LIFE AND DEATH. 415 



yet it will dwell more at large, and live amongst good 

 neighbours and friends. Now this aphorism is most useful 

 to our end, because it tendeth to the inteneration of the 

 obstinate parts by the detention of the spirit. 



CANON IX. 



The inteneration of the harder parts cometh to good effect 

 when the spirit neither flieth forth, nor begetteth new spirit. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



This canon solveth the knot and difficulty in the opera 

 tion of intenerating by the detention of the spirit ; for if 

 the spirit not flying forth wasteth all within, there is no 

 thing gotten to the inteneration of the parts in their sub 

 sistence, but rather they are dissolved and corrupted. There 

 fore together with the detention, the spirits ought to be 

 cooled and restrained, that they may not be too active. 



CANON X. 



The heat of the spirit to keep the body fresh and green, 

 ought to be robust, not eager. 



THE EXPLICATION. 



Also this canon pertaineth to the solving of the knot 

 aforesaid, but it is of a much larger extent, for it setteth 

 down of what temperament the heat in the body ought to 

 be for the obtaining of long life. Now this is useful, whe 

 ther the spirits be detained, or whether they be not. For 

 howsoever the heat of the spirits must be such, as it may 

 rather turn itself upon the hard parts, than waste the soft; 

 for the one desiccateth, the other intenerateth. Besides, 

 the same thing is available to the well perfecting of assi 

 milation ; for such a heat doth excellently excite the faculty 

 of assimilation, and withal doth excellently prepare the 

 matter to be assimilated. Now the properties of this kind 

 of heat ought to be these. First, that it be slow, and heat 

 not suddenly. Secondly, that it be not very intense, but 

 moderate. Thirdly, that it be equal, not incomposed ; 

 namely, intending and remitting itself. Fourthly, that if 

 this heat meet any thing to resist it, it be not easily suf 

 focated or languish. The operation is exceeding subtile, 

 but seeing it is one of the most useful, it is not to be 

 deserted. Now in those remedies which we propounded to 

 invest the spirits with a robust heat, or that which we call 

 operative, not predatory, we have in some sort satisfied this 

 matter. 



