Center which by a Sympathetical Agreement reinforces all the material Motions causing a powerful and lively Circulation both of the Blood Spirits and all the Aliments from whence doth arise and proceed a lively brisk Motion Strength Agility and strong sharp Appetite for the more free and open the Trade and Commerce is between the outward and inward Elements or between the Microcosm and Macrocosm the better is the state and condition of Health both of the Body and Mind For this cause the oftner and more any Person doth expose his Body to the open Air and Elements the stronger the Appetite and Digestive Faculties of the Stomach are and such Persons are more strong and lively likewise they are more hardy and more free from Colds and Obstructions which are nothing else but a Condensation or a stoppage of the porous Passages from whence cruel Colds and a thousand Diseases proceed therefore it is not good to Cloath the Body too Warm but of the two Cold is to be preferred to heat provided it be not too much and that it be born with pleasure or without pain For the inward Virtues of the Elements of Air and Water are curious living Powers which do sustain and preserve all the wonderful Beings in this great World but in what Creature or Thing soever these living Powers and the thin penetrating moist Spirits and Vapours become stagnated or thickened then that Creature or Thing becomes dull heavy and full of Indispositions and Crudities Now when in any Creature the fore-mentioned central Fires Burn too violently attracting and drawing all the moist Spirituous Vapours both of the Air and Water consuming and destroying as is before mentioned then immediately the Pores are in a manner stopt and the Forms and Properties do press and as it were rub against each other by which the Fire Burns more intense and fierce like two sticks rubbed hard against each other the Internal central heat is thereby stirred up and awakened and so fiercely kindled that this Fire which lay hid and captivated in the very Center doth by this agitation and fierce motion burn up and destroy the whole Body in a moments time the Fire being the Original of Motion and the true pleasure of all the other Elements when it burns easie or gentle but when it loses its power in any Creature or Thing all becomes cold dull heavy congealed and as it were frozen in that Creature or Thing in which the Fire is impotent and that thing stands near the House of Death and the Melancholly Regions And though this Noble Element the Fire be as it were the Life and Original of all lively Motion and the Well-being of every Creature and when it incorporates or equally mixes with the other Elements burning gently notwithstanding its Excellency wonderful and various uses yet most of the Distempers of the publick State and also the Diseases incident to Mankind are as it were Originally occasioned by this Element and also most of the Outrages that are committed in the great World from Man to Man and likewise the greater part of the Diseases that so terribly torment and afflict Mankind which if Man observe with a clear Eye and Understanding he will then see and find that this great Evil hath fallen upon him for his great and deep Degeneration and Separation from the Unity of Gods Holy Powers and his not knowing and distinguishing the Powers and Principles of God in himself Now Man having lost his way and being sunk into Darkness and Ignorance he takes hold and uses the gross fiery sulphurous and Brimstone Spirit which Governs in Man as he stands in Self-fulness and separated from the Divine Fountain of Benignity or Holy Union not being mixed incorporated or allayed with the sweet Water of Eternal Life in Jesus Christ. This Spirit or Fire before mentioned as it stands divided from the Union is a high lofty exalted Power the Original of all Pride and a domineering Spirit and in what Creature soever it obtains the Government that Creature becomes proud and of an insulting Nature Now the chief and principal cause or reason is that this proud fiery domineering and as it were consuming Spirit of Fire hath obtained and gotten such an Ascendant in the Hearts and very Souls of Mankind and also that the exalted and predominating power in most Diseases is this fiery brimstone or sulphurous quality of Fire Now as any Form or Property obtains the chief Government in the Heart immediately this very quality doth Sign or Stamp its Character and as it were lay its Commands on the imaginative Power and so Signs the Inclinations Dispositions Words and Works from the Government of this lofty fiery Power and Spirit from whence proceeds all Vain-Glory Pride high and lofty Imaginatioâ—… Inclinations and Desires after base slavish violent oppressive Employments as also ardent and longing Desires after unclean gross Foods and high lofty strong Drinks for every Mouth will be fed with agreeable Food the Attraction Desires and Inclinations do always arise and proceed from the ruling Quality and Man being divided from the Union of God and his own Composition into Disunion the fiery envious spiteful Powers exalting themselves cause a direful Appetite in Man And from these very Qualities the violent oppressive Trade of Killing one another and Eating the flesh of the Undergraduates or Beasts having taken their Original Birth for every Spirit Principle and Power doth desire and is supported and maintained by its Similie so that it is most clear nothing being more manifest than from those high exalted fiery Spirits and Powers in Man have sprung such violent and direful Appetites and strong Inclinations after the Blood of their own Kind and to eat the Flesh and Blood of the Beasts likewise to drink hot fiery exalted Liquors so that there is a Concatenation between the Imaginations Inclinations Natural Spirits Dispositions Words and Works Communications Employments and the Diseases Man is most subject unto Now as all the fore-mentioned qualifications do arise and proceed from a fiery ground which do with great power and strong vigour attract proportionable Foods and Drinks therefore most of our Diseases cannot but be Signed with the Character of Fire for every Principle Form or Quality whensoever it hath gotten or attained the Ascendant in any Man it goes on in a streight regular constant Method to do its own Work viz. to nourish support and encrease its own Spirit and Power whether it be in the Good or in the Evil. Hence it is no wonder that Mankind is so frequently seized wounded and destroyed by so many sorts of fiery Diseases viz. Fevers when any thinking Person considers what Powers Principles and Qualities rule and govern in his Heart and Soul there being a Sympathetical Agreement and Inclination between the governing qualities in Mens Minds and their Meats and Drinks and likewise their Diseases all follow one another in a direct Method or Line Now the power and influence Meats and Drinks
Inclination to continue a miserable Life doth not only proceed and arise from the sense Men have of Sin and the breaking of God's Law for which eternal Punishment is threatned though this seems to be sufficient cause to be the Root of each Man's fear of Death which doth not consist in his Transgressions but from that eternal Life and invisible Spiritual Power that supports and dwells in the Body which in all Creatures doth with the highest diligence imitate that Fountain from whence it proceeds 〈◊〉 it is not to be doubted that if a number of Men should be Educated and 〈◊〉 up and under Custom and Methâ—… that did not teach 〈◊〉 believe the Immortality of the Soâ—… 〈◊〉 Rewards for Virtuâ—… nor Punishments for Vice neverthelâ—… the fear and dread of all Violence Oppression and Death would be the same as now it iâ—… and with other Creatures for God's eternal Laws in Nature are the same yesterday to day and for ever or from Eternity to Eternity and Man makes Laws and imitates Customs that are varied and changed out of Evil into Good and out of Good into Evil but God's Law and 〈◊〉 in all the Operations of the Spiritual Powers are in a consâ—… fix'd Method and it is clear that the greatest Evil and 〈◊〉 thing that can be done to Man or any other sensible Creature is to put a Period to the Life before it hath obtained its highest Limit and this sort of Violence doth in all its Circumstances Diametrically oppose the Creating and likewise the Preserving Power of God and the greatest breach of Unity Now that which will make Death and the Thoughts thereof easiest is a clean harmless sober temperate and innocent Life Living within the Compass and Bounds of God's Law that is to do unto the whole Creation and Creatures as a Man would be done unto and if this was done nevertheless every one would Live eternally in this World if they could because the Spirit which is the Life of the Body hath an eternal Original and would be cloathed with a proportionable Body for no Spirit nor Spiritual Power can be known to it self or be a Self-subsisting Individual Creature or be capable of Joy or Sorrow neither in this World nor in that which is to come if it be not comprehended within the Circle of a Body and therefore the Philosophical Apostle Paul tells us that if the Dead rise not or if there be no Resurrection that is new Bodies they were the most miserable of all Creatures which is as if he had said that if after the Death of these Mortal Bodies if the Eternal