I Shall begin with a passage out of this Book of Mr. Simpson's in his own words (Page 214.) Few there are (says he) who busie themselves to write, but they have some Novelty either in Histo­ry, Theory, or Practice, to present the World with; yet they commonly do so wire­draw and spin it out at length, with so ma­ny circumstantial, and often impertinent Notions, that they fill up a Volume, with [Page 2]that that they might have comprised in half a dozen Pages: All the rest are meer Flou­rishes and Appendices, which being tedi­ous, few men will cumber their heads withal; and therefore in effect they signifie nothing. Certainly nothing can be said in Few so apposite, to discover the design of this mans writing this Book, and his manner of doing it. Here we have a Hodg-potch of Novelty in the Theory and Practice of Physick, wire-drawn and spun out at length, with a company of impertinent Notions, that signifie nothing but to fill up the Volume and raise a great dust. The rest are meer Flourishes and such a sort of Appendices and Fragments, as I never read the like; which indeed do signifie nothing, but to spend pretious time that might be far better imployed. I shall here apply that passage of Natales Comes, which he has concerning Zeno­phanes his introducing a new Philosophi­cal Notion, viz. Nonnulli ne nil scisse videantur, aliqua nova monstra in Philoso­phiam introducunt, ut alicujus rei Invento­res fuisse appareant. Some there are who lest they should seem to know little, will [Page 3]bring in monstrous absurdities in Philoso­phy, that afterwards they may be famed for the inventing of somewhat.

Five Princi­ples in Scar­brough-Spaw.The Author (Page 1.) tells that he has seen my Book of Scarbrough Spaw, wherein I mention 5 Mineral Principles to to be in that Water, to wit, Iron, Vitri­ol, Alome, Nitre, and Salt: And he declares it is his Design to examine whe­ther I have made a true Report or no; and he endeavours to make the World be­lieve I have not. Truly then I must say it is through mistake, not willfully done. It had been both more Christian and Ci­vil in Mr. S. if he had suspected I was in an Error, to have come to me (since we are Neighbors) and to have discours'd with me about it, and so convinc'd me of my mistake, or else received satisfaction from me. And indeed I think it had been but reasonable for him to have laid his Foundation in a private Discourse, before he had appeared so severely in Publick against me. But Truth seeks no shade; I am very well content to be brought to the Test, although I do nei­ther think him sit to be my Judge, nor [Page 4]value him as a Witness, nor fear him as an Enemy. Nil magis Certum, quam quod ex duhio Certum.

Of Vitri­ol.He begins first to examine Vitriol. Here let him know that Scarbrough Vi­triol will not blush, being brought to the Trial it will be found clear. Let the Rea­der take notice that in this Dispute about the Minerals, I intend to engage him at his own weapon, to wit, the Chymical Writers, whom I find to abound in my Senfe all along.

He says (Page 2.) The Doctor might have done well to have distinguisht, whether he meant it Vitriol of Iron or Copper. First, I wonder Mr. S. does not take care to di­stinguish aright, as if there were no sorts of Vitriol but these; when as Fallopius (De Therm. Aq. cap. 11.) tells him that all sorts of Metals have their Vitriols, and all Chymical Authors agree in it. Especi­ally there are three sorts eminently so cal­led, to wit, Vitriol of Iron, of Copper, and White Vitriol, all which he himself reckons up (P. 5.) To me (says he) all natural Vitriols seems to be reducible to Three, viz. to that of Iron, Copper, and [Page 5]Vitrielum album. Why then does he en­quire which of the two I meant, since possibly I might mean the third, or some other? Really here is an ill beginning. Ti [...]u [...]are in Vestibule malum omen. To stumble at the Threshold is a sign of ill luck. Did not Mr. S. say (P. 1.) he had seen my Book; I wonder then how he could over-look what I say (P. 10.) since here is the Card [...] Controversiae, the state of his quarrel turns upon this hinge. My words are these, I take it to be the Iron Mineral with a Touch of the Vitriol; Or if you please Ferrum Vitriolatum, or Vitriolum Ferrugineum.

Here I desire the Reader to take no­tice, that he does frequently leave out my words, or matter, wherein the main scope of my business consists; on purpose to make himself Elbow-room to abuse me. Although I intend not hereby, as if I meant this Vitriol in the Spaw to be made out of Iron; for what have we to do with factitious Vitriol? But this is a natural Vitriol generated in the Veins of the Earth, through which the Spring runs, which has by its [...]idity or Esurine [Page 6]Salt, actuated the Waters; which there­by is enabled to corrode a Vein of Iron, which is there also; and likewise some other Minerals, of which more anon. Now this Water thus impregnated with a Vitrioline Odour or Vapour, since it has no Emetick or Vomiting Quality joyned with it, I account it to be of the Nature of that which is made out of Iron (not of Copper) and therefore I called it Vi­triolum Ferrugineum. But I do affirm, that common Spring-Water it self, is a Menstruum proper enough to take in any of the Minerals we are treating of, and will not fail to do it if they lie in its way; although if it meet with any Acid Salt, as this is of Vitriol, it will do it the more freely. And this a grees with that which Paracelsus himself has said, provided the Minerals or Metals be not come to Maturity (Lib. 3. de Natur. Aquis, cap. de Aq. Gustabilibus.) Yea and Mr. S. himself confesses it (P. 59.) Number 10, 11, and 12. Dr. Jordane asserts the same concerning Simple Waters, that by reason of their tenuity they may imbibe either Spirit, or Juice, or Tinctures, from [Page 7]Metals before their Consolidation (Nat. Baths cap. 14,) Yea and Kircherus, who in his Mundus Subterraneus treats at large of this Subject, accounts Simple Spring Water a Menstruum fit enough to imbibe a Mineral or Metal; for he mentions not any Primum Ens or other Mineral Acidity.

I say by its Esurine Salt it more freely corrodes the Iron, and carries it in gremio out with it; which is the more easily done, because the Iron is not here a perfect So­lid Metal, but in solutis principiis, and in some tendency to it; being yet of the same nature with Iron: And this Vitri­ol is not so properly said to be made by an Esurine Salt, as to have an Esurine Salt or Spirit in it self. And this does agree with the general Suffrage of all Learned Writers, as well Chymists as others; as Libavius in his Syntag. Geber, Caesalpi­nus, Dr. Jordan; and not only Vitriol, but Nitre also, they say dissolved in Wa­ter will enable it to corrode Metals; and to this also consents Fallopius (cap. 7. de Thermal Aq.)

This being premised, that Supposition of Vitriol of Copper to be dissolved in the Water, is not to be supposed, and what follows thereon is altogether imper­tinent.

However (B. 3.) he says, This being granted in FAVOUR of his Mineral Ingredients or Principles, &c. Iron will be found impertinent and insignificant as to the body of it. Sir, Keep your Favours for others.

I look for none of your Favours, nor need them, I suspect your very mercies are cruel; what I would have in this Dispute, I shall by and by force you to grant me, and have no cause to return you any thanks. But whereas he says Iron is not here in its body. What would Sir S. have? A Horseshooe Naile? It is not here indeed to be found, nor will 100 Gallons of the Water afford so much Iron as to make one. But here is a palpable Powder, which when a little Gall is put into the Water, by which it turns [Page 9]black (which Colour it takes from the Vitriol) there will settle after some hours upon the agitation of the Vessel, a black Powder near a Dram in a Gallon, which by powring the Water gently from it per inclinationem, will be found in the bot­tom; which if you dry in the Sun, or o­ver the Fire, has a Stiptick or drying taste like Crocus Martis, and being ta­ken inwardly in any form whatsoever, doth tinge the Excrements with a blackish Colour, as all our preparations out of Iron do. Besides if this Water be carried abroad to York or Hull, which is 30 mile off, there will be found in the Vessel a yellowish Sediment, according to the quantity of Water, which being dried, has the same taste with Crocus Martis or prepared Steel, and surpassing it in ver­tue and efficacy; and this separation or precipitation of this Metalline Substance, is furthered by Agitation in the Carriage; especially if in Oaken Vessels: although I have also observed the same in Glasse Bottles, which were carried abroad.

But Mr. S. objects (as he thinks) strongly against these two Minerals Iron [Page 10]and Vitriol to be there imbibed, because says he (P. 3.) The Esurine Salt which goes to the dissolving of Vitriol, of what sort soever (and he supposes Copper) is there­by terminated in its action; and though the Water of the Spring so impregnated, should afterwards meet with a Vein of Iron, yet it can take nothing thence, being already sa­tiated, and having lost its sting.

Of Ens Primum.To this I reply, The Esurine Salt is that which (P. 5.) he calls Ens Primum, out of Helmont, which he says gives the Medicinal Vertue to Vitriol. I do not at all like the use of that Name Ens Pri­mum in this sense, which the Old Philo­sophers, that wanted better light, gave to some thing of a higher Nature, even to God himself; from whom doubtless both Vitriol, and all Minerals, Metals, and Vegetables, have received whatever Medicinal Vertue they have in them; for it is he that created Medicine out of the Earth.

Secondly, This is Petitio Principii, to suppose such a thing to impregnate this Water, where we can without any Hypothesis at all, directly point at the [Page 11]Water it self as a proper Menstruum, as I have made out already; and if that will not serve, then here is the Esurine Spirit of Vitriol, of sufficient Efficacy, in the Judgement of Reason, to do the work we expect, and indeed find to be done; and this agrees also with what Helmont him­self says in his fourth Paradox; where he says, That which is volatile, viz. a Spirit whether is be Concrete or Liquid, may corrode other Mineral Bodies. Besides the Novelty of the Notion of his Primum Ens gives ground of suspition, the whole Current of Learned Authors that have written of Medicinal Waters, mention­ing no such thing, whether Chymists or others: All accounting the Esurine Spirit or Juyce of Vitriol, enough to impreg­nate a Water with an Acidity, that shall make it to corrode other Minerals or Metals by which it passes. So as we may very well lay aside this Esurine Salt or Primum Ens Salium, as wholly pre­carious.

Again (I answer) it is both repugnant to Reason and Experience, and the Judg­ment of all Learned Writers, who have treated of these Matters. What should hinder but Salts of several kinds will dis­solve in Water impregnated with one sin­gle kind? As suppose a Quart of Sea Wa­ter, which has two Ounces of Salt in it; (as I have tried by Evaporation) will not this receive Nitre, suppose a Dram, and after that as much Al [...]ome, and after that Vitriol as much, and so become an Eme­tick, and last of all Arsenick; so as it shall become poison? If Mr. S. shall dis­solve Vitriol in Water, of any kind whatsoever, whether Natural or Facti­tions (which he cannot deny must be stronger of Vitriol than any Spaw) and then shall pass that Vitrioline Water tho­row three or four Cap Papers; wherein several sorts of Powders are put, the same Vitrioline Water shall receive an al­teration, or some taste, from every of them; and after they are so mixed per minima, it will be easie to separate the Salts from the grosser parts, but one Salt from another will be very difficult.

But further I reply, If this be true in­fallibly,A Contra­diction. as his confidence does seem to im­port; for he says (P. 4.) If one of the Principles be made by this Esurine Acidity. Nature is not at leasure to make another; which were such an Indulgence as she never granted her self. How does this agree with that Mr. S. himself says (P. 45.) in the beginning of the Second Section? viz. Thus far I assented, viz. That an A­luminous Salt from a Mineral Acidity had dissolved a sleight touch of the Mineral of Iron. and both dissolved in the Current Spring of Water, makes up the Spaw. Are not here two Minerals made, viz. Iron and Alome, by his own Confession? The like Confession he makes (P. 61. N. 16.) Nay further, Ile see if I cannot find two more. Look (P. 359.) and there he says, Ʋpon a farther Trial of the Spaw Water, he found a Body of Vitriol, which he calls Terra Vitrioli. Then turn but over leaf to (P. 360) and he tells you he found Nitre: And so again (P. 361.)

How now (Mr. S.) how will these things hang together, can all your Philo­sophy reconcile this Contradiction? What [Page 14]now will become of your Inference you deduce from the former Assertion in (P. 4.) viz. So then we find a flaw in the main Timber of his Building; an Inconsistency of two of his Chief Principles of the Spaw, Iron and Vitriol. Certainly an Inference drawn from both ends of a Contradiction [...]sinvalid.

But I must not thus pass it over. He has told us here (Pag. 3.) That the Pri­mum Ens or Esurine Salt having dissolved one Mineral, is thereby terminated, so as if it should meet with another, it can take nothing thence. Now let us cast our Eye upon (P. 59.) where Mr. S. hath quite forgotten what he said here; for speak­ing of this Sulphurious Esurine Salt (he says) It becomes determined and specifica­ted, according to the difference of the Mi­neral Glebes it meets with, into this or that Fossible Salt or Mineral Mixture; which he illustrates by an Instance which he has verbatim from Sendivogius, Lumen Chym. Trac. 2. As suppose several Co­lours and Salts placed at a distance one from another upon a large Marble, and common Simple Water is conveyed to each of [Page 15]them, this Water although the same to all, yet as it comes to every of them, is different­ly tinged and tasted, according to the Colour and Taste of those parcels it meets with. So (says he) this Esurine Sulphureous Spirit, meeting With variety of Mineral Earths, though the same in it self to every one, yet becomes altered and tinctured according to the different property of the Mineral Earth.

And from this Contradiction he has ☜ other Inferences which he mentions, not worthy here to be recited.— Here is an able Philosopher indeed, that can assert Contradictions, and draw quidlibet ex quolibet. But I shall leave this to the Readers Contemplation, because I study to be short, and shall only say at present, I never found any man so inconsistent with himself; only he aimed (P. 3.) to perswade the unwary Readers, that it was impossible that Iron and Vitriol could be both in this Water, as I had as­serted.

I could now bring in the Testimony of Learned Writers, who tell of several sorts of Springs in Europe, that have im­bibed [Page 16]two or three sorts of Minerals. As at St. Lucas in Italy there is one that has imbibed Iron and Alome. Another in Germany which is impregnated with A­lome and Nitre; so as Ernestus a Chymist can hardly determine which of the two is more predominant. So in Sweden one that has both Lead and Copper. And thus also the ordinary Spaws in Germany have imbibed Vitriol, Iron, and Ochre, as Dr. Heers relates in his Spadacrene. And Fallopius mentions several such as have partaked of several Minerals, in his Book De Therm. Aquis. Among all whom yet I find not any mention of this Primum Ens. But above all, the pro­foundly Learned Kircher is most full and plain to our purpose (Lib. 5. Sect. 2. ad finem.) accounting not only Spring Water a proper Menstruum to take in the Ver­tues of Minerals and Metals, but one and the same Current to take in several as they lie in its passage; for which pur­pose he has a Scheme (P. 259.) where­by ☜ by he demonstrates it to the Eye. As suppose upon a Table a Subterraneal Chan­nel of Fresh Water enters at one end, and [Page 17]runs out at the other end of the Table in one Spring, in its passage from one end to the other it is divided and divaricated into several smaller Channels, by crooked turnings; in one passage it meets with Salt, Vitriol, Iron, Galx, and Silver; in another Meander it meets with Sulphur, Salt, Nitre, Ochr [...], Gadmi [...]; in another it meets with Alome, Bit [...]an, Lead, &c. By this time these several streams meet in the Spring at the other end, this Spring he says, shall be rep [...]she with the preperties of them all. In some o [...]nes canales dicti corrivati, ex [...]bus per quae transcunt Mineralibus, fonte [...] istum omnibus Mineralium specie­bus viribusque compositum constituunt. And therefore we may with very good reason reject his Objection as idle and fri­volous.

But I proceed,Of Iron. Mr. S. (P. 3.) cannot find out what is the dissolvent in this Water, that should dissolve Mars (viz. Iron) to make it appear in the form of a Liquor? Why, I'l tell him what will do it besides the Alkabest of the Chymists; Vitriol imbibed at the first, does by its Esurine Salt make the Water corrosive, and fit to [Page 18]take in that, or any other Mineral that is in its way, and so will Nitre, as I made out before, or Alo [...]e. If it will please him I' [...] refer him to his Grand Master Paracelsus (De N [...]tur. Aq [...]is, lib. 3. cap. de Aquis Gustatilib [...]s)wh [...] [...]ting of Acide Waters, Har [...] [...] ( [...]quit) ex [...]solutione [...] maturitatem [...] pro­duced by the [...] before they come to [...] By which he hints as if simpl [...] [...] alone were [...] ­ent to imbibe a Metal (as Iro [...]) while it has not attained to i [...]perfection, which is the case of the Tr [...] Scarbo [...]gh, [...]s I shall have occasion to point out after­wards. And presently after P [...]c [...]isus adds, Interdum ex Vitri [...] & Alu [...]n [...] hujus-modi Aquae promanant. viz. Some­times these Waters come from Vit [...]ol and Alome. And again I find him to the same purpose (De Natur. Baln. cap. de Thermis) treating of Natural Baths, Quod sunt resoluta Minera ex corpor [...] eo, quod simile est Aluminis, Vitrioto & Sali, & tamenid non est, to wit, they are re­solved out of that Body which is like unto [Page 19] Alome, Vitriol, and Salt, and yet they are not that. As if he would say, they are not perfectly Alome, Vitriol, and Salt, but onely initially, not instatu & perfectione, but in Embrione; in fieri, not in f [...]to, and this is the case of these Mi­nerals in this Spaw-Water, they are but i [...] s [...]lutis principli [...]e, and in their Concrete J [...], and not perfect Minerals or Me­tals.

And yet Pa [...]acelsus adds, that what­soever Vertue those Ba [...]hs had, they were to be judged of according to the propd [...]es of those▪ Simples. Ita B [...] ­g [...] ip [...]ar [...] Virtu [...]s, sec [...]du [...] hor [...]m tri [...] simplicium [...]tias. And so may I say [...]on [...]erning these Waters of the Spa [...], they have the Ve [...]ned of all those Mine­rals we have mentio [...]d to be in them.

From what has been said, I suppose it will follow, that ou [...] Foundation as to these two Minerals Iron and V [...]tr [...]l, stands sure, and the Building [...] li [...]ly to suffer, by such Vapour, that can [...] ­ther be hot or cold, say and unsay, (as may best suit a present Design.

[...] his second Section (P. 4.) he says, [Page 20] The Doctor undertakes to discourse of Vi­triol, not such as he had seen, but such as (he saith) Learned Writers name, viz. 3 sorts, Roman Vitriol or Copperas, which two I do not understand to be Synonima's; the second Cyprian, and the third Liguri­an, &c. He seems to envy that I dis­course about Vitriel, as if it were a Pre­rogative of the Pseudochymists, and not to be undertaken by me; as if I knew not Vitriol as well as himself, and have not as much liberty to treat of it as He. Not will he give me leave to cite my Authors, that from their own Knowledge and Au­topsy discourse of Vitriol; (I speak of that which is natural, such as this at Scar­brough) for my own part I have not such a conceit of my self as he has, as that I should impose in this thing my own [...] as sufficient Authority, and therefore I cite my Authors as need is. He quarrels that I call it Roman Vitriol or Copperas, whereas I am warranted by good Au­thors. Weckerus (in his Antid. spec. lib. 1.) says, That which the Italians call Victriolo, the Spaniaras call Copparofa: So Adrianus Tol. (in Stocker. lib. 1. [Page 21] cap. 9.) Vitriolum simpliciter (inquit) aut Vitriolum Romanum, nihil aliud est quam Copparosa. As for the Romas its nothing but Natural Vitriol, brought for the most part out of Cyprus or Ger­many, which they dissolve and cast into forms, to which they add some pleasant Colour, usually of Blew, which yet di­minishes much of its efficacy.

Of the Vapors of MineralsIn his third Section (P. 6.) He pro­ceeds to examine the four wayes whereby I say Water may imbibe the Nature and Vertue of a Mineral or Metal. And the first was by receiving its Vapour. Thus Water standing some while in a Brass or Iron Vessel, will taste of the Brasse or Iron. Here he cavils at the word Vapour, as improper; which to me does imply that he is little versed in any solid Au­thors that treat of this Subject. It's needless to spend time to prove to him, that the best Writers do rather chuse to express their sense of the imbibition of the Vapours of Minerals than Odors, which he rather espouses. Fallopius (in Ther. Aqu. cap. 8.) uses the term Vapour a­bove 40 times in the sense I am speaking [Page 22]of, even in one leaf side (P. 214:) So Kircher (lib. 5. de Virt. Aqu. cap. 3.) reckons this as one way whereby a Water imbibes Minerals and Metals, and says Vitriol is thus imbibed in its Vapour. Whence is this O [...]r but from the Offlu­ [...]ium of minute parts out of the odorable body to the Sensorium, and what is that but a Vapour? I observe (P. 46.) he al­lows an Aporrhaea [...]eralis, which word either he understands not, or must not deny the word V [...]ur.

But to go on, he says (P. 6.) That no Metallick body doth or can give a Va­pour to a simple Elementary Water, as long as the Water is Homogeneal in its parts. I answer, This is quite from the point in hand, we are not treating here of Simple Elementary Water, but of or­dinary Water, which is neither so Sim­ple nor Elementary. ☞But where is W. S. his Philosophy, he calls it Simple and Elemantary, and yet says, as long as it's Homogeneal; as if Water could be Sim­ple and Elementary and not Homogeneal. Really the very Freshmen do not reason at this rate. What? A BATCHE­LOƲR [Page 23]OF ARTS, and reason th [...] I must let you know in charity to your Degree, that you never saw Simple Elementary Water; not ever shall while you breath, and that its not indeed capa­ble of receiving a Vapor or Odor from a­ny Mineral or Metal Galen will tell you (8. de placit. Hypoc.) that it is, Minima pars [...]jus cujus est Elementum, quae lynceis cujusvis oculis non est obvia; and yet the same Galen will tell you, that, Elemen­tum per t [...]tum alterabile est. (lib. de Constit. Art. Med. Reconcile these Ridd [...]es if you can. But if he means that no Me­tallick Body can give a Vapor, or Odor, or Sapor (I matter not which) to Spring Water; it's a shrewd Argument, he has not much conversed with Ladies in his Practice of Physick, whose accurate Tastes are wont frequently to dis-relish their Water, if it has stood but a while in a Vessel of Brass or Iron, especially if it be at all warm. And for that which he says concerning L [...]ad, that if pure Spring Water were boiled a whole Age in it, it will not contract any Saturnine Impression from it. Fallopius is quite of [Page 24]another Opinion, severely declaring a­gainst those Waters that have imbibed Lead, least the Nature of the Lead be converted in Litharge, or some such thing, and so kill a Man; and therefore several good Authors, particularly Pau­lus Zachias (in Quest. Med. Legal.) for­bids to keep Water in Leaden Cisterns, because its apt to contract an Impression, which disposes the Body to Dysenteries; especially such as are Consumptive, whose Bodies are subject to Colliquation. And whereas he says, That Broths and other Liquors are boiled in Iron, Copper, or Brass Vessels, without the least taste of any of the Metals. I cannot but wonder to find this assertion; it appears he is neither Vir emunctae naris, nor exquisiti palati. His frequent Contradictions do evince that he is weak in his Memory or Intel­lect, and here I am afraid he has lost two of his Senses. Paracelsus was of ano­ther mind (lib. 3. de Natural. Aquis cap. 13.) Videmus Aquam in Cupreo vase stantem Cupri saporem asciscere. We see (says he) if Water stand but a while in a Copper Vessel, it will taste of Copper: [Page 25]and much more certainly if it be boiled in it. I am informed by some Persons of undoubted integrity on their own know­ledge of some Carps, which were taken out of Ponds newly drained; these being put with Fresh Water into a Copper Brew­ing Vessel, to be preserved but for one Night, they were all found dead in the Morning: which must certainly proceed from the Vapors of the Copper, which here was communicated to the Cold Water.

He says further, That all compact Metalline Bodies must have proper and pe­culiar Menstruums to unlock them, if any Medicinal Arcanum be thence expected. Why! I can assure him upon trial; that the filings of Steel (suppose a Pound) set to infuse in a Quart of clear Spring Water for a few dayes, the Water upon Evapo­ration afforded a clear Salt of greenish colour; which I suppose he cannot deny to have a Medicinal Vertue.

As for what he says concerning the boiling of Gold in broth for those that are in Consumptions, to make it more cordial and nourishing, I think with him [Page 26]'tis in vain; since Gold and Silver are not [...], by reason of the com­pactness of their Bodies, they cannot he turned into our Nature, so as to nourish. And I judge it to be a far better Cordial in the Purse than in the Stomach.

Of the Vapor of Vitriol. That Vitriol may dissolve in Water (he says) he denies not, but that it should give, a Vapor he understands not. To make a Body resolve it self into Vapors or minute parts of like nature with the whole, is re­quired either an intrinsick or extrinsick heat, and he apprehends not, which way so ever it be done, that yet the Carcase of Vi­triol should remain. (P. 7.) By this it appears he is a stranger to Scarb. Spaw, or else (as we have observed even now) he has lost one of his Senses, that he can­not smell the Vitrioline Vapors thereof; there being nothing more ordinary, than to hear those that come there at the very first, to observe it to smell like Ink. Fallopius tells him that Vitrioline Waters may be discerned by their smell as well as by their taste. (De Therm. Aq. cap. 9.). ☞ Aqua chalcanthosa cognoscitur gustu & olfactu. And so says Kircher too in the [Page 27]place before cited. Linguam acredine quadam, olfactum vero putentissima me­phiti percellunt. So again (cap. de Ther­mis) Vix acidulae reperiuntur, quae ex Vitriolo aliquid non participent, non qui­dem quoad corum esse sensibile, sed quoad spirituosam vaporosamque substantiam quae subtiliter & perfecte tinguntur. If he will but lay his Nose to his Ink-Bottle, which I find had Vitriol enough in't, he may easily discern a Vitrioline Vapor, while yet upon Evaporation, the substance or Carcass of the Vitriol would be found in it. And so it is with the Water of this Spring, which by the intrinsick heat of the Earth imparted to the Water, it doth imbibe more freely. And that this may be done by the heat of the Earth alone, is agreeable to the Opinion of Aristotle, (lib. 2. Metor. cap. 3.) as also of Empe­docles, as Seneca reports (lib. 3. Nat. Quest.) also of Vitruvius in his Eighth Book; and of Fallopius (De Therm. Aq. cap. 4.) Besides that he himself is forced to own it (P. 59.) where he admires at the Chymistry of Nature, which by its own proper Menstruums extracts the Es­sential [Page 28]innate Vertues of Mineral Glebes, and that by intrinsick invisible fire, in the digesting Vessels of the Earth.

Of the the Vapor of Iron.But to proceed, in (P. 8.) as he has denied Vitriol to communicate its Vapor to Water, which I have sufficiently pro­ved, and do refer to the judgement of the Intelligent Reader. So he says Iron cannot give it self by a Vapor to the Wa­ter, because it is a Compact Body; for no Solid Body is at all apt to Vapor. To this I have answered in part already, and shall now further adde. The Iron that is imbibed in this Spring, of which we discourse, is not a Solid or Compact Body of Iron, but like an ordinary Earth to look on, when it is newly digged, or when through the Surges of the Spring Tides in storms, it falls from the Cliffe; yet it is so strongly impregnated with the Concrete Juice of Iron, ☞that in a short time, it turns through the heat of the Sun to an Iron Stone; of which within Six score Paces of the Spaw, there is as much fallen from the Cliffe as would load four or five Carts, some of which I have put into a Smiths Forge, where I saw it fu­sible, [Page 29]and melt in the Fire. This I have shewn to several Physitians, who know it to be true; besides that there are Thou­sands of Gentlemen that have observed it; among which one Mr. William Cot­ton, who is Overseer, of the Iron Mines in the Edge of Derbyshire, was present when Mr Simpson was at Scarbrough and affirmed it to be Iron, and that he would undertake to make Solid Iron out of it. Now this Earth having the Spring passing through it, may very easily be supposed to impart something of its Mineral Es­sence as also of its Vapor to the Spring. If he will but consult profound Kircher, he'l tell him that Iron yields a Vapor to the purpose; Observantur (says he lib. 10. cap. 10. P. [...]19.) in fornacibus, in quibus ferrum in mass [...]s componetur, vapores qui­dam a materia ferrea exhalantes, qui in la­nuginem parietibus & tectis Officina adha­rentem convertuntur; to wit, in the Iron works where it is smelted Vapours arise out of the Iron which turn into a Dow­nyness, which cleaves to the Walls and Roofs of the House. He also says that of all Metals, Iron sends out the most fetid [Page 30]smell. But to return to Mr. Simpson's Objection, wherein he says, That Iron or other Metals being Solid Bodies, are not at all apt to send forth a Vapor, and yet keep their Body. A man would have thought he should have shewn some soli­dity in this point, but I find him playing with a Shadow. Do not Metals yeeld an Aporrhad while yet they are firm? Has he never seen a Wiseman (as for himself he has lost his smell) put a coun­terfeit Coyn to his Nose, and averr that it smelt of Copper? The like may be said of Iron and Brass, which a man of an indifferent Nose may distinguish by their Vapor. But he says, The Compact Body of Iron will not impure a Vapor to a Li­quor; wherein the Apothecaries Boys will laugh at him; when we prescribe Chalybet Drinks, which is ordinary in Hypochondriack Maladies; the Liquors receive a Vapor from the Iron, and yet the Compact Body of Iron still remains. I wonder his Chymical Apothecary did not better instruct him in this.

Of the Concrete Juice of MineralsBut when he takes notice (P. 9.) that I did not onely in my Book assert a Vapor [Page 31]to flow from Vitriol and Iron, but also something of their Concrete Juices and Substance to be imparted to the Water; Here (says he) the Dector would almost make us believe that he was inclinable to Philosophise, for he is got as far as the Con­crete Juices, viz. The Metals in solutis principiis or in fieri. Why W. S. I was Master of Arts before you were born, when doubtless I had been wont to philo­sophise, and yet not at your rate; and I have since appeared several times in the Schools, according to the Obligation of ☜ thy last Degree, and the Statutes and Cu­stoms of the University of Cambridge, which I suspect you will scarce adventure to do; and really I have not been alto­gether i [...]e since then in that Study. Had you read Ethicks you would have learned more Manners and Modesty, which the difference of our Two Degrees might just­ly have c [...]alenged. Let the Ingenious Reader judge betwixt us. The truth is my Design was not to amuse the Common Readers with any dark or abstruse Noti­ons in Philosophy, but so discourse of that Medicinal Spring as I might best be [Page 32]understood; and yet s [...]lso, [...] that (I think) I have said nothi [...] [...] [...]tine [...]r absurd, in the judgement of true and can­did Philosophers.

I confess when I writ that Book, I did not expect such a return as this, and yet I shall say, if I could have fore-seen it, I would not have desisted from that En­terprise; (for I think it would not have been according to my duty [...] have con­cealed from my Countrey, [...] thing so ge­nerally useful) lest wanton wits should trouble me with starting vain and frivo­lous questions about it: nor cerminly should I have found such measure, if any well-bred Scholar, had through differ­ence from me in any particular und [...]a­ken it. Notions in Philosophy are but Entia Rationis, and so do vary accord­ing as men apprehend them; and there­upon it is, that oftentimes by ca [...]illing wits, they become Subjects of Dispute; yea and sometimes among the Ingenious and Learned. Yet it is ever the safest, to adhere to the most Learned and Famed Men that treat of those Subjects, especi­ally if there be a consent among them, [Page 33]and they such as could not conspire to de­ceive the World, nor get advantage by it. And this was my care in the compi­ling of that Book (wherein notwithstand­ing this return, I repent NOT ONE Sentence) to hold close to the Authority of the most Learned or Right Reason, in all things submitting to the more Wise and Learned. And in Truth I profess, I did not at that time consult these Chymical Authors, I have now an oc­casion to revolve in this Dispute about these Minerals; whom yet I find concur with me in all I have said concerning them.

But to return to my Antagonist, who (P. 6, and 7.) is forced to confess, That a Mineral or Metal, while young and in solutis principiis, or in fieri, and in its Con­crete Juice, may be imbibed by a Current of Water, especially if it has been acuated by an Esurine Salt; which is the same I have said in my Book, and have now a­gain proved concerning this Spring.

