A Counterblaste to Tobacco
King James I of England

O
my god! Dude! I just loooove this COUNTERBLAST TO TOBACCO by King James
I of England! I'd like seen the last paragraph quoted in lots of places
n stuff, like "the blacke stinking fume thereof, neerest resembling the horrible Stigian smoke of the pit that is bottomelesse"
n all that, you know? Well, I found the whole thing, and I was like
whoa. This dude's language is so fuckin awesome! N all the stuff he
says, I'm like dude, right on! I'm all "stinking
suffumigation? Corrupted and execrable malady? Perpetuall stinking
torment? and in the end, as a drowsie lazie belly-god, he shall evanish
in a Lethargie?" Uh dude? Do you think you could make your
language a little more concise, pungent and incisive? I mean,
you're only like blowing me out of my chair here. Lol. And then it's
like the stuff he says is so cool too, like how he like just basically
like, summarizes why addiction is so lame and stuff, like how you can't
enjoy the stuff you used to do without your drug, like when he says "although
you bee troubled with no disease, but in perfect health, yet can you
neither be merry at an Ordinarie, nor lascivious in the Stewes, if you
lacke Tobacco to provoke your appetite to any of those sorts of
recreation, lusting after it as the children of Israel did in the
wildernesse after Quailes?" Lascivious in the stewes? Lol. And then when he talks about how smoking totally fucks up your lungs, "Surely
Smoke becomes a kitchin far better then a Dining chamber, and yet it
makes a kitchin also oftentimes in the inward parts of men, soiling and
infecting them, with an unctuous and oily kinde of Soote, as hath bene
found in some great Tobacco takers, that after their death were opened." An unctuous and oily kind of soote?
Dude, he's like totally talking about tar and shit, but they like
called it "unctuous and oily Soote" back then. How fucking cool is
that? "After their death were opened"
Dude, have you ever seen those pictures of smoker's lungs? Dude, that
shit is the NAST! So I was like dude I totally gotta put this
shit up on my website its so fuckin cool. Cus, I mean aside from all
the shit he says, I've always thought there was just something really,
you know, like SCARY about smoking, like how you're doing this thing
that makes it like so you can't even breath right, but you can't stop
doing it? And you have to keep doing it more and more even though its
getting harder to breath? Your lungs are getting filled up with this
black oily shit n it feels all cobwebby and stringy in there, you're
coughing up this brown shit, but you can't stop- Ahhhh, dude! I
mean fuckin scary dude. I'm all like
"Nooooo"!!! Seriously, if that shit doesnt scare you. Fuck. Well,
anyway here's what he says. But if you're a smoker, I like totally hope
you can quit, cause I know lots of people who have, well some people,
and I mean its hard, but its not like that hard. You can totally do it.
And people who've quit, there's like something kinda cool about them,
like as if it's kind of like when they beat the addiction, they
like gained something or something. Like they're more of a badass or
something. Ah, I can't explain it, anyway heres what the dude says-
That
the manifolde abuses of this vile custome of Tobacco taking, may the
better be espied, it is fit, that first you enter into consideration
both of the first originall thereof, and likewise of the reasons of the
first entry thereof into this Countrey. For certainely as such
customes, that have their first institution either from a godly,
necessary, or honorable ground, and are first brought in, by the meanes
of some worthy, vertuous, and great Personage, are ever, and most
justly, holden in great and reverent estimation and account, by all
wise, vertuous, and temperate spirits: So should it by the contrary,
justly bring a great disgrace into that sort of customes, which having
their originall from base corruption and barbarity, doe in like sort,
make their first entry into a Countrey, by an inconsiderate and
childish affectation of Noveltie, as is the true case of the first
invention of Tobacco taking, and of the first entry thereof among us.
