1 Who is the author and sender of sicknesse .

The Scriptures do teach vs , that all sicknesse of body proceedeth from God , as appeareth by these places : In Deut. 28. v. 21 , 22. The Lord shall make pestilence to cleaue vnto thee , vntil he hath consumed thee from the land whether thou goest to possesse it . The Lord shall smitt thee with a consumption , and with a Feuer , and with a burning Ague , and with feruent heate . And in 1 Sam . 5.9 . The hand of the Lord was against the Citie with a very great destruction : and he smot the men of the ●… tie both small and great , and they had Emerods in their secret parts .

In that God is the author of sicknes , we may learne these Lessons .

1 We must not ascribe our sicknesse to chaunce or fortune : for it is of the will of God .

2 Looke not too much to the meanes of thy sicknes : as to cold , surfeting , infected houses , &c. But to lift vp thine eyes to Heaven , remembring that the Lord hath sent it .

Rom 9.19 . 3 Storme not against sicknes with murmuring or impatience ; for thou canst not resist it : the Lord hath sent it : and who hath resisted his will .

4 In Sicknesse seeke to the Lord for remedie ; for he sent it , and he must take it away : So it is written . Hos . 6.1 . Come and let vs returne to the Lord , for he hath spoyled , and he will heale vs : Hose . 6.1 . he hath wounded vs , and he will bind vs vp .

We must be carefull therefore that wee seeke not for health by vnlawfull meanes , 1. 2 King . 1.3 . as by Witchcraft , Coniuring , Charming &c. For Ahaziah is rebuked , for that in hi● Sicknes he sent to aske counsayle concerning his recovery of Baal-zebub the God of Ekron .

2 We must not depend too much vpon the lawfull meanes : 2. Chro . 16 12 as vpon the Physition &c. For this was noted for a sinne in King Asa , that being diseased in his feete , he sought not the Lord in his disease , but to the Physitions : that is , the Physitions only .

2 What prouoketh God to smite man with Sicknesse .

The Scripture doe teach vs , that the sin of man , Leuit. 26 14.15.16 . is commonly the cause why hee is smitten with sicknes . as in Levit . 26. v. 14.15.16 . If yee will not obey me , nor doe all the commaundements , &c. Then will I also do this vnto you : I will appoynt ouer you fearefulnesse , ( or a hasty plague ) a consumption , and the burning Ague , to consume the eyes , and to make the heart heauy . 2. Sam . 24.15 .

Dauids mistrust in numbring the people , was scourged with a plague of 70000. men , within three dayes .

We haue among the rest these particular sinnes set downe , as the causes of this devouring plague of pestilence :

The first sinne is , Exod 5.3 . The neglect of Gods seruice : Moses & Aaron desires Pharaohs leaue to goe and sacrifice to the Lord in the desert , least for want thereof he bring vpon them the Pestilence .

Secondly , The abuse of the Sacraments . 1. Cor 11.30 . For this cause ( saith Paul ) that is , for abusing the Lords Supper , ( as is before in that 1. Cor . 11. Chapter , 30. ver . ) many are weake and sicke among you , and many sleepe .

Thirdly , Disobedience to Gouernours . Nomb . 16 49. As Numbers 16.49 . verse . The Israelites for rebelling against Moses and Aaron , dyed of the plague fourteene thousand and seven hundren men .

Fourthly , Their Murmuring against God . So Moses saith , Numb . 13.3 . The Israelites murmured against God , because he led them no sooner into the land of Canaan , and because the land was no better , therefore the Lord threatned to smit them with the Pestilence , and to destroy them .

And no doubt these sinnes and offences principally are among others the most sensible and apparant causes of the plague among vs. As 1. The contempt of the hearing of the word . 2 The neglect of the communication of the Sacrament . 3 Our vnrulinesse , and disobedience to Magistrats . 4 Our murmuring against God in the very time of the iudgement .

In that sinne is commonly the cause of Sicknesse , learne these Lessons .

