Part 9
The reason, one and the same Quantity or Dose of one and the same sort of Purging-Druggs or Medicine, will often work differently in several Human Bodies; as also, differently in one and the same Body, at several times of taking the same sorts of Medicines; is, That several Parts of one and the same sort, may be differently humoured: as, some to be duller and slower than others; and some to be more active than others. Also, some Parts may be ill-natured, and cause Factions amongst the Parts of the Body; whereas others will endeavour to rectifie Disorders, or Factions. And sometimes both the Druggs, and the Body, falls out; and then there is a dangerous strife; the Body striving to expel the Physick, and the Physick endeavouring to stay in the Body, to do the Body some mischief. Also, some Parts of one and the same sort, may be so Irregular, as to hunt not only the superfluous Humours, or the Malignant Humors, but all sorts of flowing Parts; which may cause so great and general Disorder, as may endanger Human Life.
CHAP. XXIII. Of CORDIALS.
There are many sorts of _Cordials_: for, I take every Beneficial Remedy to be a Cordial: but, many of the Vulgar believe, That there is no Cordial but Brandy, or such like Strong-waters; at least, they believe all such Remedies that are virtually Hot, to be Cordials: but, when they take too much of such Cordials, either in Sickness, or Health, they will, in some time, find them as bad as Poyson. But, all such Applications as are named _Cordials_, are not hot: for, some are cool, at least, of a temperate degree. And as there are Regular and Irregular Corporeal Motions; so there are Sympathetical, and Antipathetical Motions; and yet both sorts may be Regular. Also, there is a Neutral sort, that has neither Sympathy nor Antipathy, but is Indifferent. But in Disputes between Two different Parties, a Third may come in to the assistance of one Side, more out of hate to the Opposite, than love to the Assisted. The same may Cordials, or such like Applications, do, when the Corporeal Motions of Human Life are in disorder, and at variance: for, oftentimes there is as great a Mutiny and Disorder amongst the Corporeal Motions, both in the Mind and Body of a Man, as in a Publick State in time of Rebellion: but, all
Assistant Cordials, endeavour to assist the Regular Parts of the Body, and to perswade the Irregular Parts. As for Poysons, they are like Forrein Warr, that endeavours to destroy a Peaceable Government.
CHAP. XXIV. Of the different Actions of the several Sensitive Parts of a Human Creature.
Some Parts of a Human Creature will be Regular, and some Irregular: as, some of the Sensitive Parts will be Regular, and some Irregular; that is, some Parts will be Painful, or Sick, others well: some Parts will make false Perceptions; others, true Perceptions: some Parts be Temperate; others, Intemperate: some Parts be Madd, other Parts Sober: some Parts be Wise; others, Foolish: and the same is to be said of the Rational Motions. But, in a Regular Society, every Part and Particle of the Body, is Regularly agreeable, and Sympathetical.
CHAP. XXV. Of the Antipathy of some Human Creatures, to some Forrein Objects.
As I have often said, There is often both Sympathy and Antipathy between the Parts of some particular Human and Forrein Objects; in so much, that some will occasion such a general Disturbance, as will cause a general Alteration, viz. cause a Man to swound, or at least, to be very faint, or sick: as for example, Some will Swound at some sorts of Sounds, some sorts of Scents, some sorts of Tast, some sorts of Touches, and some sorts of Sights. Again, on the other side, some Human Creatures will so sympathize with some sorts of Forrein Objects, as some will Long for that, another will Swound to have.
CHAP. XXVI. Of the Effects of Forrein Objects, on the Human Mind.
As there is often Antipathy of the Parts of a Human Creature, to Forrein Objects; so there are often Sympathetical Effects produced from Forrein Objects, with the Parts of a Human Creature. As for example, A timely, kind, and discreet Discourse from a Friend, will compose or quiet his troubled Mind: Likewise, an untimely, unkind, hasty, malicious, false, or sudden Discourse, will often disorder a well-temper'd, or Regular Mind, the Mind imitating the smooth or harsh strains of the Object: and the same Effects hath Musick, on the Minds of many Human Creatures.
