A counterblaste to tobacco James I, King of England, 1566-1625. 1604 Approx. 33 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A04242 STC 14363 ESTC S109101 99844751 99844751 9591 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A04242) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 9591) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1277:05) A counterblaste to tobacco James I, King of England, 1566-1625. [28] p. By R. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Tobacco -- Early works to 1800. Smoking -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800. 2000-00 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2001-00 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2001-00 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2001-00 TCP Staff (Michigan) Text and markup reviewed and edited 2001-11 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A COVNTERBLASTE TO Tobacco . ¶ Imprinted at London by R. B. Anno 1604. ¶ TO THE READER . AS euery humane body ( deare Countrey men ) how wholesome soeuer , is notwithstanding subiect , or at least naturally inclined to some sorts of diseases , or infirmities : so is there no Common-wealth , or Body-politicke , how well gouerned , or peaceable soeuer it bee , that lackes the owne popular errors , and naturally enclined corruptions : and therefore is it no wonder , although this our Countrey and Common-wealth , though peaceable , though wealthy , though long flourishing in both , be amongst the rest , subiect to the owne naturall infirmities . VVee are of all Nations the people most louing and most reuerently obedient to our Prince , yet are wee ( as time hath often borne witnesse ) too easie to be seduced to make Rebellion , vpon very slight grounds . Our fortunate and oft prooued valour in warres abroad , our heartie and reuerent obedience to our Princes at home , hath bred vs a long , and a thrice happy peace : Our Peace hath bred wealth : And Peace and wealth hath brought foorth a generall sluggishnesse , which makes vs wallow in all sorts of idle delights , and soft delicacies , the first seedes of the subuersion of all great Monarchies . Our Cleargie are become negligent and lazie , our Nobilitie and Gentrie prodigall , and solde to their priuate delights , Our Lawyers couetous , our Common-people prodigall and curious ; and generally all sorts of people more carefull for their priuat ends , then for their mother the Common-wealth . For remedie whereof , it is the Kings part ( as the proper Phisician of his Politicke-body ) to purge it of all those diseases , by Medicines meete for the same : as by a certaine milde , and yet iust forme of gouernment , to maintaine the Publicke quietnesse , and preuent all occasions of Commotion : by the example of his owne Person and Court , to make vs all ashamed of our sluggish delicacie , and to stirre vs vp to the practise againe of all honest exercises , and Martiall shadowes of VVarre ; As likewise by his , and his Courts moderatenesse in Apparell , to make vs ashamed of our prodigalitie : By his quicke admonitions and carefull ouerseeing of the Cleargie , to waken them vp againe , to be more diligent in their Offices : By the sharpe triall , and seuere punishment of the partiall , couetous and bribing Lawyers , to reforme their corruptions : And generally by the example of his owne Person , and by the due execution of good Lawes , to reforme and abolish , piece and piece , these old and euill grounded abuses . For this will not bee Opus vnius diei , but as euery one of these diseases , must from the King receiue the owne cure proper for it , so are there some sorts of abuses in Common-wealths , that though they be of so base and contemptible a condition , as they are too low for the Law to looke on , and too meane for a King to interpone his authoritie , or bend his eye vpon : yet are they corruptions , aswell as the greatest of them . So is an Ant an Animal , aswell as an Elephant : so is a VVrenne Auis , aswell as a Swanne , and so is a small dint of the Toothake , a disease aswell as the fearefull Plague is . But for these base sorts of corruption in Common wealthes , not onely the King , or any inferior Magistrate , but Quilibet e populo may serue to be a Phisician , by discouering and impugning the error , and by perswading reformation thereof . And surely in my opinion , there cannot be a more base , and yet hurtfull , corruption in a Countrey , then is the vile vse ( or rather abuse ) of taking Tobacco in this Kingdome , which hath mooued me , shortly to discouer the abuses thereof in this following little Pamphlet . If any thinke it a light Argument , so is it but a toy that is bestowed vpon it . And since the Subiect is but of Smoke , I thinke the fume of an idle braine , may serue for a sufficient battery against so fumous and feeble an enemy . If my grounds be found true , it is all I looke for ; but if they cary the force of perswasion with them , it is all I can wish , and more then I can expect . My onely care is , that you , my deare Countrey-men , may rightly conceiue euen by this smallest trifle , of the sinceritie of my meaning in greater matters , neuer to spare any paine , that may tend to the procuring of your weale and prosperitie . A Counterblaste to Tobacco . 