matter infinite it is the spirits or essence of nature Chap. 82. An answer to an old question what becomes of the shape or figure or outward forms of the old figure when the nature takes a new form ALL Created or not created or created and dissolved again figures or forms lie in onely matter either in by parts or in the whole for the materials of every figure is but of one matter and the lump of all figures is the figure of eternal matter for the infinite particular of figures is the infinite form shape or figure of infinite and eternal matter and the creation disposals and dissolvings of figures are the several actions of that onely matter for infinite motions are the infinite life of the infinite and eternal life which life is as eternal matter being part of the matter it self and the manner of moving is but the several actions of life for it is not an absence of life when the figure dissolves but an alteration of life that is the matter ceaseth not from moving for every part hath life in it be the parts never so small or disperst amongst other parts and if life there must be consequently sense if sense knowledge then there can be no death if every part hath life in it so that which we call death is onely an alteration of such motions in such a figure in onely matter Chap. 83. Of Transmigrations TRansmigrations are not metamorphosed for to metamorphose is to change the shape and interior form but not the intellect which cannot be without a new creation nor then but so as partly the intellect changes with the shape and interior form but all bodies are in the way of transmigrations perpetually As for example the nourishing food that is received into the stomack transmigrated into Chylus Chylus into blood blood into flesh flesh into fat and some of the chylus migrated into humors as Choler Flegme and melancholy some into excrement which transmigrats through the body into dung dung into earth earth into Vegetables Vegetables into Animals again by the way of food and likewise Animals into Animals and Vegetables into Vegetables and so likewise the elements But indeed all creatures are created by the way of transmigration As for example hens or other fouls lay eggs and then sit on them from whence a nourishing heat is transmigrated from the hen into the eggs which transmigrates into a kinde of a Chylus then into blood blood into flesh flesh into sinews sinews into bones and some into veines arteries brains and the like For transmigration is onely the mixing sifting searching tempering faculty of innated matter which is self-motion and motion is the onely transmigrater otherwise infinite matter would lie idle eternally though I cannot well conceive how infinite can be without motion but howsoever we perceive so much as there are proper motions and mixtures of matter belonging to every particular figure and though figures doth produce figures yet figures do not order the creation for it is not the figures that create but creation that produceth by figures which creation is motion which motion is innated matter which matter creates and dissolves by the way of transmigrations all figures dissolving to create and creates to dissolve but dissolving and creation which is that we call life and death hath onely a reference to the figures but not of the nature of the matter Chap. 84. Of metamorphosing of Animals and Vegetables IT is impossible for Animals and vegetables to be metamorphosed without a creation as to transform a man into a tree or a tree into a man nor a man into the form of a beast as to turn mans-flesh into horse-flesh or horse-flesh into mans-flesh or one mans-flesh to turn into another mans-flesh or an Oak into a Cypres or a Cypres into an Oak and so the like in all Vegetables and Animals thus Transforming the interior forms or rather changing the interior form like garments putting one and another interior form upon one and the same intellect nature which is impossible by reason the interior forms and intellect natures are inseparable so that destroying the one destroyes the other and a change cannot be made of either without the dissolution of the whole no more then a man can change the whole building without pulling down the house for though they may make some alterations in the outward shape as to add something more or take away and make all lesse or thicker or thinner or higher or lower but cannot alter the interior form which is the foundations but if they pull it down the same materials may be put into another form or into the same form it was at first but it must first be new built again before it can have those forms and they must stay the time of building so for every Vegetable creature and Animal creature they cannot be metamorphosed by the reason metamorphosing is to change their forms without a new creation and they cannot change their forms without a dissolution and then created anew by reason the intellect and the interior form is as one body and not to be separated for the interior forms of these creatures and the intellects depend upon one another and without one the another cannot be The intellect and the interior form may be divided together into parts but not separated apart though the several sorts of one and the same kinde as Animal kinde may be mixed in their creations as to be some part a beast some part a dog or the like and part a man and some creature partly a bird and partly a beast or partly a beast and partly a fish yet the intellect is mixt with the interior form and the exterior shape with the interior form The like in vegetables and if the interior forms and intellects of each sort nay of each creature cannot be changed much lesse of each kinde thus the intellect natures and interior forms of it can never be without a new creation and as for the exterior shapes of Animals may be altered but not changed for Animals of all other creatures have their shapes most unite to the interior form and 〈◊〉 intellect nature of any other creature in nature But I desire my readers not to mistake me for want of terms and words of Art For the interior or intellect nature I mean is such properties disposition constitution Capacity and the like that makes it such a creature The interior form is such a substance and such a sort as flesh or fish or wood or metal and not onely so but such a sort of flesh as mans-flesh horse-flesh dogs-flesh and the like So the wood of oak the wood of maple the wood of ash And the like so the gold metal the iron metal and the like For horse-flesh is not mans-flesh nor the wood of oak the wood of ash nor the metal of gold the metal of iron And as for the exterior form I mean the outward shape Chap. 85.
