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Every professor of Physick, when he is furnished with convenient, ef∣fectuall, and rightly prepared me∣dicines, before he enters into pra∣ctise, must be conversant with, and acquire the friendship of some lear∣ned and well experienced Physici∣ar, whose advise and assistance in his first attempts, he must make use of, not omitting his own obser∣vations.
FOr in the multitude of Counsel∣lours there is safety, and a more
exact judgement is given of the Pa∣tients present condition, and the wayes and meanes to restore him are better and surer laid. By this Course, that opprobrious German Proverb, which sticks too fast to some young Adventurers (Ein newer Arkt, Ein newer Kirch-hoff: A new Physician must have a new Church-yard,) would be easily refuted and quite abolished. This very Course (after serious and needful considerations) I did heretofore propose to my selfe, and to effect it throughly, I procu∣red and entred into mutuall and friendly Covenants with a certaine Doctor of Physick, who was not un∣learned: and that I might by this meanes proceed farther in my Chy∣mical discoveries, I conversed with him by frequent Letters, and other more familiar wayes: And this I did, because I supposed him (at that time) to be a true Philososopher, but I could never receive one line from
him, that was not wholly dictated by the spirit of pride and arrogancy. At length, when it fortuned, that (after a most loving invitation, I could not for very moving, and ex∣traordinary reasons, attend upon him) he rail'd at me (though al∣together innocent,) with most hor∣rid imprecations, and virulent lan∣guage, terming me an unsanctified villaine, and laboured by all meanes to vilifie my studies and person, that by such clamorous and publique dis∣couragements, he might force me to desist, and give over my profession. But none of these things shall move me: for God will yet give me such friends, with whom I may freely de∣liberate, and advise about Physical operations, and the healing of the sick: too much knowledge is often∣times foolishness. True Philoso∣phers walk wholly in the plaine path of nature. What profits learning, where pride beares the sway, and
blinds the owner? I have ever judg∣ed, the modest knowledge to be the most divine. It is true indeed, we are not all equalls: but let him that hath more of the light, walke in that shining path with modesty. I confesse indeed, and it is true, that he was my superiour by many de∣grees, but had he beene moved to this harsh dealing, by a meer conceit of his superiority in learning, perhaps he would not have cast me off so as he hath done. God resisteth the proud, and gives grace even to the humble. Yea, the most wise, and the blessed JESUS, did humble him∣selfe in the very forme of a servant, that he might familiarly live and converse with the most obscure and inferiour sort of people: and he was not ashamed, nor disdained to teach those poore spirits, not a sublunary, transient knowledge, but the glo∣rious and permanent mysteries of the Kingdome of heaven. I love still the
learning of so eminent a person be∣cause others whom I love, commend it unto me: But that great know∣ledge, which he abuseth to an inju∣rious scorn and undervaluing of me, I heartily hate. God Almighty (it may be) for some secret respects, which his all discerning spirit one∣ly knowes, would not suffer me to impart any longer, (as we were mu∣tually bound) my private affaires unto him. Therefore from hence∣forth let him live to himselfe, onely I would have him understand by this which is published, that his vehe∣ment and bitter Letters made me ve∣ry sad. But to returne to what we have proposed in the Contents of this Section; A Physician that would practise successfully, must
First and before all things find out the disease, and what the cause of it is.
For in vain wilt thou either seek or
apply remedies, if the cause of the disease be not perfectly knowne unto thee: the beginning of the Cure, is a right knowledge of the Disease: but the disease cannot be known, with∣out knowing the cause: For then are we confident, that we know the matter and effect, when we have discovered the cause or effici∣ent of it.