Yet (P. 10.) where he has been re­ferring to what I say concerning the Va­pors of Vitriol, and the Acidity which [Page 34]from thence the Water has imbibed (he says) he cannot pass the Notion over with­out a smile; I am glad W. S. is so merry, I suspect by and by he'l be found to be ri­diculous. But in truth, when he comes in that Page to be serious, he appears a Fool in earnest, while he will have the ad­dition of Galls to be that which gives the Inky smell to the Water, when indeed the Water yeelds that smell, while 'tis clear and new-drawn out of the Foun­tain.A scrious Definiti­on of Ink. And seeing Mr. Simpson tells us he is serious, let us a little more observe what he says, for probably we may find somewhat worth hearing. Here he gives us a gallant Definition of Ink in these words: viz. It is a solution of Vitriol precipitated, or made opacous by the additi­on of Galls, whose stipticity makes the DIAPHANEOUS Texture of the Particles in the Vitrioline solution desert their former posture, and muster in a con­fused OPACOUS manner, filling those interstices with solid Particles, which be­fore were kept transparent, by the fluid parts of the Water, equally contempered. Is not here good sport? This brings to [Page 35]my mind the Definition of a Window, which another Son of Rhombus gave forth in a Pulpit, on occasion of St. Paul's be­ing let down out of the Window in a Bas­ket. A Window, which he stiled a Fene­stre, is a Diaphanous part of an Edifice, erected by the manual operation of an Ar­chitect, for the Introduction of Illumina­tion through an Opake Body into the Conca­vity of the Convex Organ of the Intellestu­al Animal.

But that which next disgusts him, is, That I discourse of Vitriol and Iron apart, and have not included one of them in the o­ther, which he would have lookt upon as a point of Philosophy in good earnest. (P. 10.) It had not been so in earnest; nor do I at all believe him if I had done so, neither I think will any rational man that reads him, since 'tis apparent he was resolved to quarrel right or wrong. I pray Sir Simpson are Iron and Vitriol all one? I think they do as really differ as your Knife and your Ink: Vitriol and Iron not the same thing. I speak not of Fa­ctitious Vitriol, but Natural, which is in Scarbrough Spaw, or which you saw break out of the Cliffe near the Well, [Page 36]having an eminent Acidity whereby it bites the Tongue, and never came under the hands of a Chymist, or into any furnace save that of Nature. Do not all Authors as well Chymical as others that treat of them, do it severally? It's need­less to cite them, and indeed it would be endless. And their Vertues are as seve­ral, and therefore this Water having imbibed them both, has Vertues from them both, and on that account necessa­rily exacted the Description of them both.

Generat natura salem, says Paracelsus (cap. de Vitriolo) Vitriolum dictum. Hoc genus peculiare est, a caeteris salibus sepa­ratum, diversas etiam a caetero sale virtu­tes possidens. Nature produces a Salt cal­led Vitriol, being a peculiar kind differ­ing from all other Salts, and having Ver­tues diverse from them all. After the same manner do speak all that treat of it. As Galen lib. 9. de Simp. Med. fac. and Mathiolus l. 5. c. 74. Sennert. Epit. Nat. Scient. l. 5. c. 12. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 34. c. 12. Renodaeus de Mat. Med. lib. 2. c. 5. And Paracelsus treating of Medicinal [Page 37]Water (lib. 3. de Natur. Aqu. c. ult. p. 270.) He says great care should be taken that the Nature of Stones, Metals, or Minerals, &c. which are imbibed by the Water should be exactly observed; for so onely shall the quality and vertue of the Waters that run through them be well understood. His words are, Summum ergo studium esse debet, ut Natura Lapi­dum, Metallorum, &c. exacte teneatur, sic enim fiet ut Aquarum ex illis genita­rum, conditio ac vis probe cognita sit. Now if I had described the Vertues of the Water from Iron only, or from Vitriol alone, since that Vitriol which we have here, is not that which is made out of Iron, but produced by Nature it self; discovering it self both in the Water to the Tast and Smell, and in the Cliffe to the Eye, being a Mineral of its own kind, and Iron a Metal, I had not done it ac­cording to reason.

Moreover Paracelsus (lib. 1. de prae­par. P. 194.) treating of several prepa­rations of Iron, viz. one with Salt, a second with Alome, and a third with Vi­triol, lays down his Receit, viz. Rec. [Page 38]Limatur. ferri, lib. 2. Aqu. Vitrioli lib. 3. Reduc. in digestionem, &c. and he makes 3 Vertues to arise out of them; viz. Virtus Styptica, Constrictiva, & Exicca­tiva. How different these are among themselves let Sir S. examine. But cer­tainly he must draw its Vertues from its composition with Vitriol, having some­thing from the Vitriol, and something from the Iron; or else he might as well never have joyned them.

So Scroderus (in his Pharmac. Med. Chym. lib. 3. cap. 11.) de ferro having laid down several preparations of Chry­stal of Mars, with Spirit of Salt and Sulphur; after the same manner (says he) Fiunt & Crystalli Martis cum Spiritu Vitrioli, sic habes Magisterium Chalybis Vitriolatum.

So Sennertus (cap. de Tinctur.) in the Extraction of the Tincture of Iron joyns Vi­triol, p. 1394.)

Thus Mattaeus Martinus de Scorbuto, puts them both together into one Recipe. (Intent. 3) And so Riverius (in his Praxis Med. (cap. de Fluxu Hepatico) joyns them together. And again (cap. de [Page 39]Hepat. obstructione.) Sed prae caeteris om­nibus Medicamentis, ad delendas obstructi­ones inveteratas maxime conferunt remedia ex tartaro, vitriolo, & chalybe conflata. Then he goes on to tell of several prepa­rations made out of each of them, as di­stinct: and further adds, Vitriolo autem Efficaciam ostendunt Aquae naturales acidae & vitriolatae, quarum usus frequentissi­mus & utilissimus est, in omnibus morbis ab obstructionibus Oriundis. That is to say, The Efficacy of Vitriol is best dis­covered in the Natural Vitrioline Waters, whose use is most frequent, and most ef­fectual in all Diseases that arise from Ob­structions.

Indeed nothing is more ordinary than to find our best Authors joyning Vitriol and Iron together, which certainly upon Mr. S. his Principle, they should not do, if they be both one thing. From all which 'tis to be inferred, that they do differ in kind; and since I find them both here, I ought in all reason to treat of them accordingly. Had I mentioned Iron alone, I had done little; for what would it have been better than a meet [Page 40] Chalybeath Water, which might have been of some vertue indeed to open Ob­structions, but not so penetrative; like a Rasor, good Metal, but had wanted an edge, besides that it had not been full to the point. And if I had mentioned Vitriol alone, it had been like an edge indeed, but without the Metal wherein it was set.

But what have I done herein more than others that treat of such like Wa­ters? Dr. Heers says (in his Spadacrene P. 34.) That the German Spaws consist of Iron, Vitriol, and Ochre, thereby ma­king Iron and Vitriol distinct as I have done. So Frambesarius and Ryetius, &c.

But he accounts, This Vitriol to be so near of Kin to Iron, as that it is produced out of it. I reply, that hitherto he de­nies them both, and therefore his Obje­ction is impertinent, while I am proving them both. Besides if this were so, then they would differ as Materia and Mate­riatum, which sure are not the same, but may be discoursed of severally; or else the whole Current of Philosophers are in a great Error, and must learn of Sir Simpson.

That this Spring is of an Azure or Sky. Colour it is plain to the Eye; from whence has it taken it, but from the im­bibed Minerals, among which I say (I think) it is the Vitriol, Iron, and Alome; and my reason for it is, Because these be­ing infused, do contribute such a Colour to Water (but especially I judge it to be from the Vitriol.) But this man is so se­vere he will not allow me to say what I think, but cries out on't as Precarious Philosophy, and want of Chymical Expe­riments. In the former I assure him, I own nothing but what is grounded in sound Reason or Sence, nor do I in the particulars we are treating of: And as for the latter, I know as much as I need, and perhaps he will think by and by I know too much in knowing him. How­ever I have other necessary imployment for my time, so as I cannot have leisure to lay it out in making Mechanical Experi­ments: I shall leave that to others or him, who has little else to do.

But yet that Mr S. may know that this is not precarious, but others are of the same mind, I refer him to Kircher [Page 42](lib. 6. de Vitriolo) who saith, That Vi­triol does give such a pure Limpid and Azure Colour to Water; and he gives a reason for it; viz. Quod grossiores aquae paries in Chalcanthi incisiva & subtiliati­va dissipatae subsideant, atque ob corpuscu­lorum vitriolatorum diaphoenam & vitream substantiam, aqualucidior splendidior lim­pidiorque reddatur.

How to discern Vitriol in the Spring.But Mr. S. queries still (P. 11.) How came the Doctor to know that Vitriol and Iron were ingredients, seeing the Badges of distinction clash? &c. To this I think I have said enough already to satisfie any intelligent man, and yet further thus briefly.

First, As to Vitriol, I knew this to be there from the Eminent Acidity of the Water; and though I did not learn this out of Paracelsus, yet I find him con­curring with me in judging by this Token: (De Natur. Baln. Tract. 3. c. 9.) Ther­mae nonnullae sunt quae acetositatem & dul­cedinem babent. Hae si ex nativa constitu­tione tales sunt, ex vitriolo oriuntur. Id enim si ex prima sua materia resolvitur, a­cetosas aquas profert. To wit, There are [Page 43]some sort of Baths or Waters that have an Acidity and Sweetness in them (I sup­pose he means a pleasant Acidity) these if from their Natural Constitution they are so, do arise from Vitriol; for if it happen to be resolved: from its first mater in Waters, it makes them to become A­cide. Ʋnde Vitrioli virtutes illis assig­nandae sunt, and therefore, says he, the properties of Vitriol are to be ascribed to the Waters. (P. 189.)

So Fallopius counts the Acidity to be a sufficient token of the imbibition of Vi­triol (De Therm. Aq. cap. 7. p. 217.) who treating of the Spaw in Germany, and that at Rome (concerning which I have met with several Gentlemen speaking, That they are not so Acid as this at Scar­brough.) He says, Arbitror eas esse a­cidas, quia habeant in se Chalcanthum purissimum, therefore I think them Acid, because they have pure Vitriol in them.

Another token of Vitriol is that A­porrhaea Mineralis or Vitrioline Vapor, which any one of an indifferent smell may observe, which is somewhat like that of Ink, though more pure.

A third Argument is that deep Tincture that the Water takes from Gall, more than any other I have seen or read of, which cannot come from the Alome (not­withstanding Mr. Simpson's perswasion, as I shall evince in its due place) nor any other of the Minerals.

And lastly, There is in this Cliffe with­in Six score Paces of the Spring a Vitrio­line Salt, which sweats out of the Cliffe, of Dark Yellow Colour, very sharp to the Taste, even far beyond Nitre or Alome; which affords good ground of probability that it is in the Spring.

Iron in Scarbr. Spaw.Touching Iron, it is (me think) plain that here it is in its Body, which is precipi­tated to the bottom of the Vessel, after it has stood some hours tinctured with Gall, there being in every Gallon near a Dram, when the Water is evaporated; which being calcined yields a scoria like Iron, and of Reddish Colour, as I shall have occasion to make out by and by. Besides that there is a Body of the like Nature and Vertue, that falls to the bot­tom of the Vessels; wherein this Water is carried abroad into the Countrey; the [Page 45]like to which falls to the bottom of the Vessel, wherein the Water is set upon the Fire for Evaporation, upon the first approach of the hear.

Again, The Blackish Colour, which is imparted to the Excrements of those that drink of these Waters, denotes Iron, it being peculiar to all the preparations of Iron, which we have occasions to use.

And lastly, The Cliffe out of which this Spring flows, is plainly Iron, which though at the first when it falls it be like ordinary Earth, yet at length by the weather it becomes hard as Iron and hea­vy, and is fusible in the Fire. To all these I might adde, the singular Vertues which are evident in the Water for Hy­pocondriack Diseases, the Stone, and ad­vancing the Tone of the Stomach, both in point of Appetite and Digestion, do sufficiently make out the presence of them both.

Thus much may suffice to be said con­cerning the Exceptions made by Mr. S. against the first way I mentioned, where­by a Water might imbibe the Vapors of Minerals. The second is, when some of [Page 46]their Juice is dissolved in the Water, and that is while the Minerals are young, or in solutis principiis. This he passes over. Is it not kindness I can please him in any thing?Of the Corrosion of the Substance of Me­tals. But he quarrels at my third way, and that is by corrosion of the substances of the Minerals mentioned by Galen (lib. 1. de Simpl. Med. fac. cap ult.) and this I said is done by the help of the Concrete Juices, which extract and corrode Mi­neral substances. Here we find a Galeni­cal way (says W. S.) of Selution, it is out of their road to discourse of these Mine­ral Solutions, for want of Chymical Expe­riments, which they are not at leasure to take notice of. Ay! this is the Choak-Pear, the very Name of Galen is a Bug­bear to W. S. I find him ever running in­to a rage, where I had occasion to name him. This is that which frets him, that the Galenists meddle with these Notions; and I confess I am not at very great lea­sure now to trouble myself with them, save that I am willing to step out of my Road to curb the Cracks of a Thraso.

Nor is there any Contradiction in what I say in this Assertion, viz. That the [Page 47]Concrete Juices corrode, and extract Mi­neral and Metallick Substances. For the Concrete Juice of Vitriol which is of a Corrosive property, being imbibed in a Spring Water, will corrode other Mi­nerals or Metals; (so says Helmont him­self in the place before cited) that it pas­ses through, as Iron and Alome, whose Bodies are firmer, especially before Con­solidation, which is the case of Iron here, as now I made out, and also of the A­lome: for the Solvent and Agent is Vi­triol, the Soluble and Patient is Iron. And in this Water upon Evaporation, or otherwise (as I have newly made out) we have the very Substance of Minerals and Metals. And to this agrees Fallopi­us who was Chymist enough (de M [...]tal. P. 216.) who treating de Balneo Aponi­tano, and that which is at Co [...]sena, says, In istis Aquis dispersa sunt ramenta & mi­nimae particulae lapidis; In those Waters are dispersed some Shreds and small Par­ticles of Stone; and afterwards in the same Chapter he gives an account how it comes to pass that they imbibe Metals, viz. Quia non sunt adeo dura & solida, [Page 48]ut in hac terrae superficie; viz. because they are not so hard and solid within the Earth, as they are upon the Superficies. And thus also say Galen, Vitruvius, and Livius.

In (P. 13.) he repeats what he said before of his Esurine Salt, or Ens Pri­mum (P. 3.) and how that it cannot im­bibe any more Minerals than one, which I have there with good reason exploded, and sufficiently confuted. And these will appear much more frivolous, when I shall by and by discover him confessing, that This very Water at Scarbrough has imbi­bed four Minerals or Metals, viz. Vitri­ol, Iron, Alome, and Nitre.

But he frets at the Example I mention concerning Aquafortis, which corrodes the substance of a Metal put into it, and converts it to its own nature; whereby it is become all liquid, the solid Metal being become fluid as its Menstruum. This Example does sufficiently illustrate what I am designing it for, notwithstanding the Metal upon the Evaporation of the Men­struum, may be found in the bottom. A thing I no more doubted of, then I do [Page 49]the residence of the Minerals of this Spaw, upon the Evaporation of the Water.

In (P. 15.) he proceeds to examine the fourth way,Minerals joyned to Water by Confu­sion. whereby I say a Water may imbibe the Nature and Vertue of a Mineral or Metal, and that is by Confu­sion, changing the Substance of the Mi­neral into Water, and this I say in my Book is, when the Mineral is of so li­quable a Nature, as that 'tis capable of being converted into Water. ☞Here W. S. is extreamly severe and abusive, calling it a Rustical Notion, with a parcel of base language against me, unbecoming a Scholar or a Sober Man. Indeed in my Second Impression I had thought to have left out this, because of its near coinci­dence with the former, but I was out-run by the Printer, having been abroad some dayes. Nevertheless I can defend it to be agreeable to reason and the expressions of the Learned.

It's plain that a Mineral that is disso­luble in Water, as Vitriol, Nitre, Salt, may be so sully taken into the Water, as that the Water and Mineral are confusedly [Page 50]joyned together, every drop of the Wa­ter having something of the Mineral Par­ticles, and every Particle of them mixed with the Water. And thus any sort of Mineral Earth dissolved in Water, may be said to be confusedly joyned to it, so as one cannot see to the bottom, though with standing a while, or filtration, or evaporation, they may be separated. And thus a little Gall put into this Spaw Water, makes it become confused, while yet the Minerals are in it.

Proved by Au­thority of Learned Writers.Let me now produce the Authority of Learned Writers. Fallopius treating of this Subject of Water taking in Metals and Minerals, mentions several wayes, and one is by Confusion (De Therm. Aq. cap. 7. p. 212.) His words are these, ☞ Alter vero est, quod quaedam Aquae sunt, quae habent quidem Metalla suscepta pari­ter in Terrae concavitatibus inter fluen­dum; tamen Metalla illa non sunt cum Aquis istis bene commixta, — sed sunt potius cum Aquis CONFUSA. To wit, Another way is, that there are some Waters, which have in them Metals, which they have taken in as they pass in [Page 51]the Cavities of the Earth, yet those Me­tals are not well mixed with those Wa­ters, but are rather CONFƲSED with the Waters; then he goes on, A­quas autem quae hoc modo non vere mixta, sed CONFUSA habent in se Metalla, plures habemus, & inter alias est Aponi­tana, &c. And we have many Waters, which after this manner have not the Mi­nerals properly mixed, but CONFƲ ­SED in them; of which sort is that which he calls Aqua Aponitana, which he says is of great use and esteem, and has been so of old; and in the same Page, Secundus igitur mixtionis modus est, quando Metalla non vere commiscentur, sed CONFUNDUNTUR cum A­quae substantia. To wit, The second way (says he) whereby a Water takes in a Metal, is when the Metals are not pro­perly and truly mixed, but CON­FOƲNDED with the Substance of the Water. And this way he interprets to be, when the Substance of the Metal falls to the bottom of the Vessel wherein the Water is, of it self, and without any Art.

Thus the Aqua Aponitana has imbibed Lime Stone, and that of Corsena he says has shreds of Marble. Yea and the pro­found Kircherus himself (in his Mundus Subter. P. 347.) speaks to the same pur­pose, and almost in the same words; ma­king this one way whereby a Water Spring may take in a Mineral or Metal; Nonnullae Aquae medicatae sant, quae non perfecta sed CONFUSA mixtura con­stituuntur, id est, quae sensibilibus vario­rum Mineratium corpusculis scatent, & nullo negorio ab eis separaeri possunt. And a little after, Sunt qu [...]dam Aquae, quae partim vera rerum, quas continent mixtu­ra, partim confusa constant. And again, Hoc pacto m [...]ltae sunt thermae quae calcari­um lapidem a se separant, utpo [...]e CON­FUSANEA quadam ratione lis i [...]di­ [...]um. And after the very same manner has this Water of Scarbrough imbibed Iron, which either by a little Gall, or Carriage at distance, will fall to the bot­tom; while yet the rest will require Eva­poration to separate them from the Wa­ter, except the Vitrioline Spirits which are so volatile that they soon fly away. — [Page 53]After the same manner does Dr. Jordan a Learned Chymist discourse in his Natural Baths.

I can also confirm the use of this term out of Galen, if my Antagonist can have patience to hear his Name (Lib. 1. de Elem. ad finem) where treating of the Four Elements meeting in every Mixt Body. Ea tota per se CONFUNDI, & suis corum substantiis misceri docet. He says, They are all CONFOƲN­DED and mixed with one anothers substances; which he illustrates by the si­militude of the mixture of Wine and Water; both whose parts are so confu­sedly broken into Minute Particles, as that there is a mutual action and passion, and participation of the qualities of each other. By this time (I doubt not) the Reader sees the weakness of the Young Man in this particular, wherein he lays so much stress; and how unfit he is to be Judge in matters of this Nature, who is so great a stranger to the expressions of Learned Writers and sound reason.

A severe Censure.And because speaking of the solution of Nitre and Salt in Water, I said they [Page 54]are of so liquable a Nature, as that they are capable of being converted into Wa­ter, as if they were nothing but Water, he would inferr (P. 16.) That therefore I will have them to be perfectly turned into Water it self. Can any man think that I am so void of sense as to intend any such thing; however 'tis enough for him to fall upon me with base and bitter inve­ctives. The Reader may judge my pur­pose was to speak in all things to Vulgar Capacities, and therefore I was necessa­rily to be plain, and to refer them (in this thing which is not so material) ra­ther to the external senses and outward appearance, than to the intrinsick nature of the thing it self. I endeavor that I may not return any railing accusation, yet cannot but admire at the malitious spirit of the man.

☞ I find himself using the very same ex­pression concerning Iron and other Me­tals, which by force of fire become liquid and fluid in the Crucible like Water. (P. 22.) Does not he think, that no man that is short of a mad man, would be­lieve that he intends the Metals are turned [Page 55]into Water? And so when there he says again, The Metals flow together with it by the actuation of their Mercurial part, as if it were nothing but Mercury; does it follow that he intends it is perfectly turned into Mercury? Why should Sir S. cavil at my expression, and infer that from it, which the most ordinary capa­city cannot but take in a right sense; when he himself within three leaves uses the very same liberty of expression, which needs the same Candid Interpreta­tion? This brings to my mind a merry story which I know to be true. A Coun­trey Wife complained to a Justice of Peace of her Husband, that he wasted their Estate in Ale: The good man an­swered the Justice, that whereas he spent a Groat, his Wife spent two; here­upon the Justice sent for her, and told her what her Husband had said; O Sir, (said she) it never angers me what I do my self, but that he should spend any thing it vexes me to the heart.

(Pag. 18.) Dissolve Vitriol in Water, filtre it so as it becomes a clear solution — Then he goes on, and after some small [Page 56]process, he says, The Sediment gives a Terra Vitrioli, or Metalline Earth of Vi­triol. I desire here the Reader to take notice, how this Terra Vitrioli comes from Vitriol dissolved in Water. Now look into (P. 359.) and there Sir Simp­son tells us, that for farther satisfaction, he made more Trials of the Water of Scarbrough Spaw, and the first precipita­tion was a Reddish Sediment, which he calls Terra Vitrioli, and whence that, but from Vitriol which is dissolved in the Water, the very thing which I had as­serted in my Book, and which he has all this while been contending against, with so much vehemency and bitterness of Spi­rit against me.

Now I appeal to the Judicious Reader, whether thus far I have not defended these two Principles of the Water, viz. Iron and Vitriol, against all the allegati­ons Sir S. has brought against them. He has (P. 19.) one Argument more,Mr. S. his Main Fort. where­in he thinks he thrusts home; the rest probably he might supect would not hold me, and therefore he has here one which is worth them all; He says it's in­star [Page 57]omnium, as being demonstrative and confirmed by Autopsy; and this is it, His Friend the Chymical Apothecary at York, took some Minerals, which I had taken out of the Water of Scarbrough after E­vaporation, and gave him; these he put into a Crucible, and calcin'd for the space of almost three hours, and all this while without the least appearance of any Red Co­lour, or the least foot-step of either Colcotar of Vitriol, or Crocus of Iron; it became fixt and permanent in the Fire, and lost lit­tle of its weight, it also became whiter in Colour. Now for certain (says Sir S.) if there had been any thing of Vitriol or Iron in it, the discovery would have been made, and it forc'd to confess its Nature, by its Yellow, Red, or Purple Colour, with so great force of Fire.

Here we see where Sir Simpson's strength lies, even in a Hair, Battered to the ground. which I shall as easily snap, and so put this proud Fencer by his best Guard. Now if I prove that Vitriol will calcine White; then his Argument is invalid, and this I shall do, both by the heat of the Fire, and also of the Sun.

First, By the heat of the Fire it will be found to calcine White, if he will be­lieve the Testimony of his own beloved Zwelfer, who is indeed one of the Prin­cipal Writers in Chymical Matters; in his Pharmacopoea Regia ad finem, describing the Composition of a Cerate, which he calls Ceratum magis durabile ad Hernias, he has these words,

Secondly, It will calcine White by the heat of the Sun, if he will believe the Virtuosi of France, who in their Confe­rence 238, treating of the making of Sympathetical Powder, do say it's made with Romane Vitriol, which they beat not over small, and lay it in the Sun upon Papers for the space of fifteen dayes, during which time (say they) it is calci­ned into an exquisite whiteness. If he will not trust them, let him ask his Chymical Apothecary, if he have not of it in his Shop, who I believe can let him see it; so as now there is left him no way to e­vade, but by questioning the Authority [Page 59]and Verity of these Authors, as after­wards we shall find him in an Argument I pinch him from Doctor Heylin, in my Discourse about the Original of Springs.

But I shall not rest here, I do very much wonder that Mr. Simpson or the Chymical Apothecary (whom of the two we account the better Chymist) could ex­pect that these Minerals, being so much di­luted with Water, should calcine either into a Colcotar or Crocus, that they should discover any other colour than White; for upon their dissolution in this Water-Spring, they must necessarily deposite what other Colour they had, if they will believe their Grand Master Paracelsus, whose Authority in this matter is Authen­tick enough. He (in lib. 4. cap. 1. p. 271. de Aquis crescentibus) treating of this ve­ry Subject; Videtis (inquit) Metalla & Mineralia similitudinem nullam habere cum corporibus illis, ex quibus generata sunt: You see that Metals and Minerals (dissolved in Water) have no resem­blance with those Bodies out of which they are generated; and presently after he explains himself more particularly to [Page 60]my purpose, Ʋidetis Ʋitriolum aliud vi­ride, aliud ceruleum, ac probe coloratum esse: Id si in Aquam resolvatur colorem omnem deponit. That is to say, You see one sort of Vitriol is Green, another Blew; but if it be resolved in a Spring Water, it lays down all its Colour. And he goes on to illustrate this by Gold, ☞ Si­militer & auri color flavus est, qui tamen in transmutation fit purpureus; si autem per transmutationem hanc resolvatur, tunc Aquam nullam tingit amplius, nec colorem in se continet. In like manner (says he) though the Colour of Gold be Yellow, and in transmutation it becomes Purple; yet if it be resolved by this transmutation that is in Spring Water (for that is the Subject he is treating of) it tinges the Water no more, nor does it keep its own Colour. Now I wonder these Gentle­men being so great Chymists, should not be better read in Paracelsus.

Had these been perfect Minerals in their kind (I mean this Vitriol and Iron) they might with good reason have expe­cted they should have calcin'd of a Red or Purple Colour; as we see if perfect [Page 61] Ʋitriol, whether White Vitriol or Cop­peras, be dissolved in Water, and that Water be filtred never so clear, the Wa­ter being evaporated leaves a Reddish Sediment, and that will calcine Red, as I have tried; but if the Mineral, viz. Vitriol, or the Iron be imperfect, and onely in succo primitivo, no such thing can be expected; for they admit thereby of a change both in their Taste and other respects too, as if indeed they were a quite other thing. And thus says also Paracelsus (lib. 3. De Nat. Aq. Tract. 2. p. 265.) In istiusmodi destructione cor­poris Mineralium, ipse quoque gustus dis­sipatur. Then he goes on to particulars, Sic in Aluminis resolutione observatis, quae ☜ Alumini non conveniunt. Itidem & in re­solutione Vitrioli decedere videtis, quae Ʋi­triolo similia non sunt, etsi ejusdem sub­stantiae & materiae sunt. To wit, Thus in the resolution of Alome into Water, you observe some things that are not a­greeable to Alome. And so again in Ʋitriol, you see some digressions that are not like Ʋitriol, while yet they are of the same substance and matter. And this is as [Page 62]plain in this case of ours, as if Paracel­sus had designed it purposely, and intend­ed to correcting his followers in this their mistake. For these Minerals are not here corporally but percolated, as he himself ex­presses it (in the 13th cap. of his 3d Book De Nat. Aqu.) Sic & persape accidit ut Minera Ʋitrioli, aut Aluminis, aut Sul­phuris, aut Antimonii concurrat, non qui­dem corporaliter probe tamen percolata. Now the eminent Digression that falls out in these two Minerals Ʋitriol and Iron, as imbibed by this Water at Scarbrough, is this; that since they are not here in their perfect Bodies, but exceedingly percolated and diluted; they therefore do not cal­cine into a Colcotar or Crocus, not Red, but White.

☞ And this is the ground of the great puzzle some ingenious Chymists of my acquaintance are put to, in judging of the Minerals of the Spaw, and particularly Mr. Samuel Johnston a Physitian at Bever­ley in this Countrey of very good repute (concerning whom I shall have farther occasion to speak anon) from whom this very day while I write this, I received [Page 63]three sorts of preparations out of the Mi­nerals of this Spaw, viz. a Chrystalline Sabulum as he calls it; Terra Vitrioli, which I rather think to be a product of the Iron than the Vitriol; and the Essen­tial Salt. This last he says he cannot tell what to think of it, being such an Ano­malous Salt; differing so much either from the Natural or Factitious Kinds of Alom, Vitriol, or Nitre, though in some properties it agrees with each of them. The reason of the scruple is this, which Paracelsus has clearly made out, that here they are not corporally, but per­colated; not perfect in their several Kinds, but in succo primitivo; not single, but all mixed together; which as yet I could ne­ver attain to separate: And therefore this Salt is nothing so Acide as Ʋitriol, nor Emetick; nor Stiptick as Alome; not in­flammable as Nitre, notwithstanding it doth shoot in Stirias: I'l only adde this, that they are all here, though in fractis, imminutis & debilitatis viribus, and the vertue of the Water must be judged from them all. Paracelsus says (cap. 1. De Nat. Balu.) treating of such Waters, Quod [Page 64]sint resoluta Minera ex Corpore to quod si­mile est Ʋitriolo, Alumini & Sali & ta­men id non est: ita emergunt ipsarum vir­tutes secundum harum crium simplicium potentias. P. 186.

But to return to my Antagonist, who is here managing his best Argument, which he calls instar omnium, in contra­diction to these two Minerals Iron and and Ʋitriol, which he says ought not to be White; I shall now refer him to Fallo­pius de Metall. pag. 217. who treating of such like Waters as this, tells of one that is near Rome in agro Ʋolaterrano, which he says has imbibed a Juice that is white, and it is the Juice of Vitriol, not of A­lome; his own words are, In illa Aqua est Succus, & Albus, & est Succus Cal­canthi, non autem Aluminis. Now its very probable that this white Juice would make a white Salt by Calcination, after its separation from the Menstruum.

☞ To the same purpose also speaks the Acute Zuelfer in his Appendix to his Ani­madversions, P. 95. discoursing of Cal­cin'd Metals, whether they yield a Salt or no. He determines that the firm [Page 65]Metals being calcin'd with violent fire (a­mong which he reckons Iron) will not calcine into a Powder, out of which Salt may be extracted; but in Scorias & Cr [...]cos convertuntur, neutiquam in Cine­rese quibus verum Sal eliciendum. Now if so, why then should these men expect that these Minerals should calcine in Sco­rias & Crocos, since they had not here to do with perfect Metals or Minerals, but onely a Concrete Juice of Metals and Mi­nerals dissolv'd in Water, which now they discern plainly doth calcine into a Powder, out of which may be extracted a Salt of very great vertue in opening Ob­structions, and correcting the Ferments of the Stomach and other natural parts, as I have frequently experienced, and have expresly pointed at in my Book of the Spaw, P. 152. where I said, and I ☜ know that out of these Mineral Salts which are separated from this Water, some very useful preparations might be made, to be safely joyn'd with other Vehicles to good pur­pose.

And thus again Zuelfer in his Animad­versions upon the 20th Class. of the [Page 66] Augustine Dispensatory, treating of the Calcining of Vitriol, says, It will calcine Red or of a Dark Brown Colour; but he blames those Chymists that expecting to make further use of it, do use to edulco­rate it with Water; Sive enim vi astrin­gente sive aperiente polleat, ille tota per e­dulcorationem tollitur, quippe utraque vis vi Sale Metallico Vitriolato in aquareso­lubili consistit: For whatever quality it has, whether astringent or aperient, its all lost by edulcoration, and all the ver­tue which was in the Metallick Salt, does consist in the Water, into which it is re­solved. And so it is here, the Vitriol thus resolved into Water, is become in all respects a quite other thing, the ver­tue thereof being imbibed in the Water.