First , looke not too much on the meanes whereby , or the manner how thou art afflicted : but looke especially to thy sinne , as the principall cause of it . We say commonly , I tooke my sickenesse by such a iourney , by such a surfeit , in such an infected house , &c. True , those were the outward meanes : But it was thy sinne within thee which provoked God to offer those meanes to thee , and to make them stronge and effectuall to afflict thee .

Secondly , When thou art visited with sicknesse , enter into examination of thine owne heart , what sinnes doe principally raigne in thee , & do provoke God to smite thee in that manner .

Thirdly , by fasting & prayer and repentance , turne to the Lord thy God , that hee may in mercy forgiue thy sinne , and consequently take away thy affliction .

Fourthly , Learne thereby to loath and avoyde sinne , which so incenseth God , and afflicteth thee .

But note by the way and consider , first , that sinne is not alwayes the cause of the crosse , as may appeare by the answere of Christ to his Disciples , concerning the man that was borne blinde .

Secondly , those which are afflicted , are not alwayes greater sinners then others , Ioh . 9.2.3 . as appeareth by the answer of Christ to those which shewed him of the Galileans , Luke 13.1.2 . whose blood Pilate had mingled with their owne Sacrifices .

Therefore when thou seest thy neighbour afflicted , neither iudge him rashly to be worse than thy selfe : nor excuse thy selfe presumptuously to be better , or more righteous than he .

3 To what end God smiteth man with sicknesse .

God which is infinitely good , seeketh nothing in afflicting his children , but their good : as namely , hee doth visite vs with sicknesse for these causes .

First , to drawe vs to repentance and amendment of life : 1. Cor . 11.32 . least our sinne be our destruction ; as the Apostle Paul saith : 1. Cor . 11.32 . When we are iudged , we are chastened of the Lord , because we should not be condemned with the world .

Secondly , The Lord smiteth man , to humble the pride of our hearts , Psalm . 107 12. by the feeling of our owne frayltie & misery : when he humbled their hearts ( saith Dauid ) Psal . 107.12 . with heauinesse , they fell downe , and there was no helper .

Thirdly , The Lord doth smite vs , to trie and examine vs , Psal . 2.18 . whether we will stand as fast to God in the time of adversitie , as we seemed and promised to stand to him in the time of prosperitie .

Christ when he suffered , as Psal . 22.17 , 18. Psal . 30.6 7. vers . is said to be tempted , that is , tryed and prooved in affliction , as gold is tryed in the furnace .

Fourthly , God smites vs , because wee should shake off from vs all carnall securitie : for prosperitie maketh vs carelesse and negligent in the worship and service of God , yea , even to forget God . Therefore the Prophet David , in psalme 30.6.7 . In my prosperitie I said , I shall neuer be moued , for thou Lord of thy goodnes hadst made my mountaine to stand strong , but thou diddest hid thy face , and I was troubled .

Therefore this must teach vs , to apply our sicknesse vnto the right end . Not the more the hand of God is vpon vs , the more to harden our hearts ( as Pharaoh did in Aegypt . ) But our visitation must make vs better : namely , it must make vs more penitent for our sinnes , more humble in heart , more stedfast in faith , and more watchfull over our owne soules , least that if we profit not by so effectuall meanes , our sicknes shall be vnto vs but the beginings of far greater iudgments . As the Lord threatneth in Leuit. 26. That if this iudgment of pestilence will not breake in peeces thy hard and stony heart , the Lord I say hath pronounced in the said 26. of Leuit. saying verse 18. And if ye will not for these things obey me , then will I punish you seuen times more , according to your sinnes . &c. and so forwards throughout the chapter , and thou shalt there finde , that God will not onely bring vpon them all the plagues of Aegyt , that if those Aegyptian plagues would not reforme them , but that they would still be a people rebellious , then the Lord will set his face against them , and I will punish you seuen times more according to your sinnes . &c. And thus the Lord foure severall times in that chapter , repeteth the plagues that hee will send , therefore let vs make a right vse of this plague of pestilence , that the Lords hand may be stayed , and our land healed .