Spirit or Immortal Soul did not obtain or cloath it self with a suitable Body that is an Immortal one then their Works and good Deeds could not follow them neither could the Holy Men and Saints be capable of enjoying those eternal Blessings promised to all those that observe the Laws of their Creator and keep his Commandments for if there be no new Bodies then the Soul and all the Spiritual Powers that circled and dwelt in this gross Body must of necessity at Death mingle themselves into and with the eternal Fountain and thereby be eternally Annihilated â—…s to Individuality or of being known to it self and consequently not capable either of Joy or Sorrow And note that according to the Disposition and Complexion of the Spiritual Powers such Bodies they are cloathed with and therefore it is not to be doubted but that every Man in the World to come shall be cloathed or obtain a suitable Body proportionable to the Spirit and Soul and such as in the time of the Body did freely immerse and enter into all kinds of Fierceness and Violence Killing those of their own kind and all under-graduated Creatures their new Bodies shall obtain a Figure or Form in proportion And therefore the Scripture doth say and speak of the Heavenly City and Angelical Powers without the Gates are Bears and Dogs for the Spirit is the Original of the Body and not the Body of the Spirit and according to the Equality or Ineâ—…ality of the Spirit or Spiritual Powers such a Figure or Form that obtains for the great and wonderful variety of Forms of Bodies and Figures of things do arise and proceed from the variety of the Spirits and Spiritual Powers which could not have been manifested but only by means of the Body nor be known to themselves It is likewise further to be noted that Death doth at once obliterate and put a period to the five great Princes or Councellors called Senses in which by and through whom the living Powers and Spirits of Eternity do manage and transact all material things in this Visible World or Corporeal Body and at the same time Buries them in the great Abyssal Mystery separating the loving Husband from the affectionate and tender Wife and all other visible things that are near and dear to the Senses and innate Affections and all that claims an interest to the outward Corporality the sensitive Body and Spirit of this World have a right unto and are necessitated to plunge or leap into the grand Mystery of Eternity and that which doth increase and multiply the fear and dread thereof and makes it so exceeding timerous to pass through or over this Sea into Eternity is First Mens living and acting contrary to Gods innocent Laws of Nature and the embracing of evil Customs and Traditions most of which do diametrically oppose all the innocent uniform Powers and Laws of Concord the ignorances thereof being the greatest evil in this World for it is almost impossible for any Person to obtain the Unity if he doth not distinguish the Power of God in himself and the Principles of his own Nature and Composition and for this cause many of the Justest and best of Men that have noâ—… only been soberly and religiously inclined but have as it were transacted all their Affairs with softness and equity according to the settled Religion and Custom of the Nation and Place they are Educated in nevertheless those great and unnatural Evils Violences and Oppressions most or all Nations commit against God and his Holy innocent Law do so strong and powerfully spring and boil up in the center of Mans Soul so soon as the Eternal Spiritual Powers do see and feel that their body or circle of Corporality shall be taken away or they separated from them 〈◊〉 there is a great and wonderful Consternation or Tumult all the Centers Powers and Principles being awakened and as it were grating or rubbing one against another occasioning great Disorders and Agonys between the Nature Spiritual Powers and Principles all being unwilling to shift or quit their Body or natural â—…tation and be put to seek a new one and being as is mentioned before altogether ignorant of then doth arise in the Center of the Soul various Accusations of their not doing this or the other thing or of some mis-spent time or neglect of the â—…mon Duty of
of Candle which doth make a Sick and Dying Bed still more uneasy and burthensom more especially when the Sick Person shall think and consider of the Methods of his Life great Agonies do arise and spring up in the Soul feeling its self almost naked or uncloathed of all the Pleasures of Life most of which Perplexities are Originalliy occasioned by the vain Educations and wicked Customs of Natons more especially among the Christians What vain empty frivolous Discourses do all Mothers Nurses and Maids use to their Children the first 6 or 7 years of their Age always discoursing between Jest and Earnest great part thereof Childish Banter with a hundred odd Tricks and Postures which doth take such deep root awakening their Similies so that those Vices become essential that neither Time nor Correction is ever able to obliterate them Is it not common where 5 or 6 Children are with a Mother Nurse and Maid the whole House is filled with a great noisom Crying others Laughing their Governesses Whipping and Threatning of them and it is but little amended when they come to 18 or 20 years of Age when 6 or 8 of these meet what a strange variety of Notes are heard as loud Obesence Laughter Jesting Lying and Jeering one another each endeavouring in vain talking to move that vain and ridiculous posture of Laughing nay our Gray-Hair'd Senators are not free from these Vanities it being common for ancient People to please and delight themselves in telling long Stories of their Youthful Wickedness and Follies and that too in the hearing of young People and in the presence of their own Children for Histories tell us that Christ never Laughed whilst he was Cloathed with the Humane Nature and to this day it is esteemed a very odd thing for any Person to Laugh in the Eastern Countreys Nowthese things considered no marvel that most Men on Dying Beds are under such perplexity and horror of Mind which doth occasion thousands to make Solemn promises to the Lord to amend and redeem their times if he pleases to continue their Lives for a very little season longer which very few do perform for those grafted evil Methods do quickly get head and there the evil Powers become strong and potent which doth verify that Proverb That which is bred in the Bone will never out of the Flesh Few or none ever consider that those Childish Evils or Venoms most suck in their Childhood and Youth do naturally improve in riper years even to old-Age as all Trades Sciences and other Learning do so that most or all Man's days are worse than trifled away The truth of this appears by the general Conversation of Mankind go amongst a hundred sorts of People of all Pretences and Religions and observe their Converse and Discourse their Nature and Tendency and upon the whole a Man shall not hear one word among many that is edifying useful and proper or that tends to the benefit of Mankind neither in the observation of that which makes them Men and is the support of the Body Soul and Spirit or the knowledge of God first in our selves and then in all other Creatures or how Mankind may render himself capable of discharging that great duty to his Maker viz. to govern himself and all the undergraduated Creatures in Good-will Love and Harmony which is the true method of doing unto all Gods Creatures as a Man would be done unto no no not a word of any such necessary Truths but most or all frothy vain and fantastick Now if Mankind spends all his Childhood in sucking in and learning Vanity and their strength of years in the practice of those Evils and Intemperances which often cuts Man off betimes when these things are considered it is then no marvel that the Dying or Sick Bed becomes so uneasy there being hardly any sort of People in the World that their Disciples do Dye with that great trouble or pain of the Mind and Body as the Christians more especially that part called the Reformed which comes to pass for the reasons before mentioned The Eastern People in General Live and Dye peaceably and easy more especially the People called Bannians who perhaps are some of the strictest Observers of Gods Law viz. doing unto those of their own kind and to all inferior Animals and Creatures as they would be done unto having a severe and particular regard to maintain Unity and Humanity that they may in the Resurrection or next World when New Bodies shall be given them arise in Humane Forms and Shapes for it is their undoubted Faith that if Man lives in Gods Law and leads an innocent harmless Life shewing Mercy Love and Compassion to all the sensible Creation that then they shall not only obtain an Angelical form of Body but have an Eternal Blessed Unity to live with God and his Holy Angels in the spangled Regions of Eternity But on the contrary those that live in the practice of Violence Oppression and Killing whose Minds Spirits and Souls are precipitated into those furious fierce Principles they shall be Cloathed in Eternity with suitable Bodies for without the Unity or Holy City of Innocency are Dogs Bears Lyons and the like Beasts of Prey saith St. Iohn in the Revelations there being nothing more true and certain he that breaks the Unity