth his Brother, he is a lyar; for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4.20. In which Love I offer this my Mite for Love and Peace-sake, desiring the good of all people impartially, hoping that no longer the hedges of Opinions may barr us from loving one another, with the same love that God doth love us: And that many People may go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob (his Light or Grace in every Conscience) and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths, Isa. 2.3. To which all those that truly fear the Lord God, will say, Amen.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my Body to be burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing. 1 Cor. 13.3.
To conclude, as things are now in the World, it seems to me, that no Protestant will evermore become a Persecutor, (for Conscience sake) they having seen the Judgments of God always following upon People and Nations for Persecution; for Persecutors striving to separate the Tares from the Wheat, have taken too much upon them, (to ascend God's Throne-Conscience) it being the Work of the Angels, to separate the Tares from the Wheat in the time of Harvest, at the last day, Matth. 13.41.
1. Cain for persecuting godly Abel, was made a Vagabond, &c.
2. Ishmael for mocking his Brother Isaac, was cast out.
3. Joseph's Brethren were punished by famine and distress, who persecuted him.
4. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were drowned for persecuting the Children of Israel.
5. Ahab and his house were destroyed, who persecuted good Micah the Prophet.
6. Jezabel, who slew many of the Prophets, was eaten up by Dogs.
7. King Joash was slain in his Bed, who persecuted Zachariah.
8. Haman the informer, who persecuted Mordecai, and the Jews, was hanged.
9. The Priests that persecuted Daniel, was eaten up by Lions.
10. King Antiochus was destroyed with [Page 326]worms, which he confessed came upon him for persecuting the Jews, and other evils.
11. Herod, who sought to destroy Christ, and put to death the Children in Bethlehem, was smitten of God, with a rottenness in his bowels, and Worms, whereof he dyed.
12. Pilate, that wicked Governour, under whom Christ was crucified, killed himself.
13. If Histories speak true, few or none of the persecuting Roman Emperors dyed in their Beds.
14. Judas the other Informer (some say) hanged himself.
15. Dr. Dunning, Chancellor of Norwich, a persecutor, dyed suddenly.
16. Bp. Thornton a Persecutor, seeing some of his Men playing at Bowls on a Sunday, (so called) fell suddenly into a Palsie, and being had to bed, he was put in mind to remember God, Yea, said he, I do, and my Lord Cardinal too; and so dyed. Much more might be mentioned of the sudden Deaths of Persecutors in Queen Maries days.
17. Dr. Story, a bloody Persecutor in Queen Maries time, was hanged in Queen Elizabeth's time.
Multitudes of Presidents more might be given from the Records of Histories, to this day, of Gods Judgments upon the Persecutors; but for brevity sake I shall omit, believing that no Protestant now is of a persecuting Spirit, they [Page 327]having seen it to be the Rock upon which Governments have split, and whole Nations and Kingdoms ruined thereby: Therefore it may be good for all Persecutors in this day, to remember the Counsel of Gamaliel, Act. 5.38, 39. Now, I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this Counsel, or this work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest haply you be found fighters against God.
And also the Counsel of Athanasius, (whom the Papists have trusted) saith he, (as before mentioned,) ‘It is the property of piety, not to force, but to persuade, in imitation of our Lord, &c.’ Constraining none coming to him, and knocking rather, and saying, My Sister, my Spouse, open to me, &c. and entereth when he is opened to, and retires if they delay, and will not open unto him; because it is not with Swords, nor Darts, nor Souldiers, nor Armour, that Truth is to be declared; but with persuasion and Counsel. And it is observable, that it was the impious Arians, who first of all brought in this doctrine, to persecute others, among Christians, whose Successors both Papists and Protestants are, in this matter, (saith R. B. p. 358.) whom Athanasius thus reproveth further: Where (saith he) have they learned to persecute? Certainly they cannot say, they have learned it from the Saints; but this hath been given them, and taught them of the Devil. [Page 328]The Lord commanded indeed sometimes to flee, and the Saints sometimes fled; but to persecute is the invention and argument of the Devil, which he seeks against all. And after he saith, In so far as the Arians banish those that will not subscribe their Decrees, they shew, that they are contrary to Christians, and friends of the Devil. See Athan. in Epist. ad Solit. Vit. & Apol. 1. de fuga sua, Tom. 1.
In the great day, Then shall the King say to them on his Right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, &c.
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye cloathed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in Prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the Righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? &c.
And the King shall answer, and say unto them, verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matth. 25. v. 34. to the end.
— He is not ashamed to call them Brethren. Heb. 2.11.
What portion can they expect, that uncloath the Righteous, and that take their meat from them, and instead of visiting of them in Prison, cast them into Prison, &c.
—The time cometh (saith our Saviour) that whosoever [Page 329]killeth you, will think that they do God service▪ And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. John 16.23.
—But blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake.
Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.-Mat. 5.11, 12.
Whosoever is wrong, the Persecutor is not in the right, most People conclude, by the Witness for God in their hearts, are made sensible of.
Saith Jer. Taylor, D. D. (so stiled) Chaplain in Ordinary to His late Majesty, in his Discourse of the liberty of Prophesying. ‘Let all errours be as much, and as zealously supprest as may be; but let it be done by such means as are proper Instruments of their suppression, by preaching and disputation, by Charity a [...] sweetness, by Holiness of Life, assiduity of exhortation, by the Word of God, and Prayer.’
‘For these ways are most natural, most prudent, most peaceable, and effectual; only let not men be hasty, in calling every disliked Opinion by the name of Heresie, and when they have resolved that they will call it so, let them use the erring person like a Brother, [Page 330]not beat him like a Dog, or convince him with a Gibbet, or vex him out of his Understanding or persuasion, &c.’
With much more to the same purpose.
Testimonies.
Moses said, Would God that all the Lord's-People were Prophets.
Epiphanius said, Only to the Children of the Holy Ghost the Scriptures are plain and clear.
Luther saith, The Scriptures are not to be understood, but by that very Spirit, by which they were writ. Tom. 3. fol. 169.
John Bradford said, We know the Scriptures, as Christs Sheep, by the same Spirit, that wrote and spake them, being thereby assured, &c. Book of Martyrs 3. vol. pag. 298.
Ch. Goad said, There is no knowledge of Christ, nor the Scriptures, but by Revelation, Ref. drops, pag. 12.
See Jacobus Acontius recited by [Page 316]W. Penn, in is Add. to Pro. [...]om p. 157. to p. 172. and Jo. Hales of the Keys, p. 170, 171, 172, 173. for the said liberty, and in his Tract of Schism, p. 201, 202, 203, 204.
See the Book called, A warning against the deceit of setting up Man's Reason as Judge in spiritual matters, first written in Latin, and printed in the year 1644, by Abraham Van Frankenburgh, a German Nobleman, [Page 317]and in Dutch in t [...]e year 1674, and into English in the year 1677, by S. Crisp.
See Luther's Testimony to shun Reason in spiritual matters, Impostilla Ecclesiastica, first part p. 137, 138.
See Franciscus Lambertus, who saith, But above all things be careful thou follow not the manner of Hypocrites, who have written almost word by-word, what they are to say, as if they were to repeat some verses upon a Theatre, have learned all their preachings, as they do, that act Tragedies, and afterwards when they are in the place of prophesying, pray the Lord to direct their Tongues; but [Page 318]in the mean [...], shutting up th [...] way of the holy Spirit, they determine to say nothing but what they have written. O unhappy King of Prophets, yea, and truly cursed, which depend not upon Gods: Spirit, but upon their own writings or meditation! Why prayest thou to the Lord, thou false Prophet, to give thee his holy Spirit, by which thou mayest speak things profitable, and yet thou repellest the Spirit? Why preferrest thou thy meditation, or Study to the Spirit of God? Otherwise why committest thou not thy self to the Spirit?
— Again, (saith he) the Sheep of Christ seeketh nothing but the voice of Christ, [Page 319]which he knoweth by the Holy Spirit, wherewith he is filled; he regards not learning Tongues, or any outward thing, so as therefore to believe this or that to be the voice of Christ his true Sheepherd, he knoweth that there is need of no other thing, but the Testimony of God's Spirit, &c. Tract. 5. Prophecy, Ch. 3.24.
See more at large recited in Rob. Barclay's Apology for the true Christian Divinity, p. 214.275.
Dr. Smith of Cambridge in his select Discourses, To seek our Divinity meerly in Books and Writings, is to seek the Living among the Dead, &c. and therefore David calls [Page 320]not for speculation▪ but sensation; Tas [...] and see how good the Lord is, &c.
Chrysostom saith well, de Anath. We must condemn and reprove the evil Doctrines, that proseed from Hereticks, but spare the men, and pray for their Salvation.
R. Barclay pag. 355. — As long as Heresie doth not exert itself in any Act destructive to humane Society, or such like things, but is kept within the sphere of those Dutys of Doctrine or Worship, [Page 321]which stands betwixt a man and God, they no ways come under the Magistrates power.