The Water black with Gall.But I wonder all this while, that nei­ther of these Gentlemen have said one word of the calcining of that Black Se­diment (which I mention'd before) that falls to the bottom of the Vessel after it has received a Tincture from the Gall: This had they done, it would have given them no small light, concerning this very Point, of these two Minerals we are [Page 67]treating about: The Black Tincture is re­ceived by the Vitriol, that which is preci­pitated to the bottom by the Stipticity of the Gall, is the Iron: this I calcined in a Crucible in very strong Fire, and it be­comes of a Dark Brown Colour, and turns to a gross Powder hard as a Cinder, and is no other than the Scoria of Iron: After Calcination I dissolv'd it in pure Spring Water, and let it stand till the next day; I also tried whether the Water be­ing very Brackish, would take a Tincture from Gall, but it did not; so as I con­clude it has nothing of Vitriol: This Wa­ter I evaporated away, and it afforded a Brownish Floscule very sharp and biting upon the Tongue; which Colour since it has it not from the Vitriol, for the rea­son aforesaid; so nor from the Gall; and therefore I judge it to have it from the Iron.

Another thing I observed in calcining all the whole Body of the Minerals, as they are come from the Water after Eva­poration: That though they do calcine Whitish, yet there are here and there Laminea ferrea or Flakes of Iron inter­spersed [Page 68]among the Calcined Powder, broad and thin and like those that fly off from Iron while under the Smiths Ham­mer: From all which it does plainly ap­pear that here is both Iron and Vitriol, notwithstanding this Man's Denials hi­therto.

☞ I shall for the determining this Dispute about the Minerals calcining White, pro­duce but one Argument more, which to him is Argumentum ad hominem: I sent for 10 Gallons of the sweet Spaw at Kna­resbrough, which by his own Confession, (P. 136, and 137.) has imbibed a Vitri­ol of the Minera of Iron: This Water I evaporated away, having first cleared it from all fabulous earthly mixture; what remained in the bottom I put into a Cru­cible, and calcined it, and it did not differ from the Colour of the Scarbrough Mi­nerals, nor had it any Colcotar of Vitriol or Crocus of Iron, nor any such Laminae as those other afforded: I weighed the Powder after Calcination, which was a­bout a Dram and an half: Then I dis­solv'd it in a little Spring Water, that it might imbibe what Salt it had in it, which [Page 69]upon Evaporation I found to be White, and not above 17 Grains in Weight. Where by the way let me observe to the Reader, that Three Pints of the Spaw at Scarbrough has imbibed more of the Mineral and Metalline Juices, than Ten Gallons of that of Knaresbrough, and hence it is that it is far more operative, and yet every whit as pleasant to the Pa­late, and as safe to be drunk.

Now that which I infer from hence is, that since Mr. Sympson grants, that this has Vitriol and Iron, and yet calcines White, the other may as well have them, notwithstanding it doth calcine White; and so his main Argument is altogether invalid.

I have been longer in this Argument than at first I intended, because this is his main Bulwark, which I thought fit to le­vel to the ground; whereby I think it ap­pears to the Intelligent Reader, that it had but a Sandy Foundation, and all the noise we have from it, was but as the blurt of a Paper-Gun charged with White Powder.

Mr. S his contradi­ction.Well! Notwithstanding all this, Mr. S. concludes the Section, Thus we discard these two Minerals of his Spaw, viz. Vi­triol and Iron, as to the Body of them. ☞To which I reply, I have one Argumentum ad hominem still left. If I point out Mr. S. CONTRADICTING himself in this Assertion, and confessing both these Minerals to be there, then I hope the Reader will be satisfied, that what I affirm'd in my Book concerning them is true, and all this ill language ought to have been spared: Habemus reum confi­tentem: Turn to P. 39. his words are, Nor is this variation of Colour by Galls a sufficient argument of the presence of the Minera of Iron, He con­fesses Iron although I do not deny it to be an Ingredient. Now turn to P. 44. where he grant that there is a Solution of the Minera of Iron in this Spaw, his words are, For this Mineral Acidity is the very Solvent in the Water, which per­vading a Minera of Iron, makes a slight solution of it, and being equally contempered together, makes up the Body of the Spaw, &c. So concerning Vitriol, P. 359. where he says, [...]nd Vi­triol. That he might inform him­self [Page 71]more satisfactorily of the true Constitu­ent parts of the Water at Scarbrough, he ☜ sent for 3 Gallons and 3 Pintes, which he let stand a while to settle; whose first preci­pitation was a Reddish Sediment, from which I filter'd the Water (says he) and this dried in the Sun, proved to be a Red Earth or kind of Ochre, or rather Terra Vitrioli.

By this time the Reader discerns the folly of the YOƲNG GEN­TLEMAN, and the injustice of his quarrel against me thus farr: I suppose wherever I find him disputing any more as I pass, against these two Minerals, I may spare to rehearse what has already been said by me to prove them, unless his Expressions do administer new mat­ter.

Of the properties of VitriolP. 20. The Doctor proceeds to tell us the Nature and Vertues of these Minerals: First, Of Vitriol, he says 'tis eminently hot, of a biting and adust quality, &c. according to the account he receives from Galen, Dioscorides,Mr S. im­patient to hear of Galen, should &c. &c. enough to tire one in the reading, &c. but methinks the Doctors long experience in re medica, [Page 72] should e'r this have furnisht him with plen­ty of Observations of the Worth and Ver­tue of so Noble a Mineral.

Would not a little more modesty well become this Young Man, than thus to fly in my Face without a Cause? I have already declared my design in writing that Book, was not to make long Dis­courses either Philosophical or Medici­nal, since it would not have suited Vul­gar Readers, to whom I was to write; and therefore it would have been abs re to have discoursed concerning the Ana­lytical parts of Vitriol, or any other of the Materials found in the Water, or their preparations. He cannot but think my experience in re medica might minister to me some Observations concerning the Nature of them all: but I thought it most proper, briefly as I could, to give the sence of our Principal Authors that treat of them, and particularly of Vitriol; as Galen, Dioscorides, Serapio, &c. whom he has not the patience to hear named. I know Paracelsus in many places of his Works extolls it to the Stars, and counts all the Medicines in the World in ordi­nary [Page 73]use, trifles in comparison of it: but such rancor does he shew in all his Writings where he treats of it, that I did not think it worth the while to trou­ble the Reader with what he says, nor to put him in the same Rank with those Princes in Physick that I here mention; especially since I did, in that short re­hearsal of its qualities, comprise all the eminent properties of Natural Vitriol, concerning which I was to speak; refer­ring the Learned Readers to the Authors themselves concerning their further satis­faction.

Yet because I will please Mr. Simpson, ☜ Ill now refer him to Paracelsus, who will tell him that I have done but as I ought: I mention'd this before, Consult him therefore (lib. 3. de Aq. Medicin.) Summum ergo studium esse debet, ut Na­tura Lapidum, Metallicorum & similium exacte teneatur: fic enim fiet ut Aquarum ex illis genitarum conditio ac vis, probe cog­nita sit. Great care ought to be had, that the Nature of Stones, Metals, and such like, be exactly observed; for so the con­dition and vertue of the Waters that [Page 74]have imbibed them, will be best under­stood. And in what parts or respect soe­ver, the vertue of Vitriol consists, it matters not much; its enough that we are sure, that though full ripe and ma­ture Vitriol be a violent Emetick or Vo­mit, and in no wise to be given inward­ly without due correction; yet this in our Spaw being unripe and not come to maturity, is not Emetick, but most safe and full of vertue. And thus also does Fallopius affirm (de Metall. cap. 7. p. 216.) Habemus quinetiam aquas qua Cal­canthi succum habent admixtum, qualis est aqua illius Balnei quod vulgo dicitur Bag­no al Morbo, in agro Volatterrano, quae tamen aqua tantum abest ut nocet, ut ad paranda Edelia, ad Balnea conficienda, maxima sit idonea: assumitur etiam in po­tum & ad alios plerosque usus adhibetur; i. e. Moreover we have Waters which have imbibed the Juice of Vitriol, &c. which Water nevertheless is so far from killing or hurting any man, or so much as provoking to vomit, as that it is found to be very proper, either for dressing of Meat, or for Bathing in; it is also drunk [Page 75]inwardly, and is good for many other uses; and the like he sayes of several o­ther Springs that have taken in Vitriol, as that near Rome, and those which we call the German Spaws.

Now assuredly in treating of this and the rest of the Minerals, it is more satis­faction to the World, that I should ac­quaint them with the Concurrent Judge­ments of all those Learned Authors, than to have obtruded upon them my own pri­vate Experiences or Observations; nor am I so desperate as he, to make dangerous Ex­periments upon mens bodies by Minerals; till I have enquired among sound Au­thors what opinion Antiquity had of them.

(P. 21.) Here he passes on to make his severe Observations concerning what I have said about the Temperature and Nature of Iron, and finding me to have asserted it to be dry in the Third Degree, according to the declared Judgement of several of the Princes in Physick, and others later Writers. Here (says Sir Simpson) we see that as the Galenists have their Degrees of the Four Qualities, by [Page 76]which they feel and handle the Vertues and Properties of Vegetables; so likewise it seems they reach with them to fathom the Nature of Metals. And then he runs a Risque of scurrilous language against those whom he calls Galenists and my self; discovering rather puerile folly to be laughed at with scorn, than any thing that deserves an Answer.

Of the Four first Quali­ties.The Reader is to take notice, That Physicians do ordinarily discourse of all Simples, whether Vegetables or Mine­rals, according to the Four first Quali­ties as they call them, of Heat, Cold, Driness, and Moisture, of each of which they make 4 Degrees; whereby they judge concerning the Temperature of the Simple, and its operation upon the Body of Man, according to those Four Qua­lities. Thus we say Vitriol is hot, that is, its heating: Iron is dry, that is, 'tis dry­ing. Now while I say 'tis dry, I speak the sense of all that treat of it; not only Ga­lenists but Chymists also. Thus Jacobus de Partibus in his Commentaries upon Avicen, saith it is cold and dry; and Ma­nardus (lib. 16. ep. 5.) and the learned [Page 77] Kircher (p. 219.) Juxta dominium pri­marum qualitatum ferrum refrigerare & siccare asserit; i. e. In respect of the first ☜ qualities he declares it to be cold and dry. But I find a difference among some of them concerning its Temperature, as to heat and cold. Galen accounts it of the Nature of Earth, and so it must be cold. (lib. 9. de Simpl.) So Conciliator, and in­deed all agree in it, except Fallopius (de Metall.) who holds it to be hot, and that because Scribonius Largus prescribes it in Ulcers of the Bladder, which it cures; yet not as heating, but as drying: and indeed its evident in Moist Bodies, that the constant use thereof doth very much conduce to the drying up of the su­perfluous moisture; yea and all the Chy­mists go this way. Paracelsus wrote 7 Books de Gradibus, which begin his 7th Tome; only he owns but 2 Complexions (as he calls them) viz. Heat and Cold, and will have the other 2 of Driness and Moisture to be involv'd in those; ac­counting what ever is hot to be dry, and what is cold to be moist; and (in cap. 8. lib. 2.) he says Iron, of which we speak, is [Page 78] cold in the third Degree: but that it should also be moist, I think it needs no Confu­tation: ☞however hence it appears that Paracelsus does own these Four Qualities, though the two later involv'd in the two former. But it seems W. S. knows no­thing of these things, busying himself more in making a few useless Experiments, than in considering the Temperature of the Medicines which he uses, or the true Na­ture of the Diseases whereto he applies them.

Second Quali­ties.Besides these, though not immediately flowing from them, there are others, which we call Second Qualities: Such are Mollifying, Condensing, Rarefying, Re­solving, Attenuating, Incrassating, At­tracting, Repelling, &c. as also some which we call Third Qualities,Third Quali­ties. such are Vomiting, Purging, Expelling the Stone, Provoking Urine, or the like. Likewise there are others, which we call Occult Qualities,Occult Quali­ties. which are found by Experience to produce eminent effects, of which the most strict Scrutinists into the Secrets of Nature, can give no plain account, but ordinarily content themselves to say they [Page 79]operate [...]; i. e. according to the property of their whole substance they do good or harm, and into this Classe they refer those that work by Sympathy and Antipathy.

Of Iron and its Vertues in the Spaw.And now to return to what we are speaking of, viz. Iron, To its drying there is also joyned an opening quality, on which account we use it in opening Obstructions of the Liver and Mesen­tery, and in all Hypochondriack Disea­ses, as the Dropsie, Scurvy, &c. which he mentions. But to impose it on the Galenists, as if their chief intention in using of Iron or Steel in the Dropsie (or any other of those Diseases mention'd by him) were upon the account of its dry­ing quality, I'l have more charity than to indite him for so great an Ignoramus: I wish he can acquit himself of a malici­ous design in saying so. Iron has two e­minent properties, Deoppilative and A­stringent; the former lies in a Volatile Salt with which it abounds, the Astringent lies in the Crocus or Terrestrial Part; these two substances are thus discerned and severed: Cast the Filings of Steel or [Page 80] Iron into the Flame of a Candle, and you shall see it burn like Saltpeter or Ro­zin; take these Filings and infuse them three or four times in Water or Wine, as when we make Chalybeate Wines, till the Liquor has dissolved all the Salt, and then dry it and cast it into the Flame, and it shall not burn, but the Liquor will have a strong taste from the Salt; and this is that which opens Obstructions, and is the In­gredient in our Water, the Crocus re­maining is Astringent, of which also it doth partake. I have reckoned up many other vertues that are in Iron (in P. 142. of my Second Edition) which if he had duly weighed, he might well have spared those many Scurrilous Invectives, which most unjustly he lets flie in the face of those learned and most worthy Gentle­men, which he calls Galenists, and my self.

☞ But I shall spare him, since he takes sufficient revenge upon himself, in a Fool­ish and Nonsensical Discourse, and a company of fond Boyish Quibbles (P. 23.) wherein he makes himself ridiculous; which I wonder a man of reason should [Page 81]not blush to have done; and a man of Learning would have scorn'd to have left so many shreds of false Latine as here and there we meet with in his Book: but I suspect he takes Priscian for a Galenist in that he breaks his head so often; I hope next time he'l take some care to provide him a plaister.

Here I declare I do not twit him with the Printers faults, I suspect my own will not be without his: I have a Copy of the Printer's Errata, which I receiv'd from himself the other day (with a most unci­vil Letter) wherein he mentions not the grossest lapses in Latine, making them thereby his own; having by his Letter provok'd me to put this thorn in his heel, which otherwise for his Degrees sake I had passed by in civility.

(In P. 33.) he quarrels at me, because in treating of several properties that are ascribed by Learned Writers to Iron, I tell what Dioscorides says, that it looses the Belly, especially when it is joyned with a Vitrioline Juyce, as here it is and he says, If so, it should be Emetick, and constantly provoke Vomit: concerning [Page 82]which I have already proved by the Testi­mony of Chymical Authors, that Vitrio­line Waters, such as we are speaking of, which have in them an immature Vitrio­line Juyce, do not at all provoke to vo­mit, and therefore all his Objections, concerning the Emetick property of per­fect Vitriol, are nothing to the purpose: nor do those that imbibe Iron, but do ra­ther strengthen a relaxed Stomach, ac­cording to the suffrage of our best Au­thors; wherein I refer him to Fallopius, who delivers both his own verdict and o­thers too concerning this thing (de Therm. Aqu. cap. 11. p. 233.) Aptae quoque sunt aquae ferreae, & prosunt stomacho, lieni, renibus vesicaeque, ut Antyllus, Seribo­nius & Marcellus dicunt.

And for what he says concerning ta­king the Flowers or Filings of Brass in­wardly, it is nothing to the purpose, save to fill up the design of invectives; since no such thing meant by me: I have wholsomer Medicines than those which he himself does frequently use, if we may believe himself in this Book. It is enough for the present that I have proved [Page 83] Vitriol and Iron to be two Ingredients in this Spring, and that notwithstanding, it is strengthening to the Stomach and o­ther parts, and not onely answered all his Arguments to the contrary, while he dissented; but have also discovered him to have changed his mind and granted them both to be there.

Of Alome in the Spaw.(P. 34.) He proceeds to another Principle of the Spaw, viz. Alome, of which I mentioned three sorts, according to the Opinion of Galen and the Princes in Physick, that treat of it, viz. [...], all which are of gross parts and very stiptick, &c. Which no doubt, says Mr. Simpson, must be a simple Mineral Salt, centred in the Bowels of the Mineral Stone of Alome, without any superadditionary additaments of Ʋrine or Salt of Kelp — I wonder he could not as well judge of Vitriol in the Water to be a Simple Mineral of its own kind, and not factitious, as made out of Iron or Copper, as well as he does Alome without Urine or Kelp: whereas the Alome that is vulgarly used is so made, and then he had judged aright, and saved himself and me a great deal of trouble.

But still he queries which of these sorts it is, and accounts himself in a mist till he know; truly 'tis easie for any man that resolves to be Sceptical, to raise more impertinent doubts, than the Sages of the World can tell how to clear: All the three sorts I mention are of one and the same property, or at least not much different; and therefore its altogether needless for me to enquire how to deter­mine. I find Fallopius gravell'd about this very Question (cap. 7. de Therm. Aq. p. 217.) Some may aske, says he, since there are several sorts of Alome, of which sort is it that Waters do imbibe the juyce. ☞ Dico, inquit, quod est admodum difficile hoc scire, quoniam succus alumino­sus non concrescit; at ubi sit facile cognosci­tur. I say 'tis very hard to determine it (says he) because an Aluminous Juyce does not harden or rock, but where it is, its easie to be discerned. If I must give my opinion, I think of the three it is the last (to wit) the Liquid sort, which is here mixed with the Water; and this is the onely Mineral which Sir S. has some time thought to be in the Spaw.

Of Nitre in the Spaw.(P. 35.) He passes on to consider of the 4th Ingredient, viz. Nitre: con­cerning which I mentioned two sorts: One inclining to a Reddish Colour, ac­cording to Serapio, and another mentio­ned by Galen, which is White; of which later sort this is: which is mixed with the Spaw, and this is that which in my Book (P. 13.) I asserted to be of all the Minerals the most predominant: the bo­dy of them all extracted out of the Wa­ter, being laid some dayes in a cool place, I have discerned Stiriae or little icicles a­mong them, which is the peculiar form of Nitre. But we shall find Mr. S. pe­remptorily denying all this by and by: As for the properties of Natural Nitre, which is that sort imbibed by the Water; I have laid down there a short description out of several of the Princes in Physick, but of this more anon.

Of Salt in the Spaw.Next he hastens to the 5th and last In­gredient of the Water-Spring, viz. Salt; concerning which I have said (P. 146. of my Book) there is not much in it, though some Ingenious Naturalists of my acquaintance are otherwise minded; [Page 86]in regard of its level with the Sea, with which in Spring-Tides it is sometimes o­verflown; as also because of the brack­ishness of the Mineral Body that resides, after Evaporation of the Water, which yet I rather think proceeds from the o­ther Salts; for so they may be all properly called; although Kircher would not have found fault with me for saying there is Salt in it; for he says there are none of these sorts of Waters without Salt: And truly I am glad I have pleased the more Wise and Learned.

But Mr. S. is very severe against it, and since I have said in my Book there is not much in it, I will not fall out with him for a trifle: But yet it is a strange thing that he will not allow any the least Tin­cture of Marine Salt to this Spring, which bubbles upright through the Sand, that is frequently overflown by the Sea; and yet can suppose the Sulphur Well at Kna­resbrough to have a Body of the same Salt in it, which is 40 miles from the Sea.

☞ (P. 37.) He tells, that he made a Journey to Scarbrough, Mr. S. at Scar­brough. where in truth he so behaved himself, that he had found [Page 87]a very rough welcome, if I had not pre­vented it: But it may very well be chro­nicled that he was at Scarbrough, where I am almost confident he was never two dayes before in his life; notwithstanding his great pretences to treat of this Sub­ject. He tells what discourse we had at the Well, where what he got by it, I ap­peal to the Gentlemen that were pre­sent, and shall now again further make out.

His design he said was to enquire, whether I had made a true report of the Mineral Ingredients of the Water or no, and at the very first he resolved that they were not there: I asked him if he had evaporated the Water to observe the Sediment, he said no. Then I told him it was not just to pass a Sentence, till the party arraigned was heard to speak for himself. When he came to the Well (I then being absent) he began to talk a­mong a great many Gentlemen that were drinking the Waters, at the same rate that now he writes; and pulled out of his Pockets half a score Glasses: The truth is the Gentlemen at the first took [Page 88]him to be a Jugler, but perceiving his errand, sent me word, he told me he had brought the solutions of the Five Minerals before mentioned in fresh Wa­ter, with mixing of which he would make an Essay if he could imitate the Spaw. I told him that the Water had passed under the Trial of very many Learned and Ingenious Gentlemen, both Physitians and others, and I doubted not but would abide his: and further I said that Nature was more compleat in its O­perations, than to be fully imitated by Art.

I also said, That he could not parallel those Minerals which had undergone the Fire, with those that were in the Water that had not passed the Fire, nor judge of the one by the other. He said they were naked and bare solutions made without Fire; though now in this Narra­tive, he says, They were made without STRESS of Fire, and so might well be taken to make experiment withal. But I pray what have we to do here with Fire at all, since there is none in the Spaw; which certainly must alter the case? Be­sides [Page 89]what he means by STRESS OF FIRE I know not, it's an am­biguous expression; even a small degree of heat will serve to unlock a Mineral, and dissolve its compact substance; ma­king it speak sometimes that which of it self it would not do. And further I told him, that the Accidents to be observed in the Water were such, as did proceed from the dissolution of Minerals and Me­tals, not yet come to maturation; which of necessity must be far different from those of his, which were made out of perfect Minerals and Metals, as I have evinced already out of the Testimony of Para­celsus (lib 3. de Nat. Aq.) which I men­tion'd in my reply to P. 3. of his Book, and am not now willing to repeat.

P. 38. He says the Vitriol of Iron made it taste very like the sweet Spaw at Knaresbrough; which for my own part I could not say, that there was the least re­semblance of it to that Water, which I know as well as he, for these 20 years together. He then proceeded to try what Tincture the solution of Gall would give to the solutions of the Minerals he had [Page 90]brought, thereby to imitate the Water of the Spaw, and he found that the so­lutions of Alome and Vitriol, would both take the like Tincture from Gall, and so become clear again by the putting in of Spirit of Vitriol; By which says W. S. I demonstrated to the Doctor what he would not otherwise believe, had not his eyes convinced him; viz. that the bare so­lution of the Calx of Alome having nothing of Iron and Vitriol doth give exactly the same alteration; and hence he infers, that this Mutation comes from the Alome, and that there is nothing of Vitriol in it.

What a Crack he gives, and yet he bursts not! why, there is not a word in my Book of Scarbrough Spaw, that could in any reason lead him to make out such a demonstration; I said indeed and so I do confidently say still, that it is the Vitriol alone, that being dissolved by its Mineral Juyce in this Water, takes the Tincture from the Gall. Ay (says he) but the solution of Alome will do so too; therefore there is no Vitriol but A­lome. This is a pure non sequitur, espe­cially if we consider that this solution he [Page 91]talks of, was made of Calcined Alome as himself confesses in the next, P. 39. in these words, Seeing a solution of cal­cined Alome will do the same. And so a­gain, P. 40. By all which it appeared that the solution of the Calcined Stone of A­lome admitted the same precipitations, &c. with that of the Spaw. Now I pray with what Logick can he argue from Calcined Stone Alome to this Aluminous Juyce that is here in the Water? Had he tried whe­ther the Crude Stone of Alome would qualifie simple Spring-Water to take a Tin­cture from Gall, or impart any sapor to Water; he had acted according to rea­son: But the truth is, I have tried it of that sort of Alome Mine which is in the Cliffe near the Well, having broken it to Powder, and infus'd it in Spring-Wa­ter some hours, and it received no Tin­cture from Gall; nay, I did calcine that very Stone, and then dissolv'd it in Spring-Water; and yet it receiv'd no Tincture from the Gall: so that I very much que­stion, whether his Calcined Alome of which he made his solution were of that Mine or no.

There is at Whitby on the same Coast 12 miles from Scarbrough, an Alome Mine, out of which Alome is wont to be made, and sent abroad in great quan­tities; in the middle of which a Spring of Fresh Water breaks out, having a­bove 12 fathom of the Mine above it, and how many 12s below it let him enquire; this I have got Captain Francis Cummin and Mr. Christopher Wright a Minister, both ingenious Gentlemen and of good repute at Whitby, to try whether it would receive any Tincture from Gall at the Fountain, and they do both assure me it doth not. They also sent me a Glass Bottle of the same to York, which I tried with Gall and it changed not at all. Nay, I do with them further averr, that it is like ordinary Spring-Water, having ta­ken no Vapor, Odor, or Sapor from the Mine, and being evaporated, it yielded no Sediment: I calcin'd also a piece of this Mine which I had from Whitby, and put it into Spring-Water with Gall; but it received no Tincture: so that I cannot find either the one or the other to receive a Tincture of Gall.

Alome tinctures not with Gall.Now this doth plainly evince that its not from Alome that this Water at Scar­brough takes its Tincture, but from some other Mineral, and that in all likelihood must be the Vitriol, unless we can find how to fix it upon another.

I shall therefore now enquire whether Iron will suffice to give it this Tincture with Gall: If so, then another Spring that passes through Iron must receive a Tincture, but that it will not; Ergo, not from Iron does this take its Tincture.

Nor Iron.There is an Iron Mine near Barnsley upon the Edge of Darbyshire where great store of Iron is melted, out of which runs a Spring of Fresh Water. This, I procured Mr. William Cotton who is O­verseer of the Iron Work, to try if it would change Colour with Gall; he writes me, that it did not change the Colour at all: He sent me also a Glass Bottle of the Water, which I tried with Gall, but it changed nothing at all; neither being evaporated did it yield any Sediment: notwithstanding that he writes that he observed it to have something of the Taste of Scarbrough Spaw at the [Page 94]Fountain. He writes also that to make a further Trial, he staied till they had got a Pit at the bottom of the Mine, and so he caused a hole to be made under the bottom Stone, for the Water to fall into, and stand till it was clear, and then took and tried it, but it received no alteration from the Gall: He sent me also some of the Mine it self which I calcin'd, and put into Water, to see if that would give any Tincture by the addition of Gall, but it did not. So then, if neither Alome nor Iron will do it, then it remains that Vitriol is that that gives the Tincture,Nor Ni­tre. unless Nitre will do it; which neither he contends for, nor any one upon trial shall find to do it; and the same may I say of Salt, which is the Fifth Ingredient; from all which it follows that Mr. S. is in a grand mistake, to think that Alome can contribute to this Colour by Gall.

Furthermore (as I have already made out) this Water being carried abroad, or left some while to stand in an open Vessel, will receive no Tincture from Gall, as also it will have laid aside its Acidity, which methink is an argument of some [Page 95]force to prove, that both these Qualities or Properties come from one and the same Cause (to wit) Vitriol: which I suspect to be in its volatile parts imbibed in the Water, and that the Sediment which remains after Evaporation is rather the product of the rest of the Minerals, than the Vitriol; for else I see no reason but while any thing of the substance of Vitriol is there, it should keep its Acidi­ty, and also receive a mutation from the Gall.

And also I infer, that if that Tincture come from Alome, then certainly that which he by and by calls the Aluminous Salt, which he makes the essence of the Spaw, should give the Black Tincture to the Gall, so long as it remains in the Water. From what has been said, it also follows that ordinary Spring-Water takes no Salt at all, and but little of Sapor or Vapor or Odor from perfect Mineral of Alome or Iron: Indeed what it would do if it were made Corrosive by the parti­cipation of Vitrioline Juyce I cannot so easily determine. From whence also it follows that if Minerals and Metals be [Page 96]but in Solutis principiis or their Concrete Juyces, even Simple Spring-Water will be sufficient to imbibe them, without any necessity of Helmonts Primum Ens, which therefore I have with good reason exploded before; and if any doubt be made of that which yet I proved to be the opinion of good Authors, then here is the Juyce of Vitriol, which will not fail to do it.

A bad memory.Pag. 44. He tells us, That the Medi­cinal Acidity or Primum Ens, Which is the Solvent in the Water, has made a flight so­lution of a Minera of Iron, which being contempered together, makes up the Body of the Spaw. ☞Is not this a Body of Iron then which becomes the Body of the Spaw, and that very thing which he denied to­tidem verbis (P. 20.) in the close of the Fifth Section? You know who had need of a good memory: But yet he minces the matter prettily, for he calls it but a slight solution of the Iron, and yet 'tis the Body of the Spaw. Let the wise Rea­der judge how these things will hang to­gether.

Well! But he says further, That if Spirit of Vitriol be powred upon this Wa­ter of the Spaw, it makes no alteration in it because of the similariness of parts be­tween the Acid Spirit of Vitriol and the Acid Solvent in the Water, no more than fair Water mixed with fair Water. Would not any man think from this very Observation alone (if there had been no­thing else) Mr. S. had reason to be per­swaded that this Primum Ens or Mineral Acidity was nothing but Vitriol, which I have proved to be the true Solvent (if we need any) in my reply to P. 3. since the spirit of Vitriol is as near of kin to it, being powred upon it, as Water is to Wa­ter; that is in plain words, they are both Vitriol; nor does the Experiment which he mentions make out any thing to the contrary, indeed it is nothing at all to the purpose.

Instabili­ty in Wri­ting.(Pag. 45.) Thus farr, s [...]ys Mr. S. I assented, That an aluminous Salt from a mineral acidity had dissolv'd a slight touch of the Minera of Iron, and both dissolv'd in the Current Spring of Water, makes up the Spaw. What's here! Did he not say [Page 98]just now in the fore-going Page, that the Mineral acidity and the Iron made up the Body of the Spaw; and now he says, there is also an aluminous Salt in it, why could not he have said so before? ☞Is not here great instability in his Writing? Methinks he seems to write Mente tre­mula with a trembling heart and hand, being very unwilling and afraid to con­fess what he finds. Here it's plain he has granted Iron and Alome, and how farr Vitriol I appeal to the Reader; I doubt not but to wrest them all out of him at length.

Yet notwithstanding his plain confessi­on of Iron here, I appeal to all the Gen­tlemen that were present at the Spaw, if he did not absolutely deny it in our Con­ference there, allowing nothing but A­lome, until we had done, that I shewed him the Cliffe, which (so much of it as is exposed to the Weather) is turned in­to a Cindar as hard almost as Iron, and out of which Mr. William Cotton (being then by) said he would undertake to make Iron; at which he seemed to be startled, in that he had denied it.

Concerning his Quaerie, How I would demonstate those to be Vitrioline Spirits which were lost in the Waters carrying at distance? I returned the same Answer which here I have already laid down, and need not to repeat; onely to that which I urged out of Fallopius I'l subjoyn the Opinion of Dr Heers in his Spadacrene (cap. 6. p. 44.) where he is proving the German Spaws to have imbibed Vitriol, Conjecturam hanc duae rationes firmant, utraque nifallor evidentissima, &c. These two reasons, says he, do evidently con­firm this Opinion; One is because where such acid Waters are found, there is usu­ally found something of the Minera of Vi­triol near at hand; and thus it is at Scar­brough within Sixscore Paces of the Spaw where Vitriol sweats out of the Cliffe. His other reason is, from the eminent aci­dity that is in Vitriol, sutable to that which such Waters have imbibed, wherein he ap­peals to the Chymists themselves, and de­clares that no man but he that has a snotty Nose will presume to deny it. Cujus nasum pituita obstruxerit, &c.

(P. 46.) But an ingenious Person be­ing by, asked the Doctor, Whether if the Water was sealed up in a Glass Bottle her­metically, and so carried abroad, it would be altered by carriage or no? He answered he thought it would; If so, says Mr. S. then it was not from any volatility of parts, because it was sealed up; and so not from the loss of the Vitrioline Spirits. It is very true I said so, and now up­on trial I am sure it is so;Vitrioline Spirits in the Spaw. nor is his consequence of any validity, but ra­ther the contrary; for if there be any loss, it must be of the volatile parts, there being nothing else that can be lost; since it is supposed to be sealed; yet says Mr. S. it is not from the loss of Vitrioline Spirits, but it is an Aporrhaea Mineralis; whether Vitrioline or Aluminous. It seems hereby that he is in doubt which of the two; but certainly I judge it from Vitriol, since both the acidity and the Vitrioline smell, and the tinging quality will be all lost together: Notwithstand­ing they will all keep longer, being sealed up in Glass Bottles, than in Woodden Vessels, and therefore I did advise in my [Page 101]Book that it should rather be carried in Bottles well stopt, although in these also it will not keep long, but be subject to Putrefaction, and become whitish in Co­lour.

