THough the youngest and the strongest days of life, are the times to lay in for, and to secure, a long-lasting and healthfull Constitution and the times of health, to provide against the fre­quent assaults of sickness and distem­per, yet to most of either Sex, the voyce of Experi­ence seldome seems better then a mockery. Tell them of their daily wast and expence of spirit, of their conti­nual generating within them the seeds of sickness & dis­cases, they hear you not; they are for this Gamesom [Page 2] sport, and t'other wild and violent Exercise, and if taken ill, do as others use to do, recover with difficul­ty, with losse of blood and Spirits, boast of danger esca­ped, little or nothing regarding how deeply their nature is thereby wounded, and so remain as unapt for counsel as before.

And yet, as it is the surest way to eternal bliss, to re­member thy Creator in the days of thy Youth: so is it the most certain way, to the happiness of this Life, (which rests very much in mans health and chea [...]ful­ness) to give diligent heed betimes, to those advices wch respect the well ordering of the Body, both as to Di­et, Physick, and Refreshment; and to endeavour after so much skill, at least, as to be able to distinguish be­tween pure and impure, proper and improper, unto man; who being of Creatures next unto the Angels, both in his intellects and constitution, ought to aim at so effectual and so refined a Diet, that the faculties of his Soul, may be accommodated with so exquisite a Spi­rit and so clear a Body, that there may be a perfect Harmony in the whole Man.

And as these Considerations are most needful i [...] time of Youth, in which the most are apt to set light by all things which most concern them; so are they not to be neglected by those of riper years, who commonly are so much wedded to their customary wayes, that if they keep themselves but any thing hearty and free from pain, deem their Diet good, and themselves Well enough; though they are either sad and melancholy, fearful, superstitious, fretful, passionate, covetous, violent, and revengeful: All which may proceed (and doth commonly) from the impropriety of Spirits in what they feed on, or use for helps; and might be o­therwise [Page 3] without difficulty, to the much more comfort of themselves and their relations.

Nor are the Elder sort unconcerned herein: it being too much from that scrupulosity which dwells in them, and their distrust of all new Discoveries; which makes the younger sort so unapt to give ear, or credit, to Counsels of this nature: What? (say they) have we lived to these years, and do we not know what's good for our selves? and this too, though they a [...]e full of infirmities, of which by new Aids they might be dis­charged; forgetting also that no mere man was ever yet too old to learn.

But hence it is, That although both Diet and Phy­sick, in their best and largest forces, do but weakly per­form their offices; the first of Sustentation, the other of Restoration; and, that mans health (which is so great a part of his happiness) is so weakly defended that the strongest are soon brought upon their knees, whil'st the weak and sickly in their first illness (the time which makes or marrs the cure) betaking themselves to dull putrid, and burning helpers (for want of what's safe and kindly) instead of help betray themselves to further mischief. Yet all Tenders of farther improvement ei­ther to Diet or Physick, or other Ayde, though never so needful, pretious, and effectual, are hardly and sow­erly entertained; and under such regardlesnesse, as if there were nothing but delusion in men, or an impossi­bility of adding any advancement to the imperfit Art of Health.

Through which unpreparednesse, aversnesse, and indisposition to receive with gladnesse and gratitude, the productions of the studious, it is, That although the defects in Physick, Diet, &c. are so manifest, that the [Page 4] most Skilful professe they believe, the far better part lies undiscovered: yet to make any considerable sup­plies, it sufficeth not by Study, Labour and Industry, to produce things excellent and necessary; except all possible means be likewise used, to make their virtues and effects publickly and throughly understood, and that in such sort, as to convince all scrupulous gain­sayers.

These (and such like) are the causes of the present Opening of this new Store-house of Health, the close keeping thereof being of little more advantage then a Candle set under a Bushel.

The new Aids therein presented, are in an allowed and Physical sense Spiritual, untainted, friendly and powerful, as being proposed for an immediate assistance unto that natural spirit of man, by which the Soul is united to the Body, and which maintained in its right estate and condition, sustaineth all its infirmities: so as this a [...]d is proportioned for supply of those Forces and Powers, which both Diet and Physick hath hitherto but faintly furnished; for though properly they are neither Physick nor Diet, yet are they in aid of both, by strength­ening appetite and disgesture, by rectifying and quick­ening all the natural faculties, by opening and clearing all the most secret passages of the Body: and either speedily d [...]scharging the Distemper, or laying a sure foundation for farther help: besides, by their benign qua­lities, and true Humane Temperature, they are the most acceptable Food of the spirit, the joy of the Heart, and delight of Life; and, as the genuine heat of the Sun brought into the inward parts: such and no other are their heat and comfort.