Athanasius in Epist. ad solit. vit. R. B. 359. (saith he) It is the property of Piety, not to force, but to persuade, in imitation of our Lord, who forced no body, but left it to the will of every one to follow him, &c. But the Devil, because he hath nothing of Truth, uses knocks and Axes to break up the Doors of such as receive him; but our Saviour is meek, teaching the Truth, Whosoever will come after me, &c.
Christ (saith Ambrose) sent his Apostles to sow faith, not to constrain, but to teach; not to exercise [Page 322]coercive p [...] but to extol th [...] [...] ctrine of Humility. Amb. Com. in Luc. l. 7.
Saith Tertullian, It is a thing that easily appears to be unjust, to constrain and force men to sacrifice against their Wills, seeing to do the service of God, there is required a willing heart, &c. His Apolog. Cap. 24.
Mahomet, who prohibited all reason or discourse about Religion, as occasioning factions & divisions, & indeed those that press persecution and deny Liberty of Conscience, do thereby shew themselves more the Disciples of Mahomet, than of Christ, and that they are no way followers [Page 323]of the Apostles Doctrine, who desired the Thessalonians, 1 Thes. 5.21. to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. And also saith, unto such as are otherwise minded, God shall revealit, Phil. 3.15. Not that by beatings and Banishments it must be knocked into them, R. Bar. Apol. aforesaid, p. 362.
Luk. 9.55. The Son of Man is not come to destroy mens Lives, but to save them.
The Ceremonies used by the Jews in their crucifying of Christ Jesus, and some Malefactors.
FIrst, The Judges and the Witnesses did (when Sentence was pronounced) put their hands upon the condemned persons head,Drus. praeterit. Mat. 27. and said, Thy blood be upon thine own Head. Unto this the People had reference, saying, His blood be on us, and on our Children, Mat. 27.25.
Secondly, In the time of Execution, they would give a Malefactor a grain of Frankincense in a cup of Wine; this they did give to cause a giddiness in the condemned persons head, that thereby he might be the less sensible of the pain. Saint Mark calleth this cup, Wine mingled with Myrrhe, Mark 15.23. This was done after the manner of the Jews; but the [Page 331]Souldiers, in Mockery, mingled Vinegar and Gall with it,Korot le bona becos schel iaijn Maimon in sanhedrim c. 13.Mat. 27.34. As likewise they gave him a second cup in Derision, when they took a sponge,It Moses Kotsens in san hedrim. and filled it with Vinegar, and put it on a reed, Mat. 27.48.
Thirdly, The manner of the Cross, on which Christ was crucified, was like this figure, †, his Hands nailed to each side, and his Feet nailed together to the bottom of the Cross, almost. And Jesus said unto Thomas, reach hither thy Finger, and behold my Hands, &c. Joh. 20.27. Psal. 22.16. Even so do many (in this day,) Crucifie afresh the Son of God, and put him to open shame. Heb. 6.6. By resisting and doing despite unto his Spirit of Grace in their hearts, wilfully running into evil, (whilst they profess Christianity,) committing the sins of Sodom, Gen. 19.5. Crucifying in Sodom and Egypt spiritually, &c.
Fourthly, Sometimes in notorious offenders, to augment the pains (of those that they whip,Eustathius, item Athenaeus, Lib. 4.) they tied certain huckle bones,Tholosan synt. Jur. univers. lib. 31. or plummets of Lead, or sharp Thorns to the end [Page 332]of the Thongs, and such Scourges; the Greeks termed Flagra Taxillata; in the Scripture they are termed Scorpions; My Father hath chastised you with rods, but I will correct you with scorpions. 1 Kings 12.12.
The manner of their stoning to death the rebellious Sons, Witches, &c.
THe Offender was led to a place without the Gates two Cubits high, his Hands being bound, from hence one of the Witnesses tumbled him by a stroke upon the Loins; if that kill him not, the Witnesses lift up a stone, being the weight of two men, which chiefly the other Witness casteth upon him;Paul fagius, Deut. 17.7. if that kill him not, all Israel throw stones upon him. The hands of the Witnesses shall be first upon him, to put him to death, and afterwards the Hands of all the people, Deut. 17.7.
The manner of their strangling of such as lieth with another Man's Wife, or that smiteth his Father or his Mother, &c,
THe Offender was put in dung up to the loins, a Towel be [...]ng cast about his neck,[Paraphrast. Chald. Ruth. 1.17. Milkkotsi. fol. 183. col. 3. which two Executioners, one on each side, plucked to and fro, until he was dead, which they accounted the easiest kind of death.
Restitution for Goods stolen, the Law of God.
IF the Theft, whether Ox or Sheep, were found alive upon a man, he restored but double, Exod. 22.4. But if they were killed, or sold, then five Oxen for an Ox, and 4. Sheep [...]or a Sheep, Ex. 22.1. The Jews were so precise [Page 334]in this kind, that if they had built an house with a Beam or piece of Timber unjustly gotten, they would pull down the house, and restore the same Beam or piece of Timber to the Owner.David Nimchi. From this the Prophet Habakkuk doth not much dissent: The Stone shall cry out of the wall, and the Beam out of the Timber shall answer it, Hab. 2.11.
Among the Jews he ought to be sold, that was not of sufficient worth to make Restitution, Exod. 22.3.
And Augustine saith of Christians, (Aug. Epist. 54.) That he which doth not make restitution, according to his ability, never repented. And Non remittetur peccatum, nisi restituatur ablatum.
No doubt, but that if this Law was practised in England, we should not have so many Thieves; for to be sold as slaves for stealing, is more terrible than Death, (that are so desperate to cry, A short Life and a sweet.) And so may have time to see their folly, and may become new Creatures, and steal no more, rather to work with their hands, Eph. 4.28. But if they become honest, and not able to work, they will be maintained by those that fear the Lord, Deut. 28.48.
Phylacteries, that the Pharisees wore upon their Arms.
THey made broad their Phylacteries, and enlarged the borders of their Garments, Mat. 23.5. It is said that they were parchment, upon which was written some of the Law, as the ten Commandments, &c. The Command was general,Mos. Kotensis. praec. offir. 22.Ex. 13.9. It shall be for a sign unto thee, upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine Eyes; So that it was not the wearing of them, which our Saviour (did then condemn) but the making of them broad, whereby they would appear more holy than others; some wore them on their fore-heads.
Because the Pharisees superstitiously conceited, that by them as by Amulets, Spells and Charms, hanged about their necks, themselves might be preserved from danger, Hierom testifieth, that the Pharisees had such a conceit of their Ornaments:Chrysost. & Hier. in Mal. 2.3. in which place he compareth them to certain superstitious Women of his time,The Priest under the Law wore white Garments, Levit. 16.4. But the white cloathing of a Christian is a meek and a quiet Spirit, &c. 1 Peter 3.4. Rev. 19.8. & 4.4, 18. See page 256. who carried up and down upon the like [Page 336]ground, short sentences ou [...] of the new Testament and Reliques of the Cross the same superstition hath prevailed with many o [...] latter times, who for th [...] same purpose hang the beginning of St. John about their necks, and in the year of our Lord 692 certain Sorcerers were condemned for the lik [...] kind of Magick, by the name of Phylacterians see T.G. civ. & Eccl. Rite lib. 2. ch. 4. As Christian in the consecration of their Churches (saith he make special choice of some particular Saints by whose names they call them, as St. Peter Church, St. Pauls, St. Andrews, &c. so the Idolatrous Israelites consecrated their Groves unto particular Idols, &c. (no good example to Christians) howbeit the most high dwelleth no in Temples made with hands, Isa. 66.1, 2. Act 7.48. & 17, 24. Saith the Lord, and to him will look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite Spirit, and trembleth at my word. 1 Cor. 6.19. your Body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, (the Lord Supper) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock i [...] any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will com [...] in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me Rev. 3.20. Happy is he that opens his heart to the knocks, or reproofs of Gods Grace, shall overcome the evil, and sit with God upon hi [...] Throne, and live with Christ Jesus for ever and [Page 337]ever; this is the plain truth, open and free unto all the obedient, of what Nation soever; as Serjeant Jefferies well said, in these words at the Tryal of Stephen Colledge, viz. Truth is not confined to places, nor Persons neither, but applyed to all honest men, be they Irish men or others.
Lastly, Herods Temple (which was the second Temple) about 40 years in building, was set on fire by Titus his Souldiers, that it could not be quenched by the industry of man, at the same time the Temple at Delphi being in chief request among the Heathen People,Genebrard Chro. l. 2. Anno Chr. 69. Theodore l 3. c. 11. sozomenus lib. 5. cap. 19.20.21. was utterly overthrown by Earth-quakes, and Thunderbolts from Heaven, and neither of them could ever since be repaired; the concurrence of which two miracles evidently sheweth (saith T. G.) that the time was then come, when God would put an end both to Jewish Ceremonies, and Heathenish Idolatry, that the Kingdom of his Son might be the better established.
Notwithstanding, many called Christians▪ do still build outward Temples; setting them East and West, as Solomons Temple, when Gods Temple is in an humble and contrite Spirit, Isa. 57. see page 267.
