Nitre

Prov. xxv. 20.NITRE. A sort of Salt, or of Salt-petre, very common in Palestine, Arabia, and Egypt. The Hebrews call it Nether, and make Use of this Word to express a Salt proper to take Spots out of Cloaths, and even from the Face. The wise Man says, As he that taketh away a Garment in cold Weather, and as Vinegar upon Nitre; so is he that singeth Songs to an heavy Heart. That is to say, Musick is as serviceable in dispelling Sorrow, and in restoring a chearful Temper, as Nitre dissolved in Vinegar is useful in taking away Blemishes from the Face, or from Cloaths. They always dissolved the Nitre in Vinegar when they applied it to this Use. See the Commentary upon Prov. xxv. 20. Jeremiah¹ speaking to his People under the Image of a faithless and abandoned Spouse, has these Words: For though thou wash thee with Nitre, and take thee much Soap, yet thine Iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God. Thou art too much polluted in my Eyes ever to be made clean. This Passage proves the Use that was made of Nitre, to purifie from outward Spots and Blemishes.

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