Nor let any man think it strange, that though stopped it should yet lose its Spi­rits, since Frambesarius reports as much of the Sauvenir in Germany; for cau­sing 12 Lagena to be carried but two dayes journey (which is near so many Gallons of English Measure, taking a Lagena to contain 6 Sextaries, and a Sex­tary to be 20 Ounces) and that in Bottles well sealed up, there wanted to every Lagena one Glass of its measure, which probably might be half a Pint, through the loss of the Volatile Spirits; and the Water became like Common Spring Wa­ter. Dr. Heers his words are, Has nihil a communibus discrepasse, ut qui­bus ☜ singulis lagenis aquae vitrum decesse­rat, cum tamen apud fontem picatae & subere obseratae lagenae fuissent. (Spad. cap. 5.)

And Dr. Heers affirms the same on his own Observation in the same Chap­ter, [Page 102] Decedit etiam, inquit, quantitati aquae, nam vase optime obturato, nec ulla gutta dilabente, si fons hic alio transfera­tur minuitur: quia spiritu turgentia plus loci, quam eo privata occupare amant. ☞ Thus it appears, my assertion is no Para­dox, and indeed I do really think the main part of the Vitriol in this Water is its spirits, rather than any body of the Mineral it self, yet do think it has also something of the untipe juyce.

While I in my Book discoursed con­cerning the extracting the Minerals that are in the Water, I said (P. 10) they may be found either by DISTIL­LING off the Water, or otherwise by evaporating the Water away in a Skellit over the Fire.Mr. S. ve­ry disin­genuous. He exclaims (P. 47) of my Tools, that they are very rude und of a low rank (to wit) a Skellit, a Culinary Fire, but not a word of a Glass still, which an Ingenious Artist would have chosen, &c. Here I find constantly the young man in the same temper, owning nothing of Mo­desty, and knowing as little of Moderati­on. ☞Is it not enough that I say they may be extracted BY DISTILLA­TION, [Page 103]but must I needs tell what Me­tal my Still is made of? I designing to speak to the capacity of all men, menti­on both wayes, and do particularly point out such Tools for trial of the truth of what I say, as are most ready at hand; however any thing will serve this man to rail on me, who walks excentrick to all the Rules of Reason. If the Reader ☜ please but to look into P. 360. he shall find him using the very same Tools, viz. A Skellit and a Culinary Fire. Of the said quantity of Spaw Water I took about 2 Quarts, which having filtred, I put it in a SKELLIT, and boil'd away two thirds. What a strange spirit is this man of, especially to me, that he will not al­low me that liberty of expression, which he takes to himself!

Yet let him do what he can by Distil­lation, so volatile are these spirits that they will yet be gone, as upon trial I have often observed. The same did Doctor French discover in his Distilling of the Sweet Spaw at Knareshrough, which though he did it in a Glass still, luted and closed up carefully in the ioynts thereof, [Page 104]so as the spirit of Wine could not eva­porate out thereat; yet so subtil were the Vitrioline Spirits, and so volatile, that he says they are sooner sublim'd than the Water, and do penetrate even the Glass it self, or the Lute, and he believes that neither Glass nor Lute can hold them. (P. 67)

So again he lets flie, because I say [...]e Minerals, when the Water is almost gone, do rise up in Bulla's making a bubbling noise like the boiling of Alome, &c.—Our Naturalists observe that of all Minerals or Vegetables, Alome makes the greatest noise when it is boiling, as I have observed in those Mines at Whitby, which a Stranger would wonder at; and there being Alome in these Minerals, hence they bubble with more noise than ordinarily Minerals use to do, where that is away. ☞ Doctor Jordan a very learned Chymist, speaking (in Chap. 7.) of the boiling of Vitriol, has this very Expres­sion, It ariseth up in Bulla's like Alome. Had I to deal with any Man of Reason or Ingenuity, who being unsatisfied, had undertaken this task against me, I had [Page 105]not met with such measure, nor to my knowledge did I ever read any man of the like temper.

As for what he saith concerning the E­metick or Vomiting Property of Common Vitriol, it is altogether extraneous to our Subject, and I have said enough to that point already.

And whereas he says, I blusht not to instance in Spirit of Vitriol, that we use it in Juleps and Cordials, and tis not Eme­tick. — I answer, Nor need I, since the main part of the Vitriol in this Water is the Spirit, as I have now proved; which is as much, yea and far more diluted with the Water wherein it is imbibed, than the force of the Vitriol is corrected by the vehement heat of the Fire, in the di­stilling of the Spirit: And what follows in that Section, wherein he runs a risque concerning the Vomiting property of Cop­per, is altogether pillaged out of Helment, after whose Pipe I find him constantly dancing; using his very words as confi­dently, as if he were the Author him­self, and also nothing to the point in hand.

(P. 50.) He returns to our Confe­rence at the Spaw, and particularly about the Nitre, which I had affirmed in my Book (P. 13.) to be of all the Minerals the most predominant; shooting into Ice­sickles or Stiria, which is the peculiar form of Nitre; whereby it is distinguisht from all other Minerals whatsoever.

Of Nitre in the Spaw. I queried with the Doctor (says he) how he came to know that Nitre was an Ingre­dient, and the most predominant. — Here he forges a confused Narrative, which was never in my Heart, nor on my Tongue to say (but perhaps it may be a lapse of his Memory.) — I made it out from that Analogy and Resemblance that is betwixt the Minerals that remain after the Evaporation of the Water, and the Nitre that breaks out of the Cliffe within 6 or 8 yards of the Spaw, which is white like a hoar-frost in hot and dry weather, but is washt off by every shower of Rain; both that and the Mi­nerals extracted out of the Water shoot­ing alike in Stirias, and also agreeing in Taste.

But that this was Nitre at that time, he confidently denied; He said indeed it was nothing but an Aluminous Salt; but when I urged that Alome does not shoot in Stirias, and upon that very account that it could be nothing but Nitre, then he would have it to come from the Air of the Sea which has Nitre in it. I replied that then the whole Sea Coast should a­bound with it, which we see it doth not. Hence it follows that it can be nothing but Nitre, which proceeds out of the Earth, that is exceeding Nitrous. Nei­ther yet is this Nitre discernable in every part of the Cliffe throughout, but runs in certain Veins, and much more plentiful­ly near the Well.

That this is Nitre several learned Physi­cians have been abundantly satisfied, and those both of London and elsewhere; the shooting of Nitre into Stirias being as peculiar to that Mineral, as the form of any Plant is to all of the same kind. This and the rest of the Minerals, which are apparent upon this Cliffe, have put many Naturalists into no small amazement; which made Dr. Tonstall of Newcastle, ☜ [Page 108]an Eminent Physitian and Chymist say, He thought it was the most fertile Bank in the World.

Let him further know, that all the Earth about Scarbrough is full of Nitre, from whence it is that the Meadows about the Town are more eminently fertile, than any other that I have observed upon the Sea-Coast; which gave too much encou­ragement to an Ingenious Gentleman a Friend of mine, to begin a Project there of Making Nitre, which for his own sake I wish had succeeded according to his expectation; but the truth is, it pro­ved but an imperfect Nitre, especially that which is extracted out of the Water, and so in refractis viribus, and also joyn­ed with the other Salts, which perhaps do enfeeble it more.

And yet I have observed many years ago this Sediment of the Water, having been laid aside in a cool place some dayes, to shoot into Stiria's half an Inch long, especially after Calcination, Filtration, and Separation from the grosser parts of the Minerals.

This I have expresly touched on in my Book, and did also sufficiently urge it in our Conference at the Spaw, which yet pre­vailed nothing with this Gentleman, though it was abundantly satisfactory to all else that were by; and yet it seems ev'n now while he writ this, he was of the same mind; That these Volatile Ni­trous Particles, as he calls them, which float in the Aire, are magnetically attra­cted by the aluminous Salt that is in the Body of the Minerals, extracted from the Water▪ as also by the Mineral Earth of Alome which is upon the Cliffe: and consequently that which is in the Water is nothing but an aluminous Salt.

And this is such a truth as he endeavors to illustrate (in Sect. 4. p. 53) in a long Discourse with several Experiments; af­ter all which, and a large Harangue of hard words (fit only to breed admiration in the ignorant, and laughter in the learn­ed) he gives us his definitive Sentence in short by way of Recapitulation, in these words (P. 61.) The Esurine acid Salt ha­ving in its solution got a slight touch of a Vein or Minera of Iron, and passing [Page 110]through a rocky Mineral Glebe of Alome, becomes specificated in an aluminous Salt, with which the Water of the Quick-Spring is impregnate, which makes the Spaw we discourse of.

Now if his Assertion,Note. which by all those Experiments he endeavors to illu­strate be false, as I am certain it is, and shall prove from his own Concession un­der his hand, then there needs no more to satisfie the World that I was all this while in the right. And if so, then is not mine Antagonist an able man indeed, that can thus draw Quidlibet ex quolibet, plainly to prove that which is clearly false? One would think almost this Batchelour were playing the Sophister again, intend­ing to deceive the World with a Fallacy, which yet a Wiseman would have couch­ed more cunningly in the premisses, and ta'n care to end with a plausible Conclusi­on; but just thus we have him 20 times in this Book building upon a sandy foundati­on, illustrating by far-fetcht Experi­ments, that which to every mans rea­son is evidently false, and from false and mistaken premisses drawing necessary Conclusions.

Let me now remind the Reader of ☜ what we have been doing all this while.The summe total of what Mr. S. has said. He denied all the Principles of the Spaw except Alome, and disputed (if so it de­serve to be called) against me with hard and harsh language for asserting them. I think I have answered all his Objections, and fully proved them all to be there by sufficient Arguments of Demonstration, (which I willingly submit to the Judicious Reader.) He severely carps at many of my expressions which I used in my Book, which I have plainly made out to be the forms used by Learned Writers upon such Subjects, and particularly of the Chymists themselves; whom it seems he understood not. He throws dirt in my face ever and anon, while he argues a­gainst the four wayes (I mention) of a Waters imbibition of Minerals or Me­tals; which by the help of the very Chymi­cal Authors themselves, who speak the same words, I have calmly and clearly wiped off. I did not think it fit to call in the Testimony of the Antients and Prin­ces in Physick, whom I had cited before in my Book; since I see he so insolently [Page 112]spurns at them; but rather to convince him with the Verdict of the Chymists, whom he ought better to have understood, and cannot deny.

I shall now open the Curtain, and let in more light to the Reader, that he may the better discern the temper of my An­tagonist, and on which side is the truth in the Dispute that lies before him, and this ex ore suo. What needs any more? Habemus reum confitentem.

In P. 20. Thus (says Mr. S.) we dis­card these two Pillars of his Spaw,Mr. S. his Recanta­tion. viz. Vitriol and Iron, as to the Body of them. Now turn to P. 39. I do not (says he) de­ny Iron to be an ingredient. So again P. 44. ☞ This Mineral acidity pervading a Minera of Iron, makes a slight solution of it, and being equally contempered together, makes up the Body of the Spaw. Now consider this Body of Minerals which is in the Spaw, is of an Ounce Weight at least, sometimes ten Drams in a dry Summer, as this last was (viz. 1668.) in 5 Quarts of the Water; and this is that which he stiles a slight solution. And for Vitriol turn to P. 359. That I might (says he) [Page 113] inform my self more satisfactorily of the true Constituent parts of Scarbrough Spaw, I took 3 Gallons and 3 Pints, which I let stand; whose first precipitation was a Red­dish Sediment, from which I filtred the Water, and this dried in the Sun proved to be a Red Earth, or kind of Ochre, OR RATHER TERRA VITRIO­LI. ☜ So again he argues against Nitre from P. 50. to P. 61. asserting onely an Aluminous Salt with a slight touch of Iron: but turn to P. 360. and we have these words. Then I evaporated the clear filtred Water in Glasses to a driness, which I found to have an ALUMINO-NI­TROUS ☜ TASTE, or rather indeed MORE NITROUS, and would re­lent in the Air. So P. 364. Where you meet in our Hydrological discourse with the word Aluminous Salt, you are to read it ALUMINO-NITROUS SALT, ☜ OR NITRO-HERMETICAL SALT; this Salt if duly ordered is Cry­stalline, shoots into LONG STIRIAS. ☜ Here let the Reader observe in his Hy­drological Discourse, where he is di­rectly denying Nitre several times, and [Page 114]says its only an Aluminous Salt that is in the Water, what woful Nonsense it would be to turn the word Aluminous into Ni­tro-Aluminous, or Alumino-Nitrous, or Nitro-Hermetical. Certainly never any man writ at this rate before. Besides if a Galenist should talk of Nitro-Hippocrati­cal, or Nitro-Galenical Salt, what a comely Canting would it be, and yet it would gingle as well as Nitro-Hermeti­cal. Risum teneatis amici. After all this ranting what a woful case is this POOR GENTLEMAN brought into, that he must be forced to crowd in Non­sense. But it appears in this, and many more things that I have hinted at (and I shall find more before I have done with him) that to say and unsay is no strange thing with our Author here; right or wrong, Sense or Nonsense, he is not a­shamed to tell what is in his heart.

But yet if we observe him,Mr. S. in a strait. he would fain sumble out an excuse to blind the un­wary Reader, that he may not find his contradicting of himself; for he says (P. 364.) Therefore what we said against Ni­tre in our foregoing discourse, is to be un­derstood [Page 115]the Common inflammable Nitre which is vulgarly used. But I pray will this go down with any man of ordinary understanding? What have we to do here with Common Nitre of the Shops, we are treating of Natural Mineral Nitre as it is here in this Water or this Earth, never known or taken notice of, nor used, till I discovered it, and brought it into use; which indeed will not blaze in the Fire, perhaps because it is but in Embryone, not in statu & perfectione, or else so diluted with the Water, that it lies down or lo­ses its inflammable property, as the Vitri­el does the Colcotar.

Really I am ashamed that a man that pretends to Learning and Reputation, should write such palpable Contradictions, attended with so many gross circumstan­ces of abuse to another, for asserting that which himself is forced to acknow­ledge for truth upon deliberate considera­tion; and I am as sorry to be put to this unpleasant task of ripping up a weak Bro­thers Infirmities, which I would (had I not been forced to the contrary) much ra­ther have covered with a Mantle of Love. [Page 116]So severely to reject Iron, Vitriol, and Nitre, and before his Book be done, to be forced to recant: To charge those things upon me as great faults, wherein himself can have no plea for it, but his rashness, contracting thereby a great guilt to himself: This is that, which (it seems) the liberty of the Press doth af­ford an opportunity to do, but yet that which no ingenious man or good Christi­an ought to take to himself. The best of us all have our failings, and its well if we live to repent. Ev'n Salomon left his Ecclesiastes, St. Augustine his Confessions and Retractations, and my Antagonist his Epilogue or Recantation.

However this with the aluminous part he calls (in his Epilogue) the Essence of Scarbrough Spaw, and he undertakes (P. 365.) to tell what proportion it bears to the Water, viz. as 1 is to 128. A rare Arithmetician indeed if you will believe him; his Confidence in this is like all the rest, deeming himself to be [...]; for we must believe him without reason, as if all the vertue in the Spaw should lie in this Salt, and with this alone he pre­tends [Page 117]to do wonders; especially if we will but take in his Ternary. But I wonder why the Vitrioline Spirits which by his own Confession are not here in this Salt, or the Terra Vitrioli which he acknow­ledges he found, or the Iron which I pro­ved, and he has confessed to be there, should be excluded from being of the Essence of the Spaw? Two Mi­nerals of the Spaw are lost by Carriage. For my own part I do seriously profess, I never saw any considerable Cure done by the Water at distance; and 'tis no marvel, since two of the principal Minerals are wanting; viz. the Vitriol, which loses its volatile parts by Carriage, which should help its penetration into the narrow Meanders of the Hypochonders; and the Iron, which is alwayes found precipitated in the bot­tom of the Vessels; besides that in a few dayes it begins to putrefie, and so spoils the Stomach, and taints the Blood, and lays a foundation for the Jaundies or Ca­chexia, as I have made appear by good Testimony in my Book.

But here some may wonder how it comes to pass that Mr. S. should thus con­tradict himself (in his Epilogue) and so [Page 118]plainly recant what he had said in the fore-going Discourse?Mr. S. forced to make this Recanta­tion. To which thus, Mr. Samuel Johnston of Beverley (whom I mention'd before) a very ingenious Chymist, meeting him, shewed him the Red Earth which he mentions in P. 359. and told him it was no other thing than Terra Vitrioli, as also the Nitre which had shot in Stiria's above an inch long: This being matter of fact, he could not deny, especially seeing them both so plainly made out. Now his Book was then well-nigh printed, so as he could not recall it; and therefore was forced to bring it in an Appendix at the latter end, and study out words to blind the unwary and ignorant Reader. This Relation I have from the Gentleman himself, when yet Mr. S. is not so ingenuous as to ac­knowledge his Director (for he taught him the whole process that he lays down in the Epilogue) but on the contrary falls into a simple Rant (P. 361.) as if he was the first that has made so many separations of the Minerals. Yea and I can say he is the first that ever denied them of the Gentlemen of Art that ever came to the [Page 119]Water, and he is the first that ever I met with that canted and recanted at this rate. But the very truth is, I my self had done enough that way, having all the parts by me of several years keeping, though I thought it impertinent to make▪ so many separations.

Mr S. his Opinion whence the Salt­ness of the Sea.(P. 54.) He undertakes to tell whence the Saltness of the Sea proceeds, viz. From the Salt of the Earth, which with great dashes of Water passing through the subterraneal Channels, becomes dissolved and carried into the Ocean, which has its Minera from fossile Salt; from which al­so some Springs are saturate, as the Sul­phur Well at Knaresbrough. Now let us turn to P. 303. and he tells us of a Circulation of the Sea Water from the Sea to the Heads of Springs by subterra­neal Channels; and these Springs are fresh, the salt of the Sea being deposited in the Channels. How these two Assertions can stand together I cannot discern;A C [...]n­trad [...]cti­on. that the same Channels should convey a Salt into the Sea, and also convey the Sea Water to the Springs; here is a contrary Cur­rent in the same Channels, for the same [Page 120]conveys Salt from the Earth to the Sea, and lays down its Salt in its passage to the Springs. I confess this is above my rea­son to conceive, I shall leave it to the Reader to believe as he sees cause. For my own part I think both parts of his As­sertion are doubtful; though indeed it is bravely resolv'd of the Gentleman on the sudden, to find out the cause of the Seas Saltness, which has in all Ages put the most grave Philosophers to a puzzle. I do verily think that all the fossile Salt in the Body of the Earth (which we see is ve­ry rarely found) if it were dissolved, will not serve to supply a twentieth part of the Salt that is in the Sea; the sixteenth part whereof being a Body of Salt, as I have tried at Scarbrough, every Pint having a­bout one Ounce in this our Northern Sea, and in the Southern Seas it is far more strong of the Salt: Besides the Peripa­teticks thought this came far short of an adaequate cause, and thereupon they fly to the torrefaction of the Sun.

Moreover, if the Saltness of the Sea should proceed from the fossile Salt of the Earth, then being an extraneous quality to [Page 121]the Sea, it would destroy the Fish of the Sea; as we see fresh Water made s [...]lt by fossile Salt, kills all manner of Sea Fish as well as other. Hence it is that the Sea of the Plain called the Salt Sea, Josh. 12.3. which has its Saltness from the Earth, (for it was formerly no Sea, but the Vale of Siddim, and has its Original from Jordan and the Sea of Galilee, which are both Fresh Water; besides that, Com­mentators and Travailers do unanimous­ly report the Countrey about to be full of Salt-Pits) is observed to kill all manner of Fish that fall into it from Jordan; and is therefore called Mare Mortuum: so that I suspect Mr. S. is much mistaken in his assignment of the Cause of the Seas Saltness.

Again, As to the latter part of his Con­tradiction, viz. That the Sea Water is conveyed to the Heads of Springs by the Subterraneal Channels; we must imagine that these Subterraneal Channels must be sometimes 2 or 300 Miles long or more, which how that should be, Credat Judaeus Apella: But this I shall reserve till I come to examine his Original of Springs.

A Con­tradicti­on.But there is another thing which here I may not pass by: He tells us now, That the Sulphur Well at Knaresbrough is sa­turate from fossile Salt, and yet if we turn to P. 143. treating of that Well, he determines, ☞That a Salt Marine is the cause of that Sulphureous Spring. I wish the Young Man would reconcile these Contradictions: In the mean while, till we understand the ground of them, it may suffice that we understand a little what reason there is in the man: Yet this makes me remember the Story that I read in Quintilian of Didymus Chalcenterus, the famous Grammarian of Alexandria, a man with Bowels of Brass, so they na­med him, because of his indefatigable pains in Writing; for he writ, says Sent­ca 4000 Books, 3500 says Suidas: Now one telling him an Historical Relation, which he dislik'd and disapprov'd as vain and frivolous, the party broug [...]t out one of, his own Books, and shewed him the Story; which made Didymus look blank▪ Truly the Old Man deserved some Indul­gence, but for a Young Man to be so forgetful and contradict himself so often; [Page 123]to become a Didymus, or rather a Dithy­mus, double-minded, as that one and the same Book (nay within a few leaves) should bring forth Didymos Twinnes, one very unlike the other, as if they had not the same Father: I am very sorry to see it in any one that pretends to be a Scho­lar.

P. 55. He passes on to St. Mungo Well at Cockgrave, which though to the touch it be extreamly cold, yet by an intrinsick sulphurous warming quality, it opens the Pores, &c. I believe he never saw that Well, for if he had, he could not have any ground to think it had any thing of Nitre or Sulphur in it, but to be a Sim­ple Water, and an excellent Spring, ope­rating onely by its excessive Coldness; whereby it suddenly repels the Blood and inward heat to the inward parts, from whence it returns after bathing (while the Patient lies in a warm Bed) more strongly invigorated with Spirits, and so concocting the Crudities that were in the weak parts, encreaseth new strength, and overcomes the lameness of the Joynts and the Rickets; concerning which I have [Page 124]treated more at large in my Second Edi­tion of Scarbrough Spaw (P. 104.)

In P. 55. He proceeds to speak a little of Knaresbrough Sweet Spaw, which he says is but languid of Mineral Principles, having but a slight touch of the Minera of Iron, &c. How the Doctors that fre­quent that Spring, will resent this, that the ancient reputation of that Spaw should be so blasted I know not; I leave it to themselves to consider their own Ob­ligation.

In Sect. 5. (P. 59.) He falls to a Point of Philosophy as he calls it, which if any intelligent man reads, it will make him merry doubtless; especially in P. 58. Numb. 8. where a man would think he were a conjuring, if not killing the Py­tho [...] with a company of hard words: I refer the Reader to the Book its self, ra­ther than make my own swell with Imper­tinencies. This brings to my mind that Epigram of Antonius Muretus upon a Pretender to Philosophy, who appeared to him to have an affectation rather of bombasting words, than any solid or grave matter; whom he calls a PHILOSOM­PHER [Page 125]rather than Philosopher, from [...], Fungus, or some empty frothy thing.

In P. 59. He contrad [...]cts expresly what ☜ before P. 4. he had said concerning his Ens Primum, that it can take in but one Mineral; for here it will take in as many as he pleases (this Experiment he has ver­batim from Sendivogius Tract. 2) con­cerning which I have there treated more at large; onely I cannot but observe his frequent Contradictions.

He tells of the Vertues of the Spaw.In P. 61. He undertakes to discourse of the Vertues of Scarbrough Spaw; thus many a man talks of Robin Hood, that never shot in his Bow. I dare boldly say, he knows no more how to manage that Water in Critical Cases, than he that lives at Rome and never saw it. In this particular he is altogether Mimical, [Page 126]being confin'd to what I have said in my Book, or what necessarily may follow there-from. He commends it indeed as very successful in the cure of many disea­ses, which yet cannot be upon his grounds; he owning as yet nothing but Alome, and a small touch of the Minera of Iron. I think it not impertinent (says he) to speak somewhat of its Vertues, and that the rather, because Dr. Wittie gave out that I endeavour'd to defame the Spaw, in that I held it to be an Aluminous Spring. I think it no Defamation to say its an Aluminous Spring, but to call it so exclu­sive, as to the rest of the Minerals or Me­tals, as if it were onely so, and had not imbibed also Vitriol, Iron, and Ni­tre, is certainly to defame it; since first the rest are in it as well as Alome▪ and secondly it cannot do such Cures from Alome alone as we find it to do, now where they are all conjoyn'd together, by which it is be­come an excellent Composition that suits various Indications. And this his Grand Master Paracelsus (lib. 3. cap. ult. de Nat: Aq.) treating of these sorts of Waters, says, Virtutibus as dotibus admirandis [Page 127]praeditae sunt, pro natura Mineralium quae in eis resolvuntur: Vos igitur, ex quo ortu & principio enascantur, sedulo exami­nate: summum ergo studium esse debet, ut natura Lapidum, Metallorum & simi­lium exacte teneatur: sic enim fiet ut A­quarum ex illis Genitarum conditio ac vis probe cognita sit. i. e. They are endued with admirable Qualities, according to the Nature of the Minerals resolv'd in them: be ye therefore careful diligently to exa­mine from what Principle they come: for, says he, there is nothing more neces­sary than that the Nature or Property of the Stones, Metals, or Mineral Glebes be exactly retained; for so may the con­dition and vertue of the Waters that proceed from them, be rightly under­stood.

Of Alu­minous Springs.Now the properties and vertues that are ascribed by Learned Naturalists to Aluminous Waters as such, do come far short of what we find in Scarbrough-Spaw. Let us take measure from what profound Kircherus says of them (Sect.5.) He tells, that they are very astringent and of an exceeding drying quality, [Page 128](whereas this Water at Scarbrough is purging) hence it comes to pass (says he) that the places where those Aluminous Springs are, be usually barren; which Theophrastus also observed. (Now the grounds hereabouts are more than ordi­nary fruitful as I exprest before) Ʋnde morbis, inquit, qui ex nimia humiditate sive frigiditate originem ducunt, sanandis mirum in modum conducunt. i. e. Whence it comes to pass that they wonderfully con­duce to the cure of those Diseases, that proceed from the excess of Cold and Moisture. This is very well and true of the Spaw, but yet far short of what Cures are done by it; which I am not now wil­ling to dilate upon; having treated at large in my Book upon that Subject.

☞ And therefore it is certainly a dispa­ragement to it, to say it is an Aluminous Spring, intending thereby to exclude all the rest, which are in it as eminently and undeniably as Alome is. If any man should say that Mr. S. is a Grammarian, he does not defame him at all, but if he intend it exclusively to the other Arts that be professes; as if he were not also a [Page 129] Philosopher and a Physician, I suspect Mr. S. would look upon it as a defamation, and not thank him for it: for being a Grammarian one may expect Elegant Latine from him, at least true: but its his being a Philosopher that makes him rea­son thus strongly, and a skilful Physician, which enables him to make many admi­rable Cures in Physick, and with whol­some Remedies; which in time we may expect and shall be glad to see.

But Mr. S. comes on with his Noverint universi per praesentes: Let him and the World know, that in the Esurine Salt of Alome as noble medicinal Vertues are to be found, as in any other Mineral specifi­cated Salt whatever. Bate me an Ace quoth Bolton. In truth I see no Obligati­on wherein I am bound to believe him, I am sure Paracelsus gives Vitriol the pre­heminence by far; nor is this compara­ble being imbibed alone in a Spring, to that which has taken in either Vitriol or Nitre: nor do I think that any Alumi­nous Spring, as such onely, is to be com­pared to the Sweet Well at Knares­brough, which himself says, has onely [Page 130]imbibed a slight touch of Vitriol of Iron.

Chalybe­ate Wa­ters rare.And now while I speak of Iron it brings to my mind what Fallopius says, who, it appears in all his Observations ne­ver found a Water that had imbibed Iron, though he does not think it impossible; but he heartily wishes for such Waters, Ʋtinam tales reperirentur, quia melius a­geretur cum iis qui laborant affectibus re­num & vesicae: i. e. Because it would be very well for them that are subject to the Diseases of the Reins and the Bladder. To which I'l onely adde the Judgement of Kircher, Aquae ferreae five Chalybeatae virtutibus ferri seu Chalybis imbuantur, ad obstructiones hypochondriacas saluberri­mis: i. e. Iron or Chalybeate Waters have in them the vertues of Iron or Steel, and so are most excellent against the Ob­structions of the Hypochondres, and the hardness or schirrhus of those parts, and the beginning of a Dropsie; as also they strengthen a relaxed and debilitated Sto­mach.

Of Vitri­oline Springs.And since this is a Vitrioline Water, as I have prov'd sufficiently against all his [Page 131]Objections, and at last brought him con­fessing as much, it were but proper to lay down the Vertues and Properties of those sorts of Waters; but that being done in part already. I shall therefore be very brief: I have prov'd already out of Fallopius and Paracelsus, &c. that a Wa­ter may imbibe Vitriol and yet not be­come Emetick, or provoking to vomit; and constant experience shews that its verified in this Water: besides hereby 'tis become of a penetrating quality, and so attenuating and cutting gross flegmatick humors, being also drying and leaving a moderate astriction behind it; and there­fore good in all cold and moist Constituti­ons, and for expelling of Worms. Much of the same nature are such Waters as have imbibed Salt, save that they are not so piercing; but these having but little Salt in them, I shall pass it over without more words.

Of Ni­trous Springs.But because Nitre is of all the rest the most predominant in this Water, and himself has confessed it; I shall therefore bring in the Testimony of the profound Kircher (in Cap. de Aq. Nitrosis. Prae­dominium [Page 132]dominium Nitri Aquas potentes facit, &c. i. e. When Nitre is predominant it makes the Water that has imbibed it powerful in operation; inables it to correct an ill habit of body, which such as are flegma­tick are prone to; it looses the Belly, is good in the Diseases of the Nerves, and for such as are subject to Defluxions upon the Lungs, heals the Itch and other Dis­eases of the Skin, Cures the ringing of the Ears being dropped into them; and in a word makes it to be of an eminent abster­gent property. So far Kircher.

Now this Spaw having imbibed all these five Minerals, must take its vertue from them all, according to reason and the Testimony of Learned Writers, as I have made out already, and I am assured it suits full well with the Experimental Cures I have mentioned in my Book; to which I refer the Reader, and shall say no more at present.

☞ Next P. 62. he falls to treat of his five Digestions (which he pillages from Hel­mont verbatim, though he curtails the number, and corrects his Master; for Helmont makes six (vid [...] Helm. P. 167.) [Page 133]from the pravity or deficiency of every one of which proceed several Diseases; whereas the whole Classi [...] of Physicians make but three, viz. in the Stomach, the Liver, and the Solid Parts: I wonder in­deed he did not make 50, for there is not any the least part of the Body, but if it be depraved in the Concoctive or Dige­stive faculty, so as it cannot separate the serous part of the Blood from that which is for its nourishment, Diseases may a­rise from it, which may disturbe the whole Oeconomy of Nature, and breed Aposthumations and Tumors, according to the Nature of the Humor, and the Constitution of the Parts: Thus in the Breast may breed a Schirrhus or a Cancer, in the Hands and Feet a Ganglion, in o­ther parts an Oedema or a Phlegmon, and from thence a Feaver, in the Joynts a Gowt or some other Lameness or Rheu­matismes, &c but I may not digress up­on this Subject. The truth is, in his de­scribing of these Diseases, he erres very much through a defect in the understand­ing of Pathology and Anatomy; fre­quently confounding such as are nothing [Page 134]of kinne, and all this in a canting form of Expressions, that all the Learned Men I have met with that have seen the Book, do laugh at.

These Spaws are found out by chance.Then he undertakes (P. 83.) to tell what Diseases the Spaw cures, and what not, and cites Helmont; but what I pray is Helmont's Judgement concerning this Water, which he never saw? Fallopius says that the properties of all those sorts of Springs are found out by Observation, and doubtless he is in the right; now since he could have no observation or ex­perience of this Water, his Verdict can­not be very Authentick: I have in my Book made out my Observations and Ex­perience for near Thirty years, and that under the hands of the Persons them­selves on whom such Cures were made; which give better ground of satisfaction to wise men, than all that Mr. S. can say; who can have nothing of his own Experience, as being upon my know­ledge not much more acquainted with it than Helmont whom he cites.