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 haue 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 euer , and most iustly , holden in great & reuerent estimation and account , by all wise , vertuous , and temperate spirits : So should it by the contrary , iustly bring a great disgrace into that sort of customes , which hauing 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 Noueltie , as is the true case of the first inuention of Tobacco taking , and of the first entry thereof among vs. For Tobacco being a cōmon herbe , which ( though vnder diuers names ) growes almost euery where , was first found out by some of the barbarous Indians , to be a Preseruatiue , or Antidot against the Pockes , a filthy disease , whereunto these barbarous people are ( as all men know ) very much subiect , what through the vncleanly 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 vse of Tobacco , as a stinking and vnsauorie Antidot , for so corrupted and execrable a Maladie , the stinking Suffumigation whereof they yet vse against that disease , making so one canker or venime to eate out another . And now good Countrey men , let vs ( I pray you ) consider , what honour or policie can mooue vs to imitate the barbarous and beastly maners of the wilde , godlesse , and slauish Indians , especially in so vile and stinking a custome ? Shall wee that disdaine to imitate the maners of our neighbour France ( hauing 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 haue bene so long ciuill and wealthy in Peace , famous and inuincible in Warre , fortunate in both , we that haue bene euer able to aide any of our neighbours ( but neuer deafed any of their eares with any of our supplications for assistance ) shall we , I say , without blushing , abase our selues so farre , as to imitate these beastly Indians , slaues to the Spaniards , refuse to the world , and as yet aliens from the holy Couenant 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 Deuill , as they doe ? Now to the corrupted basenesse of the first vse 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 vs here , as this present age cannot yet very well remember , both the first Author , and the forme of the first introduction of it amongst vs. It was neither brought in by King , great Conquerour , nor learned Doctor of Phisicke . With the report of a great discouery for a Conquest , some two or three Sauage mē , were brought in , together with this Sauage custome . But the pitie is , the poore wilde barbarous men died , but that vile barbarous custome is yet aliue , 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 vpon so slender a warrant . For if they that first put it in practise heere , had remembred for what respect it was vsed by them from whence it came , I am sure they would haue bene loath , to haue taken so farre the imputation of that disease vpon them as they did , by vsing the cure thereof . For Sanis non est opus medico , and counterpoisons are neuer vsed , but where poyson is thought to precede . But since it is true , that diuers customes slightly grounded , and with no better warrant entred in a Commonwealth , may yet in the vse of them thereafter , prooue both necessary and profitable ; it is therefore next to be examined , if there be not a full Sympathie and true Proportion , betweene the base ground and foolish entrie , and the loathsome and hurtfull vse of this stinking Antidote . I am now therefore heartily to pray you to consider , first vpon what false and erroneous grounds you haue first built the generall good liking thereof ; and next , what sinnes towards God , and foolish vanities before the world you commit , in the detestable vse of it . As for these deceitfull grounds , that haue specially mooued 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 vpon the Theoricke of a deceiueable apparance of Reason , and two of them vpon 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 vse 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 diuers parts of our Microcosme or little world within our selues , be diuersly more inclined , some to one , some to another complexion , according to the diuersitie of their vses , that of these discords a perfect harmonie may bee made vp 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 Liuer is hote ( as the fountaine of blood ) and as it were and ouen to the stomacke , would therfore apply and weare close vpon his Liuer 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 heauy 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 & contrarious cure . And euen so is it with the Braines . For if a man , because the Braines are cold and humide , would therefore vse inwardly by smells , or outwardly by application , things of hot and drie qualite , all the gaine that he could make thereof would onely be to put himselfe in a great forwardnesse for running mad , by ouerwatching himselfe , the coldnesse and moistnesse of our braine beeing the onely ordinarie meanes that procure our sleepe and rest . Indeed I doe 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 an 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 ministred , may be both necessarie and helpefull for strengthning 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 vsed , but where there is neede of them , the contrarie whereof , is daily practised in this generall vse 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 & hot qualitie ; but rather hath a certaine venemous facultie ioyned with the heate thereof , which makes it haue an Antipathie against nature , as by the hatefull smell thereof doeth well appeare . For the Nose being the proper Organ and conuoy of the sense of smelling to the braines , which are the onely fountaine of that sense , doeth euer serue vs 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 haue a drying qualitie , it needes to 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 resolued 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 vp