How to make Soap, called Ball Soap, that will be white.
TAke 4 or 5 Bushel of the ashes of Fearn, (the Fearn having taken no wet, nor too ripe) Wood Ashes one peck, and three pecks of Lime, put these into a tub that hath holes in the bottom, (stopt with spickets) on these holes lay straw (in the tub) then put boiled water to the Ashes, and the next day let the water run out, boil this water in a furnace about 24 hours, or until it be thickish, that it will receive tallow; put in the tallow (being shred) by degrees, stirring it continually with an Iron Ladle, and if it thicken fast, put in tallow faster and faster, for fear it burn, for then all is spoiled, then stir it with a wooden spade (being so thick, that the Ladle will not do it) let the fire then slake, but stir it still (which is as much as a man can well do then) take it out as fast as you can, into a cloath that lies in a tub, wrap it up, that it cool not too fast, take it out by hand-fulls, and weight it into quarterns, or half pounds, and work them into Balls; so make a bigger or lesser quantiry.
TAke the Bran of the finest Wheat, steep it in water 2 days, then let the water run through 2 or 3 fine Sieves, then put the water in a broad Earth dish, and set it in the Sun, or over a gentle heat of coals, until it be dry, and it is fit for use.
Here followeth the form of a Test, which may be necessary for all men to subscribe publickly before a Justice of Peace (once a year) or nearest Justice, (which will prove as binding as an Oath can be) and being some people cannot in good conscience break Christs Commands, who hath Commanded not to swear at all, Mat. 5.34, 35, 36, 37. James 5.12. their yea or nay may serve, which will secure the Government, as well, if not better, than all Oaths, if all could swear (as the late times may witness) for he that is found to be a plotter against the King (let his Religion be what it will) there is a law in England to hang him, [Page 340]then that law keeps the Government safer than all Oaths, &c.
I. A B. do solemnly, and in good conscience, in the sight of God and Man acknowledge and declare, that King Charles the Second is lawful King of this Realm, and all the Dominions thereunto beloging, and that neither the Pope, nor See of Rome, nor any else by their Authority have right in any case to depose the King, or dispose of his Kingdom, or upon any score whatever to absolve his Subjects of their Obedience, or to give leave to any of them to Plot or Conspire the hurt of the Kings Person, his State, or People, and that all such pretences and power are false, pernicious, and damnable; and I do further sincerely profess, and in good Conscience declare, that I do not believe, that the Pope is Christs Vicar, or Peters lawful Successor, or that he, or the See of Rome, severally or joyntly are the Rule of Faith, or Judge of Controversy, or that they can absolve Sins: nor do I believe there is a Purgatory after Death, or that Saints should be prayed to, or Images in any sense be worship'd; nor do I believe that there is any Transubstantiation in the Lords Supper, or Elements of Bread and Wine at, or after the Consecration thereof by any Person whatsoever; but I do firmly helieve that the present Communion of the Roman-Catholick-Church is both Superstitious, and Idolatrous; and all this I do acknowledge, intend, profess and declare without any equivocation, or reserv'd, or other sense then the plain and usual signification of these words according to the real intention of the Lawmakers, [Page 341]and the common acceptation of all true Protestants, signed A B.
Obj. They object (saith R. B.) that Christ did swear, and we ought to imitate him.
Ans I answer, that Christ did not swear; and albeit he had sworn, being yet under the Law, this would no ways oblige us under the Gospel,Hier, lib. Ep. part 3 tract. 1. Ep. 2. R B. Apol p. 394. 398. as neither Circumcision, or the Celebration ofthe Paschal Lamb, concerl ning which, Hierom saith, al things agree not to us, who are Servants, that agreed to our Lord, &c. The Lord swore, as Lord, whom no man did forbid to swear, but unto us, that are Servants, it is not lawful to swear, because we are forbidden by the law of our Lord. Yet lest we should not suffer scandal by his example, he hath not sworn, since he commanded us not to swear.
And saith Pythagoras, let no man call God to witness by an Oath, no not in Judgment; but let every man so accustom himself to speak, that he may become worthy to be trusted even without an Oath; Quintilianus takes notice, that it was of old a kind of Infamy, if any was desired to swear, but to require an Oath of a noble man, was like an examining him by the hangman.
This Doctrine of Christ is so strictly laid down, as that no room is left for the least objection, as is evident in these very words, Swear not all; But [Page 342]above all things, my Brethren swear not, &c, which was the Judgment of many Martyrs, in Q. Maries days, and before, see Eusebius Relations, Justin Martyr Ap. 2. Tertullian Ap. cap. 32. Clemens, Origen, Athanas. in pass. & cruc. Dom. Christi, Chrysostom. in Genes. homil. 15. Idem homil. in Act Apost. cap 3 Beda in Jac. 5. Anselmus in Matth. 5. Waldenses, Viclevus, Erasmus in Mat. 5. and in Jac 5. A multitude more witnesses might be produced, whose faith was against all swearing, see R. Barclays Apology aforementioned, see p. 273 in this Book.
VVHoso loveth Instruction, loveth Knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
Every Child is known by his doing, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right; foolishness is bound in the heart of a Child, but the Rod of Correction shall drive it far from him.
With-hold not Correction from thy Child, for if thou beatest him with the Rod, he shall not die.
A wise Son maketh a glad Father, but a foolish Son is the heaviness of his Mother.
A Child left to himself, brings his Mother to shame.
The Father of the Righteous shall greatly rejoyce.
A proud look, and a lying Tongue, the Lord hates, Prov. 2.
To serve them in true love, even mine enemies, though they are not of my Religion, Mat. 5.44.
Question.
How canst thou perform thy Duty to God and Man?
Answer.
Only by obeying the Light Spirit, or Grace of God in my heart or conscience, which God hath given to me, and all people a measure of, to overcome Sin, and enables to perform good things. Joh. 3.21. 1 Pet. 1.19. Heb. 10.16. 1 John 4.13. Eph. 4.7. John 1.4.
[To believe, and obey the Spirit of God, which he hath sent into the world, placed in Mens hearts, which convinceth and reproveth for Sin, is the only way and means which God hath ordained for the restauration, life, and salvation of Mankind, and is indeed the Christ of God, which in Scripture hath many names, but is but one pure eternal holy thing, see W. S. concerning good thoughts, &c.]
Question.
What is the first step to Eternal Life? Psal. 119.9.
Answer.
By taking heed unto the Word of God in my heart, which troubles me when I am doing evil, or told a lye, Joh. 3.18, 16, 8. Deu. 30.14. Eph. 5.13.
Those that are often angry, and ready to quarrel for opinions, and have not a Bridle for their Tongues, James 1.26. Eph. 4.31. Prov. 29.22.
[No opinion, or profession of Religion, &c. where evil thoughts, and evil doings stands, avails any thing, W. S. page 25.]
Question.
What is it that moves in Children to lying and rudeness?
Answer.
It is the Serpent that beguiled Eve, the Father of Lies, John 8.44.
Question.
How dost thou think to be established in the true Religion, if thou dost not trust to Mans teachings? 1 John 2.27. Heb. 8.11. Isa. 30.21. Rom. 14.12. 2 Pet. 1.19.
Answer.
God has given me, and all people a teacher within us, that is, he will teach his People himself by his Grace in our hearts, being many go astray that trust to Mans teachings, John 6.45, 14, 26. Isai. 2.22, 48, 17. Rev. 3.20. Heb. 8.10, 11. John 14.26.
Question.
Then is this Grace of God the one thing needful, and the place into which God will bring all Nations, that are, or shall be saved? Isaiah 2.5. Eph. 2.8. Rom. 1.19.
Yes, it is Maries choice, and God said unto Paul, my Grace is sufficient for thee, 2 Cor. 12.9.
[Do not Kings acknowledge, that it is by Gods Grace they are Kings, and the Teachers in England often say to their Hearers, we commit you to Gods Grace, as Paul generally did the Churches, in his Episties to them, therefore it is the one thing needful.]
Question.
What will be the end of wicked Children and Lyars, if they do not mend? Ezek. 33.11. Rev. 21.8. Rom. 6.23.
Answer.
They must be turned into fire and brimstone in Hell for ever, Matthew 8.12. Mal. 4.1. Eph. 5.6.
Question.
Wilt not thou pray to God to be delivered from evil, that thou may escape Hell-fire, and dwell in Heaven with God for ever? Acts 10.2.
Answer.
Yes, being Christ Jesus hath said, suffer little Children to come unto me, therefore I should alwaies pray in my heart to this effect, Mat. 19.14. Luke 18.1.
O Most Merciful God and my Creator, make me to remember thee now in the days of my Youth, [Page 350]I humbly pray thee, to incline my heart more and more to take heed unto thy word in my heart, that daily reproves, and troubles me, for every evil thought, word, and deed, and stirs me up to good things, so shall I be enabled to praise thy name here on Earth, that I may dwell with thee in thy Kingdom of Heaven, for ever and ever, Amen. John 16.8.13.