And through whose variety and specifique vertues, hardly any distemper can befall, but there is amongst them for fit relief, even in all distresses and occasions; and that with such safety and innocency, that although they have been frequently used by the weakest, both of men, women and Children, in their most weak and sick­ly estates; yet never any thing but good was ever re­ceived from them: so as these arrive happily to take place of all burning, drying, and impure helpers, so much complain'd of in former times, yea and warn'd against (though little regarded): as in these and the like sensible expressions. ‘I advise the healthy (much more the weak) to beware of those burning liquors, which be­guile the unadvised World (chiefly in times of mirth and refreshment): The Life of man (or his Spirit) is in the Blood, which Blood is mild, and quickly dry­ed up with violent heat.’

‘Such as the Blood is, such are the Spirits (for they issue from the Blood it self) and such as the Spi­rits are, such is the temper or distemper of the Brain and Heart; and such as the Brain is, well or ill dis­posed, so also are the virtues of Imagination, Under­standing, and Memory.’

‘Proper and true humanized helps to Diet and Phy­sick (such as these), are therefore of more moment then can suddenly and cursorily be imagined: For, as another learned one saith, The Meat and Drink which we Diet on, or at least the better part, is terminated into humours, and at last into Spirits, by whose effi­cacy, the Flesh, Nerves, Bones, and all parts of the body are nourished, and augmented, and do, by the never-tyred work of supply, repair decaying na­ture. Of so great use are Spirits to the body; and so [Page 6] exceedingly beneficial are al kindly means, wch increase and improve them: The truth is, in that warfare which is maintained all our life-long, twixt health and sick­nesse, the main Agents in our defence are our natural Spirits; yea so material unto life, have the wisest ever deemed them, that they have assigned them to be like little indiscernable Chains. 'To unite and fasten the Soul to the Body, and which dissolving, the dissoluti­on of the whole Fabrick soon followeth.’

Which office and effect of Spirits, whoever duly weighs, will soon perceive, that as nothing is or can be of greater importance to mans health, than the plen­teous contribution of Genuine and Benign Spirits; so also that the true Improving Virtue of all things taken into the Body, dependeth upon their version to the true Humane Temperature. Which being the peculiar qualification and proper work of those Moderate Spi­rits with which this little Store-house is furnished, renders them most kindly and powerful assistants to Humane Frailty, and an improvement of the Art of Health; of great importance, and not to be despi­sed.

Having thus exprest sufficient to induce a belief, that they are such an assistance to mans Nature as is really wanting, needfull and effectual for supply of the daily wast and expence of Spirit, for heightning and recti­fying of Diet, Medicine, and Refreshment, and for re­lief in all necessities and extremities: Take a view of them in their particular Titles, Vertues, and Uses, as followeth: And as

There are also divers others. AS, Spirits of Oranges, Lemons, Cinamon, Cloves, Rose­mary, Angelica, Mint, Saffron, Bawm, Clary, Wormwood, Mace, Nutmegs, &c. the ver­tues and uses whereof are so generally known, as needs no information.

All extracted with such special regard to the true hu­mane Temperature, as renders them of singular use in all conditions, especially to such whose weaker Constitu­tions require Mild and Gentle Helpers; being called Spirits, not for their Heat, but from their sublime Purity and Vivacity, which are more Spiritual Quali­ties, and through which their Operations are not for­cible and violent, but (like Benign Influences) quiet, secret, sure, and most effectual.

So ye have here a large variety of powerful Assistan­ces to humane Frailty, with whose virtues, who ever throughly acquaint themselves, may easily and plea­santly recrute their continual expence of Spirits, and (in their familiar use) and strength and vigour to their usual diet; solace and recreate themselves with real ad­vantage to their healths, and supply all sudden exigen­cies without fear of after-inconveniences.

