them; which others explained, by telling us, he had caftrated himself upon Grief, for the Lofs of his Wife. OMITTING many others of lefs Note, the next Fanaticks we meet with of any Eminence, were the numerous Sects of Hereticks, appearing in the five first Centuries of the Chriftian Era, from Simon Magus and his Followers, to thofe of Eutyches. I have collected their Syftems from infinite Reading; and comparing them with those of their Succeffors in the feveral Ages fince, I find there are certain Bounds fet even to the Irregularities of human Thought, and those a great deal narrower than is commonly apprehended. For as they all frequently interfere,, even in their wildeft Ravings; fo there is one fundamental Point, wherein they are fure to meet, as Lines in a Center, and that is the Community of Women. Great were their Solicitudes in this Matter; and they never failed of certain Articles in their Schemes of Worship, on purpose to establish it.. THE laft Fanaticks of Note, were thofe which ftarted up in Germany, a little after the Reformation. of Luther; fpringing, as Mushrooms do at the End of a Harveft. Such were John of Leyden, David George, Adam Neufler, and many others; whofe Vifions and Revelations always terminated in leading about half a Dozen Sifters a piece, and making that Practice a fundamental Part of their Syftem. For human Life is a continual Navigation; and if we expect our VefJels to pass with Safety through the Waves and Tempets of this fluctuating World; it is neceffary to make a good Provifion of the Flesh, as Seamen lay in Store of Beef for a long Voyage. Now, from this brief Survey of fome principal Sects among the Fanaticks, in all Ages, (having omitted the Mahometans and others, who might also help to confirm the Argument I am about); to which I might add feveral among ourselves, fuch as the Family of Love, Sweet Singers of Ifrael, and the like; and from reflecting upon that fundamental Point in their R 3 their Doctrines, about Women, wherein they have fo unanimoufly agreed; I am apt to imagine, that the Seed or Principle which has ever put Men upon Vid fions in Things invifible, is of a corporeal Nature. For the profounder Chymifts inform us, that the ftrongeft Spirits may be extracted from buman Flefb. Befides, the fpinal Marrow, being nothing elfe but a Continuation of the Brain, muft needs create a very free Communication between the fuperior Faculties and those below: And thus the Thorn in the Flef ferves for a Spur to the Spirit. I think it is agreed among Phyficians, that nothing affects the Head fo 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 affured me, that when the Quakers first appeared, he feldom was without fome Female Patients among them, for the Furor- -Perfons of a vifionary Devotion, either Men or Women, are, in their Complexion, of all others the most amorous. For Zeal is frequently kindled from the fame Spark with other Fires, and from inflaming brotherly Love, will proceed to raife that of a Gallant. If we infpect, into the ufual Procefs of modern Courtship, we fhall find it to confift in a devout Turn of the Eyes, called Ogling; an artificial Form of canting and whinning by Rote, every Interval, for Want of other Matter, made up with a Shrug, or a Hum; a Sigh, or a Groan; the Style compact of infignificant Words, Incoherences and Repe tition. Thefe I take to be the most accomplished Rules of Addrefs to a Miftrefs; 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 fanguine Brethren of the first Clafs, that, in the Height and Orgafmus of their fpiritual Exercife, it has been frequent with them * *; immediately after which, they found the Spirit to relax, and flag of a fudden with the Nerves, and they were forced to haften to a Conclufion. ** * Conclufion. This may be farther ftrengthened, by obferving with Wonder, how unaccountably all Females are attracted by vifionary or enthufiaftick Preachers, though never fo contemptible in their outward Mien; which is usually supposed to be done upon Confiderations purely spiritual, without any carnal Regards at all. But I have Reason to think, the Sex hath certain Characteristicks, by which they form a truer Judgment of human Abilities and Performings, than we ourselves can poffibly 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 not the Business of Flesh and Blood; it muft, by the neceffary Course of Things, in a little Time, let go its Hold, and fall into Matter. Lovers, for the Sake of celeftial Converfe, are but another Sort of Platonicks, who pretend to fee Stars and Heaven in Ladies Eyes, and to look or think no lower; but the fame Pit is provided for both. And they feem a perfect Moral to the Story of that Philofopher, who, while his Thoughts and Eyes were fixed upon the Confiellations, found himself seduced by his lower Parts into a Ditch. I had fomewhat more to fay upon this Part of the Subject; but the Poft is just going, which forces me in great Hafte to conclude. Pray burn this Letter as foon as it comes to your Hands. SIR, Your's, &c. FINIS. |