which move after another manner for though both these sorts of motions are to bring towards a point yet Contraction me thinks strives more against Vacuum then Attraction gathering all into a firm body stopping up all porous passages shutting out space and gathering in matter as close as it can indeed Attractions are but in the way to Contractions as Dilations to expulsions but this sort of motions is surfling pleating folding binding knitting twisting griping pressing tying and many the like and after several manners or fashions Thirdly Retention is to hold or to stay from wandring to fix as I may 〈◊〉 the matter to one place as if one should stick or glue parts together Fourthly Dilations are to inlarge as to spend or extend striving for space or compasse it is an incroaching motion which will extend its bounds as far as it can this sort of motion is melting flowing streaming spreading smoothing stretching and millions of the like Fiftly Expulsive is a motion that shuns all unity it strives against solidity and uniformity it disperses every thing it hath power on this sort of motion is breaking dissolving throwing about Sixthly Digestive motions are the creating motions carrying about parts to parts and fitting and matching and joyning parts together mixing and tempering the matter for proper uses Chap. 67. Of Exterior Motions produced from the six principle Motions I Will here repeat some of the varieties of grosse exterior motions such as are visible to our grosser senses to cleer my readers imaginary motion Some motions draw as horses draw Coaches Carts Sleds Harrows or the like others as horses and dogs are led in a bridle or string Some as beasts draw their prey to the Den moving backwards Some draw up lines shorter and thicker and some draw in circular lines sloping lines and square lines Other sorts of drawing some straight lines some square lines round lines slope lines some motions draw up some draw down some draw side-wayes some crosse some regular Other motions do as if one should drive or shove a solid substance before them the varieties of these motions Some are as if a man should drive a wheel-barrow or rowling of barrels or driving a plough or a rowler and millions the like Others are as if beasts and men were to carry burthens some bearing burthens on their back some on their head some in in their mouth some in their arms some in their hands some under their armes some on their thighs some on their stings as Bees do and millions the like and every one of those burthens have several motions thereto and yet all but bearing motions Other sorts of motions as throwing the bar pitching the bar throwing a ball striking a ball throwing a bowl flinging a dart darting a dart throwing upward downward straight-out side-wayes and all these several manners is but a throwing motion Leaping running hopping trotting gallopping climing clamering flying and infinite others yet all is but a lofty motion Diving dipping mowing reaping or shearing rowling creeping crawling tumbling traveling running and infinite the like examples may be given of the varieties of one and the same kinde of motion Chap. 68. Of double motions at one and the same time on the same matter AS for example spinning flax or the like is drawn long and small twisted hard and round and at one time Again a bowl runs round-way and yet straight-out at one time A shuttle-cock spins about in a straight line The winde spreads and yet blows straight-out at one and the same time Flame ascends Circular and many the like examples may be given Chap. 69. Of the several strengths ALthough there be infinite strengths of Motion yet not to all sorts of figures nor to all degrees of matter for some figures move slow others move swift according to the Nature of the shape or the interior strengths or the degree or quantity of innated matter that created them for though every degree of innated matter is of one and the same strength yet there are different degrees but onely two degrees are subject to our weak sense as the innate minde and the innated body which we call sense and reason which sense and reason may be in every thing though after different manners but we have confined sense onely to animal kinde and reason onely to mankinde but if the innated matter is in the dull parts of matter as the life of the body then there is no part that hath not sense and reason whether creating or created dissolving or dissolved though I will not say that every creature enjoys life alike so every figure is not innated alike for some is weaker innated and some stronger either by quantity or degree yet every figure is innated for it is innated matter that creates and dissolves figures yet the innated matter works according to the several degrees and tempers of the dull part of matter and to such properties and figures and figures properties and proper figures that is motion doth form the onely matter into figures yet motion cannot alter the Entity of only matter but motion can and doth alter the interior and exterior figures and though the several degrees of matter may be placed and replaced in figures yet the nature of the matter cannot be altered Chap. 70. The creations of Figures and difference of Motions THose motions that are proper to create figures are different from those motions that dissolve them so that sympathetical internal motions do not onely assist one another but Sympathetical external Motions and Sympathetical figures this is the reason that from two figures a third or more is created by the way of procreation yet all figures are created after one and the same kinde of way yet not after one and the same manner of way as Vegetables Minerals and some sorts of Animals as such as are bred from that we call corruption as some sorts of worms and some sorts of flies and the like Yet are they created by the procreation of the heat and moisture the same way are plants that grow wilde produced but those that are sown or set although they are after one and the same kinde of way yet not after the same manner for the young vegetables were produced from the seeds and the earth which were sowed or set together and in grafts is when two different plants produce seed of mixt nature as a Mule is produced or the like creature from two different Animals which make them of mixt nature for As there is a Sympathetical conjunction in one and the same kinde of figure so there is a Sympathetical conjunction in some sorts of figures but not in all nor to all for that would make such a confusion in nature as there would be no distinction of kindes besides it were impossible for some kinde of figures to make a conjunction with other kindes being such a difference betwixt them some from the nature of the figures others from the shape
