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Qu. Is the Plague infectious?
CHAP. I.
An∣swer. EVery Answer is to be made, either by Affirming or De∣nying, or Distinguishing, or by Retorting. Affirme it to be, or not to be I cannot, for reason ensuing. For retor∣ting an answer I could, by vrging a Quere of like nature, thus: Is the crab restoritiue, yea or no? If answer be made, tell me whither you speak of the fruit crab or Sea-crab, and then I will satisfie you: euen so I say, tell me whither you speake of the Naturall Plague, or the Supernaturall Plague, and then I will say it is, or it is not, infectious. The doubtfulnes then of the answer, doth arise from the doubtful∣nes of the question. The question is doubtfull by reason of the word Plague, for that it hath sundry significations. For the better vnder∣standing whereof, let vs first examine the seuerall senses.
Plague, is a word taken in the evill part, and spoken of any harme inflicted vpon any Creature. All diseases are termed plagues, be they inflicted vpon mankinde, or others. So be Crosses in Common Wealthes, Ch••rches, Famelies: So be som Windes, and Weathers to Trees, hearbes, flowers, &c. And so Egypt had his ten sundry plagues. But passing by all such inferiour sortes, it is in this dispute taken for a speciall kinde of evill inflicted on mankinde. The Divine Prophets Canonicall do terme it in Hebrue DEBER. The divine Septuagint•• do specially terme it in Greek Logos. The Ancient Heathē Phisitians do terme it Loimos. The Latines call it Pestis, and Plaga: whereof do come our English wordes, Pest. Pestilence, Plague: but Plaga in playne English, A Stripe or Blowe: and therefore how many stripes, so many Plagues.