Phisicke for the soule verye necessarie to be vsed in the agonie of death, and in those extreme and moste perillous seasons, aswell for those, which are in good health, as those, which are endewed with bodily sicknesse. Translated out of Latine into Englishe, by H. Thorne.

Wherefore sicknesses ar sent vnto vs from God.

THen as death is y^e punishment of sinne: Euen so diseases are many times sent vnto vs from God, for our sinnes, the whi∣che thing is manifest by ma∣nye testimonies of Scripture, as in Ioan. 5. Psalme. 88. Deut. 28. 2. Reg. 24. We are also often afflicted, that oure fayth thereby mought be tryed. For then surely a man may sée, how much wée loue God, how muche we trust in him, when we are afflic∣ted, and oppressed with some gréeuous crosse. Then here aboue all things sée, that thou re∣pent vnfaynedly, turning thy whole heart, minde, and senses vnto God, that thou mai∣est confesse and bewayle thy sinnes before him. For sinne is the onely cause, why we deserue the most iust wrath, & heauie plague of God.* 1.1 And thou shalt gather out of Saint Iohn his Gospell, the most aboundant com∣fort, off absolution or remission of sinnes, which Christ hath instituted and left vnto his vniuersall Church. This vnmeasurable treasure, is opened and offered vnto thée dai∣lye. Christ sayth, receiue yée the holy Ghost,* 1.2 whose sinnes soeuer yée forgiue, they are for∣giuen them, and whose sinnes soeuer yée re∣taine,

they are retained. Now when we haue desired and obtained forgiuenesse of our mis∣déedes, without all question to the contrarie, the paine and griefe or affliction also béeing on vs, either will cease and leaue vs, either will redownd vnto the saluation of the sicke body, according to the passing good will and pleasure of almightie God. For thou must be throughly perswaded, that thou nothing doubt herein, but that the paine or crosse (al∣though it séeme vnto the flesh a verie heauie yoke and burthen) is a méere fatherly rodde and correction, whereby God doth withhold, and call backe thée, his childe, from commit∣ting of sinne, entising and alluring thée vn∣to him. God verily loueth vs with a feruent zeale, hée willingly tendereth our saluation, and worketh all things vnto this ende and purpose, that he may correct vs, and bring vs vnto good. For looke whome he loueth, him doth he correct, him doth he chasten & afflict in this world, least after this lyfe, he should be tormented with the euerlasting paine of vnquenchable fire. And wauer not, but per∣swade thy selfe most certainely, that God is thy most louing Father, and much desirous of thée, howsoeuer he seeme to be angry with

thée. This is not the wrath of a Tiraunt, and an executioner, but of a father intéerely louing vs, which would not that we should be lost, and cast awaye: but that we béeing corrected shoulde amende, and obtaine sal∣uation. This is a most certaine truth, if so be that we, whose faith is so weake, can be∣leue it. First of all therefore, aske thou for∣giuenesse and remission of all thy sinnes, but through Christ, and with a verie repentant heart, that thou mayest well accorde with God, that thou mayest find him pacified and mercifull vnto thée. After this done, thou mayest also beséech him to delyuer thée from the affliction, which troubleth thée. So doth Ecclesiasticus teach vs, whereas he sayth:* 1.3 My sonne despise not thy selfe, in thy sicke∣nesse, but pray vnto the Lorde, and he shall heale thée. And so doth the Psalmist praye. Remember not (O Lorde) our olde iniqui∣ties, let thy mercies spéedily preuent vs,* 1.4 help vs O God our Sauior. Conuert vs O thou Lorde God of power, shewe vs thy louing countinance, and we shall be safe, how long wilt thou be angrie?

First he desireth forgiuenesse of his sinnes, that he might be iustified by the grace of god.

Next he entreateth against y^e wrath of God, And when thou prayest for the deliuerance and easement of the crosse, which oppresseth thée, thou shalt alwayes put to this additiō: Thy most blessed and holy will be done. For we cannot better sée vnto our selues, then cā our most faithfull Father, of his endlesse po∣wer, wisedome, and infinite goodnesse, which neuer turneth his eies from vs, but with all diligence taketh care of vs, which knoweth the number of the heares of our heads,* 1.5 which doth quicken, comfort, cherishe, couer, nou∣rish, preserue, and defend all things, which helpeth and prouideth for all men, much more, and farre better, then any creatures can bée able, yea, to wish for.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ioan. 20.
• * 1.2

  Math. 18.
• * 1.3

  Eccle. 38.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 79.
• * 1.5

  Math. 10.