both in himself and in all other Creatures doth immediately divide himself from God and breaks forth into Discord Perplexity and Trouble let his Religion Custom and Laws of his Countrey be what it will And on the other side that Person that keeps the Unity in himself unviolated by living in innocent harmless methods has Peace both in his Living and Dying It is a Proverb amongst the Eastern Philosophers and Bannians that nothing makes the Life of Man pleasurable and the Dying-bed easy but an innocent Life and to imitate God who is the Creator of all Beings and the Preserver of all his Works This they say is the true Worship of God and joins them to the Fountain of Benignity Innocency hurts nothing nor nothing that those Eastern Sages or Philosophers have great Veneration for Silence is one of the most necessary and useful Vertues because most Men know but very little and therefore they ought to talk or discourse in proportion to their Understanding for this cause where there is much talk there is a like proportion of Ignorance and Folly uttered as the Wiseman saith A Fool is known by his much talking Therefore Pythagoras and many other Eastern Philosophers taught their Disciples and Scholars Silence as the first and principlest Precepts which the People of those Countreys do observe to this day time and practice hath made it easy and natural to them so that amongst them when several Ages are together viz. Children Young Men and Women middle Age and Old Age there is not any noise as talking altogether but all stand silent and sedate each Age speaking in their turn according to their Degrees which doth not
be an error c. Hence it is clear that true Religion and the constant practice of Virtue doth chiefly consist in the true understanding and distinguishing the principles and Powers of God first in Man's self and next in other things for the great Eternal Fountain of God's Love Light and Mercy of which a very large Portion did not only dwell in the Human Body of Jesus Christ from whose Virtue and Holy Power did proceed and flow all those wonderful things he did but the very same united Fountain has been an Inhabitant amongst the Sons of Men even from the beginning and is the Eternal Son of the Great Creator by whom all things were made and by whose Power and Virtue they are preserved and as Christ himself said Except I be in you that is Except this Eternal Light and sweet Love of God reign in your Hearts You are Reprobates It is the Holy Eternal Principle and Fountain of God's Love and Power that Essentially dwells in the very Centre of all Mens Hearts and who give up their Wills and Desires to be Guided and Conducted by its Council It never failed to Reconcile and Unite their Souls to their Creator This Central and Holy Preserving Power in the Human Body of the World is in every Specifick Body or Thing respectively according to the Graduation of each Being or Creature and as each Creature is more or less dignified with a larger or lesser proportion of this Holy Virtue this Eternal Divine Power that Creature or Thing is accordingly better or worse This whole Visible World is nothing else but the Great Body of God which was made by his Eternal Love and Power and is ever sustained by the same and as God preserves the Macrocosm by his everlasting Fountain of Light and Love in the very same manner he doth the Microcosm Man or little World which contains all the true Properties of the Great so that the Power of the Eternal Son of God and Fountain of all Beings is not limited to any Specifick Body but is Incomprehensible and Unfathomable filling Heaven Inhabiting the Centre of all Bodies giving Virtue Light and Love to all according to the Graduation and Capacity of each It is therefore of great and unspeakable Advantage and Use to Mankind to know Christ or the Divine Fountain of God's Eternal Word manifested in the Human Nature that is to arrive at the true Knowledge of God in our selves for the Manifestation of Christ or the Son's Power in the Flesh is the right Distinction every Man makes in himself of God's Eternal Voice of Wisdom Love and Mercy c. that directs us in the Paths of true Virtue and secures us from the Spirit of Error Violence and Oppression Pray tell me what will it avail any Man that the Holy Divine Power of God did in an extraordinary degree and fulness dwell in the Human Body of Christ by which he performed many excellent and wonderful things and at the same time knew nothing of the Divine Manifestation of God's Eternal Love in his own Human Nature If that remains a Mystery unmanifested in and to himself he will be but little benefitted by the Divine Power and Love of God manifested in the Human Body of Christ It matters not what Names Men are pleased to distinguish themselves by God knows no Names 〈◊〉 Natures This is the true Use we are to make of the right Understanding of Jesus Christ's Humanity which it hath pleased God to manifest to many who have been willing to submit to and 〈◊〉 guided by the Voice or Principle of Divine Light which dwâ—… in the Centre of every Man's Life And certainly it is the greatest Blessing both here and hereafter to know Christ Jesus 〈◊〉 the Divine Fountain of God's Eternal Love manifested and distinguished in our Human Natures for from this Power of the Son our Gracious Lovely Fountain doth proceed Justice Merâ—… Love Compassion Cleanness Temperance Order and in 〈◊〉 doing unto all Creatures as we would be done unto it is the Eye of the Soul whereby Men are enabled to distinguish in themselves from what Principles and Fountains every Thought Word and Work doth arise and exert its self in the Humâ—… Ground or Nature Hence it is fully evident that the Knowledge of Christ or the Son of God manifested in our Flesh and Human Nature teachâ—… and powerfully inclines every one that obtains this Spring-heâ—… of Blessings to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth to 〈◊〉 his Neighbour nay his Enemies and behave himself as a 〈◊〉 and Faithful Steward in the Management of all things put undâ—… his Government to one who has the witness of this Truth 〈◊〉 fested in his Soul all Controversies Disputes and Contentâ—… cease having a firmer and better certainty in himself than 〈◊〉 can be drawn from partial and wrangling Debates It is Coâ—… ence bears him Testimony with St. Paul that all that can 〈◊〉 known of God is manifest and known in a Man's self Aâ—… this be true as undoubtedly it is wherefore do Men so fooâ—…ly enquire elsewhere and look abroad for what they may 〈◊〉 little Application readily find in themselves Therefore my Friend turn the Eyes of your Soul inward and 〈◊〉 shall find the Son 's Blessed and Amiable Power in the Centre of 〈◊〉 Life to which you must compel your Will and Affections to be 〈◊〉 and Obedient 'T is this Self-Study I recommend to your daily Prâ—… all other things are Foreign to your Interest but this Knowledge 〈◊〉 stand you in everlasting Stead and administer Infinite Comfort 〈◊〉 Satisfaction when all outward Assistances shall fail and desert yoâ—… Your truly Loving Friend T. T. LETTER XII Of an Afflicted MIND SIR I am now Reading your kind 〈◊〉 and am sensibly concerned you meet with such a heap of Troubles in your Affairs espeâ—…lly the Loss of your two Brothers which must of necessity 〈◊〉 sensibly invade your Peace and Quiet and if given way to multiply Afflictions in your Mind and Body there is no shelter 〈◊〉 such Cases but an humble and intire Submission to the Divine â—…ill and Providence which will in time afford you the best Reâ—…dy especially if you can perswade your self to lead a Philosoâ—…al and Pythagorian Life in Meats Drinks Exercises and Communications the last of these if duly observed will add â—…ndantly to the Health of your Body and the Content of your â—…ind I could heartily wish it were in my power to join with 〈◊〉 in so noble a Design nothing in the World could be more 〈◊〉 my good liking As to your Indisposition I cannot at preâ—…nt give you better Advice than I have already done when I â—…coursed you in London however I would have you if possiâ—… to exalt your Mind that your present Afflictions and Cirâ—…stances may not get Dominion over you for neither your 〈◊〉 Natural Spirits nor Body are able to endure such Fatigues â—…ations and Troubles as others who are of more sturdy Conâ—…tions Much