For Tobacco being a common herbe, which (though under divers names)
growes almost every where, was first found out by some of the barbarous
Indians, to be a Preservative, or Antidot against the Pockes, a filthy
disease, whereunto these barbarous people are (as all men know) very
much subject, what through the uncleanly and adust constitution of
their bodies, and what through the intemperate heate of their Climat:
so that as from them was first brought into Christendome, that most
detestable disease, so from them likewise was brought this use of
Tobacco, as a stinking and unsavorie Antidot, for so corrupted and
execrable a Maladie, the stinking Suffumigation whereof they yet use
against that disease, making so one canker or venime to eate out
another.And
now good Countrey men let us (I pray you) consider, what honour or
policie can moove us to imitate the barbarous and beastly maners of the
wilde, godlesse, and slavish Indians, especially in so vile and
stinking a custome? Shall wee that disdaine to imitate the maners of
our neighbour France (having the stile of the first Christian Kingdom)
and that cannot endure the spirit of the Spaniards (their King being
now comparable in largenes of Dominions, to the great Emperor of
Turkie) Shall wee, I say, that have bene so long civill and wealthy in
Peace, famous and invincible in Warre, fortunate in both, we that have
bene ever able to aide any of our neighbours (but never deafed any of
their eares with any of our supplications for assistance) shall we, I
say, without blushing, abase our selves so farre, as to imitate these
beastly Indians, slaves to the Spaniards, refuse to the world, and as
yet aliens from the holy Covenant of God? Why doe we not as well
imitate them in walking naked as they doe? in preferring glasses,
feathers, and such toyes, to golde and precious stones, as they do? yea
why do we not denie God and adore the Devill, as they doe?Now
to the corrupted basenesse of the first use of this Tobacco, doeth very
well agree the foolish and groundlesse first entry thereof into this
Kingdome. It is not so long since the first entry of this abuse amongst
us here, as this present age cannot yet very well remember, both the
first Author, and the forme of the first introduction of it amongst us.
It was neither brought in by King, great Conquerour, nor learned Doctor
of Phisicke.With
the report of a great discovery for a Conquest, some two or three
Savage men, were brought in, together with this Savage custome. But the
pitie is, the poore wilde barbarous men died, but that vile barbarous
custome is yet alive, yea in fresh vigor: so as it seemes a miracle to
me, how a custome springing from so vile a ground, and brought in by a
father so generally hated, should be welcomed upon so slender a
warrant. For if they that first put it in practise heere, had remembred
for what respect it was used by them from whence it came, I am sure
they would have bene loath, to have taken so farre the imputation of
that disease upon them as they did, by using the cure thereof. For
Sanis non est opus medico, and counterpoisons are never used, but where
poyson is thought to precede.But
since it is true, that divers customes slightly grounded, and with no
better warrant entred in a Commonwealth, may yet in the use of them
thereafter, proove both necessary and profitable; it is therefore next
to be examined, if there be not a full Svmpathie and true Proportion,
betweene the base ground and foolish entrie, and the loathsome, and
hurtfull use of this stinking Antidote.I
am now therefore heartily to pray you to consider, first upon what
false and erroneous grounds you have first built the generall good
liking thereof; and next, what sinnes towards God, and foolish vanities
before the world you commit, in the detestable use of it.As
for these deceitfull grounds, that have specially mooved you to take a
good and great conceit thereof, I shall content my selfe to examine
here onely foure of the principals of them; two founded upon the
Theoricke of a deceivable appearance of Reason, and two of them upon
the mistaken Practicke of generall Experience.First,
it is thought by you a sure Aphorisme in the Physickes, That the
braines of all men, beeing naturally colde and wet, all dry and hote
things should be good for them; of which nature this stinking
suffumigation is, and therefore of good use to them. Of this Argument,
both the Proposition and Assumption are false, and so the Conclusion
cannot but be voyd of it selfe. For as to the Proposition, That because
the braines are colde and moist, therefore things that are hote and
drie are best for them, it is an inept consequence: For man beeing
compounded of the foure Complexions, (whose fathers are the foure
Elements) although there be a mixture of them all in all the parts of
his body, yet must the divers parts of our Microcosme or little world
within our selves, be diversly more inclined, some to one, some to
another complexion, according to the diversitie of their uses, that of
these discords a petfect harmonie may bee made up for the maintenance
of the whole body.The
application then of a thing of a contrary nature, to any of these
parts, is to interrupt them of their due function, and by consequence
hurtfull to the health of the whole body. As if a man, because the
Liver is hote (as the fountaine of blood) and as it were an oven to the
stomacke, would therfore apply and weare close upon his Liver and
stomacke a cake of lead; he might within a very short time (I hope) be
susteined very good cheape at an Ordinarie, beside the cleering of his
conscience from that deadly sinne of gluttonie. And as if, because the
Heart is full of vitall spirits, and in perpetuall motion, a man would