Notwithstanding he takes upon him to give his Opinion of some of the matters [Page 135]of fact,Of an Alder­man of Hull in the Asth­ma. and particularly of an Alderman of Hull, whom I mention to have found Cure in an Asthma; But that this was a real Asthma (says he P. 94.) I fear the Doctor mistakes in his Diagnosticks. How civil this is in the young man to make him­self a Judge of that which he never saw, and thus severely to become a Cato Cen­sorius over me; I refer it to the wise Rea­der to judge. The truth is this Alderman had joyned Dr. Primrose and my self in this his Disease, to whom we prescribed Remedies according to Indications, which yet the Malady did in a great mea­sure resist; so as after due prep [...]ration we thought fit to send him to the Spaw; where after a few dayes he found cure, and returned well. This being about 15 years agoe, and the Gentleman now a­live and in health; and by his leave we both thought fit to call a Spade a Spade, and that Disease an Asthma. If it would conduce any thing to teach W. S. that best point of Diagnosticks, viz. to know himself; I could e­very day let him see some that have found exceeding much benefit by this Vitrioline Water in the Asthma, without his Ar­cana's.

Of a Gen­tlewoman in great Debility cured by the Spaw.Then he undertakes to judge of the Case of a Gentlewoman, whom I menti­on in a very Critical Point, who had been long in a wasting condition, bol­stred up with Pillows, through constant difficulty of breathing; which he calls an Asthma, from the Obstructions of the Womb; and though he never saw her, yet he undertakes to tell what was also the Procatarctick Cause of her Malady, viz. a Cold, &c. Was ever any man so bold, to be thus positive without ground? I wonder what W. S. sees by the enumera­tion of the Symptomes, that can per­swade him to think this was an Asthma, for be may observe it did not seize on her per periodos, but a difficulty of breathing held her for a Moneth or five Weeks toge­ther; but it may be he thinks every dif­ficulty of breathing to be an Asthma. It was indeed a violent Dyspnaea, which oft­times is a Symptome of a Consumption, and great Debility, and indeed that was the thing I most feared, for she was in a Hectick, in which Case purging is not safe; although not only she but many o­thers that have been eminently Hectical, [Page 137]have found benefit by these Waters, and I can make it out with good reason too, if here it were my task, and I had time to enlarge.

Of a Ca­ta [...]he.He next takes upon him to descant of a Cure I mention in an Inveterate Ca­tarrhe, which had resisted all other Me­thods, and here he takes occasion to let flie against the Galenists for some Asser­tions, which Helmont fancies them to make concerning the Causes of that Dis­ease; from whom he pillages all he says, out of a Tract of his, called Catarrhi Deliramenta, after whose Pipe in every thing he dances throughout all the Book without farther Enquiry: As for himself it appears that he is a meer stranger to their Writings, and to say the truth, I believe he never read Galen, or any sound Writer that follows him; it is plain that he forges things frequently out of his own brain to impose upon the credulous Vul­gar, on purpose to abuse them; dealing with the Galenists as the Heathen Perse­cutors of Old did with the Primitive Christians, put Bear-Skins upon them on purpose to bait them. He ought to re­member [Page 138]the Ninth Commandment, and not thus ordinarily to bear false witness a­gainst his Neighbours. I find in Pet. Faber's Agonistic. That there were cer­tain Laws to be observed in the Olympian and Isthmian Games, which they ever sware to observe; among others, That they would not seek for Mastery by fraud or deceit, but deal fairly, not bite, not kill, otherwise it was not a lawful stri­ving, but was called [...], to use soul play, as being belluine and bruitish; and against these Laws does Mr. S. constantly transgress. I could set him right as to their Opinions concerning a Catarrhe, wherein they speak a great deal more reason than Helmont, who deals not fairly in that he cites not his Authors; endeavoring to raze well-laid Foundations, but builds nothing himself. But its far from my design to write a Pathology, or to discourse in this place concerning the nature of Diseases. And it is also plain in Experience that the Me­dicines which the Galenists use in the Cures of Catarrhes, and their Method they go in upon their own Hypothesis, are eminently successful.

(P. 101.) He takes upon him to dis­course concerning the Essence of Fevers, together with their Cures, declaring against the use of Water or other cooling Drinks in Fevers, which (he says) are so far from abating, as they rather increase their heat, and exasperate their Symptomes: wherein he discovers that he is a meer Stranger to their Writings. Yea even the Cooling Ju­leps (says he) prescribed by the Galenists, yield very small help; if they do not actual­ly prejudice Nature in the purifying work of Fermentations. Alas poor man! he understands not the use and end of the Galenists prescribing these Cooling Ju­leps,Of Cool­ing Ju­leps in which are not onely to cool and to quench that intemperate heat of the Stomach, a thing most necessary to be done, and wherein the Patients find much / relief; but also to correct (as they are fitted by good Artists) the Putrefaction and Ebullition of the Blood, and to help Nature to evacuate the Morbous Humors / by Sweat, Siege, or Urine, and also to fortifie the Digestions and refresh the Spirits; being constantly found to do all this, better than his Hot and Corrosive [Page 140]Diaphoreticks, made most what out of Poysons; yea and frequently to correct the scorching heat and intemperies they have caused, as upon mine own know­ledge I can speak. Here we may see plain­ly an Emblem of Hell, for if any man f [...]ll into a Fever, and be at this Physitians or­dering, ☞ his Case is like that of Dives, for he will not allow him a drop of Cold Water to cool his Tongue, though he be tormented in those flames: It's also very likely from what he saith, that Mr. S. is of opinion, that Dives was mista­ken in calling for Cold Water to cool his Tongue, but that it would have inflamed him the more.

Here I would not be mis-understood: I commend Cooling Drinks in Fevers, as Juleps, Emulsions, or Water, but not exces­sively Cold, as these possibly may be in Winter: for the Stomach being a Ner­vous Part, may be offended with that which is intensely Cold, its Concoctive Faculty being debilitated; notwithstand­ing it may seem to be refreshed by it at the present, by dulling the Appetite and Sense of Thirst: and therefore in my [Page 141]Practice I order that these be aired a lit­tle to be made less cold, and so the moi­sture will penetrate the better, and the Eventilation by insensible Transpiration or Sweat furthered; as also they will pass down more speedily by Urine: and this is according to the advice of Hippocrates (lib. de Ʋsu Humidorum, & lib. 3. de Ra­tione victus acut.)

Of [...].As for what he says concerning Juleps and Cordials (P. 102.) That they are made up with Syrupes which clogg the Sto­mach by their sweetness. This is a false Charge, wherein I may appeal to any that have occasion in Fevers to experi­ence them: Syrupes in themselves are al­terative, and prepared for several Indica­tions, which we use pro re nata joyned to our Juleps, with several other things, as Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur; which do both give a grateful Acidity to the Palate and Stomach, and resist Putrefaction; and all these according to the intention. I admire that in all things Mr. S. should be so meer a Stranger to the Writings of his own Authors the Chymists. Zuelfer in his Pharmacop. Regia describes above [Page 142] ☞ 50 sorts of Syrupes, which are made up with Sugar or Honey, whose Vertues he also commends: even twice as many as any of our Apothecaries have, or need to have in their Shops. And Schrode­rus mentions three times as many in his Pharm. Med. Chymica: Yea no good Chymical Author that has writ de Re Me­dica, but he describes them and com­mends them. Besides I know that he himself doth constantly use them, and more of late than formerly, having had sufficient experience of the mischiefs done by his other hot Medicines, and the fre­quent Complaints of his Patients, than which nothing is more ordinary in our Ears.

Of Emul­sions.Moreover, It is an usual thing in Fevers for Patients to complain of Acid Humors in their Stomach [...] and sharpness of Urine, which are exceeding well corrected by Emulsions, yea and Syrupes too; the Su­gar allaying their Acrimony, and hin­dring the Spurious Fermentation of the Blood, as I could make out at large out of the Chymical Writers themselves; to whom I find him so great a Stranger, [Page 143]but that I study brevity. Vide Zuelfer, and Schroder.

Of Cordi­als. Pag. 103. He affirms, That nothing is effectual as a Cordial, but such as do compescere flatum, viz. oppose or take a­way wind. I pray let us consider that Cordials are used in case of faintness at the Stomach; now this faintness may pro­ceed from several Causes, as in Fevers, many times the preternatural Heat of the Stomach will cause Faintness, in which respect a Glass of Cold Water or a Draught of Emulsion, or a Cooling Julep of Small Beer will give present Re­medy, yet I suppose that he will not say these correct Wind. Sometimes this faint­ness comes from Corrupt Humors where­with the Tunicles of the Stomach are in­farcted, in which Case a Vomit is a pro­per Remedy and yields present Relief; and yet he will not affirm that it opposes Wind: so that it is not univers [...]lly true: Nor that neither of Helmont, Nil cordi gratum quod Spiritui vini non sit nuptum.

(P. 104.) If we examine the Shop Cor­dials, we shall find the main Pillar of them all to be Sugar, witness their Electuaries, [Page 144]Loochs, Conserves, Syrupes, Confections, Cordial Waters, &c. as that their very Cordials in conclusion prove burdensome to Nature. I have spoken to this in part al­ready, shewing that we give not our Sy­rupes alone, so as by their lusciousness to clogge Nature, but diluted in their Ve­hicles, that the Sugar is the least part of the Medicine, and yet of singular use too. But I pray have not the Chymists all these forms of Medicaments too! I wish you would study your own Authors a little bet­ter, and not trouble the World with these frivolous Cavils, that favour of nothing but ignorance, or something that is worse. Is Sugar the main Pillar of all these Medicines? Certainly not so, there is onely so much put to them as may preserve them from corrupting, which when we have occasion to use, you know we mixe with several other things; as dry Cordial Species, with which the Shops are well stored, wherein there is no Sugar at all; whereby we make our Compositions ac­cording to our Intentions, and answera­ble to what Complications w [...] observe in the Diseases: and the success we have [Page 145]by these is such, as nothing but desperate malice it self can traduce.

Of Bleed­ing.Next he rants against letting blood in Fevers, as he does also in other places of his Book, but with what reason or argu­ments we shall by and by examine. This is certainly a most necessary and noble Remedy in Acute Diseases, provided there be a redundancy of the Humors and a plenitudo ad vasa, Age and Strength concurring, as Hippocrates saith (de Rat. Vict. Acut. Text. 16.) yea so many Ca­ses there are in which Bleeding is a Reme­dy, that we have often occasion to do it; as in most sorts of Fevers, especially if there be a Putrefaction of the Humors, and not any Malignity: so in Hot Distem­pers of Inflammations of the Inward Parts, Pleurisies, Squinancies, Peripneumonies, Phlegmons of the Liver or Spleen, Violent Ophthalmies, Gowtes, and Arthritick Pains, Frenzies, Vomiting of Blood, Dangerous Wounds and Bruises by Falls, Vertigoes, Lethargies, Coma's, Sup­pression of the Menses and Hemorrhoids, Acute Pains what part soever they possess; in all these Cases it is accounted and assu­redly [Page 146]experienced to be a most present Remedy. But in all these, three special things are alwayes to be observed, accord­ing to the common Consent of all the Princes in Physick, viz. The Magnitude of the Disease, the Flourishing Years of the Patient, and his Strength and Habit of Body: To these I will adde the time of the Disease (for it's best in the begin­ning) the time of the year, the Coun­trey, the Patients manner of life in point of Dyet, and his Custome whether he has been wont to be let blood or no.

Ay (says Mr. S.) if the worst parts of the Blood could be singled out from the rest, then letting blood would prove a singular remedy, but the balsamick parts are car­ried forth with the other. To this I re­ply, that he grosly mistakes, to suppose that Blood is alwayes taken, because of bad parts that are in it. In a Plethorick Body we let blood, when we know there is no Peccancy in Quality at all, onely to lessen its quantity, which may be of singular use to prevent a Disease, that otherwise would come on; so oftentimes for Revulsion, as in several of the Cases I [Page 147]reckoned up, when there is no fault at all in the Blood, and notwithstanding some of the balsamick parts (as he phra­ses it) go out, yet if it were not done, the life would be hazarded. But farther let him know that in Fevers, its ordinary for Physicians to observe their Patients so refreshed immediately upon the taking of a due quantity of blood, that Nature, that before lay groveling as it were un­der the burden of the Disease, becomes an absolute Conquerour over the Disease, and able to discharge its functions; (and this I have seen a thousand times) which could not be, if loss of blood were so great an impoverishing of the vital spi­rits as he speaks of.

Of Reite­ration of Bleeding.But that which next he disgusts is, The reiteration of bleeding, as is the custome of some, not to excuse the Doctor, &c. Is it not strange that W. S. should take upon him at every turn to censure both my words and my actions; and that in my own proper business, wherein he is no way concerned? and I am certain not fit to be a Judge? I have already made it ap­pear that he is an Ignoramus in his own [Page 148]Authors, the Chymists, and therefore its no wonder if he understands not the advice of Hippocrates and Galon, and all the Ancient and Modern Writers in Phy­sick, concerning this point of bleeding in Fevers again and again, if there be In­dications. I can tell where several per­sons both in Fevers and other Diseases, have died for want of bleeding, and where by some it has been so long de­ferred, and yet afterwards done when it was too late; and so can W. S. if he do but rodere ungues: where I am assured if a Galenist had been called, there had been no danger at all. Sed qui destinavit finem, ordinavit media. Many like Stories does this City ring withal concerning some body, which I am not at present willing to relate, because they have no­thing of Argument in them.

But (P. 106.) he goes on to aggra­vate; Hence they that recover under their hands, do it with much lingering and tedi­ousness, because of the great enfeebling of their spirits by the loss of blood. — Why! then it appears our Patients recover un­der our hands, notwithstanding the [Page 149]bleeding: Had they died, we had been sure to have heard on't. But will not any wise man rather think, that the lingering proceeded from the violence and deep rooting of the Fevers, that exacted the repetition of the remedy, than from the bleeding it self?

But (P. 107.) he comes to his Club-Law. Nay after a ternary of Bleedings, and as often Vomitings and Purgings in an Obstinate Fever, &c. One being asked what he would now do after all this? He an­swered, that unless he run the same round again, he was at a stand what to do fur­ther. The querying Person returned, that he did believe, if he run but the same round over again, from the beginning to the end, the Patient would by that time be cured of all Diseases. I desire the Reader to take notice that W. S. says all this was done in an OBSTINATE FEVER, and I pray will not an Obstinate Disease require an extraordinary process? Al­though I aver here is nothing that he mentions done in the Case, which any Artist in the World would not have done, and doubtless is frequently put to. And [Page 150]this is agreeable to what Hippocrates counsels (Aphor. 6. lib. 1.) Vehementio­ribus morbis vehementiora remedia; viz. Great Diseases must have answerable re­medies. Not that here I used any Medi­cines that were violent, but benigne e­nough, in all things suited to Indicati­ons, and the strength of the Patient; al­though (it seems) I did that which W. S. understood not, and so I believe I may have occasion to do again.

The Case of Major J. St.Here I think fit to tell the Story that he aims at, which I have liberty to do, and name the Party if I please; but it's e­nough that many hundreds do know whom I mean. Major J. St. a Gentle­man of note in Yorkshire, of a good ha­bit of body, and in the flower of his age, did for more than a year labour under an Anorexia, or Loss of Appetite and Di­gestion, so as I have often heard his Land­lady say, If she had been confined to his flint in eating during all the time, she must needs have been starved. At last the Gentleman got a Surfet, to which was joyned a most Violent Fever and a continual vomiting of what ever he took. [Page 151]Now was I consulted, and saw cause to give a Vomit, and let blood, and in­deed to do many things, for the Corre­ction of the violent Symptomes and the Cure of the Disease, which was not like­ly to be very easily done (as the Reader may guess) since it had been so long in taking root. In a few dayes the conti­nual Fever in all its Symptomes abated, only being in Winter, it degenerated in­to a Tertian. This required a reiterati­on of the Vomit, and Bleeding and Purg­ing, according as I saw cause, with se­veral other remedies; whereby I daily gained ground, and had occasion to make very hopeful Prognosticks: although the Disease ran out unto two Moneths at the least. While I was thus acting for my Patient, this Mr. Simpson procured him­self to be introduced one day to the Ma­jor, by a Gentleman who was an inti­mate Associate of his, and pressed the Major to take the advice of this RARE CHYMIST, whose Medicines he said would soon make a Cure. The Major told them both he was abundantly satisfied in what I was [Page 152]doing, and bid Mr. S. take his time.

Here I could wish that all Physicians of a more regular stamp than this young man, that have taken their Degrees in Physick, or otherwise are legally licenti­ated, were not also too prone to underva­lue their Profession, in begging Practice and rudely intruding themselves into o­ther mens business, without any Call, especially in the latter end of a great Dis­ease, which is the Custome of some. But at this Mr. Simpson was very much offend­ed; and this is the business he aims at. Some few dayes after the Gentleman met me at the Majors Chamber, and asked me what I thought of the event of all, and what further I would do? I (knowing from the Major himself his design, and his good will towards me) told him I had good grounds of hope of recovery, and further (it may be not so gratefully to him) said, I would do as I should see cause pro re nata, even as I had done all the while.

And herein I followed the Counsel of Hippocrates (2 lib. Aph. 52.) Si medico secundum rectam rationem facienti, cura­tio [Page 153]non statim succedat, non est tamen mu­tanda Methodus, quamdiu id restat quod a principio visum est. viz. If while a Phy­sician doth act, according to right rea­son, the Cure does not presently succeed, he ought not yet to change his Method, so long as that remains, which was seen from the beginning. And whereas W. S. urges that all this while I gave him not one good Diaphoretick (P. 175.) though I am not bound to be accountable to him, yet on this occasion I will endea­vour to set him right, and do assure him that during this course, I gave him three times as many Diaphoreticks, as I did of any Medicine whatsoever, as my Bills this day extant in the Apothecaries Shop do testifie, and the Patient himself now in perfect health doth witness.

Now you must know this Gentleman who would have introduced W. S. was a Pseudo-Chymist, who had wasted great summes of money in making Chymical Experiments, and a Principal Confede­rate of Mr. Simpsons, and had a great hand ☜ in compiling of this Book against me, as himself several times told the Major, while [Page 154]it was in fieri, bragging how much they would wound me by it; concerning which the Major is ready to give Oath, if there were occasion: But within a few Mo­neths after the Gentleman himself fell sick, and so physicked himself with his own Chymical Preparations, that he soon cured himself of all Diseases.

☞ Upon the whole matter I admire at the folly of my Antagonist, that he would urge any thing herein as an Argument a­gainst me, seeing he could not but know, that the Patient soon after did throughly recover, long before his Book went to the Press. But why do I trouble my self to rectifie W.S. in his gross mistakes a­bout the cure of Fevers, whereby he will know more, than hitherto by all his o­ther Reading? save onely that I would let him know, that the Galenists (whom he so uncivilly spurns at) have good ground for every thing they do in the manage­ment of their business, though he under­stands it not; and that their endeavours are by the Blessing of God found ve­ry successful, even in the most arduous Cases.

But at length He grants that the single breathing of a Vein, or Artery, or Mo­derate Phlebotomy, may and doth sometimes help in a Fever; I am glad the Gentle­man is convinced now at length; its not long since he was of another mind, for about three years ago when he writ his Zenexton Antipestilentiale, he severely de­clared against bleeding, even in Pleu­risies; there he says (P. 41.) that it is unnecessary in all Fevers, though if any, the Pleurisie may seem to plead a necessity but to whom? onely to the Galenists, who know no better remedy. I am afraid some ☜ poor men paid dear for his Learning. But I wonder what he means by single breathing of a Vein; this is the doing it but once, and in a small quantity, which will not alwayes serve the turn, especial­ly in the Disease we are speaking of, viz. a Pleurisie, in which Case Hippocra­tes advises to do it in case of extremity twice a day, and so on, according to the magnitude of the Disease and strength of the Patient, as I my self had occasion to do it this last week, even to 5 or 6 times; while no Diaphoretick, Vegetable or Mi­neral, [Page 156]or other Applications inward or out­ward, would take off the Pungent Pains, and that with excellent success. As for Moderate Phlebotomy, that may be, and yet be done more than once, even often, and be accounted but Moderate if the Case require it; and better it is to take often than too much at once.

(P. 108.) I confess (says he) I never order Phlebotomy oftner than once in a Fe­ver, and that with reluctancy bemoaning my self. It seems Mr. S. is a very PI­TIFƲL PHYSICIAN. Well! its enough he shall not teach me, but re­ally I believe he has had many partners with him in that sorrow.

Nay further I have been with some Pa­tients (says he) who in Pleurisies have un­dergone a Galenical Method of twice bleed­ing, &c. ready for the third time, and the Fever as high as at the first; whom after all this, I have cured with a Dia­phoretick Specifick once or twice repeated; and sometimes one single Dose thereof has done the feat. — Speak out man where was this? Those that have good advan­tages to observe, and do well know Mr. S. [Page 157]do desire the Reader to understand that here is an HYPERBOLE, which among all the other Figures of Rhetorick; with which his Writings abound, to the amusing of Common Readers, he thinks not fit to leave out.

Then he goes on and says, That bleed­ing doth diametrically oppose the fortifica­tion of the Digestions and Vital Spirits, because it robs the blood of its treasure, sur­reptitiously stealing away its balsome, and debilitates the Vital Spirits, making them lower their Top-sails, &c. — Even just so a Ship in a Storm over-laden with Mer­chants Goods, for the saving whereof some part is thrown over-board, is much injured by being robbed of her treasure, whilst after it she can hoyst up her Top­sail, when the Mizen was too much be­fore.

(P. 109.) As in Acute, so in Chro­nical Diseases, the frequent use of Phle­botomy is not commendable nor proper. — If he had told what Chronical Diseases he had meant, I should probably have joyn'd issue, for some do necessarily require it, as the Case may be put, and others as [Page 158]severely interdict it. And therefore he ought to have specified his Case in all rea­son before he had condemned it. The Scurvy is a Chronical Disease, and doth require bleeding, if there be Strength and a Plethorical Constitution, and other things premised that are advised by the Learned. So is the Consumption, and the Dropsie, in both which Cases it is not to­lerable.

Of Thirst in Fevers.(P. 110.) Mr. S. is Retrograde in his Discourse, resuming his Topick of Thirst, which of all Symptomes is most urging; which (says he) according to the Galenists proceeds from a hot and dry Di­stemper of the Stomach, to answer which Indication, they most frequently order cool and moist things; which if the cause of thirst were as they suppose, they would have a most facile way of Cure, in case that were true, Contraria suis contrariis curantur.— And then he falls on as his manner was before to inveigh against Cool Drinks. Well! Tis no great matter, Mr. S. will never hurt Physician while he keeps in this mind, and never profit Patient. I have already expressed the necessity and [Page 159]usefulness of Cooling Drinks, and there­fore I'l not further enlarge, onely do say, that if it be singly a hot and dry Distem­per at the Stomach, its necessary to cor­rect it with Drinks that are Cold and Moist, as the most present remedy, to wit, necessitate medii, although the end doth not alwayes presently follow the most rational means. And if it be the Symptome of a Fever, although it re­quire other things which are not done in instanti, yet drinking Cool Drink is ne­cessary too, lest through the omission of it, that Symptome of Thirst become more intolerable, than the Fever it self.

Contraria contrariis curantur.As for the Rule that he refers to, Con­traria contrariis curantur. It is to be un­derstood in a right sense. Nature it self is Morborum Curatrix, and therefore those things which do strengthen Nature, have a great influence into the Cure of Diseases, although they act not thus by any contrariety of quality in respect of the Disease; but from a similitude of pro­perty; for the supplying of Natures de­ficiency, which having now got new [Page 160]force and vigor, arms it self against the Disease, and reduces its excesses into a Mediocrity, acting in every thing con­trary to the Disease; and thus Nature works as an efficient and proximal Cause, and the remedy as an instrumental and more remore Cause.

Again, There are some Diseases that seem to be cured by their like; thus vo­miting by a Vomit, and purging by a Purge, although these are not perform­ed per se, but per accidens, by the taking away of thos [...] peccant humors, which being retent were the Causes of the Ma­lady. But as for such Diseases as do con­sist in the excess of some one or more of the four first qualities, those are cured by their Contraries; thus a Hot Disease is best helped by Cooling, and a Cold Disease by Heating Remedies, and so I might al­so say of the other two, viz. Driness and Moisture; and this is agreeable not onely to the Doctrine of Hippocrates and Galen, and all their Followers, but even the knowing Chymists assent thereto; and Paracelsus goes this way, who treating of the solution of Metals (Tract. 2. cap. 8.) [Page 161] Hoc (inquit) ad differentias Metallorum attendi debet, ut si Morbus a calore sit, Metalla frigida assumas, si a frigore cali­da. That is to say, As to the difference of Metals diligent heed is to be taken, that if the Disease come from heat, you take those Metals that are cold, and if from cold, then such as are heating.

Onely Mr. Simpson is very hasty, for he says (P. 110.Nihil fit in instant [...]) If Diseases be cured by their Contraries, then the Cure should be forthwith effected, even as soon as an an­swerable degree is applied. I deny the con­sequence, for nihil fit in instanti; Natu­ral Agents are not so quick and forcible in their Operation, nor are Patients so rea­dy to receive impression, especially when the contrary quality to what it has alrea­dy, is to be imprinted upon it; for there is a reluctancy arising from the contrari­ety, that hinders the instantaneous effect, which must first be overcome by the more forcible strength of the Agent, before the contrary quality can be stampt upon it; for which there is necessarily required a proportionable time, as in all these reme­dies which we call alterantia.

When our Blessed Saviour wrought the Miracle upon the Blind Man, Mark 8.23. upon the first use of the remedy he had not a perfect recovery, but only gra­dual; seeing men as Trees. But after a further application his sight was perfectly restored, and he saw clearly; and yet notwithstanding the Miracle is not lessen­ed. So may we judge concerning Natu­ral Effects in the Cure of Diseases, that they must be gradual, and yet be good Cures too; especially if we consider, that it is not so much a small peccancy in a single quality (as suppose Heat, and con­sequently Thirst in a Fever) which we are to alter, as an intemperies in some remote parts, or in the Humors which contri­bute towards it, and must also be corre­cted, which must necessarily be by a rei­teration of the remedy, and require time and patience; and these intentions are excellently well performed by the Cooling Juleps of the Galenists.

But notwithstanding all this severity we have seen in Mr. S. against these Cooling Drinks and Juleps in Fevers, yet in the next Page, upon more serious Con­sideration [Page 163]he commiserates the poor man, and allows him some Drink to quench his Thirst, and blames those that with held it, for want of which (he says) the Fever be­comes the more increased, and all the sym­ptomes more exasperated. — Why! I know none that ever prohibited it but himself, who (P. 102.) said, That Cooling Ju­leps did more harm than good, and inflame the Fever more. I must confess I never saw any man so confident in asserting Contradictions in all my reading, as this Author is.

But he seems to allow Drink for the liquid quality to dilute and soften those burnt sordes, though it does not satisfie the Thirst, or else all things go the worse. — Is not here a contrariety of qualities be­twixt the liquid drink, and the dry and burnt sordes that are in the Stomach, the very thing which he argued against in the fore-going Page? But I pray how came those sordes to be burnt but from heat, and doth not the scorching heat as much need its contrary to correct it, viz. cooling, as the driness doth moistning, especially since heat is a more active qua­lity [Page 164]than Driness? And since the driness comes from the heat, why should he go about to correct the Effect, and let alone the Cause? Do not the Galenists far more prudently, who at once by their Juleps, &c. correct both the Cause and the Ef­fect. and the intemperies to boot, which appears in other parts?

P. 112. I have often wondred,Of Dia­phore­ticks.the Ga­lenists should not more seriously take into con­sideration the efficacy of Diaphoreticks or Sweating Medicines in Fevers, (he says) is a most effectual means to quench Thirst and abate a Fever. — Really I cannot but much more wonder at his con­fidence, to impose upon the World, that which the meanest of men know certainly to be true; viz. That in Fevers the Galenists do constantly use Diaphoreticks, and more too that he little understands, and thereby are more successful than he. I am assured those in and about York, whom he has the best opportunity to know, have been ever wont to use them in Fevers, even before he understood his Primmer, and do so at this day. Certain­ly it would better become this young [Page 165]man to learn more Modesty, than thus magisterially to teach his Superiors, who in all their several Countries throughout the World, are Men of Learning, Ho­nour, and Reputation, and know better Remedies and Processes in Physick than he, understanding both the Galenical and Spagyrical way of Practice, while it appears he is too much a stranger to them both; not well understanding the Wri­tings of his own Chymical Authors.

Why! The very Cooling Juleps which we were just now treating of, do further Transpiration through the insensible pores of the Skin, and provoke Sweat many times to the quenching of the Violent Heat of Fevers, as I have found many times, when all his dry Diaphoreticks would do nothing.

Of Lau­danum.Touching his rant about Laudanum, a few grains whereof (he says) will quiet the Spirits for a time, quench Thirst, and allay Pains, and all this as a Diaphore­tick. — That Laudanum doth all these as a Diaphoretick remains to be proved; A quatenus ad omne valet Consequentia, if as a Diaphoretick, then every Diaphore­tick [Page 166]should do as much, viz. quiet the Spirits, quench Thirst, and allay Pains, but every one will not do it; as his Anti­monium Diaphoreticum, which next he treats of will not do it; and therefore it doth not this as a Diaphoretick, but as a Narcotick and by vertue of the Opium.

(P. 113.) He proceeds to talk of An­timonium Diaphoreticum, Of Anti­monium Diapho­reticum. which (he says) the Galenists are afraid of because its a Chymical Preparation, and that they give but 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 Grains, while he dares give 60 without scruple. There is no doubt to be made, but he that is so big in his Writing, will be bold enough in his Prescripts, as we shall have occasion to ob­serve by and by. This Antimonium Di­aphoreticum is a Composition made up of Antimony, Nitre, and Tartar; now turn to P. 180. and he confesses that Anti­mony has in it an Arsenical Sulphur, which though it may be corrected by Fire, and made a harmless Medicine for Sweating, yet is it not necessary a Physici­en be sure that it be well done, and so ra­ther keep within a safe compass in point [Page 167]of Dose, than be in danger of exceed­ing?

Besides, the Constitution of Patients is different, which he that is the immediate Physician is most fit to judge of, and not another, who understands not all circum­stances that occur; and therefore it were better that others and particularly Mr. S. would forbear to censure that which they know not, but trust every man in his own business: Possibly Mr. S. might at some time look into an Apothecaries Shop, and there might see into some of our Bills, where 3 or 4 Grains might be ordered for a Child, or for some very feeble Patient subject to Colliquation, where a Physician for reasons best known to himself, had prescribed some small quantity of this Medicine, increasing his Dose with another sort of Diaphore­tick; but what is this to him to tell the World of it?

Moreover, Schroderus (who is a Learned Chymist) accounts the Dose to be from 10 Grains to 25 at the most. (Pharm. Med. Chym▪ lib. 3. cap. 18.) though Mr. S. amounts to 60. But espe­cially [Page 168]its considerable what the acute Zuelfer says concerning this Antim. Di­aph. to wit, That what way soever it be prepared, it will in time from the Air con­tract a dangerous malignant quality, which may cause oppression at the heart, fainting and vomiting; and so become not so safe to be given inwardly. (Mantis Hermet. P. 800.) Is it not therefore need­ful, that we should be careful how we use this Chymical Preparation, and by all means so to do it, as it may be safe and yet successful? Now this Medicine is used in Malignant Fevers or otherwise, when we would provoke Sweat; but if it be not well prepared and purged from its Arse­nical Sulphur, what woful work would there be, if instead of sweating the Pa­tient should fall into vomiting or purging. Ay but (says he) it is of my own prepara­tion, and therefore I dare more confide in it.— Therefore indeed he may the better give it, but the main Question is, Whether the Patient may the better take it? Be­sides, if Antim. Diaph. may contract a malignant quality from the Air, were it not safer to give it in a less quantity? [Page 169]and may not there also be danger, lest the Acid Humors in the Body should make it resume its Malignity as well as the Air? Upon the account of all which, let wise men judge whether acts more pru­dently, he that gives 60 Grains, or he that gives 8 or 10.

For further satisfaction concerning this thing, I refer the Reader to what I have to say in my Animadversions on the 195th Page of this his Book.