and desire to be made manifest that is to be known to its self which cannot be any other way but by being cloathed with a Corporeal Body for a Spirit or an Inâ—…e Power cannot become Individual if it be not cloathed with a suitable Body they being like a Circle in which all the Spiritual invisible Principles and Powers do act and become â—…nown to themselves and thereby be made capable of Joy Hoâ—… Fear and Sorrow It is likewise to be understood as was before mentioned that the Spirit of each Creature is before the Body and the Desire the Cause and Original thereof and as the Learned Apostle Paul saith the Body is Dead without the Spirit and 〈◊〉 Spirit is not nor cannot be known to its self nor Enjoy or Sâ—…fer without the Body and every particular Creature or Being is endued with all the Principles Properties and Qualities of the Eternal Father or Invisible Fountain of Unity and are all the true and natural Sons thereof and therefore each Sensitive Creature doth from an Innate Disposition and Spiritual Inclination desire to be like its Father that hath Begotten it for the Son doth contain the true Nature and Properties of the Father and therefore not only Man but all other inferiour Creatures are the Likeness and Image of him from whence they proceed and had their Birth each according to its Kind and Graduation and as the Original Forms and Powers were more equal or unequal inferior or superior whence proceed the great and wonderful variety of visible Creatures both in the Animal Vegitable and Mineral Kingdoms in this World for accordiâ—… 〈◊〉 the degrees equality and inequality of the Spiritual Quaâ—… and Powers such were the Desires which did naturally 〈◊〉 vehemently attract a proportionable Matter out of all thiâ—… for a Covering our Body and that Sal Nitral or Spiritual Poâ—… and Virtue that did Predominate or had the Ascendant Sigâ—… the Body with a Character and the Inclinations Dispositioâ—… Shapes Figures and Forms were accordingly so that the â—…dation of the variety of Bodies and Complexions proceed 〈◊〉 the degrees of the Invisible or Spiritual Powers And for this Cause it is no wonder that every Creature 〈◊〉 hath obtained that high degree of Sensation and is thereby caâ—…le of enjoying or suffering either Pleasure or Pain 〈◊〉 with the highest diligence endeavour to avoid all Violence 〈◊〉 and Death and desire to Live for Ever seeing that 〈◊〉 sprung from the eternal and unsearchable Fountain of Unity for every Creatures Actions Inclinations and Desires are all â—…cording to the Composition of the Spiritual Properties and 〈◊〉 lities all which have an eternal Original whence the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Desire in all Creatures do spring and arise of Living 〈◊〉 Ever and notwithstanding the Inferiors have no cause of Dread nor Sense on them of any World or being after this either Good or Evil nevertheless they fear and dread all kinds of â—…rt Violence Oppression and consequently shun and avoid â—…th with as much Cunning and Wisdom as Men and do 〈◊〉 the highest Diligence Industry and Prudence endeavour to â—…serve themselves and Off-spring nay they rather exceed 〈◊〉 besides they have not transgressed their natural Law and â—…fore they cannot be oppressed with any fear of Pain or Sorâ—… after this Life but the Original of all fear of Hurt Violence 〈◊〉 Death doth proceed from the Spirit or Spiritual Powers 〈◊〉 hath cloathed or incircled themselves in Matter or Corpoâ—… Bodies which the Spiritual Properties and Powers would preserve and keep as an Habitation for Ever for by means of 〈◊〉 Corporeal Body or Matter the variety of the Spiritual Proâ—…ties are encircled and so become a Self-subsisting Creature known to its self as was mentioned before and is thereby renâ—…ed capable both of Pain and Pleasure Joy or Sorrow for that which is Eternal doth naturally desire what is like it self 〈◊〉 therefore those Spiritual Beings and Powers that have the like motion and Sensation of all Creatures cannot by all the â—…ning Rhetorick in the World be perswaded on any account oâ—… be made willing to Die or be separated from their Bodies 〈◊〉 nothing is able to abliterate those Inclinations Dispositions and Qualifications of the Spiritual Powers cloathed with material Bodies they received from the Grand or Eternal Fountain the Father and Creator of all Beings so that the natural Disposition 〈◊〉 Desire of all Sensitive Creatures is to preserve their Bodies 〈◊〉 Ever which is like themselves and according to their Oriâ—…al Natures for no Spiritual Power can 〈◊〉 contrary to its 〈◊〉 and its Original Fountain or Father that Made or Created it And for this Cause the Under-graduates do all of them fear and dread Hurt Violence and Oppression or any thing that seems to tend to put a Period to their Lives as the like Actions 〈◊〉 Mankind and much more if it be possible for as they know 〈◊〉 Hurt nor do no Injury to their Knowledge but Live within the Limits of the Law their Creator prescribed them For this Cause all or most of the inferior Creatures do fear all kinds of Violence more than Mankind for the more harmless and innocent any Creature is the greater is the Opposition between the Species of Hurtfulness and Violence so that the Creaâ—… Fears and Calamities are thereby encreased and all Opâ—… is the harder to be undergone For this Cause the more innocent a Creature is the greater 〈◊〉 and Evil it is to Oppress that Creature and therefore Man's Violence Oppression and Killing the Beasts is an extraordinary Evil and Sin against God and his Law for Killing stands in eternal Opposition to the Creating Power of God which proceeds from Eternity to Eternity and this Eternal Spiritual preserving Power being the compleat Life and Essential Being of all Creatures whence proceeds and springs an eternal desire of Life or to Live for Ever according to its Innate Nature so that it is the greatest Sin that can be committed against that wonderful Mystery and Creating Power of God as being most opposite not only to the Creation but also to all the Eternal Spiritual Powers that are cloathed with material Bodies for the true Life Power Motion and Actions of all visible Bodies â—…esides in the Spirits which hath an eternal Original as was mentioned before and therefore not willing to be oppressed hurt oâ—… to have its Body any way destroyed for the Body is the Sâ—…rits natural Right and will not part with it unless necessity compeâ—…s And for these Reasons the highest Evil and Punishment that can be done to Mankind is to put a Period to Life and therefore the Laws of most Countries do not indict or compel Meâ—… to Die but only on the committing of great Evils The continuation of Life is strangelâ—… precious in the Central Qualities and Spiritual Powers of every Corporeal Creature and will not Man choose a miserable troubled laboâ—…ious Life of Vexation rather than a short and easy Death and this Desire and earnest
but the consideration thereof wiâ—… afford you some Benefit LETTER IV. Of the Sense of Seeing SIR BY the Receipt of yours I find you have a great desire to have my Iudgement of that most Stupendious and Wonderful Sense of Seeing in Answer whereunto I shall according to my Talent endeavour to Explicate the Variousness Virtues and Powers of that most amazing and admirable Faculty NOW as that wonderful Eye of Heaven the Sun is the very Centre of Light of all the numberless numbers of Creatures being the Foundation and Well being of them all who by its illuminating Beams Communicates Life and Light to all the Host of Heaven and Earth without which all would be a dark Chaos of Misery and Confusion Words are too short to set forth the Uses and Excellencies of this Sun of God in which the Preserving and Divine Power is understood and manifested And as this high illuminating Spirit and Power is the Eye which doth enlighten and preserve every Member and Part of the Great World being its Soul or Centre The like is to be understood of the Sense of Seeing in us for as the Sun is the Eye of the Macrocosm so is the Sense of Seeing the Light of the Microcosm which doth enlighten every Member and Part thereof for Man is a compleat Image of God and his Handmaid Nature and doth contain the true Nature and Properties of the whole and therefore is called a Little World or an Extract from the Great and as this high and mighty Power the Sun doth enlighten direct and conduct all and by whose Power and illuminating Beams all this wonderful variety of Beings and Creatures are understood and distinguished And as the World would be a miserable Chaos if the glorious Eye of Heaven were withdrawn but one moment even so it would be with Man for this Sense of Seeing is both in the Great and the Little World the true Guide of all Action and Motion and in this Sense or Light is contained the Secret or Central Fire which by Motion and continual Circulation of contrary Qualities becomes manifest warming and preserving the whole being the Root and Original of Vegetation and the true Father of the Light for Fire and Light are inseparable they dwell eternally together for this cause where the Light is weak or but little there the Fire is as impotent as is most manifest in all the Northern parts of the World most part of the Year being terrible-Cold Frosty Weather the Elements being Congealed for want of Heat The contrary is to be understood in the Southern parts of the World where there is Light Heat is always at hand and in what thing soever the Central Fires are potent there the Light is also strong powerful and lasting there being always a proportionable Nature between the Light Fire or Central Heat of each thing both in Animals Vegetables and Minerals for this cause Children and all Young People have a clearer and more penetrating Sense of Seeing than those of Age because their Light burns clearer and all their Humours are clean vigorous and free from dull cloudy Vapours the Elements of Water and Fire being thin and more pure do rarify each other by which the Oil of Life or Salnitral Vertues are clean and free from gross obstructing Matter from whence the Fire hath its bright clear shining Quality so that in Youth all the Operations of the Elements are more brisk lively and powerful than in Age as appears not only in the Sight but in all the Actions of Life For as the Natural and Central Fires decay the Light equally grows weak some sooner some later according to the degrees of the Decay or Weakness