frozen it is not suddenly thawed which half perswades me that cold is the quicker motion but howsoever we perceive they do often dispute for the mastry when some time the cold predominates and sometimes the heat But when there is an amity and friendship between both then it is temperate weather Chap. 109. Of dry heats and cold and of moist heats and colds ALL dry heats and colds are created or produced by such manner of motions as pleating folding surfling crumpling knitting linking brading tieing binding into a lesse compasse or space All moist heats and moist colds are created or produced by such manner of motions as smoothing planing stricking or stretching but burning heats are like those motions that prick a sheet of paper full of holes or dart it or cut it but there are infinite of these several kinds of motions which make these several heats and colds working according to the several degrees or temperaments of matter and the composers of figures but l onely set these few notes to make my discourse as easy to my readers understanding as I can for it is a difficulty to expresse several motions although they be so grosse as to be visible to the optick sense Chap. 110. Of shining figures ALL figures that are composed of lines are the aptest to shine because lines are the evenest measure and the smoothest rule for mathematical motions to work with but according as the lines either exterior or interior is smooth or rough contracted or extenuated shines more or lesse for some lines are interiorly even and smooth and exteriorly rough and unequal as pointed lines or chekred or milions the like Others are exteriorly even and interiorly rough as lines of points some are interiorly rough and exteriorly rough as lines of points pointed and some are interiorly smooth and exteriorly smooth which are drawn out even as one piece and not composed of parts Chap. 111. The motions that make natural air and day light NAtural air which is not metamorphosed air is made by such kinde of motions as makes cloth that is spun threads weaved as with shuttles in a loom so some motions spin threads of thin dull matter and other motions interweave those threads where the grossest sort makes the thicker air as great threads make course cloth and the thinner matter makes the serenest air as small threads make the finest cloth where some is like cobweb-lawn so sheer or clear as the smallest objects may be seen through which is spread about the globe of the earth as a thin vail over a face or body and from the sun rising the motions that make light run in lines upon it and so is like a garment laid all over with silver-twist or rather like silverwier from the sun rising to high noon it is as it were setting sewing or imbroidering on this serene air at mid-day it is quite finished and by sun set it is quite reapt off again And to shew that the lines of light are as it were laid upon this serene air and not mixt into it is by the vapor which gathers into dark clouds which will obscure the light as far as they spread besides if the light were intermixt the motions and matter could not so easily nor so quickly withdraw or intermingle as we see they do for what is intermixt is hard to separate but dark clouds are onely as spots which by rarification are rubbed out if they be wet spots or drops they fall out in shours of rain but by such sorts of motions as by ringing or squeesing or griping with a hand or the like which breaks the sea or waves of water which are clouds into several streams of drops sometimes with a greater force and sometimes with a lesse according as the motions are stronger or weaker The difference betwixt this serene and natural air and the metamorphosed air is as a natural face and a mask which is put on or put off according as the watry circles contract or dilate the other in probability may be as lasting as the sun it self not being subject to change but by a natural creation or dissolution Chap. 112 Of light LIght is made by such a kinde of motion as heat being an equal extenuating motion but the difference is that the motions that make heat is a spreading motion but light is made by a spining motion equally drawing out long paralel lines with an extraordinary swiftnesse evennesse smalnesse and straightnesse Chap. 113. The reflections of light THe reflections of light when are the innated matter draws even lines with equal motions backwards as I may say for when their motions are stopt with a more solid matter then that which they work on to make light where touching or beating thereon they do not break their lines but the leading innated matter which makes light returns back in equal lines with equal motions so as there becomes equal lines of light onely as some lines run forward others run backward but in straight paralel lines not crossed nor perturbed for when these motions are crost or perturbed it doth as troubled waters do the one rising in several colours as the other in waves so the colours are the waves or billows of light Chap. 114. Of light and reflections NO question but there are as many various lights as faces and as different kinds of lights as there are different Animals or vegetables or minerals as some I will here set down for distinction the sun light the lighs of the fixt stars the fire light meteor light glow-worm light rotten wood light the light of fishes bones and there are many sorts of stones which will sparkle in the dark as diamonds and many I cannot recount Then there are produced lights as day from the sun flame from fire then there are reflected lights as the planets and reflected lights from reflected lights as the light from the planets on the earth and infinite reflections made by several motions on figures for on every figure are several reflections Chap. 115. Of some opinions of light darknesse and Death SOme say light is nothing but a motion but there can be no motion without some matter for where there is no matter there is nothing to move but light as other effects are is made by such kind of motions on such degrees or tempered matter and so is heat and cold and darknesse made by several motions on such matter although some opinions are that darknesse is nothing but an absence of light as some think death is a cessation of motion T is true death is an alteration of such kinde of motions as we call life so darknesse is not made by such motions as make light for there are motions belong to darknesse as well as those to make light so there be many several motions in dissolving of figures which dissolution we call death as the creating of a figure which we call life Chap. 116. Of darknesse THose motions which make darknesse seem to be
no otherw aies then if I should see a man but neither know his estate quality capacity or natural disposition thus upon my conscience is a truth not onely in these two Philosophers but all Philosophers and not onely Philosophers but all their learned men so that I am no otherwayes learned in writers works or other opinions then those that onely learned the tearms of arts and sciences but know no more The like they may say of Physitians as of Philosophers when they read my opinions of diseases it is true I have converst with Physitians more then any other learned profession yet not so much as to increase my understanding although more then was advantagious for my health indeed I have been the worst Physitian to my self besides wise learned men think it a discredit to discourse learnedly to ignorant women and many learned men speak most commonly to women as women do to children nonsense as thinking they understand not any thing or else like those that are of another Language speak such gibbrish to those they would have understood that they understand not themselves yet think those they speak to do conceive them as if ignorance was bound to understand nonsense that is not to be understood but I desire my Readers or censurers for some will censure that have not read or at least not understood me that I did never take nor steal any opinion or argument from any other as my own nor never will and if I hit or light upon the same it is meer chance T is true I have mentioned many opinions but not as my own opinions or arguments but rather 〈◊〉 civilly I have been opposite to those opinions I have heard of and I make no question but if my Readers will take the paines to compare my writings to others and throughly examine them they will I make no question finde great difference for though other