by the Sunne out of the earth , the Sea , and waters , yet are the same 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 euaporated in blustering winds . The second Argument grounded on a show of reason is , That this filthie smoake , as well 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 auoyding fleame , immediatly after the taking of it . But the fallacie of this Argument may easily appeare , by my late preceding description of the Meteors . For euen as the smoakie vapours sucked vp 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 vp 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 selues : and therefore are you no wiser in taking Tobacco for purging you of distillations , then if for preuenting the Cholike you would take all kinde of windie meates and drinkes , and for preuenting of the Stone , you would take all kinde of meates and drinkes that would breede grauell in the Kidneyes , and then when you were forced to auoyde much winde out of your stomacke , and much grauell in your Vrine , that you should attribute the thanke thereof to such nourishments as bred those within you , that behoued either to be expelled by the force of Nature , or you to haue burst at the broad side , as the Prouerbe is . As for the other two reasons founded vpon experience , the first of which is , That the whole people would not haue taken so generall a good liking thereof , if they had not by experience found it verie soueraigne 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 noueltie , I leaue it to the discreet iudgement of any man that is reasonable . Doe we not dayly see , that a man can no sooner bring ouer from beyond the Seas any new forme of apparrell , 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-loue in euery one of vs , and such is the corruption of enuie bred in the brest of euery one , as we cannot be content vnlesse we imitate euery thing that our fellowes doe , and so prooue our selues capable of euery 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 Vniuersities , 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 noueltie , and popular errour , wherof I haue 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 diuers and very many doe finde themselues cured of diuers diseases , as on the other part , no man euer receiued 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 peraduenture 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 recouering his health , O then the Tobacco forsooth , was the worker of that miracle . Beside that , it is a thing well knowen to all Phisicians , that the apprehension and conceit of the patient , hath by wakening and vniting the vitall spirits , and so strengthening nature , a great power and vertue , to cure diuers diseases For an euident 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 , & diuers such common diseases ? Yea , will not euery 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 beleeue them . And al these toyes do only proceed from the mistaking Non causam pro causa , as I haue already sayd , and so if a man chance to recouer one of any disease , after he hath taken Tobacco , that must haue the thankes of all But by the contrary , if a man smoke himselfe to death with it ( and many haue 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 neuer haue 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 neuer 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 serue for diuers , nay , contrarious sortes of diseases ? It is an vndoubted ground among all Phisicians , that there is almost no sort either of nourishment or medicine , that hath not something in it disagreeable to some part of mans bodie , because , as I haue already sayd , the nature of the temperature of euery part , is so different from another , that according to the olde prouerbe , That which is good for the head , is euill for the necke and the shoulders . For euen as a strong enemie , that inuades a towne or fortresse , although in his siege thereof , he doe belaie and compasse it round about , yet he makes his breach and entrie , at some one or few speciall parts thereof , which hee hath tried and found to bee weakest and least able to resist ; so sickenesse doth make her particular assault , vpon such part or parts of our bodie , as are weakest and easiest to be ouercome by that sort of disease , which then doth assaile vs , 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 & strengthen that part which is afflicted , as are onely 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 prooue as hurtfull for the one , as helpfull for the other . Yea , not only will a skilfull and warie Phisician bee carefull to vse no cure but that which is fit for that sort of disease , but he wil also consider all other circūstances , 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 & complexion of the Patient , & the present state of his body , in strength or weakenesse . For one cure must not euer be vsed for the selfe-same disease , but according to the varying of any of the foresaid circumstances , that sort of remedie must be vsed 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 neuer any drugge could do before ) in all persons , and at all times . It cures all maner of distillations , either in the head or stomacke ( if you beleeue their Axiomes ) although in very deede it doe both corrupt the braine , and by causing ouer quicke disgestion , 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 vp into the head , the vertue thereof , as heauie , 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 vnderstanding . As for curing of the Pockes , it serues for that vse but among the pockie Indian slaues . 