sometimes this decrease of natural Heat is Universal and when this happens the whole Body doth quickly dwindle and fall into Death but very often this Decay of the Natural Heat happens in the Intelligible part the Head by some accident of Obstruction the Vessels or Optick Nerves becoming stiff or as it were glewy the Porous Parts or Vessels being narrowed or small which does prevent the free Ingress Egress and Regress of the fine thin rarified Spirits that are generated thro' the whole Body which every moment doth ascend by certain Circular Motions into the Head or most Intelligible Part which if at any time the whole Road or common Passage of those fine thin rarified Spirits be stopt or obstructed the Person so Afflicted immediately falls and nothing but Death follows and that in a moments time this being the Original occasion of sudden Death so that many Sound Healthy Persons by such like Obstructions fall into Death who otherwise might have Lived many Years as being free from Diseases For this cause Temperance and Cleanness both in Quality and Quantity of Meats and Drinks are as it were the Spring-head of Health and the Generater of fine clean nutriment good Blood pure Spirits noble Dispositions and Inclinations whatever Cormorants and unclean Belly-gods may Dream to the contrary Nature and God's Law is always true and cannot lie Every thing under the Government of the glorious Eye of Heaven doth arise proceed and follow its first Matter and carries in its Bosom or Centre a Key that can readily join and unlock all the secret Doors of Nature's Cabinet and finding out and incorporating with its Simile encreasing and strengthening the same which is the highest Joy and Solace of all Corporal and Incorporal Beings For this cause as any Persons Meat Drink Employment and Communications are either from the dark cloudy Root clean or unclean so the Humours Blood Dispositions Inclinations Words and Works all proceed and go on in a streight Line or Method therefore to be either too much in the Sun or Shade begets Complexions for Meats and Drinks are the Centre and Substance of our Lives and in them are contained the true Nature and Property of all Qualities Principles and Dispositions enduing the Eater with their Qualifications If this were not true Man could not Subsist or have his Life continued whatever the unthinking do or may imagine to the contrary every thing knows its own Voice and Cries after its own Dam or Mother and the Senses are the Officers Carriers or Conveyers of all things to the Central parts and Understanding so that all the hidden Powers and Qualities are awakened each Quality having its peculiar Appetite do direct and draw unto its self both Corporally and Spiritually not intermeddling with the Business of its Neighbour So this wonderful penetrating Sense is the only Guide of the Body and capable Power to present unto the Understanding and Judgement the Forms and Signatures of all things in the Animal Vegitable and Mineral Worlds by which an enlightened Philosophical Mind can in some degree by the Form and Signature understand the Complexion of each and consequently their Uses It is this Sense that doth likewise present unto the Intellectual part of Man all delightful and pleasant Prospects serene Airs and agreeable clean
Constitution and Disposition compels them to it But most Beasts Birds and Fish their Rest and Sleep is nothing but a continual waking in comparison of Man's deep and dead Sleep The principal cause why the Creatures are not so drowned in this drowsy Death is they have not broken God's Law but live more intire and according to their Original their Meats and Drinks being more suitable to their Original Natures whether they be clean or unclean for to Unclean Creatures unclean Food is suitable and agreeable to its Qualifications and to the Clean clean Foods are in proportion suitable and therefore all the Beasts are not only more wakeful and less subject to the Sleep of Death than Man having all their Senses more ready lively brisk and at all times more at command for they rarely gratify the four Head Senses to disturb and torment the Sense of Feeling and therefore are not so terribly pestered with such a number of cruel Diseases as Man therefore it is most clear that all the great Powers called Senses are dull heavy and as it were half Dead when sleeping but when waking are brisk and lively all according to the Meats Drinks Employments Communications and Exercises for Mankind by rapacious unclean Meats and Drinks makes himself of another Complexion and his Constitution is another thing than originally it was nothing being so deplorable and so great an Evil as to act and live in a contrary Method to its own Creation and this is the greatest Curse that can fall upon any Creature this is Man's greatest Fall and Misfortune which can never be cured except he again enter into Resignation or Self-denial viz. Into Equality or Union that is into Temperance and Cleanness and live according to his Original State and Constitution But so long as he oppresses the Creatures and violates their Well-being and Quiet he can never have reason to expect to be freed from far greater than the inferiours and therefore this Feeling Power is rarely free from Trouble and Perplexity as being subject to all kinds of irregular Courses both of the Body and Mind there is no Disorder or Intemperance but does fall on it as all our Labour Care Love Hate Hope Fear Hunger Cold Heat evil Communications and all Words and Works this Sense is the Centre or House both of Joy and Sorrow both in Time and Eternity For this cause Mankind ought to be on his Guard at all times and Seasons being beset on all sides both within and without with a great number of Temptations and evil Customs the Degeneration of Man is such that all things he meddles with is a Share to him being deprived of the true use of the Powers Qualities and Principles of himself and being in the Dark he uses all his Senses to a wrong purpose so that all those high and noble Intelligences are sullyed and made subject to the gross inferiour unclean Powers which doth continually load and lay as it were intollerable Burthens on this universal Sense every Action and Motion of Life Inclination and Disposition doth influence that it being the Touch-stone which doth demonstrate from what Principle or Root each Action and Motion of Life doth proceed and take their Birth whether from the Evil or Good Now this Sense is the Judge both of the Body and all its Actions and also of the Desires and Inclinations so that Man hath no occasion to look abroad for Councellors or for a Judge they all dwell in himself he is the Thing viz. The great Mystery wherein all the Treasures both of Time and Eternity are to be understood and therefore the Apostles might well say that whatsoever could be understood or known of our Great Creator and of his great Powers in Nature was manifested in Man and as clear to be seen as the Sun at Noon but who can see the Sun if he be Blind Is it not a most miserable and deplorable Condition Mankind hath fallen and sunk himself into that he hath lost the Understanding and distinguishing Power of his own Composition and of his own Senses and that he hath not the use of them to that degree as the Beasts have as we shall demonstrate when we treat of the Common Animals for it is not possible for any Man to understand the whole if the parts of the Things or Qualities it is compounded of be not distinguished this is most clear and manifest in all Sciences Arts and Trades which do all arise and take their Birth from Man and the Mystery contained in his Microcosm for if all Sciences Arts and Trades yea a thousand Mysteries and rare Inventions that have are and will be found out and brought to light had not been originally Essential in the very Centre of Man then it had been impossible to have brought them to light What great Pity and Lamentation is it that Man who is endued with so many great noble and worthy Faculties and in whom is contained all the great Mysteries of Time and Eternity and made to live in and under the Operation of the United and Illuminated Powers of God's Law should suffer his Will and Desires to enter into the dark Magick of Discord Fierceness Wrath Violence Intemperance Uncleanness and Oppression of all the innocent Inhabitants of the Earth and at the same time to plague and to torment himself for the Groaning of those Creatures that suffer Pain never fail to procure Misery to the Actors thereof It is farther to be noted that that thing which is Pleasure to the Sense of Tasting and a Delight to the Sense of Seeing doth often prove a torment to the Sense of Feeling as in Gluttony and Drunkenness which do frequently distemper the Body and perplex the Mind The like the Sense of Seeing doth bring on this Sense by presenting curious Objects to the Intellects whicâ—… puts Man on the Rack till he hath obtained his desires and wheâ—… that is done there is no more satisfaction than before for iâ—… Wisdom be obliterated then there is nothing can give satisfaction for such do all things by Custom Tradition and President asking no question Now if Mankind hath lost the use of those grosser Powers how can he then be capable of the more Intellectual and Divine Operations of Gods eternal Law and Holy Light The first foundation of this Stupidity Blindness and Erroâ—… was gross Eating Drinking and Uncleanness for nothing hath so much Power and Authority on the Body and Mind 〈◊〉 Meats and Drinks which do sustain and support both Body aâ—… Spirits and according to their respective Virtues or Vices they nourish and incline to this or the other thing so that nothinâ—… hath so great power to preserve the intrinsick Vertues and gooâ—… Properties in Man as Sobriety Temperance and Cleanness and on the other side nothing doth so much fully the worthy and iâ—… telligible Faculties as Intemperance Disorder and Uncleanness This is clearly manifest in that noble Sense the Smelling whicâ—… is as we have said an
