Mystical bedlam, or the world of mad-men. By ThoMystical bedlam, or the vvorld of mad-men. By Tho

So madly do these frantickes spend their time and strengths, by doing and undoing, tying hard knots, and untying them, affecting the issue of their own brains not a day together; and destroying much seed in the birth of their thoughts, because the conception now pleaseth them not. The Proverb saith, that the most wild are in least danger to be stark mad: but here, wildness is madness; an indefatigable frenzy; an erring star reserved for the black darkness; a rolling stone that never gathers any moss to stay it; an incessant and impetuous fury, that never ceaseth roving and raving, till it come to the Centre, Hell.

So madly doe these frantickes spend their time and strengthes, by doing and vndoing, tying hard knots, and vntying them, affecting the issue of their owne braynes not a day together; and destroying much seed in the birth of their thoughts, because the conception now pleaseth them not. The Prouerbe sayth, that the most wilde are in least danger to bee starke madde: but here, wildenes is madnes; an indefatigable frenzy; an erring starre reserued for the blacke darkenesse; a rolling stone that neuer gathers any mosse to stay it; an incessant and impetuous fury, that neuer ceaseth rouing and rauing, till it come to the Center, Hell.

Thus I have endeavoured to demonstrate Madness, in the true definition, form and colours. But as a man cannot so well judge of a Sum, whiles it lies in the heap, as when it is told and numbered out: if this united and contracted presentation of madness be not so palpable in your conceits, as you would desire it; behold, to your further satisfaction, I come to particulars. The whole denominates the parts; as all of water, is water; all of flesh, flesh: so every wilful sin is madness. Doubtless, when we come to this precise distribution, and narrow scrutiny, to the singling out of Frenzies, you will bless your selves, that there are so few Bedlam-houses, and yet so many out of their wits.

Thus I haue endeuour'd to demonstrate Madnesse, in the true definition, forme and colours. But as a man cannot so well iudge of a Summe, whiles it lyes in the heape, as when it is tolde and numbred out: if this vnited and contracted presentation of madnes bee not so palpable in your conceites, as you would desire it; behold, to your further satisfaction, I come to particulars. The whole denominates the parts; as all of water, is water; all of flesh, flesh: so euery wilfull sinne is madnesse. Doubtlesse, when we come to this precise distribution, and narrow scrutiny, to the singling out of Frenzies, you will blesse your selues, that there are so few Bedlam-houses, and yet so many out of their wits.