t t in things invisible, is of a corporeal nature for the profounder chymists inform us, that the strongest spirits may be extracted from human flesh. Besides, the spinal marrow, being nothing else but a continuation of the brain, must } needs create a very free communication between the superior faculties and those below: and thus the thorn in the flesh serves for a spur to the spirit. I think, it is agreed among physicians, that nothing affects the head so much, as a tentiginous humour, repelled and elated to the upper region, found by daily practice, to run frequently up into madness. A very eminent member of the faculty assured me, that when the Quakers first appeared, he seldom was without some female patients among them, for the furor persons of a visionary devotion, either men or women, are in their complexion, of all others, the most amorous: for, zeal is frequently kindled from the same spark with other fires, and from inflaming brotherly love, will proceed to raise that of a gallant. If we inspect into the usual process of modern courtship, we shall find it to consist in a devout turn of the eyes, called ogling; an artificial form of canting and whining by rote, every interval, for want of other matter, made up with a shrug, or a hum, a sigh or a groan; the stile compact of insignificant words, incoherences and repetition. These, S S S I take, to be the most accomplished rules of address to a mistress; and where are these performed with more dexterity, than by the saints? Nay, to bring this argument yet closer, I have been informed by certain sanguine brethren of the first class, that in the height and orgasmus of their spiritual exercise, it has been frequent with them * * * ; immediately after which, they found the spirit to relax and flag of a sudden with the nerves, and they were forced to hasten to a conclusion. This may be farther strengthened, by observing, with wonder, how unaccountable all females are attracted by visionary or enthusiastic preachers, though never so contemptible in their outward men; which is usually supposed to be done upon considerations purely spiritual, without any carnal regards at all. But I have reason to think, the sex hath V certain characteristicks, by which they form a truer judgment of human abilities and performings, than we ourselves can possibly do of each other. Let that be as it will, thus much is certain, that however spiritual intrigues begin, they generally conclude like all others; they may branch upwards towards heaven, but the root is in the earth. Too intense a contemplation is y not the business of flesh and blood; it must by the necessary course of things, in a little time, let go its hold, and fall into matter. Lo f vers, for the sake of celestial converse, are but another sort of Platonicks, who pretend to see stars and heaven in ladies eyes, and to look or think no lower; but the same pit is provided for both; and they seem a perfect moral to the story of that philosopher, who, while his thoughts and eyes were fixed upon the constellations, found himself seduced by his lower parts into a ditch. I had somewhat more to say upon this part of the subject; but the post is just going, which forces me in great haste to conclude, Pray burn this Letter as soon as it comes to your hands. SIR, Yours, &c. FINIS. Plummer and Breuss, Printers, Love Lane, Eastchieup. Directions for placing the Plates. Frontispiece to face Title. Dedication to Prince Posterity to face page. 32 Grub-Street Authors triumph over Time to face page 68 Peter, John, and Martin, examining the Will to face page 90 A true Critick hunting down Authors to face page.. 104 Lord Peter presenting his Foot to face page Jack courting Persecution to face page ........ 126 ..... 218 |