(P. 115.) He proceeds to treat of what Diseases the Spaw at Scarbrough cures, viz. The Scurvy, Dropsie, Stone, Stran­gury, Jaundice, Hypochondriack Melan­choly, Cachexia, Womens Diseases, &c. — I confess I cannot but wonder to see the confidence of Mr. S. who knows nothing at all of these things but by my Book, no more than he that lives at Constantinople, and has read my Book there. Indeed this is the onely thing wherein I am be­holden to him, in that he gives me Cre­dit, although sometimes he makes Com­ments which the Text will not bear, and by a multiplicity of foolish new-coyn'd words, doth obscure that (even) to some [Page 170]wise and learned men, which was plain and obvious to Common Understand­ings.

☞ But upon the grounds he yet goes on, I declare it impossible that the Spaw should have such Vertue as to cure these Diseases; for if we observe, he owns no­thing of a Mineral property to be in it, but an Esurine Aluminous Salt (P. 116. Numb. 3.) Now whether we consider the properties of Alome, as I have instan­ced (in the 145. Page of Scarb. Spaw 2d Edition) or the Verdict of the most pro­found Authors concerning Aluminous Springs, we shall find it impossible that the Spaw should have any such Vertue, upon his Principle he rests on, as I have al­ready made out in my animadversions on P. 61.

But to amend the matter, He would have it seconded by other penetrating Medi­cines of his own preparation.— Why! I can assure him, the Cures I mention, were done without any of his preparations, and the like probably may be done again; although not without some other helps sometimes, as the Cases may require.

(P. 118. He tells of a sort of Dropsie which he stiles Anasarcasis, which is a word (I guess) of his own coyning, for he means Anasarca. He says, They that are tapp'd for the Dropsie viz. the Tym­pany (for he is speaking of it, in which Case doubtless he never saw any man tapp'd) they let forth an almest insipid li­quor; so that water which passeth from those that drink plentifully of the Spaw, has no Ʋrinous Salt, and so neither Tincture nor Sapour.— Sure he never saw any tapp'd for the Dropsie, in that he says it is insi­pid, I have several times found it of a brown Colour and a brackish Taste. And if he will distill or evaporate away the water of those that drink of the Spaw, as I have done, he shall find a slimy Sedi­ment, highly impregnated with an Uri­nous Salt.

(P. 119.) He tells, That There are some Causes of a Dropsie, which will re­sist all Medicines, except the noblest of Chymical Arcana's— Really it's great pity he had not found those Chymical Arcana's when Robert Beford was in his hands in this Disease (of whom I made [Page 172]mention before) whom if he had let alone, he might probably have seen cured with­out Chymical Arcana's.

Lunar Pills.(P. 120) He reckons up several of his Chymical Arcana's, which he counts highly of for the Cure of the Dropsie, a­mong which are the Pilulae Lunares, of which he confesses, he never found any considerable success, and for the sake of the Aqua Fortial he rather advises against.— ☞ I am much afraid poor Beford had of these his Lunar Pills, which he took for Chy­mical Arcana's, for his Complaint was of such an Heat and Corrosion in his Sto­mach and Bowels, as if he had taken his Aqua Fortial Spirits. But it's well he does confess his fault, and I wish he may re­form, and not make Experiments of Poy­sonous Medicines upon the Bodies of Men, to the hazard of their Lives, in an Empirical use of unsafe and ill-corrected Mineral Medicines, imperfectly descri­bed in Paracelsus and Helmont, which he knows not either how to make or use.

Of Hyste­rical Fits.(P. 128.) He proceeds to treat of the Hysterical Fits in Women, where he [Page 173]runs (as almost in all things) such a riot in an unwholsome form of words, peculi­ar to himself alone, as who so will have the patience to read, shall find matter e­nough for laughter, but nothing that me­rits the least line of reply. Satis est nomi­nasse refelli.

A False Charge.Only I observe he forges a Figment up­on the Galenists, as if they should say that the Fits of the Mother do proceed from a Windiness of the Matrix, which he most scurrilously fancies to be charged like a Gun and ramm'd, &c. which I wonder he is not ashamed to have said, and exposed to publick view, in unsavo­ry words, which a regular Scholar, or Physician, or a good Christian would ab­hor to have written, and every modest Person, especially those of the Female Sex do abominate to read.

But besides this its utterly false, for no such thing was ever said or writ by any man that deserves the name of a Gale­nist, nor if you mark does he cite any of their Writings in the Case, neither in­deed in any thing that he objects against them, but frames Arguments out of [Page 174]his own Brain▪ on purpose to traduce them.

In this business I'l refer the Learned and Judicious Reader to my late inti­mate Friend and Collegue Doctor Prime­rose, in that excellent Treatise of his de Morbis Mulierum, where he treats (in lib. 3. cap. 11.) of this Disease; he rec­kons up the Opinions both of the Anci­ents and Modern Writers, concerning the Causes of these Hysterical Fits, but not one syllable of Windiness in the Ma­trix to be the cause of them. At last he concludes of two principal Causes from whence they proceed ordinarily (P. 207.) Frequenter itaque causa est seminis corrup­tio, ut in viduis & libidinosis Mulieri­bus, si Viri amplexibus fraudentur, con­tingit. And this he shews to agree with what Hippocrates, Galen, Epicurus, De­mocritus, Rondeletius, and others have writtten. Another cause which he as­signs (P. 209.) is, Quilibet humor in u­tero putrescens, tetrum venenatumque vapo­rem expirat. Id ostendit (inquit) quod vetulas etiam quasdam infestat, quibus nec seminis nec sanguinis superfluitas colli­gitur: [Page 175]tum etiam eas quae bene purgantur, & Viri consuetudine fruuntur. And this also he shews to be agreeable to the Do­ctrine both of the Antient Princes in Phy­sick and Modern Writers too.

I shall need to say no more, but refer ☜ it to the Ingenuous Reader to judge of the Spirit of this Man, and who can be safe from blasting, while such a malevolent breath as this blows upon him.

(P. 132.) Mr. S. treating of the Green Sickness in Maids, says, it will not bend to the single help of this Spaw, &c. where little or no body of a Mineral is found. —

Let the wise Reader judge whether this man understands what he treats of, that says this Spaw has little or no Body of Minerals in it, when five Quarts con­tain at the least an Ounce of Minerals, and in dry years ten Drams, while the usual Dose for Women in this Case is three Quarts of Water, and sometimes more.

And thus having examined what he has said concerning Scarbrough Spaw, together with several Discourses that hang thereupon, and particularly his [Page 176]Objections against the Rational Method of Physick, or the Galenical Way (as he calls it) I am content to submit all I have said to the Judgement of the Learn­ed and Impartial Reader. I shall now follow him as close as I can through what remains, and that with what brevity I may, because I would not swell into a Volume.

Malton Spaw. PAg. 134. He takes occasion to dis­course concerning Malton Spaw, which I mention P. 194. in my Book of Scarbrough Spaw. The plain truth is, this Spaw he has as little experimental knowledge of as the other, having only saluted it in Transitu, ceu Ca­nis ad Nilum, and therefore he is but ve­ry short, referring to what he has said of the other; wherein if he had observed the like brevity, I believe he would have come off with more credit. What diffe­rence there is betwixt these two Waters, I have in few words expressed in my Book.

Knares­brough Spaw.(Pag. 136.) He proceeds to speak of the Sweet Well at Knaresbrough, con­cerning which Doctor French has writ a [Page 178] ☞ very ingenious Discourse at large, which he has illustrated with very many pretty Experiments, out of which our Author hath drawn abundance of his, which here we have crowded together oft times con­fusedly enough, and yet he owns not his Author in any of them.

(Pag. 137.) He says its but a poor lean Water, and thin of Minerals, and there­fore perswades to intermix Salt of Steel with it; and he gives some directions a­bout the drinking of it, all which might well have been spared, since Doctor Dean and Doctor French have writ copiously of that Subject, and laid open the Nature of that Water, and several Cures it has wrought, and given better directions to help the slowness of the Water, who both of them did a hundred times better under­stand that Water than he.

Sulphur Well.(Pag. 142.) He passes on to the Sul­phur Well at Knaresbrough, which he saith hath a strong body of Sal Marine in it; now if we look back to what he said (P. 55.) ☞he tells us this Well is saturate with Fossile Salt. I wish he would recon­cile these Contradictions. But how is it [Page 179]probable that this Spring should partake so plentifully of Sal Marine (of which there is the quantity of two Ounces in a Gallon of the Water, as I have found upon trial) what communication has this Well with the Sea, more than other Springs, it being 40 miles from the Sea, and how can he suppose that the Subter­raneal Channels should convey the Salt of the Sea in puris naturalibus 40 miles, and yet others be purged and defecated of the Salt that are nearer the Sea? for my own part I see no reason to believe it, and shall leave it to others to believe as they find cause. Besides if it should proceed from such a plentiful Fountain as the Sea, since the Salt is not left behind it in the passage it should necessarily have a larger Channel than other Springs, and so be a very plentiful Spring, whereas it is a ve­ry penurious one, and if I mistake not, voids not a Gallon in an hour. I there­fore rather think it receives its Salt, from the Nature of the Soil where it bubbles, and that it has also imbibed Sulphur and Bitumen.

Methink he might have contented himself with what the Authors a foresaid have said concerning this Well, to whom he has added nothing, save only an Ha­rangue of impertinent discourse, as his con­stant way is, whereby he confounds both himself and the Reader, and disparages that Spring, Affirming it not to be of much more efficacy, than so much Trencher Salt, dis­solved in such a proportion of ordinary Wa­ter, in P. 146. In opposition to which I could joyn issue with him, but I shall ra­ther leave that to others, more concer­ned, to assert their Experiences, who probably will think themselves concerned to maintain the Ancient Reputation, both of this and the Sweet Spaw, which he has not a little blasted.

Of Hot Springs.In P. 148. He treats of the Original of Hot Springs, where he borrows largely from Kircher in his Mund. Subter. to­gether with his Experiments, as also Monsieur de Rochas; at last he deter­mines that they proceed from Calx vive, which Notion he has from a Relation I make in my Book (P. 80.) of an Obser­vation made by a Noble Lord of this Na­tion, [Page 181] viz. the Lord Thomas Fairfax, of some heaps of a White Powder which he found sweat out of the Earth near Bath, which being put into Water makes it hot, as I my self did experience five or six years after his Lorship had taken it up, some of which I had from his Lordship.

A false Charge on the Galenists(P. 158.) He falls to make a Vindica­tion of Chymical Physick, which (he says) lies under an Odium by the Galenists. In my Judgment he might very well have spared his pains herein, there being no cause in the World for a Vindication, nor do I know of any man in these parts that ever opened his mouth against it. Indeed he and others stepping into the Practice of Physick four or five years ago, had a de­sign to turn all the Practice of Physick in the City and County of York to the Chy­mical way, exclaiming in all Companies they came in against the Medicines of the Shops, which are prepared according to the London Dispensatory, establisht by the Law of the Land; after the same rate as here is exprest in his Book: This both my self and others of my faculty thought fit to oppose, not condemning Chymical [Page 182]Medicines well prepared, which we all daily use, but maintaining the Ancient Honour, Reputation, and successfulness of the Rational Practice which he calls Galenical.

The Chymical Way we own as an ex­cellent Appendix to the Noble Art of Physick, and if the Gentlemen had been but good natur'd and modest, I do con­fidently affirm they had in all things found a sutable respect from us all; but why they should go about to make Chymistry an Art of its own kind, and like a vipe­rous brat to eat through the bowels of its dam, in designing to root up the Ancient and Rational Practice of Physick, which has in all Ages been successful and conti­nues so to be in our hands, as with modesty I hope I may say, I see no cause for it.

Has not the Honourable Society of the Colledge of Physicians of London owned the Art, and appointed a multitude of Chymical Medicines in their Pharmaco­peia, which suit variety of Indications? And had not they an Operator whom they encouraged for the making up of [Page 183]those their Remedies, till Death came, which made a Caput Mortuum of him? And had not they a Laboratory in Lon­don, till the Dreadful Fire made a Calci­nation of it; which now they are prepa­ring to set up again? What cause then is there, that this man should complain thus, or that he should need to rise up in Vindication of that which no man oppo­ses?

It is well known to the Learned that many Antient Writers have treated of Chymistry, as Avicen, Rhasis, Albuma­zar, Haly, &c. in Arabick: Democri­tus, Myrepsus, Zosymus, Marcellus, Heliodorus, &c. in Greek: and an a­bundance of Latine Authors, that would be tedious to reckon up for these two or three last Centuries, no man of learning or worth ever opening his mouth or using his Pen against it, although some are more affected towards it than others; and truly methink every man should be left to his liberty in that point, to use or not use this or that method as he shall see cause, without being imposed on or censured by another, so long as he [Page 184]is faithful and honest in his business, as also learned and rational, and willing to give convenient satisfaction to others, and able to make it out by success.

Nay I could make it out if it were need­ful, that the most eminent profest Gale­nists have spoken honourably in their Writings of this Art of Chymistry, and prescribed a number of Medicines so pre­p [...]red, both out of the Vegetables and Minerals and Metals. As Sennertus, Mercatus, Pereda, Rodericus a Castro, Horstius, Freitagius, Crato; and of our own Nation Dr. Glysson, Dr. Primerose, Dr. Willis, Dr. Wharton, and many o­thers eminently learned, both who have written and have not, whom I know to be Lovers of the Art, and the useful dis­coveries which we have by it: Upon all which account Mr. S. might very well have spared this Vindication.

No diffe­rence a­mong the learned.And as the Galenists approve both in their Writings and Practice of Chymical Medicines, so the most learned among the Chymists do use the Galenical. Thus Zwelfer has made his Comment upon the Pharmac. Augustana, and left one of his [Page 185]own, which he calls Pharmacopaeia Re­gia, which are as full of all sorts of Me­dicines, viz. Syrupes, Distilled Waters, Electuaries, Extracts, Pills, Powders, Cordial Species, Lohochs, Trochisks, Oyls, Ointments, and Cerates, as our London Dispensatory, and made out of the very same matter, viz. the Vegeta­bles, though Mr. S. cries them down, say­ing (P. 161.) That there are not above a score that are good for any thing. Thus al­so Schroderus and Excellent Chymist has writ another after the same Method. Likewise Hadrianus a Mynsicht, so Li­bavius, Renodaeus, Crollius, Hartman, go this way, describing Medicines both out of the Vegetables, and Minerals, and Metals: all which we know and make use of in our Practice, at least so many as we approve of to be good and wholesome. And why may not this be done without reproaching one ano­ther?

Indeed of late some Controversies have been started betwixt some who call themselves Chymists and others, but in those it plainly appears the Chymists [Page 186]have been the Aggressors, and the other only defensive: Or else they have risen from some personal quarrel, in which o­ther ☜wise and learned men on both sides have not thought fit to interess them­selves, but have rather privately endea­voured to compose their differences, and so to keep the Peace in the Faculty. And even in these also (if I mistake not) the Chymists have begun the Controversie.

And thus it is betwixt my Adversary and me, while I had never disobliged ei­ther him or any man else, nor meddled with any thing in Controversie, save on­ly with the Dispute about the Original of Springs, which I modestly carried on by Argument, without any the least perso­nal reflexion upon any man that had en­gaged in it, leaving every man to believe as he saw cause; and in treating of the ☜Mineral Ingredients and Vertues of the Spaw was modest in all my Assertions; even then and therefore does he flie in my face with uncivil personal reflections, and takes thereby occasion to throw dirt in the face of the most Learned Physicians in the World, and the Universities, as [Page 187]we shall see by and by: and then to make a Vindication of Chymical Physick as if it were opposed. And all this meerly to carry on a design of over-turning the Ra­tional Practice, and advancing his own way of Practice; which whether it be so safe or no, I shall now examine, yet without the least intention to reflect ei­ther upon the Chymical Way in general, or any Learned and Candid Professor thereof.

He says (P. 158.) That till within this ten or a dozen years this Noble Science bath undergone much ignominy. — I have reckoned up a number of Authors who have writ in Commendation of it, and mentioned several in these our own dayes and Nation, who are Fautors of it; and therefore I judge there is no cause for this complaint. But if it has sustained any ig­nominy, it has proceeded either from the ignorance of such as were pretenders to it, but did not prepare their Medicines aright, or else from those that use them preposte­rously.

I grant that this Noble Art (which doubtless is more proper than to call it a [Page 188]Science) has got more reputation of late than formerly, and I wish it may never lose it again by the folly of its Profes­sors.

(P. 159.) We see (says he) that in all Concretes whether Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral, there is a mixture of pure and impure, of gross and tenuious parts, &c. Yet as to medicinal use, its the pure, nim­ble, and spirituous parts of Vegetables or A­nimals, or the depurated fixt part, or the re-union of both after purification, which assists Nature against the Malady. — First,Gross parts not unfit for Medi­cine. I do not think that the gross parts are always impure, and the thin parts pure, but that even the gross parts may be as pure as the thin (and in some drugs are more useful than the thin.) Thus Water and Earth though they be more gross, yet are as pure Elements as Fire and Air, and equally joyned with them in the Composition of mixed Bodies. Had God Almighty made Man meerly a spiritual substance, I should have thought that he had been best fed and physickt with pure spirituous parts and quintessences; but ha­ving also a gross Body, and a capacious [Page 189]Stomach and Bowels, fitted to receive gross parts and furnisht with Concoctive Faculties, whereby the Vertue of them for Diet or Physick are commodiously drawn out, I think the gross parts were as well let alone, and not taken from the thin parts, only a little fitted for Natures more easie extraction, as we use to do by Fire.

Thus we see our Bodies are well nou­rished with Flesh, and Corn, and Vege­tables in their gross Bodies, whereas the Chymical Extracts, and Spirits or Quint­essences of these, would soon feed a Man to death: And the like reason there is for Physick, wherein the gross parts are sometimes to be preferred far before their Spirits. Rubarb is an excellent Purge for Choler, and also astrictive, the Chymi­cal Spirit or Oil not so. Thus Pepper grosly beaten is better against Wind, and also the Decoction of Anise seeds, than their Chymical Spirits, by the consent of many Learned Writers.

And the Acute Zwelfer in his Mantis­sa Hermeti [...]a (P. 782.) prefers the Pow­ders of Pearl, Coral, Harts-horn, &c. [Page 190]far before the Magisteries,Of Magi­stery of Pearl, &c. Not so safe as when [...]n­prepared. and concludes with this Expression, Hinc & reliqua Magisteria ex Coralliis, Perlis, & con­similibus Gemmis parvi pendo, imo penitus rejicio; and Platerus says, That some things are better suited to our Natures when unprepared, than when they have undergone the Chymists Fire. Thus Cra­to in his Epistle to Monavius cited by Scholtzius (Ep. 163. (who was himself a great friend to Chymistry) taxes the Pseudochymists for spoiling many good Medicines in extracting their Quintes­sences (too long here to recite) and par­ticularly concerning the making of their Magistery of Pearl, or extracting its Spirits with Acetum Radicatum; where­by the whole substance of the Pearl is corrupted, and becomes corrosive. And he tells of one Casparus Logus, who by taking this Magistery from a Paracelsian died, and being opened, the Tunicles of his Stomach were found black and cor­rupted: and the like he says happened to a Marquess his Lady, whose Stomach was eaten through with the poyson there­of. And yet this we know is an excellent [Page 191]Cordial as its used by the Galenists in sub­stance.

And of the same mind is the ingenious Mr. Boyle in several places of his Scepti­cal Chymist, as also in many other places of his Writings, particularly in his Expe­rimental Philosophy (2 Part. cap. 6. p. 148.) Methinks (says he) those that practice as if Nature presented us nothing worth the accepting, unless it be cooked and perfected by Vulcan, might consider that Paracelsus himself oftentimes imployeth Simples for the cure even of formidable Diseases. Besides the success that we have in the use of Conserves, Condites, Powders, and Compositions, made of these might sa­tisfie any rational person, which is done with much more safety and grate­fulness, than with Spirits and Chymical Oyls.

And whereas Mr. S. will have these Spirits and purer parts (as he calls them) to be re-united after separation, and put in­to other Vehicles; I think their own parts are the most proper Vehicles they can be joyned to, as being connatural to them, (I speak of Vegetables.) Indeed as for [Page 192]Minerals and Metals, which are most what virulent and venemous, or else whose grossness renders them indomita­ble, and uneasie to Nature to extract their Vertues, doubtless a separation of their useful and thin parts by Fire or Salts, is of great use in them, and not at all to be re­jected.

(Page 161.) Mr. S. acknowledges, There may be about a Score of Choice Plants, Mr. S. a great Herba­list. which well managed with a skilful hand, may by their singular Vertues produce con­siderable effects, the rest are not (that we know of) of much use.— If we take his Parenthesis in the singular number, per­haps he says truly, for it may be he knows not a Score, I hope he will not hinder others from knowing more than he, perhaps as many hundreds as he does Units, and how to use them when occasion serves.

(P. 162.) What heaps of Plants (says he) by some Physitians are ordered to stuffe Diet-bags withal, whereas a few choice good ones might probably be more effectual? I confess I do not at all approve of the Pra­ctise of some who make such laboriousOf heap­ing up [...]imples. [Page 193]Bills, which are ever so to the Apothe­caries, and oft times to the Patients. Usually they are such as do least under­stand Materiam Medicam. Certainly Physicians should never put any Medi­cine into a Composition, which does not answer some indication.

Besides some Simples are [...] and have such a dissonancy betwixt them­selves, as that they will not grow toge­ther, but the one destroys the other, and so it may be too in their conjunction in a Composition of Physick. I read in Er­nestus Burgravius (his Achilles [...] Redivivus) a Story which he has (Pag. 94.) out of Barthol. Carichterius, that if a Figge and the Berry of Alkekengi, (which we know are both innocent be­ing used apart) be joyned in a Composi­tion, they become a deadly poyson, quod Cani propinatum eum faciet crepare medium, which would burst a Dog. And he lays it down as a Caution to those that use to stuffe so many simples together, which are oft times of contrary qualities; when perhaps a Simple well known, or a small Composition would better suit the [Page 194]Case. I confess I tried this, but it did not kill the Dog, only he purged ex­treamly; perhaps they should be both new, and then probably it might suc­ceed.

Then he goes on, and for several Pages together tells of the great use of Fire, for the extracting of several parts, as a Phlegma, Spirit, Oyl, and Salt out of Ve­getables, Animals, Minerals, and Me­tals, which no man ever doubted of; for Art will easily separate all these parts: but to what purpose? concerning which we have treated already. But he says, (P. 166.) that all Middle Minerals or Marcasites and Metals are actually poy­sonous: Minerals and Me­tals poy­sonous. And again Antimony, the Mineral Stone of Vitriol, Bismuth, &c. have ve­nemous properties, that unless they be cor­rected by Fire and good Solvents, they do deny us their Medicinal Vertues, and ra­ther actually impress their virulency upon our Vital Principles. Who can have a worse Friend than he brings from home? Is not this enough to make men startle at Chymical Medicines, for fear all his Art cannot correct their poyson? I acknow­ledge [Page 195]in the hands of a good Artist, some Medicines may be made out of these that are safe, but then they are to be discreet­ly used, since I have already shewn out of Zwelfer the danger that is in them of resuming their virulency, even after a due preparation.

(P. 167.) He undertakes to answer the Objections which are made against this Art by the Galenists. — Why! I have already shown that the Galenists do not except against the Art, though per­haps they may except against some that call themselves Operators therein.Galenists are not enemies to Chymistry I do verily believe they are better friends to the Art of Chymistry than many that call themselves Chymists, for they honour it by making wholsome preparations, and using them in due and safe proportions, and with such success too as no man com­plains of them; and therefore they have alwayes been improvers of it: whereas some of the other go to poysonous Drugs, which its to be suspected they do not pre­pare well, or cannot, and hence many mischiefs ensue in their Practice.

First (says he) They say the Chimical Remedies are Hot, which we deny, and he instances in Antimonium Diaphoreticum, Bezoarticum Minerale, Cinnabar of An­timony, none of which are Hot to the Taste.— What then I pray, may they not yet be Hot in Operation, in the Stomach and Bowels, though not in the Taste? There may be a Corroding Quality which may revive upon the access of the Acid Hu­mors in the Stomach from that Drug, that to the Taste was not Hot, as even now I proved out of Zwelfer, concern­ing this very Antimonium Diaphoreticum; and the same I may so of Bezoarticum Minerale, which is also made out of An­timony, and sometimes with Aqua for­tis (vide Schroder P. 411.) and so like­wise of the Cinnabar.

Of Cold­ness in the Air.From this he takes occasion to dis­course of Cold, and the Cause thereof in the Air, making it to be a Positive Quiddity, to wit, if I understand him aright, a substance, and yet inherent in the Air: How this will stand with the Rules of Philosophy, it were well he had made out, which denies Penetrationem [Page 197]Corporum. Certainly Cold is rather a Quality naturally inherent in the Air, which it alwayes retains, unless by the re­verberation of the Sun-beams in this low­er Region, it be altered; so that if any thing happen to debar it from the Suns heat, that which was warm will soon be cool again, more or less, according to the prevalency and duration of those Ex­ternal Causes.

(P. 174.) He again resumes his inve­ctive against the Galenists for giving Cold Drink in Fevers, which he says denotes their ignorance of the Essential Cause of a Fever. — To discourse here about the Essential Causes of Fevers is impertinent, and it would be tedious: I shall only say what ever is the Cause, its necessary that violent pressing Symptome of Heat and Drought be regarded, without which there will be foul work. But to this I have spoken already (ad P. 102.) well Mr. S. take your Course, and so will the Gale­nists, you are pertinacious in your Opini­on, and I shall not further endeavour to undeceive you. The Galenists cured Fe­vers before you were born, or Paracelsus [Page 198]either, from whom you fetch this Noti­on, and you see daily they do so still. It's to be seared this Opinion of yours (for I cannot call it Judgement) will cost many a man his life.

It's very strange to me (says he) that their daily Observation doth not convince them of the folly of administring cooling things; they cannot but see that no good effect comes thereon. — They will still trace the same trod, though they be lasht for it both in their reputation and otherwise. — How now! I am jealous it was the Midsummer Moon when [...]his was writ; for but a leaf before he was talking of the Suns coming into the Tropick of Cancer, which perhaps might have some influence upon his Peri­cranium; or is it that [...]?

Sir, If the Galenists had no better re­putation than you, they would certainly have very little. I wish you had spoken out, and told the World what are your Observations concerning the Galenists success in Fevers, even those among whom you live, or in other Diseases. Hi­therto we have heard of nothing to their [Page 199]dishonour.Note. I know some Learned and very Observant Gentlemen, that are well enough opinionated of the Chymical Way, that seeing the success of the Ga­lenists and Chymists so different, have seriously professed, they would not ven­ture their Lives in the hands of such Chy­mists as they know, especially in a Fe­ver.

(P. 175.) They will blood twice or thrice, and purge as often, and yet scarce will they order one good Diaphoretick. — Mr. S. I see in all things follows the Ma­chiavellian Rule, fortiter incusa, aliquid haerebit. We had this before. Certainly he has an ill Memory, and a worse Me­thod, or else we should not have such frequent and frivolous Tautologies. I guess he levels again at the Case of Ma­jor J. St. (mentioned ad P. 107.) whom in an Obstinate Fever as he stiled it, which held out above two Moneths, I did let blood and vomit and purge, seve­ral times, but I did also give him thrice as many Diaphoreticks, which did ope­rate very well, and so (I think) were good; which my Bills in the Shop this [Page 200]day will testifie, and all this with emi­nent good success: only I suspect it sticks on his Stomach, that his offer of his ser­vice to the Major was rejected.

(P. 176.) I sometimes indulge (says he) the Feverish Patient with a Glass of the richest Sack he can procure. — Ay like e­nough, hence the woful experience of some; although to say the truth, the Ci­tizens of York are grown so wise, that they are not willing to own the Tolera­tion.

But to confirm the truth of what he here asserts concerning hot things to be useful in Fevers,A rare Experi­ment. he tells of an Experiment made upon himself in a Colical Distemper, together with a Feverishness that accom­panied it; how that by the use of some hot Medicines, and particularly of Elixir Pro­prietatis he found benefit; where tis worth a laughter to read in what cleanly words he expresses himself, which I am not willing to repeat. — I like this well in­deed, let him make Experiments on him­self, I am resolved he shall not try his Skill upon me. But I pray is not this bravely confirmed, from a little intem­perate [Page 201]Heat or Feverishness (as he calls it) which was meerly lymptomatical from pain, and that a Cold Cause, viz. Wind, to argue therefore it is most pro­per in a violent Fever? — If Mr. S. catch a Fever in earnest, and manage it according to his present Opinion, I'l tell him his fortune; he will become Felo de se, and forfeit his Goods and Chattels to the King.

I can tell where one that vaunts him­self a Chymist, came to a Physitian at Malton, who was himself also Chymist enough, and in a Fever (which before that seemed to be in its Declination) gave him a Dose of this Elixir, and some Di­aphoretick Pills, as he called them; which immediately inflamed the Blood and Spi­rits, so as that his nearest relations at this day say, that it appeared to him, imme­diately upon the taking of them (to use his own expression) as if his Eyes would have started out; which the Gentleman feeling, cried out while he had life of the acrimonious heat of the Medicines, and declared that if he recovered that sick­ness, he would leave that pernicious way [Page 202]of prescribing, and fall into a more whole­some Practice. But alas! a day or two ended his life, leaving his Friend to pra­ctise upon himself.

(P. 178.) He says, That notwith­standing Chymical Remedies are accused to be smelling too much of the Fire, yet the Fire is no less useful for the preparing of Medicines, then for the Cooking of Meats. — What's this to the Objecti­on, which respects the Empyreuma, or Corrosive Quality; or Nidorous Taste, which they draw from the Fire, savour­ing many times more of the Fire, than of the Simple out of which they are made; whereby they inflame the Sto­mach and Intestines of the Patients? For such violent Heat of the Fire produces that out of the Simple, which was not in it before (even like a Man upon the Rack, whose torment makes him oft times ut­ter that which was never in his heart) and this it doth according as the Simple is capable of enduring the Fire. But it is not onely the Mineral Medicines which Patients complain of in this Point of Heat, but also the ordinary way which some [Page 203]Chymists use in prescribing other sharp and hot Medicines. However what force of Argument is there here, to ar­gue from the use of Fire in Cooking of Meats, which we see makes them more easie to be concocted, while yet they contract no Empyreuma, or Nidorous Heat? The Galenists speak not against the use of Fire, either for the preparing of Meats or Medicines, but use it as much as is needful in them both. But I can tell of some whom he calls Galenists, that have too much cause to find fault with some mens hot Medicines; whereof Patients make oft sad complaints, calling for their help to correct the corroding heat, which they find from some Chy­mists Practice.

O you my Learned and Worthy Bre­thren of this City of York, you are my Witnesses, How often have all of you and I, both joyntly and severally, heard the sad complaints of many in this poin [...], and been called to correct that scorching heat, which had been the sad effect of Chymical Practice, when many times it has been too late, or not possible to be [Page 204]corrected? Yea this whole City of York rings with stories to that purpose, which as yet I am not willing to relate, without a further provocation.

But at length I suspect this man will challenge Cookery to be a point of Chy­mistry, and so forbid the Galenists to eat or drink any thing that is wholsome. It appears indeed if it were in some mens power, they would soon tie up our Chaps.

He says, There is an acrimonious viru­lency that adheres to many Vegetables, as well as Animals or Minerals, and there­fore the Adepti correct all poysonous Plants, Animals, and Minerals, by that fiery Solvent, the Alkahest.— This Alkahest I suspect he has not yet attained to, I am sure better Chymists than he have not. But I desire to be as charitable as I am bound, I do verily believe Mr. S. knows very few Poysonous Plants, or wholsome either, at least never corrected any, to make them safe for inward use. I am sure it were better he should endeavour to know such as are wholesome, and let alone such as are poysonous, whose ve­nome [Page 205]tis to be suspected will still remain, when he has done what he can.

(P. 180. He confesses Minerals have an Arsenical Malignity, and particularly Antimony has its Arsenical Sulphur, which Fire and Salts do correct, and make it an innocent and harmless Diaphoretick, — Really if he have any Credit, it will make men startle, for fear he cannot with all his cunning correct them. Is there not great reason to be careful, how we pre­scribe Antimonium Diaphoreticum, when he himself confesses it has in it an Arse­nical Sulphur? What need the Galenists or any body else urge the unsafeness of Chymical Medicines? Ex ore suo.