Those now, who know not by sad experience, the difficulty of gaining credit to truths of this kind, might well suppose enough had already been expressed; to perswade at least a tast and tryal of these, if not a fair and clear acceptation: But so great a prejudice against [Page 9] new Discoveries, remains upon the minds of the most by abuse of Deveivers: That what hath been said in their behalf, will hardly prevail for such a reliance upon their use, as their virtues really deserve: Therefore to silence all opposers, and to obtain their chearful em­bracement; take here the sure testimony of some in­stances of their happy victories and successes in divers remarkable cases and conflicts. Wherein though the Studier and Producer of them have much to say for dai­ly benefits to himself and relations (too numerous to recount): yet knowing, whoever duly weighs the other instances, will easily conclude, They must needs have been most serviceable, where they have been most em­ployed: he refers wholly to their other performances and cures else where.

The first of which shall be of a Child about four years old, that had long time been extream ill through a Fe­verish Distemper: The Parents using the advice of Phy­sitians and all good means for recovery, yet prevailed nothing; so that the Child was utterly wasted, and no hope of Life remain'd; his Father hearing of these Spi­rits, desired he might try some of them; so he took a Glass somewhat like a sucking-bottle, holding about a quarter of a pint of the Radix Vitae: Which the Child liking, kept it allwayes in his hand and fell to sucking of it a little and a little continually, and grew some­what lightsome upon it; the Father seeing it, bestow­ed as much more upon him, which he took in like man­ner; and after that as much again, with which, through Gods blessing, he became perfectly well.

The second shall be of an Ancient weak Woman fal'n into a tedious fit of sicknesse, Feaverish, and so stuft in her breast, as she was even breathless. Much means [Page 8] [...] [Page 9] [...] [Page 10] of physick by Counsel of physicians she had used, but left hopeless of all She understanding of my spirits, sent for about a pint of the Radix vitae: and a while after that another; and soon after that another: by the use whereof continually a little and a little, she became hearty and well again. But near upon a twelvemonth after fell sick again, and then timely betaking her self to the [...]me [...]emedy, she with somewhat a less quan­tity recove [...]d. And again about a year after that fal­ling ill again, b [...] the very same means again recovered and continued well for about twelve or fourteen moneths, as well as her years considered could be ex­pected.

The third I shall instance, is a Young Gentleman a student belonging to Cambridge, in so deep a melan­cholly of minde, so disordered a body, and so dejected and perplexed a countenance, as can hardly be imagi­ned: stomach, and head, and spleen, and liver, and bowels, and heart it self, all confounded: was quite wea­ried with physick and utterly hopeless of remedy; his understanding being exercised in nothing so much as in proving to himself an impossibilty of recovery, and in thwarting all reasonings to the contrary. He was brought unto me by one who had a very good esteem of my spirits; he was very unapt to discourse with me, tak­ing no pleasure to speak at all, so as I was fain to fall in­to a continued discourse for a good season, shewing some grounds of a hopeful progress towards such effects as in probability could not fail in some rea­sonable time, even insensibly and pleasantly to re­store him to his native (or a better) tempe­rature. It wrought quick and effectual with him, for he was of a sharp and suddain apprehension. We fell into [Page 11] full discourses: and he became willing to tast my spirits which appearing above what he had conceived of them, he became suddainly full of hope, and so fell into the use, principally of the vis vita and Rosemary which indeed were very proper for him: he used of them a­bout three moneths time, yet in no great quantity; but such an alteration did it produce in him, so sprightly confident, discreet, and manly, strong, healthful, and chearful, that there could not be more difference be­tween any two men, then was between what I saw him at first, and what he was at last, to the joy and comfort of himself and all his friends; for which the Author of all means of health be ever blessed and magni­fied.

The fourth Instance, shall be of a man of middle age; who had been a long time under an extream sickness: and had used much means with advice in physick, but still became worse and worse. A friend of his who had tasted of my spirits, recommended their use unto him as what was likely to do him good, so I recei­ved a letter (it being many miles from London) wherein I was made acquainted with his sad condition whereupon I sent him a pint of Ra [...]ix vitae & a quarter of a pint of Salus vitae, with directions for their use: he was to take them in less then a weeks time, the which he did: in all which time he found no great alteration, but immediately after there came powring from him upward (not like vomitting being wholly without pain or straining) such abundance of thickned ropy flegm as was incredible; soon after which he became through­ly well and hearty.