therefore lay a heavy pound stone on his breast, for staying and
holding downe that wanton palpitation, I doubt not but his breast would
bee more bruised with the weight thereof, then the heart would be
comforted with such a disagreeable and contrarious cure. And even so is
it with the Braines. For if a man, because the Braines are colde and
humide, would therefore use inwardly by smells, or outwardly by
application, things of hot and drie qualitie, all the gaine that he
could make thereof, would onely be to put himselfe in a great
forwardnesse for running mad, by over-watching him selfe, the coldnesse
and moistnesse of is our braine beeing the onely ordinarie meanes that
procure our sleepe and rest. Indeed I do not denie, but when it falls
out that any of these, or any part of our bodie growes to be
distempered, and to tend to ail extremitie, beyond the compasse of
Natures temperate mixture, that in that case cures of contrary
qualities, to the intemperate inclination of that part, being wisely
prepared and discreetely ministered, may be both necessarie and
helpefull for strengtbniug and assisting Nature in the expulsion of her
enemies: for this is the true definition of all profitable Physicke.But
first these Cures ought not to bee used, but where there is neede of
them, the contrarie whereof, is daily practised in this generall use of
Tobacco by all sorts and complexions of people.And
next, I deny the Minor of this argument, as I have already said, in
regard that this Tobacco, is not simply of a dry and hot qualitie; but
rather hath a certaine venemous facultie joyned with the heate thereof,
which makes it have an Antipathie against nature, as by the hatefull
smell thereof doeth well appeare. For the Nose being the proper Organ
and convoy of the sense of smelling to the braines, which are the onely
fountaine of that sense, doeth ever serve us for an infallible
witnesse, whether that Odour which we smell, be healthfull or hurtfull
to the braine (except when it fals out that the sense it selfe is
corrupted and abused through some infirmitie, and distemper in the
braine.) And that the suffumigation thereof cannot have a drying
qualitie, it needes no further probation, then that it is a smoake, all
smoake and vapour, being of it selfe humide, as drawing neere to the
nature of the ayre, and easie to be resolved againe into water, whereof
there needes no other proofe but the Meteors, which being bred of
nothing else but of the vapours and exhalations sucked up by the Sunne
out of the earth, the Sea, and waters yet are the sarne smoakie vapours
turned, and transformed into Raynes, Snowes, Deawes, hoare Frostes, and
such like waterie Meteors, as by the contrarie the raynie cloudes are
often transformed and evaporated in blustering winds.The
second Argument grounded on a show of reason is, That this filthie
smoake, aswell through the heat and strength thereof, as by a naturall
force and qualitie, is able and fit to purge both the head and stomacke
of Rhewmes and distillations, as experience teacheth, by the spitting
and avoyding fleame, immediately after the taking of it. But the
fallacie of this Argument may easily appeare, by my late preceding
description of the Meteors. For even as the smoakie vapours sucked up
by the Sunne, and staied in the lowest and colde Region of the ayre,
are there contracted into cloudes and turned into raine and such other
watery Meteors: So this stinking smoake being sucked up by the Nose,
and imprisoned in the colde and moyst braines, is by their colde and
wett facultie, turned and cast foorth againe in waterie distillations,
and so are you made free and purged of nothing, but that wherewith you
wilfully burdened your selves: and therefore are you no wiser in taking
Tobacco for purging you of distillations, then if for preventing the
Cholike you would take all kinde of windie meates and drinkes, and for
preventing of the Stone, you would take all kinde of meates and drinkes
that would breede gravell in the Kidneyes, and then when you were
forced to avoyde much winde out of your stomacke, and much gravell in
your Urine, that you should attribute the thanke thereof to such
nourishments as bred those within you, that behoved either to be
expelled by the force of Nature, or you to have burst at the broadside,
as the Proverbe is.As
for the other two reasons founded upon experience, the first of which
is, That the whole people would not have taken so generall a good
liking thereof, if they had not by experience found it verie soveraigne
and good for them: For answere thereunto how easily the mindes of any
people, wherewith God hath replenished this world, may be drawen to the
foolish affectation of any noveltie, I leave it to the
discreetjudgement of any man that is reasonable.Doe
we not dayly see, that a man can no sooner bring over from beyond the
Seas any new forme of apparell, but that hee can not bee thought a man
of spirit, that would not presently imitate the same? And so from hand
to hand it spreades, till it be practised by all, not for any
commoditie that is in it, but only because it is come to be the
fashion. For such is the force of that naturall Selfe-love in every one
of us, and such is the corruption of envie bred in the brest of every
one, as we cannot be content unlesse we imitate every thing that our
fellowes doe, and so proove our selves capable of every thing whereof
they are capable, like Apes, counterfeiting the maners of others, to
our owne destruction. For let one or two of the greatest Masters of
Mathematickes in any of the two famous Universities, but constantly
affirme any cleare day, that they see some strange apparition in the
skies: they will I warrant you be seconded by the greatest part of the