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 deuils , as the smoke of Tobias fish did ( which I am sure could smel no stronglier ) it would serue for a precious Relicke , both for the superstitious Priests , and the insolent Puritanes , to cast out deuils withall . Admitting then , and not confessing that the vse thereof were healthfull for some sortes of diseases ; should it be vsed for all sicknesses ? should it be vsed by all men ? should it be vsed at al times ? yea should it be vsed by able , yong , strong , healthful men ? Medicine hath that vertue , that it neuer leaueth 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 euer and continually vsed , it doth but weaken , wearie , and weare nature . What speake I of Medicine ? Nay let a man euery houre of the day , or as oft as many in this countrey vse to take Tobacco , let a man I say , but take as oft the best sorts of nourishments in meate and drinke that can bee deuised , hee shall with the continuall vse thereof weaken both his head and his stomacke : all his members shall become feeble , his spirits dull , and in the end , as a drousie lazie belly-god , he shall euanish in a Lethargie . And from this weakenesse it proceeds , that many in this kingdome haue had such a continuall vse of taking this vnsauorie 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 vncurable weakenesse and euill constitution : for their continuall custome hath made to them , habitum , alterā naturam : so to those that from their birth haue bene continually nourished vpon poison and things venemous , wholesome meates are onely poisonable . Thus hauing , as I truste , sufficiently answered the most principall arguments that are vsed 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 lasciuious in the Stewes , if you lacke Tobacco to prouoke 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 vse 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 , & the force of the fume thereof that mounts vp to the braine : fot no drunkards loue 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 louers 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 haue 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 themselues 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 Common-wealth , should disable your selues in both ? In your persons hauing by this continuall vile custome brought your selues to this shamefull imbecilitie , that you are not able to ride or walke the iourney of a Iewes Sabboth , but you must haue a reekie cole brought you from the next poore house to kindle your Tobacco with ? whereas he cannot be thought able for any seruice 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 Caualcado vpon your enemies , if any of you should seeke leisure to stay behinde his fellowe for taking of Tobacco , for my part I should neuer bee sorie for any euill 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 ouerthrow , first of the Persian , and next of the Romane Empire . And this very custome of taking Tobacco ( whereof our present purpose is ) is euen at this day accounted so effeminate among the Indians themselues , as in the market they will offer no price for a slaue 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 vpon this precious stinke , which I am sure might be bestowed vpon many farre better vses . I read indeede of a knauish Courtier , who for abusing the fauour of the Emperour Alexander Seuerus his Master by taking bribes to intercede , for sundry persons in his Masters eare , ( for whom he neuer once opened his mouth ) was iustly 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 neuer read nor heard . And for the vanities committed in this filthie custome , is it not both great vanitie and vncleanenesse , 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 vnctuous 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 vse of this vnciuill tricke : so as if the wiues 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 vse whereof , at all times , and in all places , hath now so farre preuailed , as diuers men very sound both in iudgement , and complexion , haue bene at last forced to take it also without desire , partly because they were ashamed to seeme singular , ( like the two Philosophers that were forced to duck themselues in that raine water , and to 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 loue ) 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 owne election he would rather feele the fauour of a Sinke ) is accounted peeuish and no good company , euen as they doe with tippeling in the cold Easterne Countries . Yea the Mistresse cannot in a more manerly kinde , entertaine her seruant , then by giuing 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 wilfully 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 recouered 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 Preseruatiue . Moreouer , 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 resolue to liue in a perpetuall stinking torment . Haue you not reason then to bee ashamed , and to forbeare this filthie noueltie , so basely grounded , so foolishly receiued , and so grossely mistaken in the right vse thereof ? In your abuse thereof sinning against God , harming your selues both in persons and goods , and raking also thereby the markes and notes of vanitie vpon you : by the custome thereof making your selues to be wondered at by all forraine ciuil 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 , daungerous to the Lungs and in the blacke stinking fume thereof , neerest resembling the horrible Stigian smoke of the pit that is bottomelesse .