A fifth, I shall Instance, is of a Woman about the age of thirty, taken with a most violent pain about her heart, [Page 12] which continued with such fierceness that she thought her heart would rend in pieces: she sent for a small quantity of Radix vitae, little more then an ounce; but her husband coming home and seeing in what state she was, sent for half a pint, and caused her to take plentiful of it until she had by degrees taken it all: up­on which she became compleatly well that very night, and continued so without any the least ill effect fol­lowing. Which I the rather urge because some abusive Artsmen envying their effects, have detained divers from their use, affirming, that although they give ease, yet ill effects follows; which is not in any measure true: for in whatsoever case I have used them, either alone or mixt, I never perceived the least bad effect, nor e­ver heard of any from any that ever used them; nor ever was I entertained with any pretence of after-claps, but from the party last mentiored, that was cured by the Radix and Salus: he indeed being brought to me by his friend many moneths after, thanking me for the good he had received; his friend with a tragical coun­tenance interrupting him, said, Indeed he had been cu­red by what was sent him, but yet a strange thing fol­lowed upon it. I listened somewhat carefully what it might be, as being very strange to hear of any sad ef­fects: whereupon he smilingly told me his wife had brought him two children at a birth, and so ended the sad story, which I relate to convince the envious of their folly, and to clear my Spirits from such absurd Aspersions.

And other Instance, is of a young Child extreamly weakned with long sickness, feaverish, and exceedingly stuffed in the breast and stomack, with a continual Cough, and refusing all sustenance: the Father being [Page 13] well acquainted with the vertue of my Lac vita gave some of it to the child, and though it be not of the most pleasant taste amongst them, yet the child fell in love with it, and continually lay sipping of it, and so continued till it became perfectly well. The Father of this child imputes much of his own health thereun­to also; and hath done to divers very much good with it: Amongst others, being where a boy had burn'd his eyes with Gun-powder by a squib, and divers means being used to quench the heat & inflammation which so exceedingly pained the boy, that he roared again; This tender-hearted man grieving to see him in such misery, be thought himself, that certainly that which hurt not a child taken inwardly, but did so much good to the in­ward parts, might be as good for the tenderest outward parts; so fell to bathing the boy's eyes therewith, which supprest the heat immediately and gave him ease, when other hopful things, usual in such cases, had been ap­plied in vain.

An other Instance I have of one of middle age, who upon the least taking cold a Cough seizes him with that extremity as brings him to Death's door, being of a Consumptive body: but having alwayes in readi­ness, either the Radix or the last named Lac vitae, he enjoyes an indifferent state of health.

An other Instance, is of a Gentlewoman in Labor long and tedious, and at length so spent as her friends feared both mother and child; all usual cordials failing, which being understood by a most noble person he sent for a small quantity of my Radix vitae; which taking both she and her child were instantly in the desired condition, and this with the value of so small a parcel of mony as a six pence: which I recite, because the envi­ous [Page 14] discourage many from their use by saying, They are chargeable. Indeed, they are pleasant and of familiar use, and may by an excessive use be made chargeable; but so small a quantity does so much good, that if advised­ly used, I believe those who repine at their success could hardly produce cheaper physick in such distressed cases.

An other Instance, I have of a middle-aged Woman in a most sad and dismal condition much like the Cam­bridge scholler before-mentioned. A friend of hers that had of my Sanguis Vitae for his family, gave her a taste of it; which so much revived her that she desired him being to come for London, to acquaint me with her condition, which he did. And I sent her a pint of the same with directions how to take it; especially to hold it in her mouth long, before she swallowed it (which I find of great benefit in all): she took that, and sent for more, till she recovered into a very happy and chearful state of health, both in body and mind.

An other instance, is of a woman ever apt to mis­carry being young with child, and subject to pains and weakness in the small of her back, I gave her only two ounces of the Medulla vitae, which she was to take a good spoonful at a time in a mess of Oatmeal, and milk to her breakfast every morning, which without more help setled her in a good condition, and the next birth she had was of two hopeful boyes at once.