Philosophy have treated of matter form and motion being the fundamental ground of all all natural Philosophical discourse yet I believe not my way nor I never read any book of diseases or medicines but Gerrards Herball which no question is a very rare book and cetainly discribes the tempers of herbs fruits and drugs very learnedly but I do verily 〈◊〉 the learning lies more in the tempers then in the applications for I beleeve where one is rightly applied forty are falsly applied and how shall it be otherwaies unlesse he had studied the motions and tempers of diseases for one and the same diseases may be of several tempers and motions wherefore one and the same simple will not cure one and the same kinde or rather sort of disease Wherefore I beseech my readers to be so charitable and just as not to bury my works in the monuments of other writers but if they will bury them let it be in their own dust or oblivion for I had rather be forgotten then scrape acquaintance or insinuate my self into others company or brag of received favours or take undeserved gifts or belie noble Benefactors or to steal although I were sure the theft would never be discovered and would make me live eternally But I have no acquaintance with old Authors nor no familiarity with the moderns I have received no instructions by learning and I never owned that which was not justly my own nor never stole that which was justly anothers neither have I retained but plain truth to defend and conscience towitnesse for me Besides I have heard that learning spoiles the natural wit and the fancies of others drive the fancies out of our own braines as enemies to the nature or at least troublesome guests that fill up all the rooms of the house This opinion or rather a known truth was a sufficient cause for me neither to read many Books or hear arguments or to dispute opinions had I ever been edicted to one or accustomed to the other by reason I found a naturall inclination or motion in my own brain to fancies and truly I am as all the world is partial although perchance or at least I hope not so much as many are yet enough to desire that my own fancies and opinions might live in the world rather then the fancies and opinions of other mens in my brain AN EPISTLE TO MY HONOURABLE READERS MOst Noble Reader let not partialitie or obstinacie weigh judgments scales but truth wherefore if you weigh my Philosophical and Physical opinions with the ancient Philosophers lay by the weaknesse and incapacity of our sex my unexperienced age my unpractised time my ignorant studies my faint knowledge and dim understanding to help to pair my discourse with theirs in which scale there are learned studies long experience practised time high arguments and School-disputations Besides they draw and make the large river of their discourse from many several springs mine onely flows in little Rivolets from the natural spring in my own brain AN EPISTLE TO THE Reader for my Book of Philosophy PErchance many that read this book will hardly understand it not but it may be as rational and as probable as any that have writ before but unlesse they be contemplary persons which are not many in our nation especially in the Protestant opinion which live not Monastical lives are not so curious nor so inquisitive after nature as to study that Science Besides they think it unprofitable bringing no advantage but they are much mistaken for that it is a great insight to the knowledge of all Vegetables Minerals and Animals their constitutions their sympathies and antipathies their extractions and applications which they apply for health and prolonging of life Besides the study in this Science brings them acquainted with the course of the stars and planets and the several tempers of the Climats and the nature of the several Soyls which is profitable in husbandry then it is advantagious for the art of Navigation and Plantations and many other things but above all this study is a great delight and pleases the curiosity of mens minds it carries their thoughts above vulgar and common Objects it elevates their spirits to an aspiring pitch It gives room for the untired appetites of man to walk or run in for so spatious it is that it is beyond the compasse of time besides it gives pleasure in varieties for infinite wayes are sirawed with infinite varieties neither doth it binde up man to those strickt rules as other Sciances do it gives them an honest liberty and proves temperance is the greatest pleasure in nature T is true moral Philosophy is an excellent study but the doctrine is too strict for the practise for it teaches more then can be followed and Theologie is a glorious study but the way is difficult and dangerous for though there are many pathes yet there is but one that leads to heaven and those that step awrie fall into the Gulph of damnation and the deep study in this many times blindes the eyes both of faith and reason and
Sensivtie War ALL Natural War is caused either by a Sympathetical motion or an Antepathetical motion For Natural War and Peace proceed from Self-preservation which belongs only to the Figure for nothing is annihilated in Nature but the particular prints or several shapes that motion makes of matter which motion in every Figure strives to maintain what they have created for when some Figures destroyothers it is for the maintenance or security ofthemselves and when the destruction is for Food it is Sympathetical motion which makes a particular Appetite or nourishment from some Creatures to others but an Antipathetical motion that makes the Destruction Chap. 23. Of Annihilation THere can be no Annihilation in Nature nor particular motions and Figures because the matter remains that was the Cause of those Motions and Figures As for particular figures although every part is separated that made such a figure yet it is not Annihilated because those parts remain that made it So as it is not impossible but the same particular Figures may be erected by the same motions that joyned those parts and in the matter may repeat the same motion eternally so by succession and the same matter in a figure may be erected and dispersed eternally Thus the dispersing of the matter into particular figures by an Alteration of motion we call Death and the joyning of parts to create a Figure we call life Death is a Separation life is a Contraction Chap. 24. LIFE LIfe is the Extract or spirit of common matter * this extract is Agile being alwayes in motion for the Thinnesse of this matter causes the subtilty of the Quality or property which quality or preporty is to work upon all dull Matter This Essence or life which are Spirits of sense move of themselves for the dull part of Matter moves not but as it is moved thereby Their common motions are four Atractive Retentive Digestive Expulsive Attractive is that which we call Growth or youth Retentive is that we call strength Digestive is that we call Health that is an equal distribution of parts to parts and agreeing of those spirits Expulsive is that which we call Death or decay The Attractive spirits gather and draw the materials together The Digestive spirits do cut and carve out every thing The Retentive do fit and lay them in their proper places The Expulsive do pul down and scatter them about Those spirits most commonly move according to the matter they work on For in spung and porous light matter their motion is quick in solid and weighty their motion is slower For the solid parts are not onely dull and immoveable of themselves but they hinder and obstruct those Spirits of sence and though they cut and pierce through all yet it is with more