Diseases of the soule a discourse diuine, morall, and physicall. By Tho. Adams.

The Iaundeis and Profanenesse. Disease 14.

ICterus or the Iaundeis, is a spreading of yellow choler or melancholy all ouer the body. To this I compare Profanenesse, which is an epidemiall and vniuersall sprea∣ding of wickednesse throughout all powers of the soule.

Cause.

THe Iaundeys is caused sometimes accidentally, when the bloud is corrupted by some outward occasiō with out a Feuer; or through inflammation and change of the naturall temperament of the liuer; or through obstruction of the passages which goe to the bowels, &c. The causes

of Profanenesse are an affected ignorance, a dead hart, a sen∣suall disposition, an intoxicate reason, an habituated de∣light in sinne, without sense, without science, without con∣science.

Signes and Symptomes.

THe Symptomes of both the Iaundeys and Profanenesse need no description: their externall appearance dis∣colouring, the one the skinne, the other the life, saue both Physicians much labour; if it be true, that the knowledge of the disease is halfe the cure. He hath sold himselfe to wic∣kednesse, for the price of a little vanity, like Ahab; or let a Lease, not to expire without his life. At first sight you would take him for a man; but he will presently make you change that opinion, for Circe's cup hath transform'd him. His eyes are the casements, that stand continually open, for the admission of lusts to the vncleane rest of his heart. His mouth is the diuels trumpet, and sounds nothing but the musicke of hell. His hand is besmeared with aspersi∣ons of bloud, lust, rapine, theft; as if all the infernall ser∣pents had disgorged their poysons on it. Hee loues Sathan extremely, and either swimmes to him in bloud, or sailes in a vessell of wine. His heauen is a Tauerne, whence hee neuer departs, till hee hath cast vp the reckoning. Hee is ready to sweare, there is no God, though hee sweares perpetually by him. Religion is his footstoole, and Poli∣cy his horse, Appetite his huntsman, Pleasure his game, and his dogges are his senses. He endeuours by the continu∣ance of his sports, to make the motion of pleasure circular, and the flame of his delight round, as the Moone at full, and full as bright. The point of his heart is touched with the Load-stone of this world, and he is not quiet but to∣ward the North, the scope of wickednesse. He hath bow∣led his soule at the marke of sensuality, and runs to hell to ouertake it. If the diuell can maintaine him a stocke of

thoughts, let him alone for execution; though to bastard his owne children, and water on his fathers graue. To con∣clude, he is but a specialtie of hell antedated and striues to be damned before his time.

Cure.

HIs Physick, as in some Iaundeis, must be strong of ope∣ration; for the drynesse of the ones stomacke, of the others conscience, doth eneruate the force of medicines. The speciall intentions of his cure are strong purgations and bloud-letting. If the law of God doth not purge out this corruption from his heart, let him bloud by the law of man: manacle his hands, shackle his feete, dispute vpon him with arguments of yron and steele: let him smart for his blasphemyes, slanders, quarrels, whoredomes: and be∣cause he is no allowed Chirurgion, restraine him from let∣ting bloud. Musle the Wolfe, let him haue his chaine and his clogge, bind him to the good behauiour: and if these vsuall courses will not learne him continence, sobrietie, peace, try what a New-gate and a grate will doe. If no∣thing, let vs lament his doome. Their end is damnation, whose * 1.1 God is their bellie, and whose glorie is in their shame, who minde earthly things.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Phil. 3. 19.