Delight and in its stead is felt trouble and pain So that this Sense is not only the Center of both Joy and Sorrow but of all the other Senses and natural Powers and therefore whensoever any of the other Senses commit any evil or uncleanness the smart thereof falls on this Sense of Feeling Likewise when the Mind is by evil principles influenced or misled on which there do often follow great troubles or perplexitys This Sense by Natures Law must bear and endure all So on the other side this Sense doth enjoy all the pleasures of Temperance Cleanness Wisdom Innocency Charity Order and Union This is the House wherein all the good and evil influences do dwell and inhabit This Sense first felt the miserable Fall and Depravation of Mankind the Eating the forbidden Frâ—…it the Disâ—…ion within and amongst the intelligible Powers immediately puts the Body and the natural Powers and Spirits into Disorder and puts out the Divine Eye and then the invâ—…ding wilfull fierce wrathful Powers command all the great Guides and Councellors the Senses all the qualities and properties of the Body and Mind to obey and observe their Laws and Edicts which were all Created and Coined from the disunited forms and fountain Spirits who had obtained the chief government in the Heart and Soul then the eye of Unity Temperance Cleanness Order and prudent Conduct was blinded or as it were quite put out So that all the intellectual and also the outward Senses lose their Native Right viz. their distinguishing faculty so that most or all things are either done by Chance or ignorantly This was the original Fall and is the present state of Mankind at this day which most or all Men feel by woful experience and this lost state of Union and being divided from God cannot be again felt seen heard smelt and tasted but only by undoing all that our forefather Adam and we his Children did and daily do commit viz. by the turning the eye of Mankinds Will and powerful Desires into Temperance Cleanness Order Humility Charity Justice cleanness in Meats and Drinks Inclinations Dispositions Words and Works by which Holy Vertues Man may be again reinvested and render himself capable of knowing and distinguishing all the operations of the great and wonderful commanding powers of his own composition which is called and truly stiled the knowledge of a Mans self and then and no â—…before this great Power and Sense of Feeling will again obtain its primitive state of Purity true Pleasure and Unity 〈◊〉 likewise all the other four which will then be again installed in their proper stations and rule command and direct-accordingly The Innocence and true Harmony of Mankind did Originally and doth chiefly consist in the unity of this Sense called Feeling both Corporeal and Incorporeal The first false step that Adam made or any of his Posterity hath and doth at this day make the evil Influences are felt by the disharmony this Sense falls into and on the other side this is the Sense that all the sweet Influences and harmonical Operations of all the other Senses and great Powers both of the Body and Mind can center and there are no Passions committed either in Love Hope Fear or Hate but the Effects and Fruits thereof center and fall into this great Magazine and Store-house The Sense of Feeling and the chief business and work of all the other fourSenses is to raise up ripen and collect all its works and productions and fix them on this Sense that they may thereby obtain the Lost unity for in the divided operations of the Sensual Powers there can be no Pleasure for in this state one Form Sense Property or Power doth use the highest industry imaginable to strengthen it self and to invade all the Provinces of its neighbouring Princes which do perplex and break the Union of the whole And therefore many great Evils and Mischiefs fall on Mankind for want of true Wisdom and distinguishing Understanding for if Man hath lost the Knowledge and Divine Sight of himself then he cannot penetrate nor distinguish between the two roots from whence Pleasure Pain and Trouble take their original birth so that each Sense Form and Power both of the Mind and outward Senses do all things in a blind self-ful method and use all ways and means to obtain the unity in the use and practice of extreams and each particular Property doth imagine to be self-subsisting and compleat without being concerned with its Brethren or at least consulting them by way of Advice For if the great inward and outward Counsellors or Senses be blinded or corupted then all the Incorporeal Powers of the Soul and Mind are likewise misled into all Errors and gross Stupidity So then if any of the Senses represent any Object or material thing to these purblind intellectual Powers and blind Principles of the Soul and Mind which do draw or attract the use of them so Powerfully that the disunion of the Microcosm Man is more and more increased and by this means that which was intended by God's Law as a Blessing and if used as it ought would have been so has produced an Evil or Curse as Instance that noble and wonderful Sense the Sight beholds a curious Beautiful Creature or Object whose place and office is to represent the same to all the invisible intellectual Powers Principles and Qualities which by this glance or Ray of Light the Mind Will and desires are so kindled and as it were wounded with this Object that all the still sleeping Magick Powers are in a moment stirred up and awakened so that the disunion and disquietness of the Mind is encreased notwithstanding the Fruition of the desire be obtained The like is to be understood in all the Operations of the other Senses when they bring or present their Fruits to the unthinking blind Intellect or Mind which comes to pass by this means viz. all the inward and outward Guides and Powers of Life and Understanding as is mentioned before having left their Primitive Light and Unity each Property doth with the highest industry imaginable strive to obtain a particular fierce exalting power aiming at nothing else all this while butt hereby to obtain its lost Pleasure and Union which it misseth and instead thereof falls into a greater disunion and disturbance never considering this great truth that Concord cannot be accomplished but only by the Agreement of all the Principles and Qualities the thing or Creature is compounded of It is likewise observable that every small Passion or pleasuâ—… that doth in any degree exceed the limits and bounds of Tempâ—… rance Order and Innocence do produce and multiply a greâ—… deal of pain disorder trouble and perplexity so that whatsoever doth endeavour to encrease any of the Pleasures of thâ—… Senses by indulging and advancing any one of them doth at thâ—… same time augment and multiply displeasure perplexity paiâ—… and disorder even to an hundred degrees and according to thâ—… Proverb for a
up and Teach the Lâ—…fulness of War and Fighting and not so much as contradict 〈◊〉 Practice of Eating the Flesh and Blood of Innocent Underâ—…ted Creatures by which means no Man is safe longer than the fear of Death and Sword of the Magistrate protects him or whilest the greater wrath Commands the lesser and keeps it in Subjection Now the only Method to cure this prevailing mischief is for every man to look down into himself and accurately to distinguish from what Principle all the Actions and Practice of Life do take their Birth for in our selves Colonel God has Essentially planted all the great Misteries of Nature and what is needful to be known the first Step to all Prudence Virtue and the Fear of God is Mercy Compassion Justice and Innocence all which Spring only from Gods Divine Kingdom of Love and Light and no man can approach and be United to the Fountain of Benignity but by the practice and Imitation of Gods Holy Law Which Consideration with others mentioned in this Epistle may I hope be sufficient to confirm you in the disgust you have taken against that Bloody and Violent profession Honoured Sir Your most Humble Servant T. T. LETTER XVI Of Employments arising from the Fountain of Darkness SIR I Haâ—…e considered the Contents of your kind and loving Letter and am glad to find your Curiosity Busied in such useful and necessary disquisitions as to be truly informed how every Man may come to understand and distinguish in himself the two Grand Fountains of Good and Evil or Gods Eternal Principle of Love as also that of Wrath. NOW you must Remember Man is a Compleat Image of all Fountains Principles Powers Qualities and Operations and altho' we have in several of our Writings already Answered this Question in the gross nevertheless as a Testimony of an hearty desire to have you fully instructed in all points that become a reasonable Creature I shall