A30139:62
A discourse of the building, nature, excellency, and government of the house of God…
A discourse of the building, nature, excellency, and government of the house of God With counsels and directions to the inhabitants thereof. By John Bunyan of Bedford.
London : printed, and are to be sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopsgate, 1688
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Call them your Cooks, they're skilled in dressing Food, To nourish Weak, and Strong, and cleanse the Blood: They've Milk for Babes, strong Meat for Men of Age; Food fit for who are Simple, who are Sage. When the great Pot goes on, as oft it doth, They put not Coloquintida in Broth, As do those Younglings, Fondlings of their skill, Who make not what's so apt to cure as kill.1
Call them your Cooks, they're skill'd in dressing Food, To nourish Weak, and Strong, and cleanse the Blood: They've Milk for Babes, strong Meat for Men of Age; Food fit for who are Simple, who are Sage. When the great Pot goes on, as oft it doth, They put not Coloquintida in Broth, As do those Younglings, Fondlings of their skill, Who make not what's so apt to cure as kill.1
They are your Sub-Physicians, and know What sickness you are incident unto; Let them but feel your Pulse, and they will tell You quickly whether you are Sick or Well. ⟨p. 21⟩Have you the Staggers? They can help you there Or if the Falling-Sickness, or do fear A Lethargy, a Fever, or the Gout, God blessing of their skill, you need not doubt A cure, for long Experience has made These Officers the Masters of their Trade. Their Physic works by Purge and Vomit too, Fear not, nor full nor fasting but 'twill do, Have but a care and see you catch no Cold, And with their Physic then you may be bold.1 You may them Prophets call, for they can tel• Of things to come, yea, here they do excel. They Prophesy of Mans future event, Whether to Weal or Woe his mind is bent, Yea, so expert are they in their Predictions, Their Arguments so full are of Convictions, That none who hear them, but are forced […] say Woe unto them who wander from the way Art bound for Hell against all wind and weather Or art thou one a going backward thither? Or dost thou wink because thou wouldst not see Or dost thou sideling go, and wouldst not be Suspected? Yet these Prophets can the tell, Which way thou art a going down to Hell. For him that would Eternal Life attain, Yet will not part with all, that Life to gain,