Students in that profession: So loath will they be, to bee thought
inferiour to their fellowes, either in depth of knowledge or sharpnesse
of sight: And therefore the generall good liking and imbracing of this
foolish custome, doeth but onely proceede from that affectation of
noveltie, and popular errour, whereof I have already spoken.The
other argument drawen from a mistaken experience, is but the more
particular probation of this generall, because it is alleaged to be
found true by proofe, that by the taking of Tobacco divers and very
many doe finde themselves cured of divers diseases as on the other
part, no man ever received harme thereby. In this argument there is
first a great mistaking and next a monstrous absurditie. For is it not
a very great mistaking, to take Non causam pro causa, as they say in
the Logicks? because peradventure when a sicke man hath had his disease
at the height, hee hath at that instant taken Tobacco, and afterward
his disease taking the naturall course of declining, and consequently
the patient of recovering his health, O then the Tobacco forsooth, was
the worker of that miracle. Beside that, it is a thing well knoweil to
all Phisicians, that the apprehension and conceit of the patient hath
by wakening and uniting the vitall spirits, and so strengthening
nature, a great power and vertue, to cure divers diseases. For an
evident proofe of mistaking in the like case, I pray you what foolish
boy, what sillie wench, what olde doting wife, or ignorant countrey
clowne, is not a Phisician for the toothach, for the cholicke, and
divers such common diseases? Yea, will not every man you meete withal,
teach you a sundry cure for the same, and sweare by that meane either
himselfe, or some of his neerest kinsmen and friends was cured? And yet
I hope no man is so foolish as to beleeve them. And al these toyes do
only proceed from the mistaking Non causam pro causa, as I have already
sayd, and so if a man chance to recover one of any disease, after he
hath taken Tobacco, that must have the thankes of all. But by the
contrary, if a man smoke himselfe to death with it (and many have done)
O then some other disease must beare the blame for that fault. So doe
olde harlots thanke their harlotrie for their many yeeres, that custome
being healthfull (say they) ad purgandos Renes, but never have minde
how many die of the Pockes in the flower of their youth. And so doe
olde drunkards thinke they prolong their dayes, by their swinelike
diet, but never remember howe many die drowned in drinke before they be
halfe olde.And
what greater absurditie can there bee, then to say that one cure shall
serve for divers, nay, contrarious sortes of diseases? It is all
undoubted ground among all Phisicians, that there is almost no sort
either of nourishment or medicine, that hath not some thing in it
disagreeable to some part of mans bodie, because, as I have already
sayd, the nature of the temperature of every part, is so different from
another, that according to the olde proverbe, That which is good for
the head, is evill for the necke and the shoulders. For even as a
strong enemie, that invades a towne or fortresse, although in his siege
thereof, he do belaie and compasse it round about, yet he makes his
breach and entrie, at some one or few special parts thereof, which hee
hath tried and found to bee weakest and least able to resist; so
sickenesse doth make her particular assault, upon such part or parts of
our bodie, as are weakest and easiest to be overcome by that sort of
disease, which then doth assaile us, although all the rest of the body
by Sympathie feele it selfe, to be as it were belaied, and besieged by
the affliction of that speciall part, the griefe and smart thereof
being by the sence of feeling dispersed through all the rest of our
members. And therefore the skilfull Phisician presses by such cures, to
purge and strengthen that part which is afflicted, as are only fit for
that sort of disease, and doe best agree with the nature of that
infirme part; which being abused to a disease of another nature, would
proove as hurtfull for the one, as helpfull for the other. Yea, not
only will a skilfull. and warie Phisician bee carefull to use no cure
but that which is fit for that sort of disease, but he wil also
consider all other circumstances, and make the remedies sutable
thereunto: as the temperature of the clime where the Patient is, the
constitution of the Planets, the time of the Moone, the season of the
yere, the age and complexion of the Patient, and the present state of
his body, in strength or weaknesse. For one cure must not ever be used
for the self-same disease, but according to the varying of any of the
foresaid circumstances, that sort of remedie must be used which is
fittest for the same. Whear by the contrarie in this case, such is the
miraculous omnipotencie of our strong tasted Tobacco, as it cures all
sorts of diseases (which never any drugge could do before) in all
persons, and at all times. It cures all manner of distillations, either
in the head or stomacke (if you beleeve their Axiomes) although in very
deede it doe both corrupt the braine, and by causing over quicke
digestion, fill the stomacke full of crudities. It cures the Gowt in
the feet, and (which is miraculous) in that very instant when the smoke
thereof, as light, flies up into the head, the vertue thereof, as
heavie, runs downe to the little toe. It helpes all sorts of Agues. It
makes a man sober that was drunke. It refreshes a weary man, and yet
makes a man hungry. Being taken when they goe to bed, it makes one
sleepe soundly, and yet being taken when a man is sleepie and drowsie,
it will, as they say, awake his braine, and quicken his understanding.