with all readiness give your thirsty Soul a more particular Account of Words Works Employments Meats Drinks Trades Arts Sciences c. from what Principle or Fountain each takes its Birth and Original in the manifested Word of God or the Principles of this Visible World which shall be presented as a Mirror or Looking-Glass for every Man to behold himself and his Actions in so that each may clearly discern the great danger he is in being prest and as it were hemm'd in on all sides with evil wholly under the power of divided forms and qualities which have their whole Operation in a Hostile way And to do our business effectually we shall first begin with Children and shew the fundemental mistakes and errors of their Education from whence all inclinations to all manner of Violence Oppression and Cruelty doth arise Mothers Nurses and those to whom generally the Care and Instruction of Children is committed do by their improper Methods and ill Conduct too often awaken and advance in the green and tender branch the three Grandsons of the Devil Gluttony Pride and Idleness continually forcing Meats and Drinks upon them neither agreeable in quality nor proportionable in quantity which general evil juices thicken and condensate the Blood and alarm the central Fires to the discomposure of the whole Body and the perpetual uneasiness of the tortur'd Child who fills the whole House with Outcries and Lamentations then no more suitable Remedy is found to quiet it but another Dose filling his Head with a deal of impertinent Tattle and Nonsense which has no better effect than adding Fewel to the Fire and augmenting the disturbance and which if it were not through folly neglect and inadvertency grown into a custom would be condemned and abhorred as sinful and abominable Then when they come to be about Three Quarters or a Year Old and begin to distinguish one thing from another the lesson of Pride is very formally and mischievously inculcated and prescribed to them by pointing and asking them where they are Fine making a great and silly noise and wonderment at new Shoes Stockings Petticoats c. till they are Seven Eight Nine or Ten Years of Age. All this while the Fathers Mothers Nuâ—…s Servants c. do not only teach countenance and cultivate the two former Vices Pride and Gluttony but double their industry to make them idle and wanton the Seeds whereof being too soon and early awakened make such deep and lasting impressions both in the outward and inward Practice insomuch that they become so fixt and central that all the tutoring and endeavouring of themselves or others can never be able to obliterate or remove them but remain as so many sealed Spells or Characters that can never be dissolved All or most Plays or Games Children in their Infancy are tolerated in with a thousand odd Postures Tricks Frolicks and impertinent Rhimes Words and insignificant and useless Inventions arising from the dark Kingdom and Fantasy Spirit of this World furnish them with fit and apt materials for Sports of an higher malignity proceeding from the Center of Wrath as Stage-plays Cudgels Ninepins Cards Dice Billiards Table Shuffleboard Racing Cock-fighting Bull-baiting Bear-baiting Dog-fighting c. whereby all sorts of enmity is taught and advanced Besides the frequent custom and practice of abusing and oppressing the Beasts and subordinate Creatures by over-working them suffering tâ—…m to want and the like doth mightily excite and strengthen the seeds of Envy Hatred and Cruelty c. Likewise all Jesting Bantering Jeering wanton Discourses and all other Essays of a little Wit and a large Impudence Passionate Railing bitter Invectives Calumnies Lying Swearing Nick-names and spending precious time in prating of things we are not concerned in or not at all edifying all formal Complements fawning Addresses Love Stories Plays and Romances be they of what kind soever do all proceed from the same Fountain and produce the same dire effects Also all Employments and Trades that bear the marks and signatures of Violence as Butchers and all Killers of Beasts Fish or Fowl Fishers Hunters Hawkers Nets Traps and Gins with abundance of other devices to betray the innocent and let the guilty go free and all that buy or sell Dead Bodies of Creatures for Funeral-Shows Embalmings c. are toucht with the like pernicious Evil All Carmen Horse-coursers Drivers Beastherds Swine-herds Seamen Miners Brick-makers and all slavish robust Employments border on the black Center which is evident from their Qualities most of them being surly rash cruel impudent Swearers and Drunkards nay even the fair Sex and most Sanguine natur'd Spirits will by the use of their gross and Saturnine Employments be quickly tainted with the Infection of the enâ—…s and spiteful Powers by reason of the latent image and resemblance of all things in the Humane Soul It is to be observed also that all Meats and Drinks proceeding from the dark Center ought to be avoided viz. Flesh and Fish which are not only gross and unclean but cannot be procured without death to the Creature
going to Church and the like which is often too true but this great perplexity of the Spiritual Powers and Soul is Man 's not living in any degree answerable to that great Law of God and innocent Method of Nature but instead thereof have contented themselves to live in the Observations Customs and Laws of Tyrannical Princes and Nations which have Originally sprung from and been Midwifed into the World by the divided powers of Nature Selfish Pride and Covetousness and all under pretence of Vertue and Religion which the poor ignorant miserable People receive believe and will dye in the defence of those wicked Laws and Customs they are Educated and Taught in which doth occasion the greatest number of Mankind violently to run into the greatest Errors and consequently into Discord and Disunity which is as I have said before the grand occasion of those Troubles and perplexing Agonies most Men experience on their Dying Beds for if Men Live in the practice of Violence Fierceness and Oppression be it either to their Kind or Creatures of inferior Ranks the Equality and Union of the Powers and Principles of God in a Mans Soul is thereby broken whence doth arise and proceed those unheard of troubles many Thousands endure when the Soul and Spiritual Powers must leave and be separated from their Habitations or Bodies and therefore we would have every one understand this grand and most necessary Truth viz. He that would Dye in Peace or in Unity must endeavour by all the ways and methods imaginable to transact his Life in Innocency and being obedient unto the Voice of Wisdom or Divine Principle â—…ch dwells in the Center of every Mans Soul which is the true and powerful Advocate and is not only willing but able to unite all the Sons and Daughters of Wisdom and Innocency unto the Blessed Fountain of Benignity Union with this great Original Being is the only one thing that all Creatures both Corporeal and Incorporeal ardently seek and groan after because nothing but that can or is able to give Peace and Satisfaction so great and wonderful precious and necessary is an harmless innocent Life it being the very Center of Peace and Eternal Tranquility the Understanding and Living in and under the good powers and principles of Innocency is both the pleasure of Time and the happiness of Eternity for Innocency wounds nothing nor nothing that Union being the Center not only of every Mans happiness and quiet but the highest satisfaction of all other Creatures which no Man can pretend to arrive at this Haven of Temporal and Eternal Bliss but only by observing and living in Gods Law in all the methods of Life viz. in Eating Drinking Speaking Wearing Buying and Selling avoiding all oppressions and violences both to Man and Beast for it is impossible that any Person should see the Blessed State of Unity whereas every day he greedily and exorbitantly sustains maintains and continues his Life by the effects and fruits of Disunity and Violencâ—… daily and hourly offered to his fellow Creatures many degrees more innocent and harmless than himself which miserable and melancholly condition of Man and his high and deep depravation can never be retrieved or redeemed so long as Mankind doth remain stupid and altogether blind as to the understanding of Gods Law in themselves and the particular Principles they are made and compounded of and their respective Operations for nothing is more true than he that doth not distinguish the birth of every Thought Word and Work and from what Fountains or Principles they proceed is compelled to do all things by chance Tradition and Custom they are his Projecters and Masters so that when Mankind comes to lye on a Dying Bed the Senses and all the Corporeal Powers become impotent and melancholly then most or all the actions of Life are as it were unaccountable unto the Soul and Spiritual Powers which Spirits do as it were with a rapid motion seek the cause of their Trouble and Disunion but being ignorant of Gods innocent Law they blame themselves for the neglect of some little or trivial matters many of which had they performed the Soul would have been as far from Satisfaction as otherwise and therefore to be ignorant of Gods Law in a Mans self is the greatest evil and brings on Mans Soul the greatest perplexity and trouble whatever some may think or imagine to