[Good thoughts are of Gods own begetting, and very comfortable to a Christian, and are the fruit and effect of keeping and obeying the Law of God within the heart, Romans 2.14, 15. W, S. page 27.]
Question.
Now if thy heart be inclined to pray continually, thou wilt hunger and thirst after Righteousness, and will alwaies in thy heart give thanks unto God, at the receiving of meat and drink, and all other of Gods Mercies, though thou dost not express it in words, except God shall require it of thee for the edification of others, Matth. 5.6. 1 Tim. 2.8. Eph. 6.18.
Answer.
Truly, when my mind is still and out of earthly thoughts, I find inclination [...] to pray alwaies, and also a hungering, and thirsting after Righteousness, Christ Jesus hath said all such are blessed, and as God said unto Cain, if thou do well, shalt thou not be excepted? and if thou dost not well, sin lieth at thy door, Gen. 4.7.
OUr Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily Bread, and forgive us our Trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
A few words to those that are minded to impose upon Conscience.
Question.
DOth not the old Serpent move in People to persecute for Religion. Heb. 10.29.2 Cor. 4.4. Rev. 12.14.
Answer.
Yes, He works in many that are of a self interest, that cannot rest from compelling others (more Righteous than they) to some outward observation, ceremony, or opinion, before [Page 352]others see it their duty so to do. John 15.20.
Question.
Then is it not the same Spirit that put the Martyrs to Death, as at this day, that seeks to force others to their opinions? Exodus 23.2. Rev 12.11.17.
Answer.
Yes, it is the same Spirit that forceth; for the true Christians only persuade in the love of God, Romans 14.4, 13. 1 John 4.20.
Question.
Are all true Christians, that chiefly mind the Grace of God in their hearts, though they do not practise the Ceremonies of Men? Col. 2.8. Phil. 3.5.
Answer.
Yes, for all People of every Nation that fears God, and works Righteousness, it is by this Grace that they perform good things, and such do find acceptance with God, neither can such seek to enforce others to their faith any more, than Christ Jesus did his Brethren after the flesh, to believe in him, John 7.5. Acts 10.35.
Question.
Are not most people in this day striving by one way or other to enforce others into their faith; by what means shall People come to be of one heart? Jer. 32.39.
Answer.
Only by every ones keeping to their own measure of Grace in themselves, and none to exalt themselves above their measure received of God, and none to be drawn from the obedience [Page 353]thereof by any mans words or actions, lest their portion be with the young Prophet, whom the old deceived, 1 Kings 13.18. Jere. 9.4.
Question.
May we by an outward force seek to deliver our selves from imposition? Rom. 8.31. Rom. 12.19.
Answer.
No, all true Christians will love their Imposers, and obey the Magistrate in all things that are due to Caesar, Matthew 22.21. Acts 4.19.
[The true worship of God stands not in any outward observation of time or place, or any bodily exercise therein; but in doing the will of God, bowing in his Spirit, and obeying the voice thereof, W. S. page 43.
Question.
Doth God accept of the several Religious performances of People in these days? John 4.24.
Answer.
Those that wait not to f eel Gods Spirit leading them into those performances or duties, find no more acceptance with God, than the offerings of the lame, and the blind did in the first Covenant, Jude 30. Rom. 8.26.
Question.
What is the work of the true Ministers? Acts 28.18.
Answer.
To remind People to take heed unto their [Page 354]only Teacher, Gods Grace in their hearts, and such will not desire People to follow them any further than they follow Christ; and their holy Conversation, wins more to God than their Preachings, Job 36.22. 1 Cor. 11.1. 2 Peter 1.9. Heb. 8.11.
A Cloud of Witnesses might be produced to prove, that no force ought to be used to drive People into this, or the other Religious opinion before the Lord by his Grace in their hearts manifesteth to them, that it is their duty to conform; For what is not of Faith is sin, Rom. 14.5, 23.
A few Witnesses here follow.
Jeremiah Taylor, (once) Chaplain to King Charles the first, said,
I being most of all troubled that men should be persecuted and afflicted, for disagreeing in such opinions, which they cannot with sufficient grounds obtrude upon others necessarily, because they cannot propound them infallibly.
Dr. Stilling fleet (once) Chaplain to King Charles the second, in a Sermon before the King, Anno 1674/5 saith,
To be a Christian was not to fight for the faith, but to live by it, not to quarrel for good works, but to practise them; in short, to be a Christian was to depart from iniquity, and to [Page 355]do good, to be meek and humble, and patient, and peaceable towards all men, to be charitable and kind, to be sober and temperate in all things, to be holy, sincere, and innocent in his actions towards God and Man.
Lucernus said, he that commandeth any thing, wherewith he bindeth the conscience, this is an Antichrist, Inde Benuse disp. fol. 71.
Calvin said, that the Apostle gave to understand, that to exercise Authority over ones faith was in no wise just nor tolerable yea, (said he) it is Tyranny in the Church; for faith ought to be free from all subjection of men.
Luther, upon 1 Kings 5. In the building of the Temple their was no sound of Iron heard, to signify that Christ will have in his Church a free and a willing People, not compelled, and constrained by Laws, &c.
Stephanus, King of Poland said, it belongeth not to me to reform the conscience, I have alwaies gladly given that over to God, which belongeth to him, and so shall I do now; and also for the future, I will suffer the Weeds to grow until the time of Harvest, for I know that the number of Believers are but small, therefore said he, when some were proceeding to Persecution, Ego sum Rex Populorum, non Conscientiarum,[Page 356]that is, I am the King of the People, not of their Consciences, he also affirmed that Religion was not to be planted with fire, and Sword, Chron. van. de. Rel. Ʋriih 2 deel.
Ellis Hooks said in a Book of Martyrs, Paul the Apostle taught, that the Servant of the Lord must not strive, but must be gentle towards all men, suffering the evil men, instructing them with meekness, that are contrary minded, &c. 2 Tim. 2.4.2.
If any Man shall pretend that the Scriptures judge according to his conceptions or conscience for other men, and that they must take their religious measures by the line of his direction; such a Person makes himself greater than either Church, Scripture, or Conscience, W. P. Add to Prov. 148.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, fur this is the Law and the Prophets, Mat. 7.12.
LET none wonder that I call some part of this Book a Primmer for Children; since my Soul loves innocence, and the true Childs State, and a Primmer only was my first design, but since so many things are added, I thought good to intitle it a Manual, therefore, where any has run into by-paths upon the barren Mountains of outside Religion (and true Religion not in the heart, but a talk of Religion [Page 358]only in the head or tongue) must come and return to this innocent Childs State, to the Alpha, or the beginning, to the A B C in Christs School (Gods Grace in the heart, the just mans path, Prov. 4.18. that reproves for evil) to have peace in God, so shall their Religion, and learning be in the substance (Christ Jesus) not shadowy, nor tinctured with heathenish learning, through Philosophy, and vain deceit, Col. 2.8.
And therefore Reader, apply thy whole heart to Gods Grace therein, and God will teach thee to profit in all good things who alone can drive away all darkness and errour out of thy heart (and not to be drawn from the obedience of Gods Grace by any mans words or actions whatsoever, least thy portion be with the young Prophet, least thy portion be with the young Prophet, whom the old deceived, 1 Kings 13. not minding his own gift given him of God, before anothers) so shall thy mind be fixed, and stayed in the way of righteousness; and will give unto God all the honour and praise, (from whence alone all good cometh) not unto man, nor any thing of Man, whose imaginations are evil, when at any time he turns his mind (into his own wisdom) from his true guide (Gods Word, Spirit, or Grace in his conscience, Psalms 119.9. Isaiah, 30.20.) which Spirit was the only rule that the Righteous walked by, before the holy Scriptures were written or printed in paper (the same at this day, blessed be the Lord God, he hath not left himself without a witness [Page 359]for Righteousness in every conscience) and being written are a Rule, but not the chief Rule, now they that hold it to be their chief Rule, ought by it to learn to love their enemies, being it is therein written; but indeed that they cannot do, before they turn their whole mind and soul to the said chief Rule (Gods Grace) to receive power also, to be kept (by it) out of the many evils that are in the world, John 17.15.
But instead of making the Scriptures their Rule, the Priests meanings from the Scriptures is injoyned for a Rule, which breeds the great disunion (at this day) therefore if nothing but the Scriptures was read in publick places for worship (for nothing of mans framing,See p. of unifor. and making is so good) and see how many Dissenters there will be, &c.
And no interpreter, but Gods Talent of Grace in every heart (to himself) by which People knows good from evil, and by it can also see and discern such as profess Religion (only) as a Cloak for self-interest, from such as are Religious indeed, that follow after Righteousness, and seek the good of all People in general (being Gods Workmanship) that is Godly, dwelling in the same love one to another, as God hath for us all (that would not the death of a Sinner) in his sending plentiful seasons, &c. Mat. 5.45. For God is holy, just and good, and without holiness, no man shall see God to his everlasting [Page 360]joy, and truly happy is that man, that dwells in this innocent love to all the Creation, he is blessed, let People call him either Papist, Protestant, or Heretick, or any other name, he is never the worse, the Lord God is on his side, Gods Name is his strong Tower, and sure hiding place (if he continues in this love to all People) he will not fear, though ten thousands rise up against him; for he doth not trust in the arm of flesh, Horses nor Chariots, nor go's to Egypt for help, but his strength and stay is only upon God to deliver him from all his enemies both within and without; for he that dwells in this Love, dwells in God, and God in him, 1 John 4.16. and he will assuredly take his Lord and Masters Counsel, who said, Mat. 5.44. But I say unto you, love your Enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
That ye may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven, for he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil, and on the good, &c.