Fourthly , How a man may gather comfort to himselfe in Sicknesse .

First , let the sickeman consider that his visitation is sent of God , who is rich in mercy , and abundant in goodnesse and truth , and loveth him in Christ .

Eph. 2.4 . Exod . 34 6 Heb . 12.7 . Cor . 10.13 . From thence he may gather , first that God correcteth him of loue as a Father , and punisheth him not as a Iudge .

Secondly , God will lay no more vpon him , then he will make him able to beare .

Thirdly , God will giue an issue to the temptation in due time as shall be best for him .

Let the sicke man consider , how little his paine is in respect of that which others indured . Doth thy head ake , or thy heart pant , or thy foote or belly greiue thee ? Is one member distressed , yet is not thy case like Iobs : all his members were afflicted at once he was smitten with boyles , from the soale of his foote vnto his crowne . Iob . 2.7 Is thy whole body afflicted ? Psal . 55.4 . Math . 13.50 . Yet is not thy case like Dauids , when being distressed in soule he cryed out , saying : My heart trembleth within me , and the terrors of death are come vpon me . Luk 16.24 Feare and trembling are come vpon me , and an horrible feare hath couered me . Is thy soule distressed ? Yet is not thy affliction like those which lye yelling in Hell , in fyre vnquenchable , weeping , and wayling and gnashing their teeth ; and haue not so much as a dropp of cold water to coole their tongues .

Then thinke thus with thy selfe : Is one member greived ? God could smite all . Am I heart sicke ? God could inlarge my heart , and there with all my payne seven fold more . Am I distressed in soule ? Luke 12.5 . God could giue me over into desperation . Am I distressed both in body and soule ? God could throw both body and soule into hell fire . Thus mayst thou gather comfort in thy greatest payne , by considering how much lesse thy payne is , then God is able to inflict .

Let the sicke man consider , how much lesse his paine is then he deserveth . Psal . 14.3 . All are gone out of the way : saith Dauid , Psalme 14.3 , Iam . 2.3 . Rom. 6.23 . Deut . 27.26 . And in many things we offend all . I am , 2 , 3. Now the reward of sinne is death : ( Rom. 6.2 , 3. ) that is , the curse of God , hell fire , vtter confusion both of body and soule . The damned in Hell would gladly suffer the pangs of death for ever , that they might be eased of their torments but for a while . Thus mayest thou gather comfort to thy selfe , considering how sparingly the Lord scourgeth thee , when as for thy desert he might vtterly confound thee .

4 Also let the sicke man consider , that the best Saincts of God haue ben subiect to the like distresse , and haue beene visited with the like crosse of sicknesse .

Gen. 48.1 . Iacob wrestled with God , and prevailed with men , Iob 27. yet subiect to sickenesse . Iob an vpright man and a iust , yet was he smitten with vlcers , from the head to the foote .

2 King . 13 14 Elizeus an holy Prophet , the spirit of Elias was double vpon him , yet he sickned and dyed . 2 King 10.1 . Hezekiah , an holy King , there arose none like him , either before or after him , yet was he sicke to the death . Iesus loved Lazerus , Ioh . 11.15 yet he sickned & dyed of it .

Of this meditation , the sicke man may gather this comfort . Surely , notwithstanding my sicknes , my part shall be among the holy Patriarckes , Prophets , and Saincts of God , beloved of Iesus Christ , for thus were they visited and afflicted . Yea , this argueth , that I am of their number : for God scourgeth every sonne that he receiueth . Hebr . 12.6

Fifthly , Let the sicke man consider , how great the ioyes of Heaven are , which are layd vp in store for him , if hee patiently abide the Lords visitation , euen such as the eye hath not seene , 1. Cor . 2.9 . Rom. 8.18 neither hath the eare heard , neither is the heart able to conceiue : so will he say with Paul , I count that the afflictions of this present time , are not worthy the glory which shall be shewed to vs. Thus will the hope of the ioy to come , asswage the payne of the present maladie .