CHAP. XXVII. Of CONTEMPLATION.
Human _Contemplation_, is a Conversation amongst some of the Rational Parts of the Human Mind; which Parts, not regarding present Objects, move either in devout Notions, or vain Fancies, Remembrances, Inventions, Contrivancies, Designs, or the like. But the question is, Whether the Sensitive Parts of a Human Society, do, at any time, Contemplate? I answer, That some of the Sensitive Parts are so sociable, that they are, for the most part, agreeable to the Rational: for, in deep Contemplations, some of the Sensitive Parts do not take notice of Forrein Objects, but of the Rational Actions. Also, if the Contemplations be in devout Notions, the Sensitive Parts express Devotion by their Actions, as I have formerly mentioned. Also, when the Rational Parts move in Actions of Desire, straight the Sensitive move in Sympathetical Appetites: Wherefore, if the Society be Regular, the Sensitive and Rational Parts are agreeable and sociable.
CHAP. XXVIII. Of Injecting of the Blood of one Animal, into the Veins of another Animal.
To put Blood of one Animal, into another Animal; as for example, Some Ounces of Blood taken, by some Art, out of a Dogg's Veins, and, by some Art, put into a Man's Veins, may very easily be done by _Injection_; and certainly, may as readily convert it self to the Nature of Human Blood, as Roots, Herbs, Fruit, and the like Food; and probably, will more aptly be transformed into Human Flesh, than Hogg's Blood, mixt with many Ingredients, and then put into Gutts, and boyled, (an ordinary Food amongst Country People;) but Blood being a loose Humourish Part, may encrease or diminish, as the other Humors, viz. _Flegm, Choler_, and _Melancholy_, are apt to do. But this is to be observed, That by reason Blood is the most flowing Humor, and of much more, or greater quantity than all the rest of the Humours, it is apt (if Regular) to cause, not only more frequent, but a more general Disturbance.
The Eleventh Part.
CHAP. I. Of the different Knowledges, in different Kinds and Sorts of Creatures.
If there be not Infinite Kinds, yet, it is probable, there are Infinite several Sorts; at least, Infinite particular Creatures, in every particular Kind and Sort; and the Corporeal Motions moving after a different manner, is the cause there are different Knowledges, in different Creatures; yet, none can be said to be _least knowing_, or _most knowing_: for, there is (in my opinion) no such thing as _least_ and _most_, in Nature: for, several kinds and sorts of Knowledges, make not Knowledg to be more, or less; but only, they are different Knowledges proper to their kind, (as, Animal-kind, Vegetable-kind, Mineral-kind,
Elemental-kind) and are also different Knowledges in several sorts: As for example, Man may have a different Knowledg from Beasts, Birds, Fish, Flies, Worms, or the like; and yet be no wiser than those sorts of Animal-kinds. The same happens between the several Knowledges of Vegetables, Minerals, and Elements: but, because one Creature doth not know what another Creature knows, thence arises the Opinion of _Insensibility_, and _Irrationability_, that some Creatures have of others. But there is to be noted, That Nature is so Regular, or wise, in her Actions, that the _Species_ and Knowledg of every particular Kind, is kept in an Even, or Equal Balance: For example, The Death or Birth of Animals, doth neither add or diminish from, or to the Knowledg of the Kind, or rather the Sort. Also, an Animal can have no Knowledg, but such as is proper to the _species_ of his Figure: but, if there be a Creature of a mixt _Species_, or Figure, then their Knowledg is according to their mixt Form: for, the Corporeal Motions of every Creature, move according to the Form, Frame, or _Species_ of their Society: but, there is not only different Knowledges, in different Kinds and Sorts of Creatures; but, there are different Knowledges in the different Parts of one and the same; as, the different Senses of Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, and Touching, have not only different Knowledges in different Sensitive Organs, but
in one Sense, they have several Perceptive Knowledges: and though the different Sensitive Organs of a Human Creature, are ignorant of each other; yet, each Sense is as knowing as another. The same (no question) is amongst all the Creatures in Nature.