For if you love them which love you, what reward have ye, &c.
Note, That all the Rules in this Book are not set in order (as some Books are) but the Contents or Table at the end will direct to each part, and parts of each rule and thing; which so happened by reason, that several questions and things were by me sent to the Press in single papers, and so printed partly as they came, that [Page 361]some few things, may be twice mentioned, but the errors in printing I hope thou wilt amend by thy pen accordding to the errata, and others that are really so.
I have omitted the fractional parts in several of the Rules and Tables in this Book; because (if I had inserted them) they would have much puzled the young learners, (which some Persons may be ready to cavil at) but the error is so small, being few Persons matter the measuring of Timber, Board, &c. to an inch or part of an inch, the which exactness may be learned, after the learner is a little skilled in the rule of Fractions, in page 42.
In Gaging of Vessels or Barrels in page 29 there was a mistake, therefore begin at the ninth Line thus.
Or if it be a round Barrel that bellies in the middle, measure the breadth at bung, and at the head, and add them together, and half thereof multiply into half the Compass (between the end and the bung) and that product by half the length of the Barrel, and the product divide by 288 ½ or 289 for Ale or Bear, 231 for Wine, or 272 for Salt or Corn, the quotient shews half the number of Gallons in the said Barrel, but if the Barrel be wider at one end then the other, [Page 362]add the breadths together, and half the number of inches is the true breadth, allowing for the sides of the wood of the Barrel.
Note, That if it's round, and bellies not at all, you may find the product of inches, by round Timber measure in page 28, and divide it by 289 the inches in a gallon of Ale (or thereaabouts) and work as before.
How to find the square of a round Timber, stick, or Stone, by Arithmetick, which you may also do by Gunters line in p. 207.
Alwaies multiply the number 2821, by the inches of the Compass, and cut off 4 figures from the right hand.
Example.
[...]
See p. 37. For the third figure, or multiply the whole longest doted line, by half the 2 shorts, being first added together.
The fifth figure, or multiply half the longest side by the dote line.
For the sixth figure being a Circle, or multiply half the Compass by half the breadth, the product shews the number of flat or superficial Inches, if it be the end of a Barrel, round Timber, Stone or Land, &c. being round.
See p. 36. The second figure there, may be measured like the 3d figure in p. 37.
Of Bees, p. 276. &c. The best is to smother no Bees, till the latter end of September, the weather cold, to prevent your Neighbours Bees, that will smell the Hony, and so may rob your other Bees that are not very strong.
Secondly, if you find that the under Hives, be somewhat too weak in October, set 2 of them together, the strongest uppermost, or any other weak stock upon one of them; to be one house.
Rot in Sheep, p. 112. Drench them every month (if need be) also give every Sheep one mouthful of Hay, before they go out of the fold every dewy morning, both in Winter, and Summer; and other Cattel, if it be a very wet time.
Remember that Medicines that are good for Men, are also good for Beasts giving them the bigger quantity; but to save some Charge.
For Spodium, use burnt Harts-horn, or the contrary, taking the bigger quantity of the weakest, &c.
Lastly, The decoction of the Herb, called Gransel, is good against all diseases of heat, and binding, both in Men and Beast; and for wind use Peny-Royal, green or dryed.
VVHen the Hony is run out of the best of the Combs, as in p 282. wash the Combs in water, and the Hony will quickly out, strain it through a Sieve; now to know whether the water be strong enough of the Hony, put in a sound Egg, if it swims, to be seen the breadth of a groat, it is sweet enough; otherwise put in more Hony; (it may be made any time of the year) when this water is well setled, take the clearest, and boyl it almost a quarter of an hour, with 2 or three sprigs of Rosemary, skim it often, and when its cold, put Barm to it, and beat it, and work it like new Ale, then barrel it up, and stop it close, and after about three or six Months, bottle it up, and it will keep long; it's very good for the aged, and consumptive Persons.
Of Cyder.
AFter your Apples have stood 2 days in Tubs (being stampt) or less time, if they were mellow before they were stampt. Or if [Page 366]too mellow put water to them; and for to press out the juice, do thus, take a thick board, almost 2 foot over both ways, and nail some inch board at the edges thereof, that it may hold water about 2 Inches high above the board, and cut a natch for it to run out; then upon the middle of this thick board, nail an inch board, of about 14 inches square, to lay the bag thereon (house little hair bags, and fill them not too full) the board being ready with the bag thereon; and a thick board on the bag also, set it near a post in the house, and make a square hole for a weighty pole to go in to crush the bag, so that by this way two men may press in an hour, more than I saw any screw-press would do in two; and the charge of this Press may not be 18 d. If you put into each bottle a lump of loaf Sugar, the Cyder will be the better, and keep longer, being set in a cool place.
Water-Cyder, being a wholsom drink, thus made.
STamp one bushel of Apples any time of the year, and put to them 8 gallons of water, let them steep one week, and strain them, or take the stampings that you prest your Cyder out, and put as much water to them as they yielded [Page 367]Cyder, let them steep 2 days or more, then press out the water, and boyl it as good bear, and work it with Barm, and tun it up, and to every gallon, put in one ounce of Sugar or more; drink it all before 2 Months is past.
Note, that if you boyl with the Water-Cyder one peck of Malt, it will be much better; order it as you do Bear or Ale.
Pills to purge any one of the four humours.
First, For the Colick.
TAke Aloes, one ounce and a half, Agrick, half an ounce, as much Mastick, make them into Pills, with the Syrup of Clovegilli-flowers, take them a quarter of an hour before supper, and they will work most upon the head; late at night, or early in the morning, they will work most upon the stomach.
First, To purge Choler.
Add a quarter of an ounce of Rubarb, and abate half an ounce of Aloes.
Secondly, To purge Phlegm.
Most take one quarter of an ounce of Turbith, and leave out the Rubarb.
Thirdly, To purge Melancholy.
Take a quarter of an ounce of Senna, and abate the Rubarb, and Turbith.
TAke the Ashes of any Herb, steep them in water 24 hours, let the water run through a hair Sieve, then through a flannel bag, to get it very clear, take this water, and put it in at wide mouth'd glass, or well glased pot, and set it upon a gentle heat, till the Salt appear at the bottom, cover not the Pot; it will keep many years in a dry place; or if it dissolve, keep it in a glass, knowing the vertue of the Hearb, the Salt is much more taken with meat or otherways.
When a Purge works too much, or a slight Loosness.
DRink White-Wine, that's burnt with Cynamon and Sugar; or take Sugar and Cynamon dry.
DRink posset drink, wherein one ounce of Manna is dissolved, being first strained.
A Purge in a Fever.
TAke Roses Solutive one ounce, Syrup of Violets an ounce and an half, Rubarb infused in Endive water a dram and an half, strain it, take it in the morning.
Worms.
TAke the pouder of the leaves of Barefoot, mixt with Sugar, as much as will he on a 3 d. for a Child in mornings.
To cause spitting in a Feaver.
TAke Hony 2 l. Spring water and Vinegar of each 1. l. boyl it, and skim it, till it's [Page 370]like a Syrup, take it often on a Liquorish-stick, fazed.
To purge Choler.
TAke best Rubarb, one dram, or Munks Rubarb one ounce, and Ginger one Scruple.
For a Bloody Flux, or other dangerous Fluxes.
TAke in the morning, or oftner (if need shall require) as much of the pouder o [...] Dyers Galls, as will lie on a 6 d. at a time, take heed it bind not too fast; some take the hard boyled white of an Egg roled in Bole-Armoniack
For the Itch.
SHread Rosemary, and strow it on Butter that's spread upon Bread and Butter, an [...] eat often of it, and to anoint, take Soap, Hog Seam, and Brimstone, and anoint the palms [...][Page 371]the hands, and some other joynts, or the water wherein Roman Vitriol hath been dissolved, will kill Itch and great Scabs; and a slight rash, is helpt by thin milk, wherein Willow leaves have been boyled.
To cleanse from the obstruction in the Stomach and Reins.
TAke Cream of Tartar one ounce, and Hony a quarter of a pound, take as much as a Nutmeg, night and morning.
Scurvy in the Gums.
DIssolve Roman Vitriol in water, and dip a cloath therein, and rub the Teeth night and morning, and after that with Sage and Salt.
For the Shingles, or Ringworm.
TAke the green bark of Elm boughs, an ounce and an half, Housleek, 6 heads, a piece of Tobacco leaf, the breadth of a shilling. [Page 372]boyl these in half a pint of Cream to an oyl; stir it often, anoint with it.