the contrary for no Person hath any occasion to perplex and disquiet himself about what shall be his condition after Death if he spends this little part of Eternity in the observation of Gods innocent Laws for what can molest or disturb that Person that hath troubled nor hurt nothing but hath spent his few days in a calm innocent method of Life and Unity And as Blindness Depravity and Ignorance is the grand Inlet to all Violence Oppression and Disunity so it is the true Root of all fear suspicion and desparation in the Souls and Spirits of Mankind and likewise at this door comes in all wicked selfish mistaken Notions both in Religion and all other matters relating to the Soul for Mans Fall and deep degrees of Blindness and Depravation have divided and separated him from the true knowledge of his Maker and also from the knowledge of the Mysteries both of himself and all the uniform powers of Nature which stupidity and ignorance doth powerfully enclose and shut him up in the circle of Darkness having no certain knowledge neither of the things that shall be transacted in Time nor Eternity and it is well it is so seeing Mankind hath so violently and freely immersed his Will into this great Sea of Evil that he doth not know or understand future events and the sequel of things which the All Wise Father and ever Blessed Creatâ—… of all Beings hath wonderfully ordered for if Mankind were not limited as to the knowledge of future events of things he would be in a far worse condition and more miserable for should the Loving Mother foresee what Miseries and Calamities would befall her young and tender Child what a Melancholly condition would this fore-knowledge bring on the Parents whose affections is as their own Lives the Son runs into the Armies of Princes with a free undaunted Will rendring himself liable to all the Miseries of Life both in this World and that which is to come another Robs Breaks Houses Kills and Murders all that stands in his way or opposes his wicked practice and at last is Condemned and Hanged for his violent Crimes and furious Oppressions and an hundred other sorts and methods of Vice both the Sons and Daughters of Mankind immerse themselves into for according to what Principles govern in each Stock or Tree such is the Fruits according to the common Proverb for there is nothing more true than that Discord and Disunity begets and brings forth Children like themselves if the divided Forms and violent oppressive Customs and Principles have obtained the Government in the central Life of
times and tho' they are the swiftest of any others in Motion yet none of them can hold out so long for most certain it is that the swifter and quicker the motion of any Creature is the sooner the same is tired and wants rest Wherefore it 's a weak Imagination in any to suppose that several of our Birds that are not seen in the Winter fly into Foreign Countries beyond the Seas of which Sea-faring Men and Travellers know nothing at all not but that there are various sorts of Fowls and Birds seen 500 or it may be 1000 Leagues off at Sea but then they are such whose Constitutions are more or as much Watry as Earthy and Airy and that cannot only rest on the Water but also get great part of their Food from that Element being much of the Nature of our Ducks Swans and the like so that upon the whole 't is no ways probable that our Summer Birds do remove themselves into Transmarine Countries to Winter nor to make their Exits in but rather according to their Airy Original Die in places more agreeable to their Natures as I before noted so that the wonderful and most amazing Wisdom of the Great and ever Blessed Creator appears in through and over all his Works in that every particular specifick Body and sensible Creature is made compleat and wants nothing that can render it more Happy provided it keep within the bounds of its own Circle and Law and no additions then can contribute to its farther Blessing and tho' the degrees are wonderful and various as to Virtue and the contrary and that each from their own Qualifications have obtained their Names which originally distinguished their Natures according to the Meliority of them or otherwise yet the meanest and lowest degrees of Created Beings even the Reptiles of the Earth are altogether as compleat and happy in themselves as those that are in Nature and Composition many degrees higher Graduated so that the meanest have no Inclination to change Conditions with the highest nor the highest with the lowest every individual Species being content to dwell with in its own bounds wherein its Happiness consists and upon this ground there is no sensible Creature in the World that is miserable but only such as have broken the Bounds and natural Limits of their and others that are forc'd to break it so that upon the whole Man must be the only miserable Creature under Heaven both in respect to the Depravation of his own Nature and his having by Fraud and Cunning spread his Malignity and evil Influences thro' and over all the Under-graduates of Animals forcing many of them to act and yield Obedience to his violent Hands contrary to the Law wherein God had Circumscribed and their own natural Instinct Sir If I have made any undue Excursions in this my endeavouring to answer your desire I hope you will excuse me and attribute it to the barrenness of the Subject and not to any other design in me than to serve you as becomes SIR Your Friend and Servant T. T. LETTER XXXVII Of FERMENTATION SIR T IS much more out of Complaisance to your Desires than any real Opinion I have of my own Ability I shall attempt to answer the Abstruce Questions you were pleased to propose unto me in your Letter of the 26th of September concerning the wonderful Power of Fermentation together with the Reasons why the Fat Flesh and Blood of Animals cannot be fermented nor separated as all Vegetations can be nor one Quality Changed nor Transmuted into another AND first I am to observe to you that the Animal Ferment of the Stomach is not only higher Graduated as appears by its Virtue in Turning or Transmuting the Insensible into Sensible Creatures but by not dividing or separating the Original Forms and Qualities from their natural Operations or Phlegmy gross Bodies as common Fermentation does or according to that way and manner as Artists Ferment the Juices of Herbs Fruits and Grains whereby the gross Body is destroyed or sunk into 〈◊〉 stinking Liquor that invests the Original fiery Principles of their natural or gentle Methods but only by a fiery turbulent rendring thunder-like Motion and before which all those unbounded Powers and Principles were still and quiet being incircled in the Embraces of the sweet Quality and phlegmy Body as tho' no such fierce invading Fires or Principles had been there Now this comes to pass because Fermentation opposes all the regular Motions of Nature and the Eternal Law of the Creator as being a Death and total Destruction to Multiplication and Progression and not unlike unto the Deaths of Animals which cannot be effected without terrible fierce Agonies and indeed the dividing the Spirit from the Body without such a fierce turbulent and irresistible Motion is not to be done as is clearly evinced in all sweet Liquors or Juice whatever who when their sleeping silent Powers or original Properties are disturbed as they are in a full or strong Ferment all the Art in the World cannot incircle or tame them But the Fermentation of Food in our Stomachs as well as of all Beasts is performed after another manner imperceptible to the Creature wherein all is quiet and silent provided the Meats and Drinks be of a suitable Quality and not too great in Quantity And these sweeter Juices or Spirits that Nature draws or extracts for her Support are not divested of or separated from their natural Cloathing or Bodies neither are the sweet Qualities of such Foods Transmuted into fiery Spirits or first Principles for in such Cases the Body and Life could not be supported and continued but instead thereof the Nutriment is divided and distils its Virtues into Body and Spirits that is into Blood from whence are made and generated Flesh Bones Fat Spirits Inclinations Dispositions Words and all Actions of Life and for this reason the more equal our Meats and Drinks are the better is the Nutriment and consequently all the Off-springs proceeding from thence hence it is that the frequent Eating and Drinking unequal Foods never fail to beget and lay open the fierce Gates and invading Powers of Inequality called Sickness and particularly the Drinking of strong Spirits or Brandy does always prove baneful except in a Medicinal way because the original Principles are divested of their Body and Transmuted into a fiery Circle out of which there is no deliverance or progression so that you see the Stomach or Chymical Furnace does that in a silent Method which the outward Fermentation performs in a tumultuous Manner for in the first Elaboratory Natures Fires are so mild and friendly thâ—…t they do not disinherit the original Principles and Forms of their native Right or Propriety nor divide them into self-ful Desire or Transmute their beloved Spouse I mean the sweet and most aimable Quality into original Fires as the other does no no the original fierce Principles of all Food put into the Stomach do still notwithstanding the digesting melting