labour and slower motion for their motions change according to the quantity and quality of that matter they meet with for that which is porous and spungy the Figures that they form that matter in are sooner made and sudenlier destroyed then that which is more combustible This is the reason Minerals last longer then Vegetables and Animals because that matter is both tougher and harder to work on then Vegetables and Animals are These Sensitive spirits we may similize to several workmen being alwayes busily imployed removing lifting carrying driving drawing digging and the like And although these spirits are of substance thinner then dull matter yet they are stronger by reason of their subtility and motion which motion gives them power for they are of an acute quality being the Vitriol as it were of Nature cut and divide all that opposeth their way Now these spirts though they be infinite yet we cannot think them so grosse an infinite as combustible matter yet those thinner infinites may cut and carve the thicker infinites all into several figures like as Aqua-fortis will eat into the hardest iron and divide it into small parts As I have said before the spirits of life works according as the matter is for every thing is shap'd according to the solidity of the matter like as a man which builds a house of such wood which is tough and strong because he knows otherwise it will break by reason of the great weight they are to bear but to make laths he takes his wood and cuts it thin that the nails may the easier passe through so joyning and fitting several sorts to proper uses to build his house Or like a Cook when he 's to raise a pie must take stiff Dough for otherwise it will not onely fall before it be finished but it cannot be raised and to make the lids to cover his pye he must use a softer Paste otherwise it will not rowl thin thus a stiff paste is not fit for a lid nor a thinner paste for to raise a Pye it may make a Cake or so So the spirits of life must make figures as the matter is fit and proper therto for the figure of man or the like the spirits of life take the solid and hard matter for the Bones the Glutinous matter for the Sinews Nerves Muscles and the like and the Oyly matter for Flesh Fat Marrow So the fluid for Blood and such like matter and the spirits themselves do give this dull matter motion not onely in the building of the figure but to make the figure move when it is built Now the spirits of life or lively spirits do not onely move dull and immoving matter but makes that matter to move and work upon others for some kinde of figures shall make another to resemble it self though not just be as it self is made but as the shadow like the substance for it works as a hand that is guided by another and not of its own strength that is the reason Arts have not so much perfection as nature The Copy is not so lively as the Original for the spirits of life move and work of their own strength and the dul matter by the strength of the spirits Chap. 25. Of CHANGE THe Change of motion in several Figures makes all change and difference in the World and their several properties and effects thereto And that which we call Death or corruption is not an absence of life but an expulsive motion which doth annihilate those figures that erecting motion hath made So death is an annihilation of the Print not of the Mould of figures for the Moulds of those figures of Mankinde Beast or Plant of all kindes whatsoever shall never be annihilated so long as motion and matter last which may alwayes be for the mould of all figures is in the power of motion and the substance of matter Chap. 26. Of Youth or Growth THus Spirits of sense work according to the substance of the matter for if the matter be porous and light they form those figures quicker and dissolve them suddenly But if their matter be solid and hard they work slower which makes some figures longer ere they
come to perfection and not so easily undone And if their strength be too weak for the matter they work upon as wanting help then the figure is imperfect and mishapen as we say This is the reason Animals and Vegetables which are yong have not so great strength as when they are full grown because there are fewer spirits and the materials are loose and unsetled not knockt close But by degrees more spirits gather together which help to forward their work bring in materials by food setling them by nourishment carrying out by Evacuations that matter that is unuseful and that Rubbish and Chips as I may say which would hinder their motion If they bring in unuseful matter their figure increases not as we say thrives not And if they carry out the principal materials the figure decayes and falls down But those parts of matter which are not spirits do not carry that part of matter which is spirit but these spirits carry the dull matter Thus the spirits the innated matter move in dull matter and dull matter moveth by the spirits and if the matter be fine and not gross which they build withal and their motion be regular then the figure is beautiful and well proportioned Chap. 27. Of Increasing THe reason that the corruption of one figure is the cause of making of another of the same kinde is not onely that it is of such a tempered matter that can onely make such a kinde of figure but that the spirits make figures according to their strength So that the spirits that are in the Seed when they have undone the figure they are in by a general expulsion which we call corruption they begin to create again another figure of the same kinde if no greater power hinder it For the matter that is proper to make such like figures is fitted or temper'd to their strengths So as the Temper of the matter and the strength of the spirits are the Erectors of those figures eternally And the reason that from one Seed less or more Numbers are increased and rais'd is that though few begin the work more will come to their help and as their numbers are increased their figures are more or less weaker or stronger Chap. 28. Of Decay WHen Spirit of Life have created a Figure and brought it to perfection if they did not pull it down again they would be idle having no work to do and Idleness is against the nature of life being a perpetual motion For as soon as a figure is perfected the spirits generally move to an expulsive motion This is the reason that Age hath not that strength as full-growth But like an old house falling down by degrees shed their Haires or Leaves instead of Tiles the Windows broke down and stopped with Rubbish So Eyes in Animals grow hollow and dim And when the Foundation of a house is loose every little winde shakes it So when the Nerves being slack and the Muscles untied and the Joynts unhing'd the whole Body is weak and tottering which we call Palsies which Palsies as the winde shakes The Bloud as the Springe dries up Rhumes as Rain falls down and Vapours as Dust flie up Chap. 29. Of Dead and Death DEad is where there is a General Alteration of such Motion as is proper to such Figures But Death is an Annihilation of that Print or Figure by an Expulsive Motion And as that Figure dissolves the Spirits disperse about carrying their several burdens to the making of other Figures Like as a house that is ruin'd by Time or spoyled by accident the several Materials are imployed to other uses sometimes to the building of an house again But a house is longer a building then a pulling down by reason of the cutting carving laying carrying placing and fitting every part to make them joyn together so all the works of Nature are sooner dissolv'd then created Chap. 30. Of Local Shapes SOme