Scurvy, and Dropsy.
BAke a peck of Elder-berries, then strain them, boyl it to a Syrup with Hony, the same weight thereof; take some often.
Mother-fits.
TAke Cypris Turpentine one ounce, red Amber, a dram and an half, Rubarb 2 Scruples, make them into pills, the dose one dram and an half going to bed; hang Assa Faetida about the Neck.
For a Rupture.
TRess it well, take Cumfrey any way, and lay on a plaister of Diaculum, strowed with the filings of Iron, at which time take inwardly 8 or 10 Grain of the pouder of a Load-stone, anoint the place with oyl of St. Johns wort.
TAke on a knife point the pouder of Orpin; or white Dogs-Turd, gathered in March, April, or May, mixt with Hony, as need shall require.
Wind on the Stomach.
TAke the pouder of dryed Hipes of Wild-bryers, gather them for all the year, after a Frost, to one spoonful of them, take half a spoonful of Nutmeg, in any thing, but often; or this, when the other cannot be had.
Take Rue, Gentury Wormwood, Bettony, and Peny-Royal, of each a handful, being in pouder, mix them with Hony, like a conserve, take some often.
A Surfeit Water.
TAke Mints, Carduus, Poppy, Wormwood and Liverwort, of each a handful, let them [Page 374]steep all night in 2 quarts of new Milk, and distil them, drink some night and morning.
Melilot Salve, made in June, good for all sores, it healeth very fast, when the dead flesh is eaten out by Burnt Allum, &c.
TAke Melilot, Pimpernel, and Scabious, of each 2 handfuls, beat them small, then beat them with 2 l. of tryed Hogs-Seam, so let it stand in the Sun 4 or 5 days, then melt it, and strain it well, add as many more hearbs, and so let it stand in the Sun, then melt it again, and strain it, and boyl it, till the Juice is consumed, take it off the fire, and add Rozen, Wax, and Venice Turpentine, of each one ounce, stir it till it cool, but before put in one dram of Musk, keep it in a pot, or rolls.
To clsanse any foul sore, either in Man, or Beast, called Egyptiacum.
TAke Ver-degreace in pouder, and three times the weight in Hony, and Vinega [...][Page 375]half the weight of the Hony, boyl them in a [...]ot, to a Salve, or redish colour; it taketh away dead flesh; and for the biting of a mad Dog, first spread a plaister of Melilot aforesaid, and a little of this on Lint, against the dead flesh, wash the sore, with Lime water.
Lime-water, to wash and dry sores.
TAke a pottle of new Lime, put water to it, an inch above the Lime, in the morning pour off the water for use.
Consumption.
COleworts, boyled, and eaten often.
Rosemary, smoakt with Tobacco.
Red Cow-milk, wherein mints have been steept.
Eat Bread and Butter, with Hony thereon.
Dig up Garden Earth.
Pease-pottage, of blew Pease.
Mix Elecompany, Lquorish, Carraway Seed. and Conserve of Roses, together with some Hony, take a little every night.
The purging Syrup of Roses, good in Feavers, and hot Diseases.
TAke Damask Roses 1 l. water 4 l. steep them all night, then strain them, do thus 8 time (if you will) to the last infusion, boyl it with 4 l. of Sugar to a Syrup, take a spoonful at a time.
To allay the heat of the stomach in a Feaver.
BOyl 1 spoonful of French Barly in half a pint of water, put to the water only, when cold, 2 ounces of the Syrup of Violets, in the beginning of this Disease, and all that comes o [...] cold with pains, take a sweat for 2 hours, especially in a morning, by a Treacle Posset, and Carduus boyled therein.
The Lead plaister, being laid to the back for the running of the Reins, heat in the Liver, or weakness in the Back; for bruises in the Legs o [...][Page 377]plaister often cures, as also for Fellons, Imposthumes, Spreans, and draweth out running humors, without breaking the skin, and several other things made as follows.
TAke 1 l. and 2 ounces of good Sallet oil, and red and white Lead, of each half a pound searced finely, and of Castle Soap six ounces; beat all these together in a pot, that the Soap may come uppermost, set it over a gentle fire, the space of one hour, always stirring it with an Iron slice, then make your fire bigger, until it be turned into a gray colour, then drop some on a board, and if it stick not to the finger, when cold, it is enough; make it into rolls, or dip linnen cloaths therein.
For the Rickets, there are several, but this, if followed only, may serve.
TAke six house Snails, wash them and boyl them in almost a pint of new milk, almost half away, put a little bread and Sugar to the milk, and give it the Child in the morning, and at 4 a Clock, pick out the Snails, shread them with Butter and Salt, and give them the Child, as other meat, do so almost every day; then anoint the Child night & morning, Back, Brest, & other Joints [Page 378]with this fill a pint pot almost with Sallet oil, with as much Cammamile, as can be trust in with a pennyworth of Mace, bake this with Bread, and the oil is ready.
For shortness of breath.
TAke one ounce of the oil of sweet Almonds and half an ounce of Sugar Candy, take now and then a little.
To keep from being too fat.
TAke a little of the distilled water of Ashtree buds every morning.
For the Yellow Jaundies.
TAke Rubarb, Cream of Tartar, and Tirmerick ana one dram, Saffron 4 Grains, give one dram of them in pouder, for 3, 4, or 5, mornings together, in thin Broath, Posset-drink, o [...] White-wine.
TAke a pint of Skimd-milk, turn it with the juice of Lemmons, then to the Whey, put Agrimony, Bettony, Scurvygrass, and a very little Wormwood, being stampt, let them steep in the Whey one night, and strain it out, and give it a boyl or 2, drink this 4 or 5 mornings together, and drink Scurvygrass Ale, and eat Rue and Scurvygrass, with Bread and Butter.
For the Stone.
TAke as much of the pouder of Laurel-berries, as will lye on a 6 d. in White-wine, a sliced Onion also being steept in the Wine all night, take this for 8 or 9 mornings together, those that have not Wine, take Ale.
Twitchgrass Roots, boyled in Milk, and the Milk drank in a morning, it will provoke Urine very much.
BOyl the Flowers of Fox-Gloves, in Hogs-Seam, strain it into an Ointment.
For a scal'd Head.
ROast a fat breast of Mutton, warm from the Sheep, put Tar thereon, and sprinkle it as it roasts, with the Soot that comes of Wood, take the drippings, and anoint the head twice a day therewith, clip off the Hair.
A Poultice for a sore Breast of a Woman.
TAke Alhoof, Spearmint, Grunfel, and red Rose leaves ana 1. m. cut them small, and boyl them in a pottle of strongest Ale, or Bear, to a Poultice, then spread them on a cloath, the thickness of a Barly Corn, apyly it very hot, morning, and night.
RUb their mouth with Hony of Roses, and sometimes give them milk, wherein Manna hath been dissolved.
Worms in Children, to purge away the matter of them.
TAke Wormwood half an ounce, Senna half a dram, Coriander Seed, and Hartshorn ana half a Scruple and an half, Rubarb 2 drams, dryed Rue a dram and an half, beat them into pouder, give as much as will lie on a groat, mixt with some sweet thing.
Apoplexy, the signs thereof.
IT deprives of both sense and motion, little breathing caused by slimy, gross, and cold Phlegm; most are old men that have it; if they escape death, commonly they fall into a Palsie.
IT takes away the appetite, hinders digestion, breeds cr [...]dities, weakens the whole body, the colour of the Face is changed, Feaverish heats arise in the Body, sometimes the feet is swelled, and a dropsie follows.
Terms suppressed, the signs.
THe fore-part of the head is pained, spreads itself to the Neck, Shoulders and Loins, her appetite is taken away, her mind [...] unquiet, Face discoloured troubled with [...] and taken with a trembling, other dis [...] follow.
Obstructions of the Liver, the signs.
A stretching pain in the right side, most felt after meat, keep the belly loose, and the mind quiet.
Reader,
I do not write the Medicines in this Book, to get Mony, thou mayst be assured, and though I have chiefly chosen to write plain and easy ones, do not despise them, for they are experiments, and may do much good (if not more) than costly ones.
℞ or. ♃ take of each ana 1 handful, m. quart, qt. pint, pt. pound, l.
Outward pains.
HEat a Brick or Tile pretty hot, wrap it in paper, and lay; it to the pained place; if it come as a sudden pain, see p. 106.
For a Feaver and Ague.
BOyl Carduus in posset drink, and Treakle, strain it, and drink it in the morning, and sweat every other day, if need be; it's good also against Agues, getting in a sweat before the fit.
THe best time is early in the Morning, or an hour before an Ague, or Feaver fit is expected, being naked in bed, wrap a sheet about the party, then cover him well with cloaths, and take the Carduus posset drink, and quickly after, a good draught of Ale posset drink, and sweat 2 or 3 hours, if his strength will bear it, take more posset drink if he is thirsty, then take off the cloaths, now and then a little to cool, not too fast, and give him warm cloths to dry off the sweat himself, and being pretty well dryed, give him a warm shirt, and sheet, take away the wet sheet, bind his head with dry and warm cloaths, so let him lye warm an hour, having given him some Caudle, or one like this ♃ Ale 1 pint, boyl it, and skim it, put in Mace, then beat the yolk of an Egg, with Ale or Wine, with Sugar, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and a little white Bread.