The Corrosive Oyl of Antimony, and ☜ also another Menstruum almost as strong as it self, though they be very corrosive, yet when mixed together — becomes a white Powder, which proves to be an innocent Diaphoretick, of which (he says) he has frequently given four and twenty Grains. — Now turn to P. 188. and there he con­fesses, This Oyl of Antimony is a most desperate Corrosive, even beyond Mercury Sublimate — and yet he brags he gives [Page 206]it with another as strong as it self, in­wardly unto 24 Grains. What a daring man is this? when Nature lies groveling under a Violent Disease, its like to be well helpt up, with such a Medicine? Sir, The Galenists use no such Poysons, they coast not in the least upon any thing that is Arsenical.

Mr. S. his ToolsBut let us further observe his Tools he works withal (P. 181.) Mercury Subli­mate, Aqua Fortis, Butter of Antimony; who will henceforth dare to take this man [...] Medicines? Qui potest capere, capiat. Just such Tools as these did his Grand Master Paracelsus use, even Arsenick, which (he says) is Venenum summum, a desperate Poy­son; whereof he confesses a Dram will kill a Horse and yet ignito ipsum cum Sale Ni­tri, sic Venenum esse desinet, hujus si libras decem sumas, nil damni senties. To wit, Do but fire it with Salt of Nitre, and then it ceases to be Poyson; so as if you take ten pound of it, you shall perceive no harm. (Defens. 3. de Scrip Novorum Recepto­rum.) Believe him who list; but thus we see these are both of a Litter.

It's no wonder if Patients complain of [Page 207]the corroding heat of this mans Medi­cines. Henceforth let no man make doubt concerning the Mineral Medicines of some of the Chymists, especially of this mans, who uses such Tools. He has here discovered so much as all his Compli­ces will scarce thank him for.

Are these his innocent Diaphoreticks, that arise out of such desperate poysons? O ye my Countreymen consider this and [...]void your danger. It's no marvel if Na­ture run out of Doors in a sweat, when [...]t has got such an Inmate. Are your Mi­nerals so virulent and poysonous, and your Tools such as these? Why Mr. S. either the world of Englishment will be­ [...]ieve you, or not. If not, then you have [...]ost your Credit; if they do, then you will lose your Practice; till they be satis­fied that you are fallen into a more whol­ [...]ome Way.

It is no wonder indeed that Paracelsus his Patients died usually within a year or [...]wo, as Monavius expresses in his Letter to Dudythius cited by Scholtzius (Ep. 194.) He says he had often heard from Gentlemen of good repute at Basil, [Page 208]where Paracelsus lived, who were not ashamed publickly to attest it, Quotquot Paracelsus ille magnis morbis, remediis suis Vulcaneis, aut ut ipse vocat Spagyri­cis, liberavit, eos ferme, intra annum, aut saltem paulo post interiisse, ut ut se egregie sanitati restitutos existimaverint. That though he seemed to have performed great Cures by his Medicines prepared out of the Fire, yet almost all of them died within a year or more, notwith­standing even the Patients themselves did think they had found excellent Cures. And he observes very well in the same E­pistle, that which is also agreeable to our own Observation in these dayes, that Chymical Medicines do rather cure the Symptomes than the Diseases, and do for the most part aliquid malignitatis cor­pori imprimere, viz. Leave some impres­sions of malignity upon the Body, which afterwards discover themselves. And further he adds, Our remedies perhaps may be somewhat slower in their operation, and more nauseous in taking; yet this I may confidently say, they are far more safe than those fiery Drugs of the Paracelsians.

For as I had occasion to observe before,Note. it is much to be suspected, that their Me­dicines, which are out of such virulent, corroding, and oft times poysonous Drugs, as he has here confessed, being given in substance, by lying in the Tu­nides of the Stomach, and cleaving to the Bowels, may from the contact of the Acid Humors of the Body, resume their Ancient Arsenical Properties, as Zwelfer says concerning Antimonium Di­aphoreticum. And the same Author af­firms concerning Vitriol calcined, even till it has deposited all its sharpness, that yet being exposed to the Air, it will con­tract an Acrimonious Salt. (in Pharm. Aug. p. 675) And may there not be as good reason to suspect it from the Acid Humors in the Body, as from the Air? Now this is plainly apparent to every mans eye, that that which has deposited its malignity, may yet from the Air take it up again. Suppose a piece of very strong Tobacco dried in the Pocket, till it has lost all its strength; lay but this in the Window when the Air is moist, and it shall become as strong as before, and [Page 210]as uneasie to be taken by a new Begin­ner.

(P. 183.) A strong Fire is as requisite in some Mineral Preparations, as a mild Fire to some easie Vegetable Separations, &c.— Why! the Question in difference is not, whether a strong Fire be requi­site for Mineral Preparations, but whe­ther Mineral Preparations be necessary in Physick. If Mr. S. loses his Question, he gives up his Cause. Certainly the Ma­teria Medica was full enough to answer all Indications in Physick, before this new process by Chymical Medicines was found out; and the Ancients yea the Modern Physicians that wave them, cure Diseases as well, if not better, than the Chymists can with their Medicines alone, without the other.

But Mr. S. goes on and says, Would not a Cook Maid be accused of ignorance, if she intending to roast a piece of Meat, should lay it down at a disproportionate di­stance from the Fire?— and then he tells how roasting of Meat is performed. — A piece of good Chymistry indeed, and of general use; I could wish they would [Page 211]take his advice in the Kitchin, and let him partake with them in their Fees.

(P. 184.) What are all the Spirits and Cordial Waters, but Chymical Separati­ons of Ʋrinous Spirits, by Distillation by the Fire? What are the best of their Purg­ing Pills, as Extr. Rudii, but a Chymical Extraction of Tinctures, &c. — He still misses the Mark; no wise man that I know condemns Chymical Preparations, espe­cially such as these, and a hundred more, which were in constant use in Physick, even for many Centuries before Paracel­sus was born; for which we are not in the least beholden to any that ever assu­med the name of Chymists, in contra­diction to Galen's Method: and such Candor have Physicians ever since had to­wards the Inventors of such Remedies, that to this day we reserve to them the honour of their Invention, and call them by their Names, as is observable in the Pharmacopaeia. But the Objection is still valid against such as the Pseudochymists do use at this day, and such as I find our Author here describing and [...]dmini­string.

What are the best Emeticks in the Shops, but such as are chymically prepared, as the infusion of Croc. Metall. and Mercurius vitae? This is indeed very true, these are good and safe Medicines, and there­fore the Galenists use them, and both found them out, and prepare them by their own hands, or their Apothecaries, and are not beholden at all to the Chy­mists for them; but yet the Infusion of them is safer than the substance. We use such as are safe, and leave the rest to you to make Experiments withal.

(P. 188.) He charges it upon the Ga­lenists,A false Charge. That they cry out of Antimony as a dangerous thing, — and then the next Prescription shall be the Infusion of Croc. Metal. or Antimonium Diaphoreticum. — By this time the World well discerns that this man's Pen is no slander. How un­worthily this is said against Gentlemen of eminent and approved integrity, I shall leave it to any Ingenuous Reader, who has made any Observations, since this mat­ter of fact. Nor do I know whom he levels at, it had been but just for him to have cited his Author, and not charge [Page 213]particular mens faults upon the whole party; for my part I never read nor heard any man cry out of Antimony, more than himself, who says it has in it an Arsenical Sulphur: and if upon this ac­count it be dangerous, yet the Infusion may be safe.

What are their best Medicines for Worms, which they also frequently use a­gainst Venerial Diseases, but a Chymical Preparation called Mercurius Dulcis?— It is very true it is a good Medicine, but yet not the best; and therefore I told you the Galenists were no Enemies to Chy­mistry. My dear Friend Doctor Prime­rose says as much (lib. 4. de Vulg. Error. cap. 1.) Mercurio dulci utimur innoxie, We use Mercurius Dulcis without any danger at all. Eadem siquidem est mate­ria medica Pharmacopaei Chymici & vul­garis, exvegetabilibus, animalibus, mi­neralibus, & omnibus tam benignis quam violentis, quae in usum Medicum venire solent. Both the Chymical and the Vulgar Apothecary have the same matter of Physick. And I have given this very Medicine an hundred times [Page 214]to Children of three or four years old, but it's alwayes best to joyn it with some Cathartick to carry it speedily through, or at least to follow it soon with one, lest it lie in the Tunicles of the Stomach, and resume its corrosive pro­perty.

And yet great care must be had that this Medicine be opportunely prescribed, and in a due Dose (as indeed it is requi­site in others) and therefore not to be meddled withal by every good Wife or temerarious Quack. Sennertus tells (de Consens. Chym. cum Gal. cap. 18) of an Eminent Physician of his acquaintance, who had often prescribed Merc. Dulcis to his Patients with good success, and yet had hazarded his life by the taking of it himself. And I know of another Learned Physician of my acquaintance, who never recovered after the taking of a Dose hereof, being then upon the brink of a Consumption. However this is not the Invention of the Pseudochymists, be it never so good, but was in use before Mr. S. was born.

And the like I may say of all the fixed Salts that we have in our Shops at this day; only I perceive whatsoever is pre­pared by any use of Fire, Mr. S. seems to challenge it, as if he and his fellows that call themselves Chymists had a pe­culiar property in it, as if they were the Masters of that Element, and others were only Intruders into their Freehold. I cannot but smile to see how this Gen­tleman and others do arrogate that Title to themselves of the Sons of Fire, which is that very Term that not only the Greek Poets but the Hebrew Text also give to Fire-brands. Deus avertat omen pre­cor.

And the same is true also of the Essen­tial Oyls of the Shops, which he reckons up, as Rosemary, Sage, Cinnamon, Rho­dium, by all which it appears to the World that the Chymists do unjustly charge it upon the Galenists, that they are Enemies to Chymical Preparations. They only reject some of their new Ar­cana's, which are made out of Poyso­nous Metals or Minerals, of the corro­ding heat whereof their Patients do cons­tantly [Page 216]complain, and we are frequently called to correct; not that I think any thing worse because perhaps it is novel, and value error because of its Antiquity, but would have every thing brought to the Test, and owned or rejected as it is found to deserve, although any remedy may be better or worse as it is applied; distinguishing aright betwixt Vitium Me­dicinae, and Medicantis.

The summe of all is, The Objections remain firm, notwithstanding all he has said, against the Empyreumatisme or cor­roding heat that is in many of their new Arcana's, and more particularly against the use of hot things in all Diseases, which is too much the practice of some, as I am not willing to instance, whereby they become loathsome to the Palate, and hot and corrosive in the Stomach and In­testines; but on the contrary he has been forced to confess (and I suspect to his da­mage) that which the Vulgar, not Physi­cians so much upbraid them withal; to wit the unsafeness of that way.

Of Me­thod in Physick.(Pag. 192.) Another thing (says he) wherewith they impeach Chymical Physici­ans [Page 217]is, That they are not Methodical in their Practice. Here take notice that I am on the defensive hand, and am not charging the Chymical Physician for not being Methodical; I know there are learned men that understand well the Chymical Practice, and know both the Art of Composition and application of Chymical Medicines according to Reason and Method, for the Cure of Diseases, who deserve a great deal of Honour. But yet I do not think that every man that calls himself a Physician, is so indeed, nor yet every man that pretends to Chy­mistry, to be a Chymical Physician. He that through Ignorance or Singularity, dares not, or will not submit to a Regu­lar Trial by the Universities, or other­wise, as by Law is provided, merits not the name of a Physician, but is a Quack; and such I am certain are some that call themselves Chymists.

Nor is it the curing of a Disease, Cito, tuto, & facile, that implies a good Me­thod, as Mr. S. doth suppose; that may be done by a Woman who knows no­thing of Method, nor how to answer In­dications, [Page 218]which is the Rule of Method. To make a man a Methodical Physician, there must be a good Foundation laid in Physiology and Pathology; Of Physi­ology. the former takes in Anatomy, which treats concern­ing the Composition of a Mans Body, which is the proper Subject of the Art of Physick, and the Contexture of the parts, as they refer one to another; whereby an Artist is enabled to discern of Diseases that come from Sympathy and Consent of other Parts, and so to apply his Re­medies accordingly. It respects also the Temperaments, the Humors, the Spirits, the Faculties of the Soul, and the Ani­mal, Vital, and Natural Functions, with many other things that are Appen­dices to these.Of Pa­thology. Pathology treats concern­ing Diseases, with their Differences, their Causes, their Symptomes, and their Signs; and comprehends those that are both universal and particular, and whe­ther inward or outward: inabling an Ar­tist both to judge aright of the Diseases, and also make true Prognosticks.

The Me­thod of Curing.Next comes in the Method of Curing, and this respects the Nature of all sorts of [Page 219]Remedies, and shews how they are to be applied to the several Indications, and directs the Art of Composition answera­ble to the Complication of Diseases. Now these Remedies are fetched either of Vegetables, or Animals, or Minerals, and all do equally belong to the Art, and are to be accounted the Matter of Phy­sick, and the common end of these is the health of Mans Body.

The No­bleness of Physick.Hence it will follow that of all Arts and Sciences that are in the World, Physick is the most Noble; First, In regard of the Nobility of its Subject, about which it is conversant, to wit, the Body of Man; and that not meerly as the subject of its consideration, for so it falls under Na­tural Philosophy; but of its Work. And secondly, in regard of the Excellency of its end, to wit Health, which of all things this World doth afford, is the most desirable thing, and infinitely to be pre­ferred before all the wealth in the World; and indeed is that which sweetens all o­ther enjoyments.

Now the Chymical Way of Practice is an Appendix to the third part of Phy­sick, [Page 220]and is no more distinct from the Art of Physick,Chymistry a part of the Art of Physick. than if a man should speak of the Vegetable or Animal Way of Practice; and therefore if it be not joyned with Physiology and Pathology, it is not to be called Methodical. And O that I might now have the Honour of being a Moderator in the Difference, that by some is started in the Faculty to the breach of the Publick Peace and Amity that ought to be among us. Why should we divide, while we agree both in the Subject and the End? Let not these young heads breed a difference a­mong those that are sage and grave. [...], as Heliodorus says in Aethiop. Young heads are forward; who if they amend not with more modest and amicable philosophizing, though I give not that hard Censure which others would give, yet let them be assured, there are some that will make bold to write this old Adage upon their Books, especially if they be like this: Qui semel modestiae limites transiliit, nisi cito castige­tur, gnaviter evadet impudens.

I shall now proceed (P. 193.) Mr. S. says, The Galenists pretend to a Method in curing of Diseases — But whether is not this Method more directed to the miti­gating of the Luxuriant Symptomes, than to the immediate encountering with the Es­sential Cause of the Disease? The Ga­lenists strike at the ro [...]t of Disea­ses. — I re­ply Diseases have their times, viz. their Beginning, Growth, State, and Declina­tion, and several Symptomes proper to their several times; these while they ob­serve, they arm against them, acting ra­tionally, not only for the lopping off the Branches, but the stubbing up the Roots of the Diseases. As in a Fever, (in which he instances) those which he calls Symptomes, are as so many Limbs of the Disease, which being knit toge­ther and joyned to the inward Cause, make up the Fever, and that Method that he mentions to be used in Phlebotomy, Cooling-Juleps, Emulsions, Frequent Pur­gations, Laudanum, and the like, against the Symptomes, prove the Cure of the Disease. [...]leeding. Thus Phlebotomy in a Fever that permits it, especially where there is a Plethora, and after due preparation as [Page 222]the case may require, and time give leave (of all which the Physician that is called to attend it is the most competent Judge, and not another) supposing as he says there be a fault in the Blood, as in Putrid Fevers, takes away some of the peccant humors and combust matter, and consequently strikes at the root. Juleps. Juleps do not only quench the inward heat and driness by their coolness and moisture, but as they may be compounded by a knowing Physician, do correct crudity and resist putrefaction and malignity, and so strike at the root. Emulsi­ons. Emulsions do correct the acrimony of the Humors, and open the Passages of Urine, furthering Na­tures expulsion of the matter of the Dis­ease that way, as also amend the intem­perate heat of the Stomach and inward parts,Purging. and so strike at the root. Purging especially if there be a Cacochimia, takes away the peccant Humors; and so also do Clysters, they both drawing down from the Head and Noble Parts, which oft times in Fevers are mainly affected, and so not only loppe off the Symptomes, but directly strike at the root. And any of [Page 223]these may be reiterated according to e­mergency of Indications, due regard be­ing ever had to the age and strength of the Patient; for ante omnia summe est ha­benda ratio virium. Upnoticks So likewise Ʋpnoticks quench the ebullition of the Blood, and correct the acrimony of the Humors, as­swage Pain and help Sleep, in which spe­cial care is ever to be had that they be sea­sonably and regularly administred.

Now this Method have all the Ancient and Modern Physicians of the World constantly observed in their management of Fevers (with such other things as they judged fit) and have been successful; yea even our selves at this very day have suf­ficient Experience of the commodious­ness of this Method, and have THOƲ ­SANDS of Witnesses that have found the benefit thereof, in the restitu­tion of their Healths out of Fevers, which malice it self cannot contradict or gainsay.

But if in this Methodical and I may say Rational Process, there be any Remora, either through the Nature of the Disease it self, or the Constitution of the Patient [Page 224]that may hold the Physician tugge, and retard the Cure; is it likely to be lamend­ed by a Pseudochymist, especially by a Tyro in the Faculty, whose Tools are such as these by his own Confession, which are generally poysons, or but new­ly separated there from?

But he goes on (P. 193.) and says, Ʋnless the Theory of Diseases be certain and infallible, the Method of Practise grounded thereon cannot be satisfactory. — How now Mr. S. will nothing less than infallibility suffice you?Of infal­libility not found among the Gale­nists. I must confess it is not to be found among the Galenists. The Art of Physick is not [...], but [...], not from Heaven, but from Men. Our Universal Theorems are such [...], but not [...]. No Rule with us so general but it may admit of an Exception. No Process but some­times it may fail us. Let us leave this Point of Infallibility to be discussed by the Divines, who have a Rule belonging to them that may undoubtedly challenge it, to wit, the Holy Scriptures, being given forth by God, who is infallible, and changes not; though sometimes the [Page 225]Glosses that are put upon it are erroneous by reason of the weakness and oft times the wickedness of men.

It is enough for us, that our Art is grounded on sound reason and constant experience, though we have nothing of Infallibility, yea and the wisest of men we have to deal with are very we [...]l satis­fied, while we act for them according to our Art, which they know to be Rati­onal, though it be not Infallible; and therefore they do not charge it upon the Profession, or our selves as a defect, while we satisfie their Reason, though we may fall of success, but do patiently submit to that irresissible and inevitable Statute of Heaven, Statutum est omnibus semel mori. It is appointed for all men once to die.

I question whether Solomon was [...], or infallible, in writing upon the Plants, and yet I believe if we had that Book, and did rightly understand it, we should have excellent Remedies, and perhaps find cures for some Diseases which now we judge to be incurable. The Scriptures were given forth by the inspira­tion [Page 226]of the Holy Ghost, to be a Standing Rule of Faith to the end of the World, and we expect no new addition or Reve­lation. The Art of Physick was found out by men through a large Tract of Ob­servation for some thousands of years, and improved by Reason, and admits of daily growth and improvement by Expe­rience; which even all the Learned Wri­ters Ancient and Modern did expect to be: though they should not live to see it. I know none but Paracelsus that ever pretended to be infallible, and he does it plainly, and by this Objection of Mr. Simpson I suspect he does believe him; else why should he urge the want of infal­libility in the Theorems of the Galenists, as an Argument against their Method?

Paracel­sus claims it. Paracelsus in his Preface to the Book that bears the Title Paragranum, rant­ing highly against the Method of Physick delivered by the Ancients, extols his own to the Stars, in such a multitude of vain brags, as would be tedious to recite, and among others he has this Expression. Ars ipsa contra me non vociferatur: Est e­nim immortalis, ac super fundamentum [Page 227]constituta tam solidum, ut necesse sit prius cum terra ipsum coelum frangi & interire, quam ea emoriatur & intereat. To wit, The Art it self exclaims not against me, for mine is immortal, and established upon such a solid Foundation, that Hea­ven and Earth shall perish and come to nothing, before it fail or come to no­thing.— And a little after in the same Preface, he flies out into another proud Rant, Vos dico Parisienses, vos Mons­pessulani, vos Misnenses, &c. In En­glish thus, All you of the Ʋniversity of Paris, you of Montpellier, you of Mis­nia, you of Colen, and as many as live within the compass of the two great Rivers Danubius and the Rhine (which water all Germany) you that live in all Lands that are encompassed by the Sea: Also thou Italy, thou Dalmatia, you Athenians, thou Grecian, thou Arabian, thou Israe­lite, I will not follow you, but you shall follow me; nor shall any of you lurk in the darkest corners of the World, whom the Dogs shall not piss upon. Ego Monarcha sum, &c. I am the Monarch, and the Mo­narchy shall be mine. This I manage, and [Page 228]will gird all your Loyns. Is it not I whom you nickname Cacophrastus? Haec vobis MERDA edenda est. I'l leave this to Mr. Simpson to construe. But that I may yet further satisfie the World and Mr. S. concerning Paracelsus, I shall cire one place more of his own in his Preface to Paragranum, whereby we shall see what Christian temper he was of, where he in­solently triumphs over Galen and all his Followers, and sends them all to Hell, and says that he had received Letters from Galen's Soul dated from Hell. His words are notorious, viz. Si Galenus in Medicina immortalis fuisset, manes ejus in abysso Inferni, unde ad me literas amanda­runt, quarum datum erat in Inferno, non essent sepulti. Nunquam, nunquam pu­tassem equidem tantum Medicorum Prin­cipem in Podicem Diaboli involare debuisse; Huc ipsum ejus quoque Discipuli insequun­tur. Was ever any thing said like this in the World? and yet after this Pipe do some men dance.

☞ Notwithstanding if we may trust Kir­cherus, who was certainly a hundred times more prosoundly learned than he, [Page 229]he tells us (in his Mund. Subterran. Tom. 2. P. 279.) That partly out of curiosity, and partly out of his desire of sound knowledg, he read all his Writings with a scrutinous eye, that he might under­stand what was in them, that some men do so much admire and dote on; and he protests, after he had well observed all things he treats of, he found nothing (save a few things which were not his own) but meer trifles, affected forms of words, airy conjectures, and that upon trial all his Experiments were false. And he further adds, that all that he has writ which has any thing of worth in it, was stollen partly out of Raymundus Lullius, and Arnoldus Villanovanus, and partly out of Isaac Hollandus, and Basilius Valentinus, whom yet he rails on with most opprobrious language, as if all they said, had not been worth regarding. Upon the whole matter Kircher says he was, Impudentissimus Nebulo, Scurra trivialis, Thraso insolentissimus, furiis infernalibus agitatus, &c. These things I would not have instanced, but to clear it to the World, that as there is no infalli­bility [Page 230]pretended to by the Galenists, so neither is it to be found among the Chy­mists. Let it suffice that we all do endea­vour to understand the rational ground and Method of our Profession, and ma­nage it with good Consciences, and then all wisemen will be pleased, what ever the event be.

But Mr. S. says (P. 194.) I am apt to question whether any Methodist can give a solid satisfactory reason of the Operation of any one Medicine he gives, &c. — Indeed I think he says truly, for I never met with any man more apt to question: It were more becoming for every man to endea­vour after a well-grounded resolution to act in his own Sphere, then thus to trou­ble the World with needless and imperti­nent questions. Further every thing is received ad Modum Recipientis: It's pos­sible a Methodist may give a Solid Rea­son for what he does, but whether that shall he satisfactory to every one that has a mind to cavil, or to Mr. S. I much doubt, since some men are of that tem­per, that they will never be satisfied with what another man says, nor approve of what he does.

Of Mineral Vo­mits.(P. 195.) If I should query (says he) why the Infusion of Stibium or Crocus Me­tallorum should operate by Vomit and Stool; and why the same if further prepared by Fire and Salts should operate by Sweat? and then he further supposes the answer would be given as to the emetick quality, That it arises from Antipathy. — I ob­serve it's Mr. S. his constant way to frame both the Question and the Answer, and then to make his severe Inferences upon his own Hypothesis; whereas he ought in all reason to cite the Testimony of some solid Author concerning the received O­pinion of the whole Party, before he gives his Verdict: Or rather he should read the Principal Authors themselves, and then make his Comment.

Nevertheless as to this Query I'l tell him my Opinion, yet not as the Judge­ment of all the Galenists, I leave every man to abound in his own sense. I take Antimony out of which the Stibium and Crocus are made by Calcination, to have in it an Arsenical poysonous or malignant property, which discovers it self if it be unlockt by Fire, otherwise it's innocent, [Page 232](as also several other of the Minerals and Metals) and to be abhorrent to Nature, but being calcined with Salts, it loses much of its Venome or Malignity, while yet it retains some property which is ho­stile to the Stomach. Now the liquor wherein these are infused after Calcinati­on, imbibing the Odor and Vapor of the Antimony becomes troublesome to the Stomach, by which Nature is roused up to expel it; and so casts out the Medi­cine and the bad Humors together both upward and downward, as it best can get passage, and by its position enclines. Thus the vomiting and purging are not so much the proper effect of the Medi­cine, as of the Natural Faculties of the Stomach and Bowels (by the Chymists called Archaeus) imitated by the Medi­cine, which is performed by the help of the transverse Fibres in the parts.

And of these two I take the Crocus to be the better, which is prepared with Ni­tre; now this Calcination being soon o­ver, to wit, but a blaze, does not take away the Toxical property of the Anti­mony, but leaves enough to hold up its [Page 233]hostility to Nature, and so to expel it through the Body.

After the same manner out of other of the Minerals, which are not so safe to be given inwardly in substance without some correction, are Emeticks made: as out of Vitriol is made the Sal Vitrioli, so highly extolled by Angelus Sala, with Calcination, Dilution, and frequent E­dulcoration. As also the Gilla Theophra­sti, and others of that name mentioned by Schroderus; in all which the poysonous property of the Vitriol is cotrected by the Fire, and only a vomiting and purging quality remains.

So we see in Mercury, which though being vive it may be taken inwardly, be­cause through the fluidity and weight of it, no stay is made by it in the Bowels, whereby it can put forth its Arsenical pro­perty; yet if it be killed, and so become fix'd, it is not so safe. Even out of it with a preparation of Antimony is made by Distillation, &c. Mercurius vitae, which is a forcible Emetick for robust Bo­dies, working both upward and down­ward.

of Mine­ral Dia­phore­ticks.Now if these preparations that I have mentioned to be made out of all these, be carried on by a further stress of Fire, the Emetick and purging property both will be deposited, as well as the poysonous quality by less Fire, and they will become Diaphoreticks, or Sweating Medicines. Thus with futher additions of Nitre, and frequent Detonation or Calci­nation and Edulcoration of the Crocus of Antimony or the Regulus, may be made Antimonium Diaphoreticum; as also there are fetcht out of it both Spirits and Oyls, that are for the same intention by force of Fire. And so out of Mercury farther corrected by Fire, and joyned with other Metals, are made Diaphoreticks, which are in use among some of the Chymists; as with Gold Aurum vitae, and others mentioned by Schroderus (Pharm. Med. Chym. lib. 3. cap. 15.) as also other safe Medicines for various intentions, both for inward and outward uses. Nay out of Arsenick it self Schroderus says is made a Diaphoretick or Sweating Medicine, which he calls Rubinus Diaphoreticus, Pag. 499.

Now the Vomiting quality having been so closely united to the Arsenical, and but newly separated there-from, I think the Stibium and the Crocus are much safer to be given in the Infusion, than in substance; because given in their gross powder, there might be danger lest sticking to the Tunicles of the Stomach, they should bring on an Hypercatharsis, or too violent motions in vomiting and purging, not easie to be staid, to the hazard of the Patients life, as I have sometimes observed in the hands of Quacks; as also the danger there may be of resuming their former malignity from the Acid Humors of the Stomach.

And there is the like danger of the Diaphoreticks, even of that which is the very best of those that are made out of Minerals and Metals, and in most fre­quent use (to wit) the Antimonium Dia­phoreticum, as I hinted before out of the ingenious Zwelfer, even from the Air it self, and more may it be doubted from the Acide Ferment that is within the Bo­dy. Mant. Hermet. P. 800.

A Modest Offer.But still the Query remains, How it comes to pass that these do operate by Sweat? Here I onely offer it to the consideration of my Learned and Judicious Brethren of the Faculty, whether or no it be proba­ble to come from any Alexipharmical property that is in the Antim. Diaphon-while they weigh its Composition of An­timony, Nitre, and a small quantity of Tartar, which by some is added: Or whether Nature does not sweat rather from some other quality it has in it from the Antimony, which though it be not such as to provoke vomiting, yet some hostility remains, as that it may pro­voke Sweat. And it is not without rea­son to be considered of, seeing we see from Zwelfers Verdict, it will so easily resume its malignity. For my own part this is that which I ever doubted concern­ing it, and upon the serious deliberation I have of it on this occasion, I have still the more ground of hesitation.

Of other sorts of Diapho­reticks.And if it be thus, then I offer again to be considered of, whether Diaphoreticks made out of Vegetables and Animals, which have certainly an Alexipharmical [Page 237]or Cordial property, be not more to be preferr'd, since we know how to prepare them so, as that they will not fail us, nor any ill symptome can be suspected to en­sue: such as Radic. Scorzonerae, Zedcariae, Petasitidis, Angelicae, Tormentilllae, Ser­pentariae, Scordium, Carduus, &c. Cor­da viperarum & Serpentum, &c. as also those excellent Compounds described in the Dispensatory, as Theriaca Androma­chi, or Venice Triacle, Mithridate, Al­kermes, London Triacle, &c. besides se­veral generous Waters distilled with Spirit of Wine. Upon the whole matter I also offer, whether this Antimonîum Diapho­ret. were not safer to be used in a few grains, till we be satisfied from whence it has its Diaphoretick property, and that ☜ joyned to other Medicines which answer the same intention, than to give a Dram at once, as Mr. S. braggs he doth?

I say I am not severely positive in this, but do modestly leave it to the conside­ration of the Brethren of the Faculty.

But to proceed, Mr. S. (P. 197.) saith, It would be very satisfactory to have been able to predict according to Rational Prog­nosticks, [Page 238]that Scammony, Colocynthis, Se­na, &c. would purge. — Really I think so too, but surely that was not to be ex­pected from any man of limited reason, since there is no manifest quality in any of them to ground such a Prognostick on. The Vertues of Medicines (as also seve­ral other useful discoveries) have been found out by chance, when men thought not of it, but have been making Experi­ments on other occasions: And 'tis a good Providence of God that these and many more are found out, although we know not how they were found, nor by whom. But if any man shall happen to find out some new useful property in a Simple, or be able to make out some beneficial Com­pound Medicine, I hope both this pre­sent Age and Posterity will take care to let him enjoy the honour of it, in the mention of his Name. And though Mr. S. has designed causelesly to rob me of the honour and reputation (if there be any in't) of my discovery of Scarbrough Spaw, with its usefulness to my Countrey; yet if he have any thing to make out in point of Art, I shall never go about to [Page 239]eclipse it, but let him ride on with his ho­nour, and thank him to boot.

(P. 20.) He says, That by the Fer­mental Venome of Drugs badly prepared, and unskilfully administred, incredible numbers of Vomits and Stools may happen, &c. — Yea and though a Medicine be not venemous and also well prepared, yet if the Nature of the Disease and the Constitution of the Patient too be not very well observed, a Hypercatharsis may ensue, especially if the Body be enclined to a loosness, which sometimes happens, and is not very easily foreseen, or other­wise in a Colliquated or Consumptive Body, which from every small irritation of the Belly is apt to run like a Bowle down the Hill, though this is easily helped if the Physician be at hand.

Of Opi­um.(P. 202.) I have known a man (says he) so accustom himself to Opium, as that every Night he would take 10, 12, or 15 Grains of it without preparation, &c. — The Turks by using themselves to it, can take a Dram, which commonly they do before a Battel, and that puts off all fear. And a Learned Gentleman and an emi­nent [Page 240]Chymist of my acquaintance, has often in long Journies given a Grain or two to his Horse, when he feared his ty­ring, which he told me made him hold out more lively.