Shapes have power over others but 't is not alwayes in the size or bulk of the Figure but in the manner of their Formes that give advantage or disadvantage A little Mouse will run through the Snowt of a great Elephant A little Flye will sting a great Figure to death A Worm will wind through a thick Body The Lions force lies in his Claws The Horses in his Hoof The Dogs in his Teeth The Bulls in his Horns and Man 's in his Armes and Hands Birds in their Bills and Talons And the manner of their Shapes gives them several properties or faculties As the Shape of a Bird causes them to 〈◊〉 a Worm to creep the Shape of a Beast to run the Shape of Fish to swim yet some flie swifter and higher then others as their Wings are made So some run nimbler then others according as their Limbs are made and some swim glider then others according as their Fins are made But Man surpasses the shape of all other Creatures because he hath a part as it were of every shape But the same motion and the same matter without the shape could not give such External Properties since all Internal Properties are wrought out of dull matter So as it is their shapes joyned with such motions proper thereunto that giveth strength and Agileness But the Internal Qualities may be alike in every figure because Rational Spirits work not upon dull matter but figures themselves Chap. 31. The Visible Motion in Animals Vegetables and Minerals THe external motions of Animals are running turning winding tumbling leaping jumping shoving throwing darting climbing creeping drawing heaving lifting carrying holding or staying piercing digging flying swimming diving The Internal motion is contriving directing examining comparing or judging contemplating or reasoning approving or disapproving resolving From whence arise all the Passions and several Dispositions These and the like are the visible Internal motions in Animals The Internal motions of Vegetables and Minerals are in operation As contracting dilating which is Attractive Retentive Digestive Expulsive The Vegetables External motion is increasing decreasing that is enlarging or lasting although there may be matter not moving yet there is no matter which is not moved Chap. 32. Of the Working of several Motions of Nature MOtions do work according as they finde Matter that 's fit and proper for each kinde Sensitive Spirits work not all one way But as the matter is they cut carve lay Joyning together Matter solid Light And build and form some figures streight upright Or make them bending and so jutting out And some are large and strong and big about And some are thick and hard and close unite Others are flat and low and loose and light But when they meet with matter fine and thin Then they do weave as Spiders when they spin All that is woven is soft smooth thin things As flowry Vegetables and Animal skins Observe the Grain of every thing you 'l see Like inter-woven Threads lye evenly And like to Diaper and Damask wrought In several works that for our Table 's
the figure will alter and change every minuit either by the altered motion of the sensitive or rational but most commonly they alter their motions together as in a joynt concent for a troubled minde will make the body appear heavy and sad for joy and grief will make different countenances in the figure and so every passion in the minde is most commonly matched with a countenance agreeable thereto and most commonly other exterinal actions yet although the motions may differ the innated matter may be of one and the same degree for I do not say every degree of innated matter moves alwayes in one kinde of motion for though every degree of innated matter is of a particular strength yet not of a particular motion Chap. 141. Of several worlds AS the Sun differs from the earth and the rest of the planets and earth differs from the seas and seas from the airy skie so other worlds differ from this world and the creatures therein by different degrees of innate matter on different degrees of dull part of matter which makes different figures by different motions and as this world is of a spherical figure so other worlds may be of other figures as for Animals although all Animals are not of one shape for a man differs from the shape of a horse or any other four legged creature and every sort of beast differs from one another in their shape So likewise there is difference in their kinds as well as in their several sorts for beasts kind differ from birds kinde so may worlds differ for all we know and if we should guesse by the several changse and variety in nature it is very probable it is so who knows or indeed might not very easily beleeve it so to be that worlds may be match'd by a sympathetical conjunction to produce other worlds as other creatures do for we finde the planets by a sympathetical conjunction to produce other creatures as the sun and the earth And it is to be observed that as several motions create figures so several motions work by their created figures and those motions that creates figure by a sympathetical conjunction create after their own likenesse either in the nature or shape or both but those figures that create figures without conjunction of figures after their invention or imitation as I may say cannot make such figures as conjunctially of figures man calls 〈◊〉 figures as birds make nests or beasts make dens and men houses but to reckon all artificial figures is past my skill and beyond my life who knows since we finde new and unheard stars but that they are the birth of other worlds AN EPISTLE TO ALL Learned PHYSITIANS MOst reverend and gráve Fathers of health I present this work unto your sage judgements your prudent practises your great experiences your studious observations your miraculous cures and humbly lay it on the tables of your studies in hope some spare time may invite you to read therin I dare not commend it lest you should disprove it for as your wisdomes value it so it is good or bad AN EPISTLE TO MY READERS I Am to be pardoned if I have not the names and tearms that the Anatomists have or use or if I have mistaken some parts in the body or misplaced any for truly I never read of Anatomie nor never saw any man opened much lesse dissected which for my better understanding I would have done but I found that neither the courage of nature nor the modesty of my sex would permit me Wherefore it would be a great change even to a wonder I should not erre in some but I have seen the intrals of beasts but never as they are placed in their bodies but as they are cut out to be drest and in the shambles and perchance I haue seen passing by the shambles a cruel Butcher cut the throat of a beast or rip up the body where the guts and garbidge would burst out but that gave me not much more knowledge not seeing how they lay in their bodies and though it is a usual custome for Ladies and women of quality after the hunting a Deer to stand by until they are ript up that they might wash their hands in the blood supposing it will make them white yet I never did but as I have said before I have seen the intrals of beasts out of their bodies which intrals I have heard are much like a mans especially a hogs so that I know man hath a brain a heart a stomack liver lights spleen and the like yet these I never viewed with a curious and searching eye but as they have laien in some vessels and as for bones nerves muscels veines and the like I know not how they are placed in the body but as I have gathered several times from several relations or discourses here a bit and there a crum of knowledge which my natural reason hath put together of which meat