Plurisie.
THe spleen is on the left side, the Liver on the Right, anoint the pained side with ointment of March-mallows, or that in p. 106 and [Page 386]take the aforesaid sweat, and the Syrup of Vinegar take to cause spitting, if the pain still increases (though but one day) which is caused by the blood stopping in the small veins in the side, let blood in the Arm.
For a Gangrene, or much corrupted dead flesh, in any part of the Body.
LAy the sore place in warm Milk, and hold unto it the warm Lights of a new kild Calf, as one changeth colour, lay to another.
For a sore Breast.
BOyl Grunsel in Milk to a Poultice, and lay it on often; if the Breast break, use Lint, dipt in the oyl of St. Johns wort, and this Poultice still about it.
Sore Mouths.
RUb them every morning with a Sage leaf dipt in Hony and Allum; but in a Feaver boyl Orpee, Calinbine, Violet leaves, and Sage in water, add Hony and Allum a little; rub it with a rag, it's no harm to swallow it; scrape the tongue with a Spatula, if it be fur'd.
4. In e-o e-rat vi-ta, & vi-ta e-rat Lux ho-mi-num.
4. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5. Et Lux lu-cet in te-ne-bris, & te-ne-brae non com-pre-hen-de-runt e-am.
5. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness not▪ comprehended it.
6. E-rat ho-mo mis-sus à De-o, cu-jus no-men Jo-han-nes
6. There was a man sent from God, of whom the name John.
7. Is ve-nit ad Te-sti-mo-ni-um, ut te-sta-re-tur de Lu-ce, ut om-nes cre-de-rent per e-um.
7. He came for a Witness, that he might witness of the light, that all might believe by him.
8. Il-le e-rat non illa Lux, sed e-rat mis-sus [Page 389]ut te-sta-re-tur de-il-là Luce.
8. He was not that Light, but was sent that he might witness of that light.
9. Hic e-rat il-lave-ra Lux, quae il-lu-mi-nat om-nem ho-mi-nem ve-ni-en-tem in mun-dum.
9. This was the true light, which enlighteneth every man coming into the world.
10. E-rat in mun-do, & mun-dus non no-vit e-um.
10. He was in the world, and the world not knew him.
11. Ve-nit ad su-a, & su-a non ac-ce-pe-runt eum.
11. He came to his own, and his own not received him.
12. Au-tem quot-quot ac-ce-pe-runt eum, de-dit eis hoc jus, ut fint fa-cti [Page 390]fi-li-i D-ei, nem-pè i-is qui cre-dunt in no-men e-jus.
12. But as many as received him, he gave to them this right, that they might be made the sons of God, namely to them which believe on the name of him.
13. Qui sunt na-ti non ex san-gui-ne, ne-(que) ex vo-lun-ta-te vi-ri, sed ex De-o.
13. Which are born not of blood, neither of the will of man, but of God.
14. Et Ser-mo est fa-ctus Ca-ro, & ha-bi-ta-vit in no-bis, & vi-di-mus Glo-ri-am e-jus, ut Glo-ri-am U-ni-ge-ni-ti à Pa-tre, ple-nus gra-tiae-&ve-ri-ta-tis.
14. And the Word is made Flesh, and dwelt in us, and we saw the Glory of him, as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and Truth.
15. Jo-han-nes te-sta-tus de eo, & cla-ma-vit, di-cens, Hic est de quo di-ce-bam, is qui [Page 391]ve-nit po-nè me est an-te-po-si-tus mi-hi, qui-a e-rat pri-or me.
15. John testified of him, and cried, saying this is he of whom I said, he who came after me is prepared before me because he was before me.
16 Et om-nes ac-ce-pi-mus & gra-ti-am pro gra-ti-à.
16. And we all have received and grace for grace.
17. Nam il-la Lex da-ta est per Mo-sen; gra-ti-a & ve-ri-tas prae-sti-ta est per Je-sum Chri-stum.
17. For the Law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18. Ne-mo vi-dit De-um un-quam, il-le U-ni-ge-ni-tus fi-li-us, qui est in fi-nu Pa-tris, il-le ex-po-su-it no-bis.
18. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath set him forth to us
19. E-ti-am hoc est Te-sti-mo-ni-um Jo-han-nis, quan-do Ju-dae-i mi-serunt Sa-cer-do-tes & Le-vi-tas, ut in-ter-ro-ga-rent e-um, quis-nam ip-se es-set.
19. Also this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent Priests and Levites, that they might ask him who he was.
20. Et pro-fes-sus, ne-que ne-ga-vit, in-quam, profes-sus est se esse non il-lum Chri-stum.
20. And he confessed, neither denied, I say he confessed that he was not that Christ.
21. Tunc in-ter-ro-ga-ve-runt eum, er-go quid es? tu-ne es E-li-as? ve-ro ipse di-xit, sum non; & illi di-xe-runt, es tu ille Pro-phe-ta? [Page 393]qui re-spon-dit non.
21. Then they asked him, therefore what art thou? art thou Elias? but he said, I am not; and they said, art thou that Prophet? who answered no.
22. Er-go di-xe-runt ei, Quis es? ut de-mus re-spon-sum i-is qui mi-se-runt nos; quid di-cis de te-ip-so?
22. Therefore they said to him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them who have sent us; what sayest thou of thy self?
23. A-it, e-go sum vox vo-ci-fe-ran-tis in de-fer-to, com-pla-na-te vi-am Do-mi-ni, pro-ut I-sai-as Pro-phe-ta di-xit.
23. He said, I am the voice of one crying in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord, as Isaias the Prophet hath said.
24. Ve-rò qui fu-e-rant mis-si, e-rant ex Pha-ri-sae-is.
24. But they which had been sent, were of the Pharisees.
Here is enough for the Ingenious for a beginning; then go to the 25th verse in the Latin Testament, and English it by an English Bible printed in King James his Reign, and find the English of some hard words in a Dictionary, be perfect in one verse before you go to another, and so by use, which is the Mother of Language (as the Schoolmen say) you may be as perfect in the Latin Tongue, as Travellers learn Languages, (and a little time will perfect you, when you desire to learn the rules of the Tongue) and indeed few retain more than Englishing the latin Bible (after 7 years Schooling;) see that you be perfect in Reading latin words, and for the obtaining of which mind, these latin words, which follows.
Note, That every verse you learn, write it like the verses as before, which will imprint it in the memory very much.
If one pound of any thing cost 6 d. what wi [...] one hundred weight cost (that is 112 l.) at th [...] same rate, without pen and ink.
Do thus, saying in 6▪ d. is 24 farthings, doub [...] it, and it is 48, the which call 48 Shilling lastly, 24 groats is 8 shillings, being added.
Thus 48 half farthings in 6 d. reckon 48 8 being the Groats, for farthings in 6 d.-8
Answ. 56
Do thus for any other price.
How to cast up Sums of Mony by Counters, or f [...] things, very useful for those that never learned write figures.
First, make three marks or choaks upon Table about three inches asunder, like the
Then let the first mark be supposed to be place of pounds, the second the place of S [...] lings, [Page 399]and the third next the right hand the place of pence; (and you may make another if you will for the place of farthings.)
Secondly, now to place your several Sums to be cast up, as suppose I begin with 3 l. 7 s. 3 d. lay down as many Counters at each mark thus, [...]
And when you put another Sum to this, as suppose 17 s. with the 7 s. already makes 24 s. then set one Counter more in the place of pounds, and leave but 4 in the place of shillings, and your sum is 4 l. 4 s. 3 d. and so add more at pleasure.
Lastly, but if you are to cast up several Sums that are pounds, without shillings, or pence; then mark upon the Table 4 marks as before.
These being so easy, I need not write much, for further directions, observing the four places.
[...]
Read them thus, the three Counters next the [Page 400]left hand, stands for three thousand, next two hundred, next four tens, or forty, and three at the last, that is 3243.
Thus you may make the Sum bigger or lesser as you please, even from one pound, to thousands.
So I hope that whoever can do it, will not grudge to teach their Neighbours near them (if they desire it) Gratis.
How to divide a square into two parts, according to any proportion assigned, by a Line drawn parallel to one of the sides.
[square divided into two parts]
LEt the figure be A, B, C, D, containing 676 Poles, and it is required to cut off 208 Poles, with a Line parallel to D C, to be [...]aid out next unto the same.
First, divide 208 by 26, and the Quotient will be 8, the which distance set from D to E, [...]nd from C to F.
So 25 of the base or longest, cut at D, and draw the Line A D, and 15 for the other side.
How to divide a Triangle into 5 equal parts, from a point given.
[triangle divided into 5 parts]
SUppose the given point be at D, first divide the longest side of the Triangle into 5 [...]qual parts, and draw paralleld doted Lines [...]om each part, then from the given point D, [...]raw Lines to divide it, as in the Triangle.