In the same Page, He seems to be fully satisfied from whence it is that some Vege­tables are found to have virulent proper­ties, Of Poyso­nous Plants. which he grounds upon Kircherus; viz. from Mineral Arsenical Juices fer­menting in the Earth, where such Vegeta­ble Seeds are, which incorporating them­selves therewith, become thereby the Au­thors of such virulent fermental poysons; whence (says he) Napellus, Hyoscyamus, Cycuta, &c. take their virulency. — For my own part I honour Kircher, who is one of the most profoundly learned Authors this Age has brought forth, but I confess I cannot so easily jurare in ver­ba Magistri. For if it be so, how comes it to pass that all the Plants that grow out of one and the same turf or sod of Earth, have not the like Toxical proper­ty? Certainly it's rather from the Na­ture of the Plant it self, every Seed bring­ing forth according to its own kind, from [Page 241]the Divine Benediction of the Protoplast, in what soil soever it is sown; for a tran­splantation into another ground will not amend it at all.

But Mr. S. goes on and says, Since the true cause of the Operation of Medicines, and the knowledge we have of them, is taken from and grounded upon Experiments, and these Experiments are as likely to fall into the observation of those who are ignorant of a Method, as of those that are skilful there­in; what advantage then hath a Metho­dist, whose grounds and principles are ei­ther found unsuccessful in practice, or much what contradicted by experience? — Here he begs the Question, and deter­mines that the Methodists are unsuccess­ful in their Practice; and perhaps some may be so, or any man in some thing: for as I have already said we are not infal­lible, but are in a possibility to erre; though there is a great probability we shall not, if we duly weigh the Rules of our Art, and the state of the Patient. However he that understands the ratio­nal Method, shall probably be successful, when the Ignoramus knows not what to [Page 242]do. But further I perceive Mr. S. his aim is wholly directed to the operation of the Medicine, and what it will do, when certainly the Nature of the Disease and Constitution of the Patient, are as seriously to be respected as the Medicine; and then the Indications put the Physici­an to seek out a proper Remedy, lest Andabatarum more, he encounter blind­fold with Diseases. And if a Physician go out thus fitted, his knowledge is well grounded, especially if he be backed with former experiences of parallel Cases, as a well practised and observing Physici­an possibly may: And thus his Judge­ment is not conjectural but certain, in respect of the operation of his Medicine, for though the first finding out of the ver­tue of the Medicine was by chance, yet he is become certain of it, and his appli­cation is rational.

Of success in Cures.(P. 204.) One reason (says he) why great Physicians are often so unsuccessful in their Cures, &c. Here again he begs the Question, supposing great Physici­ans to be unsuccessful, but if so, why does he call them great Physicians; unless [Page 243]they be eminently learned in the Theori­cal Part, and so fitted for the Schools, as some may be who addict not them­selves to the Practical: but then what success can be expected from mean fel­lows? Though the ability of a Physician is not to be judged of by success, yet an ordinary unsuccessfulness in Cures given just ground to suspect his ability.

But at last he concludes, that he will re­fer it to the Judicious Reader, to consider whether Chymical Physicians are not the most likely (from what has been said) to cure Diseases best. And so will I let him use his reason from what has been said on both sides, and try by experience if he thinks fit, whether Mr. S. (for I have nothing to say to others) who calls him­self a Chymical Physician, and uses such Tools as we have been told by himself, be like to cure Diseases happily, soon, with­out trouble, and debilitation of Spirits. I use here his own words.

But now Mr. S. proceeds to another Query (to wit) Whether to be so accurate in the punctual observations of all the in­junctions of the Schools, be altogether, or at [Page 244]all necessary to make a Physician cure Dis­eases more successfully? — Mr. S. would almost make them that know him not, suspect (by this Query) he were inclina­ble to be a Quaker, as if he would inti­mate that School-Learning were not use­ful, or as if the understanding of Physi­ology and Pathology were of no use in order to the curing of Diseases. I won­der whether Mr. S: when he sets himself to make a piece of Latine, does think that the accurate understanding and pun­ctual observation of all the Rules of Grammar be necessary or no? Or whe­ther the total ignorance or sleighting of the Rules will be a better qualification? Whether the found understanding both of the Common Law, Statute Law, and Book Cases, does not much conduce to a Lawyers better doing his Clients busi­ness? Certainly he that best understands and observes the Rules of Grammar and Rhetorick, will make the best Latine; ☞He that is most learned in the Laws will be the best Lawyer, and he that is most knowing in all the parts of Physick, will become the best Physician and most suc­cessful.

(P. 205.) When I consider (says he) ☜ the tedious and almost inextricable Laby­rinth, He con­temns the best Au­thors. wherein young Physicians are com­monly involved. How many great Volumes of Galen, Hippocrates, Dioscorides, &c. &c. &c. with a great many more they re­volve? What tedious pieces of Anatomy of Velsingius, Riolanus, &c. &c. they pe­ruse? How many unprofitable Discourses in the Theory of Physick are they engaged in? How many hundreds of Plants do they bur­den their Memory withal? What a jum­ble of Pulses? What a multitude of Sym­ptomes? What Discourses of differences of Ʋrine? and to confirm all this, what long Pilgrimages into Italy, and to the Ʋniver­sity there, do they make? — Does not now the Reader admire with me at the conceited confidence of this young man, to set so sleight a value upon these pro­foundly learned Authors? Certainly had he read any of them whom he so tram­ples upon, he could not possibly have said this: It appears he is meerly [...], and knows little of what these, or any other Authors in Physick have writ, being wholly wedded to his own Laboratory.

These Worthies whom he thus con­temns, have writ Treatises full fraught with strength of Reason and Experience in the Art of Physick, as if they had been [...], — inspired by God for the good of Mankind, without the reading and understanding of whose Grounds or Rules, it is impossible to cure Diseases. — Anatomy is with him an empty Study, for I find him ever and anon spurning at it; to which I have given some return al­ready in my animadversions on this Book of his. What excellent improvement has been made of late in this Point of A­natomy by some of our own Countreymen, which with great thankfulness all learned men receive throughout the World! wit­ness learned Dr. Glysson of the Liver, Dr. Willis of the Brain, Dr. Wharton of the Glandules, Dr. Higmore of a new Ductus in the Testicles, Dr. Jolliffe of the Lymphatick Vessels: So Dr. Pecquet of the Receptacle of the Chyle, and the Lacteae Thoracicae. The Milky Veins of the Mesentary by Asellius, besides other admirable Discourses on Variety of Sub­jects; and above all that most excellent [Page 247]useful discovery of the Circulation of the Blood by the renowned Dr. Harvey. These and many more that refer to Ana­tomy, which I might recite, but that I study brevity, are entert [...]ined by the learned with singular [...]ppl [...]use, which yet Mr. S. calls unprofitable Discourses.

So the understanding of Plants he ac­counts unnecessary and burdensome to the Memory. Why! are not these part of the matter of Physick, and is it not neces­sary an Artist should understand his Tools? Herein it appears did consist a great part of Salomons Wisdome, which yet with him is but Foolishness.

Thus he quarrels at the Observation of Pulses, whereby we discern how the Vi­tal Faculty is affected. Of Symptomes, by which we know the Disease, as the Lion by his Paw. At Inspection into Ʋrines, which often, especially in Accute Diseases, give good hints, and denote to us what Concoction there is in the Veins. Of this Subject Dr. Willis has written excel­lently well. But upon the whole matter, I conclude this Paragraph, Ars non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem. I plead not for [Page 248]that Customary way of the Quacks, who will conjure upon a Liquor in an Urinal, and I could wish we could perswade the people to believe, there cannot be so cer­tain judgement made upon an Urine as they think on.

Next he spurns at such as travail to the Universities abroad for the improvement of their knowledge in this Faculty, say­ing, That after their return home, they cannot certainly cure one poor Disease. Here if by the word (certainly) he means infallibly, he is doubtless in the right; its enough a priori if they act according to probability, and this they may do if they understand their profession; and a poste­riori while we observe the effect, its ap­parent some of them do certainly cure great Diseases. Are they the worse for their travail, for the advancement of their Learning? I think not, unless they leave their Religion behind them. Perhaps it is not necessary that men should travail in order to the understanding of Physick, our own Countrey affording advanta­ges enough for it; but in this they have liberty and free-will; and I judge it ab­surd [Page 249]to upbraid any Gentleman for his sedulity in that point. It may be some come home as wise as they went, per­haps scarcely so, yet others we are assu­red return very well accomplisht. And this Testimony I must give on the behalf of some Gentlemen of the Profession, whom he has the best advantage to know and observe, that as to them its a false charge.

He langh [...] at the learned.(P. 206.) Young Students in other Countries (says Mr. S.) commonly go along with a Learned Professor, to whom he fre­quently reads Lectures upon the Patients he visits, and doth it with such a grave Me­thod, &c. which he unmannerly jeers at, — so as the young Students do verily believe, that none of those Diseases can come amiss to them, but they shall surely cure them all. But alass! when they come to matter of experiment in their Practice, they find they are mistaken, they are puzzled at e­very turn, &c. — they cannot perform the cure of any Disease, not so much as a Whitlow. — Yea Mr. S. have they such advantages as these, besides their Le­ctures in the Schools, and on the Plants in [Page 250]their Physick Gardens, and in their fre­quent Anatomies, and are these to be laughed at, and accounted insufficient to ground young Gentlemen for the Art of Physick? What then shall we think of such a young man as never heard a Phy­sick Lecture? Or if he did, it was before he understood the words of Art, so as the Lecturer must needs have been as a Barbarian to him; one that knows no­thing of the Plants, viz. P. 161, nor ever saw (as we have reason to think) a Dissection; one that knows not the Terms used by Learned Authors in those very Subjects which he undertakes to treat of, neither the Chymists where his greatest pretence is, nor others? (vide what has been said on both sides concern­ing a Waters imbibing a Mineral or Me­tal) nay himself tramples upon them with pride and disdain (P. 207.) How cumbersome to the Memory (says he) are the very Terms of Art? — and again, sufficiently troublesome, and sometimes put it upon the Rack too. I say if these helps that do so directly refer to the Practice of Physick, come so short to qualifie a [Page 251]young man, that still neglects not his study of good Authors in a right Method, whether will the sole making up of Expe­riments in the analysing of the parts of a few Metals and Minerals, furnish a young man with better qualification? I refer it to the Judicious to judge.

Besides it has been my fortune to be very much acquainted with several youn [...] Gentlemen that have travailed, and re­turned from Forrein Universities, who have been very well fitted for the Practi­cal part, and yet have been modest; while some others, not worthy to carry their Books, have been as bold as Blind Bayard.

He tram­ples upon the Uni­versities and the Arts.(P. 207.) How do young Students (says he) trifle a great part of their time away at Ʋniversities, in the frothy Study of Lo­gicks, Ethicks, Physicks, and Metaphy­sicks? O impudence in the Abstract!

Does he expect to climb by trampling on the Universities.

How this will stand with his University Oath of Matriculation, and when he commenced Batchelor of Arts, I appeal to his own Conscience: What! thus to throw dirt in the Face of the Ʋniversi­ties, and to arraign all the Learned Men in the World, and their Studies before his Tribunal. How could I ever ex­pect to escape his supercilious Cen­sure, whose pride is such, that the most famous Ʋniversities in the World must be thus judged. We have found Sir Simp­son severely ranting against both the Anci­ent Princes, and Modern Writers in Phy­sick, and spurning against the most Learn­ed Discourses that are written upon any the most useful Subject in the Faculty, and here he sawcily censures the most famous Ʋniversities, and tramples upon all Arts and Sciences. A man would wonder that ever such Pamphlets as this should passe the Press, and that none should crush such Cockatrice Eggs before they were hatched. It appears this man can find no­thing to study but himself, nor to pore upon but his Laboratory.

Is not he likely at length to prove a hopeful Chick, learning to crow like the old Cock? I find Paracelsus in his Pre­face to his Fragmenta Medica, bragg­ing that for the space of ten years, he had never read so much as one Book. And in his Preface to Paragranum, he impu­dently professes, that a hair of his head knew more than all the Writers in the World, and that the Rings of his Shooes were more learned than either Galen or Avicen. Et barba mea (inquit) experien­tiae majoris est quam Academiae vestrae uni­versae, viz My Beard (says he) is of greater Experience than all your Univer­sities. And this our Author we find comes not far behind his Master (though perhaps he never read these things in him) being both big with the like Tympany.

A Pardon asked. Sir Simpson must pardon me, if for the love I bear to Learning, and the ho­nour I have for the Ʋniversities, I ad­monish him of these things. I remem­ber I have read of a Law among the La­cedemonians and Thurians, which was this; Qui juvenem quempiam aliquid in­decori patrare vidisset, nec quasi Filium [Page 254]proprium redarguisset, emendassetque, tan­quam Malus & Degener Civis multaba­tur. viz. He that shall see a young man do something that is unbecomming, and shall not reprove him, and endeavour to amend him, as if he were his own Son, should be punished as an evil and dege­nerate Citizen. And certainly nothing is more unbecomming a Scholar, than thus to flie in the face of all Learning.

But here he seems to have some plea for himself, in crying out against the Study of Ethicks, affirming that, They consult more the Sayings and Moralities of the Heathen, than the Life of Christ and Christians. — I am assured this is a false Charge with many, nor does the study of the Arts hinder the Profession of Religi­on in the least, but the one is rather a Handmaid to the other. And therefore we see that when our Saviour sent forth the Apostles, who were Fishermen, and probably illiterate, he first qualified them with all manner of Learning, whereby they had the Gift of Tongues, and were also able to dispute against all Gain-sayers.

A Cauti­on given.I do heartily wish, that notwithstand­ing this pretence of Mr. S. here concern­ing the life of Christ and Christians, that whatever his judgement may be in other matters, he take care that he do not fol­low Paracelsus in Religion. For I find the famous Bullinger testifying that he often went to discourse with him, and to try what Religion he was of. Contuli (sayes he) cum eo semel atque iterum de rebus variis, etiam Theologicis, & Reli­gionis, &c. But he says he could never discern any thing of piety in him from any of his Speeches; but that he pretend­ed to Magick, &c. — Raro aut nun­quam ingrediebatur caetus sacros, & visus est Deum & res divinas leviter curare, &c. To wit, He seldome or never went to ☜ Church, or the Publick Congregations, and seemed slightly to regard God and his Ordinances; and this Testimony is confirmed (with a great deal more) un­der the hands of Oporinus, who had ser­ved him two years, and Erastus a Learned Physician in Germany. And yet I find Paracelsus in some of his Books like Mr. S. pretending to treat of Religion. This [Page 256]Caution out of Christian Love, I do on this occasion give to Mr. Simpson, which I wish he may take kindly and follow, whatever he does in the rest.

(P. 208.) How uncertain (says he) are Physicians in their Diagnosticks of Disea­ses. — I confess again they are not in­fallible in this point, yet not so uncertain as he pretends, if they be such as are well studied in the Art. But what then? be­cause there is a possibility that in some difficult Cases they may erre, must they therefore wilfully close with error, and through abandoning of Study embrace af­fected ignorance?

To be deeply versed in the knowledge of Diagnosticks of Diseases of all good and bad Symptomes reckoned by Galen and Hippocrates, &c. only inable a man to be confident, and thereby to commit folly, by being too positive in the determination of life and death.

And were it not easie for Mr. S. if he would but look in a Glass, to spie one that is not so versed, that can be confi­dent enough? What means all this severe taxation of other men, and things that [Page 257]deserve it not, but a plain demonstration of superlative confidence and folly. — But if Physicians be confident in judging of the Nature of the Disease, and this be grounded upon Reason, judging as men from the sign to the thing signified, and from the Cause to the Effect, who can charge them with folly?

Of encou­raging of Patients.(P. 209.) Here he taxes some that out of confidence of their skill in Prognosticks, use to promise to their Patients and them­selves a recovery out of the Disease, with words of Encouragement, &c. Now this being matter of fact, is not to be dispu­ted if he have any Credit. In this parti­cular we must distinguish concerning Dis­eases: Some are Salutares, Three sorts of Diseases. which have no manner of danger in them; here a Physician may appear confident, and make encouraging Prognosticks. Second­ly, there are some that are Ancipites, viz. of a doubtful nature, which some­times admit of a Cure, and sometimes not. If a Physician do understand well the Nature of the Disease and the Consti­tution of the Patient, he may be well a­ble to predict what the event shall be; [Page 258]and if he have good ground to hope well, certainly he ought to keep the Patient from too much fear and despondency, which in timorous spirited people would kill sooner than the Disease; especially in such as are Hypochondriack: yet in these great wisdom is to be used, that while he thinks fit to encourage his Patient, he still take care to act rationally and vigorous­ly, for the correcting of that part from whence the danger mostarises; and yet for the saving of his own reputation, that he discover to some wise and prudent Friend of the Patient, wherein his ground of fear does lie. A third sort there are, which we call Lethales, which either in their own Nature, or according to the Circumstances of hic & nunc will become mortal: Here let a Physician take heed how he gives any encourage­ment either to the Patient or his Friends, lest he suffer in his reputation; as if he should not apprehend the danger, and so fail in his Prognosticks.

Besides, when a man must certainly die, he had need to know what he is to do, since upon that scantling of time [Page 259]depends ETERNITY. Now in this point of Prognosticks, every man is his own best Judge, what ground he has to predict Life or Death; and others ought not too severely to censure, while in doubtful Cases, if he see room for Action, he rather trusts God and wise men with his reputation in speaking cheer­fully, than in hazarding the speedy ruin of the Patient, by throwing him under despondency.

Have not we known some Chymists of­ten promise a Cure within a fortnight, when either the Patient has died within that time, or become irrecoverable, and a Galenist or two perhaps have been sent for, when it has been too late? This my Brethren can witness with me, and many in this City know it full well.

The Ga­lenical way more difficult than the Chymical.(P. 213.) I could heartily wish says he) the Galenists would consult a more facile way of Practice, such as by the efficacy thereof might prove more delightful to them­selves, and more grateful to the Patients. — Here I must confess some Pseudochy­mists have the advantage of the Galenists, for they make Physick to have little of [Page 260]difficulty in it, while they wholly employ their time in the narrow compass of the Minerals and Metals, and read nothing of the Theorical part, whereby they should be fitted for the due application of them for the cure of Diseases; and this is that which makes so many at this day fall into that way; to avoid the difficul­ties they should necessarily meet with all, in seeking out the grounds of a rational Method, which certainly requires more Learning and Judgement to understand it, than the other; from whence it is that even all our Modern Quacks in every corner of the Nation, do run into the other way. But Learned Men are not so contented, they desire and endeavour to break through all difficulties, not valu­ing their own Labour and Study to fit themselves for their Profession, being desirous to understand not only the ver­tues and preparation of Medicines, but also the Nature and Composition of Mans Body, which is the Subject of their Work, to which they are to be applied, and likewise the Natures and Differences of all Diseases. But since Mr. S. will be [Page 261]wishing, I will wish too, that he would be­come more modest, and not think better of himself than he has cause; that he would study to be quiet and do his own business; that he would be wise unto sobriety; that he would not bear false witness against his Neighbours; and that he would endeavour to be ser­viceable in his Countrey, by studying a sound way of Practice in his Profes­sion.

Of Expe­rimental Phil [...]so­phy.Next he has a Project for the Improve­ment of Experimental Philosophy, in order to which (he says) He thinks it would be necessary to lay aside our Books, excepting such as refer to the communicati­on of Experiments. I like well indeed the confirming of Notions by Experi­ments, where the Subject is capable of it, but that cannot be in all things. Cer­tainly the World would soon run into Ig­norance, if all Learning and Books were laid aside that did not communicate Ex­periments. But if that must be, I wish his Book may be fi [...]st thrown aside as im­pertinent, and that this of mine may go with it to boot; for I would not have [Page 262]them separated, indeed its pity they should be parted.

If after his preparation of some of these things he be yet to seek out their properties, it were better to try his Ex­periments upon himself than upon o­thers, especially such as are sick, who need present relief, and ought not to be hazarded with making doubtful Expe­riments; since certainly they call him not for any such intent, nor can he me­rit thanks from the Patient, with whom he takes such a course.

(Pag. 217.) He projects that some may be empleied to make Observations of the effi­cacy of Simples, and others in their Labo­ratories may make Essences, Tinctures, Spirits, Extracts, Magisteries, &c. out of them, and may have liberty of ma­king Experiments thereof on Sick Persons— Really I am ashamed to find any man that pretends to the Art of Physick,My. S. his Project of ma­king Ex­periments on sick persons. to set so mean a rate upon the Bodies of Men, in this Age of the World, as to make Ex­periments upon such a Noble Subject. Who would be so mad as to let him make his Experiments upon him? It's to be [Page 263]feared it has been too much his Practice already. Certainly the World is not now in its Infancy, nor the Art of Physick in its Childhood, nor to learn to go; If this man had but read these profoundly learned Authors, Ancient or Modern, whom he so tramples upon, he might discern this Art to have attained to such a perfection, as scarce any other can pretend to. Not that I think it has reacht to such a pitch, as that it may not admit of augmentation; but certainly all is not to be expected from a Pseudo-Chymists Fornace and Laboratory.

The Ver­tues of Simples not al­ways in their thin parts.But here he supposes that all the Ver­tues of Simple Specificks must lie in their volatile parts, which are to be extracted by vehement heat of Fire; wherein cer­tainly he mistakes; the Essences, Spi­rits, Tinctures, &c. of various Simples being almost of the same nature, and partaking more of the Fire than of the Simples themselves, out of which they are taken; from whence it is that they are all extreamly hot, and offer violence to the Stomach. So we see the Salts of several Plants are almost all the same, [Page 264](while yet the Plants are of different Na­tures) yea and not differing much from such as are taken out of the Minerals or Metals. Now the Vertues of Vegeta­bles consisting rather in their Natural Composition, than in any one part, I think they were (at least many of them) better left to Nature to extract their Spe­cifick Properties, than tormented by the [...]ire; which (as I said before) makes them like a man under the Rack, [...]utter that which was not thought of before, and become of that quality, which was not properly in them.

His pro­ject for an Uni­versal Character.Next he makes a Digression, and dis­courses concerning an Universal Chara­cter, which he borrows from a very Re­verend Person of our Nation, to whom in justice he ought to have left the Ho­nour of his Project, and not thus imper­tinently have thrust his Sickle into his Harvest. But perhaps he has the like O­pinion of himself, that another had that I have read of, who at Rome posted up his Papers upon the Gates of the Vati­can, challenging all the learned men in the World to dispute deomni Ente: whom [Page 265]the ingenious Sir Thomas Moor once Lord Chancellor of England, being then there, did quickly confound with this Common Law Question. Ʋtrum Averia capta in Withernam sint replegiabilia.

(Pag. 239.) He resumes his Subject, and inveighs against the Galenical Me­thod and Medicines, extolling the Chy­mical Preparations, because first, he says, They are less in bulk than the other, and therefore they are less offensive to the Patient.— Here again I declare I am no Enemy to Chymical Medicines,Chymical Medi­cines no better be­cause lit­tle in bulk. which I know to be well prepared, though they are not much the more to be valued, be­cause they are little in bulk, unless also they be benigne in their operation; which oft times such as are given in small quan­tities are not, but extreamly violent. Thus a few Grains of Colocynthis will purge, and that violently too, yet not so safely as an Ounce of Cassia or Manna, &c. And so I might say of some Chymical Prepa­rations, which though they might be given in a very small quantity, perhaps a few Grains, yet are not so safe as these I have mentioned, or Syrupe of Damaske [Page 266]Roses, or an Infusion of Sene, &c. And therefore Sennertus (Cap. de Chymia) blames those Pseudo-Chymists, that in every (even the smallest) Diseases use to flie to their Medicines that are made out of Minerals or Metals, Hoc unum agunt, (inquit) ut in minima dosi Medicamenta Palato non ingrata exhibeant; because (says he) they have a mind to make them the more grateful to the Palate in their small quantity: quam vero illa interdum violenta & corpori noxia sint, parum sunt solliciti. (That is) Little regarding how violent they are, and how hurtful to the body. To whom he applies that Rule, Non solum jucunde, sed & tuto curandum. We ought to cure not only with pleasant, but with safe Medicines.

Galeni­cal Me­dicines are safe and also success­ful. Another thing for which he commends the Chymical before the Galenical Medicines is, because they are less dangerous.— Here I verily suspect no man will believe him, so as I might very well spare my labour of a reply; especially if we consider the pro­perty of his own Medicines, which in this Book he has told us he uses, which are wholly made out of Minerals and Me­tals, [Page 267]which he confesses (P. 180) have in them an Arsenical property. We say the Galenical are not at all dangerous, but as Herophylus says [...], even the finger of God in the hand of an Artist. And in these our dayes they are much more safe and benigne than in the dayes of old; to wit, among the Ancients; we have our Sene, Rubarb, Cassia, Manna, Tamarinds, &c. unknown to them, and far to be preferred for safety before their Peplium, Colocynthis, Enphorbium, Scam­mony, Hellebore, &c. which we lay al­most wholly aside, unless in some pecu­liar Cases, when we would acuate our Medicines for a robust body. And there­fore our Patients complain not of heat and corrosion, as we know they do from some mens Medicines. Our successes do crown our Endeavors, wherein we can appeal to our Countreymen. If from the nature of Diseases sometimes we are slow, yet we are sure, and are trusted accord­ingly. Our Patients relapse not from any violence or virulency in our Medi­cines, as I have proved concerning Para­celsus.

Mr. S. severely taxes his Fellow-Chymists. Yet (he says) he vindicates not the confident boastings of some Quacking Pre­tenders to Chymistry, who presume to cure all Diseases with some secret Powder or Oyl, or the like, which when known is but a meer trifle, &c. while yet (he says) they vilifie all others that are more modest than themselves. — I must confess I wonder Mr. S. can talk at this rate against others of his Tribe, when amongst them all, ☞none have discovered so much confident boasting, or immodesty in vilifying o­thers, as he himself doth, and that a­gainst the most learned Physicians in the World; trampling upon both the Anci­ent and Modern Writers, and under­valuing all Arts and Sciences, and the University-Studies. Why may not they as well cure all Diseases by their Powders and Oyls, &c. as he by his Ternary; which when the World comes to know, may prove as very trifles as theirs? Qui alterum incusat ipsumse, &c.

Some of the young Chymists begin at the wrong end.(Pag. 242.) Where the Galenists in their Dispensatories end, there the Chymi­cal Physician begins. — Ay, that is the mischief, these young men begin at the [Page 269]wrong end; when they should first study Physiology and Pathology, they are falling to make Medicines, and that before they understand either the Properties and Nature of Humane Bodies, or of the Diseases incident thereto.

Zwelfer whom he mentions to correct some things in the Augustane Dispensatory, is a most acute and ingenious Writer, and he carps at some things perhaps not with­out a cause, yet he rails not at this rate; he retains still the same matter of Physick and forms of Medicaments that he found in that Dispensatory, as I made out before. If some others go to the like work, it will be as Asinus ad Lyram, and a med­ling with what they understand not.

Another thing wherein he prefers the Chymical Medicines before the Galenical, is, because they are more purified from their Terrene Feculencies, for (says he) in De­coctions, Syrupes, Conserves, Electuaries, Lohochs, and other Shop-Preparations, there are but very small separations of the Terrestrial Foeces, little Depuration made, &c. These things we met with before and answered. I wonder, whether if [Page 270] Logick had been set at a better rate,Vegeta­bles and Animals need not so much prepara­tion as Minerals do. it would not have freed us from all these frivolous Tautologies, and put us into a closer Method. — Certainly there is ve­ry great reason that (hymical Medicines, which are made out of the Minerals and Metals, should be much more purified from their Terrene Feculencies, than the other, for they need it. I have made it out from the Testimony of the best Chy­mical Authors (yea, and himself has con­fessed it) that most of them are poyso­nous, if they be not well depurated: whereas many of the Remedies which are used by the Galenists, need no more preparation than our Meat and Drink does. Now if any should out of dislike of the Terrestrial or gross part of our Food, set upon a design of separation of it from the Terrene Feculency (as he calls it) and think to live upon a Chymical Ex­tract of Flesh, and Bread, and Beer, or Wine, or Ale, or some neat Defecated Spirit made out of these, or some pure Oyl, what would be the result of it, I suppose he might as well feed upon Nee­dles. And the Case is not much diffe­rent. [Page 271]The Galenists do enough in point of preparation, for most of our Medi­cines, as well as our Meat, at least I know no reason why they should be taught by him, the rest Nature by the Fermen­tation of the parts will supply; and this is evident even to every mans Observa­tion. And therefore if in some of the forms of Medicines he speaks of, there is not much done in point of separation of the parts, it is because they do not need it.

Chymical Medi­cines are very ope­rative.Lastly, He prefers the Chymical (P. 244.) because they are more effectual in their Operation. By Chymical Medicines (he says) he does not mean such as every ordinary bragging Chymist exposes to sale, who are a reproach to the Art. — but such as are made by a skilful Artist. — How I beseech you shall we know a bragging Chymist who is a reproach to his Art, from a skilful Artist? I am willing to take him for an Artist, and yet I find him ever and anon bragging and boasting of his Medicines, and undervaluing others which are far more safe and successful.

I know the Chymical Preparations made out of Minerals and Metals are ex­ceedingly operative, and we often stand in need of such Tools, when we meet with stubborn Diseases in robust bodies;and are approved of by the Galenists and therefore the Galenists do approve of them, and when they see cause use them (to wit) such as they know to be safe and prepared by a good Artist. Nor did ever the Art of Physick want strong and efficacious Medicines, such were those I mentioned before which were in ordina­ry use among the Ancients, viz. Colo­cynthis, Peplium, Hellebore, Elaterium, &c. That which we glory in, and our Patients find benefit by, is that in this Age we have more benigne Medicines, which operate without ill Symptomes; and now it appears Mr. S. condemns these, and flies again to such as are more violent than those of the Ancients, which we have in a good measure laid aside. Well, I suspect at length his Patients will experience, by the Operation of his Me­dicines a difference betwixt his and o­thers, when they shall have given him leave to make his Experiments upon [Page 273]them, and so become competent Judges in this point betwixt him and me, and therefore to their decision I will for this t [...]me refer it.

But here is one thing more I may not pass over, that Mr. S. lets flie sharply a­gainst some bragging Chymists that ex­pose their Medicines to sale, and thereby are a reproach to the Art. — If I un­derstand him aright, he means such as do post up their Medicines upon the Gates or Corner Posts of the City to call in Customers, as the Quacks and Mountebanks use to do. — Could he ever think that this Book of his would not be read at York, where all men know that he himself exposed his Amu­let ☜ for the Plague to sale, posting up his Bills on every Corner of the Streets; and may we not have as good reason to ex­pect the same for the vending of his Ter­nary?

Thus I have closely traced Mr. Simp­son through the greatest part of his Book, and have throughly sifted all his Argu­ments against my declared Principles of [Page 274] Soarbrough Spaw, wherein I have disco­vered him plainly canting and recanting, which I have further established by evi­dent demonstration. I have asserted the Terms which I used in my Book concern­ing a Springs imbibing of Minerals to be those of Art, used by the very best Chy­mical Authors, and agreeable to sound Reason. I have answered all his Obje­ctions against the Rational Practice of Physick, which he calls Galenical, and confirmed my assertions from the Pra­ctice of the most Learned Chymical Writers. I have manifested the Con­gruity that is betwixt the most learned on both sides, and made out the Mine­rals and Metals, together with the Ani­mals and Vegetables to belong in com­mon to the Art, and to be the matter of Physick; wherein both the Galenical and Chymical Physician are equally con­cerned; and do heartily desire that eve­ry man in the Faculty would endeavour what in him lies, that since they do con­venire in eodem tertio, they may also con­venire inter se, and that we may all joyn [Page 275]hand in hand as there shall be occasion, for the Peace and Honour of the Faculty, and the health of our Friends that employ us.

Of his Constitu­tive Princi­ples of all Concretes.There are some other Digressions in his Book concerning the Constitutive Principles of all Concretes, wherein he carps at the two Principles of Helmont, at the three of the Ancient Chymists, at the four of the Peripateticks, and at the five of Dr. Willis, resolving all into one (to wit) Water. But since it may justly be said of that Discourse as once of the young Prophets Axe, Master it was bor­rowed; I therefore matter not much whether it sink or swim, since the Sub­ject is not of such common concern, nor yet relates to me; I refer the Reader to Helmont, out of whom he fetches what he says on that Subject.

When I consider what abundance of Experiments borrowed from variety of Authors, are patched up together, to make up this Book of his, as also what a company of impertinent Subjects that re­late not at all one to another, nor to the [Page 276]general scope of the Book, our Author has drawn in by the head and shoulders to make up this Composition, it makes me call to mind what I read in Nonius Marcellus concerning an Elogium that old Lucilius that famous Roman Wit, gave to such an Author upon the like oc­casion, viz.