rly
mutual kindnesses and actions, wherein they spend their whole lives,
and are never diverted by studies, and ingenuity from their proposed
way of gain, by all which means they get into a fixed familiarity and
good opinion with their Neighbours, and a large acquaintance in the
World. Now for their skill, besides what hath been before-mentioned,
and common to them with the Mountebank, viz. Vapouring and braging of
their skill, and decrying Physicians, by talking above the Capacity of
those they converse with, who therefore take all they say to be
authentick, though never so absurd, and trivial, and many times to set
off themselves they will venture to speak Latine commonly as false as
the matter, although some of them at Coffee-Houses, and in other mixt
Companies, by venturing so boldly have been met with and baffled, and
made to depart thence with shame and discredit enough, which their
friends and acquaintance take little notice of. Add hereunto their
exposing to view their Compositions of Treacle, Mithridate,
Diascordium and Alkermes, which all their friends, and neighbours one
time or another must see; (being set off by some very curiously) and
seeing cannot but admire the great charge, art, and labour of the
Apothecary, and perhaps hear his learned Lecture upon them, whereby
they imply their great skill, knowledg in the virtues of these
ingredients, and consequently an ability to practise with them; all
which are below the dignity of a Physician; and therefore a long time
is necessary for him to gain acquaintance, wanting the fore-mentioned
opportunities the Apothecaries enjoy. Lastly, Their painted Pots and
Glasses, with false Titles on them, more win the vulgar then a
Physicians Library of far greater value.

As to their incapacity for Practice, 'tis manifest by their education,
and ignorance of all those things which are required in an able
Physician, viz. the knowledg of Arts and Languages; by the former
whereof men learn the way and rules of observing, and improvements to
be made thereon; by the latter, what the learned searchers of Nature
have in all Ages taken notice of, necessary, and little enough in an
Art so difficult as that of Physic. They are wholy ignorant also of
all Philosophy, and the very Elements of the Art, and therefore
unskillful in knowing diseases; and more surely their causes, whereto
respect is to be had, as well as to the diseases, to which, fit
remedies are to be applyed. For want of