As for curing of the Pockes, it serves for that use but among the
pockie Indian slaves. Here in England it is refined, and will not
deigne to cure heere any other then cleanly and gentlemanly diseases. O
omnipotent power of Tobacco! And if it could by the smoke thereof chace
out devils, as the smoke of Tobias fish did (which I am sure could smel
no stronglier) it would serve for a precious Relicke, both for the
superstitious Priests, and the insolent Puritanes, to cast out devils
withall.Admitting
then, and not confessing that the use thereof were healthfull for some
sortes of diseases; should it be used for all sicknesses? should it be
used by all men? should it be used at al times? yea should it be used
by able, yong, strong, healthful men? Medicine hath that vertue, that
it never leaveth a man in that state wherin it findeth him: it makes a
sicke man whole, but a whole man sicke. And as Medicine helpes nature
being taken at times of necessitie, so being ever and continually used,
it doth but weaken, wearie, and weare nature. What speake I of
Medicine? Nay let a man every houre of the day, or as oft as many in
this countrey use to take Tobacco, let a man I say, but take as oft the
best sorts of nourishments in meate and drinke that can bee devised,
hee shall with the continuall use thereof weaken both his head and his
stomacke: all his members shall become feeble, his spirits dull, and in
the end, as a drowsie lazie belly-god, he shall evanish in a Lethargie.And
from this weaknesse it proceeds, that many in this kingdome have had
such a continuall use of taking this uusavorie smoke, as now they are
not able to forbeare the same, no more then an olde drunkard can abide
to be long sober, without falling into an uncurable weaknesse and evill
constitution: for their continuall custome hath made to them, habitum,
alteram naturam: so to those that from their birth have bene
continually nourished upon poison and things venemous, wholesome meates
are onely poisonable.Thus
having, as I truste, sufficiently answered the most principall
arguments that are used in defence of this vile custome, it rests onely
to informe you what sinnes and vanities you commit in the filthie abuse
thereof. First, are you not guiltie of sinnefull and shamefull lust?
(for lust may bee as well in any of the senses as in feeling) that
although you bee troubled with no disease, but in perfect health, yet
can you neither be merry at an Ordinarie, nor lascivious in the Stewes,
if you lacke Tobacco to provoke your appetite to any of those sorts of
recreation, lusting after it as the children of Israel did in the
wildernesse after Quailes? Secondly it is, as you use or rather abuse
it, a branche of the sinne of drunkennesse, which is the roote of all
sinnes: for as the onely delight that drunkards take in Wine is in the
strength of the taste, and the force of the fume thereof that mounts up
to the braine: for no drunkards love any weake, or sweete drinke: so
are not those (I meane the strong heate and the fume) the onely
qualities that make Tobacco so delectable to all the lovers of it? And
as no man likes strong headie drinke the first day (because nemo
repente fit turpissimus) but by custome is piece and piece allured,
while in the ende, a drunkard will have as great a thirst to bee
drunke, as a sober man to quench his thirst with a draught when hee
hath need of it: So is not this the very case of all the great takers
of Tobacco? which therefore they themselves do attribute to a
bewitching qualitie in it. Thirdly, is it not the greatest sinne of
all, that you the people of all sortes of this Kingdome, who are
created and ordeined by God to bestowe both your persons and goods for
the maintenance both of the honour and safetie of your King and
Commonweath, should disable your selves in both? In your persons having
by this continuall vile custome brought your selves to this shameful
imbecilitie, that you are not able to ride or walke the journey of a
Jewes Sabboth, but you must have a reekie cole brought you from the
next Poore house to kindle your Tobacco with? whereas he cannot be
thought able for any service in the warres, that cannot endure
oftentimes the want of meate, drinke and sleepe, much more then must
hee endure the want of Tobacco. In the times of the many glorious and
victorious battailes fought by this Nation, there was no word of
Tobacco. But now if it were time of warres, and that you were to make
some sudden Cavalcado upon your enemies, if any of you should seeke
leisure to stay behinde his fellowe for taking of Tobacco, for my part
I should never bee sorie for any evill chance that might befall him. To
take a custome in any thing that cannot bee left againe, is most
harmefull to the people of any land. Mollicies and delicacie were the