CHAP. II. Of the Variety of Self-actions in particular Creatures.
There are numerous Varieties of Figurative Motions in some Creatures; and in others, very few, in comparison: but, the occasion of that, is the manner of the Frame and Form of a Creature: for, some Creatures that are but small, have much more variety of Figurative Motions, than others that are very bigg and large Creatures: so that, it is not only the Quantity of Matter, or Number of Parts, but the several Changes of Motion, by the Variety of their Active Parts, that is the cause of it: for, Nature is not only an Infinite Body, but, being Self-moving, causes Infinite Variety, by the altered Actions of her Parts; every altered Action, causing both an altered Self-knowledg, and an altered Perceptive Knowledg.
CHAP. III. Of the Variety of Corporeal Motion, of one and the same sort or kind of Motion.
There is Infinite Variety of Motion of the same sorts and kinds of Motions; as for example, Of Dilatations, or Extensions, Expulsions, Attractions, Contractions, Retentions, Digestions, Respirations: There is also Varieties of Densities, Rarities, Gravities, Levities, Measures, Sizes, Agilness, Slowness, Strength, Weakness, Times, Seasons, Growths, Decays, Lives, Deaths, Conceptions, Perceptions, Passions, Appetites, Sympathies, Antipathies, and Millions the like kinds, or sorts.
CHAP. IV. Of the Variety of particular Creatures.
Nature is so delighted with _Variety_, that seldom two Creatures (although of the same sort, nay, from the same Producers) are just alike; and yet Human Perception cannot perceive above four kinds of Creatures, viz. _Animals, Vegetables, Minerals_, and _Elements_: but, the several sorts seem to be very numerous; and the Varieties of the several Particulars, Infinite: but, Nature is necessitated to divide her Creatures into Kinds and Sorts, to keep Order and Method: for, there may be numerous Varieties of sorts; as for example, Many several Worlds, and infinite Varieties of Particulars in those _Worlds_: for, Worlds may differ from each other, as much as several sorts of Animals, Vegetables, Minerals, or Elements; and yet be all of that sort we name Worlds: but, as for the Infinite Varieties of Nature, we may say, That every Part of Nature is Infinite, in some sort; because every Part of Nature is a perpetual Motion, and makes Infinite Varieties, by change or alteration of Action: but, there is so much Variety of the several Shapes, Figures, Forms, and Sizes, as, Bigger, and Less; as also, several sorts of Heats, Colds, Droughts, Moistures, Fires, Airs, Waters, Earths, Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals, as are not to be expressed.
CHAP. V. Of Dividing, and Rejoyning, or Altering Exterior Figurative Motions.
The Interior and Exterior Figurative Motions of some sorts of Creatures, are so united by their Sympathetical Actions, as they cannot be separated without a Total Dissolution; and some cannot be altered without a Dissolution; and other Figurative Motions may separate, and unite again; and others, if separate, cannot unite again, as they were before: As for example, The Exterior Parts of a Human Creature, if once divided, cannot be rejoyned; when as some sorts of Worms may be divided, and if those divided Parts meet, can rejoyn, as before. Also, some Figurative Motions of different sorts, and so different, that they are opposite, may unite in agreement, in one Composition, or Creature; yet, when the very same sorts of Figurative Motions, are not so united, they are, as it were, deadly Enemies.
CHAP. VI. Of Different Figurative Motions in particular Creatures.
There are many Creatures that are composed of very opposite Figurative Motions; as for example, Some Parts of Fire and Water; also, all Cordials, Vitriols, and the like Waters; also, Iron and Stone, and Infinite the like: But, that which is composed of the most different Figurative Motions, is _Quick-silver_, which is exteriorly Cold, Soft, Fluid, Agil, and Heavy: also, Divisible, and Rejoynable; and yet so Retentive of its Innate Nature, that although it can be rarified, yet not easily dissolved; at least, not that Human Creatures can perceive; for, it hath puzled the best _Chymists_.
CHAP. VII. Of the Alterations of Exterior and Innate Figurative Motions of several sorts of Creatures.