An other of a gentleman of quality and far in years, about fourscore, and though of a good and wary diet; yet exceeding impotent in all his faculties, weak ap­petite bad disgesture, his breath tainted, short, and un­quiet sleeps; with much difficulty retaining his water, [Page 15] drooping in countenance, and very feeble in all parts who by the continual use night and day of my spi­rits for near upon two years, obtained good appetite and strong disgesture, and so apparently renewed in all parts that he became the wonder of all that knew him; & I am confident could not by any perswasion be drawn from the use of them, which some endeavouring to do by telling him that his body being used to them will al­ways look for them (which is another way of pollicy some use to withhold people from their use) his an­swer was that he was glad his body lookt for that which did him so much good: & that it should not want there­of so long as he could supply it, and so instead of be­ing diswaded, perswaded all his friends to the timely use of them. He took about four spoonful, at four in the afternoon, and as much constantly after his first sleep in the night.

7. Another is of a gentleman who having for a long journey furnished himself with a long strong (pillar fashioned) glass of the Radix (as he had formerly done) towards the end of his journey, fell in compa­ny of a Minister and his wife whose horse threw her so dangerously, that they feared she could not live but forcing her to take a little of the Radix, she began to revive but when they would have her take more; she could not be perswaded till she was assured it was no common violent water, so taking more of it, she became perfectly well.

Another is of two gentlemen falling extream ill upon the road, in so much that it was thought impos­sible they could go on their journey, a friend of theirs having about him a glass of the Radix, recovered them perfectly in an instant.

Another instance is of a gentlewoman of middle age often over toyld with business, and at such times op­pressed exceedingly with winde, wearisomeness and pains in head and stomach who finds continual bene­fit and relief by the constant use of the spirit of Rose­mary, drawn in its perfection.

Another is of an ancient woman, who for some years hath freed her self from extremity of winde, and through Gods goodness lives comfortably by the con­stant use of the Vis vitae.

Another of a gentleman, who having always a case of most of the sorts of the spirits; hath very often freed himself his wife and children from many sore and threatning fits of sickness; and as he believes saved much mony by the bargain.

Another instance, is of an ancient Gentlewoman above fourscore years old, who being never without some of these spirits maintains a quickness of wit and judge­ment with good health beyond imagination.

Another is of one who having an ancient friend long troubled with weakness and sickness, perswaded her to use a pill which had often done him good; and withal advised her to take immediately after it a small quantity of the Ra [...]ix, and more at distances of times which she did; and professed that though the pill wrought much yet she was rather srrengthened and more hearty that very day then she had been of long time, and so continued.

Another is of an elderly woman, who being under an extream fit of the mother; her husband forced her to drink largely of the Vis vitae, and recovered her to both their wonders.

Another instance, is of a gentlewoman about thirty, [Page 17] that by much weakness, sickness, and an [...]pty dry Cough, having withal past through the whole course of Physick, and even hopeless of recovery, being recom­mended to the use of these Spirits (by one who had received much good by them) using of them about four moneths, recovered beyond all expectation.

Another instance is, of a Girl about ten years old, in an extream Feaver, with Thirst, shortness of Breath, Cough, with tough Flegm, and vehement Pains in her side; yet in this sad case sound no relief, like to what she had by continual use of the Radix Vitae day and night, for it cool'd and quenched her Thirst, stayed her Cough, ripened her Flegm, removed her Pains, and she recovered without bleeding, which every one that saw her, thought impossible.

Another instance, take in the expressions of a Let­ter written to the Author, from a Person of very per­fect credit: as followeth,

‘Our Dear Friend, Mr. [...] of [...] was late­ly sick to extream peril, & sundry hazardous faintings, neither could his Doctors, though two of them, and those most eminent in their professions, find out means to perswade his pallate, to approve, or so much as endure the tast of ought they could administer, until his wife put him in mind of your Radix Vitae; and her stock being utterly spent, she makes an address to me, if I had any to supply it, if none, to send for it; well, it was my happiness to be able to supply once, again, and the third little Bottle of some four oun­ces: The next news I hear, the Gentleman is well, and the Doctors upon tast and experience, approve and admire the use of it: And I bless God for his Mercy that I had it for them.’