wracke and overthrow, first of the Persian, and next of the Romane
Empire. And this very custome of taking Tobacco (whereof our present
purpose is) is even at this day accounted so effeminate among the
Indians themselves, as in the market they will offer no price for a
slave to be sold, whome they finde to be a great Tobacco taker.Now
how you are by this custome disabled in your goods, let the Gentry of
this land beare witnesse, some of them bestowing three, some foure
hundred pounds a yeere upon this precious stinke, which I am sure might
be bestowed upon many farre better uses. I read indeede of a knavish
Courtier, who for abusing the favour of the Emperour Alexander Severus
his Master by taking bribes to intercede, for sundry persons in his
Masters eare (for whom he never once opened his mouth) was justly
choked with smoke, with this doome, Fumo pereat, qui fumum vendidit:
but of so many smoke-buyers, as are at this present in this kingdome, I
never read nor heard.And
for the vanities committed in this filthie custome, is it not both
great vanitie and uncleanenesse, that at the table, a place of respect,
of cleanlinesse, of modestie, men should not be ashamed, to sit tossing
of Tobacco pipes, and puffing of the smoke of Tobacco one to another,
making the filthy smoke and stinke thereof, to exhale athwart the
dishes, and infect the aire, when very often, men that abhorre it are
at their repast? Surely Smoke becomes a kitchin far better then a
Dining chamber, and yet it makes a kitchin also oftentimes in the
inward parts of men, soiling and infecting them, with an unctuous and
oily kinde of Soote, as hath bene found in some great Tobacco takers,
that after their death were opened. And not onely meate time, but no
other time nor action is exempted from the publike use of this uncivill
tricke: so as if the wives of Diepe list to contest with this Nation
for good maners their worst maners would in all reason be found at
least not so dishonest (as ours are) in this point. The publike use
whereof, at all times, and in all places, hath now so farre prevailed,
as divers men very sound both in judgement, and complexion, have bene
at last forced to take it also without desire, partly because they were
ashanied to seeme singular, (like the two Philosophers that were forced
to duck themselves in that raine water, and so become fooles aswell as
the rest of the people) and partly, to be as one that was content to
eate Garlicke (which hee did not love) that he might not be troubled
with the smell of it, in the breath of his fellowes. And is it not a
great vanitie, that a man cannot heartily welcome his friend now, but
straight they must bee in hand with Tobacco? No it is become in place
of a cure, a point of good fellowship, and he that will refuse to take
a pipe of Tobacco among his fellowes, (though by his own election he
would rather feele the savour of a Sinke) is accounted peevish and no
good company, even as they doe with tippeling in the cold Easterne
Countries. Yea the Mistresse cannot in a more manerly kinde, entertaine
her servant, then by giving him out of her faire hand a pipe of
Tobacco. But herein is not onely a great vanitie but a great contempt
of Gods good giftes, that the sweetenesse of mans breath, being a good
gift of God, should be willfully corrupted by this stinking smoke,
wherein I must confesse, it hath too strong a vertue: and so that which
is an ornament of nature, and can neither by any artifice be at the
first acquired, nor once lost, be recovered againe, shall be filthily
corrupted with an incurable stinke, which vile qualitie is as directly
contrary to that wrong opinion which is holden of the wholesomnesse
thereof, as the venime of putrifaction is contrary to the vertue
Preservative.Moreover,
which is a great iniquitie, and against all humanitie, the husband
shall not bee ashamed, to reduce thereby his delicate, wholesome, and
cleane complexioned wife, to that extremitie, that either shee must
also corrupt her sweete breath therewith, or else resolve to live in a
perpetuall stinking torment.Have
you not reason then to bee ashamed, and to forbeare this filthie
noveltie, so basely grounded, so foolishly received and so grossely
mistaken in the right use thereof? In your abuse thereof sinning
against God, harming your selves both in persons and goods, and raking
also thereby the markes and notes of vanitie upon you: by the custome
thereof making your selves to be wondered at by all forraine civil
Nations, and by all strangers that come among you, to be scorned and
contemned. A custome lothsome to the eye, hatefull to the Nose,
harmefull to the braine, dangerous to the Lungs, and in the blacke
stinking fume thereof, neerest resembling the horrible Stigian smoke of
the pit that is bottomelesse.