my wit like an unexperienced Cook hath ventered to dresse if it pleaseth the palats of my readers I shall account my time not lost if not it is not the first dish of good meat that hath been disgust OF THE MOTION OF THE BODIE PART IV. CHAP. 141. PHysitians should study the motions of the body as naturall Philosophers study the motions of the heavens for several diseases have several motions and if they were well watched and weighed and observed they might easily be found out severally and as they take compass of the heaven and stand upon the earth so they may take the degrees of the disease although they diffect not the body Thus natural Physitians may know when the sun of health will be eclipsed by the shaddow of melancholly which gets betwixt the body and health and natural physitians may come to know the thoughts as they the stars by studying the humors of men may know what influences they may have upon the body and may know the severall changes of their humor as they the several changes of the moon that the several changes of the humor causeth the bloud to ebb and to flow as the Tides of the Sea thus they may make an Almanack of the body for to shew what weather and seasons there will be as great tempests and stormes of wind-collick whether there will fall upon the Lungs great rheumes as showers of rain or whether there may be great and hot fevers or whether there will be earthquakes of shaking Agues or cold and dumb-palsies or whether there will be dearths of flesh and so leave bones bare by the droughts of heated fevers or whether the over-flowing of moisture which causeth dropsies thus if we could finde the several motions in several diseases in a body as surely might be done by observations and study and could finde out the several motions by the several operations in physick we might surely so apply them together as to make animals though not live eternally yet very long and truly I think this
bullet the pistol or that which makes the sound is the center which spreads sound as fire doth light and when such a compass of air is filled with sound either vocal or verbal every ear that stands in the compass must needs receive the sound if they 〈◊〉 not deaf likewise every eye may see day-light that is not blinde and the rebounds of sound are as the reflections of light and verbals are received into the ear as figures into the eyes and as cross lines of light make various colours so different notes make various tunes But some may say that if the air were full of one and the same words or notes that more would enter the ears then was sent I say that is impossible unless the ear could draw the spreading or streaming lines from the circumference to a point which the ear cannot But I believe art may do the same for sound as it can with light for art can draw with glasses made for that purpose many beams to appoint but if the eyes did so it would burn them out Also they can draw several species through a small hole I believe artificial echoes are or may be made after such a manner Chap. 165. Of taste touch and smell THese senses are made by such motions as sound is and as they are set on the drum of the ear so these are set on the nerves of the tongue or on the skin for when the skin is off our tongue we cannot taste likewise for touch they are set on the nerves and sinnews and when these notes are set harmoniously it pleaseth the senses otherwise it displeaseth them which displeasure is pain amongst the sensitive innated matter and hate amongst the rational innate matter As for scent they are motions that draw like lines like a plat-form upon the pia mater of the brain indeed the second draught of the sensitive innated matter is to draw all their figures upon the pia mater of the brain Chap. 166. Of Touch. TOuch is the general sense of the whole body which the other senses are not for though every part of the body is of a several touch yet it is all touch When sight onely belongs to the eyes sound onely to the ears scent onely to the nostrils and taste onely to the tongue besides the loss of any of these senses nay all of them may be wanting as if they were not belonging to life as indeed they are not but onely as conveniencies to the life but not of necessity whereas touch is as it were the life of the figure for when this sense is generally wanting in the animal figure it is as we say dead that is the natural motion belonging thereto is generally altered or quite changed as we say This sense is received through the pores of the flesh and the nerves are the instrumental strings whereon motion playes either a harmony of pleasure or a discord of pain for as their strings are struck so is pain or pleasure felt but I have treated sufficiently of this sense in my chapter of numb'd palsies Chap. 167. Of the pores of the body THe pores are passages which let out the smoke or vapor unnatural heat and the superfluous humors in the body also they are passages to let in comfortable warmth refreshing colds nourishing air these passages have their inconveniencies for they are a means to conveigh out the good with the bad and many times takes in infections as malignant diseases that passe through the pores for infection comes in as much through the pores as any other part of the body Besides many times the radical moisture is carried out by unnatural heats and sometimes the vital spirits by too many transparations but these pores passages are drawn or shut closer together by contracting motions or set wider open by extenuating motions but if these common and necessary passages to the interiour parts be 〈◊〉 close shut either by cold contractions or hot contractions it smoothers and choakes the vital parts by keeping the vapor or smoke that should go forth for the pores in this case are as the funnels of chimneys wherein the smoke ascends up and goeth out and if they are set too wide open by the extenuating motions they cause the body to starve by giving passage to such matter as should be kept in to feed the body or by giving too free passage to the natural moisture that should quench or temper the heat in the body or by giving too free a passage to the gadding spirits that should stay in the body to be imployed to the substance and strength thereof besides when they are too open they are as apt to take in by giving passage to that which is a prejudice to the 〈◊〉 of the body as infections malignity or unnatural colds or the like But the pores of the body are always imployed where the other passages of the body are imployed but some times THE NATVRAL VVARS IN ANIMAL FIGVRES PART V. CHAP. 167. ALL animals after they are created and have an animal life the figure is inlarged by nourishing motions and sympathetical matter these nourishing motions are disgesting motions carrying those parts which are received by the senses unto those parts that are created therein building thereon and fitting therewith strengthning by adding thicknesse as well as inlarging by extention yet all that is received into the stomack is not nourishing the reason is that the temperament of the matter is not sympathetical that is agreeing not with the motions therein For though it is not so antipathetical to make an open war which war is sicknesse yet they do hinder and obstruct like several factions those natural motions which make health but when the natural motions and tempers of humours are quite opposite to the food that is received or the unnatural humours bred in the body by evil digestion they become mutanous by the quantity that is received or that ariseth from obstructions whereupon there becomes a fierce and cruel fight of contrary motions and temperaments of matter and whilest they are in the battle we say the body is sick and if the natural motions be not strong enough to beat that evil and dangerous matter out or at least able to resist them so far as to guard themselves until the evil parts do spend themselves with their own fury or till the natural motions and temperaments can have some assistance as cordials or physick it destroyes the figure it fights with but if the natural motions be more powerfull either by their own strength or by their assistance then the mutinous and rebellious humours or the foreign enemy as surfets and the like but when they are beaten out killed or taken prisoners which is to be purged corrected or purified which makes the humours obedient and peaceable Chap. 168. Of the four natural Humours of the Body and those that are inbred AS there is natural Fire Aire Water and Earth that is made by an intire creation derived