To divide a common field into as m [...] ny parts, as shall be required.
SUppose a Common of Pasture for the use three men, as A, B, C, and it is agreed [...] them all, that each man shall have his Propo [...]tion of Ground laid out, according to the qua [...] tity of his Commons in the same place.
First, measure the whole field, and if it co [...] tain 35 a. 3 r. 15 p. or 5735 p. then confid [...] how many Beast-Gates, or Cow-Commons the [...] are in the Pasture, and divide the quantity [...] the field to them according to the Rule [...] Proportion, or Rule of Three, in page 1 [...] saying, If the whole number of Beasts-gates, [...] Commons of A, B, and C, give the who [...] quantity 5735 p. what shall the number of the [...] belonging to A be, and the Answer will be [...] part: So work the parts for B, and C, and t [...] part of A be 1817, to B 1716, to C 22 [...] poles.
The field being drawn into a Plot, on [...] per, divide every mans part by the Geomet [...] cal Problems in this Book, and also by the h [...] of the Table in page 188.
How to make a Triangle which shall contain any number of Acres, Roods, and Poles.
SUppose I make a Triangle, that shall contain 5 Acres, 2 Roods, and 30 Pole, or [...]10 Poles, whose base or longest side must be [...]0 Poles.
[how to make a triangle]
First, double the number of Poles, and they make 1820, the which divide by 50, and the Quotient will be 36 2/5, the length of the perpendicular [Page 406]D, B, then from the Line of equa [...] parts in page 164. lay down the Line A, B, equal to 50 Poles, then upon B, raise the perpendicular B, D, equal to 36 2/5 poles, draw the Line C, D, parallel to A, B, then from the poin [...] E, draw the Line E A, and E B, including the Triangle A E B, which contains 5 Acres 2 Roods, and 30 Poles, as was required.
Note, by the same Rule you may lay out a bigger or lesser.
Quadrant, in page 148.
VVHen you make a Quadrant in Wood.
First, That it may be perfect square at the Center make a square on a piece of paper by the example in p. 162.
Secondly, Let not the uppermost Arch line be so near the Center, as the printed Quadrant is.
Thirdly, And let the division on the right, edge of the Quadrant, between the two arches marked 12, be divided into 14 equal parts, whereas this is 19.
Fourthly, Then from the over arch M, to A▪[Page 407]or April set of 6 parts, every part supposed to be 5 days, & from A. to M. or May six parts more, & the remaining 2 parts serve for June, and December.
Fifthly, Instead of a Bead, a pins head may serve.
Lastly, To place the rest of the hour lines draw out the string to the degrees of the Quadrant, and mark for the hours according to the Table; and draw arch lines for hour lines like the 12 a clock line.
Of the Moons Influence.
VVHereas I have mentioned in p. 181. of cutting the Hair, the Moon increasing, &c. It was rather of custom, then any belief I have in it (being all power is in God, that a hair of our Head perisheth not without his good will, &c. Mat. 10.30.) and though the tide, and some other things happeneth monthly, the power is only to be attributed to the providence of God, and not to any created thing (though all his works are good in their places;) for God will not give his Glory to another neither would he have man to look up unto the Stars to Idolize them, least they give that power to them, that belongs to God only, Deut. 4.19.
So that by his reason the marrow in the bones also decreaseth, as the Moon decreaseth;The Moon was worshiped throughout all Asia, and in great esteem among the Ephesians, whence arose that cry; Great is Diana of Ephesians, Act. 19.28, Macrob, Saturnal, lib. 1. c. 15. The Sun and Moon (saith Godwyn, p. 199) which are the greater lights in the Heaven, I take to have been the chiefest Idols worshiped by the Heathen people, notwithstanding their blind devotion deified also the other Planets, &c. of this nature are these Chambers of Imagery Ez. 8.9. and some are of opinion that the flowing of the Sea is caused by the Moons warmness when she comes to the South; others hold that the fire hid in subterraneous stones, in the Sea and Earth, and Saltness of the water, makes it as it were to boyl, &c. And to manifest what Spirit this Astrologer J. G. is of, by his skill in the Stars saith in his Astrological Observations in Jan. 1681. The pretence of passive obedience is too stale a cheat to be any longer swallowed, the Law was made to be obeyed, not to be opposed by a pretence of suffering; and Traitors, Thieves and Murtherers when punished for their misdeeds, are as passively obedient, as the Non-conforming Brother.
Answer; As to Traitors, Swearers, Drunkards, &c. we know it belongs to the Magistrates to punish, be it in whom it will, but the Non-conforming Brother, (be he a just man) he shall be numbred amongst Transgressors, as the Righteous have been in former [Page 409]Ages saying we have a law, &c. Joh 19.7. And so would punish the Righteous, (with the wicked, or instead of the wicked) that cannot but obey God rather then man, as Peter and John did, Acts 4.4. & 5, 28, 29. If mans law command, not to meet, and speak no more in the name of Jesus (but when and where we appoint) shall we obey God or Man, judge ye, that are not of Cains Race, Gen. 4.5, 8. For he slew his Brother, because his Brothers Sacrifice was accepted, &c.
One would think that the Magistrates might think themselves happy, that God hath placed them as outward Governors, to be a terror to evil doers, and also to have a people under their Righteous Government, that delight in the Law of God, and what the Law of God is, and the fruits, thereof, see Psal. 19.7 to 12. Mat. 7.12. & 22.37.38. John 13.34. Heb. 8.10. Rom. 7.22. & 8. 1 James 2.8.
To the young learners of Arithmetick.
FIrst, Learn to write and read figures, in p. 24.
Secondly, Addition in p. 193.33.
Thirdly, Substraction in p. 193.58.36.
Fourthly, Multiplication in p. 54.193, 187.
Fifthly, Division in p, 194.171.
Sixthly, Reduction in p. 168.197.34.35,
Seventhly, Golden Rule, or Rule of 3, in p. 158, &c. Be perfect in one Rule before you go [Page 410]to another, (by the much writing them over) So that when you have learned the 7 Rules aforesaid, you may easily understand (in a little time) all the other questions in this Book (though no man teach you) if you live in the fear of God, which is to depart from iniquity, and it is also the beginning of wisdom, Job. 28.28. So will God teach you to profit, Isa. 48.17.
So Dear Children, my Soul even longs for you, that ye may still keep in your first Innocence (for none are the Children of wrath, but they who actually join themselves to the power, and Prince of the Air, Eph. 2.2. Rom. 4.15. Ezek. 18.20.) That you take not of the forbidden fruit of the evil of this world, for you will find that it is much better for you to remember your Creator, now in the days of your youth, Eccl. 12.1.
For when once you are grown old in the custom of evil, you will find it hard returning into Innocence, into a Righteous Life.
Therefore O dear Children apply your whole hearts to Gods Grace therein; it troubles you after you have been wild or wanton, or done any evil thing (though no man condemn you) and you will receive Gods Blessing, and your Parents Love: O prize this Grace above Gold, & all other the delights of this world, for if you obey it, it will lead you to a greater knowledge of Christ Jesus, who will be your Saviour from all sin, where you shall have durable Treasure, and possess it for evermore (much better than [Page 411]to have your portion only in this life, Psal. 17.14. in the abundance of earthly Riches) to be a door keeper, or watcher here, Psal. 84.10. Unto this Grace of God, one day is better than a thousand elsewhere, and God your Father will give you your daily Bread, to nourish your Souls, Mat. 6, 11. Psal. 121.8.
Kings must take Counsel at this Grace of God in their own hearts (the Gate of Wisdom, Pro. 8.34.) yea, and lay down their Crowns before it, (in which is the feet of Jesus) if they rule for God, Kings will be nursing Fathers to the Faithful thereunto, Isa. 49, 22, 23. Hasten this good day more and more, O Lord our God (which is already dawned) prayeth the Righteous, for thy name sake that all people may give unto thee all Glory for ever, Amen.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask it of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Who is a a wise man, and endued with knowledge amongst you, let him shew out of a good Conversation his works with meekness of Wisdom, Jam. 1.5. & 3.12.
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord, he hold I set before you the way of Life, and the way of Death, Jer. 21.8. Deut. 30.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Rom. 10.8.
PAge 23. l. 3. read Quary of Glass. p. 57. Suppose the cross line out, p. 67. against column 36. r. 716. p. 75. l. 26. r. Heathen. p. 115 22. r. dram. p. 117. l. 5. r. sow. p, 126. l. 16. r. Hellebore one ounce. p. 156. l. 8. r. Scotland 18000000. p. 248. Margent. l. 2. r. Godwyn. p. 262. l. 30. r preferring. p. 188. against N 18. r. 8. 14½. against N. 25.6 6.½. against N. 35.4.9.½. p. 318. l. 7. r. kind. p. 29. l. 9. about Ganging. r. the amenndmets in p. 361.
Some other small errors not noted in the Errata, have escaped the Press, which the understanding Reader may easily correct with a Pen.