And for a close to all: the last instance shall be of an Honourable Person, who was much exercised in the Art of Chimestry; A Person of great worth that had good esteem of the Spirits, desired he would please to go with him and tast them, which somewhat unwillingly he did; being there, the Gentleman that brought him, took two or three Glasses freely down, but could not prevail with his Noble Friend, so much as to tast or sip of them, until he perceived he was troubled at his coynesse; then he tasted very nicely of one of them, then drank it down, after that another, and another, and was so taken with them, and is to this day, that he hath made such profession of their pertinency to mans Health and Prolongation of Life, that its evident he deems them the highest of Arts attainment; affirming that he hath tasted he is confident, the best that either this Nation, or France, or Spain, or Italy, Ger­many, or the Netherlands affords, yet never found any so pleasant, so powerful, and so friendly to mans Nature, as these are, and i [...]geniously acknowledged that his aversness to tast them was, for that he thought it impossible they could exceed what he had elsewhere tasted, his after commendations resembling that of Ulysses in Homer.

And I could for a farwel, tell a true story of some young Gentlemen, who have found out the right use of these Spirits, fortifying their Nature therewith, a­gainst [Page 19] the accidents attending early risings, late sittings up, Colds, Heats, unseasonable Diet, toylsome bus­sling in Business, and continual discourse, which their occasions subjects them to; all which they pass through with such Celerity and Pregnancy, in suiting to all Per­sons and all affairs, that it may be rationally supposed, the expence of forty or fifty shillings in these may ad­vantage them some hundreds of pounds yearly, besides the benefit of their health, the greatest of Temporal Blessings.

And now having thus strewed their way with some of the Roses sprung from their own virtues; It may be rationally hoped, that wheresoever they are henceforth spoken of, they will be treated as true and useful Friends: There being not the least circumstance here related, but what is reall truth, and can so be mani­fested in few hours time past all dispute: But if jealou­sie still remain; It must be concluded to proceed from their covetous Phylosophy whose fear of loss, though from never so gross and putrid things, is cause enough to blast and [...]ifle all new Discoveries, though never so much wanted, or transcendently Beneficial: There being

How far otherwise they may be of use, these instan­ces well weighed will sufficiently instruct, and Minister good grounds to believe that hardly any person of any quality, but first or last, at one time or another, may have special service by them: For who is there that wasteth not daily their Natural Spirits? Who is there [Page 20] that is not liable to the assaults of time and accidents? Who almost that feeleth not at least the approaches of some infirmity or other? Who then would be without such kindly and effectual helpers, as those have ap­proved themselves?

And although, for every one to carry a small Glass of the Radix or Salus alwayes about them, might seem ridiculous to youth and daring Spirits: yet that Au­thentick Poem, both checks that humour; and (thus) highly warrants so discreet a practise.

Canto. 6. 12.

And as they are thus approv'd, so where great Mag­nificence and Delight draws multitudes together, were they there so familiar as China Oranges, the fancy would be infinitely advanced, and Nature secured from all fainting accidents.

But where there is daily large and great expence of Spirit, there they are absolutely necessary; As after any stress of the Body, long and careful Studies, ear­nest and loud speaking, in early risings, and late watch­ings, violent exercises, hazardous walkings, and dan­gerous [Page 21] visitations of sick people, or in crowds and steaming breathings of multitudes; And where damps and noisome vapours are to be feared, such as have sometime befaln at Goal deliveries, where for want of help at hand, many of all qualities have been snatcht away in a moment: in voyages of Sea, or journeys by Land or Water, their use is singularly necessary.

They would be also infinitely useful at the Bath, where (as Doctor Venner in his Learned Discourse ob­serves) much prejudice is received by the common use of things, ordinary putrid, and burning, to the great disparagement of those admired Fountains, whil'st the tenderest constitutions and weakest people, might be familiar with these, and continually refresh themselves without any after inconveniences.

As advantagious also would they be, were they rely­ed upon, in the use of Tunbridg, Epsome, or Barnet Waters, where frequently are incurred, most sad in­conveniences for want of such mild, safe, proper and powerful helpers.

And if it should be affirmed, that they are more use­ful in Physick divers wayes, then can suddenly be ima­gined; and more proper for variation and advance­ment of Cordials and Cordial Juleps, Electuaries, &c. than any thing extant, and that they deserve to be well considered, and well studied to those intentions, 'tis no more but what frequent experience would strongly plead for.

Much more might be insisted on, but to multiply, were to doubt the progress of ingenuity.