Sixthly , Let the sicke man consider , Luk 24.26 that such things Christ himselfe suffered , and so entred into his glory . And now being in his glory , he seeth , feeleth , and pittieth the distresse of his members . For ( saith the Apostle ) wee haue not an high Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities , Heb . 4.15 . but was in all things tempted in like sort , and therefore knoweth the better to pitie vs.

From this meditation , will a rise this comfort . Doth Christ which redeemed me , both see and feele my affliction : Surely then will the same my Redeemer , comfort me in measure sufficient , and release me in time covenient .

5 How a man should behaue himselfe in time of his sicknesse .

Concerning spirituall things , let the sicke man thus exercise himselfe .

First let him be occupied in prayer . In which prayer , let him craue of God these poynts following .

1 That he may haue a sight of his sinnes . 2 A godly sorrow for his sinnes . 3 The forgivenes of his sinnes . 4 Faith , to beleeue that his sinnes are forgiuen him . 5 Patience and constancy in his trouble .

Sixthly , Deliverance in good time , which way it pleaseth God .

So are we commaunded to doe , and so haue the Saincts left vs an example : as the Apostle Iames 5.15 . saith , Iam . 5.15 Is any man afflicted ? lat him pray . Is any meery ? let him sing psalmes . 2. King . 20.2 . Also it was the practise of Ezechiah being sicke , turned his face to the wall , and prayed to the Lord .

Secondly , Let him be occupied in reading of the word : for there he shall finde ,

1 Examples of Gods mercy shewed vpon the afflicted . 2 Comfortable promises of strength and deliverance made to the Saincts . 3. Instruction how to beare , and what vse to make of Gods visitation .

All these ( and more then these ) shall he find in Gods word . Whereof Dauid said in psalme 19.10 . Psal . 19.10 Psal . 119.92 . Thy word is sweeter than honie , and the hony combe . And psal . 119.92 . Except thy Law had been my delight , I should haue perished in my affliction .

Thirdly , Let him meditate of the other life which he is passing vnto , where he shal haue Saboath vpon Saboath : that is , rest for evermore . Where , Esa 66.23 . the Lord shall wipe a-away all teares from his eyes : and there shall be no more death , neither sorrow , neither crying , neither shall there be any more payne , Revel . 21.4 . for the first things ( that is the worst things ) are there passed ouer .

Concerning temporall things , let the sicke man obserue these poynts .

After he hath sought to the Lord who smit him &c. Then let him in the first place seeke help vnto the Physition , and all other lawfull meanes of recovering health . Ecclu . 34.1 Math . 8.15 Honor the Physition for thy necessities sake , for God hath created him . saith Ecclesiastic . 38.1 The Lord healeth not now either myraculously ( as he did Peters wiues mother ) or contrary to meanes ( as he did Hezechiah ) with a cluster of figges , 2 King . 20 7. Ioh . 9.6 , or the eyes of the blinde with clay , Ioh . 9. ) But he smiteth by meanes , and he healeth by meanes . To that end hath he given to man , the knowledge of the secreets and properties of natural things : and to that end also hath he p●… that nature and strength into hearbes , sp●ces , rootes , &c. That they might be soveraigne to our diseases . So that whosoever despiseth in sicknesse the lawfull meanes which God offereth of recoverie , that man is guiltie of his owne bloud , in the presence of the Lord .

2 Let him dispose the goods which the Lord hath given him , by his Will & Testament as Isaiah the Prophet willeth Hezekiah to put his house in order , because hee should dy , and not liue . And of his so doing , will follow this good .

1 He may dispose of his goods which God hath sent him , as they may most glorifie God ( which gaue them ) after his decease

2 He shall cut of much occasion of contention and striffe among those whom he leaveth behind him .

3 His mind shall be the quieter , and the more heartely bent to God , and to another world : when he hath set at a stay the goods of this life , according to his will . Then may he say with Iacob , O Lord , I haue waited for thy saluation . Gen. 49.18 .