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CHAP. I. (Book 1)
The Causes of the Plague in general. (Book 1)
IT is an Axiome agreed unto by all Philosophers, That a Cause is that, whereupon dependeth, or whence issueth an effect, or that by which any thing happeneth. Some hold that there are four causes of every thing, viz. Causa Essentialis, Materialis, Formalis, and Finalis. Plato mentioneth three kinds of Causes, and distin∣guisheth them by these three Terms, By which, Of which, and For which; but taketh the most principal to be that, By which, it being the Efficient Cause. And that the Heavens are the Efficient and Essential Causes of Plagues, or other Contagious diseases, we need not doubt, it being so congruent to Reason to be∣lieve.
Physicians tell us, that the Plague is a disease most Malignant and Pestilential; a Fever in the highest de∣gree, which doth suddenly putrifie and corrupt, both the Solid and Fluid parts of the body; which having done, by an (almost) uncontrolable and unrepell∣able siecity, dries up and destroys the Natural Powers, then seizeth or preyeth upon the vitals, and so lets in the everlasting Enemy, DEATH. And sith by Divine Logick we are able to prove, that all effects have suit∣able and corresponding Causes [Men do not gather Grapes of Thornes, or Figgs of Thistles!] It is most Ra∣tional to believe, that this so terrible disease, must proceed from some Cause or Causes, most Illustrious,