The Form of several Creatures, is after several manners and ways, which causes several Natures or Properties: As for example, The Exterior and Innate Corporeal Motions of some Creatures, depend so much on each other, That the least Alteration of the one, causes a Dissolution of the whole Creature; whereas the Exterior Corporeal Motions of other sorts of Creatures, can change and rechange their actions, without the least disturbance to the Innate Figurative Motions: In other sorts the Innate Motions shall be quite altered, but their Exterior Motions be in some manner consistent: As for proof, Fire is of that Nature, that both the Exterior and Innate Motions, are of one and the same sort; so that the Alteration of the one, causeth a Dissolution of the other; that is, Fire loses the Property of Fire, and is altered from being Fire. On the other side, the Exterior Figurative Motions of Water, can change and rechange, without any disturbance to the Innate Nature: but, though the Alteration of the Innate Figurative Motions of all Creatures, must of necessity alter the Life and Knowledg of that Creature; yet there may be such consistent Motions amongst the
Exterior Parts of some sorts of Creatures, that they will keep their Exterior Form: As for example, A Tree that is cut down, or into pieces, when those pieces are withered, and, as we say, dead; yet, they remain of the Figure of Wood. Also, a dead Beast doth not alter the Figure of Flesh or Bones, presently. Also, a dead Man doth not presently dissolve from the Figure of Man; and some, by the Art of embalming, will occasion the remaining Figurative Motions of the dead Man to continue, so that those sorts of Motions, that are the Frame and Form, are not quite altered: but yet, those Exterior Forms are so altered, that they are not such as those by which we name a _Living Man_. The same of Flyes, or the like, intomb'd in _Amber_: but by this we may perceive, That the Innate Figurative Motions may be quite altered, and yet the Exterior Figurative consistent Motions, do, in some manner, keep in the Figure, Form, or Frame of their Society. The truth is, (in my opinion) That all the Parts that remain undissolved, have quite altered their Animal actions; but only the Consistent actions, of the Form of their Society, remains, so as to have a resemblance of their Frame or Form.
CHAP. VIII. Of LOCAL MOTION.
All Corporeal Motion is _Local_; but only they are different Local Motions: and some sorts or kinds, have advantage of others, and some have power over others, as, in a manner, to inforce them to alter their Figurative motions; as for example, When one Creature doth destroy another, those that are the _Destroyers_, occasion those that we name the _Destroyed_, to dissolve their Unity, and to alter their actions: for, they cannot annihilate their actions; nor can they give or take away the Power of Self-motions; but, as I said, some Corporeal motions can occasion other Corporeal motions to move so, or so. But this is to be noted, That several sorts of Creatures have a mixture of several sorts of Figurative motions; as for example, There are Flying Fish, and Swimming Beasts; also, there are some Creatures that are partly Beasts, and partly Fish, as _Otters_, and many others; also, a _Mule_ is partly a Horse, and an Ass; a _Batt_ is partly a Mouse, and a Bird; an _Owle_ is partly a Cat and a Bird; and numerous other Creatures there are, that are partly of one sort, and partly of another.
CHAP. IX. Of several manners, or ways of Advantages, or Disadvantages.
Not only the Manner, Form, Frame, or Shape of particular Creatures; but also, the Regularity or Irregularity of the Corporeal motions of particular Creatures, doth cause that which Man names _Strength_ or _Weakness, Obedience_ or _Disobedience_, _Advantages_ or _Disadvantages_ of Power and Authority, or the like: As for example, A greater Number will overpower a lesse: for, though there be no Differences (as being no Degrees) of Self-strength amongst the Self-moving Parts, or Corporeal motions; yet, there may be stronger and weaker Compositions, or Associations; and a greater Number of Corporeal motions, makes a stronger Party: but, if the greater Party be Irregular, and the lesser Party be Regular, a hundred to one, but the weaker Party is victorious. Also, the manner of the Corporeal motions; as, a Diving-motion may get the better of a Swimming-motion; and, in some cases, the Swimming, the better of the Diving. Jumping may have the advantage over Running; and, in other cases, Running, over Jumping. Also, Creeping may have the advantage over Flying; and, in other cases, Flying, over Creeping. A Cross Motion may have the advantage over a Straight; and, in other cases, a Straight, over a Cross. So it may be said, of Turning and Lifting, of Contracting and Dilating Motions. And many the like Examples may be had; but, as I have often said, There is much Advantage and Disadvantage in the manner and way of the Composed Form and Figure of Creatures.