and hath as much recourse to the heart as to the head and so to the other parts of the body for any thing I can perceive But that matter I call the rational and sensitive spirits which others call the animal and vital spirits perchance fools may think me extravagant for giving the matter other names but I was forced to take these names because they were more significant to the sense of my discourse besides perchance they may think when I speak of rational and sensitive spirits that they are hobgoblins ghosts or visions such as nurses fright their children with or superstitions or as the wiser sort doth to make credulous fools beleeve to keep them in awe knowing they are apt to disorders Chap. 182. Musick may cure mad folks THere is great reason why Musick should cure madnesse for this sort of madnesse is no other but the spirits that are in the brain and heart put out of their natural motion and the spirits having a natural sympathy with Musick may be composed into their right order but it must be such Musick as the number of the notes must goe in such order as the natural motion of the brain though every brain hath not one and the same motion but are set like notes to several tunes wherefore if it were possible to set notes to the natural motion of the heart or that brain that is distempered it might be perfectly cured but as some notes do compose the brain by a sympathy to the natural motion so others do make a discord or antipathy and discompose it putting the natural motions out of tune Thus much for the sensitive Maladies Chap. 183. Of the fundamental diseases first of fevours THere are many several sorts or manners of fevors but I will onely treat of the fundamental fevours which are three from which three all other fevors are partly derived the first is a malignant fevor the second the hective fevor and the third the ordinary burning fevours the first is catching and often deadly the second is never catching but alwayes deadly the third is neither catching and seldom deadly the first proceeds from violent disordered motions and distempered matter and humour The second from swift motions which distemper and make waste of the matter which matter I mean the substance of the body The third is too violent motions on well tempered matter And these three sorts of fevours are often mixt as it were a part of all mixt into one but a high malignant fevor is a sudden usurpation for the disordered motions joyned with a mistempered matter which is corrupt humours surprise the body and destroy the life therein as we shall see in great plagues the body is well sick and dead in a moment these or the like diseases are caused after three manner of wayes as being taken from outward infection or bred by an evil habit in the body or by taking some disagreeing matter therein which causeth a war of sicknesse for upon the disorder which the disagreeing matter makes the natural motions belonging to the body grow factious and like a common rout arise in an uproar which strives onely to do mischief stopping some passages that should be kept open and opening some passages that should be kept shut hindring all regular motions from working after that natural manner forcing those they can over power to turn rebels to the life of the body For it is against the nature of the innated matter to be idle wherefore it works rather irregularly then not work at all but as long as a body lies sick the power is divided one part of the innated matter working irregularly the other according to the natural constitution which by the regularity they strive to maintain the chief forts of life which are the vital parts especially the heart and disordered motions striving to take or pull them down making their strongest assaults thereon for the disordered innated matter makes out-works of corrupted matter stopping as many passages as their power will give leave so striving either to starve the vital parts or to oppresse them with corruption or to burn them by their unnatural heat they make in the body or to drown them with watrish humor which is caused by the distemper of ill disgestions and obstructions the regular innated matter strives to break down those works and to cast and expel that filth out of the body and according as each party gets the better the body is better or worse and according as the siege continues the body is sick and according as the victory is lost or won is life or death Chap. 185. Of the infections of animals Vegetables and elements Such motions as corrupt animal bodies corrupt vegetable bodies and as corrupt and malignant air is infectious to animals so likwise to vegetables and as malignant diseases are catching and infectious to those that comes neer them so oftentimes vegetables are infectious to animals as herbs and fruits which cause some yeers such dangerous sicknesse and killing diseases to those that eat thereof likewise those bodies that are infected do infect sound and nourishing food when once it is eaten causeth that which is good also malignant when once in the body Chap. 186. Of burning fevros ALL burning fevours for the most part are produced from the vital spirits as when they move irregularly they corrupt the natural humours which cause a distemper of heat in the body moving towards expulsions which are dilation and when they move with supernatural quicknesse after an extenuating maner they inflame the body in either causes emptying the body and quenching the fire is to be put in execution for the emptier the body is the lesse humours there will be Ltkewise lesse motion as having lesse matter for in matter motion lives likewise the lesse cumbustible matter there is the sooner the unnatural fire will be quenched unlesse that the fire be in the arteries then it is like a colepit set on fire wherein there is no quenching it unlesse you drown the coles so when the unnatural heat is in the arteries you must drown the life of the body like the colein the pit before you can quench the fire but a 〈◊〉 may be eased somwhat prolonged with cooling brothes and quenching julips for though they cannot enter the arteries yet they may keep the outward parts cold and moist which may cast cold damps quite through the body but in this case all evacuations are dangerous for the more empty the body is of humour the sooner the body is consumed for the humours serve as oyl and though they flame yet they keep in the light of life in all other fevours evacuations of all sorts are good for if it be some melancholy pitch humours that are set on fire in the body or some oylie cholerick humours it is but quenching it with cooling julips without any hurt to the body and if it be a brandy blood set on fire it is