By means of which, so disturbed, concoction is hindred, and the principal parts are much debilitated; as Dr Navarra well declared, being consulted by Montanus about a melancholy Jew. The spirits so confounded, the nourishment must needs be abated, bad humors increased, crudities and thick spirits ingendred with melancholy blood. The other parts cannot perform their functions, having the spirits drawn from them by vehement passion, but fail in sense and motion; so we look upon a thing, and see it not; hear, and observe not; which otherwise would much affect us, had we been free.

I may therefore conclude with Arnoldus, Maxima vis est phantasiæ, & huic uni ferè, non autem corporis intemperiei, omnis melancholiæ causa est ascribenda: Great is the force of Imagination, and much more ought the cause of melancholy to be ascribed to this alone, then to the distemperature of the body.

Of which Imagination, because it hath so great a stroke in producing this malady, and is so powerful of it self, it will not be improper to my discourse, to make a brief Digression, and speak of the force of it, and how it causeth this alteration. Which maner of Digression, howsoever some dislike, as frivolous and impertinent, yet I am of Beroaldus his opinion, Such Digressions do mightily delight and refresh a weary Reader, they are like sauce to a bad stomack, and I do therefore most willingly use them.