CHAP. X. Of the Actions of some sorts of Creatures, over others.
Some sorts of Creatures are more Exteriorly active, than other sorts; and some more Interiorly active; some more rare, some more dense, and the like: also, some dense Creatures are more active than the rare; and some rare, are more active than other sorts that are dense. Also, some Creatures that are rare, have advantage of some that are dense; and some that are dense, over some sorts that are rare; some leight Bodies, over some heavy Bodies; and some heavy Bodies, over some sorts of leight Bodies. Also, several sorts of Exterior Motions, of several sorts of Creatures, have advantage and disadvantage of each other; as for example, Springs of Water, and Air, will make Passages, and so divide hard strong Rocks. And, on the other side, a Straw will divide Parts of Water; and a small Flye, will divide Parts of the Air: but, mistake me not, I mean, that they occasion the Airy or Watry Parts, to divide.
CHAP. XI. Of GLASSIE BODIES.
Tis impossible, as I have said, to describe the Infinite Corporeal Figurative Motions: but, amongst those Creatures that are subject to Human Perception, there are some that resemble each other, and yet are of different Natures; as for example, _Black Ebony_, and _Black Marble_, they are both Glassie, smooth, and black; yet, one is Stone, the other Wood. Also, there be many light and shining Bodies, that are of different Natures; as for example, Metal is a bright shining Body; and divers sorts of Stones, are bright shining Bodies: also, clear Water is a bright shining Body; yet, the Metal and Stones are Minerals, and Water is an Element. Indeed, Most Bodies are of a Glassie Hue, or, as I may say, Complexion; as may be observed in most Vegetables; as also, Skins, Feathers, Scales, and the like.
But some may say, That _Glassiness is made by the Brightness of the Light that shines upon them_.
I answer: If so, then the ordinary Earth would have the like Glassiness: but, we perceive the Earth to appear dull in the clearest Sun-shining Day: wherefore, it is not the Light, but the nature of their own Bodies. Besides, every Body hath not one and the same sort of Glassiness, but some are very different: 'Tis true, some sorts of Bodies do not appear Glassie, or shining, until they be polished: but, as for such sorts of shining Bodies that appear in the dark, there is not many of them perceiv'd by us, besides the Moon and Starrs; but yet some there are, as Fire; but that is an Element. There are also Glow-worms Tayles, Cats Eyes, Rotten Wood, and such like shining-Bodies.
CHAP. XII. Of Metamorphoses, or Transformations of Animals and Vegetables.
There are some Creatures that cannot be Metamorphosed: as for example, Animals and Vegetables, at least, most of those sorts, by reason they are composed of many several and different Figurative Motions; and I understand _Metamorphose_, to be a change and alteration of the Exterior Form, but not any change or alteration of the Interior or Intellectual Nature: and how can there be a general change of the Exterior Form or Shape of a Human Creature, or such like Animal, when the different Figurative Motions of his different Compositions, are, for the most part, ignorant of each others particular Actions? Besides, as Animals and Vegetables require degrees
of time for their Productions, as also, for their Perfections; so, some Time is requir'd for their Alterations: but, a sudden alteration amongst different Figurative Motions, would cause such a Confusion, that it would cause a Dissolution of the _whole_ Creature, especially in actions that are not natural, as being improper to their kind, or sort: The same of Vegetables, which have many different Figurative Motions. This considered, I cannot chuse but wonder, that wise men should believe (as some do) the Change or Transformation of Witches, into many sorts of Creatures.
CHAP. XIII. Of the Life and Death of several Creatures.